Sunday 17th April 2016

Ipinmisho: 7 in 10 Boys on Kano, Kaduna Streets High on Drugs Kasim Sumaina in Abuja .

Kano State, closely followed by Kaduna, Katsina, Borno and more recently, Niger State are among states in the North with the highest cases of constant drug abuse in the country, it has been revealed.

Disclosing this in an

interview with THISDAY yesterday, former Director General, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Otunba Olarewaju Ipinmisho, said the upsurge in substance abuse in Kano and Kaduna States particularly, was frightening and if not quickly tackled, may get out of control.

According to him, "If you take an estimate of 10 boys particularly in Kano, seven will be on drugs. How then do we ascertain peace in such a place? That is why the governor will labour and see no result because the average teenager there is on drugs.

"This case is very frightening

because, the boy taking drugs at home is as dangerous as the armed robber in the night.

That is a murderer in waiting.

And anyone who attempts to stop him should be ready to die because he can kill to get his way."

He explained that the problem in these areas could

easily spread to other parts of the North. For him, the case of Kaduna, which is close to Abuja is worrisome.

"Abuja is not an exemption because places like Wuse ll, especially Banex Junction is a spot FCT Police Command should do something about," Ipinmisho said.

Continuing, he said; "In Nigeria, it is very, very frightening. Go to political rallies today and see what drugs are doing to the youth of this country. Particularly in the North, they have a lot to worry about when it comes

Sagay Faults Supreme Court Decision on Rivers Governorship Election... Page 10

Continued on page 6

Sunday 17 April, 2016 Vol 21. No 7662

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$6bn Chinese Deal Comes with Proviso: No Dealing With Taiwan!

Olawale Olaleye Details of the $6 billion dollars investments deal reached with the Chinese Government during President Muhammadu Buhari’s state visit to China last

week emerged at the weekend showing that a conditional stipulation that Nigeria must not deal with Taiwan was attached to the deal.

The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) has continued

to proclaim the One China policy, insisting it is the sole legal government of China and that Taiwan is a province of China, a development that has made Taiwan, also known as Republic of China (ROC), not

to be recognised as a sovereign state by most countries.

Though ROC ceased to be a member of the United Nations in 1971 when it lost its UN seat as China and was replaced by the PRC, as of 2013, the ROC

maintained official diplomatic relations with 21 UN member states and the Holy See. It also maintains informal relations with several other UN member states and has offices that conduct its affairs

under such names as "Taipei Representative Office" (TRO) or "Taipei Economic and Cultural (Representative) Office" (TECO) in those countries.

Continued on page 6

Osinbajo: 250,000 Barrels of Oil per Day Being Lost in Niger Delta How Kachikwu got IOCs to support forex demand by petrol marketers

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba and Chineme Okafor in Abuja

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said at the weekend that pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta was causing Nigeria huge revenue losses and preventing the country from meeting its daily crude oil production plan. Osinbajo made the assertion on Friday in Warri after an assessment of the damage to pipelines at the Forcados Terminal in Delta State. He said the federal government was weighing several options in an attempt to tackle the menace, including dedication of a special antivandalism security force to the oil producing areas.

The Navy has already commenced a massive operation in the Niger Delta to secure oil facilities.

In a related development, THISDAY has learnt how International Oil Companies operating in the country acquiesced to a request by the Minister of State for Continued on page 6

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IN HONOUR OF FOWORA....

President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote (left), and son of the deceased, Otunba Segun Fowora, during the funeral service and burial ceremony for Late Otunba Eric Ademola Fowora, held at the Cathedral Church of our Saviour, Ijebu-Ode, DAN UKANA Ogun State...on Friday

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SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2016 ˾ T H I S D AY T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE SIX OSINBAJO: 250,000 BARRELS PER DAY BEING LOST IN NIGER DELTA Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, to support petrol marketers with more foreign exchange to import premium motor spirit. PMS, the most consumed petroleum product in Nigeria, is mainly imported.

Shortfalls in the product’s supply in the last three months owing to foreign exchange shortages have engendered a scarcity that is threatening both economic activities and living standards.

But in recent meetings with the IOCs, Kachikwu was said to have appealed to them to show greater commitment to the country, particularly, by helping the federal government’s effort to resolve the protracted petrol scarcity.

Nigeria recently lost its Africa’s top oil producer status to Angola following vast drops in crude oil production. According to the latest data from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Nigeria’s daily crude oil production fell by 67,000 barrels per day last month. In its Monthly Oil Market Report for April, which was released on Wednesday, OPEC said Nigeria produced 1.677 million barrels per day in March, down from 1.744 million bpd in February, while the Angolan oil output rose from 1.767 million bpd to 1.782 million. It was the second time in four months that Nigeria would be pushed to the second position by Angola in the continental crude oil production profile.

Lamenting the damage to Nigeria’s production capacity due to the destruction of oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta by pipeline vandals, Osinbajo said the federal

government was considering deploying more sophisticated military machinery in the region to protect the oil infrastructure.

Fielding questions from newsmen, he said the country was “losing thousands of barrels of production. We are not able to produce as much as we ought to. About 250,000 barrels are lost per day. We are losing large sums of money daily.

We look for alternatives while we look forward to repairing the pipelines.”

Osinbajo said vandalism was also affecting gas supply to the country's power stations.

“The damage done has led to low supply of gas and most of the power plants are not functioning to maximum capacity. We went to Forcados to see for ourselves the sabotage done to our pipelines. We have seen the alternative steps that the NNPC is taking in order to ameliorate the damage that has been done and the problem associated with getting gas from that terminal to all of our plants.”

The vice president, who was accompanied on the visit by the Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and some senior federal and state government officials, added, “There is a lot of effort being made by the federal government and (Delta) state government as well as communal help. We must meet current vandalism challenges but also look into what we can do in the future.

“We would have to deploy even sophisticated weapons to ensure we contain the vandal-

ism, overhaul security, and a permanent pipeline security force might also be an option to look at.”

He likened pipeline vandals to “any type of terrorists or saboteurs,” saying President Muhammadu Buhari’s position on confronting vandals with the severest measures possible should be supported by all and sundry. “I agree entirely that pipelines vandals should not be tolerated under any circumstances,” he said.

Meanwhile, a top official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, who did want to be mentioned because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, told THISDAY yesterday that the foreign oil companies had agreed to aid the petrol marketers with foreign exchange. He said the arrangement was not a profit hunt by the IOCs, but basically a mission to help Nigeria resolve its crippling fuel problem.

The official said Kachikwu had to bring his relationship in the industry to bear on the deal, having worked in the upstream sector with ExxonMobil.

He said under the deal, the IOCs would sell their dollars at current Central Bank of Nigeria exchange rate to the marketers, stressing, “It was a huge sacrifice they were willing to make for Nigeria.”

Kachikwu had recently announced a $200 million forex package negotiated with the IOCs and the CBN to ease the forex challenges of petrol marketers. The package, he explained, would see individual IOCs tied to select fuel marketing companies to

help them with forex to meet their Quarter-2 importation lot.

The source explained, “That’s the sector that he used to work in and so what he did first was to leverage on the relationship he had built over the years to salvage the current circumstance when we don’t have enough to go round everybody.

“The truth is that it is a lot of sacrifice for them because these companies are also under a lot of pressure and they are going through challenging times with oil prices, but they could turn around to do this for Nigeria.

“We needed to think out of the box and so he went to them, sat with them and talked with them individually to try and get commitment because, no doubt, everybody would want to hold on to their dollars. But he got them to agree to support this in the interest of the country.

“It is better for everybody to get involved in this and that was the driver for the initiative. He has matched each of the IOCs to every local player so every one of them is linked to the players they will support at this period.”

Asked about possible objections by the boards of the IOCs to the request, the NNPC official said, “It is down to the same will and more than maximising shareholders returns. Unless you are not a player who has come to stay here, then you will step aside and say you really don’t care. “‘It is goodwill and emotive connection that made them support the initiative and this was more than the usual boardroom bureaucracy and

thinking.”

He also said the minister did not agree to any form of concession with the IOCs on the forex deal, adding, “There was no concession; you could almost look at it from a CSR stand.

“They do business here and they get value and they have invested good money here too. But in times like this it is fair for them to show a long-term commitment to this country. That is what they have done.”

The source also disclosed that as part of the compromise, the IOCs would exchange their dollars at extant CBN rates to the marketers while the CBN will in turn exchange the naira for dollar whenever they need it for procurements and other forex denominated expenses.

He said other upstream operators in the country that were initially left out of the arrangement had begun to turn up and ask to be included.

In the meantime, the NNPC has been urged to urgently lift the suspension it placed last month on product allocation to credit marketers to ease the current scarcity in the country.The marketers alleged that NNPPC’s ban on petrol allocation to credit marketers in March coincided with aggravation of the now three-month-old acute shortage of petrol.

One of the marketers, who is a member of the Association of Credit Marketers of Petroleum Products in Nigeria (ACMPPN), told reporters that credit marketers had not been allocated products by the NNPC since last

month. The marketer who spoke anonymously explained that the decision of the NNPC to deny them products had contributed to the shutting down of about 1,000 filling stations across the country.

He noted that the argument that credit marketers were hugely indebted to NNPC was not true because the marketers had bank guarantees to back their purchases.

He stated, “Each credit marketer has a bank guarantee and that means the credit is secured. So why is NNPC asking the major marketers to go back to business and we that have bank guarantees you are shutting us out.

“What is happening is nothing short of sabotage because the credit marketers have the best distribution business not only in the big cities like Abuja and Lagos but across the country.”

He noted that the credit marketing framework worked well during the time of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, adding, “NNPC knows that without our participation it will be very difficult to end the scarcity and so the big question is, why are they still not allowing us to do our business. In all the depots across the country no marketer is loading product.”

When contacted to clarify the development, the national president of ACMPPN, Mr. Samuel Nwoga, said the group was already in talks with the NNPC and the situation was being looked into.

He, however, insisted that the credit marketers were not indebted to the NNPC.

But beyond that, they are not sure which country can sufficiently supply all that they need in terms of food consumption by the time they factor in their own local consumption.

“It was against this backdrop he told us the initiative that drove their huge investment in agriculture with all the modern equipment put into it. He said they were not happy with the situation with some African countries and therefore advised Buhari to see the compelling need to put a lot into agriculture. We got his message very clearly.

“So, the trip was a huge success and we took back a lot from it. But more importantly is that we have been able to create another ally but that friendship or trip has not completely solved our problems. We are the ones to solve our own problems ourselves and we are prepared for it,” he said.

During the visit, several agreements were concluded with the Chinese on key sectors of the Nigerian economy including power, solid minerals, agriculture, housing and rail transportation.

In the power sector, for instance, North South Power Company Limited and Sinohydro Corporation Limited signed an agreement valued at $478 million dollars for the construction of 300 Mega Watts solar power in Shiroro, Niger State.

In the solid minerals sector, Granite and Marble Nigeria

Limited and Shanghai Shibang signed an agreement valued at $55 million for the construction and equipping of granite mining plant in Nigeria.

A total of $1 billion will also be invested in the development of a greenfield expressway for Abuja-IbadanLagos under an agreement reached by the Infrastructure Bank and Sinohydro Corporation Limited.

Others include a $250 million deal to develop an ultra modern 27-storey high rise complex and a $2.5 billion agreement for the development of the Lagos Metro Rail Transit Red Line project, a $1 billion facility for the establishment of a Hi-tech industrial park in

Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa, Ogun State, a $200million agreement for the construction of two 500MT/day float gas facilities at the OgunGuangdong Free Trade Zone and CNG (Nigeria) Investment Limited, and a $363 million deal for the establishment of a comprehensive farm and downstream industrial park in Kogi State.

There were also agreements undergoing negotiations, which include a $500 million project for the provision of television broadcast equipment and a $25 million facility for production of pre-paid smart meters between Mojec International Limited and Microstar Company Limited.

$6BN CHINESE DEAL COMES WITH PROVISO: NO DEALING WITH TAIWAN! A top government official on President Buhari’s entourage to China who disclosed the details to THISDAY said all the deals struck came with that proviso which the Chinese President Xi Jinping specifically emphasised by stating that Nigeria must not deal with anyone claiming to be representing Taiwan because there is only one China and no other sovereignty operates from China under any such guise or nomenclature.

“The President of China however gave a condition and that is, they remain one China.

He said there is no Taiwan and nothing of such must be accorded any recognition in Nigeria’s dealing with them.

He was very emphatic and you could tell he was not joking and we understood the terms very clearly. No Taiwan, period!,” said the source, who is also a cabinet member.

It was however not a surprise to the Nigerian delegation as it was envisaged in their pre-trip brainstorming session having understood some of the local politics that define China’s international relations, the source said.

Because of its experience with Biafra, Nigeria’s policy right from time had been not to support a divided sovereignty and that a country must always maintain its unity. On the basis of that, it has continued to support one China but with freedom of choice for the component parts to adopt the kind of economic system they deem fit.

During the tenure of Olu Adeniji as Minister of Foreign Affairs under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, Taiwan took steps to open an office in Abuja (a Trade Office), but the Chinese government protested to the Nigerian government arguing that there cannot be two sovereignties from a state in another country. Nigeria however insisted that if it was a Trade mission, an office could be opened in Lagos as the country’s economic capital, but not in Abuja because international convention requires that sovereign states should establish their offices in the capital cities.

Taiwan however currently puts the address of its representative office in Abuja at 31, Katsina Ala Crescent, Maitama. How the proviso for the $6 billion investments deal will affect Taiwan’s status may begin to unfold soon.

Also, contrary to media reports, the source said there were no new loan agreements with China and that what Buhari did during the visit was to renegotiate the existing loan structure obtained by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The cabinet member said, “It is an existing loan obtained by the former administration.

It was meant for a counterpart funding project and our government was meant to bring 15 per cent while China provided the remaining 85 per cent of the loan. But Nigeria refused to bring its own equity

during Jonathan’s era and was yet spending the money.

“So, part of the essence of this trip was because the president went there to tell them that there was no money and wanted a renegotiation of the loan to suit our current situation. We have not obtained any new loan and whoever is behind the unintelligent rumour can continue to relish in his folly. Theirs is to make noise; ours is to deliver on our promises,” the source said.

Speaking further, the source noted that the biggest achievement of last week’s investment drive to China was the “blank cheque offer” granted by President Jinping, in which Nigeria was given the freedom to ask for anything anytime outside of the already agreed terms and deals.

Another area of the binational discussion which the THISDAY source said excited the Buhari team was President Jinping’s advice to his Nigerian counterpart on food security. He was said to have advised Buhari to take the issue of agriculture seriously and that he would be willing to assist where necessary as well as provide all the supports that would enable the country pull through in that critical sector of the economy.

“He said they (Chinese) had experienced poverty before and understands what it is with nations still struggling.

For instance, he said China’s population is 1.2 billion and is therefore open to food supply from anywhere in the world.

IPINMISHO: 7 IN 10 BOYS ON KANO, KADUNA STREETS HIGH ON DRUGS

to drugs.

"You will see young boys and girls openly inhaling and sniffing substances like fuel, and over-abusing drugs meant for other purposes, like tramadol and codeine, and smoking marijuana in the streets without care or fear of being arrested."

He also advised parents who send their children to schools abroad to keep close tabs on them lest they're lured into drug use due to peer pressure.

The former NDLEA DG frowned at what he described as government's total disregard for human capacity development which he said has been overshadowed by physical development.

"Actually, they see construction of roads and erecting new structures and building bridges as more important. Though, they ought to do this but more emphasis should be put on human development because structures mean nothing without the human element.

"Their concern is that, when election comes, they use this guys and of course, you can't use normal human beings to do the kind of job they want.

But they forget that they won't be in government forever.

"I think the modern leaders in the North should gather under one roof and trash out this issues; they should prioritise human development."

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APRIL 17, 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

DSS, IPOB AND THE ABIA SHALLOW GRAVE

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The DSS statement betrays its primary responsibility of national security

he Department of State Services (DSS) recently issued a sensational statement, accusing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of kidnapping and killing five Fulani herdsmen in Abia State. The DSS said the victims were buried in a shallow grave along with 50 other unidentified corpses at a forest called Umuanyi. “How did DSS come to the conclusion that it was IPOB members who perpetuated the said crime?” an IPOB spokesman who queried the statement asked, before adding, “Why was it so easy to identify the five Hausa/Fulani men by their names while they were unable to identify the name of at least one person out of the other 50 victims?”

In an age of DNA However, shedtesting and other ding more light on identity sciences, the tragedy last for the DSS to rush week, Governor to an obviously Okezie Ikpeazu of and his Imo preconceived Abia counterpart, Rochas conclusion Okorocha, said the and make such killing was an act of unscientific public kidnapping carried statement is a out by miscreants. grave national “On the issue of the of five Fulani embarrassment. It is killing men that has caused also injurious to our tension, the culprits national peace and have been arrested security and will be dealt with under the law,” they said in a joint statement. “Information reaching us reveals that it is not just five Fulani men as there are two corpses believed to be Igbos from the area, so it is not a direct attack on any ethnic group.”

Whatever may have been the motivation, we consider the statement by the DSS and its obvious sectional and inciting undertone most unfortunate and reckless. It is even more so coming from an agency whose primary responsibility is the protection of national security through managing and deterring threats to the unity and peaceful co-existence of our country.

As yet, the details of the mass grave found in Abia State remain sketchy. Again, nobody is

Letters to the Editor

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aware that a proper autopsy or forensic examination of the human remains found at the location has been carried out. We are also not aware that relations of the deceased have been interviewed, categorised or verified in terms of who they are, their gender, etc. In an age of DNA testing and other identity sciences, for the DSS to rush to an obviously preconceived conclusion and make such unscientific public statement is a grave national embarrassment. It is also injurious to our national peace and security.

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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

pan Igbo intellectual group, ‘Aka Ikenga’, indeed, last week, said it was puzzled at how the DSS came about its conclusions. “If the bodies are decomposing and no autopsy has been done, how can anybody describe the deceased as Fulani?” it asked. “Is it by their wears?

Many Igbo people wear Hausa Fulani clothes.

Secondly, how did the DSS come to the conclusion that the Indigenous People of Biafra group was responsible for the death of those men? The press release is a smoking gun in that it can incite other tribes against Ndigbo.”

We align ourselves with that position while urging the leadership of the DSS to be careful with the kind of statements they dish out, especially at a time like this in the life of our nation. What is at issue in this case is the nature of the crime, the motives of the criminals as well as the identities of all the victims, not just that of five. We are talking here about citizens of our country who were probably victims of extrajudicial execution, regardless of where they come from or their ethnicity.

What is particularly worrying in the DSS statement is that making public announcement about criminal matters rather than conducting investigations and bringing culprits to trial is fast becoming the norm in our country. If the DSS is in possession of material evidence of IPOB or any other illegal association engaging in mass killings, it should ordinarily arrest the culprits and arraign them in court to press charges. Brandishing statements that are capable of inciting ethnic violence and disrupting public peace is, to put it mildly, most unbecoming of an agency like the DSS.

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.

ADESINA, SHEHU AND MERCHANTS OF DISCORD

he making of the duo of Mr Femi Adesina and Mallam Garba Shehu as media anchor to President Muhammadu Buhari did not come by happenstance. At different times, the two gentlemen paid their dues in the media world, in the task of helping the growth of democracy in Nigeria.

Once an editor and managing director, Adesina had waded through the thick and thin in the pen profession. Providence enriched his sojourn in journalism with the headship of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. As a suave writer, Adesina reflected his love for Nigeria and had severally communicated his predilections for ensuring that governance in Nigeria runs in the interest of the down-trodden. In writing, he

stood against mis-governance, crass opportunism and corruption on the part of government officials.

Ahead of the last presidential election, regular readers of his column in the Sun Newspapers suspected strongly that his preferred candidate was President Muhammadu Buhari. From indication, his desire was to have Nigeria taken over by a disciplined, firmer, focused, purposeful and more determined government, as Nigerians went to the polls in 2015. His dream was eventually fulfilled.

In the same vein, since he left active journalism, Mallam Garba Shehu has been plying his trade as a media and public relations manager in the private and public sectors. Nigerians should recall that he played memorable roles at critical

times in assisting to deepen democracy in Nigeria. Yes, he worked tirelessly and with unflagging loyalty for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. Undisputedly too, Mallam Garba has always been a loyal party member. If Atiku is known for enjoying very robust media at every point in time, Mallam Garba shares the larger credit as the main anchor, for years. Lest we forget, Mallam Garba Shehu stood sentinel all through the electioneering campaign, and had with his team miraculously weathered the storms of campaign of calumny and destructive propaganda mounted against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate at the instance of the then ruling party.

Against this background, the presidency had no fault bringing

both Mr Adesina and Mallam Garba on board to manage the president’s media.

From day one, the two started approaching their briefs like gentlemen, yielding to flawless strategies on how best to excel on the assignments entrusted to them. The presidency seemed to be at peace with their code of operation, a reason the two have continued to soar in operations. So far, maturity has come to play in the manner the image of the president is infused in the mass media, with almost every Nigerian being kept abreast of issues and events revolving round him. Quite unlike before, the duo have succeeded in closing the information gap between the president and the public with their ability to deploy every segment of the media, including the social media, to

reach a disproportionate audience.

Interestingly, some individuals are very much unsettled that close to a year in office and on their duty posts, Mr Adesina and Mallam Garba have not rebelled against one another, contrary to expectations. In Nigeria, someone must be seen to be creating problems where avenues for such remained closed. In the media, someone must be seen to be crying more than the bereaved, most especially on why Mallam Garba is not being heard or seen as ruffling feathers with Mr Adesina.

On this, a write-up published recently in the name of one Bamidele Ademola-Olateju in the Premium Times captioned, Garba Shehu: Official Disrespect And Arrogance, calls for attention.

Olufemi Idowu Sam, Abuja

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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 • APRIL 17, 2016

RELIABLESOURCES Election Petition: How Courts, Lawyers Ignored Vital Provisions of Electoral Act on INEC’s Powers Tobi Soniyi inAbuja

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he Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, election tribunals and the Independent National Electoral Commission ignored a crucial amendment to the Electoral Act which gave legal backing to the use of card reader machine during 2015 general elections while handling election petitions, THISDAY can reveal.

The Secretary of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, first drew attention to this at a conference organised by the Court of Appeal for its justices to review the performance of election tribunals and appeals in handling petitions arising from the general election.

Owasanoye, at the conference which was attended by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmud Yakubu, alleged a conspiracy within the legal community and wondered why no lawyer cited the amendment which was signed into law by the then president , Dr Goodluck Jonathan, shortly before the elections were held.

He immediately handed a copy of the amendment to the Electoral Act to Yakubu who apparently was not aware of the existence of the new law.

The Electoral Amendment Act, 2015 has as its long title, ‘An Act to amend the Electoral Act No 6, 2010 to provide for tenure of office of Secretary, Power to issue duplicate voter’s card, determine voting procedure and related matters.’ It was signed into law

by Jonathan on March 26, 2015.

The House of Representatives passed the Bill into law on the 5th of March, 2015 while the Senate passed it on 10th of March, 2015.

The Act amended section 52 of the Principal Act (Electoral Act 2010) by substituting the previous subsection (2) with a new subsection (2) which reads, “Voting at an election under this Act shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission”.

The subsection (2) which was repealed by the new law provides, “The use of electronic voting machine for the time being is prohibited.”

Repealing that section clearly shows that electronic voting is no longer illegal under the Electoral Act. More importantly, by stating that voting shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by INEC, the holding by the courts that using card reader machines was not mandatory was no longer sustainable.

The Supreme Court had held in a plethora of cases that the golden rule of interpretation of statutes is that where the words used in a statute are clear and unambiguous they must be given their natural meaning unless to do so would lead to absurdity or inconsistency with the rest of the statute. Ibrahim Vs Barde (1996) 9 NWLR (Pt.474)513 at 517 B-C. The 2015 amendment stated that “Voting at an election under this Act shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission”. This is a categorical statement that is precise and unambiguous. As Uwais CJN, as he then was, stated in the judgment cited above, “if the words of the statute are precise and unambigous, no more is required to expound them in their natural and ordinary sense.”

It therefore means that if INEC in exercising the power confers on it to determine the procedure for an election says that election should be by card reader machine, the position of the courts that the use of card reader machine is not mandatory is not supported by law and not tenable. This is because INEC has determined the procedure.

It however, remains unclear what the attitude of the courts especially the Supreme Court, would have been had this new law been cited before it in the course of determining the petitions and the appeals.

While it is conceded that the use of the card reader has not done away with manual accreditation provided in section 49 of the Act, the power of INEC to determine how election is conducted which has now become part of the law must also be respected and upheld.

Where INEC has determined that the use of card reader machine shall form part of the procedure for an election, the courts should have no difficulty in holding that the election is vitiated.

The attitude of the Supreme Court to electoral disputes has been cited as one of the reasons encouraging violence during election as candidates try to win at all costs with the belief that the Supreme Court has

Lawyers at an election petition tribunal

Yakubu, INEC Chairman

already set serious hurdles for would be petitioners.

Where the Electoral Act stipulated that ballot papers shall be numbered serially, the Supreme Court while upholding the late Umaru Yar’Adua’s election as president held that non-serialisation of the ballot papers did not vitiate the election and also held that the petitioner did not prove how non serialisation of the ballot papers substantially affected the election.

Many observers rightly rejected the judgment and

wondered how votes could be accurately counted when ballot papers were not numbered. But the judgment subsists till today and remains a precedent to be followed by lower courts.

Apart from conferring on INEC power to determine the procedure for an election, the new law also legalised deployment of members of the Armed Forces for electoral duty.

The new law stated: “Section 29 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting after subsection (2) a new subsection (3). “(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law and for purposes of securing the vote, the commission shall be responsible for requesting for the deployment of relevant security personnel necessary for elections or registration of voters and shall assign them in the manner determined by the commission in consultation with the relevant security agencies.

“Provided that the commission shall only request for the deployment of the Nigerian Armed Forces only for the purposes of securing the distribution and delivery of election materials and protection of election officials.”

Prior to the 2015 general elections and in view of how the military were reportedly used to assist Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, to win the governorship election, the All Progressives Congress feared then that the Peoples Democratic Party might use the military to turn the table in its (PDP) favour and therefore kicked against the use of armed forces during election.

APC raised the legality of deployment of the armed forces and it was to legitimise that deployment, probably, that informed the decision to insert subsection (3) quoted above. In the past, the president had always relied on the constitution which allows him to deploy armed forces to ensure and maintain peace.

It is however not clear whether the decision to shift the elections from February 14 and 28, 2015 to March 28 and April 11, 2015 for the presidential and national assembly elections and the governorship and state assemblies respectively, was also informed by the necessity to accommodate the new law.

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SUNDAYNEWS

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

FG to Launch 17,760 Mass Housing Programme Soon, Says Fashola Chineme Okafor in Abuja

PARTNERSHIP ON AIDS L-R: Director General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Prof John Idoko; Secretary General, Nigerian Supreme Council for

Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and Member of the Council, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, during a meeting between NACA and NSCIA on ways to curb HIV/AIDS in Nigeria in Abuja...recently

Sagay Faults Supreme Court Decision on Rivers Governorship Election • Describes it as most devastating judicial blow on democracy, rule of law Abimbola Akosile

Law professor and human rights activist, Prof. Itse Sagay, SAN yesterday faulted the decision of the Supreme Court in the Rivers State Governorship election, which was held on April 11, 2015, describing the apex court’s decision as the “most devastating judicial blow on democracy, rule of law, and free, fair and credible elections this country has ever seen.”

The constitutional law expert and former Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Benin, in a lengthy summary of his review of the Supreme Court judgment made available to THISDAY, averred that the decision has “erected incredibly high and insurmountable barriers against election petitions; it also gives an indomitable rock-like status to anyone, who by blood, mayhem, violence, massive irregularities, fights his way on to the governorship seat; indeed, any electoral office.”

The Supreme Court had on January 27 upheld the election of Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and dismissed the appeal of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Dakuku Peterside. The apex court further gave detailed reasons of its decision on February 11.

The decision of the Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the land, went against the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on December 16, 2015, which had ruled that Wike was not validly elected. The appellate court decision had in turn affirmed the judgment of the Rivers Governorship Election Tribunal, which nullified Wike’s election on October 24, 2015.

In his summary of the review, titled ‘A Farewell to Election Petitions’, Sagay tackled the Supreme Court’s January 27 decision on six grounds, namely: On Card Reader, Substantial

Non-compliance, Polling Unit to Polling Unit, Presumption of Validity, Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt, and Some Matters of Significance.

According to him, “The full implication of the Supreme Court’s decision in Wike v.

Peterside is: “when you prepare for elections, prepare for War”.

This judgment constitutes “A Farewell to Election Petitions”.

On the issue of card reader, he said, “the question may be asked, how does the Card Reader ‘depose’ or ‘dethrone’ the voter’s Register? After verification by the Card Reader, the voter’s name still has to be identified in the voters’ Register and ticked before he can vote. It must be noted that both the Tribunal and Court of Appeal emphasised that the Card Reader was intended to and did strengthen the application and efficacy of the Electoral Act, by ensuring a credible election for the benefit of Nigerians.

“So where did Nweze, JSC, discover the ‘deposition’, and ‘dethronement’, of the Voters’ Register by the Card Reader?

Absolutely nowhere. What Nweze, JSC, had simply done was to give the card reader a bad name in order to subject it to judicial execution. Has the Card Reader eliminated the voters’ Register? No! Has it brought integrity and transparency to the voters’ Register and the whole electoral process? Yes! “Should any Supreme Court anywhere in the world resist and reject such a beneficial development in the electoral process? No! The law as stated in Section 49 has not in any way been altered by the Card Reader, so all this talk of superseding and dethroning, has no bearing whatsoever on Section 49 of the Electoral Act 2010. There is no provision of the Electoral Act banning or prohibiting the use of Card Readers. It is wrong of anyone to assert that the use of

Card Readers is electronic voting. It shows that such a person cannot distinguish between accreditation and voting.

“It is really incredible that the Supreme Court threw in the towel to the existing and debilitating culture of election fraud, violence and rigging, when the Law and Justice were pointing in the opposite direction”, Sagay added.

On the issue of substantial non-compliance, he said, “The Supreme Court also asserts wrongly that in order for an election to be nullified, the Petitioner has to establish that not only (i) was there a substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act, but additionally (ii) the Petitioner must show that the substantial non-compliance affected the result of the election.

“By Section 139(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010, “An election shall not be liable to be invalidated by reason of non-compliance with this Act if it appears to the Electoral Tribunal or Court that the election (i) was conducted substantially in accordance with the principles of this Act and (ii) that the non-compliance did not affect substantially the result of the election: To Sagay, “therefore, KekereEkun, JSC, was absolutely wrong when she stated at page 67 of her judgment that in addition to establishing substantial non-compliance, the Petitioners were also obliged to also establish that the non-compliance also affected the result of the election.

This is an error that some Justices of the Supreme Court have been repeating again and again inspite of corrections that have been offered several times.

“Once there is substantial non-compliance, the election is invalid Cadit Quaestio! There is never any further enquiry whether or not the non-compliance affected the result of the election. It is only when the noncompliance is not substantial,

that its impact on the election is considered”, he averred.

On the issue of polling unit to polling unit, Sagay said, “Thirdly, the Supreme Court wrongly asserts that to establish non-compliance, the petitioner has to provide evidence from polling unit to polling unit throughout the State. Again this is incorrect.

“Can an election that was marked by killing, extensive bloodshed, intimidation, mayhem and chaos require a meticulous examination of polling unit after polling unit, to establish non-compliance? No. “The elections were canceled by outright violence involving, killings, election materials seizure and intimidation of voters as was overwhelming established at the tribunal. Where there was effectively no election, it is futile going from polling unit to polling unit, looking for what never existed in the first place”, he added.

On the presumption of validity, the Supreme Court also stated that there is a presumption of validity in favour of INEC declared results and the onus is on the petitioner to prove that the declared outcome is wrong.

To Sagay, “this is not always the case. Where the Petitioner’s case is that there was no election, the onus is on the Respondent who asserts the positive, i.e., that there was an election.

“Clearly since the case of Peterside and the APC was that due to the violence, carnage and war conditions on 11th and 12th April, 2015, there were no governorship elections known to law, the onus fell on Wike and the PDP to establish that there were valid elections on those dates.

Not only did the Supreme Court overlook the law in this regard, but Kekere-Ekun, JSC, went so far as to say that even if Wike and the PDP had confessed that there had been no election, it would have made no difference.

This is simply unbelievable.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola yesterday disclosed that the federal government has concluded on how it plans to build more houses for Nigerians in its mass housing programme and would soon launch the implementation strategies.

Fashola spoke at the 46th annual conference of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors (NIESV) in Abuja. He also called for a careful review of the exorbitant agency terms often dished out to house seekers by estate agents in cities across the country.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Abiodun Oki at the conference, Fashola stated that it was no secret that Nigeria has a huge housing deficit; he however explained that the government has designed clear steps to quickly begin to close the gap.

Fashola had in December 2015 announced during his inaugural press briefing that the federal government would partner state governments in a new housing model that would yield up to N10 billion annual funding for 17,760 flats to be built across the country in one year.

He however said at the NIESV conference: “Of course it is no secret that we are faced with a housing deficit that we must reduce, what is debatable is of course the size of the deficit. My take is that whatever the size of the deficit, the first step to reducing it starts with a clear plan, which we are already working on, and not with lamentations which we are not indulging in.”

“Very shortly, we will be unveiling the details of that plan to Nigerians, and how we intend to use it to re-ignite and diversify our economy on a sustainable basis,” added Fashola. The minister equally said the federal government notwithstanding its plans or programme, would not be able to close up the housing deficits in the country.

“Be that as it may, the other point to note is that no matter how hard we try, Government acting alone, cannot provide all the housing supply that people need,” he stated in this regards.

He said because everyone would not be able own a house, a mixture of housing, comprising ownership and rental would be the strategy that could help the country address in detail its housing deficit. “Therefore, we must talk about affordable housing not only in terms of access to government housing for purchase, but also in terms of privately owned houses for rent,” he noted.

The minister in this regard called on NIESV to review and ensure that its members comply with the principles of real estate valuation and pricing of accommodation. According to him, extant unwholesome practices by estate agents hinder access to housing and compound the challenge of urbanisation in the country.

He said: “While government will concentrate on building houses to start the process of improving home ownership as one side of the shelter issue of urbanisation, I believe your association has a great deal to contribute to the other half of shelter acquisition by making rental accommodation more affordable.”

Experts Task FG on Elimination of Multiple Taxation, Levies on Private Hospitals Paul Obi in Abuja

The Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners in Nigeria (AGPMPN) yesterday called on the federal government to eliminate or minimise levies and charges on private hospitals, arguing that multiple taxations are draining private healthcare centres, with the heavy cost being incurred by patients.

Speaking at the association’s 38th annual general meeting and scientific conference in Abuja, AGPMPN President, Dr. Frank Odafen, maintained that private hospitals are “constantly under the discomforting burden of multiple taxation, following the drive by states and governments at all levels to increase their internally generated revenues.”

“It should be remembered that private hospitals essentially offer social service and are not strictly speaking, commercial ventures, because they are patronised by the economically and socially vulnerable who must be attended to in order to save their lives,” Odafen

observed.

He said multiple taxes, in addition to resources put into paying competitive worker salaries, maintaining equipment, power and security, increase the medical bills patients have to pay in private hospitals.

“Only universal health coverage via the National Health Insurance Scheme can eliminate or reduce out-of-pocket expenses and provide profitable lives on the enrollee panels of private medical practitioners,” Odafen explained.

The president further stated that the association would continue to align itself with the “urgency, unalloyed commitment and political will to universal health coverage.”

Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari also pledged support in widening the coverage of health insurance. Represented by wife of Kebbi state governor, Zainab Bagudu, Buhari said quality health care services remained a cardinal objective of her husband’s administration and required involvement of all stakeholders.

T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 17, 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 • APRIL 17, 2016

NEWS

NEW MONARCH L-R: Mr. Peter Obaseki; Akinla of Erin Ijesa, Oriade, Oba Isaac Adeyeba Ayeni, and Olori Titilayo Adeyeba Ayeni, at the coronation of Oba Ayeni at Ijesa, Osun State...recently

BUNDLES OF JOY L-R: Chairman, Nkanu East LG Transition Committee, Chief Ikechukwu Ubagu; Wife of Member representing

Nkanu East State Constituency, Mrs. Vivian Nnajiofor; wife of the Governor of Enugu State, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi; and Member Representing Nkanu East State Constituency, Hon. Paul Nnajiofor at the dedication of twin babies Emmanuel and Emmanuela Nnajiofor in Enugu... recently

Adeosun: Nigeria Does Not Need IMF Loan

• Says there are home-grown solutions to current challenges • AfDB plans $62bn for Africa’s energy infrastructure in 5yrs Kunle Aderinokun and Chika Amanze-Nwachuku in Washington DC, USA Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, has said Nigeria has a home-grown solution to the challenges it is currently experiencing and would not need any foreign assistance to solve its domestic problem, particularly a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Adeosun, who spoke at a panel discussion on “Sub-Saharan Africa: Just a Rough Patch?”, noted that the kind of support it sought and received was a budget support in form of loans from the World Bank and African Development Bank and not a bailout from the International Monetary Fund. According to her, the country’s economy is not sick and per adventure, it falls sick, the federal government has a ‘local remedy’ for the sickness.

“Nigeria is not sick and even if we are, we have our own local remedy,” she said with a wave of assurance.

Responding to a specific question posed to her by the moderator of the discussion, Nancy Birdsall, President, Center for Global Development, about a lot of borrowings coming from outside to buoy Nigeria’s economy in this challenging times, Adeosun said: “We are speaking to

the World Bank and AfDB for budget support loans. We see the Nigerian opportunity as a policy opportunity and we feel the bank is the place to go to support our policy reforms.

There is a lot of stigma and a lot of institutional memories in Nigeria around IMF that is not positive and we believe that this type would not be the right message for Nigeria at the moment.”

The statement of the finance minister aligns with the position of the IMF managing director, Christine Lagarde. Lagarde had during her visit to Nigeria in January said given the determination and resilience of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Nigeria had no reason to seek IMF loan.

Lagarde, who responded to a question on whether the IMF was also out to attach conditions to loans Nigeria might seek from the organisation, stressed that she was not in the country to negotiate a loan with conditionality.

Adeosun at the panel discussion, noted that the Nigerian economy was vulnerable to shocks because of its overdependence on crude oil, the single source of revenue but quickly added that, “We have resolved to build resilience into the country’s economy to hedge against future oil shocks.”

“This is because depen-

dence on oil brings about vulnerability and laziness. So we are doing a combination of things to diversify our economy, with revenue mobilisation to enable sufficient investment in developing the non-oil sectors.

“We have a great opportunities to reset the Nigerian economy and ensure that as we go forward, growth will be in a sustainable manner so that we won’t be vulnerable to oil price fluctuations, and with a truly diversified economy we would have enabled opportunities for wealth creation that would trickle down to every Nigerian.

“The compelling business case in Nigeria is that the fundamentals remain very strong, a teeming, young growing population, rich in resources and with a government determined to finally get it right.

“The great thing is that long term investors recognize this and understand the difference between short term and long term issues and the case for Nigeria persuades one to plan for the longer term opportunities,” she explained.

Also, at another panel discussion on Global Infrastructure Forum 2016, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, said the continental development bank has earmarked $62 billion for energy

infrastructure in Africa in the next five years.

He explained that the bank will provide $12 billion while it would leverage $50 billion from the private sector.

“For us at the bank, we are going to put in $12billion over the next five years into energy sector and we also looking to leverage foreign buy back of $50billion from the private sector. For this to happen, we have to pay attention; so many ministers have a host of infrastructure we are talking about,” he said.

He advised that the energy ministers should optimise the opportunities around them.

“I mean for us partial risk guarantees and also partial credit gurantees can help to leverage a lot of money. Now we have done something at the ADB, I’m speaking on behalf of my collegues here, which ADB Exposure Exchange, just to allow us to free up a lot of backlog for ourselves. For the bank itself, we have been able to free up about $10billion dollars that allows us to lend a lot more for infrastructure.

“Our core financial arrangement, we work with China, we work with Japan in terms of core financing arrangement and all of here, we do blended financing both in terms of concessionary and non concessionary finacing, but at the end of the day, the monies that are out there in the Capital Market, far exceed all the things we get put together,” he added.

‘National ID Card not Replacing Voters Card in 2019’ Clement Danhutor Contrary to reports in some online media that the national identity card would replace voters register in 2019, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has clarified that the report was misconstrued and out of context.

According to a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications Unit of NIMC, Mr. LovedayChikaOgbonna,thereport emanated from a visit to a royal father in Delta State where the com-

mission’s Delta State Coordinator explained the possibility of harmonising all identity related data on one card, an issue which was wrongly reported. “Management wishes to state that the said headline is false and that our State Coordinator was quoted out of context by the reporter.

The electronic ID Card issued by NIMC has a number of applets built into it, which makes it capable and available for use in up to 13 use cases and scenarios, but at no time during the advocacy visit by our Delta State team to the royal father did the state

coordinator announce that the eID Card will replace the voters card presently issued and used for elections by INEC. “The state coordinator did not grantanypressbriefingorinterviews during the visit, neither was she at the palace to make any announcement concerning any elections. The primary reason for the visit was to seek the support of the royal father in the reneweddrive bythe newDGof NIMC Engr. Aliyu Abubakar Aziz to increase the number of enrolment for the National Identification Num-

ber (NIN) and brief him on the collaboration between NIMC and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to uniquely register and issue NIN to farmers in Delta state under the National Agricultural Payment Initiative (NAPI).

“The NIMC and INEC are both working harmoniously with other data collecting agencies of government towards the aggregation of all citizens’ biometric data in order to achieve a single national database as directed recently by Mr. President.”

FG: 169 Candidates Sit for National Common Entrance Exams in IDPs Paul Obi inAbuja The federal government yesterday said about 169 candidates at the Internally Displayed Persons’ (IDPs) camps sat for the National Common Entrance Examination conducted by the National Examination Council (NECO).

MinisterofStateforEducation, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, said the 169 candidates wrote exams in the North-east where Boko Haram insurgency has been intense. The 2016 examination is for entrance into unity schools and colleges across the country.

Anwukah stated this while monitoring the conduct of NCEE yesterday in Abuja. He said the number of students writing NCEE in the North-east had increased as insurgency has eased off.

He explained that “total number of registered students for 2016 NCCE was 90,786 with Lagos State having highest number with 25,963 candidates while Zamfara had the least with 103 candidates.

“Adamawa State has 313 regular students; those in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps - 34, total for Adamawa - 347. Borno State has 187 regular students; those in IDPs -120, total for Borno - 307; Yobe State has 387 regular students; those in IDPs 15, total for Yobe - 402.

“Last year, Lagos had the highest registration with 25,437; the lowest last year was Borno understandably with 35; the total for last year was 86,365. As the insurgency problem is easing off, more of our students are registering for NCCE and affording themselves the opportunity to enter Federal Government Colleges,” he said.

Anwukah observed that there was a remarkable increase in the number of students from Borno and Yobe States in 2016 examination. He stated that in 2015, “Borno had 35 candidates as against 387 in 2016 while Yobe had 68 in 2015 as against 402 in 2016.”

The minister explained that available spaces for the candidates across the 104 unity schools in the country were 26,000.

He contended that improving the quality of teachers was of paramount concern to the Federal Ministry of Education as it worked toward producing the best qualified teachers for the students.

NECO’s Registrar, Prof.

Abdulrasheed Garba, told journalists that adequate security measures had been put in place in states having security challenges. “The results are expected to be released by NECO to the Federal Ministry of Education on April 20 after which the ministry will direct NECO to make it public. Candidates are to check the status of their qualification for the interview test both at the various unity colleges and on-line via NECO website www.mynecoexams.com as soon as the release of results in announced.

“Candidates that quality after writing this examination will be invited for final selection interview coming up on a date to be announced after the release of these results,” he said.

Garba stated that Computer Based Test (CBT) was the latest innovation in examinations across the world, stressing that the council would migrate to CBT when adequate facilities were put in place to implement the policy.

In Brief Mama Akinpelu Passes On The Akinpelu/Ayoola and Popoola families have announced the passing on to glory of their beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Mrs. Victoria Monilola Akinpelu (nee Popoola) aged 73 years.AcommittedChristianwomanleaderandanastute‎businesswoman fondly called ‘Mama Akin’ by family and friends, there will be a wake keep/service of songs for her at 4pm on Thursday April 28, at Williamson Multipurpose hall and grounds, behind Whytak Industry, Oluyole Estate Extension, Ibadan, Oyo State. The funeral service comesuponFridayApril29,by10amattheRCCG,JesusCastle,Beside Zenith Bank. Oluyole Estate, Ibadan, while reception follows afterwards.MamaAkinpeluissurvivedbymanychildrenamongwhomare: Mr. Akinlolu Akinpelu; Pastor (Mrs.) Aderonke Olowoyo; Mrs. Titilola Abodunrin,manygrandchildrenandgreatgrandchildren.

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T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 17, 2016

HappyTo60th Birthday a Wonderful Brother As you celebrate this milestone may the Almighty Allah grant you immense blessings , wisdom and protection today and always.

We pray that the Almighty's guidance and favour will continually be bestowed upon you and we wish you many happy and productive years ahead.

Happy Birthday!!

ALH. (PRINCE) TAJUDEEN OWOYEMI Chairman Protea Hotel Ikeja Chairman Protea Hotel Victoria Island Chairman Avalon Hotel Offa Chairman Avalon Intercontinental Ltd

Signed: * Dr. (Mrs) Sarah Omotunde Alade * Alhaji Lanre Mustapha

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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 • APRIL 17, 2016

SUNDAYNEWS Boko Haram: FG Moves to Relocate 80,000 Nigerian Refugees from Cameroon Daji Sani in Yola

The Federal Government has commenced steps to receive over 80,000 Nigerians displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency from Cameroon. The location where the refugees will be resettled in Adamawa State has already been identified and inspected.

The proposed location is the permanent site of the Adamawa State Polytechnic which has been abandoned for over two decades. The site is situated at Konawaya village, a suburb of the state capital, Yola. Efforts are being made at rebuilding it, and making it conducive enough to accommodate the expected returnees.

This was revealed in Yola yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Policy, Development and Analysis, Ibrahim Bapetel, who represented the Secretary to the Federal Government, Babachir David Lawal.

Bapetel urged the various stakeholders to prepare a comprehensive needs report for onward transmission to the Federal Government, adding that due to government’s concern over the plight of the refugees, he was optimistic that the needs report will be treated with the urgency it deserves.

Bapetel noted that the number of refugees is significant and urged International donors

to also come to the assistance of the Federal Government in addressing the myriad challenges that will be encountered in handling them.

The Adamawa State government also called on international donor agencies as well as the Federal Government to come to the rescue of the state, explaining that the state government cannot single-handedly shoulder the responsibilities of catering to the expected returnees.

The call came through the state’s commissioner for information, Comrade Ahmed Sajoh, when he - alongside the Federal Government delegation - visited the proposed site.

Sajoh said help was needed

considering the number of refugees and the state of the proposed camp which he said needs complete rehabilitation.

He revealed that fencing the facility alone will cost the state enormous funds, let alone providing other basic infrastructure. According to Sajoh, the state government has serious financial constraints, especially because of the cash crunch facing the country.

Sajoh added that the state government has already constituted a committee which will liaise with relevant stakeholders to see how best to tackle the issue, including profiling of all refugees in order to ensure watertight security around the facility.

Traditional Ruler, Community Debunk Claims of Extra-Judicial Killings in Ijora Chiemelie Ezeobi

Following recent claims that a police inspector Ibrahim Odufarasin shot some youths at the Ijora area of Lagos State, the traditional Ruler, Oba Fatai Ojora and the Community Development Association (CDA) has debunked such.

Also corroborating, the community leaders and elders of the Ijora community said the inspector instead of

being the aggressor was the victim of a planned attack.

According to Ojora, the inspector was actually returning home due to a distress call that his house was on fire, when he ran into a crowd of youths celebrating the birth of a baby.

He said Odufarasin was attacked by the youths who saw his presence as a threat, given that he has helped to reduce violent crimes amongst the

youth to the barest minimum in the area. After that incident, the traditional ruler said he called on the two parties to settle their matter amicably.

Also, a medical practitioner at Ijora Badia, Dr. Quadri Barakat, said Odufarasin’s problem with some of the youths in the area may not be unconnected with his desire to rid Ijora community of criminals.

He said the inspector was

brought up in the community and he had in 2014 formed a vigilante group with other well-meaning youths and elders of the community to fish out criminals in the area.

This, he alleged has not gone down well with the criminals and their parents, who he said had in 2014, vandalised no fewer than 50 vehicles and equally looted several shops and killed three youths in the area.

$2b Loan: Ex-Lawmaker Faults Fayose’s Letter to China Olakiitan Victor in Ado Ekiti

A member of the Seventh House of Representatives, Hon Bamidele Faparusi has faulted the letter written to Chinese government by of Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, seeking to stop the $2 billion loan being sought by President Muhammadu Buhari to finance some projects in the 2016 budget.

Faparusi, who described the action as a serious act of treason against the nation said it marvels every Nigerian that Fayose could take his opposition against Buhari to that ridiculous extent all in the name of politics.

He however, urged all well-meaning Ekiti to advise the governor against dragging the name of Ekiti in the mud to advance his alleged vice presidential ambition in 2019.

The former federal lawmaker asked how would the governor had felt, if the All Progressives Congress had written similar letter to the Central Bank of Nigeria seeking the stoppage of N9.2 billion bailout given to Fayose’s government to pay worker’s salaries?

Faparusi, who said this in a statement in Ado Ekiti

on Saturday in reaction to a letter written by Fayose and submitted at the Chinese Embassy in Abuja on Thursday, stated that Fayose’s action is gradually becoming more of personal animosity against President Buhari, than partisan politics.

The APC chieftain said for Fayose to have traveled to China at a time President Buhari was on a business trip that would benefit the nation to constitute a cog in the nation’s wheel of progress, further amplified how allegedly determined and desperate the governor had become about his rumoured Vice Presidential ambition.

“Aside from the fact that Fayose expended over N50 million of Ekiti money on his misadventure to China, he also committed another N10 million to send his Chief of Staff, Dipo Anisulowo and other ten government officials , including some lawmakers to Abuja to submit the letter at the Chinese Embassy .

