Friday 22nd April 2016

Senate Resolves to Meet Buhari on Budget, House in Receipt of ‘Grey Areas’ Lower chamber says Saraki is innocent until proven guilty, enraged over lawmaker's assault by prison officials Omololu Ogunmade and Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The Senate yesterday resolved to soft-pedal on the 2016 budget when it mandated its leadership to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari and appeal to him to sign the budget and

later send a supplementary bill on any areas leftout of the Appropriation Bill.

Rising from a very rancorous one-and-half-hour executive session, the senators

Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje.

A source told THISDAY in confidence that the session was stormy with members of the Appropriation Committee

admitted that the errors which culminated in Buhari’s decision to withhold his assent to the budget were caused by the overbearing influence of the Chairman of the Senate

accusing Goje, their chairman, of shutting them out of the appropriation process.

According to the source, the situation was so disturbing as every member of the

Kaduna Govt Seeks Death Sentence for 50 Shiite Members…Page 57

committee including its vice chairman, Senator Sunny Ogbuoji, accused Goje of unilaterally handling the budget and denying them access to the document. He added that they called for Goje's removal.

Continued on page 8

Friday 22 April, 2016 Vol 21. No 7666. Price: N250

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Drama as CCT Chairman Orders Arrest of Saraki’s Lawyer Witness: CCB never interrogated Senate president before his trial

Alexander Enumah A mild drama played out yesterday during the ongoing trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct

Tribunal following the order given by the tribunal’s Chairman, Mr. Danladi Umar for the arrest of a lawyer on Saraki’s legal team, Mr. Raphael Oluyede, for contempt of court.

This is just as it was revealed that Saraki was never interrogated by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) before the commencement of his trial at the tribunal.

Saraki is standing trial for false declaration of assets when he was the governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

Oluyede, who had filed a motion on Wednesday

challenging the competence of Umar to try the case, attempted to get his application heard yesterday on the grounds that the defence would not get justice under Umar’s

chairmanship of the tribunal.

He said: “Due to the cloudy nature of the relationship between the CCT chairman Continued on page 11

FG Defers N10.9bn Loan Repayment

by States, Rules out Another Bailout Federation Account allocation falls to new low of N299.7bn Board of NDPHC reconstituted Tobi Soniyi and Chika Amanze-Nwachwuku in Abuja The Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has said that the federal government would not make deductions from states’ Federation Account allocations for the month of March on their restructured loans so as to allow them pay their workers’ salaries.

Briefing journalists yesterday at the end of a meeting of the National Economic Council

(NEC) which held at the State House in Abuja, Adeosun said that the decision to stop the deductions was informed by the fact that states do not have enough resources to meet their obligations.

She, however, ruled out a second bail out for the states, stressing that the moratorium should allow the states to meet their obligations.

Continued on page 11

US Music Legend, Prince, Dies at 57… Page 12

Sokoto State Governor, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari; and his Rivers State counterpart, Mr. Nyesom Wike, before the commencement of the National Economic Council meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja… yesterday

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PAGE EIGHT SENATE RESOLVES TO MEET BUHARI ON BUDGET, HOUSE IN RECEIPT OF ‘GREY AREAS’ But THISDAY learnt that it was later resolved that since there was a plan to receive a supplementary budget later from the president, calling for Goje’s removal would be unnecessary as it might worsen the crisis in the upper legislative chamber.

Furthermore, the source said the committee members alleged that after having a field day on the budget, Goje gave the document to the House Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Hon. Abdulmumun Jibrin, whom he claimed further padded the budget.

He disclosed that the atmosphere was tense as senators were exasperated by the development, revealing that their anger was further fuelled by the discovery that a single individual handled the entire budget of the nation.

Some senators also quietly murmured that the poor handling of the budget by Goje arose from cronyism by the leadership of the Senate which handed him a position of such magnitude which they alleged that he lacked the capacity to handle.

Against this backdrop, the source said the senators decided to soften their earlier stance not to reconsider the budget unless the president sends a supplementary budget.

However, he said the meeting revealed that the Senate lacked the moral high ground to issue a threat and would have to appeal to the president to sign the budget and subsequently send in a supplementary budget with a promise to correct the errors contained therein.

According to the source, the senators were mindful of Section 59(4) of the constitution which spells out the 30 days for assent to a bill passed by the National Assembly from the day it is presented to the president for his assent or veto.

He said but for this provision, the Senate would have requested for the budget to be returned for reconsideration, adding that the 30 days allowed for the assent or veto of the bill by the president began to count from the day it was presented.

Section 59(4) of the constitution provides that “where the president within 30 days after the presentation of the bill to him, fails to signify his assent or where he withholds assent, then the bill shall again be presented to the National Assembly sitting at a joint meeting and passed by two-thirds majority of members of both houses at such a joint meeting, the bill shall become law and assent of the president shall not be required”.

The Senate resolution at yesterday’s meeting was a follow up to the decision at the meeting of the leadership of National Assembly on Wednesday night in Abuja where it was resolved that revisiting the budget was impossible.

The meeting attended by the leadership of both the Senate and House of Representatives was said to have resolved that the only option was for the president to sign the budget and later send a supplementary bill to avoid running foul of constitutional provision.

Also yesterday, the committee saddled with the responsibility of ensuring reconciliation among the senators was inaugurated by the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume.

According to Ndume, the image of the Senate had been brought into disrepute as a result of the protracted crisis rocking it since inception. He said the reconciliation of its members would go a long way in salvaging the image of the parliament.

But as the Senate softened its stance on the budget, the House of Representatives confirmed yesterday that it had identified the “grey areas” in the 2016 budget which set the National Assembly at odds with the executive.

The House spokesperson, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, briefing reporters in Abuja, disclosed that a letter from the presidency listing the areas of contention has been received.

Namdas however declined to reveal the grey areas listed by the president, as he parried questions on whether the Calabar-Lagos rail project was included in the letter.

He also refused to explain why the letter was not read on the floor of the House at plenary, as is the normal tradition with formal communications between the president and both legislative chambers.

“The speaker met with the president as mandated by the House... I can confirm that we are in possession of the grey areas,” he said, but declined to disclose when the letter was received by the House.

Namdas added that the leadership of the Senate and House met over the letter due to the need for concurrence from the upper chamber.

Referring to the National Assembly leadership, Namdas said: “They will meet with the president this week.”

Speaking on the ongoing trial of the Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Namdas explained the position of the House.

“We want to state that we believe in the rule of law; every Nigerian is innocent until proven guilty. This is our position as far as the President of the National Assembly is concerned,” he said.

In another development, the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami is expected to appear on Monday before an ad hoc committee to explain why he ordered the reopening of the Kogi State House of Assembly after the House ordered that it be sealed.

The House on March 9 took over the state assembly following the protracted crises among its lawmakers resulting in the impeachment of the speaker.

But the AGF described the takeover as illegal and ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase to unseal the assembly.

Arase, who appeared before the ad hoc committee at a closed-door meeting yesterday told newsmen that there was a breakdown in communication.

“I would not do anything to breach the constitution, I am a law abiding officer. I have sworn to obey the constitution, there was a break down somewhere but we will resolve it,” he said.

House Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila said the ad hoc committee was making progress and would conclude the matter next week after meeting with the AGF. Meanwhile, the lawmakers in the House were unanimous in calling for justice and

condemnation of the assault on one of their colleagues, Hon. Onyemeachi Mrakpor, by security operatives attached to the convoy of the Controller General of Prisons, Dr. Peter Ezenwa Ekpendu Security operatives attached to the convoy of Ekpendu on Wednesday evening allegedly slapped Mrakpor for overtaking his convoy within the premises of the National Assembly.

The petition was brought before the House at plenary yesterday by the Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor.

Mrakpor, representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta State, was driving out of the National Assembly when she made to overtake the 20-car convoy. She was driving herself when the incident happened.

“She was going for (church) service… They blocked her car and started bashing her car, when she wound down the window an aide slapped her in the face.

The CG sat in the comfort of his car, while this happened,” Ogor narrated.

Ogor, in a motion, called on the House to summon Ekpendu to appear before the House Committee on Interior and “explain why he should not be prosecuted and committed to prison for this assault”.

His presentation was however interrupted by his colleagues, several of who wanted him to appear before the House in the chambers, not before a committee.

Ogor’s report was corroborated

by Gbajabiamila, who added that Mrakpor had called him crying immediately the incident happened.

“This is the time for us to rally behind her, not just because she is a lawmaker but because she is a woman… What happened is clear, the man, as far as I am concerned is guilty of assault, battery and violence against a woman. We have heard of the eggshell case, anything could have happened,” he said.

“The slap was not by the aide as far as I am concerned, it was by the principal, when the principal is sitting down and observing his aide, it is called vicarious liability.

“The CG of Prisons belongs behind the bars of the prison that he is supervising. We should work towards relieving him of his job,” Gbajabiamila added.

Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje (Abia PDP) also pointed out that the experience of the assaulted lawmaker was reflective of what Nigerian women experience on a daily basis at home and in the society.

“My colleagues did not want to say it, but he also called her a prostitute,” Ukeje said, adding that the experience highlighted the abuse of power, and how people in uniform debase the people they are supposed to protect.

“This is what happens to every Nigerian woman, we are beaten, labelled names and expected to remain quiet. When we speak of violence against women, this is what we are talking about. He (Ekpendu) lacks honour, integrity and should be stripped of his position,” she added.

The committee on Interior is expected to invite Ekpendu within the next 72 hours and submit its report to the House on Tuesday.

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PAGE ELEVEN FG DEFERS N10.9BN LOAN REPAYMENT BY STATES, RULES OUT ANOTHER BAILOUT According to her, low receipts from crude oil sales means that there is insufficient revenue to share, thereby making it harder for states to survive.

She said: “This is an update on the financial situation in the states: it was discussed extensively that currently the Federation Account receipts are among the lowest that has been seen in recent memory.

“We are looking at N299.7 billion this month (for March allocation) and that is because of the very low oil prices recorded in February and January, if you remember oil prices went as low as $28 and $31 and that has affected receipts to the Federation Account.

“As a result of which I approached the president at the behest of the state governors that we defer the loan deductions from the Federation Account entitlements and the aim of this is to ensure that we support the states through this difficult period to enable them meet their salary obligations.

“The government is very committed to stimulating this economy and recognises that the ability of states to meet salary obligations is very important to getting the economy moving again, and so to that end, the president approved that deferral.”

Adeosun said states had been asked to submit financial data that would allow the federal government to work on a model and predict how much support in terms of loan deferrals to be given to get through this period until the economy begins to recover.

She said: “I want to emphasise that this is not a bailout, it is a deferral, postponement of deductions rather than a bailout just to allow the states to get the cash they need to meet their salary obligations.”

The minister said all the state governments endorsed the request to provide financial data and endorsed the request to work on biometric data and other initiatives to cleanse out fraudulent entries on their payrolls.

She said: “You might call them ghost workers but it is being done at

the state level very aggressively and the efficiencies that the state governors have already committed to, they all endorsed those initiatives as part of the support that we are trying to put in place.”

Adeosun said the approval she got from the president to defer the deductions was for the March allocation that was shared yesterday.

“The approval I have is for the current month (March) but with a proviso on the fiscal reforms that would be taken by the states.

What we discussed is that the current situation in the economy requires some action and what we need to do is to understand the financial profile of states in detail, so that we can understand how long we need to support them with loan deferrals.”

The minister also allayed fears that the policy would have a negative effect on the economy.

“On the effect of the deferrals on the economy, I think I will be swift to ask what is the effect of non-payment of salaries on the economy? That for us is really the issue. We have to put money into people’s pocket so that people start spending just to get the economy moving.

“Nobody stimulates the economy by austerity but by spending. So in some states, as you know, the state government is the highest employer of labour, so if the state government is unable to pay, nothing happens.

“We have prioritised getting the states back into good financial health.

Now, part of that is this commitment to fiscal sustainability and that is why we have asked the states to commit to cleansing their payrolls, commit to efficiency, and maximising their internally generated revenue.

“We have asked them to give us their financial data so that we can work together to create a financial module and understand what government needs to do to support the states.

“Of course we are borrowing, but we have got to make sure that we are borrowing to support the states that are fiscally sensible and prudent

in their managing money.

“So the answer is that we have a month (March) guaranteed, but we are asking for information from the states to enable us build a module so that we would know if it is three months, six months or however many months to supplement the shortfall to ensure that within reasonable parameters a majority of the states can pay salaries.

“And that is taking into account that different states have different obligations and different profiles, but the idea is to support them to be able to pay,” she said.

At the NEC meeting, Adeosun said she presented the report on the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA), which she said stood at $2.75 billion.

She also said that she gave an account of interest that had been received since the last update.

She said: “The second update given was on the constitution of the search committee for the board of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA; Sovereign Wealth Fund).

“I gave that presentation and nominated six persons from the six geopolitical zones, four men and two women, who would search for board members for the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority.”

Also, a statement yesterday from the finance ministry said: “The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting which took place today (yesterday), presented the lowest FAAC in over five years, with less than N300 billion in revenue driven by the impact of the historically low oil prices in January and February.

“This sum also reflects a seasonally low collection period for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).”

The ministry said with about 27 states currently experiencing challenges in meeting their salary payments and in response to the precipitous drop in revenue, obligatory repayments due to the federal government from the states in respect of their restructured loan obligations are being deferred for

the current month (March allocation).

“The deferral amounts to a total of N10.9 billion. This is to ensure that the states are in a better position to meet their salary obligations. We are not able to guarantee that all states will be able to meet their salary obligations, as each state’s situation is dependent on its own cost profile and other obligations it may have, but this initiative is to better position them to do so,” the ministry added.

It said all states will receive the relief this month (for March allocation), but noted that further deferrals will be subject to the agreement of a fiscal restructuring plan to be prepared by each state with clear measurable objectives.

“The Federal Ministry of Finance is keen to ensure that the programme of financial discipline being driven by the federal government is replicated in all tiers of government, including elimination of payroll fraud and increased spending efficiencies in overheads.

“Enhanced financial transparency by the publication of audited accounts and submission of debt profile may also be required. Moving states towards fiscally sustainable practices is a key objective of the federal government to ensure that Nigeria recovers from the current economic challenges,” the ministry added.

A statement from the vicepresident’s office further said that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who chairs the council, informed the states that the president will continue to review the situation in the states on an ongoing basis and take appropriate relief measures where necessary and possible.

At yesterday’s FAAC meeting, Adeosun, who was represented by the permanent secretary in her ministry, Mr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, said there was a N39.0 billion drop in revenue from the N338.8 billion that was shared in February.

She added that the shared amount comprised the month’s statutory revenue of N232.6 billion, noting that there was an exchange gain of

N2.9 billion which was proposed for distribution.

“Therefore, the total revenue distributable for the month of March, including VAT of N64.2 billion is N299.7 billion,” she told the finance commissioners of all the states present.

Adeosun also said the N6.3 billion that was refunded to the Federation Account by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was also shared.

Giving the breakdown of revenue among the three tiers of government, the finance minister said that the federal government got N109.1 billion, representing 52.68 per cent, while states got N55.3 billion, representing 26.72 per cent.

The local governments, she said, received N42.7 billion, amounting to 20.60 per cent of the amount distributed.

She said N19.75 billion, representing 13 per cent derivation revenue was shared among the oil producing states.

Adeosun also said during the month under review, the country generated N153.4 billion as mineral revenue and N79.3 billion as nonmineral revenue, representing an increase of N23.0 billion and N14.83 billion respectively from what the country generated in the preceding month.

She pointed out that acts of vandalism on oil pipelines, among other factors, continued to negatively impact on oil revenue generation.

According to her, there was a significant decline in income from Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) and Companies Income Tax (CIT).

She however reiterated government’s stand on the diversification of the economy, stressing that it was on course and that all measures were being taken to achieve the goal.

Also speaking at the NEC briefing, the Nasarawa State governor, Mr. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura said the council reconstituted the board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) for effective representation.

According to him, there was a unanimous acceptance of the recommendations and reconstitution of the board to include one governor from each of the six geopolitical zones.

He said: “For the North-central zone, we have the Plateau State governor to represent the region on the board; for the North-east zone, we have the Adamawa governor; the North-west will be represented by the Kebbi State governor; South-east by the Anambra State governor; South-west by the Lagos State governor; and the South-south by the Edo State governor. The committee has since been inaugurated by the vice-president.”

He said the issue of power sector was extensively discussed at the meeting in line with the priority this administration places on improving electricity supply and the challenges being faced.

“We also discussed the bailout matter on which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor gave an update about those states that have been able to access the funds. This was put at N689.5 billion which has been disbursed as bailout for the payment of salaries so far.

An additional N310 billion was disbursed as ECA-backed loans to the states,” he clarified.

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, who also spoke after the meeting said the council also approved the Nigerian Road Safety Strategy Document for 2014-2018.

He said the document served to address the current overlaps and streamline the roles and responsibilities of all participants in order to maximise the benefits of investment in road safety management activities. The strategy document was endorsed by NEC at yesterday’s meeting.

According to him, it also discussed the National Road Safety Council with the vice-president as the chairman with representatives from two geopolitical zones and other critical members.

computed again.

He however admitted that besides three huge transfers, other figures in the account were just charges, but that in the course of his work, he was required to give a summation of all the transactions in his report.

As Wetkas began to list out the transfers, he was cut short by Umar who said the process would waste the time of the tribunal as it already had a copy of the exhibit.

But Usoro interjected and asked the tribunal to allow him to establish his case in the interest of justice.

Continuing, Wetkas said the strength of the position of the investigation team was based more on the statement of accounts, which showed a clear narration of the transaction in respect to the transfer to the American Express Europe Limited. He noted that the investigation was on money laundering allegations.

Wetkas also revealed that his team members stumbled upon information regarding Saraki’s assets and loans, while other team members got information regarding the Senate president’s properties.

He added that there was no account number on the telex used for the said transfer of funds by Saraki from the GTB to American Express Service, New York. “The card account number is not on the telexes,” said Wetkas.

Speaking on the relationship between the credit card and the alleged account, Wetkas said GTB was in the best position to explain the process of international

transactions.

“The bank is more competent to talk on international transfers.

Every transaction in the company is specialised and that is why the head of the national funds transfer of GTB is listed as a witness in this case,” he said.

He gave the name of the said witness from GTB as Amazu Nwachuku.

Wetkas also said the investigation was principally based on Saraki’s statement of account, saying the findings of his team revealed a clear transfer to the American Express through the GTB. He however said he was unaware of any other institution besides banks that gives credit cards to their customers.

Asked whether Saraki was interrogated with regards to the American Express Bank, he said he was not sure.

He said the Senate president was not invited when a team of three EFCC investigators met with the CCB regarding his case.

“At the time the enlarged team met with the CCB, Saraki was not interrogated,” said Wetkas.

He however said the only time he was aware Saraki made a statement was during the investigation by the EFCC and that the statement was made before two of his team members, Usman Iman and Musa Sunday.

He added that he got to know about the interrogation through the team members.

“He made statements regarding

those things I am referring to before other team members.

“I know my larger team asked him questions relating to his properties and about the asset declaration that he made before the CCB, as well as the companies he has interest in, both local and international, among other things,” Wetkas stated.

Asked if Saraki’s statement was tendered before the tribunal, the witness for the prosecution said he was not aware of that.

Following a request by Mr. Agabi, the lead counsel to the defence, the trial was adjourned till Wednesday, April 27.

DRAMA AS CCT CHAIRMAN ORDERS ARREST OF SARAKI’S LAWYER and the EFCC, the defence is afraid that they cannot get justice from the chairman.”

The statement angered Umar, who ordered him to sit down, but Oluyede refused to sit down and even challenged the chairman over his powers to get him arrested.

“Sit down, I say sit down, sit down”, Umar shouted, but Oluyede refused to yield to the order. Umar got angrier; “I will commit you for contempt for doing my job”.

An unyielding Oluyede responded, “No, you cannot.”

“Okay, where are the police, arrest him, and take him out”. But for the timely intervention of the counsel for the prosecution, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) Oluyede would have been taken away.

Trouble started immediately a representative of the lead counsel, Mr. Adebayo Adelodun (SAN) announced his appearance and that of his team for the defence.

Oluyede then stood up to call the attention of the court to a motion filed by the defendant asking the tribunal chairman to disqualify himself from the trial.

But Jacobs interrupted him and told the court that the motion in question was handed over to him on Wednesday, adding that on receipt of the notices he quickly called Saraki’s lead counsel, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN) to ask if he was aware of the application.

“I called the lead counsel to find out if he was aware of the motion but he said that he was not aware of such a motion and he did not

ask anybody to file any motion,” he said.

Jacobs disclosed that the counsel who filed the motion had been appearing before the court but was not a counsel on the record, adding that the motion did not have the address of the lead counsel.

He claimed that the application was based on a false premise, insisting that the motion was not ripe for hearing.

Reacting, the chairman slammed the defence counsel for allowing such a thing to happen, saying this was an attempt to derail the course of justice.

Umar said since the defence counsel knew that the motion was not ripe and did not have the approval of the lead counsel, the defence team should not have allowed it.

However, addressing newsmen over his conduct during the proceedings, Oluyede justified his action, claiming that as a counsel in the matter he deserved to be heard.

He argued that the motion was in order and was brought in pursuit of justice for the defendant. He said the judgment of a federal High Court last week was that the motion would have been appropriate if it was filed at the tribunal, adding that that was exactly why they brought it before the tribunal.

However when Agabi later appeared, he acknowledged before the tribunal that Oluyede was a member of the defence team and he (Agabi) was aware of the application.

He subsequently apologised to

the tribunal, following which the business of the day commenced with another member of the defence team, Paul Usoro (SAN) who started the cross examination of the prosecution witness, Mr. Michael Wetkas on Count 12 of the charge against Saraki.

Count 12 alleged that Saraki operated a bank account outside Nigeria where he transferred the sum of $3.4 million to American Express Europe Limited for onward transfer to his card account with American Express Bank, New York.

When asked if the charge was the same as the one in Count 11, which also accused Saraki of operating a foreign account, Wetkas answered in the affirmative.

Wetkas, a detective with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said that the cover letter which the EFCC wrote to Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc in Exhibit 8 covered the issue raised in Counts 11 and 12.

Also when asked to point out the transaction in his exhibit that relates to Count 12, he said it was a summation of the total transfer to the said account.

But Usoro again asked Wetkas to point out the transactions in the document, but Wetkas was reluctant, claiming that it would really take much time to do so.

When confronted with the figures, Wetkas said that they were charges on the account and did not constitute the final figure of $3.4 million, adding that he could not confirm if they formed part of the total sum until they are

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STARTERS

US Music Legend, Prince, Dies at 57 Music legend, Prince, has died at the age of 57 at his estate in Minnesota, United States of America.

A report by the TMZ detailed that his body was found yesterday morning at his Paisley Park studio.

Paramedics were called out at 9.43 am yesterday and Carver County Sheriff's Department confirmed that there had been a fatality.

A forensics team and a medical examiner were at the scene, Fox 9station reported.

Prince - full name Prince Rogers Nelson - was hospitalised six days ago with flu symptoms.

The superstar musician combined rock, R&B, soul and hip-hop to create a unique sound that led to him selling more than 100 million records during his 40-year career.

He was aboard his private jet when he fell ill, forcing it to make an unscheduled landing in Illinois on Friday morning.

It was reported that the seven-time Grammy award winning singer's plane diverted to Quad City International Airport in Moline, Illinois, to make the emergency landing.

He had been suffering from flu for a number of weeks and was believed to be recovering, but his death took a turn for the worse in the early hours of Friday. He was treated for three hours before being released.

Initial reports on his condition painted a much graver picture, with one source claiming at the time he was “not doing well”.

The Purple Rain hit maker had performed at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta exactly one week before his death - the second of two back to back sold out shows - and had seemed fine during the concert.

Prince was born in Minneapolis in 1958 and started making music at the age of seven.

Prince was not only a great singer, a virtuoso guitarist, brilliant producer and songwriter, a very colourful dresser and was a widely acclaimed musical genius whose songs never waned throughout his career.

NEWS Arik Explains N12bn FAAN Debt After the suspension of its operations for 24 hours over the disruption of its service by workers of the FAAN, Arik Air yesterday said from the time it started operations in 2006 till February this year, it had paid FAAN over N18.9 billion.

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EDITORIAL As CAnCer rAvAges The

LAnd...

CAncer has for a long time been a major public health issue in Nigeria. Ironically there is no sensible public health policy to combat the ailment.

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POLITICS Ize-Iyamu: The Issue in Edo

Governorship With less than six weeks to the Edo State governorship primary, events in the Peoples Democratic Party suggest that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is the man of the moment in the governorship …

Page 16

WEEKENDFILE Unfinished Business

Chinze Ojobo, a 1985 University of Nigeria, Nsukka, graduate of Fine Art has been painting since she left school. But recently she staged a mind-blowing art and installation exhibition tagged “Unfinished Business” where she dwelt on the girl-child.

Page 27

BUSINESS Economic Crisis: Airlines Adopt New Strategies to Sustain Operation Foreign airlines and Nigerian carriers operating international destinations are adopting vari- ous strategies that will help them remain in business as the number of people that travel out of the country has scaled down…

Page 19

Prince

Adele Tops Young Musicians ‘Rich List’ After Success of ‘25’ Album Adele’s best-selling album “25” added 30 million pounds ($43 million) to the London-born singer’s fortune, putting her on top of the Sunday Times newspaper’s Young Musicians 2016 rich list for performers under 30.

The worldwide hit which was released last November, booted the 27-year-old singer to 85 million pounds, lifting her to 30th place in the paper’s 2016 list of wealthiest performers and composers in Britain and Ireland.

Paul McCartney topped the musicians’ rich list for a second year in a row. The former Beatle and his wife Nancy Shevell had a combined fortune of 760 million pounds, a rise of 30 million pounds from last year.

McCartney was followed by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, with 715 million pounds, while the Rolling Stones were Britain and Ireland’s wealthiest band with the fortunes of its four members totaling 630 million pounds.

Two-Minute Briefing

Adele

Irish band, U2, whose fortune jumped to 500 million pounds from 431 million pounds, was the highest-grossing rock act last year selling 1.29 million tickets worth 66 million pounds for 76 concerts.

Singer/songwriter, Ed Sheeran, also

jumped five places making him the second-richest young performer after Adele and propelling him into the main music list for the first time.

The late David Bowie’s family which inherited 70 million pounds from his will was also a new addition to the list with a combined fortune of 90 million pounds.

Although many musicians climbed the wealthy ranks over the past year, a few dropped including Cliff Richard, who fell four places in spite of a 3 million-pound addition to his bank account.

Former Oasis band members, Noel and Liam Gallagher were the only performers whose fortunes showed a marked decline, the paper said with a loss of 12 million pounds, dropping them seven places.

The list ranks Britain and Ireland’s richest musicians and performers and was published ahead of the annual Sunday Times Rich List this weekend.

CITYSTRINGS A Promise Kept The residents of Ikorodu area of Lagos last week, rolled out the drums to welcome Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who was in the area to give account of his stewardship…

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CRIME & PUNISHMENT Ex-Bauchi Guber Candidate,

Abdullahi Adamu in EFCC Net over N6.5bn Fraud Operatives of EFCC have swept on a former governorship candidate in Bauchi State, Abdullahi Adamu…

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SPORTS Super Eagles Coaching Job

Thrown Open TheTechnical committee of the NFF rose from its meeting in Abuja onWednesday to among other decisions throw open to all candidates the vacant Super Eagles head coach position.

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

COMMENT

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

THE NIGERIA-CHINA CURRENCY SWAP

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Joseph U. Uwaleke argues the currency swap would boost trade between China and Nigeria

s the name implies, currency swap is an arrangement between two friendly countries to trade in their own local currencies, paying for import and export trade at pre-determined rates of exchange without the use of a third currency like the United States dollar. Since the financial crisis of 2008, central banks around the world have entered into bilateral currency swap agreements with one another. These agreements allow a central bank in one country to exchange currency, usually its domestic currency, for a certain amount of foreign currency. The recipient central bank can then lend this foreign currency to its domestic banks.

China, for instance, has signed swap deals with nearly 30 countries since 2008 with the biggest being the 400 billion yuan currency swap with Hong Kong in November 2014. According to a publication by the People’s Bank of China, these swap agreements were intended not only to “stabilise the international financial market,” but also to “facilitate bilateral trade and investment.” Noticeably, the swap agreements are denominated in renminbi (also known as the yuan) and the local currencies of the counterparty countries without involving the US dollar. The swaps typically last for three years after which they are renewed.

For example, South Korea, one of China’s largest trading partners, signed a swap agreement with China in December 2008 and has renewed and expanded the swap amount many times. In June 2015, the People’s Bank of China and Bank Negara Malaysia signed an agreement to renew their currency swap arrangement for a further term of three years with the size maintained at 180 billion yuan/90 billion ringgit. The original arrangement was established in 2009 and first renewed in 2012. Africa has now joined the bandwagon. In April 2015, the South African Reserve Bank announced it had signed a three-year bilateral swap agreement with the People’s Bank of China for the exchange of local currencies of up to R57 billion.

Regarding the reported currency swap deal established between the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited and the Central Bank of Nigeria, on the sidelines of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent visit to China, one can only undertake a cursory analysis since the deal was short on details. Critical aspects of a swap line such as size, duration, effective date and cost were not made public. The CBN is therefore urged to communicate the details of the deal especially given the fact that the agreement was signed with the ICBC and not the Chinese PBoC. These details should be uploaded on the CBN’s website as soon as the deal is consummated to enable a thorough analysis of its costs and benefits to Nigeria. With Chinese exports accounting for about 80 per cent of the total bilateral trade volumes, it has been argued in some quarters that Nigeria does not stand to reap any commensurate benefit from the deal given the large trade imbalance in favour of China. The “flooding” of Nigerian markets with cheap Chinese goods has adversely affected domestic industries, especially in textiles. The currency deal, the argument further goes, would only reinforce Nigeria’s position as a dumping ground for goods from China and rubbish

THE CURRENCY SWAP DEAL IS EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN THE NAIRA SINCE NIGERIAN TRADERS, WHO IMPORT MAINLY FROM CHINA, CAN NOW CONCLUDE THEIR TRANSACTIONS IN THE YUAN INSTEAD OF THE DOLLAR

the import-substitution efforts of the federal government. The antagonists of the deal also contend that it is rather hasty to accumulate a substantial proportion of the country’s foreign reserves in Chinese currency in view of the volatility associated with the yuan and the fact that it is not yet an international reserve currency.

Nonetheless, it is pertinent to observe that asymmetric trade in favour of China can be tackled within the framework of the agreement. This much was not lost on President Buhari when he urged the business community in China not to “see Nigeria as a consumer market alone, but as an investment destination where goods can be manufactured and consumed locally.” Worthy of note also is the fact that the yuan is on its way to becoming an international reserve currency. In November 2015, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, had announced that China’s renminbi would become a world reserve currency alongside the dollar, euro, pound and yen with effect from September 2016. This would pave the way for broader use of the renminbi in trade and finance, securing China’s standing as a global economic power. The Chinese currency is already one of the top-10 most traded international currencies according to a recent report by the Bank for International Settlements.

It is safe to conclude that the swap arrangement is being established in the context of the rapidly growing bilateral trade between China and Nigeria. According to a recent CBN report, “business and trade relations between Nigeria and China have grown astronomically in the last decade with bilateral trade volumes rising from $2.8bn in 2005 to $14.9bn in 2015. Nigeria accounted for 8.3 per cent of the total trade volume between China and Africa and 42 per cent of the total trade volume between China and the Economic Community of West African States countries in 2015.”

Therefore, the currency swap would boost trade between China and Nigeria. It is also expected to bolster Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves at a time weak export revenues, occasioned by the drastic fall in oil price, has put the country’s foreign reserves under intense pressure.

Nigeria converted about one tenth of its reserves into yuan a few years ago and plans to increase the stock of yuan this year from panda bonds proceeds. The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, had disclosed the plan by Nigeria to issue panda bonds (denominated in yuan) as part of strategies to finance the 2016 budget deficit. Other factors being equal, the currency swap deal is also expected to strengthen the naira since Nigerian traders, who import mainly from China, can now conclude their transactions in the yuan instead of the dollar. And from China’s point of view, the currency swap will increase the demand for the yuan as it marches towards establishing its currency as a reserve currency in the future.

Uwaleke is an Associate Professor of Finance, Head of Banking & Finance Department and Deputy Director of Research, Nasarawa State University, Keffi

A LEADER IN CHARGE

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Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives, is concerned about the welfare of the people, writes Turaki Adamu Hassan

n a presidential system of government like ours, where the doctrine of separation of powers is deeply enshrined in our constitution, each of the three organs of government enjoys its independence.

Indeed, the framers of the 1979 constitution that was recommended by the Constituent Assembly and later adopted as the 1999 constitution, deliberately set out to ensure that both the doctrine of separation of powers and principles of checks and balances are adhered to so as to safeguard our democracy from tyranny and dictatorship. This is why the executive, legislature and the judiciary are all run and inhibited by different individuals in a manner stipulated by law.

As a student of constitutional law and politics, I have overtime come to understand and agree with the fact that of the three arms, the legislature enjoys enormous powers more than any other. Perusing through pages of the 1999 constitution, one easily notices that our nation’s ground-norm is replete with so many powers to the legislature.

While lawmaking is the primary responsibility of the parliament, there are also other powers, functions and responsibilities that are constitutionally discharged by the MPs. These include but are not limited to confirmation of nominated ministers, ambassadors and heads of parastatals, powers to investigate any matter, especially those under the exclusive legislative list, summon any person, quasi-judicial powers to investigate and indict, expose corruption, powers over the budget and appropriation or power to approve expenditure of government, confirmation of appointment of judges, including justices of the Supreme Court, powers to impeach the president, and so on and so forth.

The reason why the constitution accords the lawmakers such powers and responsibilities is borne out of the fact that they are directly elected by the people. In other words, they represent the sovereignty of the people because in a democracy, sovereignty rests with the people.

More than the two other organs of government, the legislators are the direct and number one custodians of the social contract and the parliament is the heart, nerve and hub of democracy without which there can be no democracy.

More specifically, in Nigeria, where we have a bicameral legislature, whereas the Senate represents equality of states, the House of Representatives, on the other hand, represents equality of the people.

This is why there is hardly any tribe, ethnic group or local government in Nigeria that does not have representation in the Green Chamber. This explains why the House is popularly referred to as the people’s chamber or House of the Nigerian people.

Historically, this very important chamber has consistently been led by progressive young leaders and this tradition was upheld on June 9, 2015, when Mr. Yakubu Dogara was elected Speaker.

Since his historic election, Rt. Hon. Dogara has not left anyone in doubt as to his philosophy, principles and leadership style. The Speaker strongly believes in dialogue, negotiation and consensus building, which are the cardinal pillars of his leadership.

Sadly, the green chamber has been tainted with incidents where a person, group of persons who are in the top hierarchy or in some cases, members of the legislature abuse their offices but the last 10 months have revealed the innate sterling leadership qualities of Dogara and his impeccable character.

His quality of being peaceful and one who strongly believes in building bridges of friendship and love across the divides has helped, in no small way, to putting the House of Representatives back on track post election.

Today, the rancour and bitterness that trailed the election on June 9 last year have been effectively confined to the dustbin of history as a result of Dogara’s maturity, humility and politics of compromise, which saw the emergence of his opponents as leaders and chairmen of committees in the House.

No wonder he has continued to enjoy enormous support and loyalty from his colleagues, who

acknowledge his transparency and open-door policy.

As one who opens new frontiers, the relationship between the House and the executive is more than cordial under Dogara’s leadership, as both the speaker and his colleagues are at peace with the ruling party and the government; working together to deliver good to the people.

It is his belief that the executive and the legislature must not fight or be engaged in a supremacy battle before they can work to move the nation forward.

At every opportunity, he emphasises that the primary interest of leaders at all levels should be the people and not their ego or power tussle. At every fora, Dogara would clearly makes it clear that the bickering that characterised the relationship between the two arms of government in the past should never be allowed to rear its head again under the change administration of the APC because this government, which came on the promises of change, cannot afford to fail the people.

However, in some quarters, many pundits have been asking questions: why is the parliament not slugging it out with the executive? Why is it that the legislature seems not be utilising its powers to the fullest? Why is it that the House of Representatives does not adopt confrontational approach in relating with the executive? Why are they not fighting the executive? Speaker Dogara had cause to provide answers to these questions when he visited Olowo of Owo, Oba Dr. David Victor Folagbade OlateruOlagbegi in Ondo State recently.

The speaker underpinned the fact that the House under his leadership does not see their role or relationship as a confrontational one but that of support for whatever the executive is doing to lessen the burden of the Nigerian people and improve their living condition.

“We don’t adopt a very confrontational posture just for the sake of proving that we have separate powers as allocated to us by the constitution, we cooperate more to ensure that good is delivered to the people,” he stated.

But this stand should not in any way be misconstrued to say that the parliament should be subservient to the Executive or will be its stooge or that it will close its eyes to any infraction by either the president or any of his agents.

He maintained that it is only when democracy is threatened that “we raise our voices”, adding, “I remember we have been doing that in this government. How we handled the crisis in Kogi State House of Assembly. It was actually an APC leader who led investigation into the matter and we condemned the impunity even as members of the ruling party. This is change we are talking about.”

It is Dogara’s philosophy that as leaders, their primary responsibility is to work out solutions in the midst of crisis and not add to it or engage in petty squabbles, or issues that constitute distractions.

Another clear example is the way and manner he handled the crisis that trailed the 2016 budget as passed by the National Assembly. When concerns were raised by Nigerians and the executive on some provisions of the document, the Speaker adhered to the voices of the people and announced that the House has resolved to re-examine the document.

It is his belief that although the powers of appropriation as clearly stated in the constitution is vested in the National Assembly, such powers should always be exercised with caution so that the public interest is not endangered.

He kept to his words, knowing well that working together, the three arms of government can deliver greater good for the greater number of Nigerians and lift them out of abject poverty since the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of the people. This is also in line with his philosophy of non-confrontational approach to executive-legislature relationship.

This is the change that Nigerians have been yearning for, the change they voted for and the change they need desperately in these difficult times.

Hassan is the Special Adviser, Media & Public Affairs, to Speaker Yakubu Dogara

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

EDITORIAL AS CANCER RAVAGES THE LAND…

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The bill on a national strategy to contain the cancer scourge is in order

ancer has for a long time been a major public health issue in Nigeria.

Ironically there is no sensible public health policy to combat the ailment.

That much was revealed last week by the Senate Committee on Health at a public hearing on the National Centre for Cancer Research and Treatment Bill. Senator Lanre Tejuoso, a medical doctor and chairman, Senate Committee on Health, said cancer was the third most common cause of deaths in the country and currently afflicts about two million Nigerians while between 100,000 and 500,000 new cases are registered annually. “It is confirmed that cancer destroys the well-being of a large percentage of our citizens and it is a public health problem that affects all categories of persons,” he said.

The bill seeks to provide for the establishment of a cancer research and treatment centre for the benefit of Nigerians. When passed, the bill, among other things “will provide a holistic national strategy for dealing with cancer ailment as a serious national health agenda and the education of the INCREASED AWARENESS public on the ailment CAMPAIGNS, with conservation IMPROVEMENTS IN PUBLIC of our national HEALTH AND INCREASED resources”.

FUNDING FOR HEALTH Even though there CARE INITIATIVES ARE is no accurate data to ALL LIKELY TO LEAD determine the number TO A DECREASE IN THE of people affected by INCIDENCE OF CANCER this ailment, available statistics are such that the disease should be treated as an emergency. “I call on governments to step up their response to cancer by taking concrete actions to reduce premature deaths and improve the quality of life and cancer survival rates,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, at a recent event to commemorate World Cancer Day. He urged commitment to “design and implement effective cancer control plans”.

Cancer is an ailment where early detection and

Letters to the Editor

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treatment can make the difference between life and death. But the high death rate from cancer in Nigeria is a measure of the state of our health care delivery system.

Most Nigerian hospitals and medical centres lack the diagnostic capacity to quickly detect and treat cancer infections. This has forced several Nigerians who can afford it to travel to countries like India, the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, etc., in search of treatment for the disease.