“What does Fayose tends to lose if the Chinese government accedes to President Buhari’s request? President Buhari had revealed his intention to construct CalabarLagos and Lagos –Kano rail lines to boost the economy of the country. “

T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 17, 2016

15

16

APRIL 17, 2016

• THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

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17

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • APRIL 17, 2016

CICERO/BUHARI’s TRIP TO CHINA

ASOHOM and Citizen Diplomacy: Beyond the Swiss Ambassador’s Gay Spouse Controversy

N

igeria is a big country with many big problems.

As a result, the President of Nigeria cannot but always remain the most challenged leader in Africa, generally believed to be the centerpiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy.As at today, President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) is faced with four critical issues in his foreign policy. The first is national security. Chibok Girls, who have been in captivity for two years and the anniversary of which has been generating much concern. PMB, with discernible heavy hearts, had to tell all Nigerians, and not restrictedly to the families of the girls: ‘I share your pains, be patient with me.’

Attacks by the Boko Haram terrorists have become recidivist and very hurting. When, on the one hand, the government praises itself that it had broken the spinal cord of the Boko Haram group, the group simply responds with bomb shells on soft targets. While the government is saying that organized attacks by the Boko Haram have been neutralized, individual suicide bombers defiantly continue to threaten national security. In fact, with the new video released last week by the Boko Haram on the occasion of the second year of abduction of the Chibok Girls, showing that the girls may still be alive, much pressure was brought to bear on PMB on the need to expedite action and rescue the girls.

As if this was not enough, armed robbers attacked the UN Office on Shendam Road, in Lafia, Nasarawa State on Tuesday,April 12, 2016 at about 8.30 pm. The robbers carted away laptops and office materials.

This type of insecurity does not portray the Federal Government in good light. In fact, it only calls to question Nigeria’s international responsibility. The same is true of the herdsmen frolicking around with dangerous weapons under the pretext of grazing.

Asecond issue is PMB’s shuttle diplomacy which many people consider as too frequent. Without any whiff of doubt, PMB has been travelling but it cannot be rightly argued that he is over travelled as being suggested. If over travelling will enhance the protection of the national interest, there is nothing wrong with such trips. When foreign trips do not yield any dividends, no matter how few they may be, they are at best meaningless. It is the focus of a trip that should be evaluated and not the number of trips. It is also the quality of delegation that should be factored into the evaluation processes if it is to have an objective basis. This brings in the rationales given by the Ministry of ForeignAffairs.

Ambassador Bulus Lolo, Permanent Secretary, gave three reasons to justify the many trips of PMB: pledged support given during such visits; advantage derived from international trust in PMB; and integrity of PMB. These factors convinced the ambassador to say that those criticizing PMB are ‘rather uninformed’ and also to advise that ‘we owe him a great debt of gratitude for expending his goodwill, his integrity, and trust that he enjoys.’ (Daily Sun,April 14, 2016, p. 2). The three reasons can be reduced to only two since trust is a constitutive element of character and personality on which integrity is predicated.

Thus we should be talking about dividends of foreign trips and integrity.Apart from the fact that the integrity of PMB can provide an attraction for other leaders, it is important to also state clearly that integrity does not in itself make any other leader invite another leader to pay a visit.

When PMB was Head of State, he had very good integrity but his policies were too nationalistic for the liking of the many countries currently inviting him to visit them and also asking him to come with a shopping list. The truth of the matter is simple: the kind invitations extended to PMB are meant to re-assess him and find out the extent to which he will be able to play ball with them. If, for whatever reasons, the President of a country is invited on the basis of his personality and integrity, it is partly because he or she is not perceived to be an obstacle to the achievement of the national interests of the outside or inviting powers.

While the two main points advanced byAmbassador Lolo can still be taken as valid rationales for PMB’s visits, the points still become quickly self-indicting for PMB with the recommendation that Nigerians owe him debts of gratitude for putting on line his integrity for Nigeria. It is important to differentiate between individual integrity and corporate integrity. PMB does not have any corporate integrity without Nigeria. The good point inherent inAmbassador Lolo’s twopoint submission is that PMB is trying and doing his best. Whether everyone should begin to sing new songs of praise is a different matter of opinion.As at today, the much criticisms brought against the person of PMB are largely derived from the holier-than-thou approach in the defense of PMB by public officials. This should not be so. Greater emphasis should always be on the dividends of trips without any attempt to run anybody down.

For instance, the trip to China has a genesis traceable to the time of SaniAbacha and particularly Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. It may not be quickly forgotten that President Goodluck Jonathan (GEJ) led a high-level delegation, comprising several governors, legislators and key ministers on a 5-day State Visit to China on Tuesday, July 9, 2013.

During the visit, agreements on Defence Cooperation, Economic and Technical Cooperation, Finance for the Zungeru Power Plant and Airport Terminals, Mutual Visa exemption for holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports were done. In other words, it is not that PMB’s first visit to China as Nigeria’s leader is not avoidable or that only technocrats can know about the goodness of government transactions.

In spite of this observation,Ambassador Lolo’s points still partly explain why PMB’s visits still constitute a desideratum. Nigeria has interest in becoming a Permanent Member of the UN Security

The third is the Panama Papers Athird critical issue is corruption which has moved beyond what some have dubbed Dasuki-gate or arms-gate to that of the Panama Papers. In other words, the focus of PMB in the past ten months has been on the eradication of corruption in all its ramifications. To a great extent, PMB has succeeded with the unveiling of the misappropriation of the more than two billion US dollars set aside for the procurement of weapons for the prosecution of the war against the Boko Haram. While the war on the Dasuki-induced corruption is still on, the saga of the Panamanian Papers emerged, thus making the problem of corruption complex.

Panama Papers are basically about the 11.5 million confidential documents on ‘more than 214,000 offshore companies listed by the Panamanian Cooperation Service Provider, Mossack Fonseca, including the identities of shareholders and directors of the companies,’ which were cautiously or otherwise leaked to the public onApril 3, 2016. The problem is that several members of the Nigerian elite were listed in the papers and the extent of their riches were made public.

The confidentiality with which banking details are supposed to be protected is no more. Both the Dasuki-gate that is still under investigation and the Panama papers create monumental challenges for PMB in shaping international perception of Nigeria. Mossack Fonseca has explained that the leakage of the documents was traceable to criminal hacking by hoodlums. But to what extent is this true? Is the breach in confidentiality not deliberate? If it is not, how do we explain the fourth issue, that of the SwissAmbassador’s gay spouse in Nigeria?

1996, Spouses of Heads of Mission, Warsaw, Poland (SHOM), etc.

The various associations of Spouses of Heads of Mission have one common objective: provide assistance to the needy in the host state and use same to garner popular support for their spouses in the defense and protection of the national interests of the Sending States.

The Spouses of Heads of Mission in Poland described the objectives of the association as welcoming new members and helping them to settle down and also find new friends in a new environment.As a social club, the association organises meetings, visits and social activities in order to introduce members to other culture and history of their guest country.Additionally, the Spouses of Heads of Mission in Warsaw raise money for the needy on annual basis.

The situation is not different in Nigeria. Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan, former First Lady of Nigeria, once hosted theASOHOM. The then head of theASOHOM, Mrs. Mai Shoji, wife of the Japanese ambassador to Nigeria, said ‘the association is a network for welcoming wives of Heads of Missions to Nigeria and we engage in charitable works in the country, especially in states like Enugu, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory.’ In the same vein, Mrs.Aisha Buhari also met with the members of theASOHOM on Saturday, March 12, 2016. The First Lady lamented the challenges facing women in accessing healthcare and noted that her doors were widely open for further input in that area and those activities that could have positive impact on children.As Mrs. Buhari further noted, ‘one of the biggest challenges facing women and children in Nigeria is access to healthcare services.’ She also informed that her initiative, ‘Future Assured,’ was designed to spearhead advocacy for improved health and promotion of health status of the vulnerable but marginalized section of the population.’

As a matter of fact, in 2007, the association pledged to raise N1 million through the sale of members’ national dishes and delicacies to assist charity homes in Nigeria. That it did and Mrs Claire Lasado, SpanishAmbassador’s wife who was then the chair of the association, noted that it was an annual event (Daily Trust, March 19, 2007). The association is on record to have ‘supported so far the purchase of two medical cryotherapy systems, used to fight Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Screen Cervical Cancer for women living in the suburbs ofAbuja; building of five toilet facilities in Kogi State for Olokun Community Secondary School; developing a farm in Nasarawa State to empower the local community and give employment.’

What is noteworthy about the association of Spouses of Heads of Mission, particularly in Nigeria, is not the aspect of philanthropy per se, but who really is qualified to be a member of the association.

From the name of the association, only wives or spouses of incumbent Heads of Mission are qualified to be members. In this regard, if the Head of Mission is a female, the husband can be qualified to register his membership with the association. If the Head is a male, it is the wife that is eligible to join. This means that the association is for both male and female spouses. In both cases, the definition of a spouse is gender-determined and excludes same sex spouses. In fact, unlike in Switzerland where gay marriage has support, same sex marriage is a criminal offence in Nigeria.

From various reports, the Principal Representative of Switzerland in Nigeria is a male, HE, Mr. Eric Mayooraz. He sent Mr. Carlos to represent him at the meeting of theASOHOM but he was not granted the privilege of registration at the meeting. He is not a woman. The interesting report of the Daily Trust on Sunday (April 10, 2016) quotation from the Swiss Embassy, saying that its ‘Ambassador is not in any Marital Relationship.’ IfAmbassador Mayooraz is not married, why send an employee of the embassy, who is single, to represent him? Is there no female Foreign Service Officer in the embassy to stand in?

The SwissAmbassador has reportedly explained that the President of theASOHOM requested for a representative, but the information is also that the association does not have a leader, as no one is even interested in the position. This column strongly believes that only a female could legitimately represent the Swiss ambassador at theASOHOM meeting whether or not the ambassador is married. Consequently, this is the second time within a month that Switzerland has tried to assault the integrity of Nigeria willfully. Subjecting the repatriation ill-gottenAbacha loot to conditionality is an unnecessary interference in the political governance of Nigeria. This was the first. Consciously sending a male representative, whatever is his marital status, is another attempt to test the Laws of Nigeria. This is not acceptable.

Consequently, there is the need forAmbassador Mayooraz to thread more carefully in Nigeria by making haste slowly. He is unnecessarily going too far on the path of Persona Non Grata.

ASOHOM and Swiss Embassy

ASOHOM and Citizen Diplomacy

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Ambassador Eric Mayooraz

Council. This requires cultivation of special and personal ties with other leaders. Many of the countries to which PMB has paid visit do have different controversial issues in their ties with Nigeria. In fact, Nigerians reside in virtually all countries of the world.Astrong foundation for diplomatic protection under international private law has to be built. The war on corruption in Nigeria also requires cooperation of other countries in nipping it in the bud. Nigeria cannot neutralize the Boko Haram alone.All these factors are desiderative factors of PMB’s visits on which greater emphasis can be placed.

ASOHOM isAssociation of Spouses of Heads of Mission. Heads of Mission is also referred to as Chief of Mission. It is the translation and short form for Chef de Mission Diplomatique (CMD). Put differently, the Head of Mission is an accredited Principal Representative in his host country and therefore is governed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, especially in terms of privileges, immunities and inviolability. In this regard, the spouses of Heads of Diplomatic Missions are, by conception, required to assist their spouses in the attainment of their Mission Representation and Mission Charter.

As a matter of fact, in international diplomatic practice, political capitals generally play host to association of spouses of heads of mission. There is the Diplomatic SpousesAssociation of the Seychelles, theAssociation of Wives of Permanent Heads of Diplomatic Missions (WHOM) in Riyadh, SaudiArabia, Spouses of Heads of Mission, Malaysia,Association of Spouses of Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations in Ghana which was established in

In light of Daily Trust’s report that ‘though theAfrican ambassadors’ spouses had expressed dissatisfaction over the behavior of their white counterparts during meetings, receptions, dinners and other gatherings, it is quite surprising that a vast majority of them did not openly and strictly object to (the) membership’ of Mr. Carlos, there is the need to bridge the communication gap between government and theASOHOM as a private organization. The First Lady as well as the wife of the Foreign Minister should, once or twice, have an institutionalized dialogue in a year on mutually benefitting questions. This will go a long way in assisting the ambassadors accredited to Nigeria.

Besides, hostility against Nigeria in international politics, contrary to popular acquiescence, is gradually increasing. The introduction of citizen diplomacy approach to the conduct and management of foreign policy appears now necessary.ASOHOM is an important instrument of diplomacy in international practice that should not be taken for granted.

18

APRIL 17, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION Day Chibok Girls Will Be Back Home The courage displayed by people all over the world to the cause of the girls give hope that we are still capable of doing good, writes Paul Okolo

M

y teenage daughter is preparing to return to school this weekend as the second term holidays has ended. Like any other teenager she’s looking forward to being with her friends again to share tales of their escapades while at home. My girl and her classmates have dreams and are living their dreams. Not so for more than 200 young girls in her age group. Theirs was truncated by the merchants of death called Boko Haram on April 14, 2014 in Chibok town in the far north eastern corner of Nigeria.

Two years on, the abduction still gives me jitters as I see my daughter growing up into a young lady before my eyes. As she goes off to boarding school I feel her absence sorely but I know she’ll be back home again at the end of the session. But many families in the territory can’t have the same expectation thanks to the devastation done to them by vicious terrorists who won’t rest until they’ve shed innocent blood.

The girls’ abduction has brought the horror of terrorism closer to Nigerians and to people everywhere. Their ordeal touches every one of us in a way. The thought of these girls being used as sex slaves, suicide bombers, or at best human shield, is unsettling to anybody who like me has a daughter, wife, sister or mother. I often ask myself if I wouldn’t have gone berserk if, heavens forbid, someone close to me were to be one of the victims. Who knows what I’d do in all honesty? I always try to dismiss the idea as quickly as the thought comes. The thought alone is so very unnerving that it’s sparked worldwide anger, prompting global icons to join in calling for the release of the innocent girls. From mother-of-two Michelle Obama to our own Oby Ezekwesili, Aisha Yesufu, Bukky Shonibare, to Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Laureate who herself nearly got killed in

her native Pakistan, millions marched in solidarity. The hashtags #Bring-back-our-girls, #Never-to-be-forgotten and #BBOG caught worldwide attention.

If this has brought some consolation to families of the girls, still some among them couldn’t bear the psychological trauma for too long and have died as a result of the deep wound inflicted by their daughters’ affliction. And those still alive are perhaps wishing they were dead every day they wake up with no word on the whereabouts of the girls.

While the world awaits news from Sambisa Forest or other Boko Haram hideouts, the abductions have brought out the best in us as humans. The determination, tenacity and courage displayed by people abroad and in Nigeria who are dedicated to the cause of these girls give us all hope that we are still capable of doing good. It shows we still have the capacity to love our neighbour as ourselves.

People from varied social, ethnic, religious and racial backgrounds have risen in unison, and organised marches, meetings, and

The girls’ abduction has brought the horror of terrorism closer to Nigerians and to people everywhere. Their ordeal touches every one of us in a way. The thought of these girls being used as sex slaves, suicide bombers, or at best human shield, is unsettling to anybody who like me has a daughter, wife, sister or mother

prayers with little or no supervision and absolutely gratis.

Yet those who are so deeply involved, despite huge financial, physical and emotional costs, are too decent to want to take credit for their exemplary commitment. It amazes me how the “Bring-back-our-girls” campaigners have managed to gather daily without fail in Abuja together with relations of the girls, members of the Chibok community, activists and religious leaders even under very hostile and harsh human and natural conditions. Others around the world also congregate like that occasionally to keep their story alive.

But there is also a flipside. The worst species of Homo sapiens also manifested in the story. The most irritating are the unfeeling who, despite abundant evidence, deny that the kidnappings of April 14, 2014 took place. I’m amazed at the people who see it as mere propaganda and a staged-managed affair. It’s one reason the government at the time didn’t pursue the brigands and rescue the innocent girls. In the name of politics, people in public office who should demonstrate good manners have shown the worst form insensitivity to the misfortune of fellow human beings, still insisting that nobody was abducted. How can somebody be so stupidly arrogant? When there’s a national emergency, what politicians of all shades do in other places is to unite, deal with the problem and move the nation forward. This country shouldn’t under any circumstances be different.

So as I drop my girl at school this weekend, I’ll be praying for divine intervention on behalf of the Chibok girls that they too would very soon be free to resume their education in a safe environment if at all possible. More importantly, I pray their story will soon have a happy ending, so that there’ll be no third anniversary of this ordeal. And, hopefully, they too can one day live their dreams.

Okolo wrote from Abuja

A Doomsday Scenario

T

Patrick Dele Cole highlights some of the worries in our society

he petrol queues were long. A brisk trade was going on everywhere by people selling petrol on the road side in jerry cans. Tessy, driving her Mercedes 230E needed petrol and stopped to buy from the jerry can vendors. As she opened her door, one young man jumped into her car on the driver’s side, five other men were opening other doors trying to get in.

Tessy had the presence of mind and luckily had actually not turned off the engine of her car. She put her foot down on the accelerator. The car jumped forward, leaving behind the other men about to enter the car. But one was already inside.

As she sped away a mighty struggle for the steering began, the car swerving from side to side in those wide Abuja streets. She managed to get to the front of the gate leading to Hilton hotel. She swerved right, causing the security men to jump aside for their dear life. The gate was open – she sped through it as the struggle for the steering continued. She swiped some concrete barriers and finally hit one just near the entrance of the hotel. She jumped out, screaming “thief, thief”. The young man in the car tried to escape but was caught.

At the Police station the desk officer recognised the young man and said “You again; I think say na Toyota and Nissan una dey thief; now una don reach Mercedes”.

Apparently a few days before, this same young man had been caught trying to steal a Toyota. He was charged and bailed. He tried to commit the same offence a few days later. Abuja is dangerous now for carjacking and kidnapping.

In Lagos two weeks ago, Sewa and her sister were on a motor bike going home when three other bikes blocked their bike, and stole all their possession, took the key of the bike they had hired and sped off. Crime reporters in the media have stopped reporting these kind of crimes because there’s just too many committed all over the country.

My friend received an SMS, headed Presidency, and asked him to send his CV to one Dr. Akate, Head, Selection Committee for federal government appointments for directors/Ambassadors. The CV was to be sent to osgf. presidency.ng.com. My friend dutifully sent his CV and called the number in the SMS. Some chap trying to sound like a Northerner answered and told him that his papers had been received and forwarded to the NSA for clearance and he should contact another Mrs. (Dr). An hour or so later my friend was called again. This time he was told that the NSA had finished the process of clearance three days before; but if my friend still wants, he could help by

“facilitating” his CV and push it among those already cleared if my friend paid some money to an account in First Bank. My friend did not pay. So he would not get a federal appointment.

I tried to leave Abuja on Saturday but I could not because there was local government election and there was no movement from 7am – 4pm. I have never understood why in Nigeria during election all movements are restricted. Has anybody worked out the man hours lost by these restrictions and the cost to the nation? We must devise a better way and attitude to voting and politics.

These restrictions do not seem to have reduced violence and the costs are phenomenal.

On Sunday I tried to leave for Lagos. The approach roads to the checking in carters have now been changed, once more, causing a mighty log jam. Many would have missed their flights if the flights left on time but luckily on that Sunday, because of fuel shortage, many flights were delayed. So our cars crawled in front of the massive new building the Chinese were putting up at the airport.

I remembered that no one had ever told us the cost of these projects that one Finance Minister told us of her ministry did not know, and that bills were drawn up by the Ministry of Transport and was directly debited on Nigeria by China. How can we not know how much a government facility was costing and how was it paid for?

Is Nigeria some banana republic?

Last week FAAN revealed that it had not remitted over N80 billion belonging to the federal government.

While waiting for my flight I then looked at the breakdown of the cost of my ticket. I was astounded. My ticket cost N49, 610 – Abuja to Lagos. N10, 500 charges were unintelligible to me: N4, 500; another N3, 000 new charge fees. Tickets are not refundable, non endorsable; flight dates, times and routes are changeable subject to applicable charges. I believe the actual fare was N23, 500; on top of that there was a fuel surcharge of N23, 810, VAT; Ticket Sales Charge N650, Passenger Service Charge N1000. But that is not all, FAAN has another stamp – Passenger Service Charge N1000; some airlines charge N2000 even though the stamp says N1, 000.

What is going on? Finally we board the plane and then they start refueling the plane. It is usually prohibited for planes to be refilled while passengers are in the plane (these are exceptions). Even after that we cannot leave because the airport is closed because of Presidential movement!

All of us have sometimes been inconvenienced by what is called presidential movement. The idea is that when

the president is flying there is strict control of all other flights – these controls usually means that if your flight has not taken off, then it cannot leave until the president plane has landed or passed. Sometime the delays are for hours – the presidential entourage may not have left its abode before a clamp down is put on all flights. The president may be delayed or he may change his schedule and this information is not relayed. Most flights in Nigeria are under one hour but presidential movement delays are a lot more than that, sometimes it’s more than two hours; once it starts the backlog gets worse and worse during the rest of the day causing more miseries and inconveniences. For international flights, the plane is required to circulate for an hour or so before landing if a presidential movement is clamped down.

I am sure that those who impose these restrictions on other flights do not really want to punish the flying public but the effect of their action is precisely that.

Is the Presidents’ plane safer when no other plane is flying? I would have thought that in these days of RPGs, isolating the presidents’ plane would attract more attention. The plane itself, I would imagine, would have more sophisticated defence gadgets.

Nevertheless thousands of passengers will miss their connecting flights, if one is unfortunate enough to be caught up in one of these presidential movement delays. The president works for us. Yes his life must be protected but not at the inconvenience of the public.

I cannot imagine JFK Airport, La Guardia or Newark airports in New York being closed for anything except severe national crisis like 9/11. Nor would London Heathrow be closed because the Queen is flying – by the way she flies by British Airways, usually on scheduled flights, when some seats are screened off for her and her entourage. How do other countries do this essential security job of protecting their presidents and heads of state? I am aware that security offices used to have fairly close ties with British, US, French and other security forces. We should learn from them.

Finally, Abuja seems unaware of the problems of Nigeria, except the petrol queues. The atmosphere is expectant, super charged, coiled like a snake waiting to pounce. There is no money and the whole town is waiting for the release of funds once the budget process is over. The body language of the expectancy would suggest that the fear of corruption or peddling of influence for money may not heed the administration’s precepts.

–– Dr.Cole, OFR, was Nigeria’s former ambassador to Brazil

19

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • APRIL 17, 2016

LETTERS

O

Promoting Made-in-Nigeria Products

f late, there seems to be genuine efforts by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and other similar bodies to diversify the Nigerian economy. Considering the current economic reality of the country occasioned by dwindling price of oil in the global market, there is no auspicious time than now to promote the non- oil sectors as a way of salvaging our nation’s ailing economy.

If we are really serious about the diversifica tion of the economy, one vital approach would be to revive local industries. The time has come for us to encourage the development of local industries in the country as a way of promoting the patronage of locally made goods and products. Our over reliance on crude oil as the primary export commodity and foreign exchange earner has, no doubt, worsen the situation of local

Mohammed

industries in the country.

It is encouraging to note that the federal government is currently working on plans to promote the production and consumption of local products.

Undoubtedly, this is a sensible thing to do. Aside providing solution to the unemployment

problem, encouraging the production and consumption of local products could usher us into the path of the much desired economic prosperity.

This is the secret behind the rising profiles of the now prosperous Asian tigers. Our ability to achieve similar feat

will depend on our capacity to harness human and material resources towards the promotion of made-in-Nigeria goods that can compete in both local and international markets.

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

Fortunately, we have an amazing advantage in our size.

Conservatively, the country’s population is put at over 160 million. Our population is, therefore, a major source of strength and behooves us as a nation to leverage on this factor to promote the Nigerian brand in terms of products and services as this remains the only means through which sustainable employment can be guaranteed. Nigeria is in a position to play a strong continental and global role

THE FLAGGING FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION

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ithout prejudice, corruption over the years remains a clog in the wheel of Nigeria’s quest for a first-world status. Successive administrations, military or civilian, have come and gone with never ending anti-corruption rhetoric but none ostensibly hit the monster below the belt until Nuhu Ribadu banged into the scene as the pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). For the few years Ribadu held sway, the nation witnessed a paradigm shift from its lip-service anti-graft drive. However, his exploits in ridding the nation of this much dreaded menace as inimitable as they were, could best be likened to the proverbial drop of water in an ocean. Not only had politicians, civil servants and corporate entities devised clandestine means of siphoning national wealth and cutting corners without iota of suspicion from law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies, the country galloped to a delicate pedestal as one of the foremost corrupt nations in the world over the last decade. According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index released not too long ago, Nigeria was adjudged 136th out of 176 worst-hit countries in the world.

It was against the backdrop of our tainted anti-corruption meandering that the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress crept into Nigerian political scene armed with anti-graft jingos and launching same as one of its tripod change promises.

Expectedly, many Nigerians from all walks of life wasted no time in boarding APC’s anti-corruption wagon for a journey towards confining corruption to permanent obscurity. Nigerians can still vividly recollect how the

president as a candidate of his party repeatedly echoed the desire to rid the country of graft during many of their well-documented pageantry campaigns. Each time the president mounted the podium, his first line of words however few they were, centred mainly on corruption with security and the economy complementing the circle. And so, when the drum of arrest and prosecution of alleged “looters” of arms funds began to beat in furry, many of Mr. President’s supporters went into frenzy and sang his praise to high heavens. According to them, the journey to a corruptionfree Nigeria has just begun.

Some days ago, I boarded a vehicle at Wuse in Abuja. The driver obviously a diehard fan of the president, was quick to remind the passengers how the fire of anti-corruption crusade would gradually rage from the north to other parts of the country. In his own thinking, the president was doing a good job by starting the onslaught from his kinsmen before descending on other regions. When quickly reminded of the possibility of the fight being one -sided and selective as perceived in some quarters, he was swift in asking the question: did those accused of corruption actually commit the offence?

Pointing to him further that those in custody were yet to be pronounced guilty by any court in Nigeria, my friend, just like many of his folks often do, suddenly went dodgy and began to raise his voice.

Looking at it critically with an open mind and using all comparative indices, can we sincerely point to any dissimilarity between the EFCC of 2016 and the one commandeered by Nuhu Ribadu under the auspices of Olusegun Obasanjo between 2003 and 2007? In those

days, for the benefit of those who might have lost track of anti-graft history in Nigeria, prominent individuals including a sitting IGP were handcuffed and clamped into detention while in some cases, the EFCC was conspicuously used as a tool to unseat political office holders who were allegedly seen as critics of the then sitting president.

The only difference being that opposition elements were spared the rod. Under the current dispensation, court pronouncements are characteristically being flagrantly disobeyed while accused persons are detained beyond legal timeframe. Many were pronounced guilty and condemned on pages of newspapers even before undergoing trials! It’s still the same old tunes.

With these startling realities, we can do our nation a great service by sincerely asking ourselves the simple but salient question: can corruption be fought headlong by simply arresting, jailing, prosecuting and possibly asking culprits to cough out stolen wealth? Before answering in the affirmative or otherwise, maybe we should rephrase it in another hush tone: has jailing (and in some instances killing) of armed robbers and drug peddlers curbed or eradicated stealing and drug trafficking in Nigeria and other parts of the world?

I don’t think many would nod in affirmative. Stealing or corruption, however it suits us to describe it, has been there right from the existence of mortals and would continue to occur no matter how long we jail or kill offenders.

However, it is a common belief that this economic leech can be drastically decongested from our financial eco-system through institutional and legal frameworks when sincerely put to work through strong political will. So, if we agree

that clamping offenders in detention and parading them on print and electronic media does little in curbing or reducing graft, why is the Buhari administration being celebrated or seen as fighting corruption? During his stint as head of state, notable politicians were jailed by this same president with some who were too old or frail to pass through the rigours of long incarceration dying in the process. An attempt of forceful kidnap was even made on a prominent politician in the UK all geared toward having him face prosecution at home.

Nonetheless, all his efforts combined with Nuhu Ribadu/ Obasanjo’s chapter did little to reduce corruption in the country; instead, it has reached an alarming crescendo. Why are we then pretending by playing along with ongoing theatrics and mock trials in the name of fighting graft in Nigeria?

––Oladipupo Nurudeen Olaoluwa, Abuja

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because it benefits from a large population of energetic, educated, and entrepreneurial people, as well as from an abundance of natural resources.

For local industries and local goods to enjoy sufficient patronage from local consumers, there is need for the National Assembly to come up with a local patronage bill that would ensure that madein-Nigeria goods and local producers are protected. It is a thing of serious concern that the production capacity of the local industries can neither suit local consumption nor export.

A situation where Nigerians depend on imported goods for all manner of items is, to say the least, appalling. The idea of patronising made-in-Nigeria goods should not be regarded as a parochial scheme. Rather, it should be viewed as a call for nationwide partnership to develop the kind of collective commerce pattern that would have positive bearing on national development. It has the potential to enhance the utility value of goods as products and consequent services for the specific orientation and cultural needs of the Nigerian people.

There is a need for holistic overhaul of our importation policy to discourage items that can be locally manufactured, as the leather exhibition has proven. One is actually in support of plans by the federal government to discourage the importation of certain items that the country has the potential of producing locally. We need to embrace attitudinal, structural, and cultural change that would enable major stakeholders to modify their outlook towards made-in-Nigeria goods. In our drive towards a varied and dependable economy, it is vital that we build internal structures that will establish it as an independent commercial hub wherein our position will be strengthened in the course of international collaborations and our negotiation powers leveraged by a culture of home-grown technical expertise.

Certainly, made-in-Nigeria goods will boost the nation’s

manufacturing sector and by extension create more jobs. It is through this that indigenous firms can take advantage of bigger markets at regional, continental and global levels.

It is important for the country to appreciate its fundamental dynamics by making policies that will ensure sustainable economic development.

Advocating and supporting made- in -Nigeria goods is a sure way to turn around our dwindling economic fortune.

Nigerians should encourage indigenous entrepreneurs by patronising locally produced goods and services. It is only in doing this that we could develop and transform local industries. There is no country that has managed to transform itself without adequate industrial growth or wholesome dependence on imported goods. Therefore, we need to empower local industries, and this could only be done by embracing locally made goods. Recent giant strides in the cement industry have sufficiently demonstrated that local industries could act as catalysts for economic growth if only the needed impetus for growth and development are put in place.

This is where funding and other related issues come in.

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

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

––Tayo Ogunbiyi, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

BUHARI AND THE NORTH-EAST

he majority of the people in the North-east have confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari’s political will to win the war against Boko Haram, and they are very happy with the level of successes recorded by the military so far. The people of the Northeast are experiencing the difference between the sloppy handling of the war

by Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and the doggedness and commitment being shown by the Buhari government.

President Buhari is getting a massive approval from the northeast because people can now see that the military is in the offensive mode- taking the

war to Boko Haram, not waiting for Boko Haram to come. Now Boko Haram insurgents are being chased out of villages and their camps in bushes, unlike before when they were capturing big towns and annexing local government areas and renaming them.

Anyone who comes to the northeast now will see the obvious resolve of the present government to win the war- real-time pictures of success by the military; confidence on the faces of the soldiers on ground; the number of war planes and their activities in skies especially from Yola airport will certainly tell any doubting Thomases that Buhari is matching his words with action.

When the 2015 presidential

election was postponed, a foreign journalist told Buhari that the election was postponed because of Boko Haram. Buhari answered, “What is Boko Haram?” A commonsense definition of that statement by Buhari is that Boko Haram does not have the capacity to dictate to Nigeria.

The people of the northeast are with Buhari, because they now see the Nigerian soldiers are very confident; fully kitted; wellarmed and tackling Boko Haram head-on. Buhari is winning the Boko Haram war; the people of the northeast are happy and have strong confidence in the commander-in-chief.

––Zayyad I. Muhammad, Jimeta, Adamawa State

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SUNDAY APRIL 17, 2016 T H I S D AY

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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 •APRIL 17, 2016

BUSINESS

Editor Festus Akanbi Email festus.akanbi@thisdaylive.com

QUICK TAKES Forcados Terminal Closure

Nigeria is set to lose as much as $1bn (aboutN199bn)fromtheforcemajeure on Forcados loadings that has been in place since February and which is set tocontinueuntilMay.Forcemajeure is aterminacontractthatcanbeinvoked whenconditionsbeyondthecontrolof thecompanymakeitimpossibletofulfil theterms to which it originally agreed.

Bloomberg sources quoted the InternationalEnergyAgencyassayingthat Nigeriastandtoloseanestimated$1bn asaresultoftheclosureoftheterminal.

The IEA said, “The Forcados terminal in Delta State, one of Nigeria’s biggest terminals, was scheduled to load 250,000barrelsofcrudeperday.At$40 per barrel, Nigeria could stand to lose anestimated$1bnbetweenFebruary, whenforcemajeurewasdeclared,and May, when repairs are expected to be completed.” Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited reportedly put the grade under force majeure on February 21, a week after apipelineleakforcedittohaltloadings to the export platform.

Productionintotheterminalandcrude oilexportswerestoppedsoonafterthe spill on the ForcadosTerminal subsea crude export pipeline was discovered.

PH Refinery

A textile manufacturing plant

Infrastructure, Education, Health Keys to Unlocking Nigeria’s Potential, Says Report

Olaseni Durojaiye

A new report by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has posited that for Nigeria to unlock its potential and achieve sustainable improvement in well-being of its citizens, the country must take concrete steps to optimise five key sectors namely, infrastructure, education, health, governance and civil society. The report acknowledged vast human resources and mineral wealth and growing political stability as important in the pursuit of well-being of the people.

The BCG report on Nigeria for 2015, titled: “Unlocking Nigeria’s Potential: The Path to Well-Being” is jointly authored by Luis Gravito, Miguel Pita, Jaime Ruiz-Cabrero, and Wiebe Boer.

The report noted the country’s heavy reliance on oil at the neglect of other sectors with immense revenue generating potential including agriculture and mining, and rated the country as lagging behind other countries with similar challenges.

It ranked Nigeria 142nd out of 149 countries, lamenting that Nigeria was yet to make some meaningful advances against some long-standing problems including poor governance, corruption, widespread poverty and inadequate infrastructure.

“Addressing the current economic challenges in Nigeria and unleashing the energy and drive of its people will require action by the government—most notably in infrastructure, health, and education. Improvements in

ECONOMY those areas will create sizable, positive ripple effects throughout the economy, including possibly a surge in foreign direct investment.

Focused and sustained effort can yield real progress—and raise the well-being of all Nigerians,” the report stated.

“Nigeria boasts abundant assets—most notably, vast natural resources, arable land, and a young, entrepreneurial population. After a decade of steady growth, promarket reforms, and increased political stability—as demonstrated by a successful democratic change in leadership—the country could be poised to enter a period of sustainable inclusive growth.

“But major challenges stand in the way of such progress. Low oil prices have sent the naira plummeting and could lead to a serious economic slowdown.

And the country has yet to make meaningful advances against some long-standing problems, including poor governance, corruption, widespread poverty, and inadequate infrastructure.”

To understand actions that could effect real change in Nigeria, the group studied the country using The Boston Consulting Group’s Sustainable Economic Development Assessment (SEDA). SEDA is described as “a powerful diagnostic tool designed to provide insight into the well-being of a country’s citizens and how effectively a country converts wealth, as

measured by income levels, into well-being.”

The report noted that, “Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa, grew at a compound annual rate of 7.5 per cent from 2000 through 2015.

However, Nigerians overall are still very poor- 82 per cent of the population lives on less than $2 per day, compared with 26 per cent in South Africa.

According to the report ”One factor is the dearth of value-added manufacturing. As a result, there has been little job creation or poverty reduction despite a decade of strong GDP growth. Today, the country’s Today, the country’s reliance on the oil and gas sector is creating major economic headwinds... energy is the only significant export, making it the country’s primary source of foreign exchange

reliance on the oil and gas sector is creating major economic headwinds.

Certainly, the domestic economy is quite diversified, with energy representing only 13 per cent of GDP. But energy is the only significant export, making it the country’s primary source of foreign exchange, and it accounts for 70 per cent of total government income. And falling oil prices are contributing to an economic slump - GDP growth in 2015 slowed to an estimated 2.8 per cent,” the report stated.

In an interview with THISDAY, Partner and Managing Director BCG Lagos, Miguel Pita, explained

that, “BCG’s SEDA allows us to understand how Nigeria’s economic performance affects the lives of the country’s citizens.

It looked at well-being through 10 dimensions namely “income, economic stability, employment, health, education, infrastructure, income equality, civil society, governance, and environment.

SEDA examines each dimension along two time frames,” he added.

The report obtained by THISDAY also stated that, “SEDA also examines the connection between wealth and well-being through two coefficients: The wealth-to-well-being coefficient compares a country’s current level of well-being with the level that would be expected given its GDP per capita (based on purchasingpower parity). The expected level is represented by a coefficient of 1.0, which is based on global averages.

“The growth-to-well-being coefficient compares a country’s recent progress in well-being with the level that would be expected given its GDP growth rate. Again, the expected level is represented by a coefficient of 1.0, based on global averages.

The report advocated strengthening of governance and civil society.

While stating that SEDA tool show a correlation between governance and civil society, it argued that improvements in both areas can be challenging to achieve and take years to become evident, but the two levers can drive near-term progress.

PortHarcourtRefiningCompanyLimited has announced that 28 million litres of petrol have been pumped into the domesticmarkettohelpaddressthecurrentproductscarcitythathadcrippled theeconomy.Thisiscomingasfuelsupply has drastically improved in Abuja anditsenvirons,followingtheincrease in truck out by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from 186to240trucksdaily.TheManaging Directorofthecompany,DrBafredAudu Enjugu,saidtherapidresponsewasthe productofafast-trackstrategyaimedat optimisingavailablecapacityattheplant inanefforttoalleviatethesufferingof Nigeriansgroaning,underthebitingfuel scarcity in thecountry.Enjugu said the FluidCatalyticCrackingUnit(FCC)ofthe refineryhadbeenrunning,whilesome productsfromtheprimaryprocessing unitshadbeenblendedtogenerateover 10.28 million litres of petrol. He said 1.7 million litres were released to the depotpenultimateFriday,whileanother 4.5millionlitresweretransferredtothe depot for distribution that Saturday and additional 4.08 million litres last Tuesday.

IMF on Budget Impasse

TheInternationalMonetaryFund(IMF) has waded into the impasse between the executive arm of government and the National Assembly over the 2016 budget, advising the Nigerian governmenttoresolvetheissuessurrounding thebudgetandhaveitassentedto,just asitrenewedthecallfortheCentralBank ofNigeria(CBN)toimplementaflexible foreign exchange regime.

IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, who spoke at the 2016 Spring Meetings of the IMF-World Bank in Washington D.C., also told the federal government to seek assistance from international institutions capable of helpingtheNigerianeconomyovercome its current economic challenges.

“Our recommendation is that, first, Nigeriaseekhelpfromtheinternational institutionsthatcanbesthelp.Second is that Nigeria is open-minded about using flexibility of the exchange rate in order to absorb some of the shocks; we believe that it’s more efficient than usingalistofforexitemsthatarebarred from being imported into the country.

“And third, we believe that it’s really important that budget be completely decided and approved,” Lagarde said.

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Dangote Cement: Taking the Lead in Import Substitution Drive

On the heels of the commencement of work on the $1 billion Dangote Cement’s Okpella plant, Olaseni Durojaiye looks at the potential of the group’s investments in cement manufacturing to boost diversification, export and generation of foreign exchange for the country

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everal operators and analysts in the country’s economic space have continued to clamour for diversification of the economy from oil to other sectors including agriculture and mining contending that the two sectors among others hold huge potential that are capable of boosting the economy and grow its revenue base and ultimately it’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The call no doubt became most strident in the past couple of months in the wake of the country’s latest round of economic challenges escalated by the southward movement of crude oil prices in recent times.

Calls for diversification were closely followed by that of import substitution. Many speakers drawn from different economic sectors, while lending their voices to the call added that faced with the forex crisis the nation was contending with, it was expedient to look inward if many manufacturing businesses must remain in business even as players in the real sector lament that many businesses in the sector have closed shop. Two of the proponents of looking inward are Segun Agbaje and Herbert Wigwe, Managing Directors of GTBank and Access Bank respectively.

Agbaje lent his voice to the import substitution debate recently when during an interactive session with the media, prior to the bank’s last Annual General Meeting, while Wigwe did same at a summit organised

by The Economist magazine. Besides, several analysts have echoed the argument in different interviews with THISDAY. The calls for diversification and import substitution have been closely followed by arguments that the country needs to shift from an import-dependent economy to one that is export dependent. Proponents of the argument maintained that it is the solution to the country’s foreign exchange challenge and dwindling foreign reserves.

Analysts who reviewed Dangote’s $1billion investment in the six million metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa) cement plant in Okpella, Edo State with THISDAY insisted that it aligns with the call to diversify the economy and that of import substitution. One of them, Rotimi Oyelere, said besides representing a shift away from oil, it promises Nigeria’s export and foreign exchange on the long run.

Dangote Cement Okpella Plant The plant ground breaking, which held last Sunday to coincide with the group’s president’s 59th birthday, when completed will further increase the $3 billion that the country currently saves annually from import substitution. Analysts that spoke to THISDAY agreed that the investment was strategic in many fronts and comes with multiplier effects apart from being a practical step at diversifying the economy and the drive for an export-led economy.

The new six million metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) capacity Okpella cement plant is coming ahead of plans for another six million mtpa cement plant to be sited in Itori, Ogun state. The Itori plant is an addition to another one in Ibeshe, in the same Ogun State, which is currently producing 12 million mtpa.

“By this investment, Dangote’s production capacity will go up further to 41m mtpa, in Nigeria alone,” a statement from the company affirmed.

Meanwhile, the disclosure by Alhaji Dangote that “We have also committed to investing in a 100MW Power Generation Plant for both Itori and Okpella” is seen as part of the multiplier effects he referred to when he stated in his speech that “anywhere we operate, there is a multiplier effect as job creation and more entrepreneurs will be created as ancillary services providers, suppliers, mechanics, hoteliers, restaurants, etc. “ Another analysts who spoke to THISDAY from Port Harcourt, Ezeh Wordu, noted that “however small, when that plant becomes operational it will reduce the urge to migrate to the city among youths in the area. Why would anybody travel to Lagos for a nonexistent job when there is one right in his community?, ” he reasoned.

One of Dangote cement factories Boost to Government’s Plan to Diversifying Economy Both Oyelere and Wordu contended that the plant was a big leap forward in the effort to diversify the economy and reorient it from its dependence on oil.

Many commentators before now agreed that it is over reliance on oil and the neglect of other sectors including agriculture and mining that has led the economy to its current state.

“This is a major leap forward in the call for diversification and export-led economy,” Makinde stated, adding that, “when completed, it will increase availability of cement locally which will in turn help to reduce housing deficit considering that cement is a major component of building homes. But more importantly, cement exportation especially to West African countries will receive a big boost which will in turn generate much-needed foreign exchange for the country. This is the direction to go if we’re serious about diversifying the economy and building an export, rather than import-based economy,” he argued.

The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who spoke during the ceremony, described the investment as consistent with the policy drive of the federal government, targeted at the diversification of the economy from crude oil. According to him, the mining sector has the potential to contribute over $25 billion to the national economy, creating huge revenue flows to drive it in the face of rapidly declining crude oil prices.

“The mining sector has the capacity to contribute over $25 billion to the national economy by 2025, creating new employment opportunities, developing local content and increasing tax revenue for the state and the federal governments,” Fayemi said.

Boosting Forex Earnings Through Investments in Cement While analysts continue to posit that an export-led economy would increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings, help to shore up its foreign reserve with a corresponding positive impact on the value of the naira, not many Nigerian companies currently play big in that space. Operators in the sector insisted that infrastructure deficit in the country disadvantaged them from being able to competitively play in the sector leading to their call on government to bring back the export Expansion Grant. But the Dangote group is not deterred.

“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.” Alhaji Dangote told guests at the Economist summit.

“Continuing, he harped on the need to 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.

In June 2015, the group commissioned its cement plants in Ethiopia, Zambia and Cameroun. THISDAY checks also revealed that there are plans to commission other plants in Senegal and South Africa very soon with plans to also build another cement plant in Nepal. With these investments, analysts insisted that Dangote cement’s investment in cement across Africa is positioned to significantly contribute to the country’s forex earnings adding that it is easy to discern the group’s strategic investment drive and how it will favour the country on the long run.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, Africa’s wealthiest man stated that Nigeria is a growing economy. Our developmental challenges are quite enormous and will require the combined efforts of government and private sector to overcome them.

It is in this light that we are here to contribute our own quota to transforming the economy of Edo State as we have done elsewhere.

“This project is only one of our several successful

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

projects presently ongoing in parts of the country and outside in more than 15 other locations in African countries, in line with our Pan African investment strategy. Last year June, we commissioned our cement plant in Ethiopia, and in August of same year in Zambia and Cameroon. We commissioned our plant in Tanzania in October. We plan to commission very soon, some of our other African plants in Senegal and South Africa,” he added.

Personality Endorsements While analysts stressed that the investment will greatly impact the economy of Edo State as it will create over 24,000 jobs excluding the multiplier effects and increase the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR), Governor Adams Oshiomhole best captured the importance of the plant to the economy of the state when he disclosed that “Dangote Cement, Okpella is the most potent vote of confidence on the developmental intitiative of the Edo State government.

I have come to realize that government is better off at providing infrastructure, inherent policies and the conducive environment to attract private businesses,” he stated adding that the investment was equivalent of the total capital expenditure of the state since he assumed office.

However, a further attestation to the importance of the project to the state and the nation as a whole was best captured by the array of captains of industry, chief executives of financial institutions, investment fund managers, government ministers, first class traditional rulers and top politicians that graced the groundbreaking ceremony.

They include Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Minister of Solid Minerals Resources, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Minister for State, Industry, Trade and Investments, Mrs. Aisha Abubakar.

Others include Chairman of THISDAY Newspaper Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of Forte Oil, Mr. Femi Otedola; former minister of industry, Chief Kola Jamodu; former CBN deputy governor, Tunde Lemo; Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema; former governors Niyi Adebayo of Ekiti and Chief Segun Osoba of Ogun State; Publisher of Ovation Magazine Chief Dele Momodu. From the traditional institution were a former CBN governor and Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido, Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh, Okuopellagbe of Okpella, Dr. Andrew Dirisu, among others.

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Katsina’s Search for Sustainable Development

As Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Kastina State prepares to host economic experts and foreign investors at an economic summit fixed for next month, Iyobosa Uwugiaren takes a look at the options before the state

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ow has Katsina State government fared in providing enabling business environment?

How business-friendly is the state? How does it maintain the sustainability of food production all year round?

These are some of vexed issues experts from all works of life will attempt to resolve at the planned Kastina State Economic and Investment Summit 2016 holding between May 9 and 11, 2016.

Entitled ‘’Unlocking Investment Potential for Sustainable Development,’’ expected participants in the three-day summit include, Agribusiness entrepreneurs wishing to network with potential partners; producers and investors who want to explore new opportunities in agribusiness; investors in solid minerals, power, property development, tourism, transportation, hospitality, and creative arts industries; investors, fund managers seeking solid investable projects and banking executives and other financiers.

Others are captains of industry, professionals and entrepreneurs; regional and international agency officials -- involved in development and financing of agri-business and projects and business journalists.

Holding in President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state, the president is expected as the Special Guest of Honour, while Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, will deliver a goodwill message, and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, will present a keynote address.

Structured to be an interactive summit, the President, African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefile; the Chief of Party, USAID-NEXT, Mr. Marc Shiman, and Dr. Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi, have all accepted to present papers on different topics at the summit.

Some of the deliverables at the summit include creating awareness and securing the buy-in of the citizens of the state into the government’s policy thrust and intended investment climate; create a platform for dialogue with potential investors; discuss the specific needs of those willing to invest in Katsina State; share investment ideas with the target audience; harness all the state’s unutilised and underutilised natural resources towards creating an efficient investment climate thereby creating a prosperous state; and revitalize the state’s private sector for optimal productivity, higher returns and employment generation/enhance the visibility of the state as an attractive investment destination. ‘’Stakeholders located within the LAKAJI Corridor States (states along the rail line that runs from Lagos Port to Kano terminating in Jibia in Katsina State), other states in Nigeria and the International Investing Community will be present to witness the opportunities available in the state. This will also mark the official commencement of the synergy between the LAKAJI Corridor States, other states of the Federation and the international community’’, Ms. Safiya Adamu, media and economic consultant to the summit told THISDAY. ‘’The Summit will also provide a robust platform for business connection for Public

Masari

Private Partnership (PPP), Business-toBusiness (B2B), Person-to-Person (P2P) and Consumer- to -Business (C2B).’’

She said the summit targets Agric – business, power, solid minerals, property development, hospitality and creative arts industry. While target countries include, Nigeria, Asia and the Middle East, European and the Americas and Africa.

She added, ‘’As major changes greet African economic growth and development terrain, efforts to revert the trends suggest new ways of doing business on the continent that completely reside outside the box. It’s clear today that only business-led development trajectories make the unfailing mark of the greatest and most sustainable socio-economic impact over time.’’

Providing justification for the economy summit, the former Chair, Editorial Board, LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group, Ms. Adamu, said the economic agro-corridors are strategic tools that attract private sector capital investment to projects that benefit agriculture and agribusiness - in providing jobs and boosting food security in a country.

She added, ‘’Corridors are development programs that foster promising economic sectors, notably in agriculture, especially, in a country like Nigeria that is connected by myriads of modes of transportation. ‘’As an intricate part of the LagosKano-Jibiya (LAKAJI) Corridor, Katsina’s strength lies in the possibility of integrating investments, policy frameworks and local institutions. The Kastina Economy Summit 2016 will lead Katsina to harness smarter planning initiatives aimed at enhancing agricultural (and other) opportunities.’’

The geography and the demographic nature of the state may be a huger investment opportunities. To be sure, Katsina State is situated at the far Northern part of Nigeria, approximately between Latitude 11o 30’ and 13o 32’N and Longitude 6o 52’ and 9o 02’E - covering an area of about 24,192 km2.

It is bounded to the North by Niger Republic, East by Jigawa and Kano States, South by Kaduna State and to the West by Zamfara State. According to the Bureau of Public Statistics (NPS2006), the state ranks as the fifth most populous state in the country, with an estimated population of about 5.8 million, and an annual population growth rate of 3.0%.