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T H I S DAY

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ccording to WHO estimates, one-third of cancer cases are preventable while another one-third can live a qualitative life if given adequate and timely treatment. Dr. Christopher Kolade, a member of Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) for the early detection and treatment of the disease said recently that cancer is not a death sentence but a challenge “that all Nigerians must brace up to defeat”, adding: “If we do not engage in the war to defeat cancer, then cancer will overcome us.”

The most common types of cancer in Nigeria are carcinoma of the uterine cervix and breast for women and liver and prostate cancers for men over 40 years.

Cervical cancer kills far too many women yearly because of lack of awareness and resources for treatment, even when it has been shown that a simple and inexpensive vinegar test can cut down drastically on the number of deaths. Unfortunately, it does not seem as if Nigerians are paying adequate attention even when many of our prominent citizens have succumbed to the disease in recent times.

We believe that the task of saving citizens from the cancer scourge remains essentially with government which has to provide both the basic facilities to combat the disease and to create the enabling environment that can facilitate the collaboration of the private sector in tackling the menace. Increased awareness campaigns, improvements in public health and increased funding for health care initiatives - by government, donor agencies, and development partners - are all likely to lead to a decrease in the incidence of this killer disease. We urge the health authorities to take what is fast becoming a cancer epidemic much more seriously.

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 (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

A LETTER TO SENORITA CAROLINE

ow are you? How are our children? My prayer is that God shall continue to guide and protect them over there in Sorento, Italy. My thought is always with you and our lovely children. And, I have you on my mind all the time.

Since you left the shores of this space of egregious happenings and rudderless leadership, many landmark and memorable events have happened. You are not unaware that Nigeria sits on a tripod –Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, and Yoruba. The Hausa-Fulani people believe that the leadership of this country is their heritage, however. Politicians and soldiers of Hausa-Fulani extraction have ruled Nigeria for a great part of her independence years.

When the death of Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua created a political power vacuum at Aso Rock, they kicked against the emergence of Dr Goodluck Jonathan as the president as he is a Southern Christian from a minority tribe. It took the audacity of late Professor Dora Akunyili, who spoke fervently for the installation of Dr Jonathan as the substantive president, for him to ascend into the pinnacle of power.

Like his political predecessors in office, such as Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, and Yar’Adua, Dr Goodluck Jonathan was ill-prepared for political leadership. He was as clueless as he was tardy. He condoned acts of corruption, which held the country down.

It is on record that Dr Goodluck Jonathan is the first sitting president that lost a presidential poll in our political annals. Here, it is believed that an incumbent president would deploy the police and armed forces to win an election. Why the incumbency factor failed to work in his favour is a mystery as well as a

conundrum to us.

But, during the electioneering, the campaign slogan of change of the APC swayed millions of voters to the APC. Then, millions of Nigerians, who were hard hit by the depressed economy, had lost faith in the PDP-led government. Many formidable political parties coalesced into APC. It’s a national political movement charged with truncating PDP’s continued leadership of Nigeria.

Alhaji Bola Tinubu, a political titan, and others cobbled the party together. Its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, is a martinet for good behaviour and disciplined life style. His campaign slogan of change resonated with us, and he won the last presidential election.

Change has dawned in Nigeria, however. Nigerians have discovered to their chagrin and discomfiture that Dr. Jonathan’s failings and inadequacies inhere in the unsmiling and unreconstructed President Buhari. Tardiness, which is one of the streaks and genetic traits of Dr Jonathan, is manifesting in President Buhari. It took him eon time to assemble an executive cabinet that is peopled with mediocre performers.

Sadly, and unexpectedly, the so-called political superstars and through-bred technocrats in his government have become adept at giving lame excuses for the shoddy performances of their duties. Now, getting a drop of fuel at a petrol station has become as difficult as finding a girl with unbroken maiden-head in a brothel, which has caused millions of Nigerians to become impatient, frustrated, and highly irascible. In reaction to the problem of fuel scarcity, the minister of state for petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, told us that he’s not a magician, who can magically will millions of

litters of fuel into existence.

The ramification of the non-availability of petroleum products in the country has been taking its toll on us. The cost of transportation has skyrocketed. Now, poor civil servants with fixed salaries do spend a greater part of their salaries on transportation while commuting to their offices, daily. Prices of staple food items have increased, astronomically, too. Are Nigerians not groaning under the burden of excruciating economic hardship? Nigerians are now making comparisons between Buhari’s administration and Jonathan’s government. They’re wistfully and nostalgically talking about the past, and longing for it.

My dearest Senorita Caroline, aren’t we witnessing dramatic changes in Nigeria? The vexed issue of electricity supply has taken a turn for the worse.

More worrisome is the murderous activities of the itinerant Fulani cattle herders. They’ve grown more daring and violent in recent times. With their Ak 47 and other guns slung across their shoulders, they trample on farmers’ farms with their herds of cattle destroying food crops on those farms.

My dearest Senorita, I envy and begrudge your stay in Sorrento, Italy as our country has been turned to an unlivable space by the murderous Fulani herdsmen and biting and unremitting economic hardship. Now, millions of Nigerians want to leave our country for European countries for good. Daily, they besiege foreign embassies for visa. My lovely Caroline, I look forward to our re-union in Sorrento, Italy.

Chiedu Uche Okoye, Uruowulu-obosi, Anambra State

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

POLITICS

Group Politics Editor Olawale Olaleye Email wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com 08116759819 SMS ONLY

PERSONALITY FOCUS

Ize-Iyamu: The Issue in Edo Governorship With less than six weeks to the Edo State governorship primary, events in the Peoples Democratic Party suggest that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is the man of the moment in the governorship race slated for later this year. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, who has been monitoring developments, writes

A

ll things being equal, all political parties contesting the 2016 Edo State governorship election are expected to produce their standard-bearers on or before May 22, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed September 10 for the main election.

Already, aspirants in the all the political parties especially aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are upping their games for the battle ahead, even as tension is soaked ahead of the appointed date.

Expectedly, conflicts of interests are very pronounced within the two major political parties: PDP and APC. This appears to be tearing the parties apart, going by the unfolding political events in the last few weeks, while leaders of the parties are taking panicky measures to manage the emerging situations.

For the APC, it appears the battle must be fought and won at all fronts. An insider very conversant with the party’s strategy at the state level told THISDAY that while the leadership of the ruling party “are ready to overwhelm all enemies within the party” in order to produce its preferred candidate, they are in the same way fighting very hard to ensure popular candidates do not emerge in other parties, especially within its main rival party, the PDP. Apparently conscious of the huge challenges “a PDP formidable candidate” may pose to the APC, political followers and friends of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State had in the last few weeks consistently advised him to go for “acceptable candidate” within the APC if he is ready to “install” a successor.

For example, Chief David Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, was said to have admonished Oshiomhole recently that he and his supporters would “swim, and if necessary, sink” with him in the political decision he is about to take – in the September governorship election.

Although considered by many not to be politically relevant in the politics of the state, Chief Edebiri, who like many of the governor’s aides, is not comfortable with Godwin Obaseki, Oshiomhole’s alleged preferred candidate, but said he had no option than to “swim and sink” with him.

Similarly, THISDAY gathered that a two-time governor of old Bendel State, General Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, had also advised Oshiomhole recently to “consult very well’’ before deciding on who to support among the APC aspirants for the governorship race. And like many others, the respected elder statesman appears not to be comfortable with Obaseki’s candidature.

But, against all the good counsels, a close aide of the governor said Oshiomhole might have settled for a little known Godwin Obaseki, and he is ready to do everything to have him emerge the APC candidate on May 22.

On what he is doing to manage the huge opposition against his preferred candidate, the aide said, “The Comrade Governor believes Obaseki will win at a heavy cost”, saying “part of the strategy is to ensure Pastor Ize-Iyamu does not emerge PDP’s candidate. Ize-Iyamu is his greatest fear. And the Comrade believes once the pastor is stopped, the system can be managed.”

Although APC may dismiss this, THISDAY gathered that the state government had allegedly reached out to some aggrieved PDP members in the state for help and already, some self-styled chieftains of the party are said to have since deployed to work, an insider said.

Ize-Iyamu...Edo’s talk of the town

Mr. Nosa Adams, a PDP strategist, said the recent dressing down of one Okharedia Ihimekpen, a member of the PDP in Edo State that the “strident but timely criticism” of the policies, programmes and projects of the Oshiomhole administration would not make Pastor Ize-Iyamu the party’s candidate, is parts

Arguably, the former Secretary to the Edo State Government is one of the constructive talk-about today in the emerging politics of Edo State, especially in the Edo South. Believed to be having a wide and strong political network across the three senatorial districts, some of his huge followers have described him in different ways: “very generous”,“well-organised”, “level headed”,“experienced administrator”and “good listeners.”

of APC’s deal with some party members.

“It exposes the desperation of one whose only abiding project is to run down and besmear Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who to all intents and purposes is perceived as the stumbling block to the election of his aspirant as PDP’s candidate in the forth-coming election,” the PDP chieftain stated.

“Ihimekpen had fired the first salvo in his concocted tale, early this year that the pastor re-bagged rice purportedly allocated to Edo State by the pro-Jonathan Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) – an allegation that was found to be untrue, ridiculous and non-existent. Ihimekpen went back into his cocoon.”

The Oshiomhole’s former aide said, “The childish assertion” by Ihimekpen that Pastor Ize-Iyamu will not be handed the PDP flag on account of his criticism of Oshiomhole’s governance style, may not be unconnected with the political scripts handed him.

“Well-meaning members of the PDP and keen observers of the party’s affairs will remember vividly that the relay of problems and controversies that culminated in the party’s defeat in 2007, had its roots in the ugly activities that ruined the party’s re-registration processes and threw many members into political wilderness through deft manoeuvres, positioning and artificial scarcity of membership cards.

“Pastor Ize-Iyamu was not the only victim.

Thousands of PDP members were structurally demobilised. If for political expediency, Pastor Ize-Iyamu and others, who suffered the same fate with him assembled in a half-house and insisted on being reabsorbed, why did the Ihimekpens of this earth continue to harbour the angst and resentment of the past, when the political wounds have been healed and soothed?’’

He described Ihimekpen as one of the “discreet moles in the PDP with ties to people on the other side of the political divide (APC).”

Pockets of intra-party opposition nevertheless, political analysts said the emerging political scenario both in Edo State and the national secretariat of the PDP have suggested that it is a settled matter for Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu – he is the state PDP candidate for 2016 gubernatorial race.

Arguably, the former Secretary to the Edo State Government is one of the constructive talk-about today in the emerging politics of Edo State, especially in the Edo South. Believed to be having a wide and strong political network across the three senatorial districts, some of his huge followers have described him in different ways: “very generous”, “well-organised”, “level headed”, “experienced administrator” and “good listeners.”

Like many of his colleagues in the race, Pastor Ize-Iyamu had consistently told his followers that he is in the race to Denis Osadebe House to serve.

“At times people tend to give the impression that it is a crime to have an ambition and prepare for an office. I think it is desirable that those, who aspire for public office, should not be those who were drafted in, had no plan and were not prepared for the office. It should not be a situation, whereby someone felt he could use them and conscript them into the race. Political offices are very challenging. Anyone aspiring to occupy political office must show proof that he is prepared for it.”

The PDP governorship hopeful said he had lived in the state all his life, and that what people call political structure is what he calls goodwill, saying, there is no part of the state,

ward or local government that he does not have personal friends.

Ize-Iyamu added, “I’m talking about people I could stay in their houses and eat based on long term relationships. So, when people talk about political structures, it does not necessarily mean control of political parties, but being able to have credible men and women, who are close to you in all parts of the state.

“That, to me, is a credit. As for my ambition, I have had the opportunity of serving in government and I know the workings of government more than a lot of people. I also thank God for good education. I cannot see my state being misled and mismanaged and be indifferent. It is natural and patriotic to have an ambition under such circumstance.”

Insisting that he has a clear vision of how the state should be administered, he said his vision is a product of widespread consultation and experience in governance that he had gathered all his life, sector by sector.

According to him, “You can’t operate government focusing only on education as if you don’t have anything to do with health, people will die. You can’t focus on health and education and you have no time for business, if the economy does not grow, people will die.

Government must be handled from a very holistic point of view, not something you decide that you forget about security, armed robbers will hold sway.

“So, you have to be able to use available resources in a manner that these areas are dealt with, while still able to focus on certain priority areas; you don’t kill certain areas. It’s like in a family, you say, well, because I go to school, people will not eat anymore. No, they will still eat, you must still pay rent, you must still pay medical bills and you still look for a way to pay your education bills.”

The Director-General, former President Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation (2015), Edo State, said he is contesting the governorship position as somebody, who understands the system.

“And don’t forget that I am a man who is accessible. I think one of the problems that Governor Adams Oshiomhole has is that he is not accessible. Most of the time, he is not even in the state, and when he is in the state, he might not even be in the capital because he is in his village. And when he is in the capital, it is difficult, even for his own commissioners to access him. So, there is a lot of disconnect.

“I believe I have the experience. I believe I am passionate. A lot of people have been elected into offices and they have no interest in the state. How many of them have interest in the state? A man wants to rule you but he has no interest in the state, he who does not even believe in your state, how can he rule you?”

Dr. Clement I. Alile, a political leader in Edo State, also cautioned recently about who becomes the next governor of Edo State.

“We are talking of who is to govern Edo State; we are talking of people who have been exposed to governance, who have served the government at different levels and had experience from management of men and materials with humility, dignity, respect, candour and comportment. That is what we want,” the seasoned retired public administrator stated in an interview with a national daily.

“We don’t want charlatans, we don’t need ‘babies’ that are being fed with baby milk; we want mature, self-confident people. I will prefer among all of them to have a confident man that is one who has self-confidence, who has been exposed.”

17

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

POLITICS

UPDATE&TRENDING

Budget of Many Controversies For more than three months, the presidency and the National Assembly have engaged each other in a battle of wits over the 2016 budget. The matter, however, climaxed last week when the Senate warned the presidency to desist from its campaign of calumny. Omololu Ogunmade gives an update in a matter already mired in politics

T

he war of attrition between the Presidency and the National Assembly gives no sign of abating.

Both institutions have in recent times resorted to name-calling and issuance of threats against each other. The bone of contention has been the 2016 budget, which has generated suspicion between the two arms of government.

Whereas Nigerians have continued to endure a range of hardships with the hope that the passage of the 2016 budget would alleviate their plights, every sigh of relief heaved by the people after a measure of controversies is always ephemeral as such a relief quickly gives way to a fresh wave of controversies.

Thus, the budget impasse has been a procession from the allegation of missing budget to swapping of the document; budget padding to budget of errors and duplication of figures as well as disowning their budgets by ministers. The claim of passage by National Assembly while legislation was still ongoing on the document was also parts of the controversies that have made the document a subject of international embarrassment.

That the entire world is aware of the embarrassment accompanying the budget presentation arose on Thursday, when the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in faraway United States advised the executive and the legislature to end the budget row in the interest of their country.

The most recent controversy began with the rejection of highlights of the 2016 budget transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari after its passage on March 23, by the National Assembly. Buhari had rejected the Appropriation Bill, which contained only highlights of the budget and demanded details of the budget before he could give his assent. The rejection exposed that the National Assembly was yet to conclude work on the budget despite claims that it had passed it.

However, after about two weeks, the National Assembly eventually concluded legislation on the budget and transmitted it. For many Nigerians, who had journeyed through the controversies trailing the budget from inception, its transmission was victory at last and light at the end of the tunnel.

But the euphoria of that perceived victory was short-lived as 48 hours later the presidency came up with an allegation that the N60billion Calabar-Lagos Rail Project in the budget had been removed by lawmakers. The presidency also alleged the diversion of some allocations to some projects in the North as well as the removal of N18 billion Kaduna-Idu Rail Project.

This allegation put the National Assembly on the spot and portrayed it as an army of unpatriotic citizens, who discarded important projects which could add value to the lives of hapless Nigerians. This provoked anger in the Senate and prompted it to warn the Presidency to henceforth put paid to its alleged hide and seek game on the 2016 budget.

A statement by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, also warned the Presidency to stop engaging in what it described as surreptitious campaigns of calumny against the National Assembly in order to cover up its shortcomings.

It said the executive lacked the effrontery to sustain its persistent attacks against the National Assembly in view of alleged flaws, which characterised the 2016 budget, alleging that the National Assembly had to bend backwards to produce a meaningful document out of the excessively flawed and chaotic versions of the budget proposal submitted to it by Buhari.

The Senate further accused the presidency of gross incompetence in the preparation of the budget, adding that the document was highly embarrassing and characterised with mess which it claimed to help it to clean. The parliament took exception to what it described

Saraki, Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo during Independebce Day celebration...Will they ever work together

as an unwarranted attitude of the presidency to set the public against the National Assembly, emphasising that the power of appropriation rested with it.

The Senate took a swipe at the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, whom it accused of orchestrating the allegation. It described the minister’s “antics” of evolving the allegation as reckless, uncalled for and dangerously divisive. Consequently, it asked him to tender an unreserved apology for the allegation or resign.

Notwithstanding the insistence of the presidency that the projects should be included in the budget, the Senate resumed from its Easter break and ruled out the possibility of reconsidering the inclusion of the N60 billion Lagos-Calabar Rail Project in the 2016 budget.

Instead, the parliament promised to consider it only if a supplementary budget is sent to it by the executive. According to Abdullahi, the Senate stood by its position on Monday that enough of the blackmail from the executive over the budget.

Abdullahi insisted that having passed the

This decision by Southern senators shows that not only the National Assembly is divided by the budget, it has also polarised the Senate and House of Representatives into North-South divide.

The current scenario on the budget therefore shows that Nigerians awaiting the takeoff of the budget may have to wait for a long while

Appropriation Bill, it was impossible for the National Assembly to revisit the 2016 budget, explaining that the only option left is for Buhari to sign the budget and thereafter send a supplementary budget on the rail projects as provided for in the constitution. He argued that the Senate had resolved to be guided by provisions of the constitution in handling the crisis emanating from the passage of the budget.

“Now, one thing that is obvious is that, yes, we have passed the budget. Nigerians are asking what next for us. What is important now is for the budget to be signed. The constitution has taken note of this kind of scenario, where you may have omissions or shortfalls of allocations and Section 81 of the constitution is very clear on what you need to do which is to sign the budget and then submit a supplementary appropriation.

“I want to assure you that the Senate is not unmindful of the cries of Nigerians. That we said, for example, that the Lagos-Calabar rail project was not in the budget does not in any way undermine the fact. It is a very, very important project for this nation to embark on and so the National Assembly, the Senate is open if the executive brings a supplementary appropriation with respect to this issue and any other issue that they feel very strongly about.

“We are ready and willing to consider such but the most important point to note is that we want to remain guided by the provisions of the constitution. I think if we do that, all these raging controversies will be up our back and we can all concentrate and put our energies to begin the process of implementing the 2016 budget so that those dividends of democracy, the youth unemployment issue, the empowerment of women, the social intervention programme, the infrastructural programmes, the agricultural programmes can be addressed. The rains are already here and all other projects that we know will kick-start,” he said.

But indications that it will take a long time for the budget impasse to be resolved manifested on Wednesday, when the House of Representa-

tives rose from its three-hour executive session with a resolution to re-examine the budget.

This position was in contrast with that of the Senate which had ruled out the possibility of re-visiting it.

This, therefore, implies that both chambers of the National Assembly are working at crosspurposes, which will only prolong crisis on the budget. This is more so that no bill can be passed into law by the National Assembly unless both the Senate and House of Representatives work in unanimity on such a bill.

But the current discordant tunes in the National Assembly only shows that even if the president vetoes the Appropriation Bill within the 30 days that it constitutionally has to either assent to it or veto it, the National Assembly will lack the required common grounds to override the president’s veto. The adverse effect of this dangerous trend therefore is that government business will shut down as the federal government will be unable to draw money from the federation account after six months into the fiscal year.

However, the House of Representatives has found an ally in the Southern senators, who last week met at various caucuses of their regions and resolved that the Calabar-rail line project must be included in the project.

The Southern senators ended their various caucuses’ meeting with the conclusion that the project considered to be vital for the region was deliberately removed from the budget

by Appropriation Committees of the National Assembly headed by Northern lawmakers. They therefore threw their weight behind the decision

by Buhari to withhold his assent from the bill until the project is restored.