The state, like the rest of the country, has a young population where approximately 60 percent are within the age range of 15 to 64 years. Experts say, this gives the state an added advantage of a large pool of sustainable workforce.

Interacting with the business community recently, the state governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, said that Katsina State is richly endowed with huge Investments opportunities.

For example, he said the economy of the state is basically agrarian with a cultivable 2.4 million hectares of land out of which 1.6million is under cultivation, leaving land area of 800,000 hectares, equivalent to one third of the total cultivable land available for investment. The state also has over 61 water bodies suitable for irrigation farming with a capacity of 1121CU.m. The major water bodies with a combined water surface area of 558Cum are located at Sabke, Jibia, and Gwaigwaye.

In the state, farming and rearing of

animals constitute the means of livelihoods of about 80% of the population of the state. The state is a major collection centre for cash crops such as cotton, groundnuts and food crops such as maize, guinea corn, millet, and vegetables.

The range of livestock in the state is cattle, sheep, goat and poultry. And the state says, these provides huge opportunities for setting up of large scale agro-allied industries such as sugar processing, rice milling, oil and flour milling, textiles, dairy production, confectioneries, meat processing, tannery, and poultry production and others.

Other economic activities available in the state are property, energy, banking, transportation, small scale enterprises and trading. In the estimation of the organiser of the summit, there are over ten mega markets and other medium and smaller ones throughout the length and breadth of the state. And it said these markets provide the largest supply of grains and livestock in Nigeria and other West African Countries. They also serve as feeder to the famous Dawanau Market in Kano.

In Infrastructure facilities, Katsina State is accessible by road, air, communication network of telephones, post office, courier services, and Global System Mobile (GSM).

There is also a railway link from the seaport of Lagos passing through the cities of Ibadan and Kaduna among others to Funtua in Katsina state, stretching up to Kauran Namoda in Zamfara state. ‘’Katsina State has adequate road network across its length and breadth as all the 34 local governments areas of the State are accessible. In terms of intra- city roads, the state capital is well served as all the roads within the state capital are smoothly tarred’’, Ms. Adamu added. ‘’For manpower development, there are four universities, a polytechnic, two colleges of education, Ahmadu Bello University School of Basic and Remedial Studies. There are a number of business apprenticeship training centres established to provide vocational training to the unemployed youth in various skills such as brick-laying, auto mechanic, electrical works, welding, carpentry, refrigeration, GSM repairs, catering and hospitality services, etc.’’

In mainstream global investment circles, she added that the state meets the sustainability as well as risk-adjusted returns and political-risk ratings that are fundamental requirements for economic growth. ‘’In Katsina State, sustainable return implies more than a continuous flow of profit. The government and people have injected streams of social responsibility inputs in terms of type, timeframe and structure of an investment, making it one of the few northern states that bring genuine benefit to its people through investments, guaranteeing maximal returns on investment’’, she emphasized.

Governor Masari said in order to ensure good living condition for the citizens, the state government will continue to improve the capacity of Micro, Small and Medium enterprises through capacity building, access to finance and integration within the Industries. ‘’For this reasons government will continue to engage all willing Entrepreneurs who wish to invest and create value in Katsina State,’’ he added.

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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 •APRIL 17, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEY VIEW POINT

IMF on Nigeria’s Net Capital Flows Mirage Temitope Oshikoya

O

n April 8, the IMF publicly released the 2016 Article IV Country Consultation Report on Nigeria and the accompanying Selected Technical Issues Papers. The technical papers are of interest as they provide detailed empirical analysis of the topical issues that we have recently focused on: choice of exchange rate regimes, capital flows, fiscal framework, and productivity, especially of the non-oil sector.

These supporting technical papers cover four key areas. First, Options and strategies for a fiscal rule for Nigeria’s oil wealth management. Second, Enhancing the effectiveness of monetary policy in Nigeria. Third, Capital flows to Nigeria: recent development and prospects. Fourth, Financial deepening and the non-oil sector growth in Nigeria.

Of immediate relevance to the title of this article is the IMF’s technical paper on Capital flows to Nigeria: recent development and prospects. According to the IMF, total capital inflows are defined as net non-resident investment in Nigeria. Similarly, total capital outflows are defined by the IMF as the net investment of Nigerian residents abroad. As such, the values taken on by both concepts can be either positive (increase in liabilities or assets) or negative (decrease in liabilities or assets).

There are some takeaways from this paper, much in line with the key points we have highlighted severally. First, Nigeria’s net capital flows may be more of a mirage. On a net basis, capital flows may have been neutral or negative as both inflows and outflows equally averaged 4% of GDP between 2011 and 2014, about $20 billion per annum.

The IMF notes that Nigeria’s total capital inflows averaged 4 percent of GDP over 2011–14, but fell to 1.5 percent of GDP through the first three quarters of 2015. The IMF also observes that Nigeria has also been characterized by an equal sizable capital outflows of 4 percent of GDP in the same period, which have also diminished recently.

Second, Nigeria has witnessed significant illicit capital outflows.

The magnitude of Nigeria’s capital outflows may even be underrecorded due to illicit capital flight, which tends to show up as errors and omissions in the country’s balance of payments data, and averaged another 3 percent of GDP over 2010-2014. This will amount to about $15 billion per annum over this period. Chart 2 below clearly shows that as a ratio of the GDP, Nigeria’s errors and omissions flows are much larger than that of G20, BRICS and other oil exporting countries.

Third, the IMF’s stylized facts suggest that total capital inflows, in particular portfolio inflows, coincided with the period of high

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun

IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde

oil prices and low interest rates in advanced economies, and the associated search for yield by investors. The IMF’s analysis also demonstrates that the subsequent downturn in these flows in late 2014 also coincided with the decline in oil prices, which also generated higher yields on domestic securities and Eurobonds, and expectations of exchange rate depreciation. Foreign exchange controls also likely had a dampening effect on capital inflows.

Fourth, the IMF further conducts an empirical analysis of the drivers of Nigeria’s capital inflows and outflows, which include pull and push factors. IMF’s empirical quantifications show that Nigeria’s domestic interest rates have typically exceeded ten percent. The pull factors including higher monetary policy rate, yields on one-year and long-term (ten years or more) Federal Government of Nigeria securities, as well as stronger expected economic growth and higher oil prices, all tended to increase capital inflows in Nigeria, especially of portfolio debt securities.

According to the analysis by the IMF, Nigeria’s capital inflows, especially portfolio inflows, have been reduced by push factors

of higher yields on the ten-year U.S. Treasury, the VIX volatility index, and the EMBI Global spread on emerging market sovereign debt, which measure the increased risk aversion either in general or toward emerging markets.

The IMF observes that the Consensus Forecast and the nondeliverable forward (NDF) market have tended to expect large naira depreciation. The IMF also notes that while higher expected depreciation of the naira also tended to reduce capital inflows, but the results were not statistically significant. The largest impacts, on Nigeria’s capital flows, however, result from the rising U.S. Treasury yield and the lower oil price, which would continue to exert a drag on capital inflows and the external reserves (Chart 3 below).

Fifth, IMF concludes that its empirical findings point to risks that capital inflows to Nigeria will be lower in the near term than in the recent past. In the short run, Nigeria’s room to manoeuvre in an environment of low oil prices and rising external interest rates may be limited. The IMF concludes that in the long run, removing structural impediments to growth and enhancing the business environment and governance would be more crucial to increasing capital flows.

IMF’s empirical findings on capital flows for Nigeria are much in line with the key messages and perspectives that we have provided in the article on the JP Morgan Index and Collective Self-Delusion published at the time Nigeria was injected from the JP Morgan Emerging Markets Index in July 2015.

We have noted that with a relatively high premium on Nigerian bond yields and loose capital controls, the portfolio investors were making a killing, which explained their relentless media campaign against Nigeria. More importantly, the fickle foreign portfolio traders had perceived Nigeria’s foreign reserves during the financial and economic peace time as ‘nuclear weapons,’ whose mere existence especially in relation to short-term external debts served as deterrents and as a form of protection to them. They, at the same time, expected that the foreign reserves would be deployed as gun powders when financial and economic crisis start to emerge (Bussière, et. al, 2014).

The findings of the IMF also support the theme of the article on Currency Woes and Capital Flows in Emerging Markets, where we have clearly noted that Nigeria was not immune to the capital outflows sneeze that have affected key emerging markets. Although more than 75 countries have devalued their currencies in the past twenty-four months, yet capital outflows from emerging markets, especially from the BRICS, reached $735 billion in 2015, according to the Institute for International Finance, an association of over 500 global banks and other institutions including Citibank, JP Morgan, HSBC, World Bank, and Standards & Poor’s, etc.

The IMF’s findings are also broadly in line with our statement in the article on Devaluing the Devaluation Delusions which notes that “The love affair of foreign portfolio investors will be severely tested even if the country relaxed capital controls and enacted a floating exchange rate. The current spread between rising U.S. interest rates and declining Nigerian rates provides insufficient compensation for the perceived risk of Nigerian investment given rising external current account deficits, rising fiscal deficits and low oil prices. In essence, a much larger depreciation of the exchange rate would be required to compensate them for lower interest rates and bond yields.”

The IMF’s empirical studies of Nigeria’s macroeconomics topical issues show that international financial and development institutions tend to bring to bear intellectual, analytical, and empirical rigour on policy-related issues, especially from their own perspectives, and not just polemics.

This writer knows this for a fact from experience of having served as a Joint Coordinator of the African Competitiveness Report of the African Development Bank, World Economic Forum, and World Bank; and of the African Economic Outlook of AfDB, OECD, and UNDP; and Team Lead for the African Development Report; and having also participated in the Can Africa Claim the 21st Century of the World Bank, AfDB, AERC, and UNECA;

NIGERIA: NET CAPITAL FLOWS, 2008-2015 (PERCENT OF GDP; INCLUDES UP TO Q3 2015 ONLY)

Source: IMF (2016) Country Report 16/102: Nigeria’s Article IV Consultation: Selected Issues

NIGERIA: NET OTHER INVESTMENT AND ERRORS AND OMISSIONS FLOWS, 2010-2014 (PERCENT OF GDP; AVERAGE 2010-2014)

Source: IMF (2016) Country Report 16/102: Nigeria’s Article IV Consultation, Selected Issues

NIGERIA: PORTFOLIO INFLOWS SENSITIVITY TO SHOCKS (PERCENT OF GDP)

Source: IMF (2016) Country Report 16/102: Nigeria’s Article IV Consultation, Selected Issues

–Dr. Temitope Oshikoya, an economist and a chartered banker, is the CEO of Nextnomics Advisory.

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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 •APRIL 17, 2016

BUSINESS/POWER

A power grid

Towards Achieving Buhari’s 10,000MW Target

At a two-day retreat of the National Economic Council, President Muhammadu Buhari noted that Nigeria’s privatised public power system had continued to fail despite the promises that followed its reformation. He consequently set a 10,000 megawatts (MW) target to be achieved in three years. Chineme Okafor in this report examines the President’s target

“N

igerians’ favourite talking point and butt of jokes is the power situation in our country. But, ladies and gentlemen, it is no longer a laughing matter. We must and by the grace of God we will put things right,” said President Muhammadu Buhari when he delivered a keynote address at the opening of the National Economic Council’s retreat recently.

In observing that Nigeria’s poor electricity supply system had remained a butt of jokes among Nigerians, Buhari at the event which held in the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, promised to change the story in three years.

He subsequently disclosed that his government had resolved to pursue a new power generation and distribution target of 10,000 megawatts (MW) within the period. The president further explained that the target would adopt a gradual model and that within this year, an additional 2000MW would be added to the country’s current fluctuating generation profile.

“In the three years left for this administration, we have given ourselves the target of 10,000 megawatts distributable power. In 2016 alone, we intend to add 2,000 megawatts to the national grid,” he stated.

“In our determination to change, we must and will, Insha Allah, put a stop to power shortages,” Buhari added as he ascribed the sector’s current challenges to the classic dilemma of privatisation which sees public interest compete with profit motives.

According to him, “we are facing the classic dilemma of privatisation: public interest versus profit motive.” He, however, noted: “Having started, we must complete the process. But the National (Nigerian) Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the regulatory authority, has a vital job to ensure consumers get value for money and overall public interest is safe-guarded.”

Clearly identifying what he thinks would help him achieve his 10,000MW target, the president said: “Government to fast-track completion of pipelines from gas points to power stations and provide more security to protect gas and oil pipelines.”

The president equally recognised that there would be roles reserved for other key stakeholders in the sector in his new target when he said: “Power companies should be encouraged to replace obsolete equipment and improve the quality of service and technicians.”

The Feasibility of the President’s Target While promises of improvement in Nigeria’s electricity had in the past been made by the federal government without any real results from such, operators in the sector’s downstream end, the distribution companies (Discos), feel that Buhari’s latest target was reasonable.

They, however, said that certain conditions would have to be met before the president’s target could become real. The Discos under their operational umbrella, the Association of Nigeria’s Electricity Distributors (ANED), also warned that considering three years as long enough to meet the target would be the president’s greatest undoing, hence, the need for some good urgency in executing his plans.

Speaking through their representative, Mr. Sunday Oduntan, the Discos said that a quick completion of extant works and recovery of the idle capacities of power generation plants built under the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) as well as other generation plants, but starved of gas to power their turbines, would be a big boost to the president’s target.

While stating that the Discos would be able to distribute the targeted 10,000MW, having upgraded and still upgrading their networks in some circumstances, Oduntan however warned that the transmission network which currently has about 7000MW wheeling capacity, would have to be subjected to pragmatic improvement works otherwise it would be practically incapable of transmitting the target capacity when they come up.

“We need a lot of money for investment, we

also need to be aware of what it takes to get there.

It is not cheap at all but it is attainable. That is exactly what I am trying to say,” said Oduntan.

He further explained: “It is very attainable, in fact we achieved 5075MW several weeks ago but in terms of capacity to do more we have some stranded asset all over the country which if we put them together can give us another 5000MW.” Oduntan explained that fixing the chronic gas supply challenges to power stations, closing up extant issues that currently affect the commercial layers of the market, vis-à-vis opposition to cost reflective retail tariff; cutting down of commercial and technical loss incidences (revenue losses from debts owed Discos for power supplied); as well as, providing flawless access for operators to leverage on the N213 billion at 10 per cent interest rate, 10 years repayment timeline which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has provided for the sector, would also add immensely to Buhari’s target.

But Labour Thinks Otherwise But electricity workers under the aegis of the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) think that Buhari’s 10,000MW target over the next three years was unrealistic.

NUEE reportedly said that Buhari’s target was quite empty on the basis that it lacked any actionable components but promises.

Its General Secretary, Mr. Joe Ajaero, reportedly said recently at the third Triennial Conference of the union in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital that he wondered whether the president picked the 10000MW as a figure or it was based on verifiable evidences.

“I have not seen construction of power plants to the tune of 10,000MW, even if it is being built I have not seen the transmission network and half of the transformer are bad presently,” Ajaero said.

He also said: “I have once challenged the Minister for Information, Lai Mohammed, to a debate as the spokesperson of the government to address Nigerians on why we are not having power and how they aim to solve power the problem in the country.

“We need to know their policy base on power

because Nigerians need to know how the government intends to resolve the problem.”

Ajaero also based the worker’s doubt of Buhari’s ability to achieve his targets on the unending pipeline and assets disruption, which the last government of President Goodluck Jonathan could not fully solve and which has again reared up in the Buhari regime.

According to him, “30 years ago till now we are still talking about vandals and no solutions to it.

Who are those people breaking pipelines? And when they do, the government will award contract for it to be fixed again. Why can’t government identify who is breaking it and how much is being used to repair it again?

“Let government come out to tell us how much they are using to repair broken pipelines and who are the sponsors of pipeline vandalism? When these questions are answered then there will be solution to it.”

Other Miscellaneous Conditions While it would be necessary for the government to address the sector’s challenges, it would also be necessary to highlight the fact that government may fail to achieve the 10,000MW target if it fails to address critical institutional challenges in the sector.

The government has since December 2015 snubbed the statutory roles and independence that the sector’s regulator, NERC, and thus refused to appoint commissioners into its board after the tenure of the last sets of commissioners expired in December 2015.

Three months after the tenure of the last NERC board headed by former chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, ended, Buhari had yet to see the need for the privatised electricity market to have a properly constituted and recognised regulatory agency to oversee the affairs of the market.

This singular act, which also sees the president consistently sidestepping a Parliamentary Act which establishes the NERC and stipulates the constitution of a board, means that the uncertainties in the regulation of the market may scare investors who are desperately needed to achieve Buhari’s 10,000MW target.

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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 •APRIL 17, 2016

Popoola: Nigeria is Witnessing Silent Revolution in Access to Credit Tunde Popoola is the managing director of CRC Credit Bureau Ltd. He tells Kunle Aderinokun how credit bureaus have contributed to increasing access to credit by small and medium enterprises as he addresses issues affecting lending in the economy

H

ow does a credit bureau operate?

Normally the credit bureau relies on very robust and powerful software application to be able to do and deliver services to the public and to the businesses that we serve. So we have been using what we call credit verdict since 2008 when we started and with the experience that we’ve had over time, we discovered that we need to improve on the software application to be able to meet the challenges of the time in terms of friendliness, providing capacity for a large variety of customers and in terms of even appeal and the ease to enhance efficiency of our operations.

So we eventually went round to look for the best in the world and we eventually came up with a new software application called silver blade 2.0. So that is replacing the credit verdict software application that we use currently and the major benefit of that to our customers first, to enhance the efficiency of our operations, the ease with which we are able to pull data to get information from the bureau is very important.

And of course we have what we call internal scoring solution. You can use the data that you have , to develop an internal scoring solution for yourself. That also is part of the feature of the new software application and the power it has to really empower customers to be able to do more on the platform. So these are just the basic features and the benefit they confer on all of our customers.

That is also going to come up with another very interesting product completely different that we call micro credit scores. This is going to be the first Central Bank approved credit scores in Nigeria. Nigeria doesn’t have credit scores.

If you listened to the Central Bank governor when he came, he said Nigeria is going to have a national scoring platform; so we have taken up that challenge and we went to look for best credit Solution Company in the world called FICO. We brought them in and that product will get to the market in April. So this is something that is very unique, something that we believe can revolutionise consumer lending because when you have scores, it makes life easy for everyone who is in the business of lending or in the business of granting credit to be able to use to score clients who they want to do business with. So, they can have a threshold of scores; the scores normally is between 300 and 850, so they can have a threshold and say for instance anybody below 600, we believe they pose as high risk to them and then deal with those above 600. They may also now use the threshold to determine some other additional criteria. If for instance you are between 500 and 600, that’s fine but we will need additional collateral for you; whereas for somebody who score 600, they may not need additional collateral because that one is less risky.

What are the criteria you are going to use for this scoring?

They are normally, your credit history, what you’ve been doing with your credit in the last three/four years; how you have been meeting your repayment obligations; the number of credits you have been enjoying or that you have enjoyed in the past and then the number of enquiries that has been made on you from time to time. These are four fundamental factors.

Are you doing this in collaboration with the CBN or it’s a service you offering that others buy into?

It’s a service we are offering to the Nigerian lending industry. You need the approval of

customers and all of these; the conditions stands very based on your credit history. Unlike before credit bureau where there is always a uniform rate of interest; today what you see is that they look at your credit history and that determine the terms and condition you are going to go through especially in two areas: the pricing and then the additional comfort they want you to give to them as your collateral security. So I will say from my own experience, in the last 7years, superintending on this company that I’ve seen a shift in the way and manner the lending institution now book transactions. I have also seen that a lot of very reliable and responsible borrowers have even been getting invitations from the banks even without you asking for loans. I have seen that happen to so many people including myself. I have been approached several times by CBN and what is propelling this is their ability to study the credit history of their customers. And being able to stratify and see those who are responsible borrowers and those who they have to be a bit careful with.

You will also discover that virtually all banks now have SME desk. That was not the situation 4, 5 years ago. But today, even banks that are known to focus on just corporate customers; just high level big organisations are now coming down to lend to small and micro-businesses.

So that’s the way to look at the effect of the presence of credit bureau.

For a new person who wants to start, how will you treat such a case?

Popoola

the CBN to do this kind of thing and so we have our CBN approval to do the credit scores.

Will you be willing to lend this service to your competitors?

Well, they will have to develop their own. It is company specific. It is already a franchised product and it exclusively for CRC.

The monetary policy committee of CBN met recently and decided to change some rates and you know the most important of them is the MPR, which is the benchmark interest rate. What your reaction to the decisions? And how do they affect your business?

So MPR was increased after it’s been stable for a period of time. And don’t forget that is also in response to the trend in inflation. The inflation became double digit before the meeting and the primary purpose of the CBN is to maintain stability. So they needed to do something to control the quantum of money that is out there.

And that’s why they have to really do that. So once you do that, what it means is that loan becomes a bit expensive and that discourages lending because the threshold will go up with that. But I see that as just a very short measure I guess because what we have been seeing is the economy that is being driven only by monetary policy in the last 10 months or so but now the fiscal policy is coming into being and they are supposed to go hand in hand which we didn’t have before now. So I guess the reflation of the economy will also make sure that the effect that this would have had on borrowing will be tamed somehow. But I think the CBN took the right decision by that

policy. But once the fiscal policy becomes very operational, when the budget is signed and money is released into the economy, you would see that it would not lead to unexpected effect.

You spoke eloquently of the benefits of credit bureaus. Given that level of efficiency, why do banks still insist on meeting so many stringent conditions, securities and all of that?

Let me say that Nigeria is going through a silent revolution in access to credit and a lot of people may not know but I think it’s important to do an analysis of what is been going in the lending industry in the last 5 years. There is a revolution going on especially on access to credit; two, on the way and manner the lending institutions now book transactions; and three, on who have access and who do not have access.

All these have been highly impacted by the presence of credit bureau infrastructure. Before now, up to 2009/2010 when we commenced live operations, it is very difficult for you to even have loans as consumers. Credit bureau infrastructure is targeted at enhancing access to credit for consumers and SMEs. So you can go back and look at what’s been happening before 2009/2010 especially the last three years when credit bureau had become full blown.

We all realised that first; a lot of consumers do not have loans to borrow. Second is that the availability of different menu of loan products is very limited. But today, banks are literally begging you to come and take your credit card.

They are literally begging you to come and take personal loans. Virtually all banks now have mortgage loans that they give to their

That again is the very beauty of the growth where credit bureau is today. For the first time this month, CRC has taken data of electricity consumer’s bill. We are now coming to the bill; the first time in the history of this country. What that means is that if you are someone who has been paying your electricity bill regularly, that also counts for you. That becomes ready-made information. If you say well, I’ve never borrowed before but if you look at my electricity consumption, I’ve been paying regularly and timely and I do not owe. The telecos, two of them have signed on. They will begin to submit that data of payment history of users of telephone to the credit bureau. So you then begin to leverage on those things to get access to credit. So those are just two examples that I can give you immediately.

So credit bureau has moved from just collecting data from banks. We are now collecting data from non-banking institutions. As we speak today, we have some cooperative societies. We know the fact is that Nigerians borrow but they borrow majorly from non-formal sources including cooperative societies. So when you get the cooperative societies to submit data to credit bureau, then lenders can rely on such information to advance credit to those who are perceived to be first timer, who are not in the real sense of it a first timer, when it comes to having access to loan, it’s just that they become first timer, when it comes to formal access to credit. So this is why we said credit bureau promotes financial inclusion. So it’s an infrastructure that is going to drive financial inclusion.

All those telephone bills that people pay regularly; people don’t want to owe them because they want to talk. And those who are also serious want to pay electricity bill.

They want to be able to have light to use. So these data are already coming to the bureau and this will open more opportunities to the consumer who thought because they have not been getting loans from banks, they will not be qualified.

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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 •APRIL 17, 2016

INTERVIEW

Hayatuddini: In Spite of Challenges, Nigeria’s Real Estate Still Guarantees Returns

Imran Hayatuddini is the Chief Executive Officer of HGR Property Development Company. A home-grown property development firm. He shares his views on Nigeria’s burgeoning property market with Chineme Okafor. Excerpts:

Also, there is a limited source of funding for developers in Nigeria.

Since real estate development is capital intensive, it is inevitable that developers would need external support to finance their projects.

But the high interest rate of commercial banks is a turn-off to most developers. The long list of developers on the waiting list for Federal Mortgage Bank loans and other federal government loans is discouraging

agents for the Churchgate WTC - the premier residential tower at the World Trade Center (WTC) Abuja which will be the most enviable address in the FCT. We also do turn-key renovations, developments, management and consultancy. All that we do, we apply smartness, functionality and innovation to keep up with and even surpass industry trends.

With Nigeria’s idiosyncrasies in mind, what describes a luxury property?

Hayatuddini

C

an you evaluate Nigeria’s property market, vis-à-vis its status and potential?

I will boldly say the property market is the future of the Nigerian economy. I say this because if you look closely it is capable of stimulating the other sectors of the economy. When you merge the property market and mortgage finance sector with the country’s huge population, the demand for good homes and offices, and the economic capacity of the people, you’ll understand the potential that is within the industry.

Nigeria’s middle class is growing by 7.9 per cent per annum and these are the people with purchasing power to pay for rent, purchase houses and just invest.

Today, the industry still boasts of 10 per cent annual growth, a market value of N6.5 trillion in 2015 asides an anticipated $13.6 billion investment in 2016.

How relative is this assessment?

We have urban centres that are rapidly

growing with relative population. Let’s look at a few figures. Lagos grows at roughly 3.2 per cent per annum, Abuja grows by 4.3 per cent per annum, and Kano grows at 3.3 per cent per annum. All these imply that demand for houses would continue to rise.

The developer however notes that for the potentials of the sector to be fully harnessed, the bureaucratic bottlenecks, access to basic infrastructure and high land costs in the country must be adequately addressed.

How deep an impact do these have on the sector’s economics?

Property development is arguably the most lucrative of all investment opportunities in Nigeria’s real estate sector. We have different sub-sectors. There is mixed use development, which involves blending a combination of commercial, social, institutional, or industrial uses.

There are also the residential housing

estates, and commercial property rental which industry trends show that the demand for them is rising amongst middle-income and young professionals in Nigeria.

These factors along with economic growth and an emerging middle class offer opportunities for investment in the housing sector, but we cannot overemphasize the facts that there are enormous challenges that need to be addressed and which, frankly speaking, are slowing down the sector’s progress.

What sort of unique services do you offer in the sector?

Property listings – the one thing lacking in most Nigerian businesses is customer service, we put a lot of focus into understanding the client’s needs and actually work around the client’s request rather than just force properties down their throats.

We make sure we properly vet all the properties we offer clients to make sure it’s only quality that we have in our books.

We are also one of the registered listing

For us at HGR, the definition of luxury properties goes well beyond simply ‘big’ or ‘expensive’. Luxury is defined by personal preferences. It represents your lifestyle, your individuality, your personal taste and your choice.

When it comes to choice, innovation and quality, our creative design and marketing teams represents the best. Also looking at the marketing and selling of a luxury home, it’s an art and there are actually variables to consider, these are things our staff are trained to consider in every transaction. Like I said, personal preference and lifestyle is a major part of any luxurious item and your marketing has to be tailored to people’s lifestyles.

You will discover that imposing structures developed for the high-end market are springing up in various parts of the country, from Eko Atlantic City in Lagos to The Churchgate WTC in Abuja, but while the rise of luxury apartments is advantageous to any city’s status, it is also very important that we don’t lose sight of the fact that the government has to provide housing solutions for the ever growing middle class.

This can be done through high-rise buildings that will also befit the city’s status.

This is where we are trying to bridge the gap - still giving luxury but making it more affordable.

So, what makes luxury properties expensive?

High land costs is the primary reason

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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 •APRIL 17, 2016

BUSINESS /PERSPECTIVE/ INTERVIEW

Power: Understanding the Funding Challenges

“A Musa Mohammed Biu

ccesstoelectricity is fundamental to opportunity in this age.

It’s the light that children study by; the energy that allows an idea to be transformed into a real business. And it’s the connection that’s needed to plug Africa into the grid of the global economy. You’ve got to have power.” – Barack Obama – 2015.

Currently rated as Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria has an installed electricity generation capacity estimated at 12,522MW but has an available capacity of only approximately 4,500 – 5,000MW, to meet the needs of a population of more than 170 million and a country with a GDP growth rate of 2.11%, as of January, 2016.

South Africa, which Nigeria overtook as the largest economy, relatively, has an installed electricity generation capacity of approximately 50,000 MW, with a population of about 53 million – a little over one third of Nigeria’s.

The situation is best expressed through a 2009 study which found out that over 97% of Nigeria’s firms experience over 196 hours of power outage per month. This is equivalent to eight full days of lack of productivity. For firms that depend on power, it means they have to service their power needs for one third of the month, using very expensive self-generated power. It is important to highlight that, even with the new tariffs, on-grid power is still cheaper than all self-generated power. Industrial and Commercial electricity tariffs are N40.70 and N35.80 per kWh, respectively and averagely.

Self-generated electricity is estimated to cost between N59 and N83/kWh. Thus, whether we like to admit it or not, the deficiency of the lack of constant power supply will continue to remain a significant draw-back to the growth of our domestic economy and its attractiveness to investors. Prices of goods and services from those who take the risk to go into business in this environment will remain relatively high compared to the same in business environments that are not burdened with this challenge, thereby rendering our products and services uncompetitive. This is because the cost of power remains a significant part of the total cost of production and is transferred to the end-user of the products and services.

Price competitiveness of local products will therefore always be negative and foreign imports of similar or better quality will beat local products at the sales counter every day.

Fashola

As the fight to arrest the drain of foreign exchange continues, the chances of its being won by Nigeria remains slim, as long as local production cannot be stimulated to provide a replacement, in terms of quantity, quality and price, comparatively.

Our rapidly growing population means that there is a rapidly growing need for electricity for residential and industrial use. Thus, our electrification objective as a nation should, therefore, be beyond meeting the estimated need of those currently connected to the grid but also address those who will need power in five years’ time, due to the population increase.

Experts have projected that for our economy to grow at a rate of 10%, our power requirement must reach 30,000MW by 2020. An objective that seems to be so out of sight and maybe unrealistic, when we remember that we barely manage to generate 5,000MW today. This figure will also need to move considerably upwards to 78,000MW by 2030, less than 14 years from now. The United Nations estimates that our population is expected to exceed 258 million by then, a 52% increase from 2012.

Our electricity power needs will continue to grow exponentially and we cannot expect to address it on the back of a broken model or on government funds.

Very few sectors are as capital intensive as the power sector globally. To give a fair idea

of how capital intensive it is, Nigeria spent approximately $30bn, between the period of 1999 and 2013, to bring generation from about 2,000MW to the current levels.

A more conservative estimate that will see Nigerians who are currently connected to the grid receiving approximately 18 hours of uninterrupted power by 2020 is for our generating capacity to be boosted to 20,000MW, with the requisite gas supply and transmission infrastructure in place and complimented by an expansive and reliable distribution network.

The power sector reform process in Nigeria has recorded successes on many levels but this is not easily evident, because the final product, power in homes and businesses, still remains as elusive as ever. The frustration of Nigerians is therefore understandable. This, however, does not subtract from the fact that the critical foundations for the reform, that will translate to power for this populous nation and this large economy, which have laid. As a matter of fact, that is where the main attention ought to be To attain even the conservative 20,000MW by 2020, it is estimated that the sector will need investments to the tune of $40bn. Of course, since this is now a privatized sector, the funds have to come from private investors who, as a reasonable expectation, need to see where the value lies for them, in terms of the recovery of, and recovery on their investment.

So what is the role of the new tariff in all this?

For many Nigerians, the perception surrounding the new tariff has largely been driven by a view that it is to help fund the business of the current new owners who did not have enough funds before buying up the assets or who seek to exploit the consumers. It is, however, important to point out that electricity is no different from any other commodity that we purchase. Nor is its production and commercial principles different from the other sectors of the economy. To produce electricity requires investment in infrastructure and operating expenses. Such investment is typically and universally driven by the operator’s access to debt funding (because equity funding is typically more expensive and would drive the tariff higher). For lenders to provide such financing, the underlying transaction must be bankable. In other words, the lender must see the cashflow projection that would provide the assurance that the operator can pay back the borrowed funds. Thus, if there is no cost-reflective or market-priced tariff that realistically captures the cost of production, it would be virtually impossible for operators to access financing. Furthermore, healthy revenue recovery is a fundamental requisite

Hayatuddini: In Spite of Challenges, Nigeria’s Real Estate Still Guarantees Returns

Are these all about the challenges of operating in Nigeria?

Well, as a developing country, Nigeria’s real estate sector is evolving at a tremendous pace. Governments at all levels are more aware of the role of real estate development on the growth of their respective cities, however, challenges facing the sector have hampered it from realising its true potentials.

The process of allocation and registration of land is a massive speed bump to real estate development. It is very difficult to get an application granted to property developers.

Furthermore, the unstable exchange rate is a cause for concern to developers. Some foreign developers peg the cost of construction and the value for selling developments on land in US dollars while they charge their clients the naira equivalent.

These developers would encounter no hassles if the purchase price of the develop-

Would you evaluate the country’s mortgage system?

Hayatuddini

ments paid in naira can be converted to the anticipated equivalent in US dollars.

But the unstable price of crude oil and the continuous fall in the value of the naira often results in a loss for the developer.

–Biu, writes from Kano

Cont’d from Pg. 27

Also, there is a limited source of funding for developers in Nigeria. Since real estate development is capital intensive, it is inevitable that developers would need external support to finance their projects.

But the high interest rate of commercial banks is a turn-off to most developers. The long list of developers on the waiting list for Federal Mortgage Bank loans and other federal government loans is discouraging.

There is little awareness on alternative sources of funding and procedure for obtaining foreign loans for real estate development. Though the recent Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company established to bridge the funding of residential mortgages gives stakeholders in the sector a glimmer of hope, its effect is yet to be felt.

luxury properties tend to be so expensive.

Getting a prime plot to develop means you are paying for the cost of that land, it is difficult to operate as developers but we have come up with a unique structure to still cater to everyone’s needs.

for any equity investors. It is no different for the electricity business.

Even more important is that the requirement for a market-priced tariff is not specific to only the distribution companies. Indeed, only twenty-four percent (24%) of the market revenues go to the distribution companies. The balance of the revenues go upstream to the other market participants in the value chain – transmission, generators (who take the lion share), gas suppliers, the regulator, etc. In stark terms, an inadequate or non-market-priced tariff means that the commercial sustainability of the value chain is jeopardized. The transmission company is unable to wheel the supplied power, due to limitations of an unstable grid that is beset with either obsolete infrastructure or limited lines; the generator is limited in producing power, as a result of either failed turbines or lack of gas supply that is tied to its inability to meet its obligations to the gas supplier; the gas supplier is unable to supply gas, because there are no revenues forthcoming from the generator, to enable the exploration for new wells or maintenance of the gas processing plants, etc. Other sector players such as the regulator, the Market Operator, NBET’s sustainability are also tied to the revenues that are generated from a market-priced tariff.

As long as the market continues to suffer liquidity issues that are tied to whether or not the tariff is one that will commercially sustain the value chain, it is difficult to see how the sorely needed investment that is needed to rectify the decades old negligence of electricity infrastructure; the increased generation that will lead to both improved supply and lower tariffs; increased gas supply that will drive the increase in electricity generation, etc. will come to pass.

From the information above, it should be easy to reach the conclusion that tariff is not just for the existing players in the sector or just for the distribution companies. If we desire to create an environment that will attract others that will increase the supply of electricity power to our economy, it is simple business logic that they have to know that the price of the product they will be selling is realistic and will allow them to recover their investment.

The electricity market in Nigeria has so much potential for investors and for consumers too.

For the win-win that we all need to be created, however, we need to look beyond the teething problems currently being experienced as part of exiting an old inefficient and corrupt system, to one that will eventually take us to the goal of increased 24/7 uninterrupted power supply.

Nigeria’s mortgage system leaves much to be desired truthfully. The problems are glaring. Would you just talk about the high interest rate or the inability of the FMBN to disburse approved loans? Our mortgage system is porous and it is not aimed at solving our housing needs.

But in spite of the challenges facing real

estate development in Nigeria, the sector still has huge employment opportunities, investment potentials and guarantees returns on investments like I said earlier.

In the face of dwindling allocation and limited resources, the Nigerian government has successfully collaborated with private companies to develop housing projects and public infrastructures. The government’s target of about $68.1 billion fresh FDI from eight newly licensed free zones creates a new business opportunity for international businesses to invest in Africa’s fastest growing market.

In my mind, due in part to a large housing deficit, demand for residences in Nigeria looks set to remain strong, putting the real estate sector on course for a period of sustained growth.

Lagos alone, the country’s largest urban area and one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, has a shortage of adequate housing. This is a perfect storm to ride on.

At the same time, Nigeria’s total housing deficit is enormous. Government data as recent as 2013 indicates that an estimated 15 to 20 million units would be needed.

You can see that in some ways, Nigeria looks like a real-estate investor’s dream.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •APRIL 17, 2016

29

BUSINESS/ENERGY

Solving Nigeria’s Power Crisis

As the nation continues to struggle with constant blackouts and the rancour between the organised labour and the Ministry of Power heightens over electricity tariffs and other issues, Solomon Elusoji writes about the prospect of reaching the milestone in electricity megawatts by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, if the execution of Phase II of the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP), which covers the construction of 11 hydro dams in Northern Nigeria to add and diversify the country’s power generation, transmission and distribution capacities, is accorded urgent priority

O

n the morning of April 5, Emmanuel Idibe, a 27-year-old writer in Lagos, switched on his soon-to-be-dead phone and put up a post on Facebook. The post narrated his dejection at not being able to work due to an incessant lack of power supply.

“I woke up as a writer, but my tools, I cannot use them,” he wrote. “The government won’t give me light to power on my laptop and think.”

Emmanuel’s case is not a peculiar one. Nigeria’s power problems have dragged on for decades, destroying fertile, successful industries and shooing away profitable investors.

It is a cancer that continues to grow, despite the billions of dollars that have been devoted to curing it. On March 31, around 1pm, data from the country’s System Operator showed that no power generation company in Nigeria produced a single megawatt of electricity.

Recently, there has been a face off between the Nigerian Labour Congress and Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, over the increase in electricity tariffs.

This has triggered a huge debate on the exact improvements that have been made in the power sector since 2005, when the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) was conceived, and since the establishment of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC), a special purpose company owned by the three tiers of government tasked with the responsibility for implementation of the NIPP. The NIPP was initiated in response to the deplorable state of power infrastructure and the inappropriate framework for private sector investment in the Nigerian electricity industry pre-2005. The scope of the NIPP covers the entire value chain in the power sector, namely generation, transmission and distribution, including building from the scratch a national gas infrastructure to power 10 gas-fired power plants across the country.

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) was incorporated in 2005 as the Special Project Vehicle (SPV) for the NIPP. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) and the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), among others, were an integral part of the NIPP project development.

The NDPHC is domiciled in the Presidency and its budget is drawn by a high-power board whose chairman is the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and has, as statutory members of the board, six state governors and four federal ministers.

The NIPP has been funded via the Excess Crude Savings Accounts and its capital funding sum till date is $8.46 billion. Disbursement of fund to the NDPHC funds is ratified by the Federal Government and the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states of the Federation.

Before 2005 and the advent of the NIPP/NDPHC, Nigeria had a transmission capacity of 4,495 Kilometre (km) on its 330kv lines.

The country’s transformer capacity on the 132/33kv band was 5,700MVA and on the 330/132kv Transformer Capacity, Nigeria had 5,300MVA. In terms of distribution projects before the NIPP/NDPHC came on stream, Nigeria, for instance, had 33/11KV sub-stations of 8,148MVA and 33KV and 11/0.41KV substation with 32,000MVA capacity.

And before the NIPP/NDPHC, Nigeria could barely generate 2,000MW of electricity. The country neither had any gas-fired power station nor even the gas infrastructure to generate electricity.

However, with the formulation of the NIPP and its implementation by the NDPHC over a mere 10-year period, Nigeria’s transmission capacity on its 330Kv lines increased to 6,932Km or 46 %.

In the same period, the NDPHC increased the country’s transformer capacity on the 132/33Kv band to 11,118MVA or by 42% and today Nigeria’s transformer capacity on the 330/132Kv band is 11,590MVA, an increment of 93%.

The NIPP/NDPHC has also had a huge impact on Nigeria’s distribution infrastructure in the period under review. Today, Nigeria has 33/11KV sub-stations of 11,649MVA, up by 43% and 33KV and 11/0.41KV substation with 84,170MVA capacity, up by a mammoth 163% increment.

Under the NIPP and in only 10 years, the NDPHC has built 10 gas-fired power stations, an average of one power station per year, with a combined installed capacity of 4,528.5MW. These are Alaoji, Benin, Calabar, Egbema, Gbarain, Geregu II, Ogorode, Olorunsogo II, Omoku II and Omotosho II power plants.

The NIPP/NDPHC have also built for Nigeria gas pipelines, gas metering and regulating stations grouped into 7 lots for the delivery of natural gas to these power plants; Within 10 years, the NDPHC, which is headed by Managing Director, Mr. James Abiodun

Fashola Olotu, has also expanded the country’s power transmission capacity through 25 lots as follows: 5,590MVA of 330/132Kv transformer capacity; 3,313MVA of 132/33Kv transformer capacity; 2,194km of 330Kv lines; 809km of 132kv lines; 10 new 330Kv substations; 7 new 132Kv substations; and expansion of 36 existing 330Kv and 132KV substations.

In the third leg of the power chain – distribution – the NDPHC, under Olotu, has executed 296 distribution projects in 43 lots spread over every state of the Federation, which has given the country 3,540MVA injection substation capacity; 2,600Km of 11Kv lines for HVDS; 25,900 CSP distribution transformers and 1,700km of 33Kv lines.

The NIPP/NDPHC has also delivered on the provision and integration of grid-wide telecommunication and Tele-protection infrastructure.

Eight of the 10 power plants are fully completed with installed capacity of 3,696 MW and the last two – Egbema and Omoku, 563MW – are on course for completion and commissioning by the fourth quarter of this year.

Presently, the NDPHC-built power plants contribute an average of 900MW to the national grid, with about 820MW idle for reasons of evacuation capacity but always available for immediate deployment.

Because of the country’s harrowing experience of inefficiency under the government-owned National Electricity Power Authority (NEPA, now defunct), initiators of the NIPP thought it wise to include a divestment plan in the power sector reform framework.

However, rather than pulling out completely and leaving the Nigerian People at the mercy of private sector operations in this critical sector, the three tiers of government have only divested 80% of their equity in one leg of the tripod only - the NIPP Generation Assets - to private investors.

To also make room for private sector participation and efficiency in the power distribution sector, the three tiers of government have sold their distribution assets to private distribution companies (DISCOs), with $1.5 billion recoverable from the DISCOs over a period of 10 years.

The three tiers of government still have intact their transmission assets (historical cost $2 billion as at December 2015) and gas assets (historical cost $500 million as at December 2015), which equities they would divest to the private sector in the future to make more profits from their initial joint $8.46 billion investment in NIPP Phase I. What these translate to is that under NIPP Phase I, the three tiers of government have invested $8.46 billion to expand Nigeria’s generation, transmission and distribution capacities as well as build a gas infrastructure to power 10 new gas-fired power plants from the scratch, all under 10 years. In the process, the NDPHC has recouped$7.1 billion $8.46 billion investment out of only selling 80% of government shares in generation only. The proceeds from

this divestment in the generation assets - $7.1 billion – is to be reinvested in NIPP Phase II. Since the total assets of the NIPP currently stand at $11 billion, it therefore means that the NDPHC has turned in at least $2.5 billion in profit and assets for the country in 10 years. Only the oil sector matches this level of return on investment for government in the period under review.

Selling off government’s 80% equity in the NIPP generation assets only has ploughed back $7.1 billion – out of the country’s $8.46 billion investment in NIPP Phase I – into the joint coffers of the federal, state and local government. Rather than squander the $7.1 billion on other government projects in other sectors, the three tiers of government agreed under the power sector reforms programme to reinvest these huge sum in expanding the country’s power infrastructure under NIPP Phase II. The second phase of the NIPP aims to change the country’s power infrastructure in other locations not fully captured under the first phase of the NIPP, especially in the northern region.

Candidate projects under NIPP Phase II are as follows: 43 critical transmission projects to resolve transmission bottlenecks; 51 transmission projects to improve wheeling capacity to 12,000MW; 31 other transmission projects as foundation for increase of capacity to 16,000MW plus communication and national control centre, etc; Large hydropower – Mambilla, Gurara, Itisi with total capacity to generate 3,450MW; Small hydropower at 10 sites in the north to generate 83.25MW; Already, the NDPHC has received proposals from the State Grid of China, AK-AY and other interested foreign investors for partnership and financing of the NIPP Phase II projects.

The clear achievements recorded under the NIPP by the NDPHC were attained in spite of the infamous “Nigerian Factor” which raised its ugly head all the way and continues to assail the process 10 years on. However, the NIPP gains are also testaments to the often maligned “can do” spirit of Nigerians, including those driving the NIPP process, especially at the Presidency, the Senate, state and local governments, the Ministry of Power, the NDPHC and the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE).

This momentum must be sustained despite the change of personnel at the federal level, many states and in the ministry of power and the BPE. Currently, the NIPP/NDPHC grapple with a number of challenges, which all three tiers of government and other stakeholders should close ranks to solve in order to move the power sector forward for the betterment of the country.

These challenges include inadequate gas for full commercial operations; inability to execute long-term General Service Administrations (GSA) and Power Purchase Agreements (PPA); partial payment of energy invoices, leading to the NDPHC alone being owed over N77 billion as at the end of November 2015; litigation in respect of bids for Alaoji, Gbarain and Omoku power plants; and NNPC/ NGC plans to divert gas on the western axis and 240mmscf to Omotosho and Geregu.

There are also investors’ concern in the sector bordering on credit enhancement for Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET); put call option agreement with party acceptable to lenders; 100% divestment of NDPHC equity; misalignment between term of PPA and GSA; possible review of bid to reflect delays in acquisition; impact of regulatory risks and naira devaluation.

Others are policy inconsistencies, which has been the bane of the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) for far too long; Generation Companies (GenCos) and the industry in general are concerned about the capacity for transmission and distribution, whereas the investment opportunity presented on the platform of the NDPHC are good options for resolving these infrastructure deficit; and the monthly revenue gap of N20 billion needs to be closed irreversibly as a matter of urgency since efficiency and revenues drive the power industry; increasing acts of vandalism on NIPP/ NDPHC facilities, especially bombing of gas pipelines and other power infrastructure in the Niger Delta.

Still, despite all these, the NDPHC plans to accomplish a number of projects under the NIPP. These include: the commissioning of Gbarain, Egbema and Omoku power plants; contracting of O and M services for completed power plants; completion of all distribution projects captured under the original scope of the NIPP; completion of prioritised transmission lines and substations, thus improving evacuation capacity and grid stability; closing transaction for the divestment of 80% equity in Omotosho and Geregu generation companies; review and preparation of Project Documents – designs, bankable project documents, etc) for candidate projects under NIPP Phase II.

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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 •APRIL 17, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

GlaxoSmithKline Plc: Performance impacted as top-line and bottom-line earnings decline

G

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc (GSK) result for full year ended December 2015 indicates a decline in its top-line and bottom-line earnings.

The company which is an affiliate of GlaxoSmithKline worldwide commenced operation on the 1st July 1972, under the name Beecham Limited and was subsequently quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in 1977 and is currently one of the 30 most capitalised stocks on the exchange.

The Company has constantly advance innovations in products development and branding such as: the recently developed smaller pack sizes of inhaler devices for Asthma patients- Ventolin Rotacaps. Ventolin Rotacaps uses a re-engineered version of the established GSK inhaler technology that is five times less expensive to produce. The new inhaler has been made available in four markets – The Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya and Nigeria.

POSSIBLE CHALLENGES WITH SALES ARE OBVIOUS AND STIFF COMPETITION FROM UNWHOLESOME PROLIFERATION OF CHEAP INDIA AND CHINESE HEALTHCARE CONSUMER PRODUCT PRESENTS SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM. NONETHELESS, GSK STILL ENJOYS SIGNIFICANT PATRONAGE ACROSS ITS PRODUCT BRANDS AS REFLECTED IN ITS REVENUE

MARGINAL RISE IN REVENUE

The top-line earnings detailed by GSK as recently released in its full year 2015 results ended December 31st 2015, which shows a mild rise in revenue by 0.37% to N30.63 billion from N30.52 billion in December 2014. The slight increase in top-line may not be unconnected with the domestic economic headwinds and the resultant cautionary spending by households in the run-up to the general elections in the second quarter of the financial year. This arguably resulted in reduced consumption of healthcare consumer goods.

In addition, the GSK faced stiff competition from cheap imported healthcare and consumer goods from China and India besides local competition. Insurgence in the North Eastern part of the country also restricted access and hence reduction in sales in that region of the country. In relation to competition, we are of the opinion that the Company’s flagship brands, especially Lucozade and Ribena have enjoyed every weak market penetration promotion and visibility in recent times.

Cost of sales increased by 2.99% to N20.31 billion from N19.72 billion as a result of an increase in prices of drug related raw materials used by the Company. Due to the increase in cost in comparison to revenue, gross profit declined by 4.40% to

N10.32 billion from N10.80 billion recorded in the same period of 2014.

INCREASE IN OPERATING EXPENSES GREATLY ERODES EBIT

Operating profit declined substantially by 40.99% to N1.76 billion in December 2015 from N2.98 billion recorded in December 2014, due to a 9.56% rise in total operating expenses to N8.57 billion in December 2015 from N7.82 billion incurred in December 2014. Further breakdown of the Company’s total expenses figure revealed that Administrative expenses and Selling& distribution expenses rose by 1.08% and 31.51% to N5.70 billion and N2.87 billion, from N5.64 billion and N2.18 billion respectively over the period. The rise in selling and distribution expenses was incurred due to increased promotional activities by the Company’s management in a bid to further deepen the GSK brand and increase

its market share in the highly competitive market in which it operates.

INCREASE IN FINANCE COST FURTHER IMPEDES PROFITABILITY

Pre-tax profit declined by 57.94% to N1.16 billion from N2.75 billion in the period under review and net income also followed the same trend with a decline of 16.63% to N965m from N1.16 billion over the same period. The company incurred finance costs of N3.70m for the year ended December 2015 from N5.12 in the preceding period of 2014 indicating a decline of 27.61%. In addition, finance income also declined by 61.35% in September 2015 to N44m from N114m, despite a significant rise in cash and short term deposits by 50.05% to N2.45 billion from N1.63 billion over the period.

Slight improvement in asset base though the Company may be having troubles with receivables Total assets rose by 11.92% to N31.33 billion for the year December 2015 from N27.99 billion in December 2014. The growth was driven primarily by the substantial increase in cash & bank balances, and trade & other receivables of 114.46% and 25.30% respectively. Total liabilities also increased by 20.60% to N18.14 billion in December 2015 from N15.04 billion in December 2014. However due to a higher growth in liabilities over asset, the Company’s net assets increased slightly by 1.83% in the period under review to N13.18 billion from N12.95 billion recorded in December 2014. Profitability ratio however dropped significantly. Return on asset (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) reduced by a substantially to 7.32% and 3.08% from 8.94% and 4.14% respectively in the corresponding prior period in 2014.

WE RETAIN OUR HOLD

recommendation The performance of GSK for the full year ended December 2015 has not been impressive due to increase in operating expenses and finance cost, and reduction in other income puts pressure on the Company’s profitability. Possible challenges with sales are obvious and stiff competition from unwholesome proliferation of cheap India and Chinese healthcare consumer product presents significant problem. Nonetheless, GSK still enjoys significant patronage

Valuation Metrics 14-Apr-16 Recommendation

HOLD

Target Price (N)

22.59

Current Price (N)

24.97

Market Cap (N'm)

29,861

Outstanding Shares (m)

1,195

EPS (N)

0.81

PE

30.94x

Forward EPS (N)

0.85

Forward PE

29.46x Source: BGL Research

Audited Full year December 2015 Turnover (N'm)

30,634

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

1,157

Profit After Tax (N'm)

965

Pre-tax Margin (%)

3.78 Source: BGL Research

Audited Full year December 2014 Turnover (N'm)

30,521

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

2,752

Profit After Tax (N'm)

1,848

Pre-tax Margin (%)

9.02 Source: BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Setfirst Limited

27.31%

SmithKline Beecham Ltd Stanbic Nominees Ltd Public Float

19.11% 10.08% 44.67%

Source: Company Data, BGL Research

across its product brands as reflected in its revenue. The Nigerian economy is an attractive market for consumable goods, largely supported by the growing population size of about 170 million people, which provides vast consumer demand. Appreciable policy that supports consumer protection and domestic producers would benefit the Company greatly.

Considering the foregoing with respect to intense of and other macro-economic factors, we have valued the GSK’s share using a Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) of 4.61%, which resulted in a 6-month price of N22.59 per share.

Since this represents a downside potential of 9.53% on the current stock price, we maintain our HOLD recommendation on the Company’s shares.

31

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •APRIL 17, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

UBA PLC – Impressive first quarter growth on strong top line performance and efficient costs management

U

nited Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc in its audited financial statement for full year 2015 presented an outstanding performance, as it was able to grow revenue, profitability and other key financial indicators despite operational challenges emanating as a result of regulatory tension and macro-economic headwind.The macroeconomic headwind is the resultant effect of continuous instability in low Brent crude oil prices have caused financial strain and pressure which led to foreign exchange difficulty during the financial period.

The Bank has kept up with its regular dividend payment, and has recommended a total dividend payment of N19.79 billion (on the basis of N0.60 per share) for every 50 kobo share, payable on the 12th of April 2016.

GROSS EARNINGS BETTERED BY IMPRESSIVE IMPROVEMENT IN INTEREST INCOME Despite the tough operating environment and uncertainties predominant in the financial industry, United Bank for Africa Plc, one of Africa’s leading banks posted an impressive performance as its gross earnings growth remained in the 9.54% region which it made in the full year of 2014 compared to full year 2013. Gross earnings for rose by 9.84% to N314.83 billion from N286.62 billion recorded in December of 2014.The increase in gross earnings for the period was largely driven by 18% rise in interest income to N233.97 billion from the N196.68 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2014; as the bank consolidated on its large network base to continue its aggressive lending strategy. Interest income which maintains a 71% contribution to gross earnings was sustained despite the direct effect of CBN’s tightening regulatory liquidity pull in the banking sector; and the disruption in economic decisions and activities on account of uncertain political activities scheduled for the first quarter of 2015. Nevertheless, Nigeria as expected contributed 78.5% of the Group’s gross earnings as the Bank’s subsidiaries consolidate positions and gain increased share of their respective markets.

Interest expense on the other hand grew as expected by a notable 6.06% to N233.97 billion in December 2015 from N196.68 billion in December 2014 due to the tight monetary environment which resulted in aggressive deposit mobilisation at high costs and regulatory increase in savings interest rates. Despite the growth in interest expense, net interest income grew by a substantial 29.97% to N96.03 billion from N90.55 billion over the same period.

On the other hand, non-interest income though contributing 25.68% in value to

DESPITE THE REGULATORY INITIATIVES IN THE BANKING SECTOR WHICH THREATEN INCOME GENERATING CAPACITY OF BANKS FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, WE BELIEVE THE STRONG LIQUIDITY POSITION OF THE BANK AND LOOK FORWARD TO INCREASED PROFITABILITY FROM AN INCREASED FOCUS ON LENDING TO SUPPORT THE STRONG POTENTIAL OF INCREASE IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN NIGERIA

gross earnings declined to N80.86 billion compared to December 2014 figure of N89.94 indicating a decline of 10.10% which was as a result of substantial reduction by half of the full year 2014 value of net gains from trading; which reduced by 50.55% to N16.026 billion in full year 2015 from N32.41 billion in the preceding period.

Besides, Net fee and commission income rose moderately by 11.19% to N53.3 billion from N47.97 billion, largely attributable to the increase in commission on turnover (COT).

MODERATE GROWTH IN NET OPERATING EXPENSES LEADS TO EXCITING NET EARNINGS The Bank recorded a net operating income of N205.19 billion in the twelve months period ended December 2015; representing an increase of 10.39% from the N185.88 billion reported in the corresponding period of 2014.

On the other hand, total operating expenses showed significant management performance as it increased by only 5.35% compared to an increase of 20.25% reported in December 2014; to stand at N136.63 billion in from N129.69 billion. It is noteworthy to indicate the significant 38.91% increase in amortization and depreciation expenses to N7.97 billion from

N5.74 billion posted in December 2014.

Hence, Profit before tax increased by 21.80% to N68.45 billion in the full year ended, December 2015 from N56.20 billion in the corresponding period ended, December 2014.

Taxation expenses for the period increased moderately by 6.11%, to add a boost to profit after tax which grew by a remarkable 24.52% to N59.65 billion from N47.91 billion over the period.

ASSETS’ QUALITY MAINTAINS STRONG POSITION The bank’s total assets decreased by a marginal 0.36% to N2.75 trillion as at December 2015 from N2.76 trillion as at financial year ended December 2014. Further analysis reveals that the decrease in total assets was due to a notable decline in liquid asset and loans and advances. Its cash and bank balances dropped by 19.32% to N655.37 billion, while the Bank’s total figure for loans and advances reduced by 6.14% to N1.04 trillion. Nevertheless, the Bank grew its financial assets held for trading to N11.25 billion as at December 2015 from N1.099 billion recorded as at December 2014, indicating a significant 923.57% growth; while other assets grew by 34.7% as it seeks to ensure strong and sustainable stable growths in other sources of income to complement the potential reduction in interest income from regulatory liquidity withdrawal.

MODEST IMPROVEMENT IN EFFICIENCY AND KEY RATIOS After-tax return on average equity (ROAE) rose to stand at 20.37% while after-tax return on average asset stood at 2.17% as at December 2015 from 19.2% and 1.8% respectively as at the corresponding period of 2014. However, cost-to-income ratio decreased to 66.7% from 69.8% benefitting largely from improved earnings and enhanced management of operating expenses.

In relation to assets quality, the Bank’s maintains a strong liquidity position, stood at 53% of total assets, supported by the impressive assets’ quality with non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of 1.7% at the end of the year.

UBA Plc to consolidate on African subsidiaries Perhaps the major strength of UBA is its geographical spread across Africa; giving it competitive advantage amongst its peers.

With the regulatory initiatives already eating into various banks’ profitability in the Nigerian banking sector, the Bank is already planning to look towards its African subsidiaries to cushion the impact of these initiatives. According to the Bank’s management, the bank, which operates in 18 African countries outside Nigeria, is already intensifying its activities in these countries in order to supplement any the potential reduction in revenue in its major market - Nigeria.

WE MAINTAIN OUR BUY RECOMMENDATION Despite the regulatory initiatives in the banking

Valuation Metrics 13-Apr-16 Recommendation

BUY

Target Price (N)

4.10

Current Price (N)

3.16

Outstanding Shares (m)

32,981.39

Market Cap (N'm)

104,221.19

EPS

1.81

PE Ratio

1.75x

Forward EPS

1.86

Forward PE Ratio

1.70x Source: BGL Research

FYE December 2015 Audited Results Turnover (N'm)

314,830

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

68,454

Profit After Tax (N'm)

59,654

Pre-tax Margin (%)

21.74%

Source: Company Report 2015, BGL Research

FYE December 2014 Audited Results Turnover (N'm)

290,019

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

56,200

Profit After Tax (N'm)

47,907

Pre-tax Margin (%)

19.61%

Source: Company Report 2014, BGL Research

Shareholders Shareholders

Holding (%) Holding %

Stanbic Nominees

12.6%

UBA Staff Investment Scheme

6.3%

Mr Tony O. Elumelu, CON Public Float Outstanding Shares (m)

5.7% 75.4% 32,981.39 Source: BGL Research

sector which threaten income generating capacity of banks financial institution, we believe the strong liquidity position of the Bank and look forward to increased profitability from an increased focus on lending to support the strong potential of increase in economic activities in Nigeria; which would help cushion the effect of its challenges. Furthermore, the bank is expected to realize additional growth in its African subsidiaries.

Considering the above, we therefore revised our projections for gross earnings to N354.71 billion for the 12-months financial year end, December 2016 and also revised our net income to N61.38 billion for December 2016, leading to a forward EPS of N1.86 and dividend per share of N0.62.

With an Industry Price to Earnings (PE) multiple of 2.52x, we arrived at a 12-month target price of N4.10 for UBA Plc. Since this represents a potential upside of 29.71%, we therefore maintain a BUYrecommendation on United

32

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R •APRIL 17, 2016

BUSINESS/ENERGY

Barrels of oil

Still a Bumpy Ride for Oil Prices

Despite crude oil glut, prices last week reached a 2016 high of almost $45 per barrel.

But market analysts believe it is still a long road to projected price targets, even with a planned meeting of producers this weekend in Doha, writes Chineme Okafor

L

ast week, oil prices reached the highest levels so far in 2016 when on Wednesday, April 12, Brent futures closed at almost $45 and Western Texas Intermediate (WTI), a grade of crude oil used as a benchmark in oil pricing also sold at more than $42 per barrel.

While these closures marked the highest oil prices since early December 2015, they however happened at a period global over-supply of oil got worse in March.

According to recent data from the American Energy Information Administration (EIA), the net surplus which is supply minus consumption for oil increased to 1.45 million barrels per day, when compared to February data, the surplus increased by 270,000 barrels per day.

This, analysts believe is not encouraging for a strong price recovery that may be underway as anticipated by some producers like Nigeria whose reserves and spending power have reduced considerably by the price dip.

In February, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, stated his optimism of a price rally to about $45 and $50/b in 2016, hinging his optimism on a planned production freeze that members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia could achieve at a meeting in Qatar this weekend.

The Qatar meeting will however go on but with the knowledge that consumption according to the March data of EIA decreased by 250,000 barrels per day and that this is not a very good news to their ears.

The data also suggested that the recent price movement were either buoyed by a bit of export deferrals from Nigeria, Northern Iraq and the United Arab Emirate (UAE). The three

had reasons to see supplies from them drop within the period that prices rose, though not entirely deliberate in some cases like Nigeria.

Yet, Kachikwu’s confidence that the Doha meeting this weekend could advance what he and others in similar shoes believe would nudge price towards $50/b - freezing oil production output at current levels – is however looking quite challenged by recent statements made by Russia’s finance minister, Anton Siluanov, that Russia did not expect to see any significant changes in prices.

“I want to say that we don’t expect any changes in the price in spite of the negotiations which are being conducted currently with oil-extracting nations,” Siluanov had on Thursday told CNBC. Siluanov further explained to CNBC that Russia was trying to find ways to work with the current oil price or around $40/b and had in fact based its economic projections on such a price.

He said: “Our economic plans are correlated in relation to the current oil price - about $40 a barrel. That is why we see that in the conditions of the slowing down of world economic growth rates, the accumulation of oil reserves by producers, there are no serious grounds for talking about increasing oil prices. We see that we will have to work within the conditions where oil prices fluctuate around $40 a barrel.”

Siluanov whose country’s economy is also impacted adversely by the price dip and international sanctions imposed on it for its annexation of Crimea as well as its role in the pro-Russian uprising in east Ukraine spoke in line with what Iran wanted to hear.

Intensely, Iran does not favour cuts in production levels because it is still trying to recover its oil industry after years of economic sanctions.

Analysts however believe that such somewhat

inconsistent positions of producers could result to a disappointing outcome from the Doha get-together and that prices would continue to struggle.

According to CNBC, analysts at Goldman Sachs have warned that the meeting would unlikely deliver a ‘bullish surprise’ for oil markets. They also maintained their oil price forecast of $35/b in the second quarter of 2016.

Entitled ‘Doha is no panacea,’ the Goldman Sachs note also said that there was a ‘multitude of potential production growth sources’ to keep OPEC crude production growing.

With their analysts, Damien Courvalin, Jeffrey Currie, Abhisek Banerjee and Raquel Ohana, Goldman Sachs noted that even if OPEC and

Nigeria as a result of breaks in its Forcados export terminal had to defer up to 300,000bpd of output within this period, the report said that such production cuts contributed to the price movements

others reach an agreement to freeze production in Doha, “it would not accelerate the rebalancing of the oil market as OPEC (excluding Iran) and Russia production levels have this year remained close to our 2016 average annual forecast of 40.5 million barrels a day.”

According to them, this is possible because the balance of supply and demand in the global oil markets have not been in order since OPEC refused to cut production in November 2014, instead choosing to defend its market share in the face of non-OPEC rivals such as shale oil producers in the U.S. But as explained in the EIA statistics, the recent increase in crude oil prices were on one side made possible by lower concerns associated with a slowdown in global economic growth, as well as, on the supply side, field maintenance in the UAE and lower crude oil exports out of Nigeria and Northern Iraq.

Nigeria as a result of breaks in its Forcados export terminal had to defer up to 300,000bpd of output within this period, the report said that such production cuts contributed to the price movements.

As maintenance in the UAE is scheduled to end soon and exports from Nigeria and Northern Iraq perhaps reach previous levels again, hopes of a steady oil prices rise may after all only be kept afloat by the outcome of the Doha meeting which Kachikwu said represents a big step in the right direction.

“I am certainly hoping for prices in the range of $45 to $50. I’m hoping a consensus can be built and that parties can begin to work together across the board, not just OPEC members, but also non-OPEC members, which is what the Gulf States and most of us have pushed for. With that, you’ll begin to see movement upwards in those prices,” Kachikwu again told CNBC.

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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 •APRIL 17, 2016

BUSINESS/LABOUR

As Labour Heads to the Trenches over Economy

As economic hardship bites harder, labour has put on its armour and it is heading to the trenches to battle government over high cost of goods and services, hike in electricity tariff and fuel scarcity, writes Paul Obi

N

early eleven months after coming into power, the honeymoon currently being enjoyed by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is about to end as the organised labour is heading to the trenches over the state of the economy and the hardship being experienced by the mas, ses and workers. Labour has threatened to embark on a warning strike. Though government is making a passionate appeal for understanding, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) is insisting the ominous signs that Nigerians are in for tough times are glaring with the policy choices of government which have put untold harship on the people.

Since January this year, NLC’s anger has been building up and it climaxed at the just concluded Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of the union held in Abuja. At the meeting, NLC accused government of poor handling of the economy, maintaining that the special interests that characterised the past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led administration still exist and has metamorphosed into a monster, with IMF and World Bank as the forerunners, holding the country hostage economically.

NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who made the position of Labour on the state economy known at the meeting contended that Nigeria’s economic prospects have nose-dived. He argued that the current economic index remains unfavourable to the working class, thereby dashing the hopes of Nigerians who had hoped that Buhari’s change mantra would usher in some material benefits.

“The Naira continues to fall against the major currencies; inflation continues to rise, commodity prices mount, the productive sector continues to shrink with more loss of jobs. Very few employers are paying salaries as and when due. We need no telling that the situation is serious,” the NLC president maintained.

Surrounded by members of the CWC, Wabba had observed that Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) had not shown any indication that the economic fortunes of the country would improve soon, citing the electricity tariff increment and the endless fuel queues all over the country. “The tariff increase has remained, and under a worsening power supply situation. Not a few Nigerians are groaning under this burden. Not a few of them look to the Congress for a solution. Even with this increase there is no light and there are indications that the privatisation might not work. We demand that the entire process of privatisation be reviewed.” “Government said the increment is a bitter pill that we have to swallow; we say that the increase is a bitter pill we can vomit.

The tariff is both illegal and it is outrageous, the increase is not bearable,” Wabba stated.

According the NLC president, the prevailing economic downturn and its severe consequences would no longer be accepted by the Nigerian worker.

“We must however make the point that spells of scarcity will not be acceptable to Labour and other Nigerians because the human and economic costs are unimaginable...

“Because of the place of petroleum products in the lives of the citizenry, its scarcity even for a day generates ripple and crippling effects. We dare say one of the fastest ways for government to lose its credibility before the ordinary citizenry is scarcity of petroleum products because the combined effects of scarcity of petroleum products and low power supply create misery for the people as well as have a damning impact on travel, jobs, productivity and the economy as a whole,” Wabba said.

The position of labour on the economy has continued to receive support from other stakeholders. Human Rights Activist, Femi Falana, SAN, who also attended the NLC CWC meeting, berated government for the hardship currently being experienced by the people.

“We didn’t vote change for agony, we didn’t vote change for tyranny, we fully endorse NLC resolutions for strike,” Falana said.

He took a swipe of the Minister of State for Petroleum

Members of Nigerian Labour Congress protesting

Wabba

Resources Dr Ibe Kachukwu, over his back and forth comments on the solution to the lingering fuel crisis.

“Today he says fuel scarcity will end in May, tomorrow, he said he’s not a magician. Somebody is supervising himself because there’s no NNPC board,” Falana said.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) last week also descended heavily on the Buhari government, accusing it of pursuing a change mantra without transformation. ASUU President, Dr Nasir Isa, while tackling the government on the state of the

economy, said: “There is no doubt that Nigerians are suffering. There exists a socioeconomic crisis in Nigeria.

We are all aware of the manifestations of the crisis which our country faces. There are many symptoms of the crisis: rising level of poverty; increasing rate of unemployment; heightened expectation leading to heightened frustration among Nigerians due to the failure to realise an improved living standard.”

Isa who was accompanied by former ASUU President, Dr Dipo Fasina, stated that economic indicators point to the danger Nigerians now faced, specifically, as it concerns their standard of living.

“Food prices are higher and access to health facilities has not improved; live and property remains insecure.

In short, Nigerian people are still suffering,” he said, adding, “The disappointment of Nigerians stems from the fact that we have a government whose leadership promised change but which is not practising transformation (deep, fundamental change).”

He said, “Democracy is essentially popular participation in governance and popular sovereignty. Yet, there is in existence a long term national development plan agreed upon 2008 (Nigeria Vision 20: 2020). This has been abandoned in favour of IMF/World Bank imposed and enforced Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEFF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP)”.

But government is not leaving things to chances.

It has been pleading for understanding on the state of the economy assuring that efforts are being made to end the hardship of the masses.

It is also urging Nigerians to await the intervention of the National Assembly in the tariff saga.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, told a gathering of Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies in Abuja that government will abide by the laws in resolving all economic crises.

“The dispute over the increment in electricity tariff is right before the National Assembly and it is only right that as law abiding social partners that all parties afford the National Assembly (opportunity) to arbitrate,” Ngige said.

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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 •APRIL 17, 2016

BUSINESS/MARITIME

The Growing Call for Single Window, Trade Facilitation in W’African Sub-Region With bureaucratic bottlenecks and opposition to the implementation of singlewindow clearing concept, which has already taken off in Ghana and other developed countries, trade experts are urging Nigerian authorities to exercise the political will to introduce the scheme in the country, writes Francis Ugwoke

R

eform is one big threat to trade crime all over the world with special emphasis on West Africa and in particular Nigeria. This assertion has been proved to be so with a number of reforms that came with technology which tried to check human contact in the ports and border environment through which corruption thrives. In Nigeria, for instance, the scanning equipment introduced some years ago in the nation’s ports and border stations are no longer working. The scanners were introduced under the Destination Inspection regime handled by private operators, who later handed over to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). Under the scheme, scanners were used to examine containerised goods, including some other goods.

With scanning machines, examination of cargoes becomes faster and saves the shipper the time wasted when the exercise is performed manually.

But the truth about scanning machines is that many customs officers and even shippers never wanted it. Only few shippers and those, who had the contract wanted it. Fraudulent importers never wanted it, as the scanners would simply expose any form of concealment or under-declaration.

Such findings are usually documented, a situation that the importer does not want. It will cost him so much to ‘kill’ the report and he will still have to bribe customs officials not to overbill him in the Debit Note (DN) that will eventually be raised. If it was only physical examination, he would have to settle only the customs officials and other officials carrying out the exercise. Now, many customs officials and indeed importers are no doubt happy that the scanners have all collapsed. It means more business for some customs officials in the ports and border stations.

It means that the shipper can manipulate the results of every examination, perhaps even in the case of dangerous imports or prohibited goods.

Again, it was because of personal interest that some trade groups moved against the introduction of Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) in November last year. Some members of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and shipping companies had claimed that CTN would increase cost of doing business even when it was clear that the shipper would not suffer any additional cost. It took a lot of efforts for the Nigerian Shippers’Council (NSC), which was saddled with the implementation to explain to Nigerians that CTN would not attract additional cost to importers and exporters to stop the unscrupulous groups from having their way. CTN, apart from the security benefits, exposes a lot of fraudulent activities involving both the shippers and the multinational shipping companies bringing goods to the country with their vessels. It checks concealment, under-declaration, among others by the shippers. But the worse of all trade crime is the under-declaration of gross registered tonnage (GRT) of ships bringing goods into Nigeria. What they pay as charges is determined by the GRT, and it means that if they under-declare it, they will have to pay less, making Nigeria to lose. Now, what happened to both reform instruments of scanning and CTN is exactly what Single Window concept in Nigeria and some other African sub-region has been suffering.

Single Window Concept As the name implies, single window is a trade facilitation concept being promoted by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to make commerce easier in countries. The concept is also being promoted by the World Customs Organisation (WCO). Experts described single window as simply a one-stop shop scheme to make trade easier. The aim is to have a single

Customs officials inspecting some impounded goods

procedure for the importer and exporter in his transactions. Wikipedia explains that under the single window concept, international traders can “ submit regulatory documents at a single location and/or single entity”. Such documents, Wikipedia explains include customs declarations, applications for import/export permits, and other supporting documents such as certificates of origin and trading invoices”. Experts add that single window enables importers to make single clearance application that connects all agencies of government doing business at the ports. When such application is made, it involves for instance, the customs, SON, NAFDAC and other agencies that are connected with clearing processes at the ports or border stations.

Countries Operating Single Window As a concept being championed by the WTO and WCO, including the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/ CEFACT), the United Nations Network of Experts for Paperless Trade and Transport in Asia and the Pacific (UNNExT), single window is currently in operation in many countries. Many advanced countries and African countries as members of WTO and WCO are implementing the scheme. The countries include the United States of America, Singapore, Malaysia,Switzerland, Senegal and Ghana. Nigeria in an attempt to introduce single window set up a nine-man Presidential Committee in 2010, which report has remained in the cooler. The report had advised government to implement the single window concept because of its benefits to the country.

The President of National Council of Managing Director of Customs Agents (NCMDCA), Mr. Lucky Amiwero, who was a member of the committee, had accused the former leadership of the Customs of killing the concept. Amiwero alleged that the reason single window was not introduced as recommended by the committee was because of the selfish interest of some former leaders of the customs service. Amiwero, who said single window had so many benefits was

of the view that the federal government should make efforts to introduce it in Nigeria as done by other countries.

Benefits of Single Window, by Stakeholders The benefits of single window are enormous. It promotes greater transparency, consistency, faster and cheaper clearance of goods, lower import/ export costs, reduction in illegal or unprecedented payments, among others. An international trade expert and Chief Executive Officer, West Blue Consulting, Ms.Valentinah Mintah, while identifying the benefits of single window for the West African region at a workshop for stakeholders stressed the need for the countries to introduce the scheme. Mintah whose company is involved in the Ghana Single Window Concept said there was the need for the countries in West and Central African sub-region, including Nigeria and Ghana to collaborate to achieve efficient trade facilitation through the concept. Mintah, who spoke on the Ghana National Single Window (GNSW) explained that synergy between Nigeria and Ghana on single window will bring about multiplier effect in the quest for increased intra African trade with the realisation of efficient processes and movement of goods within the sub-region. She identified excessive bureaucracy as one of the most severe constraints to trade processing in Africa, saying this was the reason for uncompetitiveness among importers and exporters in the region.

According to her,“It is common knowledge that excessive bureaucracy is the most severe constraint to trade processing in Africa. That African importers and exporters remain uncompetitive in the global business arena is largely attributable in part to the number of days it takes to complete import and export processing and their attendant costs.

The collaboration of sister countries – Ghana and Nigeria - on trade facilitation activities will bring about further gains in our quest for increased intra African trade, with the realisation of efficient processes and movement of goods.” Noting that single window concept is a global concept with WTO and WCO support, she strongly canvassed

for joint efforts between Nigeria and Ghana for the effective implementation of the concept.

She said: “No matter how much is done as individual institutions and countries in addressing these bottlenecks, it cannot be compared with the positive and timely impact that can be achieved with the joined up efforts of all stakeholders.

When we join forces and pursue the goals of the National Single Window Concept, it would be relatively easy to create a solid foundation, which will enable us achieve the 50 percent Better, Faster and Cheaper Trade across Border Indicators and beyond”. Mintah also said political will was needed to ensure that single window is introduced fully in sister countries among West African sub-region “The political will and having governance structure so that whatever is being built leaves beyond one person or regime is very fundamental.

So there is need for the right government structure to maintain, monitor and optimise the single window so that there is a sustainable programme to make sure that the right resources are always maintained on the system”.

Amiwero, who described single window as very good concept in trade facilitation as it reduces cost and time of doing business was of the view that the federal government should introduce it in Nigeria. For it to be successful in Nigeria, Amiwero said all the agencies of government involved in trade in Nigeria must be part of it by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collapse their processes into one. He said this means that the Customs, SON, NAFDAC and other relevant agencies involved in trade facilitation at the ports must harmonise their processes into one. This, he added, will involve the emergence of a lead agency and an authority.

He explained that under this, the lead agency would be in charge of procedures while the authority agency as he put it would be in charge of providing necessary facilities. For it to succeed, Amiwero and others said, government should look for trade experts who would draw from the success stories of other countries to make it work in Nigeria.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

OLATORERA ONIRU

17.04.2016

PUTTING AFRICAN FASHION WITHIN GLOBAL REACH

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • APRIL 17, 2016

coveR

Olatorera Oniru

Photos: Olayinka Oluwakuse

OLATORERA ONIRU

PUTTING AFRICAN FASHION WITHIN GLOBAL REACH NseobongOkon-Ekong and Vanessa Obioha encounter one of Nigeria’s promising young entrepreneurs, Olatorera Oniru, who founded an e-commerce startup that retails fashion products across the globe

N

o one would have thought that at the end of the day, THISDAY Glitterati Team and Olatorera Oniru would smile and shake hands.

The working relationship was headed for the rocks before it could barely crawl.

Somehow, it got off on a wrong foot. An ill-perceived telephone conversation the previous night infuriated the Ogun State indigene who is now married to a Lagos blue blood and she wasted no time in expressing her irritation.

The journalists arrived to a not-toowarm reception and at some point it looked like we would have to pack our recording devices and camera and leave without conducting the interview. As the reporters and their subject circled themselves like wrestlers about to lock themselves into a brawl, it was clear that there had to be an ice-breaker.

Out of courtesy, rather than culpability, the reporters apologised to her, but it took a while before

Oniru relaxed. She thought nothing of exposing her somewhat dark side, saying, it is difficult for her to forgive.

Devoid of any sinister motive, her reaction could only suggest one thing: The young entrepreneur is an easyto-read person who does not mask her feelings. The feeling of security is exuded in many ways. It is seen in the confident way she wears her natural hair in a lovely style. She’s been grooming it for five years.

By the way, it was compliment paid to her hair that softened her, brought a smile to her face and enabled the interview to proceed unhindered. Her sense of style clearly indicated her love for the arts. However, the trait was not limited to her personality. It was evident in her work space.

Her office could easily be taken for the workshop of a visual artist. The playful use of colours and drawing on the walls easily portray the mind of an art-inclined person.

To be sure, Oniru didn’t study the arts in the university. Her first degree

was in Business Administration and Management. For her Masters degree, she studied Business Administration, Finance Leadership and Management.

Again, she doesn’t have any experience in an art-related field. Her proclivity towards the arts is stimulated from an innate love for Africa and everything made in and out of the continent.

There is a particular reason she has deployed generous and copious use of visual art images in her work space.

“I want to motivate employees, even myself. We need to be motivated to grow better than what we are today, there’s no stopping point. Nobody can get comfortable. Not in Nigeria or Africa where businesses are still in the infancy stages.

Fashion is art. It is creativity put in a sketchbook and transformed to designs that people wear. The office is artistic because it makes us think globally, think creatively, think excitedly. It is colourful and artistic. It is innovation.”

As a young teen leaving her home for the United States of America after

her secondary school education at Queens College, Lagos, Oniru was homesick most times. When her parents would not listen to her cries and pleas to return home, she decided to seek her own kind in her new environment. She recalled with glee how she started the first African cultural dance troupe in her university.

“I started the Association of African Students in the university. I was the president for two years. We would wear African clothes and dance. We started the first ever African cultural night in Greensboro, North Carolina, and had an audience of over 250 people who came to watch us dance, act drama and showcase the richness of African culture.

“It has always been in me, this love for Africa,” she continued. “When I was working for Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, New York, I started the network of African professionals from different fields. We would all come out every Friday night, during the happy hour, drink, socialise, get to know ourselves better. I have always loved meeting

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • APRIL 17, 2016

37

COVER

Olatorera

Nigerians and Africans. I don’t know what it is. I just love them. They are my people.”

Perhaps, it was this love that spurred Oniru to embark on an entrepreneurial journey. With several stints in paid employment at the Central Bank of Nigeria and Ericsson, Oniru came back home to start her own business.

Enthusiastic about the huge potentials of the online community, she started an online retail store.

Tucked in the serene ambiance of Crown Estate in Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos, Dressmeoutlet, an online fashion retail market caters to a motley group of customers across the globe.

With chains of suppliers, a reliable research team and direct deal with manufacturers, the online retail store takes pride in its affordable pricing and services.

For instance, deliveries within Lagos are done same day, while it takes three days to deliver outside Lagos and outside the country less than 10 days.

Employing different marketing tools online, Oniru ensures that the consumer is easily convinced to buy products from her site. For example, she sits with her team to create unique designs that will capture any visitor’s attention. With the use of a software package, TSV, she is able to transform a physical product to a digital product with all the necessary aesthetics. She also created a chat room where customers can inquire about products from her personnel. This way, she gives the customer optimal service.

Unfazed by numerous online retailers, Oniru is confident in her own niche. Her plan is simple: create awareness for African fashion products in the international market. From dresses to cream, the brand sells anything and everything African.

“Most people that visits our site search for Nigerian dresses. We have people from different parts of the world searching for products made in

WITH SEVERAL STINTS IN PAID EMPLOYMENT AT THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA AND ERICSSON, ONIRU CAME BACK HOME TO START HER OWN BUSINESS. ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE HUGE POTENTIALS OF THE ONLINE COMMUNITY, SHE STARTED AN ONLINE RETAIL STORE. TUCKED IN THE SERENE AMBIANCE OF CROWN ESTATE IN ONIRU, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS, DRESSMEOUTLET, AN ONLINE FASHION RETAIL MARKET CATERS TO A MOTLEY GROUP OF CUSTOMERS ACROSS THE GLOBE

Africa. And that’s our focus. True, there are many players in the e-commerce industry in Nigeria, which is good.

Because the more players we have, the more visibility we get globally.

But not everyone can survive it. We have a bigger dream. We plan to have more than one billion customers in five years. We are still in the infancy stage of e-commerce in Nigeria and most people are not focused on competition but rather in being Number One. And in this digital era, anyone can succeed.

It’s just a matter of being focused, disciplined and committed to your goals.”

Her decision to veer into fashion was borne out of months of research in the industry. Her findings revealed the volume of potential in that industry.

“Lagos alone has over 20 million residents and 35 per cent live above the poverty line. People always want to dress to look good. There are weddings, birthdays, parties, corporate events taking place almost every day. So there is a huge market in fashion.”

However, Oniru would not be persuaded to veer into other fields.

“Dressmeoutlet is fashion focused and for the retail industry. We retail the very best goods we can source globally in fashion and beauty. This is a one-(wo) man business, I can’t say I can do all things: real estate, electronics, etc. I will tear myself Into two. I want to be the best in the industry. I want to be number one in everything I set out to do. I have to be focused.

“We narrowed our focus to the fashion industry. The industry has a lot of top talents and creativity. A lot of people are doing a lot of things in that space but they do not have the global visibility that they need to grow and excel. Nigeria can very easily become the next China. We have tailoring shops everywhere, people sowing aso-ebi every single day but we haven’t been able to mass-produce. There’s a lot

of potential for growth, and one man cannot do everything. Let someone focus on fashion, another on electronics and so forth. But Dressmeoutlet is fashion focused.”

Selling African products indirectly requires more travelling for the entrepreneur. Not minding that she spent a good number of years in the United States, she has now dedicated substantial time to travel in Nigeria to source authentic African pieces. The tour exposed her to some of the creative skills and resources in Nigeria. She recalled how she found very beautifully-made kaftans and leather during a recent visit to the northern part of the country. She was heartbroken that the tailors could only make a few due to lack of support from the government to grow their businesses. She would like to see the government provide financial support to the craftsmen so that they exceed their current production.

She also discovered the Yoruba aso-oke fabric made with coral beads in Oyo state. She plans to visit Abia state, Adamawa, Taraba, Benin, Calabar and Kaduna to source for more unique natural resources that can be converted to fashion goods and manufacturers.

For now, Oniru has no plan to rest on her oars. “I want us to continue growing. Many industries in Nigeria get to a level where they become complacent. Once they start making money, they get comfortable and sit back. But when I look at my international counterparts and see where they are going, I get inspired to do more. And the funny thing is that we have some of these resources here. I was in Kano the other day and we have leather there. But just seeing what Louis Vuitton has done with leather amazes me. Theirs boast of more durability than ours. What’s the difference? They’ve innovated on their skills over the centuries but we are still complacent. We need to scale through that.”

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High Life

wIth LANRE ALFRED 08076885752

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

Power Horse! How 40-Year-Old Kogi Gov Yahaya Bello Handles his Office and Three Wives

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here is an innate strength in Yahaya Bello that defies notions of valour applicable to his peers.

Even though he is just 40, the executive governor of Kogi State grapples with the challenges of his new office and demands of running a home with three ravishing wives. Very few men of his age and class can handle the onerous tasks of running a state and catering to the needs and desires of a large family.

But Yahaya unfurls into the task without a crease in his brow or the oft dreaded fear of exhaustion. Governor Yahaya does not crumble in fear or anticipation of failure because he believes that even the greatest challenges and darkest days were made to sharpen a man’s wit and burnish his shine.

While older men struggle to keep pace with the demands of less tasking jobs and smaller number of wives, Yahaya internalises strength in his sinewy frame. He epitomises the strength and compassion of the proverbial guardian carrying the fate of the people and land in his heart.

While he worries about feeding clans, communities and villages, nurturing earth, guaranteeing security of lives and property in the state, Governor Yahaya also has to contend with the challenges

Kogi Governor and one of his wives

of managing three wives at the home front. He has to think of sheltering his wards from storms of the future and catering to the needs of their mothers.

In a nutshell, he has to be a good administrator, astute politician, wonderful father to his kids and agile husband to his wives. Governor Yahaya, according to a source is up to the task.

He hardly falls short in measure and competence while running

Gbegi Ojora and family

FIVE YEARS AFTER, FAMILY AND FRIENDS MOURN GBEGI OJORA The flowers blow coolly with the wind to assert his place above the earth although he lies six feet underground, where sand granules mingle with bones and rotted flesh of the interred. It’s the fifth year since corporate titan, Adegboyega Ishola Ojora departed mother earth and his family, friends and business associates are still grieving his untimely death. Recently, they hosted a prayer session in his honour.

Until his sad departure,

Ojora lived to see the dawn and sunset glow richly amid life’s pressing concerns. He lived to give and feel love generously and without inhibitions. Gbegi, as he was fondly called, died at the First Consultant Hospital, Ikoyi Road, Obalende, Lagos.

He was aged 50 years. It would be recalled that thousands of dignitaries comprising friends, family, politicians and business associates trooped to his funeral to mourn his sad exit from life.

This no doubt attested to the worth of the man for whom every male and female acquaintance

his home and office. This indeed is a rare feat in an age when official and marital demands often clash to the detriment of most marriages and homes. Recently he celebrated the birth of twin sons by one of his wives, Hajia Amina Bello. The latter delivered the bundles of joy on March 4, 2016 thus attesting to his competence at fulfilling his duties at home despite the demands of the governorship.

Governor Yahaya bears this great weight on his shoulders with admirable compassion and equanimity of spirit. He bears the absolute desolation that comes with challenges of work and home smilingly and with unrivalled vigor. The wives are Aminat Bello, the MD of FairPlus, a company she started with her husband in 2007.

Rashest Bello, is the First Lady of Kogi State and the last one is Hajia Hafi Bello.

holds a blazing torch, even in death.

On the eve of his untimely death, Ojora performed his civic duty by casting his vote during the general elections that ushered in the seventh National Assembly of the country. The following day, he attended the morning Mass at the Catholic Church of Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos, and later, the christening ceremony of a friend’s child.

But death struck him a fatal blow as soon as he retired home.

Ojora allegedly complained of a slight health disturbance and drove himself to First Consultant Hospital, Obalende, Lagos. He slumped and gave up the ghost while the clinic’s physicians examined him. Doctor’s diagnosis confirmed the cause of his death as heart attack. Toyin, the deceased’s younger sister and wife of embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was reportedly at the hospital for her routine medical check-up at the time of his death.

three most important men in her life. First was her father, Ahmed Onipede, a former Special Adviser on Mineral Resources to ex-Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, between 2001 and 2007. Onipede was found dead in his Badagry, Lagos residence.

Onipede allegedly suffered a gruesome murder and the police are yet to apprehend his killers.

There is no gainsaying Solveigh was broken and devastated by her father’s death, but just when she was responding to the comfort and kind words

...AND THE TRAGEDIES THAT BROKE SOLVEIGH OJORA She suffered a horror of sunsets at her prime; consequently, Solveigh Ojora is torn by grief too early in her life.

In one year, the half-Norwegian, half-Nigerian lost two of the

Solveigh Ojora

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HIGHLIFE

Save the Last Dance! Lessons Learnt from Olusegun Obasanjo and Patience Jonathan’s Public Boogie

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heir brown eyes held on the spot where the chandeliers bathed the guests in brilliant spokes of light. But contrary to widespread speculations, sparks of hatred got doused in the luminous blaze of their heartfelt smiles. No one ever thought that former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former first lady, Patience Jonathan, could pull off a public show of burying the hatchet to waltz and make merry in each other’s arms.

Patience, whose husband, former President Goodluck Jonathan, is widely acknowledged as Obasanjo’s estranged political godson, stunned guests at the funeral ceremony of the mother of Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi.

Highlife recalled that, last year, Obasanjo campaigned against Jonathan’s government in a very public open letter. The godfather and godson’s estrangement from each other has been attributed to the intrigues of public office and cutthroat politics hatched by political jobbers and power-

offered to douse her pain by her husband, Gbegi Ojora, the latter died due to liver complications.

The death of Solveigh’s husband, who was also the first son of millionaire mogul, Otunba Adekunle and his wife, Erelu Ojuolape Ojora, in 2011, shook the social firmament as he was one of the most popular socialites at the time. He left behind Solveigh and Tolu, their only child. Of course, Solveigh has been inconsolable since his death and has kept a wide berth from the social scene.

ERELU DOSUNMU FURIOUS OVER ESTRANGED HUBBY, DEINDE FERNANDEZ’S SHABBY BURIAL If she had her way, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu would revoke the interment of her beloved but estranged husband, Ambassador

Erelu Dosunmu

mongers seeking to live off Jonathan’s favour while he was in power. Pundits alleged that had Jonathan heeded the warnings and advice of Obasanjo, who was instrumental to his emergence in power, he wouldn’t have lost his reelection bid to incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.

Although Jonathan sidelined his benefactor while he enjoyed his six-year spell as Nigeria’s president, he scurried back to seek his favour when it became glaring that he would lose the March 28, 2015 presidential elections. Jonathan, like a dog waddling back to gobble his vomit, paid a reconciliatory visit to Obasanjo. The former first lady and Obasanjo cut a rare spectacle dancing toe to toe and bosom to bosom at the funeral ceremony of the Abia governor’s mother.

Pictures of their cavorting elicited widespread commentary and shrieks of awe among the nation’s ruling class and citizenry.

But whatever anyone thinks, the recent episode involving Patience Jonathan Dehinde Fernandez. She would stifle smothering dreams she has of him and repeal the sad course of events that paced behind the wagon of his entombment.

Although she parted with him many years before his death in a bitter separation, Erelu Dosunmu is dissatisfied with the manner in which her estranged husband was buried.

Recently, she broke her silence on the issue and condemned the way the deceased’s funeral was bungled. According to her, late Fernandez deserved a better and more befitting burial. She wondered why he was buried on foreign soil, arguing that the late ambassador would have loved to be buried at home.

Erelu Dosunmu also chastised the deceased’s friends and beneficiaries for abandoning him in death. She argued that they ought to have learnt their support in making sure that his corpse was brought back to Nigeria for a befitting funeral. A man of his stature shouldn’t suffer such a shabby burial, she said.

LIKE A CELLO STRING, GOV. AMINU TAMBUWAL TUNES TO LOVE Yes, Tambuwal is quiet these days. Not much on him politically. Tambuwal is in love.

He held her with his eyes and dreamed of cuddling her in a warm embrace. Then he won her heart and her love burned in his heart with sweet, passionate intensity, like a bonfire of the vanities in a hall of fame. As you read, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state has found his trophy of undying love

Olusegun-Obasanjo and Patience Jonathan

and Olusegun Obasanjo emphasises the fact that, in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies. As the duo danced closely together, the final

Aminu Tambuwal

in his new bride.

The former lawmaker and number one citizen of Sokoto, has discovered his symbol of strength and bastion of passion in Maryam Mairo, his second wife. Undoubtedly, Tambuwal is head over heels in love with his new bride. He got married to the popular the Lagos big girl and IT expert in a grand wedding ceremony that attracted the crème of Nigeria’s high society. Few months after their marriage, Mairo is everywhere.

She cuts an inspiring portrait doing charity work. As a result, she is constantly in the news, particularly on the social media.

BAD NEWS FOR NIGERIA’S SCARLET WOMEN AS HARD TIMES HIT THE OTC The hard times are here.

As the days squeeze harder,

scraps of deep-seated grudge and animosity between them were erased; and their smiles and inaudible conversation were indelible. poets bleed ink and prominent magnates count their losses under a dark pall of austerity and sorrow. Stealthily, every human constituent await the proverbial moment when the clouds would part to bathe their darkest hour in eternal sunshine.

In this atmosphere of loss and cheerlessness, the world gets set once again for the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in the United States of America.

As preparations for the conference intensify, women of shady reputation and character get set for their usual exploits in the business fair. Like vain, silly, transparent coxcombs without either solid talents or estimable nature, ladies of various vanities and character throng the OTC in desperate quest for the ever elusive deep-pocket. Findings revealed that many of the pretty ladies prowling the halls of the event like predators in search of prey actually know nothing about the philosophy behind the conference. As usual, they would be attending the conference to fish for rich and powerful men.

These ladies are guided by the reasoning that no matter how upright or dignified a rich man is, there is a tendency to ‘misbehave’ when he is not within his wife’s reach and when seminars are far in between. This ‘trade’ has been so mastered by many of the ladies that they don’t have to fix a date or venue for their much sought trysts to take place, they come fully kitted and prepared to engage in various kinds of romantic and sexual escapades.

To ensnare their prey, these women appear in very seductive

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HIGHLIFE

After the Eclipse, Chris Okotie’s Ex-wife Stephanie Henshaw Reclaims her Shine

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ike the first sunny spokes after a long forgettable night, Stephanie Henshaw, the estranged wife of Rev. Chris Okotie, some days ago, was at a dinner Richard Mofe-Damijo organised for the comedian, AY’s wife. That was several months after she consciously took a long break from the social scene. And like a queen of subterfuge and the black arts, she only staged a cameo.

Glowing in her silky, succulent skin, Stephanie arrived in a gait that bespoke an inviolate inner peace and contentment, which made her a sight for sore eyes in the midst of the

banalities of every day social gathering. It is even more fascinating that she could get off looking like that despite the challenges of marital life. At the event, Stephanie flaunted gorgeous curves that women half her age would die to have. Since her ill-fated marriage to the controversial pastor crashed, she is yet to settle down with another man despite the long list of suitors seeking for her hand in marriage.

Although she retreated into a shell in the wake of her separation from her husband, she has since discarded the aura of sadness that enveloped her to embrace more promising vistas.

JUMOKE OKOYA-THOMAS BURIES STEPMOTHER IN STYLE

event thus eliciting applause and commendation from folks that know that the deceased wasn’t her actual birth mother.

Yes, Chief Olivet was Jumoke’s step-mother but very few people were aware of this fact. Jumoke lost her own mother many years ago and it was her grandmother who effectively and efficiently filled the void left in her life. All the deceased’s children were in attendance at the funeral.

They cut an inspiring portrait to all and sundry as they filed out in dazzling colours and aura of daintiness, success and acclaim. Most of them are highly successful in their different careers.

While some possess impressive stakes in their father’s businesses, others are also playing big in their chosen fields. They married into successful families as well. Late Olivet Abosede is survived by her children, Yinka Taiwo, Deji Okoya-Thomas and Tosin Bakare.

She died on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 in Lagos and she was interred at the prestigious Vault and Gardens, Lagos. The service of songs was held on March 5 at the Trinity House Church while the Wake-keep took place on March 7 at the Dorchester Event Centre. The grand funeral service took place at the Holy Cross Cathedral Church, Lagos Island with a reception at the Harbour Point event centre, Victoria Island. The party was attended by dignitaries from far and wide.

A wind chime carefully spread its stillness over her and she collapsed into the mythical canopy of eternal sleep. By the time Chief Olivet Abosede Okoya Thomas breathed her last, her friends and family were caught unawares. But prodded by hazy and clear remembrance of her humaneness and civility, Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas gave her all in giving the deceased a befitting burial. She really played her role very well at the

DAKOVA LOSES HOME AND FASHION EMPIRE TO WILD FIRE The flames flared wildly to burn and destroy, iconic fashion designer, Dakova’s house and factory. The popular designer watched helplessly as his business complex got burnt to the ground. But from the ashes of his personal disaster, a new edifice will be built. According to very close sources to the designer, Dakova will rise again from the ashes. The sad incident happened around 8pm at his 82, Brickfield road, off Apapa Road, Ebute

outfits and pose to taunt and entrap the richest of men.

But not this year again. The prohibitive dollar exchange rate and President Muhammadu Buhari’s gospel of change has imposed severe austerity on the country’s magnates and participants at the OTC thus making it impossible for women of easy virtues to cash in on fun-seeking participants at the global conference. Apart from the Americans that will feel the low patronage at the clubs and shopping malls during this year’s event, the conference’s organisers will host actual oil and energy magnates and not the charlatans that frequented the event’s past editions.

Jumoke Okoya-Thomas

•WHY NOBODY KNEW LATE OLIVET ABOSEDE WASN’T HER ACTUAL BIRTH MOTHER

Stephanie Henshaw and Chris Okotie

Dakova

Metta home/factory in Lagos.

The fire which reportedly erupted at night lasted till midnight and razed the building which housed Dakova’s home (in front) and factory (at the back), to the ground. Fortunately no one was injured but he allegedly lost his machines and clothes worth over $300k.

Having failed at his senatorial ambition, Dakova enjoyed a soft-landing and a buffer for the losses he incurred campaigning by his appointment as a Special Adviser to the former Minister of Works, Adeseye Ogunlewe. His foray into politics hurt his fashion business hence his decision to quit politics to resuscitate his business. Alas! He could no longer command the attention and patronage of fashion buffs as younger creative designers had emerged in his absence to take his place. He later relocated to Abuja where he floated a night club. The night club eventually closed shop due to managerial and cash flow issues.

AS HER SECOND MARRIAGE CRASHES, REMI ADIUKWU REVERTS TO FIRST HUSBAND’S NAME Like a moth attracted to a flame, love for Chief Bakare Oluwalogbon drew Remi Adiukwu, closer to his bosom and his home. Caught in their passion, the flame fanned by his breath shone through his soul

and that of his beloved bride.

Then they got married in a fit of love. But suddenly, their love, like the moth, simply died. In the wake of their estrangement, Remi, a perennial gubernatorial aspirant in Lagos, packed out of her matrimonial home, leaving Bakare, the founder of Oluwalogbon motors, with a broken heart. As she clocks 60, Remi has reverted to the name of her ex-husband. Now, she simply bears, Remi Adiukwu instead of Remi Adiukwu-Bakare.