This decision by Southern senators shows that not only the National Assembly is divided by the budget, it has also polarised the Senate and House of Representatives into North-South divide. The current scenario on the budget therefore shows that Nigerians awaiting the take-off of the budget may have to wait for a long while.

18

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

POLITICS

OFF-THE-TURF

Emmanuel is a Gunner for Life By watching any match involving his choice football club, Arsenal FC, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel decompresses. He shared some of such moments with Anayo Okolie

A

rsenal Football Club, presently, is among the best clubs in the world because of their tip-tap pattern of play. Though they haven’t achieved much like Barcelona, Madrid, AC Milan, Liverpool, Manchester United and other respected clubs that have been decorated with several European trophies.

Whilst Arsenal is yet to secure a Champions League trophy, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, is still comfortable supporting his club. One of the many myths of Arsenal’s history is that the club has never been relegated.

Unfortunately, it is not so. Arsenal was once relegated (1913) when they finished bottom of the league. Then, they were called Woolwich Arsenal.

They were promoted back to the old First division after the First World War in quite a controversy and have been there ever since. But the club’s performance has been spectacular ever since.

However, 16 years ago (1996/1997 season), was the last time that Arsenal failed to qualify for Champions League and in fact, the season was Arsene Wenger’s first in England, having arrived in north London from the Japanese League in September to replace Bruce Rioch.

But after getting over the heartache of narrowly missing out on Champions League football, Arsenal bounced back the following season in earnest, overhauling Manchester United’s 12-point lead to win the Premier League.

Emmanuel does not joke with his matches.

One would imagine how he creates time to watch his matches despite his busy schedule as the number one citizen of Akwa Ibom. Even if Arsenal’s performance is poor, you dare not criticise the club before him. However, there are few things that Emmanuel can sacrifice

Arsenal matches for, and they are: God, family and the progress of Akwa Ibom State.

What Emmanuel loves most, according to him, is praising the lord. “I can never separate governance from God.” He is a devoted Christian.

His closeness to God till date is not a surprise to many especially the people of Akwa Ibom, who know him from childhood.

Emmanuel rose from being a Sunday school leader at United Evangelical Church (QIC) formerly Qua Iboe Church to become a bank director. Emmanuel and his family are still

Emmanuel does not joke with his matches. One would imagine how he creates time to watch his matches despite his busy schedule as the number one citizen of Akwa Ibom…Even if Arsenal’s performance is poor, you dare not criticise the club before him. However, there are few things that Emmanuel can sacrifice Arsenal matches for, and they are: God, family and the progress of Akwa Ibom State

strong members of United Evangelical Church (QIC), Nigeria.

Emmanuel is from a reputable and God-fearing family cherished by everyone in his community.

His father Mr. G. E. Nkanang was an educator, a Head Master and a great teacher. Both Father and Mother (late) were community leaders, who committed themselves to educating, training and developing children and youths in their communities to become better future leaders.

Emmanuel and his family are strong members of Qua Iboe Church, Nigeria. As a devout Christians and Deacon, they are altogether very active in the faith. This commitment, many believe helped Udom and his family to stay strong and united, while weathering through the storms of life.

He loves praising the lord with passion and has contributed immensely to the growth of the lord’s vineyard. Yet, Emmanuel, who hungers for the gospel or the words of God, says he could not do without Christian songs. He enjoys it and listens to it all the time.

Since he was elected Governor of Akwa Ibom State on April 11, 2015, his priorities are serving God and putting smiles on the faces of Akwa Ibom people by building a new Akwa Ibom State through his five point agenda.

Immediately he took over from his predecessor, Mr. Godswill Akpabio as the governor, Emmanuel promised wealth creation, economic and political inclusion, poverty alleviation, infrastructural consolidation and expansion and job creation.

He is seen as a technocrat. His experience and achievements speak for him.

Emmanuel served as an audit manager of Price Waterhouse Coopers. He is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

He joined Zenith in 1996 from Diamond Bank Limited and was the pioneer manager of its Lagos Central Branch. He was in charge of the

Telecommunications Sector, Income Optimisation and Financial & Strategic Planning Group of Zenith Bank Plc. He has over 17 years financial services experience.

He served as an Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc, and also served as Chief Financial Officer of Zenith Bank Plc. Before he ventured into politics, he also served as Group Head of Income Optimisation, Financial Control & Strategic Planning Department at Zenith Bank. He served as General Manager of Zenith Bank Plc. He is a Chartered Accountant and he trained with Price Water House Coopers. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management.

He has attended the Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD, France and holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the prominent University of Lagos in 1988.

Emmanuel was Director, Nigerian Inter-bank Settlement Systems (NIBBS), Non-Executive Director, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

He attended School of Arts and Science, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and obtained Advanced Certificate of Basic Studies (CBS) and Higher School Certificate (HSC).

He attended Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Akpan Ishiet, Onna LGA, Akwa Ibom State (SSCE). His political journey started in July 2013, when he was appointed Secretary to the State Government of Akwa Ibom State.

In 2014, he aspired for the governorship of Akwa Ibom State in a hotly contested primary election and defeated 22 other aspirants (G22) to emerge the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In 2015, he was elected Governor of Akwa Ibom State on the platform of the PDP. He was declared winner with 999, 071 votes after he defeated his closest rival, the APC governorship candidate, Umana Okon Umana, his predecessor as SSG, who scored 89, 865 votes.

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2016

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Quick Takes IATA Holds Aviation Day Africa

OUR SCORECARD

L-R: Chairman, Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) Plc, Aliko Dangote; Acting Group Managing Director, Abdullahi Sule, and Director, Alhaji Sani Dangote at the 10th annual general meeting of DSR in Lagos…recently. sunday adigun

Economic Crisis: Airlines Adopt New Strategies to Sustain Operation Chinedu Eze Foreign airlines and Nigerian carriers operating international destinations are adopting various strategies that will help them remain in business as the number of people that travel out of the country has scaled down owing to the economic down turn.

THISDAY learnt that the number of Nigerians that travel overseas in recent times has reduce proportionally, a development that is taking a toll on the load factor of some of the airlines. A similar situation was what forced Iberia, the Spanish national airline to suspend operations to the country.

THISDAY checks revealed that the destinations mostly affected include Dubai, India, Doha and China because importation of finished goods has been

AVIATION curtailed by the struggling economy and low purchasing power.

It was however gathered that there is minimal effect of the poor economy to passenger movement to destination like London, Paris, other European destinations and the US. Importers are finding it difficult to access foreign currency, especially dollars at the present high exchange rate of N320.00 per dollar in the parallel market.

THISDAY gathered that in order to survive the hard times, some foreign carriers have reduced the size of their aircraft, like British Airways, which now operates Boeing B777 that has about 300 passenger capacity, instead of Boeing B747 that has about 400 passenger capacity, depending on the configuration.

Some airlines have also re-

duced their frequency, meaning that airlines which hitherto had daily flights to Nigeria have reduced their operations to four or three times weekly while some are even considering suspending their flights.

Competition for market share recently created spat between Nigerian operators, Medview and Arik Air and BA and Virgin Atlantic Airways on the popular Lagos-London route.

The Nigerian operators had alleged that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways were behind the sudden directive by Eurocontrol, which provides airspace services to airlines in Europe, to give them 48 hours ultimatum to offset their debts or they would suspend their operation.

According to a source at one of the airlines, the two English carriers pressured Eurocontrol to stop their operation, but the

Nigerian airlines challenged the directive and Arik threatened that it would urge the Nigerian government to reciprocate in the same measure, prompting Eurocontrol to rescind the decision.

Since the two UK mega carriers increased their fares, passengers who could not afford the exorbitant fares have started patronising Medview and Arik, as the two Nigerian airlines record increase in load factor.

It was also learnt that Nigerian airlines are also attracting more passengers on the route because they sell their tickets in Naira and have refused to increase fares, despite the economic pressure to do so.

“When Eurocontrol insisted we must pay our debt within 48 hours I called them and said for nine years we have been Continued on page 20

Global Firm Explores Mining, Agriculture Investments in Nigeria, Kenya, Others Crusoe Osagie Quantum Global Group has announced plans to expand its investment to countries in Africa and the Middle East. The expansion move, according to the company was aimed at increasing investors’ access to Africa’s vast development potential and establish new offices in Nigeria, Angola, Kenya and Mozambique to give investors access to its portfolio of Mauritius registered funds in Mauritius, which offers one of Africa’s strongest legal and regulatory environment.

The company in a statement obtained by THISDAY, said the

ECONOMY funds are basically setup to target high growth industry sectors in Africa that include agribusiness, timber and mining, healthcare and mezzanine investments.

As part of the expansion plan, the company has also begun the legal registration process to open a representative office in Dubai, saying that the new office will offer financial advisory services to Asian and Middle East investors looking to tap into the development potential that Africa uniquely offers.

According to Quantum

Global, it will broaden the scope of its investment services in these marks by offering financial advisory services, actively sourcing deals and managing the local private equity investments.

“Quantum Global will leverage Mauritius’ economic and political stability and sound regulatory framework to attract high quality foreign investments into Africa. With excellent infrastructure and Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) with most African countries, Mauritius has caught the attention of several global funds, investment houses and advisors from across the world

to establish their investment vehicles on the country.

Commenting on the Group’s expansion plans, Founder and Chairman of the Advisory Board, Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais said: “With Africa offering enormous development potential, global investors including Asian and Middle Eastern, are increasingly looking to capitalise on investment opportunities in the region in a low risk environment that Mauritius has to offer. “Building on Quantum Global’s African heritage, we can really bring considerable investments into Continued on page 20

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the theme for the 2016 Aviation Day Africa as “Driving African Economies through the Power of Aviation.”

The conference will hold in Abuja from May 23 to May 24, 2016, will bring together regional stakeholders to address current issues affecting aviation in Africa including the proliferation of taxes and charges, public-private partnerships, aviation, safety, security, next generation airports and market connectivity.

Aviation in Africa carries over 70 million passengers a year, supports more than 6.9 million jobs on the continent and generates over $80 billion in Gross domestic product (GDP). Over the next five years the African economy is forecast to grow at a strong 4.7 per cent per year, well above the global average rate. For the continent to realise its full economic potential, aviation – particularly commercial air transport - must be prioritised. Vice President Africa, IATA, Raphael Kuuchi, said, “Governments and organizations need to focus not only on national issues but also on the strategic development of pan-African aviation. Policies that promote investment in air transport infrastructure, improve safety and enhance air connectivity must be implemented. Aviation has the potential to make a much more significant contribution to economic growth and development within the continent if its power is unleashed.

Overland to Begin Akure Flight

Overland Airways has concluded plans to launch scheduled flight services from Akure, the Ondo State capital, to Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory from April 25, 2016.

The flights, which will be operated three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, demonstrate a strategic partnership with the government and people of Ondo, the Sunshine State, to accelerate economic development in the State and its environs. “We are humbled to serve the Sunshine State and support its economic and social development, such as cocoa farming, local arts and craft, tourism, etc. Overland Airways has the economic stability to continue to empower Nigeria’s hinterland economies with sustainable, safe and comfortable flight services,” said Chief Operating Officer of Overland Airways, Mrs. Aanu Benson. According to her, economic sectors including agriculture, tourism, arts and craft would immensely benefit from the new flights, which would make the state and its environs more quickly accessible for trade and investment as well as political and other engagements.

Amaechi, Jamodu for Maritime Lecture

The Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi will be leading a team of maritime and transport captains and icons to design a roadmap for responsive and accountable leadership in the transport agencies and institutions in the country.

While Amaechi will be the keynote speaker at the lecture being organised by Kings Communications Limited, publishers of MMS Plus newspapers in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Transport, a former Minister of Industry and ex-President of Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief Kola Jamodu will be the guest lecturer.

The President of Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Mr. Greg. Ogbeifun is to chair and moderate the event, featuring array of maritime technocrats as panel of discussants.These include the Chairman, Ports Consultative Forum, Otunba Kunle Folarin; Chairman, Ship Owners’ Forum, Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi, and the convener, Oil and Transport Logistics, Africa (OTL) Conference and Exhibition, Mr. Emeka Akabuogu.The event will also feature the decoration of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC) as the best maritime agency of the year 2015, an honour conferred on it by an industry wide poll with 73 per cent in its favour, 17 per cent could not make a choice, while 10 per cent settled for the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA).

“It is not the responsibility of the union to seek payment of debt for aviation agencies.

By doing that the union has gone beyond its mandate”

Deputy Managing Director, Arik Air

Captain Ado Sanusi

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS: AIRLINES ADOPT NEW STRATEGIES TO SUSTAIN OPERATION operating to London (This 30th October, 2016 it will be 10 years) we have not failed you. He said it was beyond him; that he was told to do what he was doing.

“If we are not flying BA will force government to pay them their money that is trapped in the country or they will stop operation. That is the truth.

But because of Medview and Arik they cannot do that. Arik and Medview load factor has gone up in our London service because of the high fares of these other airlines.

“Nigerian passengers have realised that our fares are cheaper and you are spending in naira.

GLOBAL FIRM EXPLORES MINING, AGRICULTURE INVESTMENTS IN NIGERIA, KENYA, OTHERS the region. We are therefore extremely thrilled about expanding our presence across Africa and the Middle East,” he said.

Focused on high-growth sectors on the African continent, Quantum Global’s Mauritius registered portfolio comprises of a mezzanine fund and dedicated private equity funds in the infrastructure, hospitality, agriculture, healthcare, timber, and mining sectors.

“The island nation of Mauritius has a lot of strategic advantages. It has become a promising, transparent international financial center for inbound and outbound trade, and investments into Africa. At Quantum Global, we plan to play a crucial role in building a financial ecosystem in Mauritius that will see the creation of a financial ‘Center of Excellence’. The Center aims to increase investment knowledge while providing African focused investment products to global investors,” Bastos de Morais said.

Quantum Global is an international group of companies active in the areas of private equity investments, investment management, private wealth management as well as macroeconomic research and econometric modelling.

Dangote Cement’s Pan-African Expansion Excites Shareholders Goddy Egene Shareholders of the Dangote Cement Plc have thrown their weight behind the pan-African expansion of the company, saying it will yield sustainable returns.

They noted that the expansion would make the company the foremost cement manufacturer in the world.

The endorsement came during the annual general meeting (AGM) of the company held in Lagos.

Addressing the shareholders, Chairman of DCP, Alhaji Aliko Dangote assured the shareholders that the company would continue to deploy strategies that would increase profitability in spite of the prevailing harsh operating climate.

He explained that with the measures put in place, the foreign exchange volatility would not affect the operations of the company significantly more so when its other African plants are operating maximally and yielding positive results to cushion the effect of the scarce foreign exchange at home.

“We have good strategy in place, the volatility of the foreign exchange will not affect our operations. I am not an advocate of devaluation of our currency, even if that had happened, it would not have affected your company.

Diversification is the key to our strategy and that is why we have intensified our expansion.

The way we have gone about our expansion, it would appear we have over invested in capacity expansion in Nigeria given that at 29 million metric tonnes per annum(mtpa) and we have another 12 million mtpa capacity plants under

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construction. But the truth of the matter is that investments can never be enough in Nigeria. We need it,” he said.

According to him, DCP has achieved significant progress in becoming a truly pan-African manufacturer and distributor of cement.

“We began the year with three factories in Nigeria, a small import operation in Ghana and several building sites across Sub-Saharan Africa.

As a result of the sizable investments that we have made over the past few years, Dangote Cement ended the year with new lines in Nigeria, factories becoming operations in Senegal and South Africa. As a result

Following the criticisms that greeted some of the tax laws promulgated by the immediate past administration in Benue state, the Governor Samuel Ortom led administration has indicated its plan to review such laws to give it a human face.

The Executive Chairman of the Benue Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, Mrs. Mimi Adzape-Orubibi, who made this known recently in Makurdi said the decision was in line with the yearning of the people and the humane disposition of the present administration in the state.

She said: “Taxation is for the benefit of the people but it has become obvious that some of the laws that were passed by the last administration were harsh and not in tandem with the economic realities of the time.

“Just recently we tested the people’s views on such

of all these initiatives, I believe our company is well on its way to be a global and respected force in cement production, operating an efficient plants in exiting growth markets that will generate substantial returns for shareholders for many years to come,” he said.

The Company boss noted that the market opportunities opened to the cement company became apparent upon the opening of its plants in Senegal, Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Zambia, adding that though the countries already had established cement companies but that Dangote cement became successful immediately due its quality products and

competitive prize.

Dangote disclosed the company produces 44 million mtpa in eight countries with 14, 289 staff, and N491.7 billion in sales.

“We have invested billions of dollars in building new capacity across Africa, creating thousands of jobs in factories, logistics, sales and support. We have single handedly helped Nigeria become self-sufficient in cement,” he said.

One after another, the shareholders expressed their satisfaction at the management style of the company which has continue to increase its earnings and profitability at a time its competitors and other

companies are struggling to stay afloat, due to the inclement operating climate.

They specifically lauded the disposition of the Company Chairman, Aliko Dangote to creating wealth and jobs for the teeming populace, noting that about five of Dangote in Africa would have turned the continent to a developed one to the envy of others.

The Company announced a profit after tax of N181.3 billion for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2015 while profit after tax grew by 13.7 per cent. Accordingly, the firm is paying N8 per share as dividend to the amazement of the shareholders.

MEDVIEW AIRLINE MEETS PARTNERS

L-R: ICT Officer, Nigerian High Commission, Ghana, Mr. Kalu Oji; Captain Head of Flight Operation,Medview Airline, Captain Godfrey Ogbogu; Senior Agency Manager, Mr. Azeez Abass; Ghana Country Manager, Medview Airline, Mr. Gideon Femi-Awe, and Head, Ground Operation Mr Ajigbotosho Michael Ola, during Medview Airline Trade Partners’ Forum in Accra, Ghana…recently.

Benue Moves against Tax Defaulters, Plans Review of Tax Laws George Okoh in Makurdi

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku

NEWS

laws like the generator and borehole taxes and we found out that the people reacted negatively to it.

“That law was not the creation of the present administration but the previous one, so in line with the present administration’s disposition towards governance we felt that there should be a review but for us to do that it has to go through the process of legislation.

“We will therefore approach the House of Assembly for a possible amendment so that the laws will have a human face and by so doing encourage the people to willingly pay their taxes as at when due.”

Orubibi who said the Board had already approached the judiciary to provide it with a special court to try tax defaulters said all efforts had been put in place to ensure that all taxable adults in the state were encouraged to pay their taxes without being made to face prosecution.

ONICCIMA Wants Rail Project for South East Zone Included in 2016 Budget Charles Onyekamuo in Awka The Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA), has urged the federal government and the National Assembly should to as matter of urgency find a way of including the construction of rail lines across the South East zone in the now controversial 2016 federal budget.

President of the chamber, Mr. Uchenna Apakama, told journalists in Onitsha that it was baffling that while a rail line is being constructed from Lagos to Kano and another one billed from Lagos to Calabar in the 2016 budget, which has become a subject of controversy, the South East zone was not considered for a rail project given the volume of trade and movement of heavy duty equipment in the area.

The rail transport considered as the cheapest and safest means of moving goods and persons, he said could not have

been effectively done for the economic development of the country without including Onitsha and Aba. He added: “These two cities are the economic hub of the South East, so, why is the South East not in the plan? Don’t we deserve rail line projects?” he asked, and blamed the political leaders from the South East zone for not rising to the demand for an effective representation of the people.

“It is unfortunate that our people in government are not interested in the welfare of their people.

“How can they be talking of Calabar to Lagos, Lagos to Kano rail lines and nothing is said about Aba, Onitsha rail lines in the budget. We need explanation from them,” he said.

He nonetheless enjoined Nigerians to keep faith with the federal government in its efforts to end the current fuel scarcity, which he observed may take long time to abate.

“I think what people need to have is patience. The Minister of state for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu had told us that the fuel problem will end in May but we want to crucify him.

“Now it is clear to us that the end is not in sight until around May. We should have patience and have confidence in our leaders.

“I want to believe the minister and his team that they mean well for us and that by the end of May, we shall buy fuel at the official rate and run our businesses profitably.

“Nigeria is facing challenges of security in all fronts -- the army is being stretched by Boko Haram, armed robbery, pipeline vandalism, the Fulani herdsmen and others. ``Nigerians should volunteer useful information to security agencies to enable them to manage the challenges effectively.’’