After her second marriage to Chief Bakare hit an iceberg, Remi packed her belongings and relocated to Abuja, the nation’s capital, to pick the shattered pieces of her heart. So desperate is she to keep a low profile that the popular female politician had a low-key celebration of her 60th anniversary at her church in Abuja. No doubt, Remi has had her fair share of disappointments on the nation’s political turf. But let rumour mongers not forget that after her failed gubernatorial bid in Lagos, Remi counted her losses and established a flourishing fabric shop. The establishment stocks high quality fabrics comprising lace and ankara materials. Recently, she confirmed her failed marriage to a popular society magazine.

According to her, her 20-year marriage crashed because she was too unhappy and disillusioned to continue with it.

Remi Adiukwu

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Onoshe

airtimeplus98@gmail.com

Nwabuikwu

MOPICON:Regulation or strangulation?

FESTIVAL NEWS Woody Allen’s Café Society opens 69th Festival International du Film

“The 69th Festival International du Film de Cannes will launch with a screening of Woody Allen’s new film, Café Society, on Wednesday 11 May in the Palais des Festivals’s Grand Théâtre Lumière as an Official Selection Out of Competition title.

Allen, the New York director has already opened the Festival twice, in 2002 with Hollywood Ending, and again in 2011 with Midnight in Paris.

Cafe Society tells the story of a young man who arrives in Hollywood during the 1930s hoping to work in the film industry, falls in love, and finds himself swept up in the vibrant café society that defined the spirit of the age.

The film features Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg alongside Blake Lively, Parker Posey and Steve Carell.

The 69th Festival International du Film de Cannes will take place between 11 and 22 May, 2016.”

COME AGAIN?

Lai Mohammed

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hatever may be its merits, the proposed Motion Picture Practitioners Council of Nigeria (MOPICON) bill may turn out to be a solution worse than the problem it was designed to address. I believe that every stakeholder who is interested in this industry which was created and built by the ingenuity and hard work of Nigerians, largely without government support, should be concerned about this government endorsed effort to “regulate” the industry.

My fear is that regulation may soon morph into strangulation if care is not taken.

By the time you read this, the ministerial committee set up by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to review and harmonise the MOPICON bill would have been inaugurated (on April 8 somewhere in Lagos, Nigeria). The 17-member committee, has as coordinator Peace Anyiam-Osigwe (President, AMAA) and Chairman, Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS), Mahmood Alli-Balogun as deputy coordinator. Tony Anih of the Film Makers Collective is to serve as committee secretary.

It is not surprising that MOPICON has sparked a heated debate in the media especially online across various social media sites. On one side of the argument are those who believe that regulation in the form of MOPICON is just what the doctor ordered to move Nollywood to the ‘next level.’

Then there are those vehemently opposed to any attempt to regulate creativity, no matter government’s good intentions.

And somehow, this got turned into an Old Nollywood vs Young Nollywood battle where the young film makers were accused of being afraid of regulation seeing as many aren’t enthusiastic about joining existing guilds. How effective are guilds as presently constituted? Younger film makers say there’s no space for them in those guilds.

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe has chided critics of the bill asking: “How can anyone think that another film maker will want a film maker to go to jail, maybe, just maybe whilst trying to destroy what is good for our collective life, in your self-centred egotistical need to prove that you know it all, you are actually showing your ignorance and it’s so annoying. Before shouting kill maybe, just maybe you should look well before you leap

joining the bandwagon. Arrogance based on ignorance is not intelligence.”

Unfortunately, Anyiam-Osigwe doesn’t provide any additional information beyond the draft bill available online.

So it’s still the 2006 MOPICON draft bill, all 49 pages of it, that’s up for review.

We can’t go through its every aspect though.

Fortunately, this very helpful summary by Chidumga Izuzu Izuzu for Pulse Nigeria shows why many people involved in Nollywood do not share Anyiam-Osigwe’s enthusiasm for MOPICON: “1. Without being a member of MOPICON, you will not be ‘entitled’ to practice in any area of the business of movie making in Nigeria. The list of ‘entitled’ people will be circulated to the following bodies every year.

2. The functions of the council governing the body include; determining who are Motion Picture Practitioners, determining what standards of knowledge and skills are to be attained by persons seeking to become registered as Motion Picture Practitioners and reviewing those standards from time to time.

3. A person not registered as a member with the Council is prohibited from producing and making projects for both the Cinema and Home Video Market plus Television Stations and Networks for gains.

4. A person in breach of the above number 3 is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of N100. (Or face imprisonment for up to two years. or both) 5. It shall be the duty of MOPICON to furnish the NFVCB with the list of practitioners to be licensed in accordance with the National Film and Video Censors Board Act. 6. No director is allowed to be on more than one project at a time.

7. No religion or form of worship shall be depicted in a manner that will expose it to ridicule. 8. Marketers are to endeavour to ensure that the Producer gets his copies of the box office return statement and that payments are made when due.

9. No actor shall be on more than one project at a time.”

As Feyi Fawehinmi notes: “In effect, MOPICON will now decide what kind of film gets made and which ones don’t. On pain of de-registration, directors who make ‘inappropriate’ movies can be stifled. The

cosy arrangement where government funds MOPICON gives the government a back door through which it can regulate films.”

In addition to this, the bill states that: “A person shall be entitled on proper application to be registered as a member of the profession if: he is not a person of unsound mind so found by a court of law.’

Somewhere else, ‘insane’ is used. In other words, were Robert Downey Jnr, one of the most respected actors in Hollywood a Nigerian actor when he had his well publicised mental challenges as result of drug use many years ago, he would have been deregistered as an actor. Today, Downey has topped the Forbes list of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors, for three straight years (2012-2015), making an estimated $80 million in earnings between June 2014 and June 2015 It is clear that the MOPICON bill, if passed in its present form could result in the stifling of the spontaneous creativity and dynamism that made Nollywood possible in the first instance.

That is why I align myself with those who say the MOPICON draft bill in its current form “is not progressive” as Mildred Okwo has said. No doubt, advocates of MOPICON include well meaning and respected professionals but the idea may lead to the creation of a “professional cartel” in the film industry. Yes, the industry needs government support to build capacity and provide a more conducive environment to boost investment and infrastructure.

As film maker Uduak Isong put it: “We have major challenges, there’s piracy, there’s poor distribution, and there’s Telemundo.

You’d think we’d be talking about tax rebates, waiver fees from LASAA so we can have increased marketing, more support for filmmakers to ensure they thrive in this tough environment that is Nigeria.”

Finally, the industry needs to tell itself some hard truths. Ordinarily, if guilds within the industry were better structured and properly run, they would have provided the peer review and regulation that Nollywood needs to boost professionalism and production values. But as it is, many a Nollywood guild is a glorified ego-boosting, political tool. Can then there be a third option as a compromise solution that addresses the concerns of those for and against MOPICON in its current form?

“President Buhari summons minister of state for petroleum Dr Ibe Kachikwu over the fuel crisis across Nigeria.”

-AIT headlines, Tuesday April 5, 2016.

What the above ‘news’ item actually means is that the minister of petroleum (who also just happens to be the president) met with his colleague, to find ways of resolving the excruciating fuel scarcity. Nothing more. Nothing less.

As far as this particular news item is concerned, why isn’t the media more concerned about the zero communication from the minister of petroleum concerning the fuel scarcity? Where has our minister petroleum been all this while? In the UK, no, South Africa. He was actually in the US. Or was it China?

For a fuel scarcity that has lingered for a few months, why is it now that the minister of petroleum is summoning his minister of state?

Should that have even been news?

Just the other day in this section I was saying ‘Come Again?’ about this practice of forcing action on an otherwise motionless or all motion no movement government. The media appears to have adopted a violent language as if we were in some kind of a military democracy.

A minister can no longer meet harmlessly and noiselessly with the head of a government agency.

Thereafter, the headlines would scream: “Minister A summons or orders DG of X, gives him/ her marching orders…” Let’s not even talk about the EFCC media razzmatazz: EFCC ‘is thinking of planning to order the arrest of’ Chief So and So. If only that was all it took to run a government. Hasn’t anyone wondered why with all the reported ‘ordering’ and ‘summoning’ going on, things have got to this present sorry state? Power supply, not unlike our visiting president, is now a very irregular visitor.

Buying petrol for our cars has now become a full-time job. In Abuja, black market fuel sellers are now everywhere, a few feet apart. The boys have got jobs, alright.

Is this evidence of the jobs promised by the government for the unemployed?

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Loud Ovation for Gidifest

ith its recent Gidi Festival, Eclipse Live Africa has booked its place as one of the leading producers of quality entertainment packages in Nigeria.

The third annual Gidi Fest has been touted as the best yet. Over 3,000 attendees were treated to an unforgettable Las Gidi experience.

During the day, the music served as a perfect backdrop to activities including beach soccer and volleyball tournaments, an art installation and food court. As the sun went down, the music took centre stage.

Gidi Fest’s main stage opened with comedian Ogbolor. With their dynamic energy, the hosts, Nigeria’s Sensei Uche and Skhanda Queen, Nomuzi kept the crowd entertained from opening to closing. By 7pm headliner Tiwa Savage was serving hits from both of her albums. Tiwa’s performance got the audience raving. This was just the beginning of the night.

Other performances of the night included Phyno, IKON, Chopstix, GGB Dancers, 2 Star General and Godwin Strings. An incredible set from Yemi Alade, reminded everyone she’s one of the continent’s best artists. South Africa’s finest, K.O and Riky Rick, graced the stage with the crowd dancing and rapping along to their hits. As midnight hit, fireworks painted the sky and Poe and Funbi

OPEN WEEK OF EXCITING PREMIUM ENTERTAINMENT

wIth nseobong okon-ekong 08114495324, nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com

This must be one of the most rewarding times on television as DStv subscribers are being rewarded with access to a buffet of premium channels during the DStv Premium Open Week, which ends on April 21.

Filled with Hollywood and Nollywood stars to choose from plus a delicious mix of mouthwatering content ranging from exciting movies, adrenaline pumping sports, hit music, entertaining kiddies’ shows, intriguing documentaries and original home grown programmes which are only available on the Premium bouquet, the Open Week allows all active DStv subscribers on Compact Plus, Compact, Family and Access bouquets this treat to an appetising platter of 36 premium channels at no additional cost!

Explaining the strategy driving the DStv Premium Open Week, the Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe said, “MultiChoice’s key priority is to put our subscribers’ needs at the heart of everything we do. The DStv Open Week follows recent initiatives where the EPL, La Liga and Euro 2016 were made available to Compact subscribers at no extra cost and no price increases were active DStv subscribers will have access to a buffet of premium channels that will be served during the DStv Premium Open Week.

Ugbe added, “At MultiChoice, we understand that times are tough for our subscribers who not only want to experience the best

Yemi Alade

Ricky Rick

Tiwa Savage

performed some of the Collectiv3 LP’s best tracks.

Followed by Adekunle Gold, it was a triple header for the ladies.

Rachel Kerr, a celebrated vocalist from London, gave an emotive performance to ring in the Easter holiday. The crowd cheered as Timaya hit the stage performing his greatest hits. Next came Small Doctor’s memorable performance where he climbed the stage pillars to everybody’s surprise. With the help of the GidiSquad, Heineken presented the Take Over alongside

DJ OBI. Gidi Fest ’16 closed with global superstar Dbanj who has broken countless chart records. With one of the most enviable catalogues in music, Dbanj’s set stretched from 20 minutes to 45 minutes as the Koko Master took the crowd through songs spanning his decade plus career.

Bringing super fans on stage and hosting a dance competition, Dbanj closed out Gidi Fest ’16 by bringing the festival vibes to a roaring highpoint. On Saturday, Lagos came alive.

Gidi Fest (Gidi Culture Festival)

was founded by Chin Okeke, Teme Banigo and Bimbo Shittu, with the intention of providing live, affordable and accessible entertainment to African youth.

Realising the demand for quality entertainment is not class specific, Gidi Fest works to break down socioeconomic barriers with an entertainment offering that appeals to all youth-minded individuals. This platform curates and represents African music and culture with the goal of exporting the culture to a global audience.

television entertainment, but do so at a price they can afford. Our DStv bouquets allow subscribers flexibility in price and choice without compromising quality or variety. However, we also understand that our subscribers on lower bouquets would enjoy the opportunity to watch some of the content available on the higher bouquets.

“During this open week, they will have access to 36 channels that are typically only available on the Premium bouquet. They will also be able to catch some of Nigeria’s best home-grown talent on Africa Magic Showcase’s new shows; Hush and The Voice Nigeria.”

ing African stories and culture is coming on the Africa Magic Family channel on Saturdays with Isabella Akinseye, award winning essayist, writer and On Air Personality, as host.

Akinseye who started her TV career reviewing books on a weekly segment ‘Bookaholic with Bella’ on Silverbird television in 2009 gave up her corporate communications job at Nestle Nigeria Plc to focus on her company, Yellow Tamarind Productions.

Akinseye, who is a graduate of Education with English and Drama from the University of Cambridge ran the popular Bookaholic Blog with award winning essayist and writer, Temitayo Olofinlua while the pair worked at leading publishing firm, Kachifo Limited.

Akinseye said, “Africana Literati is making reading and learning cool. On each episode, culture critic, Dr. Wilfred Okiche reviews a book by an African author and budding OAP, Harri Obi handles the vox pop segment. I go back to my education roots on the ‘Back to School’ segment which focuses on spelling, pronunciation and African slang.”

of monologues with a blend of music and dance will address issues that have been discussed in the column. From the mundane to the unusual, the play will capture the comedic satire which Joseph Edgar analyse topical issues in the society.

The column, which also has a similar-named book written by the investor banker and theatre enthusiast, Joseph Edgar, will see the comedian Ali Baba in a genre crossing role, throwing light jabs at political and social actors, giving advice and passing commentaries whilst entertaining and holding the crowd spell-bound in the typical fashion that he is known for.

Produced by popular broadcaster, Olisa Adibua, Shina Peller of Quilox and Mofoluwake Edgar, and adapted and directed by the veteran thespian, scriptwriter and Artistic Director behind Quebic 4 Productions, William Benson, the play also features prominent thespians like Patrick Diabuah, Paul Alomona and Tony Okuyeme among others.

The play, which coincides with Worker ’s Day, will be shown at the Muson Centre on May 1.

LOUD WHISPERS GOES TO THEATRE

STEVE BABAEKO GETS A TASTE OF LUXURY

ISABELLA’S NEW TV SHOW

Africana Literati TV show aimed at reviving the reading culture with a focus on celebrat-

Isabella

The weekly satire column ‘Loud Whispers’ on THISDAY Saturday has been adapted for theatre. The announcement was made recently

by Betty Abang, whose production company Katunga is producing the play.

In a 20-man cast led by prominent Nigerian comedian Ali Baba, the stage play in a series

Chivas Regal recently celebrated the creative powerhouse and entrepreneur Steve Babaeko in an exclusive night of class and style. The event marked the CEO of X3M Group’s 20th anniversary in the advertising industry.

Expectedly, the event was a beehive of festivities - a one-of-akind gastronomy experience, live

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ENTERTAINMENT

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STARS STORM LAFFWITHMCABBEY

host of superstars including Korede Bello, IK Osakioduwa, Basket Mouth, Humble Smith, and Gordons put up a spectacular performance at the edition of MC Abbey’s show tagged ILaffWithMCAbbey at the Muson Centre.

The conventional show which was produced by Steve ‘Yaw’ Onu was hosted by the talented duo of Denrele and Ariyike.

The show kicked off proper as Seyi Law took the stage and immediately launched into performances of his hilarious jokes. He later introduced several comedians & Musicians onstage including Young MC, Odogwu, Laugh Doctor, Toby Grey & MVP who performed to the delight of the audience.

Then came a highlight on the night as a visibly excited MC Abbey made his grand entrance onstage after a wild introduction by veteran actor Patrick Doyle.

Korede Bello thrilling

Guests cheered as soon as they caught sight of the Grammar-filled comedian. Quickly he got down to business, taking the crowd to ecstasy with a 20-minute set.

music performances and speeches – with appearances from celebrities like Ayeni Adekunle, Olisa Adibua, among others.

Through its ‘Taste of Luxury’ campaign, the luxury whisky brand celebrates outstanding personalities who have excelled in their fields of endeavour and touched lives in the process.

Babaeko’s power strides in the industry are not unrecognised.

His indomitable spirit of giving and the positive impact that this has had on the lives and careers of young professionals is worthy of celebration.

deputy governor position of the association. I am here on a rescue mission...It’s time to face reality. I don’t believe in talking too much, I believe in action,” he promised.

King Waleman set the mood at the colourful event high with one of his popular tunes ‘Garin Kano.’

AMAA 2016 GOES TO PORT HARCOURT

FRED AMATA ASSUMES PRESIDENCY OF DGN

Popular actor and director, Fred Amata was recently sworn in as President of Directors Guild of Nigeria at Ojez Lounge, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos in the presence of top-notch players in the film industry.

Anchored by pioneer president of the Guild, Mathias Obahiagbon, who was head of the inauguration committee, the ceremony started, after some preambles, with a valedictory speech by outgoing president, Andy Amenechi, who chronicled the achievements of his administration to include the establishment of an effective banking system, creation of members’ database and capacity building initiatives.

“We have run a race and set the pace. It is now time for someone else to take up our place to continue and improve our modest milestones,” Amenechi said.

He challenged the incoming exco to brace up to the challenges of new times, saying; “…please be informed that DGN can never be the same again. There is just too much awareness and accountability is the new mantra. Members will ask you questions and you must have plausible and progressive answers.”

NDA-ISAIAH ELECTED PMAN GOVERNOR

Journalist and music enthusiast,

The talk show segment was the next on cue as MC Abbey, Tee A, Lepacious Bose, Basket Mouth and IK Osakioduwa shared their most funny experiences ever, which also

Nda-Isaiah

Solomon Nda-Isaiah who is the entertainment editor of the Leadership Newspapers was recently endorsed as Governor of the FCT Chapter of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN).

Nda-Isaiah who goes by the stage name, Original Orokoman, previously held the office of the deputy assumed the leadership of the musicians’ body following the resignation of Collins Adeyemi, the erstwhile governor.

The new governor promised to uplift the association for the benefit of all musicians adding that he was ready to put in his time, resources, energy and contact to see to the success of the association. He also stressed the need reconcile aggrieved members so that the great association could get back its lost glory.

“I contested as the chairman of PMAN FCT in 2014 but lost to Makossa Queen. I had wanted to lead the PMAN FCT Chapter because of the big plans I have for the Abuja music scene and musicians. But due to some factors, I couldn’t really achieve that at that point. But I later bounced back 10-years later to win the

The prestigious pan-African reward system for the motion picture practitioners, African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) has found a new home in the garden city, Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, following very successful nine consecutive editions in Bayelsa State, one in Abuja, Lagos, and Port Elizabeth, South Africa respectively.

In a statement jointly signed by the state Commissioner of Culture & Tourism, Mrs. Tonye Briggs Oniyide on behalf of Governor Wike and the founder of the awards organisation, Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, hosting the award this year will be the beginning of a partnership that will add immense value to the people of the state and the host city in particular as the government is determined to position Port Harcourt as a destination of choice in Nigeria and West Africa.

“We are repositioning Rivers State as a state ready for business to Nigerians and the rest of the world and our partnership with AMAA will become a veritable platform to attract tourists, global and Nigeria icons in business and the entertainment industry. We want to showcase Rivers State as a peaceful place where socioeconomic activities thrive and also the hospitality of our people.

“There is a huge economy around entertainment and show business in Port Harcourt. While our state is known for her hydrocarbon resources, Governor Wike’s administration through the Ministry of Culture & Tourism through initiatives like AMAA wants the world to know and take advantage of the business opportunities that

thrilled guests present.

Nikki Laoye then stepped out for a performance of her breakthrough hit 123, which was well received by the crowd.

Immediately after came Splash, De-Don, Gordons and Forever for back-back performances.

Korede Bello was the next to perform and the Mavin Record artist delighted guests with hit songs such as Somebody Great, Mungo Park, Godwin, Romantic amongst others.

Korede bowed out for Humble Smith to wrap up the night with an energetic 4- minute set of his major hit Osinachi.

Guests present at the event include Former First Lady of Lagos State Dame Abimbola Fashola, Veteran Gospel Musician Sammie Okposo, Director, Heritage Bank Mary Akpobome, Alibaba, AY, Gbenga Adeyinka, Oscar and Titi Oyinsan and several others. abound in Rivers State,” Mrs. Briggs said.

The commissioner also added that the state would soon unveil a calendar of entertainment and tourist activities that would create job opportunities for the teeming youths of the state.

Speaking on the new partnership with the state, the awards founder, Ms. Anyiam-Osigwe said it marks the beginning of a new phase in the journey of the continental awards that started 12years ago, “We are very happy with this development and express our gratitude to Governor Wike and the good people of Rivers State. We value this partnership and we promise that it will be a rewarding one for the government and people of this great state.”

This year ’s awards will now take place on Saturday, June 11 and the nomination night where nominees into the 28 categories will be announced will hold on Wednesday, May 11. The previous nomination nights had taken place in Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Banjul, Lilongwe, Ouagadougou and Los Angeles.

Peace

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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Vanessa Obioha

Who Gets Fired First?

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raging brawl ensued last week when past contestants of popular reality show ‘The Apprentice’ denounced the Republican Presidential candidate and business mogul Donald Trump as unfit to rule the US. Over half a dozen contestants, including past winners, called for the firing of Trump just like he did to them in his reality show.

According to them, Trump is running a campaign of violence, racism, xenophobia, sexism that will only reignite a divisive culture. They described their working experience with him as abusive and unworthy to acquire the role of presidency.

Not one to chicken out in a fight, Trump replied them in a harsh-worded statement, calling them ungratefuls who are seeking some relevance in the media. He said they are failed wannabes who want to share the limelight with him. He further warned them that they may get fired again by the time he releases footage of them individually praising him.

Meanwhile, Trump has also drummed up support from other ex-contestants who have shown great faith in the politician since he embarked on his presidential race.

Donald Trump

David and Victoria Beckham with their children

Diana Ross

Kelly Clarkson

VICTORIA AND DAVID BECKHAM’S SON SHOWS MUSICAL TALENT Cruz Beckham on Instagram last week made his mummy proud in a video of himself singing Faith Evans and Twista 2005’s song ‘Hope’. The video went viral with many tagging the 11 year-old Beckham as the next superstar. Obviously Cruz is not following his father ’s footsteps . His mother Victoria was a member of the girl band Spice Girls before veering into the fashion world.

She excitedly captioned her son’s acapella rendition of the song #proudmummy.

ARTISTES CANCEL TOURS IN NORTH CAROLINA

Artistes with scheduled concerts in North Carolina are cancelling their tours due to the new law that forbids a transgender individual to use bathroom based on the gender they identify with.

Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr and others are leading the fight against the new law. The former member of The Beatles was originally scheduled to perform at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, N.C. on June 18, while Springsteen was scheduled to perform at Greensboro. Both expressed disappointment with the new law, saying that it is an outright show of discrimination.

AVATAR GETS FOUR SEQUELS

James Cameron made a startling announcement at Cinemacon presentation in Las Vegas, last week: Avatar will get four sequels.

Avatar

The director said he was forced to increase the number of sequels after going through scripts from his screenwriters.

“The characters, the creatures, the environment, the new cultures,” he said, “So far, the art I’m seeing, is in pure imagination, really far beyond the first film. It’s going to be a true epic saga.”

The first sequel, ‘Avatar 2’, is scheduled for Christmas 2018, a year later from the original 2017 release. ‘Avatar 3’ is set for Christmas 2020, ‘Avatar 4’ is expected to arrive Christmas 2022, and ‘Avatar 5’ is planned for Christmas 2023.

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH IS THE NEW GRINCH

Benedict Cumberbatch, after making magic in the new film ‘Doctor Strange’, will be featured in a new animated adaptation of the classic ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas.’

The announcement was among the series of upcoming plans revealed by film-makers at the Cinemacon presentation in Las Vegas.

Cumberbatch will play the

Kirsten Dunst and Garrett Hedlund

titular role of the Grinch, a role that was famously portrayed by Jim Carrey in the 2000 live-action adaptation. Adapted by Michael LeSieur, the actor will be bringing his comedic wickedness on screen. Universal also announced that the movie will be released on November 10, 2017.

IT’S A BOY FOR KELLY CLARKSON

American Idol alum, Kelly Clarkson put to bed last week.

And it’s a boy for the ‘Stronger ’ crooner. She took to Twitter to announce the arrival of her baby, revealing his name, Remington Alexander Blackstock.

The 33-year-old mother got married to her manager ’s son Brandon Blackstock in 2013.

The couple had their first child and daughter River Rose in June 2014. Her first experience with motherhood inspired the singer to write a children’s book.

KIRSTEN DUNST AND GARRETT HEDLUND BREAK-UP

In November last year, Kirsten Dunst revealed her plans to start a family soon. It seems the dream to start the family with Garrett Hedlund will never

come true as they called their relationship quits.

Dunst, who was the female character in the popular Savage Garden’s song ‘I Knew I Loved You’ video broke up her four years relationship with Hedlund. Both didn’t offer any reasons for the separation.

They had met on the set of ‘On the Road’, in 2010 in which they co-starred. Dunst is two years older than Hedlund.

DIANA ROSS INJURED IN CAR ACCIDENT

A limousine conveying Diana Ross to a performance in Pennsylvania last week was crashed into by an SUV who ran over a stop sign. The driver, a 22 yearold New Jersey woman received a traffic citation.

The ‘He Lives in Me’ singer, according to Bethlehem police, complained of head and neck pain after the collision. Paramedics attended to her but she insisted on getting further treatment on her own.

However, the accident didn’t stop the 72-year-old singer from performing at the Sands Casino Complex in Bethlehem.

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EVENT

Ainabe: At 70, Life Has Treated Me Well

Chairman and CEO of Kohl Engineering Ltd and ZEEK Group of Companies Ltd, Chief Ezekiel Ainabe, who turns 70 tomorrow, tells Uchechukwu Nnaike and Chris Asika how fulfilled and healthy he is, as he ages gracefully

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ome men are born with silver spoons, but for a man like Chief Ezekiel Ainabe, the Chairman and CEO of Kohl Engineering Ltd and ZEEK Group of Companies Ltd, despite his humble beginning, he changed the course of his existence through the dint of hard work, resilience, doggedness and diligence.

Born of Pa John Obeke Ainabe, a religious man, and Madam Oyibo Ainabe, on April 18, 1945 at Ojuelen, Ekpoma (in then Bendel State), Ainabe attended St. Marks Anglican Primary School and St. Peters Anglican Secondary School between 1955 and 1963 at Ojuelen, Ekpoma. He was known to be a brilliant student and this went with a lot of leadership responsibilities at that time.

Between 1966 and 1970, he also attended Western Boys High School, Benin where he completed his secondary education and from 1972 to 1974, he bagged his diploma in salesmanship from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom. He obtained his MBA from Syracuse University, New York (1980) and has attended various courses and seminars at home and abroad.

Ainabe was not privileged to stay long in formal educational institutions, but he groomed himself through self-efforts, private studies and extensive reading. After his education at various levels, he started his petroleum salesmanship as a petrol pump attendant in Kaduna metropolis in 1972.

He joined the oil companies early in life; he was privileged to work with Shell and Mobil Petroleum companies and rose in their ranks at different times. He grew so rapidly and steadily that it was no surprise that he became the owner of a flourishing petroleum distribution trade at the age of 30; from there he diversified into other businesses like communications, maritime, property and construction.

Recounting his journey so far in life, he

Ainabe

said: “Life has treated me wonderfully well, first of all I am healthy, I am aware that at 70, some people are not able to move around, or even climb a staircase. But as for me I can even climb a 12-storey building without any support, again I am happy that my family is in good order; over the years, we never had any case of separation.

“I have been able to carry everybody along with me; that is very good for me. I have also been able to bring up my children in the way that God wants me to do it; they are all foreign educated with not less than a master’s degree each. Out of the eight children I have, five are married and three are yet to marry.

“I have got about 12 grandchildren, five daughters-in-law, so I am blessed and they are all doing well respectively in their chosen vocations and by the grace of God I have got lots of good friends in the society that I am proud to have as associates. We have a large family that is very popular in

my place in Edo State.”

Ainabe is also noted for his philanthropy, which was borne out of his desire to ensure that no promising human asset is allowed to waste due to financial constraints. He has awarded over 25 secondary schools and university scholarships to indigent students in Nigeria, excluding members of his immediate family, all done in the spirit of love and patriotism and not with the hope of personal direct returns on investment.

As a result of his benevolence, he was considered by the Newport University, Newport Beach, California, USA for the award of a Doctorate Degree of Law (Honoris Causa) on January 25, 1989.

In his letter to Ainabe, the president of the university said “this unique insignia of international recognition is for Ainabe’s outstanding performance in the field of human and general wellbeing to his people of Nigeria.”

His philanthropy and sense of humility and contributions to the development of his immediate environment, which include provision of job opportunities for several people in his companies and elsewhere; building of town hall for the Ekpoma community; building of assembly hall for his local grammar school and many more, compelled the traditional ruler of his town in Ekpoma, Headquarters of Okpebho Local Government Area of former Bendel State, now Edo State to confer a chieftaincy title of Ojomo of Ekpoma Land on him sometime in 1984.

The need for extension of his philanthropic gestures also propelled him to join the prestigious Rotary Club and he became the president of the Rotary Club of Apapa in 1992/93 and has since been one of the pillars of the club where he was awarded the Paul Haris Fellow, a generous philanthropist in the pursuit of the ideals of the organisation that it happened that Apapa club was chartered as a number three club in the district 9110, behind the Rotary Club of Lagos.

Ainabe’s fame extends beyond business and the Rotary Club. He is a consummate member of the Anglican Communion; a Knight of the church and a benefactor in countless ways. He built and donated an impressive institution/seminary for the training of priests in his hometown, named after him - Ezekiel School of Theology. His gesture also extended to the Catholic Diocese of Uromi, which he gave a 400 x 400 piece of land as a donation.

Ainabe is also a member of the Howard University Business Review Committee; American Professional Club of PI sigma Epsilon, New York; Direct and Professional Sales and Marketing Executives International, New York; Alexander Hamilton Institutes Inc., New York; associate member of Business Administration; as well as a Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary Club Apapa.

The King’s Mother Goes Home Funke Olaode

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udging by the exotic cars, important dignitaries, royal fathers and the clergy from Ogun Diocese of the Anglican Communion, the late Chief Mrs. Juliana Osiberu would be smiling in her grave to see the quality of honour bestowed on her at her recent obsequies in Sagamu, Ogun State.

Some of the activities staged to honour her memory included, but were not limited to a wake keep and night of tributes, where many attested to her humility.

At the church service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ijoku, Diocese of Remo, members of her family, prominent among which were her children stood out in a pink aso ebi.

Amidst hymns of ‘Alleluya! Alleluya! Alleluya!, The strife is over, the battle is done’, and ‘My hope is built on nothing less’, the atmosphere was solemn, as the officiating minister, Rt. Rev. Oluranti delivered his sermon.

Ogun State deputy governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga who represented

Son of the deceased, Oba Adewale Osiberu, and his wife, Olori Olubukola, at the burial of the Queen Mother Osiberu in Sagamu, Ogun State...recently

Gov. Ibikunle Amosun, praised Mama Osiberu for her contribution to the society and the community at large.

Showering encomium on her mother, the eldest child, Mrs. Shade Ogunbiyi, wife of the former managing director of Daily Times Nigeria

Plc and CEO of Tanus Communications, recalled that her mother made unimaginable sacrifices for her children.

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ON THE COUCH

MRS. REMI AGBOWU (LIBRARIAN)

I Staged the First Agric Beauty Fair in the World Interviewed by Funke Olaode Can you let us into your background?

I am a Librarian by profession, having graduated from the Bayero University Kano. After graduation, I went into beauty business. I had a big salon in the University of Benin before veering into water engineering.

Why did it take you 25 years to stage another agric fair?

It became saturated because everybody was staging agric fair and I just withdrew. But with the change mantra of the present administration and the campaign to embrace agriculture again as a source of income, I was encouraged and decided to revive the fair. It is a 10-day event from June 12 to June 21, in Abuja at the Old Parade Ground.

We are staging an Agric pageant fair in Lokoja, Kogi State on June 11. This is another way of bringing the youth into the scheme. We are also having a two day seminar on the June 15 to 16 at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Where are you from?

I am from Sabongida Ora in Edo State. My father the late Julius Ozolua was born in Lagos in the early 20s. He attended St. Gregory’s College and later became an education inspector who traversed the Western Region. I was born in Epe in Lagos state so I was named Epesanmi. My father didn’t have a child for a long time and after eight years he had me. My parents didn’t pamper me. My mother used to say it is better not to have a child than to have a spoilt one. I was always kept in check.

Is there any reward for the winner?

We expect entry from ladies from all over the country between 18 and 25 years. Beauty is important but the purpose is to get them interested in agriculture. The winner will get a Hyundai car; second runner up will get a trip to South Africa while the third runner-up will also enjoy a trip to Dubai.

What fond memory of your father do you have?

He had a title in my hometown ‘Onatare’ meaning a torch bearer that others follow. I remember when we visited the then Olokuku of Okuku the late Oba Oyinlola, the father of former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

I was about six years in 1957 when I presented a flower to the King. If you ask my father for anything he would ask you whether you are a beggar. I grew up not asking for things unless I am given. He would ask you to read out your exam result sheet yourself.

You can imagine if you didn’t do well. He would not beat you but encourage you to work harder.

What is the secret of your headturning beauty at 65?

It is the grace of God and I inherited a good gene from my parents. I don’t have any beauty regime or special food. I eat a lot of fruits.

You organised the first Agric Beauty Pageant in world in 1989 and 1991 respectively. What prompted that?

What keeps you going?

The first one was staged in 1989 at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos while the second one was held in 1991 in Ilorin, Kwara State.

It was the first ever agric beauty fair in the world. The then governor of Kwara State, the late Colonel Kazil invited me to his state to stage an international agric fair which he sponsored. The response was awesome. Kogi was part of the Kwara then and they had always been interested in agriculture. It is going to be more interesting and elaborate now that the country is trying to diversify.

Pageant competitions have always been glamorous events

which boost visibility. Pageant competitions provide platforms for display of creativity and offer equal opportunities for young people to showcase their talent. The Miss Agric Nigeria (MAN) is a concept created by me as a result of the need to promote and celebrate the agriculture industry. The importance of agriculture in supporting national food security and employment creation will draw huge crowds to the Agrictech Fair and Display 2016, and make the pageant a great success. We are extremely proud of our cultural heritage, and our goal is to promote our locally-made products.

I know that a woman should be empowered because it gives you a lot of confidence. I have dabbled into many businesses and by the grace of God I don’t have any regrets. The grace of God and determination to be successful has kept me going over the years.

If you could turn back the hand of time, are there things you would have done differently?

Not really, I did it my own way and I have no regrets. And that is why I like Frank Sinatra song that says ‘I did it my way’. With God on my side, it succeeded. Today, I am a fulfilled and contented person.

What lesson has life taught you?

Life has taught me to look unto God as the only source of help.

ENCOUNTER

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Welcome Port Harcourt’s Hotshot, Kiki

alabari, Rivers Stateborn musical artist cum entertainment entrepreneur, Kiki Briggs may be the next man to look out for when it comes to the entertainment business in Port Harcourt. Kiki has managed to package himself as a one stop for any event or anyone who needs to be entertained.

His interest in entertainment cuts across many concerns. He has a standard events management outfit to his credit. The company presently handles all major events executed by the Rivers state government, including former president Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign tour of the nine

Niger Delta states during the last general elections.

Kiki also runs a clothing line with branches in Turkey, Sandton in South Africa and Port Harcourt. As a musical artiste, he owns a record label which provides a platform for upcoming talents who desire to achieve their dreams in music.

Over the years, Kiki has cultivated the habit of giving back to society which is effected through his charity organisation, the Kiki Briggs Foundation. The NGO cares for the aged and the downtrodden, while promoting a peaceful environment.

A veritable product of this initiative is an upcoming peace summit Niger Delta all stars peace concert.

Kiki

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • APRIL 17, 2016

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Strictly Exclusive Soiree

wIth LANRE ALFRED

08076885752

MADAM ALICE’S GLORIOUS EXIT…

Godwin Emefiele Buries Mother in a Solemn But Well-attended Ceremony Presidential delegation, political and industry titans grace event

d ele, Aregbesola an L-R: Ajimobi, Emefi Shittu

Emefiele with Governor Uduaghan and Governor Ayade Like tiny droplets that precede the hammering rain, the guests meandered into the rustic ambiance of Agbor in Delta State. But unlike the proverbial rain droplet, each guest loomed large in reputation and acclaim thus making the assemblage a gathering of nobles, political and industry titans. They had all travelled to Agbor in honour of Godwin Emefiele, incumbent Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

But Emefiele was not marking his birthday nor was he throwing a high-octane bash to mark the grand opening of a country home, rather the CBN governor was burying his dear mother, Alice Emefiele.

Thus on April 1st and 2nd, Agbor literally stood still as the crème of Nigeria’s high society thronged its rustic neighbourhoods to attend the grand ascension of Emefiele’s mother to the afterlife.

Expectedly, it was a star-studded event. All the rich men and women in Nigeria trooped out to pay their last respects to Madam Alice.

The people of Agbor woke up to witness the grand procession of Madam Alice’s funeral. There is no gainsaying she was the Queen of the Emefiele clan and a doting mother to her children, a title no monarch could claim. Madam Alice loved her children very deeply and was prepared to sacrifice her happiness for theirs.

The natives had never been good at silence — they are never known to mourn wordlessly, hence, they are hardly the type that expressed intense emotions through a hand on the shoulder or a pat on the back— but on April 1st and 2nd, they surpassed themselves. Agbor silently mourned as the nation’s dignitaries thronged its beautiful innards to pay tribute to the beloved mother of one of their own. The quiet amplified the sounds of the cortège as it set out to Madam Alice’s final resting place: the rumble of wheels on tarmac, the click of shoe heels on concrete and the soft thud on mother earth tolled at listless intervals. But as the procession commenced, residents of Agbor, family, neighbours and childhood friends of Madam Alice turned out in honour of the deceased.

A life cast in gold

Her final ceremonial progression through the streets of Agbor, Delta State raised treasurable memories of her life among family, friends and even close neighbours. The recollections bespeak the misery of a watching world that fell in love with the beautiful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Despite the pain of remembering, no one wished to let go the brilliant memories of Madam Alice Emefiele, particularly Godwin, her loving son. Hovering by her side as she was borne toward an enchanted future, Godwin rued the final departure of his mother, struggling in his grief to deal with the humbling

and Obasanjo L-R: Osoba, Okowa reality that his sweet, chaste mother had finally set out alone into eternity.

In one sense, though, Madam Alice was not gone. The day before she was blessed and buried, her son made a rare, profoundly wrought surmise after days of puzzling grief, that no one who knew his mother will ever forget her. Godwin averred that many others who never met her, but felt they knew her, will remember her.

Echoes of a befitting funeral

Even her coffin captured this mixture of the traditional and the personal. It was draped with the royal standard; on top of that rested a spray of white lilies, Madam Alice’s favorite flower.

And there was something else: a bouquet of white tulips and a wreath of white roses with a card bearing the handwritten word of Godwin and siblings.

Madam Alice’s cortege was joined along the way by the most important people in her life. They walked behind her coffin, and then so did representatives from each of the families and communities whose lives Madam Alice had touched like no other human had. A few were in wheelchairs, a few more on crutches.

They were not the sort of people ordinarily invited to march in funeral processions, but they were Madam Alice’s people.

The deceased would definitely turn in her grave for the honour and unrivalled show of love that her beloved son attracted for her sake. It was like a state event; there were in attendance a presidential delegation, members of the National Assembly, numerous state governors and prominent moguls of the business community.

So were the glittering guests milling about the church, waiting to get in. The spectators looking on, many of whom had arrived early, quietly applauded the celebrities they spotted; as they equally arrived to pay their last respects to a woman whose life became the benchmark for humanity’s best even in death.

This was a day of remembrance, yes, and a day of grieving.

The flood of despair that poured forth frequently resulted in cascade of tears. By the funeral, Godwin no doubt, delivered a remarkably personal and pointed tribute to his mother’s memory.

He noted that though it was not enough to canonize his mother’s memory, it was the least he could do to venerate a woman and mother who was passionately inured in her desire to do good for others so she could contribute her quota to improving humanity.

But he also described her as someone with natural nobility and who was classless, who proved throughout her existence that she needed no trappings of wealth or fame to generate her particular brand of humanity. The funeral ceremony boasted a kaleidoscope

Adebayo

and Dangote L-R: Ovia, Otedola of guests, sumptuous local and international delicacies, choice drinks and impressive eulogies to the departed soul. It was in every respect adjudged a great success as it drew a perfect blend of A-listers ranging from technocrats, industrialists to young professionals who are friends and associates of her son, Godwin.

Emefiele’s poetry of modesty

But, unlike several billionaires and public servants of his class, Emefiele shied from turning his mother’s funeral into an avenue by which he would flaunt his wealth and make an emphatic social statement. He didn’t turn it into a festival of wealth and testament of his clout and high office. Thus the absence of choice decor, expensive champagne, cognac, meals and entertainment often acquired at prohibitive cost.

At the funeral of Emefiele’s mother, the guests, irrespective of their pedigree and class, were treated to soft drinks, water and good food. This has no doubt endeared the CBN governor to majority of his kin and public commentators. Pundits commend him for setting a good example for majority of his peers that have developed a taste for turning every funeral into a vulgar shindig.

The quality of the ceremony would no doubt make Madam Alice turn in her grave noted a guest who was apparently overwhelmed by the grand procession of events at the funeral.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s team was led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, who represented Mr President. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State was joined by many other state governors including Adams Oshiomole (Edo), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Willy Obiano (Anambra), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) as well as the deputy governor of Benue State.

Also in attendance were the Dein of Agbor and former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Captains of industries who graced the ceremony included the Chairman and CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; oil magnate and Chairman of Forte Oil, Femi Otedola; and Jim Ovia, Former Chairman, Zenith Bank.

Emefiele who became the CBN governor in June, 2014 is the third child of the deceased.

The remains of the late matriarch of the Emefiele family who died last year at the age of 94, was interred in her compound in Agbor, the administrative headquarters of Ika South local Government Area. The well publicized burial ceremony started with Christian/ traditional wake keep at her residence, Number 4, Madam Alice Ohumagholem Street, Agbor. She is survived by seven children, several step-children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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IMAGES

T

he mother of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Madam Alice Ohumagholem, who died on December 25th, 2015 at the age of 94 years was laid to rest recently in Agbor, Delta State. An interdenominational funeral service took place at the old Bendel Hotel ground,Agbor onApril 2, 2016. Entertainment of guests followed immediately at the same venue. Here are the faces of some of the dignitaries that graced the occasion Photographs by Abiodun Ajala and Kunle Ogunfuyi

Children of the deceased; L-R: Mrs. Christian Akindele; Mr. David Emefiele; Mr. Godwin Emefiele; Mr George Emefiele; Mrs. Theresa Nnadi; Dr. Okanta Emefiele and Patience Emefiele during the funeral service for their mother, late Alice Ohumagholem Emefiele

Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Babachir David Lawal, and former Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

L-R: Chairman/Editor-in-Chief,THISDAY, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena; former Governors of Ogun and Ekiti States, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Niyi Adebayo

L-R: President, BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu; President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and Governor of Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele

L-R: Former Head of Service of the Federation,Steve Oronsaye; Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia and President, Forte Oil Plc, Femi Otedola

L-R: Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume and Alhaji Muhammad Saidu

L-R: Sam lwuato; Dere Otubu and Segun Agbaje

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IMAGES

L-R: Chairman, lnter- Bau, Sir Nath Okechukwu; Mr. Nduka lrabor and Corporate Adviser, Nigerian Breweries, Kufre Ekanem

R-L: Governor of Delta State, Dr. lfeanyi Okowa and wife, Edith

L-R: Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola and his counterpart from Anambra State, Willie Obiano

L-R: Governor of Akwa lbom, Udom Emmanuel and Cross Rivers State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade

L-R: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole and Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajumobi

L-R: Mrs Remi Oladele and Director, Medical Services, CBN, Abuja, Mrs. Faozat Bello

L-R: MD,Standard Chartered Bank,MrsBolaAdesolaand DeputyCountry Head, Deutsche Bank Nigeria, Mrs. Deola Azeez

L-R: Chairman, Arik Air, Sir and Mrs Arumeme-lkhide and Head of Strategy, Ecobank Transnational, Lome, Mr. Jubril Aku

L-R: MD, Diamond Bank, Uzoma Dozie; Hon Aiyevbekpen Osakwe and Godwin Obaseki

L-R: Mrs. Efe Egbarin-Davis and Sir Steve Bamidele Omojafor

L-R: Uba Sani; Minister of Budget & Planning, Udo Udoma and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, lbe Kachikwu

L-R: Deputy Governors, CBN, Dr. O.J Nnana and Mr. Bayo Adelabu.

Behind them is GMD, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Peter Amangbo

L-R: Mr. Kola Adesina; Mr. Tunde Ayeni and Mr. Segun Awolowo

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ROMANCE

I

Do Millennials Wait for Love?

found myself confronted with this question after watching an episode of DStv Eva’s channel new telenovela ‘Wait for Me’.

By now, you should know I’m a telenovela addict. The story revolves around a low-class family whose daily lives are inundated with debts and every poverty indicator. After being evicted from a coffee farm due to debts, an indecisive son-in-law (Alex) is pressured by his mother-in-law to travel abroad to cater for the family.

A footstep her oldest daughter (Carolina) has already taken and is the idolised breadwinner of the family, even if they are unaware of the hardship she faces in New York City, USA. But Alex’s wife (Rose) is unperturbed by their poor status.

She is optimistic that they can make it in their home country Colombia.

Rose does not believe in longdistance relationship. She has faith in love more than a billion pesos.

However, she is willing to give her husband a three-month wait if he travels abroad, irrespective of the nagging demands of her overbearing mother who can’t stand her aged and poor father. She pesters her older daughter (Cecilia) in America to send money home so she can live the life of an affluent society woman.

But her naivety was leading her to a path of doom and regret.

Meanwhile, the older daughter, the breadwinner of the family, struggled to be seen and accepted as a human being rather than an illegal immigrant in a land where she was not needed. She confronts the challenges of working long hours at different jobs to cater for her family back in Colombia and attune the illusion that the grass is green, well combed and very lush in New York City.

On the other side is a legal immigrant who is forced to return to Colombia to spearhead a new partnership company of his American employers. Grudgingly the wife, a successful career woman in America follows him to Colombia but found it hard to adapt to the face of poverty looming everywhere.

From the nosy and sarcastic driver to the strains of hiring a house help that can speak good English. Unable to cope, she flies

MY CRAZY WORLD OF

ROMANCE Vanessa Obioha

Email: vaysylver@gmail.com

back to New York without a promise of returning to her husband.

The narratives explored in the novela brings to fore a crucial question in relationships for the millennials. Does the idea of waiting for love still appeal to us?

I remember as a child, stories of aunts who were abandoned by their supposed husbands across the pond. Usually, the idea of marrying an Obodo Oyibo’s (white man’s country) husband was very appealing. It came with the promise of wealth and a golden opportunity to relocate to the promised land.

These sweet perks are the tricks the love scammers use to get women spend their eternity in a lifeless marriage. Some of these aunts ended up calling the marriage quits when they ran out of patience. Others were forced to engage in extramarital affairs to keep the mind and soul together.

In the modern world, such narratives still exist with huge

modifications. Women rarely wait for their ‘obodo oyibo’ husband.

Those who wait do so half-heartedly.

They are more attracted to the material gains than the prospect of love. Where in the past, the women were more concerned about the man’s fidelity, nowadays the men are daunted by the fear of losing their women to Nigerian men.

There is also the tendency to leave the marriage at free will; after all, what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

But this is not the only scenario where patience is tested. A delayed marriage proposal can spring up impatience. When is he finally going to take the bold step to propose to me? When will he stop listening to his mother, dump his bitchy girlfriend to be with me instead? How long can we wait?

That promise of eternal love can be shaken down to its roots if no visible action is carried out. Its fulfilment depends on distance and time.

Patience, it seems, is not a strong virtue for today’s couples. The reason is not so far-fetched. Today’s couples are laden with the burden of expectations and when it’s not met, they bail out.

There is the expectation from family to settle down, from friends who are leaving you behind in the race, from even church members who can’t wait to don the marital garland on you. These expectations put a lot of pressure on singletons and they desperately seek a bail-out.

A string of sentences about undying love in a later date or a journey to a far-away green pasture may do little to allay their fears of failure or disappointment. They are confounded with the doubts of what ifs? What if he doesn’t return? What if he marries someone else? What if I fall in love with someone else, which by the way has great possibilities?

A thousand and one things can happen during the waiting period and love is a huge prospect.

Someone who is smart enough to grab the opportunity may come along and sweep you off your feet.

You may not necessarily be in love but at the moment, he meets your immediate needs. So will love override pressure of expectations?

The choice is a difficult one the individual has to make, at the end of the day.

THIS IS NOT THE ONLY SCENARIO WHERE PATIENCE IS TESTED. A DELAYED MARRIAGE PROPOSAL CAN SPRING UP IMPATIENCE. WHEN IS HE FINALLY GOING TO TAKE THE BOLD STEP TO PROPOSE TO ME?

EXHALE...

Spiritual Corruption

N

o, it’s not the kind of corruption that President o, it’s not the kind of corruption that President Muhammadu Buhari is fighting.

This type resides in our mind. It is the one that gives us the illusion that any form of material gain that comes our way is a spiritual blessing, irrespective of its origin.

A recent incident got me thinking about how much of God’s instruction we really hear when we say the Lord spoke to us. It is easy to sum up our blessings with few verses of the Holy Book modified to fit our present situation, but do we actually hear from God?

How can a pastor who mounts the pulpit day and night turn a blind eye to the illicit means through which his wife gets money and proclaim to the congregation that it is indeed his prayers to the Lord that has blessed his wife’s career immensely?

And when the hammer of the law hit them on the head, it becomes a case of spiritual warfare against the plan of the enemy. The atrocities committed by many clerics these days surely know no bounds.