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

ACI Commends FAAN for Successful ICAO Audit Chinedu Eze The Director General of the Airport Council International (ACI), Angela Gittens, has commended the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for the success it achieved recently during the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).

Gittens stated this in an interview during the 55th Airport Council International (ACI) Africa Board and Working Meetings and Regional Conference and Exhibition in Cairo, Egypt, which ended at the weekend.

By passing the audit, ICAO has given approval for the certification of major Nigerian airports, a feat only

few airports in Africa have attained.

“We are very proud of how the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has improved on safety and security. I will hope that with the kind of success achieved, we would be able to call on them to help other airports”, she said.

Gittens also noted that, prior to the audit, FAAN had invited ACI - APEX for Safety review at airports in Nigeria, thus providing guidance and facilitation improvements through monitoring and best practice exchanges, which addressed potential vulnerable areas and identified gaps, which the agency had closed.

In her keynote address, Gittens stated that Nigeria was among the three African

countries whose 97 airport professionals were trained last year in understanding Annex 14, Aerodrome Certification, Airport Safety Implementation, and Airside Safety and Operations.

ACI currently consists of 62 regular members in 47 countries managing 250 airports, as well as 27 World Business Partners.

ACI-Africa represents African airport operators. Its main mission is to promote the collective interests of airports and the communities they serve, and to promote excellence in airport management and operations, helping to provide passengers with a safer, more secure, more efficient and environmentally responsible air transport system.

NAHCO Bags Overall Winner Award A leading ground handling company, the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, (nahco aviance) has emerged as the overall winner in the Public/Technology/ Healthcare/Transportation and Aviation Industry category of the 2015/2016 edition of the Nigerian Risk Awards.

The award, according to the company is a testimony to its spirit of resilience and hard work. Having emerged the runner-up in the last edition, it took creative efforts on the part of the company to clinch the award, just a year after.

Nahco aviance was scored by the judges as the winner in a field that parades top brands.

In the words of Adewale Akinwale, Head, Enterprise Risk Management of the Company, “Nahco aviance earned this through our hard work and commitment to safety, efficiency and dedica-

tion towards improving our bottom-line revenue in the interest of our shareholders.”

According to him, the company recorded a 99.6 percent reduction in cargo claims in the year under review, from N53 Million in 2014 to less than N200, 000 in 2015.

“We had zero aircraft damages. We cut our cargo claims payment down from N53, 434,096.03 in 2014 to just N177,356.78 in 2015. We achieved all these despite the threat of economic collapse due to 2015 general election fears, highly volatile foreign exchange rates which led to reductions in cargo volumes and passenger numbers, crippling fuel scarcity situations which grounded many organizations to a halt and in the face of an unethical industry competition”, Akinwale also said.

In another development, the NAHCO Free Trade

Zone (NFZ), a subsidiary of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company PLC has announced the appointment of Arc Usman Arabi Bello as Chairman.

Bello, who was before now the Vice Chairman of the Company, took over from Mr. Bolaji Balogun who retired in March, 2016.

A widely-travelled properly expert, Bello is also an administrator of repute.

His directional managerial responsibilities cover the consultancy consortium Ericon Bello & Associates and its subsidiary, Arabi Bello & Associates, where he is principal partner.

The company said Bello sits on the boards of quite a number of companies including HNB Security and Protection Company Limited as Chairman; Bello Group of Companies and Zycom Surveillance Inc.

NTDC Endorses Flyboku.com as Online Travel Portal Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has endorsed flyboku.com as online travel portal.

Flyboku.com an online digital travel and tours management portal was recently launched for the Nigerian Tourism market.

The endorsement was done by the Director General of NTDC, Mrs. Sally Uwechue-Mbanefo at the launch of Flyboku.com and a certificate of endorsement has just been presented to the organisation.

Mbanefo described Flyboku. com as “a dynamic travel solution platform that provides accurate travel information for easy and affordable travel solutions worldwide.’’

According to a statement from the company, Flyboku .com is powered by Ashton and Dave Travels and Holidays Ltd, a travel management company

with expertise in providing top notch travel and tours services.

Ashton and Dave Travels was founded by Mr. Abiola Lawal and the company has been in the travel business for almost a decade offering top notch travel services to corporate organisations.

As an entrepreneur, Lawal said he has a passion for the travel industry and felt the industry needs to move with the rest of the world by offering seamless and more Do It Yourself (D.I.Y) travel services.

This led to the Birth of flyboku. com.

“MR Boku is the digital travel agent character created as the face of Flyboku.com. The travel services that can be found on the portal include Flight reservations, Hotel reservations, Tour packages, Protocol services, Car hire services, Travel insurance, Visa consultation services and so The portal

is for everyone that needs to travel: - from busy executives to an average customer looking for affordable travel packages.

Flyboku empowers the travelling customers because we provide real time information from the best partners, both local and global airlines, Hotels etc’’, the Ashton and Dave CEO said.

Lawal added: “The unique selling points of Flyboku. com are that it offers: Best Prices for travel services ;our customers are the orbit of our world so we offer unique Customer Service and After Sales Service; Convenience is also a selling point for the platform as it’s easy to search, book and make payment all in the comfort of your home, office or wherever you are, The Distinct Focus on African Destinations as affordable African destination packages are always available on the platform.”

AIR WATCH Poor Inflight Services

P

assengers who fly Nigerian airlines frequently, complain about two bad experiences: poor inflight entertainment and poor inflight services.

On the domestic routes, passengers do not need or rather, do not expect to have inflight entertainment, but they need inflight services.

On long distance flights, which only few Nigerian airlines undertake the service at the moment, their inflight entertainment is relatively poor and gives their competitors edge over them.

But what irks passengers on domestic service is the unruly and conceited attitude of some of the cabin crew of some airlines and the piteous refreshments they serve.

According to passenger responses, some domestic carriers have, however, taken advantage of this and built their unique selling point on improved inflight service, which counts for them; while some others do not care, despite public outcry on the shoddy treatment of passengers by some cabin crews in their lights.

Industry analysts said that it is expected that competition should improve the way airlines treat their passengers in order to secure patronage and loyalty, just like in any other business where patronage by clients determine the success or failure of the organisation.

They pointed out that three factors seem to subsume this key element. One is that many passengers who are regular air travellers already have airlines of their choice and could brook such excesses because of other critical issues like safety.

The second factor is that many travellers are particular about time and approach an airline they think would meet their time schedule and the third factor is safety. Nigeria has recorded many air crashes, which has affected the psyche of air travelers; so the first thing most of the passengers consider is the airline that would take them to their destination safely.

THISDAY investigations revealed that many travellers who may have other reasons for flying a particular airline also expect to be treated well during the flight and do not take it kindly when shabbily attended to.

Investigations also revealed that good inflight service attract passengers and against all odds, some passengers may just prefer an airline because the fight crew respects them and serves them refreshment with deference and professional conduct.

THISDAY last weekend spoke to some passengers, who just arrived Lagos from different domestic destinations at the Murtala Muhammed Domestic Terminal (MMA2) and the General Aviation Terminal (GAT).

Some of the passengers who wouldn’t want to be identified bared their minds and categorically stated that inflight services most often influence their choice of airlines to fly.

One of the passengers who spoke to THISDAY at MMA2 said she loves flying a particular airline because of its inflight service.

“For refreshment, the airline makes it almost impossible for you to say no to their refreshment.

They smile while handing the well-packaged packs to you, while offering you the choice of having the ordinary juice, lemonade, tea or coffee. The packs are also always packed full with cakes, biscuits, plantain chips, water and sweets.

“Little wonder you see business looking men and women collect and enjoy the contents of their packs, possibly to enjoy it later, give it to their children, wards or drivers,” the passenger said.

Referring to another airline, a passenger at GAT told THISDAY, “I know of an airline that always offers only a dry piece of cake for refreshment.

Now that you have only a dry piece of cake to offer me; that is not a problem because I am not there to eat in the first place, but the manner in which the crew normally almost fling/ throw the cakes at passengers, after having delayed the flight for so long, is very pathetic and needs to change. I must say I have experienced this on the Abuja-Asaba axis in more than three occasions. So, overall, I would say we need to up our game for inflight service on the local routes,” the passenger said.

The passengers also complained about the snobbish attitude of some of the cabin crew and said some conduct themselves as if they are doing passengers a favour and sometimes their disdainful conduct “breeds hatred” for the airline.

“Sometimes when I think of going to meet those disrespectful crew members I change my mind and buy ticket of another airline. It is like they are not supervised or they do not have motivation to work. I think the first thing an airline should do is to monitor the activities of these crewmembers. Some of them are dreadful, but I have also met some good ones. The ones that are most annoying are the ones who pretend to be observing etiquette while talking to you but when you look at their countenance you notice they are just pretending; it is not coming from their heart,” one of the passengers said.

Another passenger however told THISDAY that some of the food packs are just for eye service; that there is nothing much inside them, “just boring meatpie and Chivita; that’s all.”

But the passenger also said the food pack “at least show respect, than to handover cake with tissue to you, which is deplorable.”

He recalled an airline that was, instead of serving refreshments decided to sell them onboard and noted, “I know they stopped because of competition but I liked it then because if you buy something with your money you expect it to be of quality, and if you don’t want, you ignore them with their items.” The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Consumer Protection Directorate that good inflight services attract passengers to airlines and also give such airlines competitive edge.

Most Nigerian travellers say they would like to be treated well while onboard; “even if you don’t give your refreshment, the crew should respect the passengers and pilot should update the passengers at every turn of the flight.”

22

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

How Govt Policies Undermine Growth of Aviation Chinedu Eze writes that unfavourable government policies are a major impediment to the growth of the aviation industry The delay in signing of the 2016 Appropriation Bill into law is taking its toll on government activities as ministries, departments and agencies are unable to implement their programmes. In the aviation sector for instance, there is uncertainty about what new programmes to embark on due to the non-passage of the budget.

Industry pundits argued that although there has not been any programme or project that was started anew, so much have been left open and unfinished by the previous administrations, which when completed would give the industry a significant mileage.

They noted that besides physical structures, government could reposition the industry with new policies aimed at achieving certain objectives to grow the sector and also develop it into economic warehouse that would generate revenues to both government and entrepreneurs.

Industry observers said they appreciate the commitment made by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi during his maiden media conference in Lagos, when he promised that the current administration would take and continue with on-going projects after their evaluation.

Amaechi also said that in aviation the administration would go beyond erecting physical structure to providing the fundamental facilities that would reinforce and strengthen safety and security at the airports.

The major achievement recorded in the aviation industry this year is the successful audit carried out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The world body gave Nigeria pass mark after it carried safety audit of the sector under its ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).

In 2006, the ICAO carried out a similar audit under its safety oversight programme and Nigeria passed the assessment.

Since then the country has followed ICAO regulations in the implementation of policies and programmes that guide the aviation industry.

What Nigeria gained from the audit is that in getting ready for the assessment the aviation agencies closed the open items. These are gaps that were noticed during the pre-audit visit of ICAO team. A team made of members from the aviation agencies was raised with the sole objective of closing these gaps.

The gaps were inadequate safety regulations that did not meet given ICAO standards, which might have included airfield lighting, poor communication in the airspace, inadequate runway marking and others. All these gaps were closed before the assessment.

ICAO President’s Visit Shortly after the audit, the President of ICAO Council, Dr. Bennard Olumuyiwa Aliu had visited Nigeria. Although a Nigeria, Aliu visited in his official capacity.

In late 2013, Aliu was elected President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and since January 2014 he has been serving the international organisation.

He is the first African to be in that position and feelers indicate the he has distinguished himself in his job.

The ICAO President, prior to his election on the November 18, 2013, served for eight years as the ICAO Council’s Nigerian Representative.

He was the pioneer Director of Air Transport Regulation (DATR) at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) from 2000 – 2004.

During his recent visit to Nigeria, he urged government to encourage capacity building in the industry and promised to make the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria aviation training centre for the continent.

Unfavourable Policies The major challenge the aviation industry is facing today, according to industry experts is the undulating policies of the federal government, which seems to favour international operators

aviation sector are trying to come on stream and to put our own contribution in getting Nigeria ahead.”

Meggison also spoke about what Nigeria is losing on the lope-sided BASA it has been signing and how such agreements erode the opportunities for indigenous carriers.

“The BASA as we always say, at this time of our national economic situation it is obvious that we as Nigerians need to sit down and start to look inwards. You cannot continue to feed other people’s children at the expense of your own children in-house. Your children are suffering from kwashiorkor; you are giving food to somebody else that is being subsidized by another government food. So it is only clear at this time that Nigerian government needs to review all BASAs. BASA is a bilateral trade agreement. Our government must review them.

“Signing BASA with the trend, I am the big brother; I want to help you is no more the vogue.

We need to help ourselves right now. As they say, if the canoe is leaking, you concentrate on the canoe to block the leakages; otherwise if you put people in the canoe without blocking the leakage everybody will sink.

“So the BASAs must be reviewed to put it in a place where it is mutually benefiting. I don’t want to go down the road where we begin to raise issues up again, where we said people have come to this country to come and discuss BASA agreements and they come with aviation technocrats with 20, 30 years experience on the other side of the table and on the Nigerian side does not have even one aviator sitting down at the other side. Many instances can be mentioned. There are instances where people have tried to sign the sixth freedom right; there is nobody that has the sixth freedom. There is not even fifth freedom between the two closest allies in the world, the British government and the American government do not even have the fifth freedom rights,” Meggison said.

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika

and deny local airlines the opportunity to grow.

Although the current administration had promised that in line with the spirit of local content and patronage of made in Nigeria goods and services, the policy of this government would centre on the development of indigenous carriers, creation of job opportunities and developing the sector to contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Industry expert and former pilot with the former Nigerian Airways Limited, Captain Dele Ore at the weekend condemned government’s inconsistent policies that tended to retard instead of growing the industry.

Ore said the continuous signing of Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA), by the federal government and several other unfavourable policies would continue to hamper growth of the airline sub-sector in the country.

Also, the lack of sufficiently trained and type-rated technical personnel in the nation’s aviation industry would incessantly give rooms for expatriates to take over the jobs of local people, he said.

Ore noted that bad policy formulations and implementations of the government in the past led to the early collapse of operating airlines in the country, stressing that despite this, such bad policies still continued unabated by the government.

He excoriated the government over multiple entries it approves for foreign airlines without any reciprocity from the Nigerian operators, insisting that there was nothing wrong with signing of BASAs, but said the nation must benefit in such arrangements.

“Nothing has happened to improve the policies for the airlines. Our policies will soon drown airlines that are operational. We still have multiple entry points for foreign carriers.

With that policy, we are killing our domestic carriers. We are indirectly opening up our airspace courtesy of such agreements.

“It’s only the ground handling companies that are doing well in the sector while others are crawling. We don’t have enough places to train personnel for the sector and nothing has been done in the past six months of Sen. Hadi Sirika as a Minister of State for Aviation to curtail capital flights in the sector,” Ore said.

He also warned that with the high level of expatriates taking over positions of local technical personnel, the next 10 years might be worse for the Nigerian aviation industry.

He explained that several pilots trained from different aviation colleges in the country and beyond are roaming the streets without jobs, positing that local airlines are getting dispensation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for expatriate quota, which would negatively affect Nigerian professionals in the future.

Many industry operators have severely criticised the BASA agreements Nigerian signed, including the recent one signed with Qatar.

Commenting on the state of the aviation industry recently, the Executive Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison said: “We need to look at the reality. There is a meltdown on foreign exchange and there is a meltdown in the economy.

Whichever way we need to look at it, we need to tackle the problems in aviation, without being political about it. We need to tackle our future as a country seriously. And this is the time we need all hands on deck, be you on the mining sector, be you in the oil sector, transportation or aviation or agriculture all hands need to be on deck in Nigeria at this time. And from my own point of view, from my own small position as the Chairman of AON, we in the

Fuel Crisis It is expected that the present administration would solve the perennial fuel supply problem at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos One of the major challenges the airlines are facing in fuel distribution is the delay in trucking the product from Apapa, which could last for hours and when it arrives the airport the airlines would wait for another two hours for the product to settle so that contaminant would not be fuelled into the aircraft tanks.

The Managing Director of Arik Air, Chris Ndulue spoke about fuel supply recently and said: “I think obviously government is moving towards deregulation of the oil sector and I think that is the best thing to do. When it is deregulated, when it is a free market, people will go into that market and do their business.

And I think that will eliminate intermittent scarcity that we have experienced in Nigeria over a long period of time. Sometimes scarcity is caused by non-payment of subsidy and all that, so we need to get it to a level where it is free of all these issues. And then people know what it means to import and then the market price will come to stay somewhere.

Although aviation fuel is deregulated but the marketers who also import petrol and other products organise the importation of these different products together and this affects the sourcing and distribution of aviation fuel.

We should be getting supplies from our refineries, which I think is an option that we need to pursue more vigorously because importation is not the best option for us. While we are dealing with foreign exchange issues we can’t be importing refined products while we have the crude and we have refineries, so I think our refineries should begin to work.

Aviation industry stakeholders have however expressed optimism that when the budget is eventually signed into law, more remarkable developmental events would begin to take place in the aviation sector.

23

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

Stakeholders Want Kirikiri Terminal Designated as Regional Port John Iwori Stakeholders in the maritime industry have called for the designation of Kirikiri Light Terminal (KLT), Apapa, Lagos as regional port. The stakeholders, who spoke in Lagos, said the designation of KLT as regional seaport would enable its serve the West and Central Africa Sub-Regions, especially in the area of non-oil exports.

One of the stakeholders, a Lagos based licensed customs agent, Mr. James Babatunde told THISDAY that the designation of KLT as a regional port to serve the West and Central Africa Sub-Regions would help the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in its drive to diversify the economy.

His words: “You cannot say you want to diversify

the economy without taking specific steps to ensure that this is achieved. This is because Nigeria’s over dependence on crude oil as the mainstay of the economy has ruined us. It is one of the principal causes of why we are where we are today. Therefore, we need to begin to take specific decisions to make sure that the diversification of the economy becomes a reality rather than a merely talking about it.

This is important due to the fact that other government before the emergence of the Buhari’s administration also talk about it without taking concrete action to ensure that it is done. This should not be allowed to be the case because unlike previous government money is no longer accruing from the sale of crude oil from

the international market as was the case in the past. This is due to the dwindling price of crude oil in the international market.

This is why the Buhari’s administration need to hurry up in this regard by designating KLT as a regional seaport for non-oil exports.”

The Nigeria Export-Import Bank also lent its voice to the call when it requested for the designation of the Kirikiri Terminal in Lagos as the regional port for the sea link project of the West and Central Africa sub-region.

The Technical Adviser to the Managing Director of NEXIM, Hope Yongo, who made the disclosure in a paper presented at the Sub-regional Workshop on Transport Costs and Connectivity of African countries held in Abuja, said the status of the

terminal would be upgraded for container weight verification in line with the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS).

According to Yongo, the regional sea link project was aimed at putting in place moderate transport costs for shippers in West and Central African sub-region.

There should be provision of dedicated regional maritime services to promote connectivity and trade frequency.

He said there should be facilitation of formal and recorded trade prospects and improvement of trade within the sub-region.

“Broadening trade prospects and improving market access for regional goods and services,” Yongo said.

The NEXIM chief canvassed cargo support from all member

countries and encouraged both private and maritime organisations to invest in the regional project.

According to him, Messrs Marine Services and Supply Company Limited will deploy three ships for the pilot scheme of the regional sea link project.

This is upon confirmation of Notice of Readiness from Sealink Promotion Company Limited. Regional Sea link Consortium is proposing ways of bridging infrastructure gap to facilitate trade.

He described the project as an “integrated maritime logistics services; warehousing facilities with container handling and weighing; deepening coastal maritime activities; and inland waterways”.

Yongo said the sea link project was introduced

out of highest comparative international transport costs and excessive transit time, making intra-regional trade non-competitive.

He added that West and Central African transport and logistics costs were one of the highest in the world.

According to him, there is absence of dedicated safe and modern fleet to encourage and facilitate Atlantic Short-Sea Trade along the West and Central African sub-region.

“There is inadequate infrastructure among member states and non-tariff measures are barriers to increased intraregional trade. ECOWAS trade in the past one decade grew from 4.7 million tonnes to 13.2 million tonnes without comparative increase in transport infrastructure,” he said.

Amaechi Seeks Merger of Maritime Associations Sandra Ukele The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has urged all trade groups and associations in the maritime sector to work together for development and growth of the industry.

The minister, who made the call at a two-day workshop organised by the Maritime Correspondents Organisation Nigeria (MARCON) in Lagos, said it was inappropriate for similar maritime organisations performing related functions to exist separately when they could form a common body and work cohesively.

According to him, when such organisations merge or work closely, it would afford government agencies and departments the chance to disburse funds appropriately.

He said it would create accountability for leaders of these organisations who seek government assistance intermittently.

It is known that government parastatals under the Ministry of Transport fund projects conducted by maritime organisations and associations.

But there is a proliferation of associations in the sector, hence the minister advised them to merge and work together.

The associations include those for ship owners: Nigerian Indigenous Ship owners Association (NISA); Ship Owners Association Nigeria (SOAN); reporters: Maritime Correspondents of Nigeria (MARCON); Maritime Reporters Association Nigeria (MARAN) and the League.

Freight forwarding groups include Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF).

Speaking specifically on MARCON, MARAN and the League, Ameachi said they should merge, adopt a common name, write a constitution

that satisfies all and sundry and decide a leadership. The minister is of the view that government would work better with a unified body rather than decimated bodies.

Also NISA has been directed to merge with SOAN. However, the inner rumblings among members with some alleging that other members of the group do not own ships.

The bona fide ship owners claim some of its members only join the group to gain from the long awaited Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) administered by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

On the other hand, freight forwarders have been ordered to update their registration with the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarders Nigeria (CRFFN).The CRFFN has a case pending in court.

The forwarders alleged the statutory fees collected by the regulator are illegal hence they have taken the latter to court. The collections of fees have since been halted.

Also, some licensed agents are of the opinion that the registrar of the CRFFN is an employee of the council. It is opined that the council has not been properly constituted and freight forwarders will not work with a council built on illegality.

The Federal Ministry of Transport Nigeria has the oversight function of the maritime industry. It has eight parastatals under its control.

They are: NIMASA; Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC); Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC); Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA); Maritime Academy Nigeria (MAN); Nigerian Institute Transport Technology (NITT) and Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarders Nigeria (CRFFN).

PROMOTING COMMODITY TRADE

L-R: Senior Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Stuart Ponder; Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mounir Gwarzo, and Managing Director, AFEX Nigeria, Ayodeji Balogun, at the commodity trading and risk Seminar organised by AFEX in Abuja…recently

Customs Educates Wood Exporters on Govt’s Policy Sandra Ukele The Customs Area Comptroller of the Apapa port, Comptroller Willy Egbudin has said the recent upsurge in the exportation of unprocessed wood was because the exporters do not understand federal government policy on timber export.

Egbudin stated this at a sensatisation workshop organised by the Command recently.

The workshop, he said, became imperative due to the recent upsurge of unprocessed woods exportation which negates the federal government policy on timber exports.

The CAC, who expressed deep concern about the development, linked to ignorance on the part of exporters. According to him exporters are delivering unprocessed timbers which are economically redundant.

He said the Common External Tariff (CET) in schedule 6 prohibits unprocessed woods for

exports, but with a proviso for exports of railway and furniture components.

“Out of ignorance and desperation some people have gone to cut raw timbers for export. You have to add value and create employments for our teeming youths,” he said.

Taking the exporters through the required processes and procedures the Asycuda Project Manager (APM) of Apapa Command, Deputy Comptroller Yusuf Marenta displayed all the documentations and processes required for wood and other exports.

A representative of the Federal Ministry of Environment Forestry department explained the procedures for obtaining woods export support letter from the ministry. Displaying the new guidelines for wood exports released by the Forestry Department the maximum allowable dimensions for exports are length 30mm-350mm, width

50mm-360mm and thickness 25mm-345mm.

The support is valid for 12 months after which a new one is applied for. The letter also mandates the woods to be inspected at port of export by the inspectorate unit of the Forestry Department and pre-shipment inspection documents obtained. It also advised exporters to strictly adhere to the sizes and volume specified by the guidelines as any deviation from such will attract suspension or withdrawal of the Federal Ministry’s supports.

At the meeting, it was highlighted to stakeholders that the budget office of the Federation has notified the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service Col. Hameed Ibrahim (Rtd) of the new guidelines for wood exports. The beneficiaries are to have all the required permits including, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) certificate

for exports, strict compliance with the provisions of the extant guidelines for non-oil exports, completion of Nigeria Exports Proceeds form and that of the customs service ,opening of letter of credit for buyers and repatriation of foreign exchange proceeds arising from the approval into the company’s domiciliary account in Nigeria, and all the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) certificate required for the establishment of any company.

The permit to all semiprocessed and processed wood exporters, procedures, guidelines and documentation for export of semi-processed and processed wood exporters from Nigeria also includes letters of request from prospective buyers, evidence of permits from the state where the wood will be sourced, pre-visit to the factory site by relevant officers from the Federal Department of Forestry among others.

24

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Ethiopia to Launch Flight to New York-Newark

Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing airline in Africa, has announced that it would commence scheduled thrice weekly flights to New York-Newark from Addis Ababa on 03 July 2016, via Lomé, Togo.

Ethiopian said it would be deploying the modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner on this route, which not only offers unparalleled onboard comfort to passengers, but is also the

world’s most environmentally friendly aircraft with its lower carbon and noise emissions.

Ethiopian’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner is configured with 24 business class and 246 economy seats, all of which are equipped with Ethiopian’s renowned audio-visual inflight entertainment consoles.

Passengers would be able to connect between New York-Newark and many cities

throughout Africa. At Lomé, passengers will enjoy seamless connections to/from points in West Africa with ASKY, Ethiopian partner airline based in Lomé. Connections will be available to/from Abidjan, Bamako, Bissau, Brazzaville, Conakry, Dakar, Douala, Kinshasa, Lagos, Libreville, N’djamena, Niamey, Ouagadougou and Yaoundé. At Addis Ababa, passengers will enjoy

seamless connections to/from points in East and Southern Africa, including Nairobi, Dares Salaam, Khartoum, Kampala, Kigali, and Johannesburg.

Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, remarked, “We are thrilled to resume our service to New York, our fifth gateway in the Americas. New York is one of the world’s most economically powerful cities

and including it in our everexpanding network will play a critical role in the expansion of trade, tourism and investment between the fast growing continent of Africa and the United States. I would like to thank all who strived hard to make the route possible.”

New York-Newark becomes Ethiopian’s 93rd international gateway and 4th gateway in North America. Ethiopian cur-

rently operates daily nonstop flights from Washington DC to Addis Ababa, as well as three weekly nonstop flights from Toronto to Addis Ababa and three weekly flights from Los Angeles to Addis Ababa via Dublin. Ethiopian is expanding its network rapidly. In the past year has introduced services to Tokyo, Manila, Dublin, Los Angeles, Cape Town, Durban, Gaborone, Yaoundé, and Goma.

Dana Opens More Points of Sale in Accra A Nigerian carrier, Dana Air, has introduced more point of sales and contact centres for customers in Accra aimed at ensuring accessibility and seamless process of ticket booking and payment.

The airline also said it is in talks with four more banks for its Book on Hold payment option.

Speaking on the development, Dana Air’s Accountable Manager, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo, said the airline strategically opened the offices at Liberty Avenue Adabraka and Cornestone Arcarde, Mensah Woos Street, East Legon, based on the demands of its passengers and the need for the airline to have multiple payment options and outlets for guests.

Commenting further, Obi said: “Apart from Guarantee Trust Bank, Zenith Bank and United Bank for Africa; we are also in talks with Access

Bank, Fidelity Bank, UMB and Barclays Bank for book on hold payments. All our guests need to do is just to book their tickets on our website, www.flydanaair.com and then make payments at any of the listed banks within 12 hours’’ He urged frequent flyers to register for the airlines’ frequent flyer program – Dana Miles and take advantage of the multiple benefits that will follow and also expect more amazing packages in the months to come.

Only recently, Dana Air launched a promo tagged: “Show your loyalty’’ which entails guests to fly five times and get a free ticket on any of its route- Accra, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Uyo. The airline said it is reputed for its world-class in-flight service, superior on-time performance and innovative online products.

‘16m Nigerians Use Facebook Monthly’ Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Senior Special Adviser to the President on New Media, Mr. Tolu Ogunlesi has revealed that 16 million Nigerians use Facebook monthly while 7 million out of the 16 million use the medium daily.

He also admitted that most of the ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) of government do not update their websites, saying it makes it difficult for Nigerians, and even foreign investors to have access to information. He however promised that there would be changes in a couple of months.

Ogunlesi made this known in Abuja at the launching of Conversations for Change (C4C) Media Strategy, aimed at creating the platform to inform, empower and provide platform for young people to exchange ideas and have their voices heard.

According to him, “every month, 16 million Nigerians use facebook, 7 million of those people use Facebook daily, Blackberry Messenger (BBM), they are almost 5 million, Twitter is a couple of millions, connected mobile phones is 150 million, about 90 millions of

those mobile phones are connected to the internet monthly.”

He said there has never been any media that cover a large part of the population as the social media, stressing that it is interesting to be part of C4C that is determined to bring young people together with social media, which has been known as the default mode of communication for young people.

Ogunlesi noted: “What we met on ground when we started was that there is no online record of the previous government for the past five years. It is true that government parastatals and MDAs don’t have up-to-date information on their website. But in another couple of months there will be changes.”

In her opening remarks, the founder of C4C, Dr. Kechi Ogbuagu said the aim of the organisation is to create a niche where young people can freely make their experiences and opinions on current and topical issues known.

She noted: “we will provide platforms across social media sites where important and relevant dialogues are hosted.

BUILDING CAPACITY

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Learning Impact, Omagbiste Barrow; Head, SBU West, PAL Pensions, Mabel George; Managing Director/CEO, PAL Pensions, Dave Uduanu, and Regional Manager, Lagos Mainland, PAL Pensions, Uche Okigbo, at the PAL Pensions human resources/pension desk officers conference 2016 in Lagos…recently

Hotelier Seeks Diversification of Economy John Iwori A hotelier, Chief Sunny Arusuraire has called for the diversification of the Nigerian economy just as he drummed support for the speedy implementation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration policies and programmes.

Arusuraire, who stated this in a chat with journalists, argued that the diversification would yield enormous benefits for the country and the citizenry.

The hotelier, who is also the Chairman of AIA International Limited, managers of Command Guest House (CGH) Kaduna, Kaduna State, said there was need for Nigerians to rally round Buhari for the task ahead.

Speaking on the state of CGH, Arusuraire stated that since his firm took over the management of the guest house, its fortunes

have improved.

According to him, as soon as his company took over the management of the guest house, it sourced and made huge financial investment to turn it around for excellence. He said he utilised its vast expertise in hospitality industry to reposition it for improved performance.

He enumerated the services rendered by the firm, which include presidential, diplomatic, villa, royal suites and standard rooms; 24 hours security surveillance and armed personnel on duty; wireless internet facility; swimming pools/ tennis court; well- equipped and spacious banquet hall.

Others are conference rooms; state of the art fitness centre decorated with modern Gym equipment, massage and aerobic classics, 24 hours power supply; regular car hire services; bar-

beque and shawama; restaurant for local and international dishes; bar; garden bar; night club; and live band.

According to him, the lost glory of the guest house has been restored and it is now a befitting home away from the home of all its esteemed guests.

“Life is back to the place and it is once more booming with activities. The guest house is now providing employment opportunities for Nigerians and it provides suitable accommodation for investors visiting Kaduna and its environs for business and other related activities,” he said.

Arusuraire added CGH is equally generating revenue for the government in terms of taxes and dividends for their owners and managers.

He called on entrepreneurs and investors to look in-wards

and replicate the command guest house example by taking over the management of ailing industries and business concerns and by so doing complementing the efforts of government in economic diversification He argued that this was very important as the oil economy has collapsed not only in Nigeria but globally due to gross decline in oil revenue.

“President Buhari has been emphasising the diversification of Nigeria Economy to delist the country from the group of countries grossly affected by the collapse of oil economy.

The diversification means that managers, entrepreneurs, investors and business oriented men and women should bring out their creative abilities and talents and mainstream them into versatile and new productive ventures,” he added.

US Senate Approves Boost in Security for Travellers The US Senate has overwhelmingly approved legislation that would boost domestic travel security in the wake of the Brussels attacks and approves FAA spending until September 2017.

Reuters reported that the 95-3 vote sends the measure to the House of Representatives, where

they have been unable to make headway on their own FAA bill because of differences over a provision to privatise the US air traffic control system.

The bipartisan Senate measure, which sidesteps the privatisation issue, contains a series of travel security provisions that Senate

Republicans have promoted as the most comprehensive increase in airport security in nearly a decade. The measures include doubling the number of security teams with bomb-sniffing dogs at domestic airports, as well as stronger vetting of airport employees and increased security

at check-in and baggage claim areas. The bill also authorises spending for FAA operations, airport improvements, aviation research and development, and requires airlines to compensate passengers for lost bags and refund charges for undelivered services.

25

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Standard Gauge Rail Lines will Rejuvenate Nigeria’s Economy, Says NRC

Sunday Okobi

The management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has said the standard gauge rail lines in Nigeria will rejuvenate the country’s economic development when completed.

The acting Managing Director, Fridet Ohkiria, stated this after his maiden meeting with railway workers at the corporation headquarters in Lagos. The standard gauge rail lines are to be completed by the federal government, through the Ministry of Transportation.

Ohkiria said the main focus of the government is to drive the economy through the movement of goods and persons on the modern standard gauge lines, adding that to make the railway

system investment-friendly and modernised, Nigeria must move away from narrow gauge to standard gauge lines.

According to the acting MD, “The cardinal goal of the federal government is to drive the standard gauge in order to attract modernisation, investment and consequently enhance the country economic development.”

“So since my appointment in February as the acting managing director of NRC, I have had series of discussion with my team on what to do to support the federal government in their bid the make the railway a reality. We are leaving the narrow gauge to standard gauge, and we are delighted to announce the arrival of five coaches which will commence

the running of Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge line.”

Okhiria also announced the commencement of trial run in May 2016 “from there, we will kick off the commercial operations after one month.

It is no longer news that the federal government is pursuing the cause of realisation. We have been dreaming about commencing the standard gauge from Lagos to Kano, there will another one from Lagos to Calabar. We will ensure full completion of the AbujaKaduna and Itape-Ajaokuta-Port Harcourt standard gauge line soon to kick start the country economic renaissance.”

He noted that the main objective of his management is to fully support the government to achieve its dream by providing

necessary professional support and advice as well as ensure that this dream comes to reality.

“Although we will continue to run on our narrow gauge, the standard gauge is our fundamental focus now. Presently, we run Kano-Lagos, Port Harcourt-Kano, Lagos-Offa and Lagos mass transit. We also have Port Harcourt- Aba and in due course, we intend to start massive coal movement on the eastern corridor to the Port Harcourt port. The director of operation is putting things in place to ensure that by June this year, the operation will commence,” he said.

Okhiria, who was the director of NRC engineering, disclosed that: “Presently, we move cement for Lafarge in Ewekoro, Ogun State, to the

North and we also move containers from Apapa port to Kaduna and Kano dry ports.

We also tend to improve on the freight movement so that we can enhance our revenue.

The management is of the view that we need to go out and bring our customers back in order to enhance our revenue ability. We have 40 pressured tank wagons which we hope stakeholders in the petroleum industry can make good use of.

“We are also working seriously on how to move Ashaka Cement to different area of the country. We had some bridge problems as which the contractor would not do now as a result of the crisis in the North-east region. But we are considering how we are going to move from the factory

to the next available rail here.

They will be here on the April 20 to finalise that agreement.”

The NRC boss stated that transportation is key to commerce and the key to transportation in Nigeria is railway, adding that “When you don’t move the people and goods en masse, you have not started. If they develop the road and the tracks, the roads will still go bad, because they are hauling heavy goods which are not supposed to be. The rail line has numerous economic benefits; one of such is generating a lot of employment for the nation.

The multiplier effect cannot be quantified; therefore we need to support the dreams of the federal government to come to fruition.”

Sunlight 2-in-1: Unilever Organises Demo Wash to Woo Consumers

A NEW OUTLET

R-L: Chairman, Nosak Group, Dr. Toni Ogunbor; Managing Director, CCD Superstores, Pastor Risi Ogunbor; Pastor and Mrs. Attah Ogbole; and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Ugboh; at the opening of CCD Superstores Ogba branch in Lagos... recently

Global Shipping Assets Declined by $65bn in 2015 John Iwori with agencies reports Shipping assets went down by $65 billion in 2015 as the industry performed below expectations, ship brokers, Barry Rogliano Salles (BRS) has said.

“This year saw historic (adjusted) lows or near lows in almost all market sectors except tankers. Only the tanker markets defied predictions: despite an oversupply of new tonnage, they remained strong, but fragile on the back of an unforeseen and unprecedented fall in oil prices,” BRS President, Tim Jones said.

World Maritime News (WMN) quoted Jones as saying that the global realisation that the energy appetite should be restrained is bad news for shipping as 40 per cent of world transportation are raw materials such as coal, oil and gas.

They also said the situation has been exacerbated by the

fact that the consolidation phase in the industry has now been replaced by elimination, with shipping companies going under leaving their assets to new owners and yards closed and rationalised.

“We are waking up to a maritime sector that was being dimensioned to meet the demand of an adolescent China with mature Western economies weaned off energy consumption, and expected globalisation of trade. Today there is a realization that it is not only the cost of energy that will drive world trade, but the consequences of global warming,” Jones added.

According to him, shipping will be required to find new ways to meet aggressive targets as new speed limits, high tech developments and fuel types with less pollutants are expected.

According to WMN, Jones pointed out that the shipping industry will have to put in place objectives and measurable

standards when it comes to cutting pollution from shipping.

“Our industry needs to get its act together and thus find a medium term solution to our current crisis. Putting a premium on lowering pollution will have several effects. It will strengthen the emphasis on research and development, it will incite owners to scrap outdated vessels, it will encourage financiers to calculate with shorter life cycles, it will make end users to choose the least damaging mode of transportation for their goods, and thus it will enable charterers to seek out and pay extra for less polluting carriers,” Jones said.

The loss in assets has also affected the Nigerian ship owners since the beginning of this year. Already, Nigerian ship owners decrying the continuous slide in crude oil prices in the international market and multiple shipping challenges facing indigenous operator in recent times.

As a way out, they have called on the federal government to step in and save the situation Chairman of Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Mr. Greg Ogbeifun, said the decline in price of price of oil has worsened the condition of indigenous ship owners.

Highlighting that a good number of Nigerian shipping companies were presently idle because they were unable to secure contract from the International Oil Companies (IOCs) as a result of the prevailing economic situation, Ogbeifun also stressed that it had become imperative for the ship owners to synergise with the government on relevant policies especially, on how to shift attention to non- oil export.According to him, no single Nigerian ship is involved in the shipment of cargoes out of the thousands of container vessels that are calling and moving out of the Nigerian Ports.

Consumers in Lagos and Abuja have experienced the fragrance in the Sunlight 2-in1, as promoters of the brand recently took some patrons of the brand, including celebrities through a demo wash in the two cities. The Lagos event was held at the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, while the Abuja version was held at the River Plate Park.

Speaking at the event, Brand Manager, Sunlight, Ojeabuo Akhiojemi stated that the demo wash, which took place in the two cities, was an avenue for consumers to experience the new improved fragrance and cleaning capabilities of the brand. He further reassured consumers that the brand will continue to innovate to meet the needs of its consumers.

While commenting on the introduction of the new 25g

and 225g packs, he said: “We are aware that Sunlight is loved by a wide range of consumers; therefore with the introduction of a 25g pack at N10 and a 225g pack at N100 we have made it affordable to meet the needs of our consumers.”

Expressing her joy on the new improved fragrance and economy pack, a Sunlight consumer, Mrs. Omobola Salisu, said: “I am particularly happy with this new improvement in fragrance and the introduction of the economy pack. This is simply getting more for less as I would be able to save more and still keep my family clean.”

The new improved Sunlight Detergent comes in 2 variants of Topical Sensation (Sunlight Pink) and Spring Sensation (Sunlight Yellow).