Plainly put, without the pulpit messages, each one of us is guilty of this crime in one way or the

other. We allow our mind to create the illusion of unmerited favour when it is glaring that it is against the morals and commandment in the holy book.

This is why citizens like Josephine Ugwu, the airport cleaner who consistently chose to live on integrity even in her humble state, should be emulated.

Not many would have walked her path of honesty if tempted with bags of fresh mint legal tender.

We would have gladly mounted the altar and danced while testifying of the Lord’s goodness in our lives. It is shameful. It is one of the worst kinds of corruption.

assistant editor nseobong okon-ekong senior correspondent funke olaode correspondent vanessa obioha designer ibirogba ibidapo CONTRIBUTORS onoshe nwabuikwu, 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

ARTS & REVIEW A

MUSON Gears Up for New Horizons...

PUBLICATION

PAGE 79

17.04.2016

EFE PAUL AZINO PERFORMANCE POETRY’S NEXT BIG SHOT EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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PERFORMANCE POET

With growing enraptured fans for his epic poetic delivery, the poet and convener of the Lagos International Poetry Festival, Efe Paul Azino is consciously reviving the art form made popular by classic poets such as Homer, Walt Whitman, William Shakespeare, John Donne and John Keats. Yinka Olatunbosun reports on a brief encounter with this young poet found guilty of genius.

N

igeria’s next big shot in poetry, Efe Paul Azino has consistently been one of the most frequent headliners at many literary events for over a decade. He has performed at the Ake Arts and Book Festival in Abeokuta, the Grand Finale of the Nigerian Breweries-Farafina Creative Workshop and that of the Etisalat Prize for Literature. Recently, his spectrum of performance has expanded in territorial sense. He performed at the inauguration of the present Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel as well as the Johannesburg Arts Alive Festival in South Africa. Azino is also the brain behind the first Spoken Word Poetry Theatre Production titled, “Finding Home”.

The rare fervour in his delivery is a thrill; sparking some curiosity in this reporter who initiated a meeting with him last Sunday at a fun spot somewhere in GRA Ikeja, Lagos. Unlike his latest performance dress code that often includes a complete robe or better still, “full agbada”, he was sporting casuals; white t-shirt, jeans and a pair of red footwear.

The little ride between the pre-planned venue and the preferred one afforded his reporter-guest to absorb his taste in music.

If you must know, his mobile collection is a little more exciting than a CD rack full of Coldplay’s. Minutes after settling down, he described himself as a poet, with a tinge of regret that he still had to work as an editor with a journal owned by a church to live comfortably. But he still thinks he is a full-time poet.

“It’s really tricky because we usually qualify someone as a full-time writer if that is all that person does,” he began. “I think you can hold down a regular job as a full time poet. I don’t think full time is defined by nine to five or eight to five. I can be committed to being a poet as much as I can be to any other job. Most of the old masters actually have full time jobs. Frost and Whitman had full time jobs. We can’t say they were not full time writers because we

Azino

can see the robust body of work most of them came out with.”

Of course, he is right. One of the best medieval poets, Geoffrey Chaucer worked as a courtier, a diplomat and a civil servant. He was the first poet to be buried in Poets’ Corner of London’s Westminster Abbey. Commercial success is not necessarily part of a poet’s expectations but a prestigious place in the comity of intellectuals and the society at large.

Getting Azino to state precisely when he discovered poetry was tough. Although, he revealed that he used to have voices playing in his head and he was a bookworm. Being the last of eight children, he had inherited a huge

left over of book meals already digested by his older siblings. Surprisingly, it wasn’t a poem that gave him the real push, it was an essay written by Abubakar Gimba.

“He had written this essay many years back and it was during one of those ASUU strikes,” he recalled. “It was written in argument of why the lecturers needed to go back to work and why the government needed to accede to the demands of the lecturers. It was the way he held two different views in a very balanced manner that thrilled me and it was a cleverly written essay. I had always felt like I could actually write. Each time I engaged in any literary

writing, it came off as poetry. I had tried to write short stories. I started with short stories. I still write them but they always looked like poems. I just let it go.”

His foray into poetry performance must have started in 1999 by his calculation with several campus storms across various institutions including University of Lagos and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. On one of those occasions, he decided to perform his poetry. Later, he built on it, adding spectacle.

“Sound had always been integral to my writing so I write instinctively with performance in mind. I think the first time

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T RY’S NEXT BIG SHOT

Azino in performance I saw a proper spoken word performance was on Youtube on Poetry jam. Someone sent the link to me to watch, telling me that the performer sounded like me. Black Eye, an American spoken word artist and I listened to it and I became obsessed with watching this American performer that sounded like me.”

For those who didn’t know that performance poetry didn’t start with the likes of Azino, his artistry is sometimes received with a little apprehension. An erroneous view that spoken word artists are “failed rappers’’ has also become popular, within the parlance of the semieducated. There is no doubt that both art forms share a fence. The meeting was a good opportunity to broach the issue and learn more about the differences between Spoken Word and Rap. “It is a very thing line actually but I think Spoken Word predates rap. There was Spoken Word before there was rap.

You have Spoken Word almost rooted in the tradition of the Harlem Renaissance when you had Langston Hughes and these other poets who employed poetry as a main source of speaking truth to power and as a means of giving the oppressed a voice. Rap owes a lot to that tradition.

“But before the literary tradition, there was poetry. Homer’s classic, the Iliad and Odyssey were performed before an audience. Even in Africa, we had our traditional poets who spoke to the kings.

But they weren’t written down. Over time, after poetry made its transition to the page, it took on its own strictures and structures and became rigidly defined as poetry.

“Some jurists argue that Rap is not poetry.

But truth is that Rap is actually poetry to the beats. If you take that poetry at least some of it or most of it and put it on the page, it may not work. It may not read well as poetry but it works in terms of being able to capture emotions with words and being able to create those same emotions in those who listen.

That’s what poetry strives to do and Rap does that as well.”

When Azino said that Spoken Word is more conscious in terms of its themes and the issues it addresses than Rap, it almost became an argument. How would he class the works of the likes of KRS 1, Tupac, Mos Def, Coolio, Nas, Common, Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco and even Kendrick Lamar? When he thought about it, he agreed that there is a thin line between Spoken Word and Rap, without being economical with the truth, though he studied economics at the Lagos State University.

“If you apply a beat to a spoken word line, it would almost sound like rap. Except that the spoken word artist is not particularly conscious of being rhythmical like a rapper will be,” he explained.

After making a case for rap music, it was put to him that at the maiden edition of the Lagos International Poetry Festival held last year, there was no inclusion of rappers.

Being the first edition, the circle of literary arts was mostly represented. Azino promised that rappers would be part of the intellectual engagement this year.

“It is what I have actually thought about. I am more steeped in the literary tradition than the popular culture,” he said. “I have more close-knit relationship with novelists, short story writers and poets. I mean artists in that sense. Not because I don’t think rappers are

artists in their own right but somehow I owe more to the literary tradition than the pop culture. I am a bit sceptical about pop culture as well as about making poetry and rap meet.

“First of all, I don’t think poetry performance can be as popular as comedy or music.

It can be popular in its space but it is not like a mass audience thing. If you take poetry into pop culture, it will be ruled by the taste of the audience. That means you have to write your poetry according to the dictates of the popular audience. So you have the average Nigerian music, as beautiful as it is, sounding this same way because that is what the people want and it is believed that the voice of the people is the voice of God. I think it will be a great disservice to water down the arts. I am not sure about that but that is my fear. The poet writes for himself. He writes his own truth.

But he shouldn’t write just what the people want to hear. But all great arts come from a place of honesty.”

Azino also declared that for the 2016 Lagos International Poetry Festival, there will be a session that will address how poetry manifests itself in other art forms. Rappers of good repute like MI and Mode9 are likely discussants. For performances, arrangement is being made to bring alternative and soul music artists on board.

“I have always been interested in letting poetry interact with other art forms which is why we had one performance then in 2014 titled, ‘Finding Home’. It was a theatre piece expressed in poetry and directed by Femi Olufowoju jnr. That was me trying to push the boundaries to see how we can preserve the purity of the art form but involve music and dance. Dance itself is a form of poetry.

When I got the call from Nigerian Breweries,

I did it, bringing music, dance and poetry together to deliver as one art form.’’

In the next five years, Azino foresees performance poetry becoming more main stream than it is now. This is anchored on his experience in 2008, when his friend invited him for a poetry event organised

by Christopher Okigbo’s nephews. It was tagged “Anthill’’, somewhere on the Island.

Initially he thought be a gathering of just six persons but it turned out to be scores of poets and other writers. With radio jingles for top beverage brands and a commercial bank in his portfolio, he is very optimistic that poets will be more popular in performing arts very soon.

“Last year, we had a poet at President Mohammadu Buhari’s inauguration in Abuja and that was the first time we would have a poetry performance at such prestigious event. Titi Sonuga performed. I had even done performances at funerals. That is because people reach out for poetry when they want to express very deep or heightened emotions.’’

Performance poets are largely part of the Association of Nigerian Authors. But to regulate that sector of performing arts, Azino thought a separate association would be necessary to structure their art and add commercial value. Although he diplomatically avoided the question of how much performance poetry fetches him, he was free to talk about the international opportunities that are open to poets such as exchange programmes and workshops.

Azino, being an Osiwa Poetry Residency Fellow, also promised to mentor younger poets and include some of them in future events.

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ON BEHALF OF THE DEAD PRESIDENT Adeniyi Taiwo Kunnu

The President Who Never Ruled, Jamiu Abiola, Arab Scientific Publishers Inc., 2015

L

ife is a hypocrite and living it is an even greater lie. It causes everyone to dance to unfamiliar rhythms and prompts a forgetfulness that is a recurrent cycle. It is factually ephemeral, and this is its realistic abstract than the concrete of the joys that we find in it. The scar from an injury may have healed but the tortuous period of pain and pang is best described by the sufferer. Fact is, no other person can best explain a mother’s birth pain than she who has herself labored and later came to birth; same way as homelessness, which is not the narrative of one who dwells in palatial hacienda.

Truth has charted an unwavering cause, so that the dead can rest well where their souls are reposed, and those who are living in Judas’ denial can choose to come clean, stay dirty or have their hoary scalps interred as un-worthy sojourners to earth.

The President Who Never Ruled is the story of An African Self-Made Billionaire as written by Jamiu Abiola, the son of the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola - and his late wife Kudirat- the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 general election in Nigeria. In a total of one hundred and ninety seven pages, forty four chapters and three parts, the writer takes the reader through a journey with a true insider perspective, one that is akin to an on-the-spot account in the heat of a warfare.

Records cannot but be set straight and as a Yoruba adage has it, lies could thrive for a thousand years, but truth will always have its day of reckon. The days of sober reflections are indeed here, as doubt and blurry vision are to receive emancipation from their hitherto shackles. The tragedy of liars and lies thrives in the delusion of decapitating truth for its sinister antonym, but unknowingly, the auto-decimation of pathological liars and all devious species of the human kind is as guaranteed as phenomenal constants In this timely non-fiction, the author arouses our consciousness to the fact that, August 4, 2015 would have marked the 78th birthday of the Late Chief MKO Abiola, which is somewhat related to the same year he entered politics (1978); while his late wife, Kudirat Abiola would have turned 63 years, but the annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections on June 23 of the same year, by the Ibrahim Babangida led military administration leaves Nigerians with rhetorics that one hopes will soon become answered questions some day.

Jamiu Abiola rightly corrects the wrongs of near-established untruths and assumptions and does it brilliantly by piecing the past to the present, in a bid to offer, unmistakably, the Absolute Truth about his father, as well as his mother, thus providing a template of integrity and a Sanskrit of honesty for those whose zest and thirst for the unbiased account remain effervescence.

The beauty of this narrative fact takes the reader to the background of the The late Chief MKO Abiola, whose demonstration of precocious attributes strikes a chord, because such innate perception is a rarity in many of his age then and even as of now.

Salawu and Zuliat Abiola-his parents- would not have asked for a greater gift from their creator, especially with the losses his parents suffered in having children, before he eventually became “something that was witnessed” (Moshood).

The author moves controllably through various stages in his father’s life and presents to the reader another era which generated huge controversies. The ITT years brought with it its grass to grace accounts, and unlike what was peddled in hushed tones and songs, the late MKO Abiola Worked hard and long as a trained accountant and as an astute businessman to attain the height he reached and made the money that was his.

His relationship with the Nigerian Military was set on course when the Ministry of Defense owed the organization he worked for –ITT- a whopping 3.5million Pounds. Having started the journey with the telecoms giants on April 1, 1969, Abiola went on to be the lifeline for the organization over a long period of success. His success at helping to repatriate company funds redefined his status, and this propelled him further towards healthier ambitions.

The persons of the former Chief of staff of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier Usman Katsina; the permanent Secretary at the ministry of Defence then, Mr. Yusuf Gobir and the Army Signals Inspector, the late Lt. Col. Murtala Mohammed featured. Each of these men played key roles in all that led to Moshood’s early breakthrough and as the saying goes, the deeds of men live with them and in-fact outlive them.

On page 70, paragraph 4, the author writes: “… Moshood, in his thirties, became one of Africa’s richest

men. His orientation changed completely afterward and his main interest became a quest for an ideological meaning to life” It was at this juncture that his ideals emerged. He needed to do more and that he would not be stopped by any opposition in sight. Moshood may would have rested on his oars, but the poverty in the country caused him to want to do more as he was the epitome of philanthropy.

Jamiu Abiola in this factual account reveals the very fabric of his father’s personality, as his weakness was in strengthening others in need.

The demise of Murtala Mohammed, an honest man resulted in another turn for ITT. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who was later the Head of State, neglected the communications firm had thrived under the headship of an administration that was accountable, but he however kept government expenditure low, which was a noted positive.

The chronicle of “The President Who Never Ruled” also examines the presidential aspiration of the acclaimed winner of the 1993 general election.

Although he suffered a crushing defeat at the party’s convention in Benue while under the banner of NPN, he did not decamp.

Shehu Shagari however won the election and took over the reins from Obasanjo in 1979. Having finished his first term, a second term was guaranteed for the Shehu Shagari led government, but five months into the administration it was toppled, on December 31 1983 by General Mohammadu Buhari.

On page 78, last paragraph, Abiola said of Shagari’s government: “The fact is now glaringly evident that among the factors which contributed most significantly to the demise of the Second Republic was the absence was any objective and critical assessment of its workings while it lasted” The defining moments in the late MKO Abiola’s political career opened when he won at the presidential convention held on 27th March, 1993. Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe- who later vied as Abiola’s vice presidential candidate - and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar were defeated by Abiola to be the Social Democratic Party (SDP) flag bearer. Although, the late Alhaji Shehu Yar’adua supported Atiku Abubakar, his bid to have him as Abiola’s vice presidential flag bearer did not succeed, thus causing a rift between Abiola and the Yar’ardua team. It was also mentioned, that though the military gave green light in allowing democracy reign, the Head of State then, General Ibrahim Babangida wanted Pascal Bafyau, who was the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress to be Abiola’s running mate.

HOPE 93 however left many Nigerians hopeless, beginning from the appointment of Chief Tony Anenih by Alhaji Yar’ardua as SDP chairman. It must be stated, that names are as important as our legacies, which is why the role played by the likes of Arthur Nzeribe – Association for Better Nigeria; Bassey Ikpeme, who ruled that the election must not take place; Dahiru Saleh, that prevented Professor Nwosu from releasing the election result.

Former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, under whose administration the cataclysm held sway and the inventor of the interim government scheme; to Chief Ernest Shonekan, whose

inability to say no is at best treacherous to a kinsman; to Baba Gana Kingibe; who deserted his fellow flag bearer for obvious pecuniary passion; to the late General Sani Abacha, under whose machination Alfred Rewane became history, Kudirat Abiola was assassinated, Abiola incarcerated and the hope of Nigerians became concretely lacerated and mutilated. General Abdulsalami Abubakar also played a role by his refusal to release the late MKO Abiola even after other political prisoners were released from detention. This to the Abiola family has casts him in the light of those whose names and legacies must be forgotten as long as the family’s pains still linger.

Jamiu Abiola has through this work un-earthed what many Nigerians may love to forget or at best remember every twelfth day in the month of June. The impact of the huge loss of both parents on a young university graduate as of then and how this painful exit still leaves an unfilled gap in the lives of their children and Nigerians will move one to tears and sober the reader up.

It is needful to state, that the unforgettable role played by his wife, the Late Kudirat Abiola is a huge attestation to a woman, who lived her life for a just cause, her husband and thus her memory definitely indelible.

This collector’s item written in episodic plot makes for very interesting and effortless read and as the experiences shared gives the reader an unquestionable and scintillating perspective, we need to ask how we hope to be honourably remembered.

This is the honour in reverence of the late Chief MKO Abiola and his wife, Kudirat Abiola, whose impact sure resonates here on earth and in without a doubt, in the hereafter.

-Kunnu writes from Lagos

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ARTS & REVIEW\\SOUNDING OFF

Joke-Silva

Lara George

Emem Ema

ers (notice I didn’t say human powers?).

How do you expect to succeed at something when you decide to be the everything or everyone in a situation that calls for several hands; did someone say “delegate”?

What do Joke Silva, Lara George, TY Bello, Ojoma Ochai, Chinedum Aruwaji, Omoni Oboli, Joice (former Ize-Iyamu), Mercy Aigbe, Stella Dimoko-Korkus, Omawumi, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Tara Fela-Durotoye, Omoyemi Akerele, Chief Nike Okundaye, Henrietta Agboola and more hard working creative women out there who seem to have it all figured out and are exceptionally talented have in common?

They are successful women in creative business, running a business, a home with more than one child, and still grinding. A quick survey as to what has contributed to their success? The following stood out

Jalade-Ekehinde

CAN CREATIVE WOMEN HAVE IT ALL?

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he image of a woman with a crying child strapped to her back as she stirs a pot on the fire and tries to answer a ringing phone strikes a chord with me. There have been several submissions presented as to how it is impossible for an African woman to be successful in her career and in her home.

Maybe because I myself am a product of a single working mother (my mother was widowed when my siblings and I were less than ten years old), I grew up around strong women who have balanced their home and work life magnificently and as I grew older, I begun to see that as challenging and impossible as it seemed, most women were stepping up to the plate by smashing through the proverbial glass ceiling, raising amazing children, be a force to be reckoned with in the boardroom/work place and enjoying a balanced and happy home.

Now you may be wondering, what is this article about? Well, sometime last week a female artiste was heard complaining about how she found it difficult to “blow” or succeed in the Nigerian music industry, with having to juggle writing songs, finding time to record it, negotiating with the various hands necessary to put the song together, promote the song, do school runs, put her home together and still cater to the needs of her children and husband at the end of the day? Before we get to the answer, there is a reason why the likes of Catwoman, Rogue and Wonder woman are called super heroes; they are endowed with extra ordinary pow-

1.

A Supportive Partner/Spouse: One thing most of my subjects were quick to mention is the fact that they have a partner who understands that they need to function properly in their creative roles and thus offer them the support to be the creative that they are. Whether as actors, artistes, designers, photographers etc. one subject attests to her husband being her “No.1 Fan and Supporter”, I mean he helps me read my lines and shares articles or information that he believes is relevant to my craft even though he is in a totally different profession.

If your spouse does not share in your vision, well I won’t say get another spouse but maybe help him/her see better.

2. Sound Team: In as much as they make it look easy, most women have a team of professional and efficient people around them to help them perform or produce better.

Tara Durotoye is a good example; she runs a multimillion-naira/dollar company with over 100 stores around the world. How is she able to manage this? She has an effective team of staff and people who have learnt what the House of Tara vision and culture is and have imbibed same, so she doesn’t need to be in a hundred places at the same time.

Most performers have a sound team like a manager, accountant, Publicist, help in their homes, chauffeurs to help with ferrying themselves to meetings and location and the kids to school etc.

3. Know when to Switch Roles: “When I’m at work, I am in work mode, when I am at home, spending time with my husband and kids; I’m Mummy and nothing will change that. If the studio is on fire, there are people whose responsibility it is to handle such events when they happen, but I won’t leave the only time I have to spend with my family to put out a fire,” one of my subjects tells me.

These women have learnt the art of balance.

Another shares, “my children know the difference between when I am on the phone taking a business call and when I’m catching up on gist, they know not to interrupt when Mummy is on a work call. My staff know not to call me when I’m attending my children’s school play, PTA meeting or on vacation with my family.”

“My children have to be raised in a normal environment and I do not want to deprive them of having their mother around” which is why I try to spend every time I am not on set with them, help them with homework and between my husband and I give them a balanced life’ one of my subjects confessed.

4. Delegate: As sadly we come to terms with the fact that we do not have certain

super powers, some which include being able to do thirty people’s jobs at once, for the sake of your sanity delegate! There are individuals who are better equipped at doing certain things better than we can. Let them! I know it seems society will like to see the average African woman “do it all”, but the smarter woman knows that she can do it all by delegating most of it to capable hands to enable her be better and more effective.

5. Be! They know that being a wife, mother, homemaker, doesn’t change the fact that they are artistes/creative in fact, this spices up the various aspects of their lives. They can be themselves at home with no pressure of living up to “certain” expectations and always looking on “fleek” they can goof around with their toddlers/ children be themselves and incorporate some of the things they have learnt into their craft.

As I salute the women in my life like my mother who juggled raising five children, running a live breakfast television show (that ran five days a week for over five years) and undergo a masters degree course at the same time; and mentors of mine who have proven without a doubt that it is possible to have it all, even as a creative African woman! In essence, the very thing that we as women have as a gift being able to multitask, nurture and make things grow should be the same things we activate in the different areas of our lives as creative and as women; own your moment and own your greatness!

-Emem is the CEO of ONE Management, a Nigeria-based media strategy and support company. dealmaker@ one1mgt.com

MUSON Gears Up for New Horizons Yinka Olatunbosun

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t has become an annual cultural feast.

Yes, the New Horizons music concert is a new bridge adjoining the freshly grounds in music and the tested hands.

Come Saturday April 23, Lagos will see a live music concert titled “New Worlds’’, which is an initiative of Nigeria’s Premiere music institution, Music Society of Nigeria (MUSON) School of Music. The young talents at the school will share the stage with some of the finest international musicians as well as indigenous music firebrands.

This exciting news was revealed by the Director, MUSON, Tunde Jegede who told journalists in Lagos that the said concert is the second of the series this year. This first was held in February with Nigeria’s music exports, Keziah Jones and Nneka turning up the heat at the cultural hub.

This special concert is an off-shoot of the cultural exchange programme spearheaded by the school to develop the rich quality of music and heighten professionalism in music.

Therefore, the international performers are not just coming to Nigeria to entertain but will facilitate workshop sessions targeted at the 60

students of the music school.

This event is certainly not limited to showmanship and workshop. It’s designed as a weekend of concerts, screenings, symposium and discussions. On Friday April 22, a solo concert at Jazzhole, Ikoyi, which features Tunde Jegede will whet the appetite of music fans. After the appetizer, the main music dish will be served on Saturday at the MUSON centre where the audience will be taken on a journey from the classical world of the baroque to the traditional music of contemporary Nigeria and South America.

The International singer, Diana Baroni also regarded as an evocative singer and flutist is top on the list of performers Baroni’s South American folk songs are legendary having been polished over time when she worked in the early music, classical and world music scenes internationally with ensembles such as the French baroque ensemble, Café Zimmermann, the Brodsky String Quartet and her own ensembles drawn from the Afro-Peruvian music.

The master guitarist and multi-percussionist, who also shared the same music tradition with Baroni, Rafael Guel will also strum away at the concert. Armed with Spanish, African

and native American influences, Guel is a music force with regular showmanship in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Brodsky Quartet and the Alter Quintet in France.

Also from France is Simon Drappier, a gifted contrabasse player who has worked in jazz, folk and classical music traditions and the worldrenowned Ensemble InterContemparain.

Nigeria’s own Ranti Ihimoyan, an opera and cross-over singer will bring her neo-classical music vibes to the stage. born in Chicago, Ranti’s world of music encompasses jazz, folk, pop and classical.

What seems quite surprising too is the inclusion of Sakara music exponents, Olaiwola Sakara band. As you may know, Sakara music is one of the most original forms of traditional Yoruba music. It often appropriates two important music instruments namely Goje (African Violin) and Sakara Drum. Hence these musicians will turn back the hands of time with this rich cultural heritage alongside the MUSON Ensemble which was set up last year

by Tunde Jegede.

After the show, a film screening which will be followed by discussions will take place at the Nigerian Film Corporation, Ikoyi on Sunday April 24. The panel of discussants comprises

Jegede

of Kunle Tejuosho, Diana Baronu, Tunde Jegede and Didi Cheeka. The film screening supported by Goethe Institut is the only event in the concert series without gate fees.

A cultural attaché at the French Embassy, Sennacherib Aurelien also noted that this cultural exchange in music will expand the scope of artistic expression to reach a wider audience.

The concert series is done in partnership with London Jazz Festival, Institut Francais, Lagos Film Society, Jazzhole, British Council, Miliki and sponsored by Air France, a leading international airline.

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APRIL 17, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

ARTS & REVIEW\\ISSUES

Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

Davido in his cash selfie

SELFIE-MANIA VERSUS ART APPRECIATION

S

Yinka Olatunbosun

elf-portrait photography otherwise known as “selfie” has become an unfailingly trend in popular culture especially with the intervention of the social media. Although the first known selfie was taken by an American pioneer in photography, Robert Cornelius in 1839, the present generation has combined this art form with a high level of hysteria, flooding the internet with self-shots taken at home with family and friends, at prestigious events, or with powerful celebrities and lately, at funerals. At the current rate, it seems everyone is a photographer, no thanks to the mobile devices.

Selfies have evolved through the ages.

When Kodak Brownie Box camera was launched in 1900, this art of self-portraiture became widespread. In the 70s, the affordable instant cameras added to the frenzy of self-portraiture. However, the word “selfie” was first used in an internet post credited to Karl Kruszelnicki. What must have also revolutionized selfie was the introduction of front-facing camera in mobile devices which made it convenient for the user to assess self before taking the shot. Initially, selfie was popular

among the young people, but recently, older ones have sought some delight in doing the trendy. Self-portraits are not just artistic; even astronauts have used this photographic technique in space. With the discovery of Instagram, selfies took a whole new dimension with a record of 53 million pictures with the hashtag #selfie.

While it is generally believed that selfies are essentially about self-flattery, some known self-portrait photographers have used the technique to make strong artistic statements. For instance, the Akwa Ibom self-portrait photographer, Genevieve Aken has provoked gender-related debates with her works while also arousing interest in the positive use of nudity and female sexuality in treating global concerns for women and girls. Unfortunately, little has been said about her work on the global sphere especially in the discourse of selfies. More attention has shifted to the culture of revenge and humiliation by parading nude selfies of former lovers on the social media platform. And with sex-symbols, selfies have been argued as being a tool for objectification of women.

Rather than being conceived as a powerful means of communication, most selfie takers appropriate it as a personal tool for vanity. After shopping for fashion accessories, selfies surge the internet with a silly

comment such as “me and my Gucci bag”.

Even in politics, world leaders had been caught on cameras taking group selfies.

Almost controversial were the selfies and wefies taken by United States President, Barrack Obama at the memorial service for the late South African leader and anti-apartheid activist, Nelson Mandela.

More persons have reportedly taken selfies while driving. A 2015 survey showed that 20% of young Britons have taken selfies while driving. Lives have also been lost while attempting to take selfies near sharks and whales.

Lately, at art exhibitions, the supposed art enthusiasts take selfies with their backs on the art pieces, the real reasons they are out for a show. At the cinemas, attention has shifted from the projector screen to the mobile device screens where selfies are being conceived and executed simultaneously with the film screenings.

In the theatre, more people throng into the auditorium when the performance is far gone not because they could not find a parking space in time at the venue but due to the time they have exhausted on the red carpet taking selfies which often complement small talks. Another trend that is quite disenchanting is that while a performance or screening is in progress, you’d just see a selfie stick emanate ahead

of you and heads are locked for a few moments of self-shots, obstructing the view of others including yours.

The argument here is that selfies can be made to enhance other art forms instead of killing them gradually. For instance, when a selfie is taking at a stage performance and the picture is tagged on any of the popular social media platform, it can be a good publicity strategy for the productions. Cast and crew of movie productions can give rival groups something to be envious of when they post their “groufies’’ on the social media. You can ignite the interests of others in monumental pieces by posing with them and uploading the pictures on your social media platform.

Have you considered taking a selfie with the background of the New Afrikan Shrine, the National Theatre, the Freedom Park, Terra Kulture, Bogobiri House, the sculptural pieces of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Late Gani Fawehinmi, Prof Ola Rotimi? Surely, there is a lot we can use selfies to articulate towards building a new audience for contemporary arts.

So, the next time you go to the cinema hall with or without the intention of using a selfie stick to obstruct the view of others, remember too that there are a lot of injurious things which that stick can do, even to you.

Thespian Family Theatre Celebrates Veterans Yinka Olatunbosun

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A cross section of guests at the event

ne of Nigeria’s foremost theatre production companies, Thespian Family Theatre and Productions, TFT, recently honoured veteran theatre practitioners for their unrelenting efforts at promoting theatre arts and entertainment in Nigeria.

Those honoured include Nigeria’s matriarch of theatre, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett; Poet, Odia Ofeimun; acclaimed theatre practitioner and Professor of Theatre Arts, Kwara State University and first African recipient of the prestigious Thalia Prize by the International Association of Theatre Critics, Professor Femi Osofisan.

Also honoured were former Artistic Director of the National Troupe, Professor Bayo Oduneye; culture activist and Chairman, Committee for Relevant Arts, Jahman Anikulapo; (CORA), Ben

Tomoloju, a veteran journalist, playwright and theatre director who directed Ayo Jaiyesimi’s ÌTÀN. The ceremony saw participants and other theatre lovers relishing Ayo Jaiyesimi’s ÌTÀN stage play which was a rich blend of cultural and contemporary drama, music and dance that captured the tension between different generations. The resounding message of ‘the oneness of man’ was excitingly projected and very well received by the audience at the shows that had earlier been staged at the Lagos Theatre Festival 2016 and then recently, at MUSON Centre, Onikan.

Speaking at the event, founder of Thespian Family Theatre and Productions, Ayo Jaiyesimi commended the veterans for the exemplary standards that they had set. She also applauded the cast and technical crew of ÌTÀN (the Story) stage play who dazzled theatre audience with the shows from February through March.

T H I S D AY SUNDAY APRIL 17, 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 • APRIL 17, 2016

CICERO

Editor Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com

IN THE ARENA

On the Pressure to Increase Value Added Tax The federal government should not be indiscriminate in the application of any increment in VAT to avoid bringing further misery on the vast majority of the population, writes Vincent Obia

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ttention in Nigeria at the moment is centred on the dwindling government revenues occasioned by the sharp fall in crude oil prices.Over the past months,there have been attempts to apply various fiscal strategies aimed at cushioning the effect of the fall in revenue.Practically,there is a great deal of pressure on government at all levels to increase taxes.Vice PresidentYemi Osinbajo said recently that the current five per centValue AddedTax rate in the country was very low,adding,“We are focused on increasing the taxpayer base in the first instance this year.”

Osinbajo was actually re-echoing the views expressed in January by managing director of the International Monetary Fund,Christine Lagarde,during her visit to Nigeria.Lagarde had said,“The current VAT rate is among the lowest in the world and well below the rates in other ECOWAS members—so some increase should be considered.”

Lagarde was right in her submission.Under EU law,the standard rate ofVAT in any EU state cannot be lower than 15 per cent.

In the United Kingdom for instance,the defaultVAT rate is the standard rate,which is 20 per cent since 2011.But it is also important to note that some goods and services are subject toVAT at a reduced rate of 5 per cent (such as domestic fuel) or 0 per cent (such as most food and children’s clothing),while others are exempt fromVAT or outside the system altogether.

Though,Minister of Budget and National Planning,Udoma Udo Udoma,said in January,while reporting on the outcome of the National Economic Council meeting,that there was no plan to increase neither theValue AddedTax nor the corporate tax.Udoma, who stated this at the National Assembly while giving an update on the 2016 budget,was obviously reacting to fears about the adverse effect of aVAT increment on the already impoverished masses following Lagarde’s suggestions.

It is not that Nigerians are averse to policies that would guarantee more revenue for the government,but they are concerned about the negative effects of such policies on their cost of living.

VAT is calculated at five per cent of the value of all taxable goods and services and it is one tax that is paid by everyone,irrespective of social class.

If the intention of government is to raise revenue to improve the welfare of the vast majority of Nigerians,a selective approach can be adopted to increaseVAT without causing economic harm to the masses.About 90 per cent of Nigerians would suffer greatly as a result of inflation,which is already approaching 13 per cent,ifVAT is increased on goods and services that most people consume.There are fears that the inflation rate may go up to 19 per cent or more ifVAT is indiscriminately imposed.

It could lead to spiral inflation and create more problems for the Central Bank of Nigeria in terms of discharging its core mandate of maintaining stability in the economy.Inflation is a plague that impoverishes people,particularly,those with static incomes.

An across-the-boardVAT increase would reduce consumption,as the people’s purchasing power is eroded by inflation.Manufacturers of consumer items will,in turn,reduce production because of dwindling demand.This would have repercussions for employment and national productivity.Anything that would drive inflation beyond the current rate is,certainly,not in the interest of the country.An acrossthe-boardVAT increase would,definitely,cause prices to spiral.

But the federal government can identify areas that will not directly affect the vast majority of the people for the application of anyVAT increment.VAT increase on luxury items consumed by affluent people would not hurt the majority of citizens.

Overseas air tickets and hotel accommodation are some of the areas government can earn moreVAT revenue from without causing hardship for the masses.To discourage frivolous foreign trips,for instance,experts have suggestedVAT of between 10 per cent and 15 per cent on foreign air tickets.On hotel accommodation,there are

ezeibe.aguwa@thisdaylive.com 08093842953 suggestions that any hotel above two-star should attract up to 10 per centVAT. But more importantly,the country needs favourable monetary policies to firm up its currency and increase government revenues without inflicting hardship on the people.The federal government needs to adopt deliberate policies aimed at ensuring that inflation does not rise beyond one digit and the cost of funds for the real sector does not go beyond five per cent,in order to expand productivity and create employment,experts have said.A strong naira is central in any effort to increase government revenue.This can,however, not be achieved under the current CBN currency auction system, whereby dollar is auctioned every week and sold to the highest bidder.

The highest bidders are in most cases not motivated by socially and economically responsible objectives.They may be people with slush funds who are willing to transfer it at any rate.But the manufacturers, who make useful contributions to the economy,would hardly win such currency bids,as they are likely to bid more conservatively.

This auction system,which ensures that a lot of naira is constantly chasing a few dollars,creates an appalling situation where the“CBN, which is supposed to defend the naira,is constantly defending the dollar,”according to economist Henry Boyo.

A strong currency would also be difficult to achieve under the current perpetual state of excess liquidity in the financial system, which compels the CBN to borrow money it does not need from the

banks – the mopping up refrain – at outrageous interest rates,thereby creating a disincentive for lending to the real sector.

The President Muhammadu Buhari government needs to change the market pattern in the supply of dollar and naira in order to stabilise the naira.

Boyo says,“To solve the problem of excess liquidity,we have to liberalise the quantity of the dollar that CBN captures by paying dollar certificates to the three tiers of government.Once you do this,you dry up the excess liquidity and cause the naira to firm up.”

Without correcting the financial disparities,whatever revenues government may realise fromVAT increase or other taxes would not have meaningful impact on the country.

Generally speaking,the shortfalls in tax revenues in the country are not so much a problem of rate as efficiency of collection.The immediate past Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy,Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,told a Federal Inland Revenue Stakeholders Engagement Forum in Lagos on May 16,2014 that a diagnostic study of the country’s tax administration by McKinsey & Company showed that 65 per cent of eligible corporate tax payers, especially from the non-oil sector,did not file returns to FIRS.This meant they did not pay tax.Plugging loopholes like this and correcting the disparities in the financial system would bring the government the much needed revenue without the further hardship that an indiscriminate increase inVAT is bound to cause for the masses.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Beyond the Meeting of Stakeholders on Herdsmen/Farmers Conflict

T

Dambazzau

he Ministry of Interior convened a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday in Abuja to try to find a lasting solution to the herdsmen/farmers conflict in the country, which has led to the deaths of hundreds of people over the years, with a curious escalation in recent times. Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd.), said at the inaugural meeting that the federal government was considering a definitive policy that will involve all stakeholders and security agents to tackle the lingering conflict between pastoralists and farmers.

Nigerians have seen too many inquests and reports on the clashes between itinerant herdsmen and host communities to be excited about the inauguration of another conference on the matter. Like Dambazzau observed during the stakeholders meeting, “There have been a number of committees and think-tank type investigations into the conflict in the past.” What remains is for the federal government to have the political will to do the right thing and avoid the senseless bloodletting and destructions occasioned by the avoidable conflict.

– Vincent Obia

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CICERO/INTERVIEW

Abubakar

Abubakar: State Governors Must Reduce Dependence on Federation Account to Survive Bauchi State Governor, Muhammed Abdulahi Abubakar, shares his experience in managing a state in an austere period with Tobi Soniyi, Godwin Omoigui and Adedayo Akinwale

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ould you tell us the state of things in Bauchi?

Bauchi State, I must say so far so good.

Management of human being is a tedious affair but despite the fact that we took over at a time when the economy is facing a lot of challenges, and coupled with the fact that we inherited quite a huge debt profile including salary arrears, gratuity arrears, etc., we have been able to keep the state afloat so far, and we have done this via a commitment to first and foremost block all loopholes for wastages, and then to try as much as possible to completely eradicate or to reduce to the barest minimum the scourge of corruption in the administration of the state. I must say so far so good.

We began by tackling the issue of outstanding salaries of workers. It was a kind of keg of gun-powder which was ready to explode at the slightest opportunity for the simple reason that Bauchi State is essen-

tially a civil service state, everything depends on the well-being of the civil servants. If you pay salary you will notice that the effect will permeate all over, the markets and everywhere, you will notice it. For that reason I thought it was very important to reflate the economy via the payment of outstanding salaries.

So, I initially started by paying one month less than two weeks after I took over, and then with the advent of the bail-out by the CBN, I was able to wipe out all the arrears. So this was the action we took which served to stabilise the polity in all respect, economically and socially.

How many months arrears did you inherit as a governor?

Four months How is the state coping with the shortfall in revenue accruing to the state given the fact that oil price has crashed?

We have being doing that, like I said, via concerted efforts to block loopholes. When we took over, there

were a lot of loopholes, a lot of wastages in running the affairs of government. So, we blocked all the loopholes. People may think that the immediate actions we took are superficial if they look at them in terms of naira and kobo, but if they look at them in terms of the effect, the kind of message they would send; I started by cutting my salary and that of the deputy governor by half and then I urged all the other office holders to cut their own by 30 per cent. It may not mean much in terms of naira and kobo, but it sent a message to everybody that it is not going to be business as usual. I then went on to cut the expenses of the Government House, the running of the Government House by half, 50 per cent. Other areas where you must spend necessarily - maintenance and sustenance of the security apparatus in the state. It is a sine qua non, you must do it, because everybody knows Bauchi State is one of the states of the North-east. We thank God that today we are the safest, the most peaceful of the North-

eastern states. This is like I said by the grace of Almighty God but also by the vigilance of the security agencies operating within the state, and this vigilance is engendered by the fact that the state government is assisting them regularly. Even in this area, we streamlined the expenditure, but the security apparatus is very happy, they are happy because what streamlining mean in our own case is that we have streamlined and we assist as at when due. Instead of the bogus amount that were being spent in the past and then we inherited about three months areas in respect of that. So, this is one of the ways we have succeeded in keeping the state afloat. It is not only the state government side that I have engendered this prudence in, all the local government areas also, because prior to December last year the local government areas were a bit buoyant, at least they received enough allocation to off-set their salaries and their pension, and then have little to take care of the running of government and may be do one

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CICERO/INTERVIEW • STATE GOVERNORS MUST REDUCE DEPENDENCE ON FEDERATION ACCOUNT TO SURVIVE • Continued from Pg. 86 or two things. So, even in the local government I have ensured that no kobo is spent until I know what they are going to do, how they will spend it. It is their money but I supervise very closely. But from December to date the local government areas have not been able to pay salary.

In December, I had to supplement the salary of the local government from the state coffers by close to 500 million. In January they came to me with a request for another 435 million, I told them that even if I have this money I am not going to pay.

Let us all put our heads together and address the distortion that are prevalent in the payroll. So, as a result of that I witheld the salaries of the teachers of the local government, SUBEB, I allowed for the salaries of other staff of local government to be paid, I set up three committees, one each for the senatorial district to do a verification and as they were doing the physical verification. I now introduced another aspect, now I said every worker in Bauchi State from February this year will not be paid cash, no worker should be paid cash, every worker must go to the bank and everybody must produce a BVN number. So in the process of complying, we initially discovered 7,000 fake workers, later on it grew to 19,000 between the local government and the state. At the end of the day we got a figure of 22,000. I am not saying all the 22,000 are ghost workers, but a very large percentage of that, probably between 70 and 80 per cent of that are fake workers.

I am giving the benefit of doubt because, for example, some breaches were discovered, if for example when I went to do my BVN which I did in Abuja, I had given my name as M.A Abubakar, now as far as Bauchi state is concerned from the time I became a governor, My name is Muhammed Abdulahi Abubakar, I am the one and the same person, but if you now take this thing to interswitch, they will reject it. I am giving the benefit of doubt for such kind of cases. For now, we have saved N1.7 billion between the state and the local government. So at most, this thing may reduce by another half a billion, let say 500 million, we would still have made the savings of N1.2 billion, so this is where we are.

You said the state is civil service in nature, what are your plans to diversify so that people can earn a living through other means apart from working for government?

Actually, from the time I was elected, even before I was sworn in, I had a determination to hit the ground running so to speak. What I did was, first, I dispatched a man to Lagos to go into internal Revenue Service of Lagos state, understudy their system and obtain whatever

Abubakar

documents they have in terms of the way they run their business because they are the most successful in Nigeria. I now sent the same man to Kano to understudy Kano, so they brought back everything from Lagos and Kano. I said okay, let’s sit down and study them, because our state is a total different ball game from Lagos and Kano, what may apply in Lagos may not apply in Bauchi, or what is applicable in Kano may not be applicable in Bauchi. So, I streamlined, I picked out all the areas that I thought will work in Bauchi, put them together in a bill, which I have tabled before the House of Assembly of the state. That is in respect of broadening the scope of my Internally Generated Revenue, IGR. Apart from that, I have drafted a Public Private Patnership (PPP) Bill tailored along the line of the PPP Act of the federal government, and this is with a view to attracting investors to come into Bauchi. Our plan is to use agriculture, solid minerals and tourism to broaden our internally generated revenue base. Agriculture, because 85 per cent or more of our people practice one form of agriculture or the other. So, you can use agriculture to both enhance the economy and deliver social services in terms of employment and empowerment to

your people. Solid minerals because we are endowed with a lot of solid minerals in Bauchi State and one of the cardinal principles of President Muhammadu Buhari is that he is going to encourage diversification into solid minerals, so we want to be ahead of the game because we have a lot of the mineral prevalent in Bauchi. Tourism, we are lucky to have the famous Yankari Game Reserve located in Bauchi State.

Luckily, in my formative years in the civil service of Bauchi State, I had a stint in Yankari Game Reserve, I was company’s secretary/legal adviser between 1984 and 1986, so I know Yankari, I know the potential of Yankari. If I am able to attract investors to add a little value to Yankari Game Reserve, for example, if we are able to build a standard Golf Course in Yankari game reserve, I am sure we will be in business. Because internationally there are people who are willing, particularly, if you can offer them attractions that the Yankari game reserve can offer, and then in addition to that you give them a standard 18 hole golf course, we will be in business definitely.

What is your advice to other state governors because the challenges are almost the same everywhere?

The advice is diversify, the advice is reduce your dependence on the federation revenue for the simple reason that the federation revenue is dwindling by the day. The mainstay of that revenue is oil, we know how oil is faring in the world market, let us not be deceived by the fact that it has picked up a bit. A very long time ago we should have realised that we should have used the revenue accruing from oil to now diversify our economy, we did not do that unfortunately. Now that the revenue in that sector is dwindling, we are suddenly waking up to that reality. Therefore, it is incumbent on every state government to broaden the internally generated revenue base of the state

The advice is diversify, the advice is reduce your dependence on the federation revenue for the simple reason that the federation revenue is dwindling by the day. The mainstay of that revenue is oil, we know how oil is faring in the world market, let us not be deceived by the fact that it has picked up a bit. A very long time ago we should have realised that we should have used the revenue accruing from oil to now diversify our economy, we did not do that unfortunately. Now that the revenue in that sector is dwindling, we are suddenly waking up to that reality.

Therefore, it is incumbent on every state government to broaden the internally generated revenue base of the state.

I have often observed that sometimes governors are working very hard but they don’t take time to explain to their followers, there is this gap that when you are working for them, they tend to do the opposite because they don’t understand, so, how do you make sure that the message goes down?

Initially, when we started to be honest with you we faltered in that respect. We were not reaching the people as much as we should have done.

But when I realised that, I had a crop of people whose loyalty was not 100 per cent, I needed to rejig that sector, I did it by appointing a seasoned journalist who rose to the rank of an executive director in NTA to appoint him as Special Adviser, Media and Communications, and the aim is for him to use his vast knowledge to now orgnise a team of young men who are vast in both traditional media and social media, and today we have a good team that is taking root and the communication with the people has improved a great deal. We are filling the gap, I am not satisfied, I am not saying we have attained the optimum level.

We have not, I am utilising every opportunity I have to improve on that, the part of communicating with the good people of Bauchi State and Nigerians generally on all the things we are doing in the state.

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CICERO/BUHARI’s TRIP TO CHINA

In Beijing, Buhari, Jinping Deepen Nigeria – China Relations President Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to China has been overshadowed by the debate on his decision to take loans from the Chinese. But, there are more to the trip than the loan, Kunle Aderinokun and Tobi Soniyi present experts views on the new bilateral relations between the two countries

T

he decision of the Federal Government to borrow $2 billion from China to finance the deficit in the 2016 budget has continued to generate controversies.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria , Mr. Femi Falana, last Sunday asked the federal government to recover $200 billion “criminally diverted” by a handful of local and foreign looters rather than borrowing $2 billion from China. Falana, who was speaking ahead of the President’s weeklong visit to China, urged government “to explore alternative sources of raising revenue to fund the 2016 budget instead of increasing the nation’s external debt.”

Many other critics favoured Falana’s suggestion. Others said that borrowing from China would result in the influx of Chinese into Nigeria to do the work that could be done by Nigerians.

However, the problem with Falana’s suggestion is the assumption that it’s easier to recover stolen money. The reality is that it is not. So the question will remains: where does the government get the money to fund the budget while trying to recover stolen loots?

As President Buhari has himself discovered lately, tracing and recovering stolen money is an extremely difficult task. Many of the international collaborators are unwilling to share information that could help in tracing stolen money.

The painful reality is that many of the western countries where stolen monies are kept, are merely paying lip service to the promise to help Nigeria recover monies stolen from the country and stashed in foreign lands. So the reality is that stolen monies are not easily recoverable and could therefore not serve as the alternative source of funds to finance the budget.

Notwithstanding, Falana’s suggestion that alternative sources of finance instead of borrowing be considered remains cogent. The painful reality is that there are not many such alternatives. While taxation, for instance, is good, taxing an already impoverished masses will further worsen their plight.

In opposing the plan by the Federal Government to take the loan, Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose is worried that it would add to an already burdensome debt being serviced by the country.

In a letter to the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, Fayose said: “The government of China should be mindful of the fact that Nigerians, irrespective of their political and religious affiliations are totally opposed to increment of the country’s debt burden, which is already being serviced with 25 per cent of the Federal Government annual budget.”

Apart from the fact that his claim “that Nigerians, irrespective of their political and religious affiliation are totally opposed to increment of the country’s debt burden, ” is un-verified , many are of the opinion that writing to the Chinese President is a reckless move he should not have contemplated.

That aside, the president’s trip to China isn’t about loan alone even though it is being overshadowed by the loan debate. There are views that the agreement to make Nigeria the clearing house for Yuan denominated transactions for the whole of Africa may help to strengthen the naira against the United States dollars.

The agreement, report says, will allow Nigerian traders and businesses, which import mainly from China to conclude their transactions in the Chinese currency, the Renminbi (Yuan), instead of the dollar.

The new agreement would see NigeriaChina trade, which account for over 70

President Muhammadu Buhari in a handshake with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Beijing...last week

percent of imports into Nigeria, concluded in Yuan.

Until now, over 90 percent of international trade between Nigeria and the world is done in dollars, and in the process putting so much pressure on the naira. Nigeria imports almost all it needs from the West, Middle East and Asia.

The CBN is expected to diversify a huge chunk of Nigeria’s foreign reserve from the dollar to the Yuan to perfect the agreement.

“It means that the renminbi (Yuan) is free to flow among different banks in Nigeria, and the renminbi has been included in the foreign exchange reserves of Nigeria,” Lin Songtian, director general of the African affairs department of China’s foreign ministry, told reporters in Beijing after the agreement was signed between the governors of the nations’ reserve banks in the presence of President Buhari and President Xi Jingping of China.

Lin said a framework on currency swaps had been agreed with Nigeria, making it easier to settle trade deals in Yuan.

In response to Buhari’s desire to make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production, the Chinese President offered 15 million U.S. dollars agricultural assistance to Nigeria for the establishment of 50 Agricultural Demonstration Farms across the country.

China and Nigeria also agreed to strengthen military and civil service exchanges as part of a larger capacity-building engagement.

In line with this, China offered to raise its scholarship awards to Nigerian students from about 100 to 700 annually.

In addition, 1,000 other Nigerians are to be given vocational and technical training by

China annually.

The Chinese leader assured Buhari that Nigeria would always have a special place in the affairs of the Peoples Republic of China.

After the talks, Buhari and Jinping witnessed the signing of several agreements and memorandums of understanding between Nigeria and China.

The agreements include a “Framework Agreement Between the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Development and Reform Commission of the Peoples Republic of China.”

Others were a “Memorandum of Understanding on Aviation Cooperation between the Ministry of Transportation (Aviation) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Ministry of Commerce of the Peoples Republic of China” and a “Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Government of the Peoples Republic of China on Scientific and Technological Cooperation”.