Team Humane Wins in Microsoft’s Imagine Cup Finals Team Humane, which represented the Obafemi Awolowo University, at this year’s edition of Microsoft Nigeria Imagine Cup competition, has emerged winner. The competition is in its ninth year in Nigeria.

Microsoft Imagine Cup is the premier student technology program and competition, and a cornerstone of the Microsoft YouthSpark initiative. It provides an opportunity for student technologists, developers and aspiring entrepreneurs from all academic backgrounds to collaborate, develop a technology application, create a business plan and gain a keen understanding of what is needed to bring a concept to market.

According to the organisers of the initiative, this year, the event was held at the Microsoft Office in Victoria Island, Lagos, and had eleven participating teams drawn from various tertiary institutions within

the country. The winning team, Team Humane, which comprised of Otaru Babatunde, Oyatope Blessing, Shoaga Victor, and Ayodele Obasegun, competed in the World Citizenship Category.

Their solution, Humane is a solution for the visually impaired, which enables them to interact and navigate freely on their mobile phones. The solution comes with an accompanying hardware known as the Humane handle, which interacts with apps installed on a device using Bluetooth.

A visually impaired person would be able to navigate through various apps installed on his/her mobile phone using the handle and an integrated voice navigation system.

According to the team lead, Ayodele Obasegun, the team was concerned about solving a major challenge leveraging technology hence, it embarked on the project.

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Appraising Nigeria’s Ranking on Ease of Doing Business Nosa Alekhuogie takes a look at the verdict of a delegation from the World Bank on the ease of doing business in Nigeria

Bello

Last week, officials of the World Bank paid a visit to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and made a damming verdict on the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

According to the World Bank, Nigeria currently ranks low on the ease of doing business amongst countries.

Nigeria, the World Bank observed, presently ranks 169 out of 189 countries examined for trade index for the year 2015.

The World Bank’s trade index is a tool that measures the ease of doing business amongst other indicators in each country.

Other indicators are: Trading across border, access to credit, electricity supply, paying taxes, registering property and the ease of starting a business.

Before the recent economic crisis and the foreign exchange crisis that have virtually brought the nation’s economy on its knees, Nigeria was gradually improving on the ease of doing business ranking. Last year, Nigeria moved up five places in the World Bank Group on the ease of doing business. This, experts said, was as a result of the reform efforts of the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

At the time, the World Bank ranked Nigeria 170th among 189 countries survey, showing an improvement of 2.9 per cent on the 175 position it occupied in 2014.

Also, Nigeria was ranked 129 on the ease of starting a business (138 in 2014), on dealing with construction permits it was ranked 171 as against 168 last year.

On registering property it remained 185th as it was the previous year.

The country however improved immensely on access to credit ranking as it moved from 125 in 2014 to 52nd position in the 2015 ranking.

Nigeria fell by one basis point on protecting minority investors ranking as it moved from the 61st position in 2014 to the 62nd

position last year. On paying taxes, Nigeria was ranked 179 as against 177 in 2014.

Country Comparism The report showed that Singapore was the best country in the world to do business, while Mauritius remained the best in Africa with a ranking of 28.

New Zealand emerged second followed

by Hong Kong. Denmark, Norway, United States, United Kingdom, Finland and Austria were ranked the top 10 countries.

Haiti, Angola, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Congo DR, Chad South Sudan, Central African Republic, Libya and Eritrea were ranked the top 10 worst places to do business on the planet.

Tagged, “Doing Business 2015: Going Beyond Efficiency,” the report revealed that entrepreneurs in 123 economies saw improvements in their local regulatory framework last year.

Between June 2013 and June 2014, the report, which measures 189 economies worldwide, documented 230 business reforms, with 145 reforms aimed at reducing the complexity and cost of complying with business regulation, and 85 reforms aimed at strengthening legal institutions – with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for the largest number of such reforms.

The annual World Bank Group Doing Business report analyses regulations that apply to an economy’s businesses during their life cycle, including start-up and operations, trading across borders, paying taxes, and resolving insolvency.

The aggregate ease of doing business rankings are based on the distance to frontier scores for 10 topics and covers 189 economies.

The Word Bank said the distance to frontier score aids in evaluating the absolute level of regulatory performance and how

it improves over time.

“This measure shows the distance of each economy to the “frontier,” which represents the best performance observed on each of the indicators across all economies in the Doing Business sample since 2005. This allows users to see both the gap between a particular economy’s performance and the best performance at any point in time and to assess the absolute change in the economy’s regulatory environment over time as measured by doing business.

Economies, it added, were ranked on their ease of doing business, from 1–189 adding that a high ease of doing business ranking means the regulatory environment is more conducive for starting and operating local firms.

“The rankings are determined by sorting the aggregate distance to frontier scores on 10 topics, each consisting of several indicators, giving equal weight to each topic. The rankings for all economies are benchmarked to June 2014,” it added.

Improving on Ranking Meanwhile, in a bid to improve its poor ranking in the world’s trading Index, Nigeria, through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has concluded plans to endorse the Trade Facilitation Agreement, (TFA) with a vision to increase import and export trade in the nation’s ports.

Speaking in Lagos recently, Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr. Hassan Bello noted that trade was the single tool the government can use to reduce poverty and enhance national development.

He told the visiting World Bank officials that government was not pleased with the poor ranking of Nigeria in the World Trade Index trading, He also said that the poor ranking of Nigeria in the trade Index was very important to the government adding

that the government will do everything possible to improve the country’s ranking.

Bello explained that the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement in Nigeria when finally ratified will boost the nation’s ranking in years ahead.

He said: “We are going to change the way of doing business in Nigerian ports and increase the much needed revenue.”

The Council boss also disclosed that Nigeria was ready to ratify the World Trade Agreement as an imperative for boosting the nation’s competitiveness and successfully integrating into the regional and global systems to enhance economic growth and development.

Bello noted that lack of capacity by governments and its agencies to drive the needed regulatory reforms were preventing developing countries from benefitting from the Trade Facilitation Agreement Speaking further on the need to create a level playing field in Nigeria, leader of the visiting World Bank team, Ademola Adejuwon said Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in the implementation of the TFA saying that once two-third of the members of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, signs the agreement, it becomes binding on everybody.

He explained that a global agreement have been negotiated and concluded by 162 countries adding that once the two-third of the critical mass of membership ratify, it becomes a legal document. He further explained that Nigeria Customs Service had signified its readiness to implement the measures whenever they are approved.

Meanwhile, analysis of the 2016 World Bank report showed that while Singapore beats every other country to the number one position, New Zealand and Denmark took the second and third position respectively.

South Africa ranked 73, Tanzania, Togo, Liberia, Angola, Kenya, Egypt and Benin Republic ranked 146 respectively.

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22.04.2016

Soulful Dirge (mixed media)

Save The Girl Child (acrylic on canvas)

Alone With God ( plexiglass)

Unfinished Business

Chinze Ojobo, a 1985 University of Nigeria, Nsukka, graduate of Fine Art has been painting since she left school. But recently she staged a mind-blowing art and installation exhibition tagged “Unfinished Business” where she dwelt on the girl-child. She told Mary Ekah that the exhibition was the eventual manifestation of her thoughts on so many unresolved issues in the nation, especially as they relate to the girl-child show a lot of works in plexi glass because I have done a lot of experiment with it.

Why is your exhibition titled the ‘Unfinished Business’?

It is titled so because we have so many unfinished businesses in this nation, a good example is the girl child-issue. Every day you open the papers, there is always a report on that and I also teach children and teenagers in the church, when they come for counseling they report the same thing, same abuse and it is kind of difficult to handle. So that is why I have decided to do something and ultimately tilted this exhibition ‘Unfinished Business’. I have two issues to deal with, one on the youths and the other on the girl-child but I could not handle the two together, I am focusing on the girl-child. I am still going to stage Unfinished Business Part 2.

Is this your first exhibition in Nigeria?

No, I have had several other exhibitions but this is my major one recently and it ran for 12 days.

How long have you been painting?

Professionally, I started in 1995 and since then, God has been helping me grow step by step but as a woman, you have lots of drawbacks – like you have to get married and then the children come and all that, so these have been kind of delay for me.

How rewarding is art in Nigeria?

Initially, I thought it was not understood but right now I think a lot of people understand what art is all about. In fact, I am so impressed with Lagosians. They are art lovers. Every day as I held my exhibition here at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos, people trooped in here to appreciate my art works. So, I kind of feel that in the future art will be a bigger thing in Nigeria but for now, it’s being appreciated. Now people are buying arts for keeps and maybe sell them later, that means they understand the value of art.

Are you doing art because you studied it at school or because you have a passion for it?

I do art because I have the passion for it even though I have the passion for many other things. I have done businesses and many other things. You know as a mother, I make clothes, furniture, jewelries and other things but art is what really keeps me going.

Ojobo, the artist

exhibited your works?

I have exhibited my works in Bulgaria, China, France, California where I live and New York.

You have done so much and yet we don’t really hear about you in this part of the world. Why have you been so unnoticed?

That is because I do international. I do exhibition only once in while in Nigeria. I had one in Abuja last year and this year I decided to come to Lagos.

What inspires your work?

One, it is God and then the things I see.

You know we have photographic nights, during which certain things are recorded in your mind and when you want to play it back, they come out in forms like these.

Your works look quite cosmopolitan. How affordable are they?

They are quite affordable and anybody can afford it, it is not about the money, if you appreciate the works, you can get one.

Do you have artists you train?

Yes, that is the next thing we are going to do. There are lots of parents that have been troubling me to do that so I have made arrangement with the University of Nigeria Nsukka and they are coming over to Abuja to start a training school over there.

It looks like your works are more of jute bags. Why? That is my beat and that is what I have been working with but a former lecturer saw it and told me that I should stretch the Jute bags and work on them as they were so much I could do with them and that was when I decided to experiment a lot with the jute bags. The other material I am introducing is the plexi glass. My next exhibition will

Your art works appear so feminine. Has that got anything to do with the message you intend to portray?

May be I am trying to represent my message properly.

Or are you a feminist?

No; not at all. If I were a feminist, I won’t get married. The works are representatives of the main theme of this exhibition.

Apart from Nigeria, where else have you

From the right, Tony Ojobo Dir Public Affairs NCC, Dakuku Peterside DG NIMASA, Niyi NCC and Chinze at the opening of the _Unfinished Business_ in Lagos

Can you explain the message behind some of your works as they relate to the theme of the whole exhibition?

The girl-child is a child of purpose, not here by accident. The girl-child is a creation with pre-ordained destination but many a times the girl-child is betrayed by those she looks up to; used and abused by those with the responsibility to care for her; ignored and uneducated for reasons not clear. So, under the ‘Unfinished Business’ series we have works that portray the plight of the girl-child, her importance and why she must be protected by all means. For example, my work ‘Save me’, is the voice of the girl-child crying out to the society to save her. It is more like everybody is trying to do one thing or the other to help the girl-child but everything seemed unfinished. My works also portray the fact that the girl-child needs modern education, gender equality, civic rights, medical care and protection from discriminations. Now if you give the girl-child all these, she becomes beautiful, educated and the best in every thing – as a mother, home keeper and she raises her children in the best way just as it is portrayed in my work, ‘Greater Tomorrow’.

In other words, if we fail to take care of the girl-child, it bounces back on the society, because this automatically affects the children she bears and their future.

Another work of mine is ‘Seed of Potential’, which depicts that every girl has a potential, which God has deposited inside of her, and if we nurture that thing it becomes great. There is something unique in you, it is left for you to discover that potential, work on it and use it to the maximum point to better yourself and the society at large and that is also depicted in my work ‘Journey of Life’. Another work is ‘Social Media’, which depicts two people who have gone out for an outing to probably have a drink and talk about themselves but they ended up clinging to their phones and not talking to each other as planned. While there are physically present, their minds are far away and instead of discussing their issues, they are both chatting with other persons far away and this is what is happening every day with individuals and even with the state of the nation. There are issues we need to sit and discuss and yet we don’t, and even when we try to sit and discuss, we end up not doing that and therefore we leave everything hanging there without discussing anything to a logical conclusion. Even at times it happens to husbands and wives at home, where you spend five hours with each other and yet you don’t talk but you cling to your gadgets and chat away with others around the world and this causes so much physical and emotional drifts for couples because they would not discuss their problems and so they are connected and yet disconnected.

29/XTRA

22.04.2016

‘Only God Has Answers to our Problems’ Founder and President, Bible Believing Mission Incorporation, Aba, Abia State, Pastor Kingsley Innocent bares his mind on salient and burning national issues that affect the living condition of the citizens as well as his ministerial voyage so far. Mary Ekah brings excerpts suffering and smiling for a very long time and Nigerians are tired of it. We had thought and believed that six months in office, some things would have turned positively right, though some of us are still hopeful.

Journey So Far My journey so far in the course of the ministry had been quite interesting, because it is fully and divinely backed by the Almighty God of Talk-Na-Do. All I do is as the Holy Spirit directs and as I do His work, He confirms them at all times. I remain a chosen servant of The Most High God, called and anointed to carry the prophetic mandate of God of Talk-Na-Do. “God of Talk-Na-Do” simply means, that God that says a thing and it comes to pass, as in Genesis chapter 1 verse 3. “And God said, let there be light, and there was light.”I am a Bible scholar, a grounded theologian, founding president of Bible Believing Mission Inc, with its headquarters in Aba, Abia State, and branches in Port Harcourt, Owerri, Uyo, and Abuja.

It is affiliated with Kingsfield Academy, which is also affiliated with Kingsfield London, Kings Theological College, etc.

As the nation faces national challenges, we too, face religious challenges. But in all these, I have remained steadfastly and strongly committed to doing the work of God, which I’m mandated by Him to do by restoring tampered human destinies, and redirecting them back to Christ. The feat and impact had been quite tremendous, which the increasing population and network of branches attest to. So, we are on a divine journey to win more souls, as directed by God, hence our new Abuja branch, which is fast growing expectedly. Aside Abuja, I am on similar journey to also open more branches, starting from Lagos for wider coverage. This will happen soon,

by God’s special grace. Our services are also on-air and can be viewed worldwide while services are going on. God remains our sole backing, directing all footsteps to glory. My only secret remains this great God of Talk-Na-Do. The Controversial Religious Bill Signed into Law by Kaduna State Governor Nobody can stand on the way of God and that bill is an error and it cannot hold.

Nigeria has grown beyond such sentimental bills and a place like Kaduna that has a large number of Christians such a thing cannot hold there. As far as I am concerned, that is a kind of distraction on the side of Christians but it will not hold. Our faith cannot be compromised, God will not allow it. That bill is ungodly and cannot hold and will never stand.

Marrying Teenage Girls and Converting Them to Islam These are part of the end-time signs. It is very unfortunate that it is happening in our nation. The perpetrators of this wickedness will definitely suffer for it. It is destroying the fabrics of our nation, our co-existence and what holds us together as a nation.

Such a thing should not be allowed and I urge the people of Nigeria, the government to stand up and fight against this in-human act of some hoodlums and those who think that they can use religious extremist to destroy our nation. A true Muslim will not do that; they are Muslim fundamentalist and they destroy the name of Islam. Both Christians and Muslims should stand in one accord and speak against this horror for it to stop. It is dehumanising and it the height of human degradation. It is against the image of our nation and it does not portray us good outside the country. The implication is that it exposes our children to danger in future and it is corrupting our tomorrow. It has made it difficult for people from different geo-political zones to come together and associate freely. As a parent, you would not want your child to associate with some geo-political zone which you believe are partakers of this human

Legislators Fighting in the House When our supposed lawmakers whose duty it is to put a law that will give us a peaceful Nigeria, begins to fight on the floor, that goes a long way to show the kind of laws that they will make for our nation.

When you have men and women at the floor, who are not disciplined, self-controlled, it goes a long way to show that in our nation, a lot of work needs to be done. The lawmakers are representatives of the people, young people are looking up to them and the nation is seeing what they are doing.

Let them show good examples for others to emulate. Anarchy or fighting is not what we need now. They are a disgrace to the nation because they have not shown any sign of maturity. We need matured lawmakers who can reason out matters and iron it by dialogue. Fighting and quarrelling have never solved any issue but dialogue is the key to any issue in the house. They should put their emotions under control and each time that they seat in the House, they should know that people are looking up to them for quality representation. They should not disgrace themselves and the people, which they represent.

Pastor Kingsley Innocent

horror. It has dangerous adverse effect on our nation and should not be allowed. Let us as a nation, stand together and fight against it collectively.

Prolonged Fuel Scarcity Until Nigeria as a nation grows beyond selfishness and becomes nationalistic, such problem as fuel scarcity will persist. Few Nigerians are taking advantage of the situation to enrich themselves. It is a selfish thing that should not be allowed. I believe in the efforts that the federal government has taken to import more fuel into the country, which will be distributed to Nigerians, and it will have a respite for the country. I’m hopeful that God is hears the cries of Nigerians to ensure that the government will fish out those who are taking advantage of the situation to enrich themselves and once this is discovered, fuel scarcity will be a thing of the past. Very soon, we will grow past that level.

Cushioning the Effect of Change in the Country In all honesty, change is what we needed and with the present administration in power, President Muhammadu Buhari sung the song of change, which at that time was timely and was what the nation needed and Nigerians followed suit. But at this moment, our president is rather being too slow in igniting the kind of change that

Nigerians want and these are getting worse.

I urge the federal government to sit up as quickly as possible to ensure that this change is realised. Our nation is hungry for the change; this was the reason we voted for him. We expected much more than what we are getting. I feel to a great extent trust his sense of judgement but this administration is too slow. Nigeria is a nation that needs immediate change and our president should sit up and do everything within his reach to bring about the expected change in reality.

We have heard of the verbal change but we need something beyond that. We want to see the president turn the nation around.

It is a difficult task but it is possible and achievable. The change that we so desired should be given to us immediately because justice delayed is justice denied. We need this change as soon as possible because as it stands now, while we are hoping for the change, things are getting worst, Nigerians are getting poorer, hunger is getting hold of the people, and everything is collapsing.

I know that our president has a plan; it is high time that we left the planning room to the acting room and that is what we need now. This slowness in achieving thing has made our president to lose popularity and Nigerians are gradually becoming disappointed. Majority of Nigerians are not happy and we should not blame them for this because we have been through this

War Against Corruption According to the Bible book, Romans 3:23, everyone is born corrupt, corruption in Nigeria has become a social problem, involving not only those in government, but people in public and private positions, traditional rulers, parents, the military, etc. It is the bedrock of dishonesty and bad behaviour, for personal gains, abuse or misuse of power or position of trust.

Corruption is contagious. Often times, most perpetrators do not fear the consequences, as a result of immunity clauses attached to their positions in government. These manifest more in the award of contracts, political intrigues, diversions, dispensation of justice, staff promotion, misuse of public offices, positions and privileges, embezzlement of public funds, etc.

Corruption in Nigeria is systematic. So, it requires systematic approach as well, focusing on the pulse of the nation at this time. The judicial reform is key to its success. The anti-corruption fight is not expected to be won in a day.

Enforcement of the anti-corruption law must be to the fullest, if prioritizing of the “fight” must make the impact. The process must be sustained in all fairness and sincerity.

Recovering all the looted funds must be practical, as a signal to those presently in political offices. Crude oil stealing is demonic and must be avoided.

Strategies must be in good place, but not suggesting a witch-hunt in tackling the issue, but the one that will destroy corruption.

Well-meaning citizens will support the fight, but the corrupt ones will oppose it with bottlenecks but with the incorruptible credentials of the President and his determination to wipe out corruption and with the interest of the common man in focus, it is believed the fight will be won, all things being equal.

Advice to Nigerians Our nation is at a trial period and every Nigerian should pray to God for divine intervention. Nigeria has lived and survived through prayers. Prayer is the only weapon that we have as Nigerians to call upon God and He will step into the matter of our nation and bring solutions to problems facing the country.

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22.04.2016

Okorocha, Ambode Parley on Way Forward for Imo indigenes in Lagos Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha and his Lagos State counterpart, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode met at the first National Forum on the economy organised by The Nation Newspaper at the Airport Hotel Ikeja, Lagos, recently to discuss on the way forward for Lagos State and the Imo indigenes.