A “Mandate Letter Between the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and the Central Bank of Nigeria on Renminbi (RMB) Transactions was also signed.

Analysts have applauded the unprecedented deal, saying it would have even come earlier than now, especially given the feat that has been recorded by China in the area of development in Africa. They however contended that, it was not meant to spite the West, as being viewed in some quarters, specifically stating that, it is not a battle between the East and the West, notably, the United States of America.

According to Executive Director, Corporate Finance, BGL Capital Ltd, Femi Ademola, “If we consider what China has been able to achieve across Africa in terms of aiding African countries to develop infrastructure, it would appear that this deal with the Federal Government of Nigeria is a very good idea.”

Asking, “why did it take Nigeria this long before consummating such a deal?,” Ademola, however, recalled that, “we should also remember that President Obasanjo started something similar for the railway before it was cancelled by his successor.”

He allayed the fear that since “the deal is tied to service provision (infrastructure development) although controversial,” it prevents any possibility of misapplication/ misappropriation of the fund.

“So I think it is good deal so long as it is properly implemented. Ethiopia is a very good case study in what such a deal with the Chinese can achieve.”

Addressing the fear that the deal would raise a conflict with the West, Ademola noted: “While some analysts have been complaining about what is wrong with the deal especially when it comes to competition with other infrastructure providers, especially from the West, I believe that the Government consider any other interesting offer from other countries as long as Nigeria’s interests are protected.”

On the idea of keeping a larger portion of the country’s foreign reserves in Renminbi, the Chinese currency, Ademola argued that, “it is theoretically sound.”

–– Cont’d on Pg. 89

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • APRIL 17, 2016

CICERO/BUHARI’s TRIP TO CHINA • In BeIjIng, BuharI, jInpIng Deepen nIgerIa –ChIna relatIons • Continued from Page 88 “Since a significant portion of our imports are from China, it would be most appropriate for us to conduct these trades in Reminbi rather than the Dollar thus reducing the demand pressure on the Dollar. However, it would only be sustainable if we also earn income from exports in Yuan; otherwise the country will still need to source Yuan by exchanging with Dollars earned from imports.

“There is no doubt that the country exports some items to China, however, the level of Nigeria’s import from China dwarfs that exports leading to a kind of trade imbalance. It would be interesting to know how the country will continuously source Yuan outside of converting part of the Dollar earnings to the Renminbi.”

Similarly, in his own analysis, Managing Director of Global Analytics Derivatives, Tope Fasua, said: “I think it is a good idea,” but added that, “the publicity that is being given to it, rather exaggerates the deal and therefore plays into the political turf.”

According to him, “$6billion is not globally significant, so I wonder why it is being made to sound like Nigeria is about to put the dagger in the back of USA. I don’t know where that spin is coming from but it must cease immediately. If it is from the government, then it is most unfortunate. We can do our deals with China with much less noise. We cannot afford to be in the middle of any currency war.”

“That said, I also believe that the reliance on infrastructure spending as a way forward, is grossly overrated. Nigeria is better off developing a maintenance culture and maxing the value of what we have already, rather than incurring new loans from anywhere to add to the misery of unborn generations,” he however added.

For the Head, Macroeconomics and Fixed Income of FBNQuest Gregory Kronsten, he said, “We don’t know the terms of the deal.”

He was quick to add that, “any borrowing by the FGN externally at concessional rates from China or wherever reduces their tapping the naira bond market (at rates of 12% and above).

Aligning with others on the East-West War on the loan, Kronsten stated: “I don’t think it is a case of East vs West” as “the FGN is also talking to the World Bank and AfDB about project loans.”

On the holding of the reserves in Renminbi, Kronsten noted: “The CBN has held some reserves in Remimbi since the Sanusi governorship. Nigeria is an oil producer and can be expected to hold most of its reserves in US dollars.”

In the same vein, analysts at Eczellon Capital Ltd led by its chief executive officer, Diekola Onaolapo, posited that, “the US$6.0bn infrastructure loan agreement between Nigeria and China sounds interesting.” They however swiftly added that. “It is however difficult to conclude at the moment if the deal is positive for Nigeria or not. We can only conclude if the deal is good or not once we have information on the terms of the loans as regards the cost, tenor, etc.”

“Similarly, it cannot be said that the country has shifted its focus of borrowing from the West to the East on the back of this agreement.

The discussions on the Panda bonds are still in early stages and no concrete agreement has been reached. The Finance minister hinted just before her trip to China that the country (Nigeria) is currently “just shopping around for the best available deals” and nothing tangible has been agreed or signed. This implies that the country is still very open to the West and other parts of the world where it can get the most efficient means of financing the proposed US$11.0bn budget deficit,” they also pointed out.

The analysts concluded that the currency swap deal seems positive for Nigeria in two ways.

“First, it could provide some level of stability for the naira against the dollar, other things being equal. This stems from the fact that China constitutes the largest individual source of import into Nigeria. For instance, import from China in 2015 was c.N1.6 trillion which equals about 23.4% of Nigeria’s total import bill of N6.7 trillion.

“Secondly, the deal would make it easier for Nigerian authorities to easily access US dollars in the international market by selling its newly acquired Yuan, due to its (Yuan) status as a global reserve currency as announced by

President Buhari being welcomed by Mr. Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China as President Buhari attends Meeting with Mr. Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China at the Great Hall

President Buhari watches as Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State signs the guest register alongside other Governors shortly after the President’s visit to Guangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone in Guangzhou Province. With them are Governors Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State and Minister of Science and Tecnology Ogbonnaya Onu

President Buhari receiving a presentation from Director of Shanghai Free Trade Zone Mr Liu Fangzhou after a brief meeting with the management of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone in Shanghai China. Others with him are Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Governor Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State

the IMF.” Pointing out that, “the foregoing has the capacity to positively impact Nigeria’s dwindling foreign reserve position. The

significance of this would largely be hinged on the size of the swap deal which is not yet known, the analysts however added that, “similar Chinese swap deals in the past depict

that it is highly correlated with the volume of trade between China and the other country, and usually lasts for an initial period of three years.”

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • APRIL 17, 2016

CICERO/BUHARI’S TRIP TO CHINA

President Buhari and the Nigerian delegation at a meeting with Chinese officials led by Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing

A Marriage of Convenience: Its Foundation and Future

Bola A. Akinterinwa

exports crude oil, timber and cotton to China.

What is particularly noteworthy about Buhari’s visit to China is the new life given to the relationship. What former President Olusegun Obasanjo tried to build but which his resident Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) paid a 4-day State Visit to China to seek support for immediate successor did not sustain, Buhari appears to the development of infrastructure in Nigeria, have now seen more wisdom in it and is therefore deepening it. In doing so, to what extent could the new marriage of especially in the area of power, aviation, convenience last? Will the Chinese live up to expectations water supply, and housing sectors. During the visit, Buhari pledged to honour all agree- of the Nigerian people? What are the likely implications of the new rapprochement for the traditional allies of Nigeria? ments already signed by his predecessors in the power sector. He sought reduction in the Will the government of Nigeria be able to take advantage of the relationship by translating the potentialities to manifest trade imbalance in their relationship, which has generally been in China’s favour, with the ultimate objective of a mutu- destiny? And perhaps most questionably, many have suggested that wherever the Chinese go to settle, all the local ally benefiting win-win relationship, based on reciprocated industries necessarily fold up. Is this true? respect and trust. The President showed interest in honest Chinese investors who are ready to establish manufacturing and processing industries in Nigeria.

Foundational Dynamics And true, the visit provided a convenient platform Professor Alaba Ogunsanwo, former High Commissionfor both countries to agree on how to strengthen industrial er and Ambassador and a lead scholar on Sino-Nigerian capacity cooperation in the areas of manufacture of cars, relations, has noted that ‘China is clearly interested in the household appliances, construction materials, textiles, and peace and stability of African States as it is in only such an food processing. Buhari also promised to speedily complete environment that growth, development and prosperity the 4000 megawatts Mambilla Power Project in Nigeria can occur…’ He argued that ‘the Chinese do not come in as and directed that technical committees on joint projects redeemers or as the so-called experts, unlike their western be quickly established. Nigeria agreed to a Chinese loan counterparts. Instead, China sees Africa as a partner since of $6 billion, accessibility to which no future agreement or the country itself experienced poverty and underdevelopapproval will be required but which will simply require ment in the past.’ identification of projects. Nigeria also agreed to the use of Secondly, the mere fact that Chinese companies currently the Chinese currency as part of Nigeria’s foreign currency account for about 50% of construction work in the whole reserves. of Africa and particularly that, as at March 2014, China has It is within this context that the agreement done by replaced France as the 4th largest exporter of arms in the the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited and world, according to an official report released in Stockholm the Central of Bank of Nigeria on the Renminbi (Yuan) necessarily endears the Chinese to Nigerians as a people should be understood. As explained by Nigeria’s Minister to look out for. In August 2015, China surpassed the US to of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, Nigeria wanted to borrow the become Nigeria’s biggest trading partner. Put differently, cheapest possible money and therefore had considered the how did China make it? In 2010, when Nigeria’s traditional possibility of issuing Chinese Panda Bond in order to make arms suppliers, for reasons not clearly explained, were not up for the deficit in the 2016 budget. This is nothing more forthcoming in assisting Nigeria in stabilizing the Niger than an expression of a new marriage of convenience that Delta, the Chinese did not waste time in making available further consolidates the existing entente between the two for Nigerian procurement military hardware and ammunicountries. Also a British Broadcasting Corporation Service tion from China, as well as giving the needed training.

(BBC) carried out a survey in 2014 in which 85% of Nigerians Again, when the European countries took sanctions reportedly consider China’s influence in Nigeria and Africa against Nigeria under General Sani Abacha, China did not positively. Only 10% saw it negatively. This led the BBC to join the sanctioning countries. In fact, it was Sani Abacha conclude that Nigeria is the most pro-China nation in the that actually first took the steps in 1995 to draw China world. closer to Nigeria, following the execution of Ken Saro Besides, both countries had earlier on signed a USD Wiwa. The adversity of the sanctions imposed by the West 311 million agreement to develop cooperation in comcompelled Nigeria to look towards China for survival as an munications and space programs. In this regard, China alternative to the West. had helped to develop and launch the NICOMSAT-1 in Thirdly, Africa, Nigeria, in particular, is a terra cognita of 2007 in order to expand cellular and internet networks. raw materials not only taken advantage of by the former Both countries have signed agreements on protection of colonialists but in which the Chinese are also now interinvestments and have also set up a joint Economic and Trade ested but with a different approach. As far back as 1960, Commission. In 2002, an agreement was done on double China did recognize that Africa accounted for 99% of taxation. More than 30 fully-funded Chinese companies columbite in the world, 98% of diamond, 80.1% of cobalt, operate in Nigeria. The Chinese have been involved in the 47.7% of antinomy, 24.4%m of copper and 29.4%. And true rehabilitation of the Nigerian Railway, the Games Village of enough, the nuclear powers largely depend on Africa for Abuja Sports Complex, etc. While China exports to Nigeria the raw materials required for the manufacture of Weapons light industrial mechanical and electrical products, Nigeria of Mass Destruction, especially that the output of uranium

P

in Africa is more than the combined production in the US and Canada.

Fourthly, there is the commonality of policy attitude, such as the ‘One-China, two systems.’ The Chinese government vehemently opposed the existence of two Chinas, and therefore does not accept any national sovereignty for Taiwan. It accepts that capitalism in Taiwan and socialism in China can co-exist. Nigeria not only shared this position but also gave active support to China in several international fora.

Additionally, both countries are opposed to imperialism.

China does not want to behave like a typical superpower. As former Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping noted in his address to the UN General Assembly on April 10, 1974 ‘a superpower is an imperialist country which everywhere subjects other countries to its aggression, interference, control, subversion or plunder and strives for world hegemony… Socialist China will never (emphasis mine) change her colour and will always stand by the oppressed peoples and oppressed nations.’ Chairman Mao also made it clear that China would not sell arms and ammunition to other countries but would provide them free of charge whenever needed for antiimperialism purposes. As pointed out by Professor Ogunsanwo, China had fully built up, trained and equipped the Tanzanian People’s Defence Force without collecting one dollar in return.

Issues and Future

A new issue arising from the recent trip of Buhari to China is the extent to which Nigeria’s foreign reserve will continue to be fully dollarized. Nigeria reached an understanding with the Beijing authorities to have a part of Nigeria’s foreign reserves in Chinese currency, Yuan. This means that the Yuan will henceforth be part of the international currencies with which Nigeria can do business. By implication, the value of what Nigeria will have in dollars cannot but be reduced. Will this development affect negatively Nigeria’s relations with the United States, particularly in terms of reduction in development assistance?

True, US cannot be happy. It will be compelled to re-define its policy attitude towards Nigeria. However, no matter how discontented the US may be, the extent to which the US may want to frustrate Nigeria internationally cannot but be limited. Nigeria, for the US, remains a necessary ‘devil’ to relate with in the furtherance of democratic values in Africa.

Even though the US suspended for ten years in 2007 the transfer of the headquarters of its Africa Command, currently based in Stuttgart, Germany, in the hope that, sooner than later, the Nigerian environment would be propitious to host the military base, a closer and better understanding with China may inhibit the American agenda. Consequently, Sino-Nigerian rapprochement cannot but, day after day, raise new questions but Nigeria will continue to be a friend to all and enemy to none. Buhari’s visit to China is good and perfectly in Nigeria’s long term national interest.

As noted by Margaret Egbula and QI Zheng, in their new book, China and Nigeria: A South-South alliance, no bilateral China-Africa relationship is evolving faster or impact more people, than the one between China and Nigeria.’

–– Prof Akintenrinwa is former DG of NIIA

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • APRIL 17, 2016

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CICERO/REPORT

Chibok girls in the new video aired on CNN

For Chibok Girls, a Glimmer of Hope?

Until last week’s video showing 15 of the abducted school girls taken from their hostels two years ago in Chibok, North-eastern Nigeria, by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, hope of their return had faded. But there seems to be a ray of hope as the world is calling again for their safe return, writes Michael Olugbode

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ast Thursday was exactly two years since 276 students were abducted by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, from Government Secondary School, Chibok – a town in Borno State. Though some of the kidnapped girls later escaped from their abductors reducing the numbers still being held to 219, the hope for their safe return waned everyday in the past two years. No thanks to reports that some may have died from illness, various military operations targeted at terrorist camps in Sambisa Forest (where they are believed to have been kept) or in the process of being used as suicide bombers.

The video showing 15 of the 219 Chibok schoolgirls few days ago which is now viewed as a proof of life, has rekindled hope about the possibility of their being reunited with their loved ones and also renewed the global agitation for their release, a development that will further put pressure on the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to urgently secure their release.

But beyond this ray of hope are pertinent questions which the new video has also raised: Unlike the first video released after their abduction that showed a large number of the girls, why were only 15 chosen for the latest video? Does that suggest that the girls are scattered across various terrorist cells/camps to make their rescue by the military difficult?

Even though there are claims that the girls may have been scattered across various cells/camps by the terrorists, why has the military not been able to make any significant headway in tracing the girls in any of the various terrorist camps reportedly destroyed in the past two years? Are the girls shown in the new video still within Nigerian territory? The 15 girls shown in the video represented less than 15 per cent of the missing girls, does that not raise fears about the state of the other missing girls? Does the new video coming few months after the President declared that there was no credible intelligence on the missing girls, not raise questions about the nation’s intelligence network?

While these posers are still unanswered, there is a renewed call on the Nigerian government to do everything possible to ensure the safe return of the missing girls. Since the video was aired, there have been messages from around the world calling for the release of the girls. Former British Prime Minister and UN Special Envoy for Global Education, Mr. Gordon Brown,

in a statement sent exclusively to THISDAY, said “we have all done far too little to secure their release.”

Brown said two years after their abduction, “the exact whereabouts of the schoolgirls – most of whom are believed to be between the ages of 16 and 18 – remains unclear.”

Noting that the Chibok girls were still desperate but powerless after 730 days in captivity, he said the girls were still relying on a miracle for their release.

Brown said, “Two years on and still their parents wake up each morning not knowing whether their daughters are alive or dead, married or single or violated as slaves. They surely deserve more than a forlorn hope.”

The former UK Prime Minister said the treatment of the Chibok girls was among the worst of the horrors inflicted daily on children in conflict zones, and expressed the view that the United Nations Security Council could intervene and encourage Nigeria -with the support of the Americans, the French, the Chinese and the British – to undertake enhanced air surveillance and potential action on the ground to secure the sighting and release of the girls.

United States House Democratic Leader, Nancy Pelosi, at a news conference outside Capitol Hill to mark two years of the abduction of the Chibok girls said, “we must and we will bring back the girls,” adding, “they are not forgotten.”

Parents of the girls last Thursday at a prayer session marking the second anniversary of the abduction, pleaded with the federal government delegation led to Chibok by three ministers - Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed, Minister of State for National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, and her Works, Power and Housing counterpart, Hon Mustapha Baba Shehuri - that everything should be done to get their daughters released and reunited with their families.

The leader of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls’ parents, Mr Yakubu Nkeki, in a speech said the grief and sorrow of their missing daughters were still boldly written on their faces.

“We cannot fathom your definite location and the condition you are in right now. Are you alive or dead. Are you pregnant, put to bed or empty. Have you eaten the food of your choice or forced to eat something against your will. Have you taken your bath today. How do you take care of yourself during your menstrual flow?” Nkeki said in what sounded like a poetic rendition to the missing girls.

He lamented that nobody could answer some of the posers

except the abductors of their daughters, urging the government to step up efforts at freeing the girls.

Already, Senate has summoned the National Security Adviser and all the service chiefs to brief it at a closed session on their efforts so far to recover the abducted Chibok schoolgirls, while the House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to set a target for security agencies to rescue the girls. A protest was also staged by the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) movement on the heels of the new video and to commemorate two years of the abduction of the girls.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, had recently said the federal government could not put a time line as to when the missing girls will return and be reunited with their families and had called for patience on the part of Nigerians, assuring that everything needed to be done to rescue the girls were being done with the help from international community.

The new video is an indication that negotiations are ongoing.

There are reports that demands ranging from 1 million euros to $50 million had been made by different Boko Haram cells for the release of the girls in their respective camps.

President Buhari had declared in December 2015 that government could talk to Boko Haram if credible representatives emerged. Not long after, precisely in January, he said the government was launching a new investigation into the kidnapping, but little has emerged on their whereabouts since then.

In a message marking the two years of the abduction last week, Buhari assured parents and relations of the girls that he frequently reflected on the ordeal of their daughters in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists and shared the pains of their continued absence from home.

The President said as a parent and leader of the country, he understood the torment, frustration and anxiety of the parents and would not spare any effort to ensure the safe return of the girls.

The president said he continued to believe that with the total commitment of the Federal Government, Nigerian Armed Forces and security agencies, and the support of the international community, the girls would be eventually rescued.

The new video no doubt has further put pressure on his government, which rode to power on the back of the perceived poor handling of Nigerian affairs, including the abduction of the Chibok girls, by the President Goodluck Jonathan’s regime. That is the pressure that is needed to keep the hope of the parents and the missing girls alive.

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Fayose, Aluko and the Peace Deal That Went Awry Olakiitan Victor, in Ado Ekiti, writes on the sudden breakdown of the widely publicised reconciliation between the Ekiti State governor and his erstwhile political associate

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o the bewilderment of many, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and his estranged political godson, Dr. Tope Aluko, addressed a joint press conference on April 3 to announce the end of their faceoff. The disagreements, many believe, centre on political survival and clash of interests, which has shaken the state to its foundation in recent times.

When the peace treaty was signed between the two parties, it was expected that they will sheathe their swords and reconcile.

This did not happen. Rather than abate, the crisis has seemed to escalate on a daily basis.

Man Friday

Aluko, the troubled secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State, was a known political ally of the governor.

In fact, he unilaterally punctured the zoning and consensus arrangements mooted by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to select the governorship candidate prior to the June 21, 2014 poll, in defence of Fayose.

But suddenly, Aluko, who risked virtually everything, including his integrity, for Fayose to emerge the candidate of the PDP and win the governorship election, began to sing in a different tone.

The embattled PDP secretary had rattled the then proconsensus state chairman, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe, and reduced him to a nominal figure in the running of the party.

Aluko, according to insiders, compiled the list of delegates that voted at the primaries that gave Fayose the PDP governorship ticket. He feuded with the then Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd.), Prince Dayo Adeyeye, and 19 other aspirants, who were canvassing for consensus and zoning to the South senatorial district.

Several times, Aluko led a team of party supporters to frustrate attempts to push the consensus proposal before members by the state working committee. Practically speaking, Fayose was not in the picture of this arrangement and Aluko saved him from total embarrassment and paved the way for the governor to reignite his already eclipsed political career.

Spilling the Beans

But as things turned out, Aluko played those roles mainly to ride on the governor’s crest to stardom in the politics of the state. The agreement, according to Aluko, was that at the end of the process, he would be appointed the chief of staff to the governor. Knowing full well that Aluko might be a hard nut to crack, Fayose acted in a Machiavellian way and appointed Dipo Anisulowo instead.

Fayose then dangled another carrot before Aluko, promising to sponsor him to the House of Representatives during the 2015 general elections. But all that were mere political gimmicks to keep Aluko in the cooler.

Realising that his political life was fast waning into oblivion, Aluko became enraged and threatened to sever political ties with Fayose. When Fayose seemed unruffled by his unfriendly disposition, the PDP scribe threatened to spill the beans over some underhand practices that facilitated Fayose’s victory at the 2014 governorship poll. He eventually made good his threat.

Few days later, Aluko told journalists at a press conference in Abuja how they used the military to rig Dr Kayode Fayemi, then incumbent governor and Fayose’s opponent at the poll, out of office. It was a revelation that sent jitters down the spines of Fayose.

Insider

Since the revelations by Aluko, his relationship with Fayose has broken down.

Aluko did not stop there. He painted a gory picture of how the electoral chess game was played, thereby corroborating what an earlier whistle blower, Captain Sagir Koli, had alleged about how an electoral heist was planned and executed to get Fayose to power.

From the disclosures, it seemed quite clear that Aluko was an insider within Fayose’s political structure. He knew a lot and his statements on oath before Major General Adeyemi Oyebade’s military panel set up to try some officers over alleged involvement in electoral malfeasance confirmed that.

Aluko’s testimony at the military panel led to abrupt retirement of Major General Aliyu Momoh and some other high ranking officers. This fuelled suspicion in Fayose’s camp that reconciliation with Aluko could be a bait to further entrap the governor.

Fayose

Denial

Both Aluko and Fayose have denied ever initiating any peace deal. While Fayose’s camp believes the deal was proposed by Aluko, the latter has vehemently denied the allegation, saying it is part of a propaganda to destroy him politically.

Aluko said the parley was a script aimed at misinforming Nigerians. The former PDP scribe, who recanted his earlier stance that the storm was over, said, “One fact remains clear, there is nowhere that I, Temitope Aluko, refuted anything I have earlier said before Nigerians and the whole world about the manipulations that characterised the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.”

Expressing displeasure at the purported reconciliation meeting, he said, “I was shocked to see Governor Fayose walk into the meeting. At this point, I won’t want to bore you with the drama and faceoff that ensued between me and Governor Fayose during the meeting.

“It is, however, worthy of note that it was at this point that my wife barged into the meeting to inform me that she noticed the presence of pressmen downstairs and said ‘there is a problem’ but it was Fayose that interrupted her saying, ‘Madam, there is no problem.’”

Aluko added, “At that point, I became enraged and decided to leave the place but I notice Governor Fayose rushing after me downstairs in a Gestapo manner. My wife was already fidgeting and almost crying and suddenly I could not find her around me. I immediately realised that I needed to oblige to his (Fayose) instruction of facing the press because of the safety of my family.”

Aluko appealed to Nigerians to disregard the peace treaty because it was a tactical error on his part. According to him, “I will like to apologise to all Nigerians that, perhaps, accepting the invitation was a tactical error.

“However, I wouldn’t have accepted to attend the meeting in the first place if I had known that Ayo Fayose will be in attendance. I only chose to attend in order to honour the party leaders’ invitation. I will also like you to know that I am dealing with a master fraudster who is always full of mischief. You will all recollect how he announced the purported death of Hon. Afolabi Akanni; the purported arrest of four m members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly that later resurfaced; the invasion of Ekiti House of Assembly that never took place; the unfounded $1 million bribe offer by DSS and, recently, his announcement that I brought in policemen from Abuja to Ekiti State to unleash mayhem.”

Aluko

Moral Burden

In his reaction to the peace deal, Fayose’s special assistant on public communications, Mr. Lere Olayinka, called Aluko a man of unstable character. Olayinka said the meeting in Lagos between Fayose and Aluko, who had been on each other’s throats over the conduct of the June 2014 governorship polls, had vindicated his position that “Aluko can make a 360 degree turn around and return to the same Fayose he accused of rigging election, because he lacks integrity.”

Olayinka stated further, “Being the person that faced Aluko on television interviews where he told all the lies that he told against Governor Fayose and the people of Ekiti State, I am constrained to make my position known on this new development.

“I did say on Channels Television that given the right situation or after Aluko must have concluded his scamming of the APC and its gullible leaders, he will return to Governor Fayose and recant everything that he had said.

“Today, I have been vindicated because Aluko has done just that and I wonder how he will feel when he comes face to face with the people that he has destroyed. I wonder how he will feel when he comes face to face with those fine military officers that he went to Kaduna to lie against and made them to lose their jobs.

“I wonder how those who funded him will be feeling now, having failed to listen when I was consistently saying that they were being duped. I wonder how the Department of State Services (DSS) men who took Aluko’s lies and acted on them by invading the state House of Assembly will feel now that they have integrity problem because of what he (Aluko) made them to do.”

Perjury

Professing to be opposed to the alleged reconciliation between Fayose and Aluko, the state government described it as mere personal arrangement between them. The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Owoseeni Ajayi , said the state government would not withdraw the case of perjury it had instituted at an Ado Ekiti High Court against Aluko, in spite of his perceived rapprochement with Fayose.

The state government had instituted a case of perjury against Aluko shortly after his open confession that the election that brought Fayose into government was massively rigged, after serving as the principal witness at the election petition tribunal.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state (5th right) his Imo state counterpart Owelle Rochas Okorocha (4th left) as well as security chiefs and traditional rulers while addressing the press after a joint security council meeting of both states on kidnapping and other security challenges facing the two states at Government House, Umuahia Photo Ibeabuchi Abarikwu

When DSS Stirred a Hornet’s Nest

Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia writes that a gale of criticisms has continued to trail the statement issued by the Department of State Services (DSS) alleging that the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) murdered five Fulani herdsmen and buried them in shallow graves in Abia

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f the Department of State Services intended to throw a bomb shell when it announced that five Hausa-Fulani herdsmen were killed in Abia the effect was as explosive as expected. It attracted a rash of reactions and cast a cloud of gripping fear and anxiety over the area the DSS said it made the discovery of the “shallow graves” where they were buried. The palpable fear was made worse by paragraph nine of the 10-point official statement the DSS issued on April 9, 2016. “It is pertinent therefore to alert the general public that IPOB is gradually showing its true divisive colour and objectives, while steadily embarking on gruesome actions in a bid to ignite ethnic terrorism and mistrust amongst non-indigenes in the South-East region and other parts of the country”.

The import of the “discovery” made by the DSS and its allegation against IPOB was foreboding. There was palpable fear that it could ignite ethnic killings, especially in the North, which is usually tetchy in matters of such dimensions. Even the DSS acknowledged the implications of what it had discovered, noting that “tension is currently rife among communal stakeholders in the state with possibilities of spillover to other parts of the country”. Though the DSS said that “arrest and investigation conducted so far, revealed that elements within the IPOB, carried out this dastardly action” the separatist organisation disagreed vehemently.

The spokesmen of IPOB, Emma Nmezu and Clifford Iroanya, said the allegation by DSS was part of the smear campaign by the intelligence agency to dress the pro-Biafra group in a borrowed robe of terrorist organisation. IPOB said there was no doubt about the intention of the DSS as contained in its statement accusing the group of culpability in the killings.

“Again, it is clear for even toddlers to see the game plan here. A government with a predetermined agenda to cloak IPOB in the garment of violent organisation deliberately designed such a cheap propaganda in order to ignite ethnic cleansing. This very cheap blackmail by the DSS is idiotic and unintelligent,” IPOB said. The organisation argued that since it commenced its agitation it had not employed violence and could not have gone after five hapless herdsmen as such surreptitious cold blooded murder would not I any way atone for the lives of 218 IPOB members allegedly killed by security

agents during protests between November 2015 and February 2016. The separatist group noted that the DSS was already losing steam in its prosecution of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, due to the weakness of its terrorism charges against the pro-Biafra activist. According to IPOB, the DSS now faced with the dilemma of continued detention of Kanu has “rather resorted to concocting stories of abduction and killing and have subtly introduced terrorism with the hope that the label would stick on IPOB thereby prompting President Puhammadu Buhari to proclaim the group a violent and terrorist organization.

“It is not in our character to kill innocent lives in cold blood,” IPOB declared. It said that it would act secretly if it becomes necessary to take up arms to advance its cause, warning that “the day we will decide to go violent, the whole world will know, like we did in 1967”. It warned that “if we were to declare war, we will begin by killing at least 5,000 people, not just five”.

The linking of IPOB to the alleged killing was dealt a big blow after a joint security meeting involving the governments of Abia and Imo States. The controversy stoked by the official statement of DSS was still raging by Monday when the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, breezed into Government House Umuahia with his entourage. A joint security meeting ensued behind closed doors in the executive chamber of Abia Government House.

Security chiefs in both states were at the meeting, including the Commander of 14 Brigade Ohafia, Brigadier-General Lawrence Fejokwu, AIG in charge of Police Zone 9 Umuahia, Yerima Fyarah, police commissioners from the two states as well as state directors of DSS. The traditional institutions were also represented by the chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Eberechi Dick. After deliberations on the security situation in the two states and review of reports from security agencies, the governors concluded that the killing was the handiwork of criminal elements operating along the border of the two sister states.

“We condemn the spate of kidnappings here, especially in relation to the five Fulani herdsmen kidnapped and murdered by criminals,” Governor Ikpeazu said after the joint security meeting.

He said that the forest where the kidnappers use as their operational base would be destroyed by security agencies. Imo governor said that he had

agreed with his Abia counterpart on the need to strategize on how they could flush out the men of the underworld that had been terrorizing the people, adding that “our weak borders” would be tightened up. He emphasized that the killing of the herdsmen had no ethnic colouration because “it was not a direct attack on any ethnic group” but rather the consequences of the “criminal activity we’ve been battling”. The Imo governor said that aside from the corpses of the five herdsmen discovered in the shallow grave, two bodies of Igbo people were also in the grave.

Just like the attempt by the DSS to portray the killing as “ethnic terrorism” has stoked controversy, the exact geographical location of the area where the graves were found has also been faulted. According to the DSS, the bodies of five Hausa-Fulani people “were discovered in shallow grave at Umuanyi forest”. But the traditional ruler of the agrarian community in Isuikwuato local government of Abia State, Eze Uwadiegwu Ogbonnaya, has disputed the claim, saying that his community is five kilometers from the area on the Imo State side of the inter-state boundary. Given the stories that emanate every day from different parts of the country about the havoc being wreaked by marauding herdsmen, the royal father told THISDAY that his people “are very much worried” by the DSS mistake of linking the community with the killing of the herdsmen.

“We are worried that our community could be turned to another Agatu,” the royal father said.

He was alluding to the destruction wreaked on the Agatu community in Benue State by Fulani herdsmen. In fact, Eze Ogbonnaya revealed that the palpable fear in his community has equally caught up with their people in the Diaspora as according to him, sons and daughters of Umuanyi have been calling from overseas and expressing fear about the safety of the residents of the community.

Contrary to the DSS claim that following its discovery of bodies of herdsmen tension is currently rife among communal stakeholders in the state with possibilities of spillover to other parts of country, Abia is calm. The members of Hausa-Fulani community in the state are going about their normal businesses without any molestation. Though the Sarkin Fulani in Abia state, Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma was said to be away on a trip outside the state,

some of the northerners who spoke with our correspondent did not express any fear of attacks. Haliru Ibrahim, a shoe maker at the Isi Gate area of the capital city said that he had not seen or heard anything to make him fear for his safety. Another northerner, Musa Galadima, told THISDAY that he was not even aware of the news of the killing of his kinsmen, adding that he would not like people to do anything to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the state.

While condemning the alleged killing of the five herdsmen, many people have called to question the way the DSS generated uproar over its investigation and findings and even imputed ethnic motives behind the dastardly act. A civil rights activist, Mazi Chris Ugonna-Ike, said that the security agencies, especially the DSS “are giving us the impression that lives of certain people matter more than the lives of others”.

He said: I must state ab initio that I don’t condone shedding of innocent blood, no matter the colour or ethnic origin of victim, but one cannot but ask why the security agencies swoop into action if a herdsman is killed and do practically nothing when herdsmen kill other people. He pointed out that “Nigeria is awash with news about killings being perpetrated by herdsmen in many parts of the country and the nation’s security agencies have done nothing to end the atrocities and bring to book those shedding blood with impunity”.

It was gathered that the Hausa-Fulani community had reported the abduction of the five herdsmen to the police outpost at Uturu on March 31, 2016. They also reported to the Army and further dispatched a petition to the DSS headquarters at Abuja thereby prompting the immediate response of the security agencies. It was treated as special case as the security agencies in Abia State, including the state commands of DSS and the police, were kept out of the investigation.

Despite the uproar and attempts by some groups to sustain the ethnic motive of the killing as portrayed in the DSS statement, the governors of Abia and Imo have vowed to make sure that peace reigned in the two states. They have set up a joint security operation with plans to involve the governors of neighbouring states of Rivers and Enugu. “The time has come when criminals will not be allowed to launch attacks in Imo and run to Abia or vice versa,” Governor Ikpeazu said.

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Fear of Ethnic Crisis Grips Ondo Residents over Killing of OPC Leader by Herdsmen There is palpable fear of ethnic crisis in Ondo State following the killing of a member of Yoruba militia group, Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), by suspected Fulani herdsmen. James Sowole writes on how reprisal attacks were prevented by the government and other stakeholders

“M

r. Governor, we are not happy to be here today. What we wanted to do was to retaliate.

Our being here makes people to be looking at us as cowards.

We are not cowards but we were restrained by Chief Olu Falae, who even cried while begging us so that we will not revenge. If not you and Baba Falae, things would have gone worse. We had wanted to start from the Shasha settlement of the Hausa and by the time we begin, they will know that we are not cowards. Let me tell the whole world, the people that killed our colleague must be found and made to face the law. Our leader, Otunba Gani Adams had called our state coordinator to appeal to us. But we cannot allow this to continue”.

These were some of the words of Comrade Toyin Olaoye, the State Coordinator (Defence), Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Ondo State, at the meeting of the State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, with leaders and members of the Yoruba militia group in Akure on the killing of Ayodele Ige by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Ige, who was one of the OPC members hired by the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, was abducted and killed by herdsmen that invaded the elder statesman’s farm for resisting them from grazing on his principal’s farm.

The emotional opening statement of the OPC defence coordinator was buttressed by other leaders and members of the group, who spoke at the meeting on what they had experienced across the 18 local government areas of the state.

The governor, who could not hide his feeling about the situation appealed to the OPC members to remain calm in line with the directive of their leader, Gani Adams, who had spoken with him on the matter assuring them that the government would assist the family of the deceased that he later visited.

While describing the situation as disturbing, Mimiko said the time had come when Federal Government and various states’ government must work together and find a lasting solution to the menace which if not checked could escalate into full crises because what is happening in Ondo State was not different from the situation in other South West states.

In an interview with journalists after the departure of the OPC members, Mimiko opened up on the looming danger on the herdsmen/farmers- relationship in the country saying “Nigeria is heading towards the precipice if the trend is not checked”.

“There’s no question about the fact that this is becoming a monster of sort. I’ve had cause to express my views on this and I think we all ignore this menace as a nation, I can see us moving towards a precipice and we must do something about it, it’s getting dangerous, the audacity is very disturbing.

“Apart from the fact that this is a challenge to food security, I can tell you that there’s hardly any full scale farmers or business farmers in Ondo State that has not had one form of encounter with these herdsmen.

“When it comes to killing now, killing people over their own property, or land, it is a very big challenge, For me, I think the way out is for the Federal Government to collaborate with some states government in the North to set up big ranches with dams and other facilities, even schools for these herdsmen. If we don’t do this, it will get to a stage that people will defend themselves”, he said.

The governor, who said the matter should not be politicised in whatever manner, said all stakeholders must come together and decide on how to find a lasting solution to the menace that is threatening the peace of the nation.

“The current situation requires all the stakeholders from the President down the line and this is a bi partisan issue, all major stakeholders must come together on how to resolve this issue.

“These herdsmen must be called to order, these wanton destructions and audacious incursions in other people territory cannot continue for too long”, he said.

Mimiko said the proposed law for the establishment of grazing reserves in the country before the National

Mimiko

Assembly rather than solving the current problem, would only aggravate it.

“For me, I see the proposed grazing reserves law aggravating the problem, though I’ve not read the law but I don’t see how that law can find comfort with the people.

“Land Use Act is there , the control of land is vested in the governor of the state, I cannot see any federal law that will compulsorily acquire any land from any state government, in my state for example, it cannot work.

“The owners of these cattle, according to the information in my disposal are well to do people, they are elites and if cattle rearing is commercial venture, why should they not contribute in collaboration with state government or Private Public Partnership or whatsoever to set up ranches, so that if you want to graze on such ranches, you pay a fee, after all they don’t sell these cattle for free.

It is a commercial issue.

“They should step up these ranches. Any law on grazing reserves will not find comfort in the constitution”, he said.

The governor noted that the menace of herdsmen was a threat to the general call for diversification of Nigeria’s economy because it would be counter-productive if one spends so much on the venture and only for somebody to lead cattle to such farm and destroy it.

The governor said the activities of herdsmen had turned many farmers in the state to perpetual debtors saying “there is hardly any medium scale or large scale farmers that has not had any encounter or the other with the herdsmen.

“I think if we don’t do anything about the activities of these herdsmen, I can see a threat to the security of this country so it’s a major challenge and I think the President and all major stakeholders should take this as a very serious challenge”, he said.

The fear of many seem to have been confirmed four days after the OPC meeting with the governor as a Fulani herdsman identified as Dan Bako was feared killed at Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The incident was disclosed by the head of Fulani herdsmen in the State, Alhaji Alli Dongo , the Chairman of Hausa Community in Akure Kingdom and head Arewa Community in the state, Babangida Sodiq Kusada, in an interview with journalists in Akure.

The duo of Hausa/Fulani leaders said Bako was declared missing after all efforts to trace him proved abortive.

Dongo, who spoke through an interpreter, alleged the commencement of reprisal attack from the OPC members, adding that the allegedly killed man had been living in Ilara-Mokin for the past seven years and was already preparing to relocate to his state when the incident happened.

According to Dongo, the missing man was sent by his colleagues to buy food for them at Igbaro-Oke, the headquarters of Ifedore council area.

Dongo said a search party was organised to look for the missing man, who left with his motorcycle.

“Bako motorcycle was seen beside a bush along the road. His herds were also seen in the bush without him. They did not see him or his remains. Four people including his family members have been arrested over the incident.

While stating that the herdsman was killed because his cows destroyed someone’s farm in the town, Dongo appealed to people who have their farm products destroyed by herdsmen to report to the head of Hausa or Fulani community instead of taking laws into their hands. He said they crave for peace among the residents of the state.

A security source told reporters that a detachment of policemen had been deployed to the community in order to prevent breakdown of law and order.

Sequel to the rising tension and the difficulty in identifying herdsmen that are causing various problems in the course of grazing of their animals, the Police in Ondo State had directed heads of various herdsmen to open register and produce valid identity cards for their men.

The Commissioner of Police for the state command,

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Re: Between Kalu and Bourdex, Beyond Wabara’s Warped Logic Amara Umunna

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read with a mixture of pity and derision Ebere Wabara’s think piece titled “Between Kalu and Bourdex’’, in the Sun newspaper issue of April 7, 2016.

From the strenuous effort Ebere put into the vain attempt at analysing the proceedings and outcome of the recent re-run election in Abia North Senatorial district, it was obvious he was under intense pressure to do his master’s dirty job.

At the end of the day, in Wabara’s attempt to compare Kalu and Bourdex, his application of verbal aerosol on his principal, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, succeeded in adding further sepsis on his principal’s odious reputation. Wabara forgot the public relations’ maxim that scandal improves by refutation. Rather he insisted on revisiting the carnival of electoral corruption that was organised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) during the better forgotten re-run poll of March 5, 2016.

On both issues of the personalities of Kalu and Bourdex and the conduct of the Abia North Senatorial re-run election, Wabara displayed thorough ignorance and thus took to hominem and bombast. Consequently, I did not, like Wabara, dismiss the inanities or wait to be prompted by my principal, before setting out to confront the cocktail of shibboleths with material facts. At least the potential for lies to adorn the white garment of truth, if not refuted, is well known. We shall presently proceed to tackle Wabara’s gobbledygook on those two subheads: Abia North re-run poll.

Wabara talked about “intemperate and scurrilous language on the eminent personage of Dr. Kalu”, stressing that “instead of addressing electioneering issues pertaining to the re-run poll, this hate campaign organization made Dr. Kalu the butt of its vicious canvass for votes…”

Perhaps, Wabara did not want to inform his readers that the Bourdex campaign organization was using every available communication tool to call public attention to the devious antics adopted by the PPA candidate, who from all intents and purposes purposed to triumph through cheating.

Precisely, prior to the referenced AIT programme that Wabara tried to dismiss, Chief (Dr.) David Onuoha-Bourdex MFR, OON; as a refined gentleman, wrote Kalu a letter, complaining against his (Kalu’s) predilection to sharp practices. Dated February 5, 2016; with the title: “Unethical Campaign Methods/Practices-Need To Exercise Caution and Decorum”, Bourdex itemised the many instances of Kalu’s attempt to confuse voters in Abia North Senatorial district, majority of whom show preferential support for APGA and Dr. Onuoha-Bourdex.

Wabara could not claim ignorance of that letter because it was widely reported in national newspapers and online media platforms. But if his antiquated ideas do not include the ability

to use the modern tool of google, here are excerpts: “My dear brother, Orji Uzor Kalu; I feel constrained to write you this letter after noticing a series of unethical conducts from your campaign organization.

“Not long ago, a malicious rumour was engineered and spread through news outlets owned by you to the effect that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has disqualified APGA from the re-run election ordered by the Appeal Court.

“As if that was not enough, your campaign staff went to town announcing to our people that all candidates, including my humble self, have stepped down for you. I do not know whether you sanctioned these pernicious rumours, but since you have not done anything to discourage them, I wish to bring them to your attention.

“And as if the only effective strategy open to your campaign organization was subterfuge and public deception, campaign posters with your picture and party symbol and the APGA logo superimposed on them, were posted on various public places around the senatorial district.

“Now, your Excellency, I do not expect that after spending eight years in office as governor of this God’s Own State, you should allow your aides to descend so low in adopting such desperate tactics for a mere senatorial seat. I have therefore decided to point out these anomalous developments that could cause confusion, undermine transparency or precipitate crisis in the senatorial zone; so that at least, you could rein in your supporters and ensure that you show them good examples through honesty and integrity.”

What Wabara and his principal fail to publicly acknowledge is that evidence abound in Abia North Senatorial district that Dr. Onuoha-Bourdex was the candidate to beat in the re-run. This fact propelled them to employ devious methods to deny him and APGA of victory a second time.

Most importantly, Dr. Bourdex informed Kalu that “the era of winning elections by hook or crook is gone.” “We have to remember also that these young ones are watching us and do only those things that would encourage them to toe the path of moral rectitude, honesty and good conscience,” Bourdex reminded Kalu.

Despite those warnings, Kalu and his supporters continued in their dubious tactics, leading to the ultimate rigging contest between PDP and PPA during the re-run. These instances are very evident: For instance there was no voting in Ndi Elu and Ndi Agbor Nkporo where PDP claimed to have won close to 13, 000 votes. The results were written outside of the polling units. Of course, those results were initially rejected by the INEC E collation and ward collation officers who were later overruled by the INEC commissioner who was determined to deliver his PDP candidate.

The LGA collation officer was compelled and or induced to accept them at Ohafia. Both PPA and PDP did not win the election. A greater

Kalu

percentage of their results were just written.

In a moment of contrition Senator Mao Ohuabunwa told journalists about his reservations on the use of academics as ad hoc staff in the conduct of elections. Perhaps he was talking out of experience but he reportedly explained how the dons have turned elections to a sort of stock exchange. Again, Wabara should google ‘Ohuabunwa on INEC use of academics in elections’, to see we did not make up things.

The Form EC 8B (1) for UMU-IMENYI where PPA scored 748 votes and the Form EC8C (1) the LGA collation for where those scores were changed to 5497 votes by Prof. O.B. Emerole who signed the document are public documents with INEC which can be verified.

In his belated attempt to sanitize his principal, Wabara veered off into intellectual masturbation by claiming that desperation could be equated to passion. What a pity! The desperation, which the Bourdex Campaign Organisation attributed to Kalu was that of panic that overshadows reason. It was obvious from the manic methods he adopted, that Kalu wanted the senate seat inordinately for other ends. The criminal investigations trailing his exit from Abia State Government House could be one of them. Perhaps when youths in Bende rejected his few bags of rice, it was Kalu’s passion to win the election. Good a thing, Bourdex had pre-informed Kalu that “the era of winning elections by hook or crook is gone”.

And by describing the Abia North Senatorial seat as an “icing on the cake for Kalu’s superlative credential”, Wabara unwittingly reminded readers of his principal’s many deficiencies.

On personal accomplishments, Bourdex’s antecedents are well known as a real entrepreneur, especially his innovative exploits in bringing telecommunication revolution to

the South-east and South-south, notably the former Eastern Region. For his developmental strides and patriotism, Bourdex was on two occasions decorated with national honours namely, Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) and Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

At a time the federal government had to renounce that it ever conferred the MON he was parading on Kalu. In his disingenuous inclination at counterfeiting, we suddenly started hearing of a new version of MON: Madu Oha N’ile. Again, contrary to Wabara’s ill-fitting epithets to eulogize Kalu’s perceived wealth, it is well known that whatever billions he claims to own came by way of access to politics and governance of Abia State. All that was known about Kalu before 1999 was of a school dropout doing petty buying and selling as well as acting as proxy to public officers.

In contrast, the billions Bourdex owns are the proceeds from hard work, genuine enterprise and from private and prudent investment. Bourdex has never been in government or done government contracts.

He believes that public service should be a means of giving back to the society not for personal aggrandizements or ego boost. That explains why he did not resort to rigging to serve the people. What is more, Bourdex is not being hunted by any anti-graft agency for any missing billions from government coffers. Can Wabara say same of Kalu?

One question that Wabara should join Kalu to answer is why someone who ruled a state for eight years would be eager to represent a third of the same state as a senator if not for ego and to re-launch oneself politically. Politics, being the only avenue for self expression and source of living for the one!

Unfortunately, as Kalu awaits another re-run by “God-fearing officials from INEC”, Nigerians, particularly the good people of Abia State, are also eagerly waiting to see what the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), would throw at him in the dock from May 16, 2016 when his trial for N5.6bn alleged fraud case begins. And in a kind of poetic irony, EFCC would be varying the charges against him from 107 to 112, a similar way votes in the Abia North re-run were randomly appropriated by PDP and PPA, the Siamese twins of political and electoral corruption in Nigeria and Abia State.

For us in the Bourdex Campaign Organisation, we maintain that there should be an end to litigation. We have made our point and the people of Abia North Senatorial District know full well that Onuoha-Bourdex won the election fair and square; having polled the largest number of valid votes sans padding, on March 5, 2016.

Those who insist on taking the people’s mandate by heist should remain in the mud (apologies to Fashola) and suffer from seared conscience in their eternal guilt!

–– Umunna is media aide to Chief David Onuoha-Bourdex

• Fear oF ethnic crisis Grips ondo residents over KillinG oF opc leader by herdsmen • Continued from Page 94 Mrs Hilda Harrison, gave the directive in his opening remark at a stakeholders’ meeting involving various farmers groups, leaders of the various groups in cattle business, Hausa/Fulani leaders and community leaders.

Harrison directed that the register must contain names of all herds’ camps in a particular community and their owners and also the identity of those leading cattle to grazing.

The commissioner also directed that the camp leaders must first report to heads of communities before entering into any community.

She said leaders of herdsmen would be held responsible for the activities of their men and ordered that people should organise themselves into identifiable groups stating that leaders of the groups

would henceforth be held responsible for activities of their men.

The commissioner said with the register, activities of everybody in a particular community could easily be monitored.

While various farmers’ groups revealed various forms of destruction occasioned by grazing on their farmlands, they also stated that most of the problems were caused by underage rearers, who do not know the implication of what they are doing.

Some of the farmers said these underage rearers usually leave the herds to go astray while they too go about looking for fruits.

One of the Hausa spokespersons, Mallam Baba Umar said those Fulani herdsmen causing problems were not from Nigeria but from Chad, Niger and

other West African countries.

While noting that there are increasing cattle in the South in recent time, Umar said the trend was caused by long dry season and because the grazing lands in the Northern states had been encroached upon.

He also alleged that the alleged devastation were caused by the fact that farmers had planted on cow routes.

Speaking on the frequent crisis between the Fulani cattle rearers and farmers in the state, Chairman of Ondo State Farmers Association, Mr Akin Olotu, decried the rate of destruction of farmlands by herds adding that herdsmen always threatened to kill them whenever they tried to resist grazing on their farms Olotu noted that the activities of the herdsmen had become a serious threat to

the security of the nation saying farmers in the state had called the attention of the State and Federal Government to the hydra headed problems of herdsmen who he alleged of rape, robbery, kidnapping and setting of farms on fire.

However, the Chairman of Miyyati Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Bello Garuba, denied the allegation against his men saying those perpetrating the acts were not from the state. He said herdsmen in the state were peace loving and would not destroy the existing peace in the state.

Garuba said the herdsmen had suffered the same causality like the farmers alleging that there had been cases of farmers shooting their cows which they care for like children and said many of their animals had been killed in the process.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • APRIL 17, 2016

EXCELLING IN A MAN’S WORLD Olabisi Kolawole: With Gender-sensitive Officers Now at the Helm, Women Can Attain Any Height in Police The police have traditionally been regarded as men’s profession. In the Nigeria Police, no woman had held the post of national spokesman since the unification of the various municipal and regional police organisations to form the national police in the 1960s, until August 28 last year. That was when Olabisi Kolawole was appointed Force Public Relations Officer by Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase. How does it feel to be Nigeria’s first female FPRO, to manage the imageofanorganisation dominated by men? Yemi Akinsuyi, in thisreport, bringsfocustotheexperiencesofKolawole

F

orce Public Relations Officer Olabisi Alofe-Kolawole enjoys helping vulnerable members of society. In her younger days she worked with groups dedicated to defending the defenceless, a field traditionally believed to be men’s forte. She transformed her hobby into a profession, when she enlisted in the Nigeria Police.

“I guess I didn’t think of gender when I was applying for the job,” she says, “but I know that when I was younger I liked to assist people and most especially the vulnerable people in the society. I will always volunteer and make myself available and ready to join any group that was set to go out to render help to other people, be it in the church or any community I found myself.

“So when the form for enlistment into the police came out, and knowing that I had all the requirements, I went in for it with the mind-set of having the opportunity to support people as a police officer.”

Kolawole says. “After joining the police, I realised that gender is never an issue even from our training at the police academy to the work we do in the field. Female officers have been doing the same work, just like our male counterparts.”

Gender may not be a big issue in the Nigeria Police, but the chief internal security organisation did not have a female spokesperson since its inception about 50 years ago, until the coming of Kolawole on August 28 last year.

She took over from Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, who was redeployed to Kogi State as Commissioner of Police.

As if everlastingly destined for a perfect union of passion and profession, Kolawole’s caring passions came to light when on October 13, 2014 she was appointed Force Gender Adviser by then acting IGP Suleiman Abba to head the reconstituted Force Gender Unit. Her job was to, among others, try to stem the tide of violence against women and girls in the country and consolidate the gains made by the Nigeria Police in that regard.

The Force Gender Unit was also tasked with ensuring the implementation of a robust capacity building plan for officers in gender-related issues; inclusion of gender training in Nigeria Police curriculum at all levels; establishment of gender desks in police formations nationwide; and enhancement of the existing collaboration with other Kolawole stakeholders in the area of gender equality.

When the public notice that the police have changed, As FPRO, Kolawole, an Assistant Commissioner of gradually, they will start to change their attitude towards Police, says her greatest goal is to change the negative the police.” image of the police and remain committed to profesAccording to her, “Fortunately, this is what the police sionalism. regime under the leadership of IGP Solomon Arase is She says, “Our duty as police officers revolves around advocating. He has put a lot of mechanisms in place the perceptions that the public have of the police. My to change the narrative of the police from one that has greatest goal is to change that negative perception to a been seen as unfriendly for a period of time to one that positive one, and how do we do this? is friendly, that will carry out their duties professionally, “We need to change our attitudes as police officers and that has respect for the public and the rule of law. and try to drive in our opinions through persuasion.

“The feedback we are receiving from the public indicates that they are noticing dramatic change in the attitude of our police.”

Kolawole has a word of advice for women desiring to excel in the Nigeria Police.

“My advice is that they should be focused, they should be dedicated officers and professional in carrying out their assignments,” she says, adding, “one good news for them is that now we have officers at the helm of affairs that are gender sensitive, omen are gradually being recognised. Therefore, with hard work and prayers they can reach anywhere they want.”

Kolawole studied Law at the Ogun State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree (LL.B) in 2000. She attended the Nigeria Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002. She also has a Master’s degree in Police Leadership and Management (PLM) from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom.

The FPRO had held several positions in the Nigeria Police, including legal adviser, administration officer, and intelligence officer. At the international level, she served in the United Nations missions in East-Timor (2000), Kosovo (2004), Liberia (2006), and the UN headquarters

At the end of my tenure, I would like to be remembered as an officer who did her work professionally, who had respect for human rights and the rule of law, and who related with everyone she came across with humility.

in New York (2007).

She is a member of the pool of investigators assisting the office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague in the investigations of sexual and gender-based violence as international crimes.

Kolawole has attended several professional police courses within and outside Nigeria. They include Standing Police Capacity Training at the National Police Institute, Bramshil, London, in 2007; Counter Terrorism Studies at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom, in 2008; POC/Sexual and Gender Based Violence Course at COESPU in Vicenza, Italy, in 2013; and investigating cases of sexual and gender-based violence as international crimes at the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Centre, Doha, Qatar, in 2013.

Others are the Protection of Civilian Train of Trainers course, National Defence College, Abuja, 2014; Policy, Strategy and Leadership Course, National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Jos 2014; Tactical Leadership and Command Course (TLCC), Police Staff College, Jos, 2014; and Public Relations Course, Public Service Institute, Abuja, 2015.

Kolawole belongs to several professional organisations, including the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), International Association of Women Police (IAWP), International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and United Nations Women Police Network.

She says, “At the end of my tenure, I would like to be remembered as an officer who did her work professionally, who had respect for human rights and the rule of law, and who related with everyone she came across with humility.”

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APRIL 17, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

PERSPECTIVE Rethinking Heroism and Nigerian Civil Service Festus Adedayo

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narguably, the dominant perspective about heroism in Nigeria today is that of a land where that species is endangered. Aside the political exploits of the Obafemi Awolowos, Nnamdi Azikiwes, Ahmadu Bellos, on the economic spheres, the Da Rochas, Aminu Dantatas, Louis Phillip Odumegwu Ojukwu; public service, the Babatunde Ajoses; literature, Amos Tutuolas, Chinua Achebes; education, Adekunle Ajasins, Chike Obis; the musical turf, the Hubert Ogundes, Dan Maraya of Jos, Rex Lawsons etc., whose unifying thread of heroism in their works was patriotism and excellence, the pantheon of that class and creed is becoming an anachronism in Nigeria today. This has been attributed basically to the maximal character and texture of capital in the Nigerian society, the abandonment of societal values of communalism for individualism, leading to survival-of-the-fittest and its subsequent derivative of elimination-of-the-weakest and ultimately, an erosion of values. The latter was effectively prosecuted by a combine of successive governments and the abetment of that vice by even the governed themselves.

At an analytic level, if you could find ten of that rare breed of nature’s creation per thousand of surveyed Nigerians in the 1960’s, even up to the 1970’s, you could barely encounter one per thousand of that same sum in the Nigeria of today. Indeed, it is running against the mill to be heroic in Nigeria of today. While basic components of living were relatively easy to access in the former times, securing them is war today. Jealous and seeking to curtail rivals in its vicinity, heroism does not approve of friendship with Nigerians’ current maximalist search for capital. In other words, it is almost impossible that heroes could be found in the same trenches where people are pursuing wealth and survival.

Some people have posited that it was easy to discover heroes in the 60’s and 70’s Nigeria because the environment was conducive to heroism. Broken into basics, they said that the Awolowos, the Azikiwes, Bellos could pursue societal good because their personal and individual good was a given. It is more complex for emerging youth and children of today. The environment is hostile to heroism and indeed, like the cobra whose offspring murder it at procreation, as the Yoruba saying goes, any attempt to be a hero in Nigeria today is smothered at infancy by an environment where heroes are almost treated like pariahs.

So when Tunji Olaopa, holder of a doctorate in public administration, consummate civil servant and prolific writer, posits that there are heroes in Nigeria and seeks to intellectualize their process of heroism, his proffer cannot but be likened to a Copernican theory in geography, and an against-method of Paul Karl Feyerabend, an Austrian-born philosopher, which are basically revolutionary. Olaopa had, in a previous engagement, in a book he authored on a renowned scholar kinsman of his, confirmed the theory of the dearth of heroes in the land.

Ojetunde Aboyade, close companion of and a fellow “ecumenical spirit” of Professor Wole Soyinka, former

The Civil Service is especially a sine qua non for national integration in a country like Nigeria racked by pangs of post-colonial ethnic, religious and cultural agitations for identity, a sense of belonging and social inclusiveness.

Indeed, the Civil Service stands at the critical nexus between grand infrastructural and service delivery efficiency and effectiveness and the transethnic and trans-religious loyalty which is necessary to promote and sustain the civic bond of unity that will truly transform Nigeria into a nation

are placed in the same force-field, as heroes. Politics is not thereby downgraded or degraded but visualized, in context, as one of the theatres in which leadership may manifest within a contingent network of outstanding performers.”

Ofeimun thereafter went into a characterization or profiling of the Olaopa heroes and how they passed through the acid test of his search. He said the book is “a commingling of legendary entrepreneurs like Dantata, da Rocha, Ojukwu the elder, Dangote, Omolayole and an Onosode with maverick social consciences and educationist like atheistic Tai Solarin and lawyer-activist, human rights crusader Gani Fawehinmi, Pentecostal pastors like Enoch Adejare Adeboye, and Oyedepo, all in the same feast of herohood with Bishop Hassan Mathew Kukah, a catholic priest pursuing an ecumenical programme of dialogue between diverse creeds, on the same counterpane with Wande Abimbola, a virtual Babalawo, who is toasted for removing the libel and rudeness of the bad sciences that once consigned traditional religion, and specifically Yoruba Ifa divination system, to a zone of fetish, if not barbarism. By the same token, we are enabled to deepen acquaintance with great minds like Professor B.J. Dudley, one of Africa’s most rigorous political scientists; and Professor Ayodele Awojobi, a professor of mechanical engineering with specialization in vibrations, an inventor, social critic and futuristic thinker; and the savvy economist, Pius Okigbo; the mathmatician, politician and folk hero, Chike Obi; and scholar and gender activist, Bolanle Awe, writers and artists Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe, D. O. Fagunwa, Hubert Ogunde and the much younger Chimamanda Olaopa Adichie - all of whose achievements may be consensually upheld as building blocks for the ultimate national Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife, now Obafemi edifice. Among physicians, Adeoye Lambo, Oritshejolomi Awolowo University, former lecturer at the University Thomas, Umaru Shehu and Oladipo Akinkugbe are duly of Ibadan, and a multiple-tested economic adviser to celebrated as are the great denizens of the Ibadan School successive Federal Governments in the 70’s into the 90s, of History for incomparable practice and research.” was Olaopa’s subject in the biography. In the biography However, Ofeimun wondered why, in spite of the long of the late professor entitled A Prophet is with Honour heroic clientele that Olaopa gathered, the assemblage - The Life and times of Ojetunji Aboyade, Olaopa had which he ascribed to the author’s “admirable gumption literally acknowledged that heroes, who belong to a rare in letting objectivity and balance be his measurement and special class, are unusual to come by. His position through which he hewed out their outstanding display was corroborated by the renowned professor of political of honour and uncommon pedigree and elan”, Nigeria is science, Claude Ake, who wrote in a foreword to the still grappling with teething issues of development and is book that “The country has no heroes, acknowledges deemed a failed state in virtually all respects. none, and it devalues and derails those who could In Civil Service and the Imperative of Nation Building, be…The project of nation-building and development Mabogunje, who referred to the book as a “very opwhich Nigerians espouse is a journey without maps, portune publication” said that the Nigerian Civil Service, undertaken in moral anarchy towards an uncertain especially at the Federal level, has had a very chequered destination.” history. His analysis was largely historical, pontificating Recently, Olaopa seems to have submitted that that on the certainty for a rosier future for the civil service if same rare species is witnessing an explosion. In a it collapses the virtues of the past with the challenges of recently authored book entitled The Labour of Our today, an amalgam he opined would ooze out a promisHeroes published by Ibadan-based Bookcraft, Olaopa ing future. painstakingly, in an eleven-chaptered book, outlined “Coming with the confidence to advise on policy paths to the Nigerian project, the national question, education and the human capital dynamics, the Nigerian decisions and the secured tenure of the Colonial Civil Service in the early years of our political independence, predicament, Nigeria’s position in the continent, civil the Service was soon forced to confront the profound society and national integration, civil servants and national crisis that led to the military intervention in entrepreneurs, among other classifications. the administration of our nation in 1966. Those years of In the same vein, Olaopa churned out of his intelleccrisis and military rule leading to the Civil War of 1967-70 tual smithy another book, published by same Bookcraft, saw the Civil Service virtually operating effectively at which he entitled Civil Service and the Imperative of both the political and the bureaucratic levels of goverNation Building which, on the whole, places a telescope nance. A subsequent military regime re-acted against to the Nigerian civil service of the past and the present, this conflation of responsibilities and almost literally looking into the dark contours of its dysfunctions, failings, successes, progress and future possibilities, from “decapitated” the top echelon of the Service by forced retirements, leaving the Service bruised, disorientated theoretical and practical perspectives. He submits that and no longer possessed of its earlier confidence and the Nigerian civil service “stands at the critical nexus sense of security,” Magobunje said. between grand infrastructural and service delivery He concurred with the author on the need to stress the efficiency and effectiveness and the trans-ethnic and trans-religious loyalty which is necessary to promote and fact that democratic progress all over the world responds more to the consistent reformulation of the operational sustain the civic bond of unity that will truly transform Nigeria into a nation.” Coming from a man reputed to be dynamics of the Civil Service System which is the recognized engine room of national development and one of the most fecund-minded civil servants in recent progress. times, this proffer would definitely need to be taken “The Civil Service is especially a sine qua non for seriously by a Nigeria seeking ways out of the bind of national integration in a country like Nigeria racked drudgery and lethargy that are associated with the civil by pangs of post-colonial ethnic, religious and cultural service. agitations for identity, a sense of belonging and social Two Nigerians whose intellect could be likened to inclusiveness. Indeed, the Civil Service stands at the a description of French philosopher, Voltaire as one of critical nexus between grand infrastructural and service the most agile brains to have ever inhabited a human delivery efficiency and effectiveness and the trans-ethnic skull – the renowned bard and gubernatorial aspirant and trans-religious loyalty which is necessary to promote in Edo State, Odia Ofeimun, and emeritus professor and sustain the civic bond of unity that will truly of Geography, Akin Mabogunje – did a critique of the transform Nigeria into a nation.” books in the form of foreword. Ofeimun sees Olaopa’s On the whole Mabogunje recommended the book to effort in The Labour of Our Heroes as an attempt at “memorializing (the) feats, up-raising the heroic status of President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration as a writ to be used in undertaking “the unfinished nature (such Nigerians)” Using the old theory of charismatic political leadership, of the reforms of the Federal Civil Service and be decisive in re-focusing its operational processes and procedures he said, “Quite heartily (it) engages a Pan Nigerian towards the goal of efficient and effective service delivery landscape in which religious and political leaders, and national integration.” academics and intellectuals, entrepreneurs, philoso––Dr. Adedayo is on the editorial board of the phers, physicians, scientists and creative writers, actors Tribune. and filmmakers, musicians and community leaders,

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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 • APRIL 17, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

The Making of ‘Inconclusive’ National Electoral Commission

Abdullahi Usman

I

t has been exactly a year since exPresident Goodluck Jonathan set a new tone for democracy and election in Nigeria and Africa by refusing the age-long penchant by African leaders to manipulate the electoral system to perpetuate themselves in power. Hate him or like him, you just have to give it to him that he scored the bull’s eye in bequeathing a far better electoral system than he inherited.

Under Jonathan’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government, the INEC was given full political, administrative, and financial autonomy, which made success recorded by Prof. Attahiru Jega’s success possible. For example, while his predecessors went on their knees to beg the Federal Government (FG) for funds, Jega’s INEC received by far more money and through first line charge than the predecessors.

Beyond laws, Jonathan’s body language helped greatly in reshaping the nation’s elections history. For instance, while no law forbade him from appointing a fellow Ijaw man an INEC Chairman, he appointed Prof. Jega, a Fulani from Kebbi State.

He was always the first to issue statements congratulating the opposition parties each time they won governorship elections, even if the State PDP was kicking. While the opposition threatened that the dog and baboon would soak in blood, Jonathan’s sing-song was that his ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian. And when Nigeria’s fate hung in the balance after the 2015 election, he showed statesmanship and courage by calling to congratulate Muhammadu Buhari. He did not even bother going to the tribunal, although he had good grounds to. He was apparently more concerned with Nigerians reuniting to move forward and in causing no distractions for his successor.

Unfortunately, all these worthy legacies are petering away before the eyes of Nigerians, with impunity, fumbling, and inconclusiveness taking centre stage.

First, the departing INEC Chairman handed over to his next in hierarchy, Mohammed Wali ,in acting capacity, but the presidency overruled him. In his stead was appointed Amina Zakari, an alleged relation of President Muhammadu

Buhari, who also worked very closely with him at the Petroleum Trust Fund and also with Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. Even when her tenure as a Commissioner at INEC expired, she continued to hold sway as Acting INEC chairperson under no known law and an arrangement that sent legal luminaries pondering.

Next, security agencies got directly involved in electoral petitions for the first time since 1999. They invaded INEC offices, arresting, interrogating and intimidating INEC officials and PDP witnesses at will. Chairman of Rivers Governorship Election Panel was changed. Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Taraba tribunals were also relocated to Abuja for so-called ‘security’ reasons.

The DSS has carried on so obnoxiously under this regime that it has been nicknamed Daura Secret Service on the social media. President Buhari and the Director-General of DSS, a former member of the APC Presidential Campaign Team, both hail from Daura.

In another show of impunity and disregard for rule of law (Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution provides for 12 Commissioners and a Chairman), President Buhari refused to constitute INEC board until November 2015. Even when he eventually did, he ensured it was inconclusive as he appointed only six.

Buhari is the first Nigerian president to appoint someone of his ethnic extraction as INEC Chairman. Could he and his other opposition leaders have accepted it if Jonathan had appointed an Ijaw as INEC Chairman? Those who kept mute or justified this electoral coup are already paying with what is playing out in Kogi State governorship debacle.

How on earth could the Attorney-General direct INEC to direct APC to impose Yahaya Bello, who never participated in an election, to become the beneficiary of Audu Abubakar/James Faleke ticket? Only in Nigeria! Legal luminaries argue that the least INEC could have done in that unforeseen circumstance was to call for a fresh election or have Faleke complete the race he started with Audu Abubakar or declare Idris Abubakar winner; but certainly not to foist Bello on the people of Kogi. For disagreeing with this impunity, Falake and Audu Abubakar’s son were arrested/invited ‘for questioning’ by DSS. Largely responsible for INEC’s sudden descent to gross incompetence and plethora of

Yakubu inconclusiveness, therefore, is APC’s desperation to have it all. While most PDP governorship candidates followed Jonathan’s example in congratulating their victorious APC counterparts, APC candidates refused to concede defeat. They not only challenged the elections, but also resorted to heavy media propaganda to run down their opponents and intimidate the judiciary. Wherever the judiciary ruled against the PDP, judiciary was a hero. But in places such as Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Abia, Taraba, etc where the judiciary upheld PDP’s victories on the same grounds it upheld APC’s victory in Lagos, Zamfara, etc, the judiciary, including the Supreme Court, was upbraided and demonised by the APC. The APC, while in opposition, went up to the Court of Appeal to establish that the military have no role in elections, and also get the court to bar the FG from deploying them. The same APC, now in government, made a U-turn that led to the large-scale militarization of the Bayelsa and Rivers rerun elections. It was high scale killing/violence and inconclusiveness as the people refused to be rigged out. The world saw the battalions of soldiers moving about with Rotimi Amaechi, and how the police allegedly released an INEC officer to Amaechi and Hon. Peterside. The President’s body language in refusing to emulate Jonathan by congratulating Seriake Dickson signals a bad loser temperament that has emboldened APC members on the part of electoral impunity.

In view of the above, one is tempted to believe the narrative that INEC’s gargantuan lousiness

in printing and attempting to distribute result sheets that had no security features in some areas may not be ordinary. INEC has refused to release all the results of concluded elections, its silence on completing elections where they it didn’t hold on 19th March smacks of executive manipulations.

However, if INEC wants to excuse its collateral lousiness and seeming complicity in continued inconclusiveness in Rivers rerun election on the grounds of violent atmosphere, what could be its excuse for not holding reruns in Imo North Senatorial District or Kogi East within the 90 days directed by the court?

The answer is simple. Imo North is a PDP stronghold with over 90 percent chances of returning Senator Athan Achonu. Governor Rochas Okorocha is now in the Black Book of Imo workers, while his unpopularity is soaring.

In Kogi East, the court barred the APC from fielding candidate. In Rivers, the PDP has virtually retaken the three seats of Rivers in the Senate, pending the conclusion of the inconclusive elections. The PDP is poised to further close the tiny gap between it and the APC in the Senate. But, that is exactly what the APC doesn’t want, especially given the uncertainties currently surrounding Senator Saraki’s Senate Presidency.

It is clear that if Saraki is removed, PDP Senators will not be as benevolent as they were on 9th June 2015 when they unanimously elected APC member as the Senate President even when they had the opportunity to elect one of their own.

PDP will also have more than enough aggrieved pro-Saraki Senators to give them more than the needed number to take over the Senate.

So, the longer INEC delays the court-ordered reruns, the longer APC maintains its razor-slim majority and buys time to put their tattered house in order.

As Nigeria marks one-year anniversary of the historic 2015 general election, citizens are wont to reflect, regrettably, the emerging scenario in which INEC is metamorphosing from a respected independent electoral body in the last days of the PDP government to an Inconclusive National Electoral Commission, a palpable executive lapdog and the re-emergence of do-or-die politics. This is the sad story of Nigeria- one step forward, ten backwards.

Usman writes from Lagos

The Death of Conscience on the Battlefield of Impunity Akinyinka Akinnola

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ecent revelations with regards to the past goings on at the office of the National SecurityAdvisor, though shocking, are only a light into the overriding thinking that participation in governance either by election or selection is an avenue for acquiring stupendous wealth. Over the years, corruption on a large scale has been allowed to flourish, thereby fuelling even greater and more brazen acts. We didn’t get here in one day.

Whilst tales of corruption are not new in Nigeria, even though the current scale, if proved correct is on a scale probably never seen before, what has unsettled most people is that it has transpired in one of the nation’s most revered institutions, and ultimately, one responsible for our security and defence. Nigerians, like most developing countries inAfrica, the Middle East and, indeed, SouthAmerica, have a long history of political intervention by the military for good or bad, but are enamoured by their discipline, courage and strength. The spit shine boots, the starched uniforms, the swagger and general “action man” syndrome; Nigerians generally respect their military institutions. It was with unease, thus, that most people watched the military leadership in the past dispensation with their designer watches, official luxury cars and physiques that may be considered “prejudicial to military discipline”. There is a need to restore the nation’s confidence in this institution. Our military has a lot of work to do.

Custodians of our commonwealth, as if in animated suspense, the power of their office took as licence. But none can escape posterity’s luminance, the sustained quest for recompense.

Putting aside the act and the scale, what is even more confounding is the way and manner things were done, going by reports. It is obvious that not only did most actors not consider that there could

ever be checks or investigations in the future, caution was thrown to the wind. No bother to even “create” a paper trail. Procedure, documentation, evaluation, etc. Nothing. Just disbursements. Elder statesmen, senior party officials, government appointees, office minors etc. The visitors to the bazaar were as varied as they were shocking.

Payment for prayers to God must ascend, supplications on the mount of irreverence. Seeking Gods face, a spiritual reference, they must now offer prayers of penitence It’s been said that Nigeria is one of the most religious nations on earth. Churches and mosques everywhere. When situations call for serious deliberation and action, leadership calls for prayers instead. With the trooping of religious leaders to the seat of government prior to the 2015 elections, one was tempted to appeal for the “separation of the church/mosque and state.” That anyone could enter “special prayers” into a voucher for disbursement, goes to show how thick skinned we as a nation have become as to what religion really is. The fact that some people actually believe that special prayers can be procured with money and then go as far as documenting it, as a valid expense item is simply mind-boggling. I can only imagine the halo around the head of the one who filled the voucher and the radiance of his face as he performed this great spiritual action for the intervention of the divine in the affairs of the nation. Thankfully, most of us know that God does not accept cash regardless of the currency.

The currency of greed, dollars and cents, alternating only for pounds and for pence. O mighty naira, how thou art fallen, your princes disdain you as mere tuppence Aformer central bank governor had once decried the “dollarisation” of the economy. Highbrow luxury apartments were rented out and sold in dollars, restaurants and hotels were paid for by patrons in dollars as it was easy to carry around. The greatest source for dollarisation of the economy, however, was corruption. Unconfirmed revelations of dollars

being given to people in cash by a sitting government and then converted back to naira bends the imagination.Ahigh ranking elder statesman once accused of receiving NSAloot quickly chimed in defence that it was only a small amount of the total dollars that came to his own purse. That was his defence. Is it possible that a man who has held so many high offices does not know that the currency of exchange in Nigeria is the Naira? Such is the level of the dollarisation of the economy. Compensation for property lost and burnt, a loss adjuster our ministry of defence?

Purveyors of truth, guardians of the fourth estate, has your pen been sullied by lucre’s essence?

As laughable as the reasons postulated for the disbursement of funds are, they meet their match h in the various defences that have been put forward for the acceptance of funds. Of all these, none is as interesting as the claim that funds from the office of the national security advisor were for compensation for the losses incurred by fire etc of a private organisation. Had the various mosques and churches burnt and blown up known this, rather than plead with their congregations and outside help for funds for medical and funeral bills for their affected congregants and to rebuild their places of worship, they should have just approached the ONSAfor compensation. It is sad to think that a newspaper publishers association in whatever guise or form accepted a payment of any sort for any reason from the federal government under such circumstances. Some have returned the funds, and thankfully, some have dissociated themselves from the entire exercise.

Funding of elections, the clear intent, millions and billions too bright, dim and dense. The stories are out on how it was spent, yet doesn’t matter, it won’t make sense. I recall that under the zero party option during the Ibrahim Babangida regime, government was to fund both parties equally as they vied for success at the polls. Somehow, this memo was never superseded in the minds of some as they seem to still operate within its parameters. The only thing is the fine detail of the source of funding, the amount and that it

should be available to all parties seem to have been overlooked. How does one take money out of the purse of the federal government in such colossal sums and then hand it over to individuals (not even institutions) to pursue an election in a state for which the funds disbursed are far in excess of annual capital budget.

Pray tell, setting aside all morality or legality, what kind of requisition of electoral needs could have resulted in such figures, particularly, in states where a lot of citizens have never seen N1,000 in one place at once. The men in black call for a conference “let’s talk it over, no need to be tense.”

“Talk to us let it all make sense; we’d like to know where the money went hence.”

No matter how well trained the investigative officer, and the seriousness of the task at hand, it shall be difficult to keep a straight face when faced with some discoveries. In this age of technology, the money trail is never cold. It is clear that no one imagined an investigation like this could come to pass. Property all over the world, cash in accounts of spouses and direct relatives or companies in which their names were listed. Professional money launderers were put out of business. The morale of the story? If you must steal, do it professionally.

The searchlight is on, its beams intense, calls for the truth with insistence, through wig and gown, they build a fence, to delay the day of recompense.

It’s a good time to be a lawyer. Not only is there an abundance of high profile cases, with clients that have the capacity to pay, the observation of the “rule of law” ensures that this will go on for a while.

CAVEAT EMPTOR- Fees paid may have to be returned, as they may be recalled due to questionable sources as “exhibit”.

Is this the time of our preference, when judgement is swift with a following sentence? Or will it be enveloped by indifference, the showing of “big men” great deference.

– Akinnola is a PDP chieftain and Ondo politician.

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NEWSXTRA

AGRIC FACT-FINDERS CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY L-R: Head, Sales, Oando Marketing Plc, Mr. Babafemi Olabiyi; Dealer, Oando Ojodu-Berger Service Station, Mr. L-R: Director, Trade Policy, Arla Foods, Mr. Kasper Thormod Nielson; Head of sub-Saharan Africa, Arla InBabalola Matthew; Regional Manager, West, Oando Marketing Plc, Mrs. Taiwo Gaji; Sales Branch Manager, West, Mr. Arowolo Oluwaseun, and Sales Branch Manager, West, Mr. Dada Olusola, regulating traffic flow at OjoduBerger area of Lagos...recently

ternational, Mr. Steen Hadsberg; Senior Technical Assistant to the Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Andrew Kwasari, and Technical Assistant, Quality Control to the Minister, Mrs. Heather Akanni, during a visit of the Federal government delegation to Arla Foods’ Slagelse Dairy farm in Denmark...recently

Ngige: Why Buhari’ll Not Sign 2016 Budget Now

Charles Onyekamuo in Awka

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari will not be in a hurry to sign the 2016 national budget into law until all grey areas and mistakes are sorted out and corrected by the National Assembly.

The national assembly had a fortnight ago sent the passed 2016 appropriation bill to the President for his assent for it to become law.

But penultimate week, the President withheld assent even as accusations of removal of certain projects like the Lagos-Calabar rail line became rife.

But indications that a truce may not be far off emerged when the Speaker of the

House of Representatives met with the Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo on Friday. Members of the House of Representatives at an executive meeting on Friday mandate its Speaker to meet with the Vice President in the absence of the President with a view to resolving the budget impasse.

Speaking at a programme to resettle graduates of vocational skills development in Anambra State at the weekend, Ngige said there could be mistakes in the budget, but that the national assembly should summon the courage to correct them where they are detected.

“There could be mistakes but the National Assembly should be man enough to correct them if noticed. The President will not sign the budget until all mistakes are

streamlined,” he said.

He called on well-meaning Nigerians to rally round the federal government in its quest to turn around the fortunes of the country. He said the Buhari administration sort of started afresh on all parameters; having come on board when the price of crude oil that sold for above $100 per barrel suddenly nose-dived to about $40 per barrel and almost every other sector of the economy remained comatose.

Previous budgets he said were done at a benchmark of $70 per barrel, a situation that saw a growth in the excess crude account.

Buhari had declined to assent to the bill and instead sent to the various ministries for proper vetting to be certain that what was returned to him for his assent was in

line with his administration’s policy and what he sent to the national assembly.

Presidency had initially requested for detailed notes on what was sent back to it only to cry foul that the Calabar – Lagos rail line was taken out of the bill that was returned to the president for his assent.

The national assembly however said that the project was not contained in the initial bill that was presented to a joint seating of the national assembly by the president.

Meanwhile, during the meeting with the Speaker, the VP reportedly itemized the grey areas indicating that there were distortions in the N6.06 trillion budget that was returned to the president for his assent and also requested the national assembly to rework them.

Buhari: Boko Haram Crippled, Can no Longer Take Territory President Muhammadu Buhari says the Boko Haram terrorists have been degraded to the extent that the group can no longer seize and hold on to any territory in the country.

In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja, the president made the remark at the 13th summit of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) in Istanbul, Turkey.

Represented by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, Buhari said government forces had taken over all the territories seized by the insurgents and destroyed their camps.

The president also said most of the leaders of the terrorist group had been arrested, while many others had surrendered.

He commended Nigeria’s neighbouring countries, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin and the international community for their support in the fight against insurgency in the country.

Buhari also commended the OIC for its efforts in ensuring peace worldwide. On the theme of the summit: ‘Unity and Solidarity for Justice and Peace’ he noted that the current precarious situation in the Muslim world was a source of great concern.

“A multiplicity of crises and

conflicts litter the entire landscape of the Muslim World - from West andNorthAfricathroughCentral Asia to the Indian subcontinent; from Jammu and Kashmir to Jakarta.

“And from the Arabian Peninsula and the Near East to the Balkans; many member-states are embroiled in conflicts threatening their very existence and taking an unacceptable toll in human lives and destruction of critical infrastructure.

“Muslim minorities in nonmember-states like Myammar, Philippines, Thailand and China; and Muslim migrants in the West are still facing serious political,

cultural and economic challenges or outright persecution,” he said.

The president, therefore, called on member-states of the organisation to re-dedicate themselves to the struggle for peace and justice for Palestinians.

He said Nigeria stood in full solidarity with the Palestinians in their legitimate quest for an independent state. “The situation in Palestine remains bleak; the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism remains unabated.

“The drums of Islamaphobia, especially in the countries with minority or migrant Muslims, are being beaten to achieve mischievous political objectives.

PDP to Hold Congresses in 33 States Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed April 25 as the date for the commencement of elective congresses in thirty three states of the federation.

However, the party said three states, Ondo, Edo and Kogi have been exempted from the exercise, in line with the ap-

proval granted by the National Executive Committee.

In a statement issued yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party said the organisation of the state congresses will from April 25 hold in all the states with the exception of the Kogi, Ondo and Edo.

The statement said: “In view of the resolve of the leadership of the PDP to enthrone and sustain internal democracy within our fold, and in line with the decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) on the exemption of states with on-going congresses as well as non-contentious states from the forthcoming congresses, the

National Working Committee (NWC) hereby announces that only three states, namely; Kogi, Ondo and Edo states are exempted from the congresses.

“Accordingly, the remaining 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will be involved in elective congresses starting on Saturday, April 23, 2016.

Kwara: Court Dismisses Ajibola’s Suit against Ahmed’sVictory Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Simeon Ajibola challenging the election of Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed as the governor of Kwara State.

Governor Ahmed was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Governorship election held on April 11, 2015.

In the suit marked FHC/ ABJ/CS/688/2015, the PDP and its candidate, Ajibola had approached the federal high court to challenge the victory of Governor Ahmed in the election.

Justice S.E Chukwu in his ruling dismissed the appeal on the grounds that the plaintiffs had no locus standi to institute the case and on other grounds as argued by the defendant counsel in the preliminary objection. The court, therefore, upheld the election of Ahmed as governor of the State.

Ahmed, the APC candidate, was returned elected as governor of Kwara State at the April 11, 2015 election.

He was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission

(INEC).

According to the result released by INEC, Governor Ahmed polled a total number of 295,832 votes to defeat Senator Ajibola of the PDP, who had 115,220 votes.

The candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Mike Omotosho scored 2,973 votes to emerge second runners up in the election. The scores as announced by INEC showed that Governor Ahmed won in all the 16 local government areas of the State.

Meanwhile, Governor Ahmed has described Friday’s judgment as a victory for democracy and the rule of law, noting that the court’s decision was an affirmation of the clear mandate freely entrusted with him by the good people of Kwara.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, the governor called on members of the opposition party and their supporters to join hands with his administration to move the State forward. He assured the people of the state of his commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises before the expiration of his tenure.

Transcorp Hilton Wins 5 Awards Transcorp Hilton Abuja has won five awards at the 23rd World Travel Awards for the second year in a row.

The hotel emerged winner of the prestigious World Travel Awards for Africa’s Leading Business Hotel, Nigeria’s Leading Business Hotel, Nigeria’s Leading Hotel, Nigeria’s Leading MICE Hotel and Nigeria’s Leading Hotel Suite (the Presidential Suite) at the Africa and Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2016 hosted

by Diamonds La Gemma dell’est on the northern tip of Zanzibar, Tanzania, with hundreds of industry leaders in attendance.

The recognition from World Travel Awards is coming on the heels of the hotel

winning TripAdvisor’s 2016 Travellers’ Choice Award and the 2015 Hilton Brand Awards for Middle East and Africa in two categories.

Commenting on the awards, Valentine Ozigbo, MD/ CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc, said “I am proud of the achievements of our Team at Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

The prestigious awards recognise the efforts of our Team Members who deliver personalised guest experiences every day.

Winning these awards ahead of the planned refurbishment of an awardwinning facility means that we are poised to deliver an unparalleled guest experiences on the continent of Africa.”

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SUNDAY APRIL 17, 2016 T H I S D AY

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ecently, former Senate Leader, SenatorVictor Ndoma-Egba marked his 60th birthday. The event which was held at his private residence in Asokoro was attended by family member, close friends and top government officials.

L-R: Senator Philip Aduda, Ambassador Jay Jay Lim of Malaysia, Justice Sade Bayo-Ojo, Tomiwa Bayo-Ojo, Udo Herchuster Jorge Adelt

The celebrant, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and his wife cutting the birthday cake

Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and Cardinal John Onaiyekan.

Dr. (Mrs) Margaret Ndoma-Egba, Edi Jedy-Agba, celebrant and wife and moviefilm producer Fidelis Duker

Senator Ndoma-Egba and wife, Amaka with siblings Knut and Eta Ndoma-Egba

Mrs. Clara Braide and Tonye Braide, Taiwo Umolu and Rev. Fr. Anthony Ochigbo

Friends of the celebrants

Other well wishers of the celebrants

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Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Moses, Emenike Aim to Dent Leicester’s Title Charge

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est Ham United visit table-topping Leicester City today with faint hopes of Champions League qualification enough motivation to put a dent on Leicester City’s title charge. As has been the case in recent games, West Ham would be relying on Nigerian attackers Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike, as well as French playmaker Dmitri Payet to inspire them to victory.

However, Leicester can move a step closer to winning the Premier League with victory at their Kings Power stadium, which in recent weeks has become a fortress. The Foxes start the weekend with a seven-point lead at the top of the table after five successive victories without conceding a goal.

They have beaten the Hammers in the league and Capital One Cup this season and another win would move them 10 points clear of second-placed Tottenham, who travel to Stoke tomorrow.

West Ham have seen their top-four hopes fade in recent weeks following three successive draws in the league. They also lost their FA Cup quarter-final replay to Manchester United on Wednesday, but manager Slaven Bilic says there will not be any hangover.

“We are disappointed but we are in a great position in the league and everything to play for,” he said. “We are totally motivated for the next six games and it starts against Leicester.

We have to do everything we can.

“We need points to finish high so yes we have to win, whether it’s fourth, fifth or sixth.

United and Man City, five points to City is big with six games to go, but there are also teams below us playing well and hoping to get a European place next year,” Bilic said.

Leicester have no new injury concerns, so

West Ham stars Payet, Moses, Kouyate and Emenike celebrate a goal in a recent match Claudio Ranieri is likely to name the starting with the knee knock which forced him to withdraw from the squad to face Arsenal last line-up for the 12th time in 14 league games. weekend, but he is expected back in training West Ham can welcome back defenders tomorrow.

Winston Reid and Sam Byram after Reid West Ham have won twice as many of the missed the FA Cup defeat to United with a meetings (10) between these two sides in the tight hamstring and Byram, fit again after a Premier League than Leicester (five), with two recent spell out injured, was cup-tied. draws. The Hammers have lost just four of Striker Diafra Sakho is still sidelined

Kanu: NFF Should Nurture Young Eagles Ugo Aliogo

Former Super Eagles striker, Kanu Nwankwo, called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to nurture the young talents springing up in the national team, adding that they are the future of the Super Eagles. “We want the young ones to be in the big clubs and play matches in order to improve and also for the coaches to see them.”

Kanu who disclosed this on Friday at a media chat with journalists in Lagos organised by Startimes Nigeria, called on the federation not abandon them, but closely

monitor their growth and progress in their different clubs. “When they are in Nigeria, we should support them, and make sure that they are strong. The more years they play for the national team, the better they become.

Nigeria is blessed with talents,” he added.

Kanu noted that one of the challenges facing Nigeria’s Super Eagles is selection of right players. The Olympic Gold medallist stated that the country is blessed with abundant talents than many other countries in Africa, but the country has not been able to measure up in international competitions as expected in recent times.

La Liga: Madrid Cuts Barca’s Lead to One Point Gareth Bale reached 16 goals for the first time in a La Liga season as Real Madrid thrashed Getafe 5-1 to move one point behind leaders Barcelona. Real’s seventh successive league win kept alive their hopes of a first title since 2012 and sent neighbours Getafe to the bottom of the table.

Karim Benzema put Real ahead and after Isco made it 2-0 at half-time, Bale raced clear to add the third. Getafe replied before James Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo added late goals. Barca, who have taken just one point from the last possible nine, play at home to Valencia today.

Real kept the pressure on the defending champions, while Juan Esnaider made a losing start as Getafe’s new coach. His side have now lost 11 of their past 13 games.

Real, who beat Wolfbsurg in the Champions League on Tuesday to set up a semi-final with Manchester City, barely had to extend themselves to get the result they needed to go

above Atletico Madrid, who play Granada today, and into second place.

Coach Zinedine Zidane was able to take off both Bale and Benzema in the second half to give them a rest before Real’s midweek league game at home to fourth-placed Villarreal.

Wales forward Bale, 26, set his best Liga tally since arriving in a world-record £85m move in September 2013, racing into the Getafe area from the right and curling left-footed into the far corner.

Ronaldo continued his record of having played every minute of Real’s La Liga campaign and claimed his 47th goal of the season, scoring for the fourth league game in a row in stoppage time when he tapped in after being set up by Jese.

Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane: “We are doing our job and are getting closer and closer. We are going to bed one point behind, but we can’t look beyond that.”

their last 16 Premier League away games (W6 D6 L4).

Leicester have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight Premier League matches at the King Power Stadium.

Dimitri Payet has had a hand in seven goals in his last seven Premier League appearances (three goals, four assists).

Monte Carlo Masters: Nadal Beats Murray in Semi-final Eight-time winner Rafael Nadal recovered from a set down to beat Britain’s Andy Murray to reach the Monte Carlo Masters final. Murray broke twice to take the opening set 6-2, but wilted under the Spaniard’s power and accuracy to lose the next two 6-4 6-2.

The win was Nadal’s seventh over Murray in eight meetings on clay and puts him into his 100th ATP World Tour final. He faces Gael Monfils who beat fellow Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1 6-3.

Murray beat Nadal for the first time on clay in last year’s Madrid Masters final, but his hopes of being only the third player to earn back-to-back victories over the world number five on the surface were dashed in a brutal two-and-a-half-hour encounter.

It was a match high on quality but also rancour, with both players being irked by some controversial umpiring decisions.

The match began bizarrely when Murray won

the coin toss, but umpire Damien Dumusois of France asked Nadal if he wanted to serve.

Nadal pointed out the umpire’s error, but Murray graciously asked for it to be re-done, and he won that, too. This time he was asked his preference and elected to serve.

Murray was irked throughout by a lack of action from the umpire over Nadal continually breaking the 25-second rule between serves. The Spaniard was averaging 31 seconds, allowing him more time to recover.

The Scot’s patience was further tested midway through the third set when Nadal delayed his serve by claiming he had something in his eye. At the next changeover, the umpire asked Nadal if he wanted more medical attention.

Murray felt Nadal was getting preferential treatment and, after dropping his serve, hit the ball towards the umpire’s chair in frustration, prompting Dumusois to say “you have zero respect for what I do”. Murray responded by telling the umpire he didn’t know what he was talking about.

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Igbo Group to Senate

“Which Nigerian would permit his land to be seized by the government and given to another ostensibly for a public purpose which is indeed private?

Robbing Peter to pay Paul is a recipe for disaster and ethnic crises.”

– An Igbo pressure group, Igboekulie, in a statement kicking against the National Grazing Reserve Commission Bill that has passed the second reading in the Senate

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Yuan Swap Deal: Sublime or Ridiculous?

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atch out all you dollar hoarders: the Chinese yuan is coming for you. Many financial analysts think the dollar under your pillow may soon be worth less than the rate at which you bought it. They think you run the risk of vomiting most of what you have swallowed since the forex crisis started. With the yuan going to be directly available to Nigerians — effectively eliminating the “middleman” called dollar — it is safe to say the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made a bold move in its controversial management of the exchange rate crisis, a move that some analysts believe may ease the demand pressure on the dollar, even if the gains would only be marginal.

For those who may still be in the dark, the news is that Nigeria and China have agreed in principle to a yuan swap. In simple English, it means Nigerians and Chinese would not need the dollar when they do international business with each other. Yuan will now be directly used. Currently, a Nigerian importer needs to buy dollars from the bank (or black market) in order to pay for Chinese goods and services, which are priced in dollars. This automatically puts pressure on the exchange rate. The dollar is then converted to yuan.

In between, conversion charges are incurred.

Now Chinese exports to Nigeria will be priced in yuan. That is the deal.

Why does a yuan swap matter? Good question. China is the biggest exporter to Nigeria — to the tune of over $14 billion yearly. Therefore, we can say the demand for dollar will drop by at least $14 billion when we do the swap deal. Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the CBN governor, will certainly sleep better if $14 billion can be struck off the FX demand list. That also means the naira may begin to lose less energy against the dollar. Many economists and experts still find it unpardonable that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has refused to officially devalue the naira, and the jury is still out on the resort to unorthodox measures to “protect” the national currency.

Lest I forget, no deal has been signed yet.

There are, thus, no details to discuss. By the time the CBN puts pen to paper with the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), we will get to know how much is involved in the swap, how long the deal will last and what the exchange rate will be. The good news is that unlike many currencies, the exchange rate of yuan is not tied directly to the dollar. Rather, it is determined by a basket of currencies, even though the dollar is still a key determinant.

There is a reference rate used by PBOC to attain “parity” — but we all know that the yuan is undervalued for economic reasons.

Nigerians could, therefore, expect to buy a cheaper yuan.

Before we celebrate too much, there are possible downsides. The CBN must look at the details with a fine toothcomb, because the devil could be in the details. More importantly, Buhari must show the “political will” to protect Nigeria’s interest. He has said the right things — by insisting that Nigeria will not become a dumping ground for Chinese

Emefiele exports, and that the Chinese should come and establish factories in Nigeria. This is beautiful. The next thing is action. We have heard a lot of that rhetoric in the past but a lack of will means we do not follow through.

The Chinese could end up enjoying all the benefits while we come out empty-handed.

The first danger is that a cheaper yuan means our imports from China may increase astronomically. The swap would offer a massive incentive to patronise made in China more than we have ever done. The implication is that the “Buy Nigeria” campaign will become a waste of time and energy.

If I know my country very well, we may start taking advantage of the yuan deal to import water and suya from China without a care in the world about the damage it would do to our local industry. One of the stated reasons for the current FX regime is to encourage local industry — but if we don’t manage this swap deal well, we could end up shooting ourselves in the foot.

In my experience, to sign deals with the Chinese is the smallest problem. It is the implementation that always hurts us: the Chinese always derive the maximum benefits while Nigerians just look on like a figurine.

Six years ago, we signed a deal with them to build three green field refineries in Lagos, Kogi and Bayelsa. Can someone remind me if the refineries have started production? In truth, the fields are still green! Six years in the life of a country! If the deal had been treated with seriousness by the Nigerian government, we would not be needing to import fuel today, and that is 40% off the demand for forex in the name of fuel importation. No wonder the naira is snookered.

Buhari returned from China with a lot of good news following a series of agreements to build infrastructure valued at $6 billion.

This is fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. But

we have seen all this euphoria before.

Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan signed all kinds of agreements with the Chinese and the Koreans to build infrastructure, including rail lines, and we were to give them oil licences as incentives, but can anybody remind me of the outcome again? It is either there was no political will or there was no seriousness — or perhaps the Nigerian factor rendered most of the agreements worthless. Buhari must deliberately buck the trend.

Another thing we have to be very careful with is the standard of Chinese products that will be coming to Nigeria. The Chinese can produce any quality you want. They can produce the highest quality obtainable anywhere in the world — as well as the lowest. Their exports to Nigeria need to be properly monitored. Unfortunately, Nigerian institutions at the borders are very weak, and we may not expect the best of scrutiny from them. We may end up injuring ourselves. We cannot afford to open ourselves too much to anything made in China. We cannot afford to lower the barrier to Chinese products simply because they are offering us huge loans.

Of course, we also have to watch closely that we do not begin to import labour from China. There is massive unemployment in Nigeria. All these projects should offer job opportunities to Nigerians, as well as an opportunity for transfer of knowledge to our engineers and project managers. If I know the Chinese very well, they may even want to bring clerks and gardeners from their country. After all, they are providing the money and they can easily hoodwink us into accepting whatever conditions they put forward. These are the details that must be closely monitored by the Nigerian government as we celebrate our new romance with the Asian giants.

One more thing and I’m done: the working conditions of Nigerian workers in the employ of Chinese companies must be watched.

Chinese companies operating in Nigeria are notorious for dehumanising their workers, treating them as no better than slaves. Now that we have opened our doors wider to them, we must mark them tightly so that we do not gain something on the one hand and lose it on the other. We are desperate for foreign investments and we can easily fall victim to base labour practices with our eyes wide open. The Chinese are not the best employers of labour in the world, but we can enforce our labour laws without favour.

Back to the question: is the yuan swap deal sublime or ridiculous? I think it could be a masterstroke, depending on the seriousness with which we pursue it and the attention we pay to the details. Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa and the Chinese now have a jewel in their crown in their bid to be the biggest global political bloc. The CBN can take advantage to ease the forex crisis (and any reprieve will do). Buhari can seize this opportunity to implement an infrastructural revolution which is what we frantically need to grow this economy. We must also make sure these deals are mutually beneficial. We must never repeat past mistakes.

And Four Other Things...

CHIBOK GIRLS After two years of theorising and speculating on the whereabouts of the Chibok girls, we now have evidence that could substantially disprove some of our assumptions. There is a high possibility that all the girls are still alive, even if we were only shown 15 out of 219. What next? I think the federal government should step up efforts to get them out of captivity. This is not the time to be making media noises and threats. We must not play politics over this. By and large, I’m less sceptical about their eventual return than I used to be. Positive.

TELEGRAPH TALE Having been practising journalism for over two decades, even if I do other businesses, I make bold to say that the quality of the article in the UK Telegraph — alleging that President Buhari is using donor funds to prosecute political foes — is the lowest you will ever read in a professional newspaper. Telegraph could make the case that the anti-graft war does not extend to Buhari’s campaign financiers if they so wish, but it is too low to suggest EFCC needs any donor’s money to charge people to court or that no accused person has been charged so far. Fishy.

ABIA KILLINGS The Department of State Services (DSS) shocked me to my bones with its public statement that members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) killed and buried five Fulani in Abia state. I’m not even saying the claim is true or false, but does DSS know the security implications of that statement? What if there is reprisal in the north? And counterreprisal in the south-east? Where and when would the carnage end? Would that not present serious challenges for our already overstretched security agencies? What is the motive of DSS? To compound the worsening ethnoreligious tension in the land? Baffling.

FAITH ANDREWS I was overjoyed on Tuesday when Professor Isaac Adewole, the minister of health, visited Faith Andrews, the little girl in need of kidney transplant, and promised to pay the medial bills. Faith’s poor, widowed mum is taking care of six children. Adewole also announced that there will soon be universal health coverage for Nigerians. That means the likes of Faith wouldn’t need public appeals to pay medical bills. This is heartwarming. Meanwhile, I’ve been informed that the Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital actually has two dialysis machines — one broke down and the other cannot be used for Faith out of professional considerations. Apologies.

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