The duo thereafter met with the Imo indigenes under the umbrella of Imo State Towns Development Association, Lagos (ISTDAL).

Eminent Sons and daughters of Imo State in Lagos and environs were on ground to receive the governor who came to parley with them. Okorocha in his address thanked Imo indigenes for their useful contributions to his government and the development of the state and advised them to be good ambassadors of the state.

According to a release issued by the Information Officer of the Imo Liaison Office in Lagos, Mrs. Chizoba Udokamma, Okorocha charged them to continue in their efforts at ensuring that Imo moves to a greater height, promising that his administration will do its best to give all Imo people better opportunities.

Okorocha also commended Ambode for his cooperation with Imo people and the entire Ndigbo in Lagos State and appealed to him not to relent. "I am pleased with the cordial relationship you have with Imo

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

L-R: Ambode, Steve Asimobi and Okorocha putting heads together the in Lagos

indigenes in Lagos and I will like you to continue with that."

Special Assistant to Okorocha on Liaison in Lagos, Bar Steve Asimobi appealed to Ambode to provide a portion of land for the construction of Imo Cultural Centre in Lagos where Imo indigenes will exhibit their cultural activities and other social gatherings. Asimobi also called on Ambode to appoint an Imo indigene as one of his advisers.

Responding, Ambode commended Okorocha and the entire Imo people in Lagos for their continued support for the government of the state and promised to provide land

for the construction of Imo Cultural Centre in Lagos. He called on Imo indigenes to pay their taxes regularly in order to benefit from the government. "I am determined to carry everyone along, especially Imo indigenes.

But they should pay their taxes so that we can serve them better."

Ambode also assured that the state government would soon commence road reconstruction work at Maza Maza, FESTAC, Satellite Town and other areas that need urgent attention. "We are now focusing attention to Okota and Ejigbo area and very soon, we get to other places because we are out to serve everybody."

Avon HMO Provider Celebrates Worthy Hospitals Leading Health Maintenance Organisation, Avon Healthcare Limited (Avon HMO) has rewarded three hospitals as part of its ongoing Provider Incentive Programme.

Three Lagos-based hospitals, National Air Force Hospital (Ikeja), Med-In Specialist Hospital (Ogudu) and Bee Hess Hospital (Akowonjo) and their HMO officers received diesel supply and plasma TVs. The Avon HMO Provider Incentive Programme rewards hospitals and HMO officers who are timely, consistent and accurate in submitting utilisation data on primary care as well as secondary and tertiary care services. Mrs. Adesimbo Ukiri, MD/CEO of Avon HMO, described this incentive as a key step taken by Avon HMO to advance the collection, availability and use of robust medical utilisation data.

“In Nigeria, we are seeing an increase in chronic diseases and escalating healthcare costs. If HMOs are to offer health plans that truly cater to the current and future needs of our people, we need comprehensive data to guide our product development initiatives”, Ukiri added.

Launched in 2015, the programme is part of the company’s vision to set new standards and drive the industry forward.

Ukiri explained further that the data being collected would identify and track disease

Medical Director, Med-In Specialist Hospital, Dr. Olugbenga Awosika,(left), receiving a gift from Group Head, Provider Services, Avon HMO, Dr. Adebanjo Oni, (right) during the Avon HMO Provider Incentive

prevalence and patterns, especially at primary care levels and inform our disease prevention and wellness initiatives.

She noted that this approach highlights why managed care organisations such as Avon HMO provide more than just health insurance. “Ultimately this will help achieve better patient experience, minimise disease re-occurrence and reduce re-admission rates for the same diagnosis,” she added.

Head, Provider Services, Avon HMO,

Dr. Adebanjo Oni, said he hoped that the efforts of Avon HMO would kick start a transformation in the HMO industry and lead to increased awareness on the importance of maintaining accurate and robust medical data. Dr. Olugbenga Awosika, Medical Director, Med-In Specialist Hospital, Ogudu, Lagos, one of the rewarded hospitals, stated that one reason why his hospital is in partnership with Avon HMO is because “Avon is innovative and purpose driven.

Honeywell Reiterates Commitment to Skills Development For Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, training and impartation of knowledge to bakers to make their business more result-oriented will continue to be a priority, according to the Managing Director, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola.

Jaiyeola, speaking at the company’s Apapa, Lagos office during the 29th Certificate Award Ceremony of the Honeywell Flour Mills Plc Baking School, reiterated the company’s vision to equip bakers with the most important resource, that is the knowledge required to run profitable operations and build enduring businesses.

“This vision is driven by the understanding of the impacts small and medium scale businesses can have in our country as engines of job creation and enablers of wealth distribution, of which the baking industry represents, being one of the largest SME in terms of numbers and size in the country”, he said.

He added that “at Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, we believe the Nigerian bakers need a broader mix of skills; this is why for close to a decade we have committed resources to the training of over 374 Master Bakers from

Over 200 Artistes to Participate in Afenmai Masquerades Festival

L-R: Executive Director Marketing, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc., Mr. Benson Evbuomwan; Best Graduating Student, Oluchi Kalu and Executive Director Manufacturing, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc., Dr. Nino Ozara, during the 29th Regular Course of Honeywell Baking School Graduation in Lagos

different parts of the country in a total of 29 regular courses and one executive course.

Jaiyeola, represented by Executive Director, Manufacturing, Dr. Nino Ozara noted that “in an increasingly competitive world, we believe improved quality of thinking

usually provide the necessary competitive edge – an idea that opens new doors to success, a technique that solves a problem, or an insight that simply makes a sense of it all by being at the fore-front in the training of bakers in Nigeria”.

The fifth edition of the yearly “Mass Assembly of Afenmai Masquerades and Traditional Troupes” organised by Afenmai Heritage and Cultural Studies holds on Saturday, April 23rd, 2016, at the Ikelebe Sports Arena, Auchi. Founder and Creative Director, Afenmai Heritage and Cultural Studies, Alhaji Usman Abudah, said the event would start by 11am.

In press statement made available to THISDAY, Abudah said masquerades and traditional troupes from the six local government councils of the Edo North Senatorial District, numbering over 200 artistes would be participating. He also disclosed that an exhibition of handloom weaving, sculpturing, and publications

by Afenmai writers, skin decoration and costume production will be featured.

Abudah noted that the maiden edition launched in March 2010 by Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka at Auchi, is a package to unfold the creative themes of the Afenmai people whose natural awareness of realistic approaches to life that ought not to be allowed to be swallowed up by pretentious “western cultural attitudes” that would never be abandoned and left to sink.

NTA, Arewa24 Announce Partnership The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and AREWA24, the all-Hausa language entertainment and lifestyle satellite TV channel has announced a broad programming partnership agreement involving all 17 NTA terrestrial broadcast stations across Northern Nigeria. Under the groundbreaking content-sharing agreement, Northern Nigerian NTA stations will broadcast a selection of AREWA24’s most popular original shows, including the channel’s award-winning dramatic series, "Dadin Kowa," and four other programmes.

NTA and AREWA24 share a common interest in providing Northern Nigerian audiences with the most popular, locally relevant and highest quality Hausa-language entertainment programming. Initial NTA launch markets include: NTA-Abuja, NTABauchi, NTA-Kaduna, NTA-Kano, NTA-Maiduguri and NTA-Sokoto, with other stations rolling out in the coming months.

According to the Managing Director, NTA Television Enterprises, Maxwell Loko, "This new content-sharing partnership with AREWA24 allows our Northern Nigerian NTA stations to continue providing their viewers with original, high quality and popular Hausa language programming across a variety of genres and formats." In addition to Dadin Kowa, the initial slate of original AREWA24 programming to be aired on the NTA stations includes “Kundin Kannywood,” a behind-the-scenes look at Kannywood, its actors, directors and influencers; “Alawar Yara,” a children’s show; “Matasa@360,” a weekly magazine series that explores contemporary youth culture in Northern Nigeria from diverse perspectives; “Waiwaye,” a magazine show focused on arts and culture; “Tauraruwa,” a chronicle of female role models from diverse walks of life; and, “Zafafa Goma” (Top-10), the channel’s music countdown program hosted by AREWA24’s own Hausa Hip Hop star, Nomiis Gee. “AREWA24 is excited to work with the NTA to bring some of our best original programming to NTA audiences throughout the North,” said the Channel Promotion and Development Manager, Kabiru Riruwai who is managing the partnership from the AREWA24 side. “Due to the extensive reach of the NTA network and its historical significance across the country, this programming partnership gives Northern Nigerians from all walks of life access to high quality and locally relevant Hausa language entertainment and lifestyle programming”, Riruwai said further.

Celestine Umeibe, AREWA24’s Head of Commercial Operations, added, “This content-sharing partnership with the NTA is a clear win-win arrangement for both parties and is consistent with our shared mission of further developing media in Northern Nigeria.”

AREWA24 currently produces 13 original series at its production studios in Kano, including Dadin Kowa, a daily Breakfast Show, Kundin Kannywood, Waiwaye, Matassa@360, Alawar Yara and Tauraruwa (Role Models); plus two music-oriented series, Hip Hop and Top 10. Other series include, “Taka Leda,” the channel’s leading sports format, a cooking show and “Daga Masu Kallon Mu,” which answers questions from AREWA24’s viewers.

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Fish Farmer Emerges Monthly Star Winner in Astymin Promo

Young Bobby, Lexeye New Music Video Launched

Young Bobby and Lexeye

L-R: Chief Accountant, Oludare Adanri, March star-winner of Astymin Get Alert Promo, Oladipo Ojeyinka and Product Manager, OTC, Femi Ajala, during a Cheque presentation to the winner recently

Mr. Oladipo Ojeyinka, a fish farmer, has emerged March Star Winner in the ongoing Astymin Get Alert Promo after his number was randomly selected amongst all participating entries for the month of March.

Ojeyinka, who thrives on fish, livestock, and beehive farming to feed his family, was visibly elated at the news of his emergence as the winner and could hardly hold back his unending accolades for the Astymin brand. He became the second Star-Winner in the promo, which had earlier produced a Microfinance Banker, Mr. Michael Irabor as the first Star-Winner for the month of February.

Recounting his experience while participating in the promo, Oladipo admitted that he had to pray for God’s favour before sending the entry code because he frantically needed the expected cash reward in order to take care of some urgent family demands. “When I wanted to send the entry code, I prayed and told God that if this Promo is true, He should please let me be the winner because I really needed the money to

pay for my children’s school fees. Business has not really been too smooth this period because of the situation of the country and it’s about that time I pay their school fees. So the money came at the very right time”, he said.

He also expressed gratitude to Astymin for the cash reward, saying the brand has delivered beyond expectations, on his family’s health and wellbeing. “In fact, this is a double blessing for my family because, while we are still enjoying the benefits of the product on our health, the company decided to put smiles on our faces with this N100, 000. I am so grateful to Astymin for this reward”, he said.

The Astymin Get Alert Promo, which is billed to run until December 2016, has rewarded over 730 daily winners since inception in February and will continue to reward more Nigerians for their loyalty and support, in celebration of 15 years of the brand’s existence in Nigeria.

General Manager, Marketing, Mr. Ola Ijimakin, had earlier said during the launch of the campaign that part of the brand’s

Lagos Biggest Art Auction to Kick Off Rebecca Ejifoma Terra Kulture Mydrim Gallery (TKMG) Auction House is all set to sail its 6th edition of the annual Lagos art auction with a preview and cocktail slated for Sunday April 24 at the Terra Kulture Art Gallery in Victory Island, Lagos, at 4p.m.

While the auction will be held on Friday 29 April at the Intercontinental Hotel at 6p.m., art aficionados are assured of a sophisticated platform that celebrates Nigeria’s cultural heritage through creative artistry and a blend of artworks from other great West African artists.

This year, there will be a pool of 104 pieces cutting across various media and artists from both Nigeria and West Africa (Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic). There are paintings on canvases, photographs and sculptures.

Interestingly, the walls of Terra Kulture will be splattered with exquisite works ranging from very affordable to pricey artists – both masters and emerging ones. Some of the masters include Bruce Onobrakepya, Kolade Oshinowo, Dele Jegede, Ablade Glover. Emerging artists like Ndidi Emefiele, Dipo Doherty and Makata Obinna. Works to be auctioned

include ‘Market Queens’, ‘Collaboration’, ‘Old Man Face’, ‘Lagos State of Mind (Shine Your Eye), ‘Vintage’, ‘Morning’, ‘How Do I Look’, ‘Man and Machine (Synergy 3), ‘Lady in Thought’, ‘Chief’, ‘Busy Hand’, ‘Afternoon’s Warmth’, ‘Thoughtful Feelings’, ‘ Untitled’, ‘Ebute Meta.’

Others are: ‘Bond’, ‘Owanbe’, ‘Discussion’, ‘Abuja Landscape’, ‘Ogolo Na Emangini’, ‘Friends for Life’, ‘Ekpen Ghamue’ We Ebudezi’, ‘Hustle and Bustle of Lagos’, ‘Female Torso’, ‘Figurative Interogation’ and ‘New Home’.

Unlike the erstwhile years, the Chief Executive Officer of Mydrim Gallery, Mrs. Simidele Adesanya, enthused that the 2016 edition would offer collectors, art connoisseurs alongside enthusiasts the satiating opportunity to taste and own exceptional works this time. “Although some of the works are from collectors, others are from individuals. We have put in a bit of contemporary works and interesting ones, too.”

Speaking on the low turnout of art lovers at expos and auction, she told THISDAY that the visual art is not like music, drama or theatre arts. “Visual art doesn’t easily arrest attention. It’s an intellectual and discerning eye combined with passion and taste.

promises is to touch the lives of Nigerians and put smiles on their faces, through the delivery of quality product for good health.

This brand has been committed to achieving in the last 15 years.

He, therefore, encouraged Nigerians to prioritise their health and ensure they lead a healthy lifestyle every day. He said Astymin is committed to supporting healthy living amongst Nigerians, as the health of the people is the health of the nation.

Interested participants are to simply buy Astymin from any nearby pharmacy, check the pack for the promo seal, scratch and send entry number to the short code - 1393. Instant SMS reply will confirm the entry with further instructions. Draws will be done daily and 10 winners will be selected by the system. The prize reward will be sent to the winners either through online transfer or hand collection at the Fidson Head office. Winners’ list will be published on the ASTYMIN website’s landing page, social networks.

Nigerian upcoming music artistes, Young Bobby and Lexeye have just released a new musical video to their latest smashing single titled Prodigy they have before now been gaining massive airplay on radio, the video was shot by the exceptional director Mattmax and is set to create a buzz in the industry.

The music industry latest teenage sensation young bobby and lexeye who happens to be in a musical group together and have performed on several stages including the very famous industry night and the Akwa Ibom Stadium amongst several big names in the industry. When asked what inspired the song they had this to said, “We did this song to encourage people that they can do whatever they desire and be good at it, for instance we can roller skate, play golf, play the piano, rap and sing etc.”. Young bobby and Lexeye whose real names are Robert Albert Akpan aged 15 and Alexis Albert Akpan aged 11 are siblings who were born in East Orange, New Jersey in the United States of America but originally from Cross River State started their musical journey some years ago. This duo has chosen to shake the Nigerian music industry with this new video, Prodigy. They are presently signed to Yellow Moon Entertainment. Fans can follow them on istagram @youngbobby_lexeye.

Sangalosoccer.Com Marks Anniversary with Francophone Edition Sangalosoccer.com, a fast growing football website which was established in 2014, in the build-up to the FIFA Brazil World Cup, has announced a line-up of activities to officially celebrate its 2nd anniversary. The activities to mark the ceremony include a range of media activities.

Uniquely designed to bring iconic reviews and analysis of happenings in the sports world to sport-loving individuals, Sangalosoccer.com is the leading digital destination for upscale sports content as well as real-time sports-events coverage. With a large repertoire of writers and contributors who create sports news contents and updates, the site provides first-rate contents and incisive analysis and reviews, keeping millions of sport fans abreast with happenings in the world of sports. Its affiliate reporters offer Anglophone and francophone inputs to meet the diverse sports needs of football fans in the different African cultures.

Commenting on the achievement, Country Lead, Sangalosoccer.com, Mr. Zubby Ohazurume said, “As we celebrate our two years of existence, our appreciation goes to our huge followers who stood by us over the period. Digital media bridges the gaps observed in conventional media platforms; the fact that contents can be easily created, viewed, distributed, modified, accessed and preserved on digital electronics devices gives online publications like ours

an edge.

“The rising internet penetration on the continent as well as the proliferation of smartphones has empowered us in our quest to reach millions with unparalleled sports contents. Increasingly, soccer lovers feel the need to have timely updates on their favourite teams and players on their mobile devices and Sangalosoccer.com owing to the fact that it is internet-based and mobile-enabled offers this and more. Indeed, Sangalosoccer.com is a testament that Digital can and do play an active role in sports and recreation development.”

From a humble beginning with a website that engaged many Nigerians during the build-up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the Predict N Win competition put together by Sangalosoccer.com where Nigerians were asked to predict the final 23-man list for the Super Eagles, with prizes put up to be won, served as a veritable avenue for the brand’s entry into the Nigeria online sports landscape. With few posts and a handful of visitors- mostly Nigerians, there has been a sudden increase of francophone visitors to the sites. This trend was observed when posts on French football icons, such as Didier Drogba, were posted on the site; on an average there is usually a deluge and influx of football fans from francophone countries like ivory coast, Senegal, the Republic of Benin and Cameroun.

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D'Banj Says He is under Pressure to Get Married, Goes to Hollywood Popular Nigerian artiste, D’Banj says his mother is putting him under pressure to get married. The singer revealed this to South African radio host, Anele Mdodathat.

He said his Mum thinks his achievements in the music industry might have caused his delay in getting married. “She's told me, listen, I don’t care about your success. Maybe it’s this success that is making you not get married”.

The multiple award winning music star who is currently hosting the MTVproduced show, LipSync Battle Africa also revealed plans to go into acting.

“Once you say you are an entertainer, you don’t want to limit yourself. So, yes I'm going into Hollywood. It might be here in South Africa where I'll be having a reality show about me”.

CHIKE IKE

D-Banj

Toyin Aimakhu Addresses Her Kidnap Saga, Says Dating Her Ex Was a Mistake Popular actress, Toyin Aimakhu, has finally addressed her alleged kidnap by ex-lover, Seun Egbegbe who threatened to end her career if she doesn't apologise.

You will recall that Toyin and Egbegbe became an item when she moved out of her matrimonial home over irreconcilable differences with her estranged husband.

We are however not sure of the Aimakhu’s intentions to address this issue but the actress said it was mistake to date his ex.

"Permit me to use this medium to address a particular issue that has always affected me psychologically, for the past months my name has been mentioned in different controversial issues, both the truth and lies. Some find humour in it while some insult and curse me, I appreciate you all because I believe it’s out of the love you all have for me, but at this point I would say it has lingered for too long and does not seem funny anymore. I am human, I feel pain, I have not stolen from anyone, I have killed no one, I have not engaged myself in any shady relationship with no one.

"I was out of a marriage with someone I was so much in love with which left me traumatised. In the process of getting my life together and moving on quickly with my life I made another mistake of getting myself into another mess which only makes me human and I believe every disappointment is a blessing.

"For the record, I never for once stated that I was kidnapped by Mr.

Toyin Aimakhu Seun Egbegbe or anyone. I have a life of my own which consist of my father, mother, siblings and extended family.

They also are not happy and it eats me up, please I beseech you all no one should mention my name along with no man anymore please enough is enough.

Also, I want to appeal to anyone I might have offended in anyway, my family,

news house and bloggers to please leave me go through this process I am going through and heal quickly.

"Thank you all for the love, God bless you. Lastly, to every woman who has been abused psychologically, physically, morally and emotionally I respect you all... THE LORD IS YOUR MUSCLE. (John8:7)"

Popular Nigerian actress, Chika Ike is bereaved. The screen diva has lost her Mum to the cold hands of death. She shared a touching tribute on her Instagram page…"RIP Mum. Saying I am going to miss you is an understatement, I can't still believe you are gone , I sit here wondering if I'm in a dream and waiting for someone to pinch me . You thought me how to be strong, giving, loyal, compassionate and driven. You told me that there is nothing impossible to do. You made me the woman I am today. I am most grateful to you. I will miss you greatly. I know you are watching over me and you will always live on. Love you Mum".

IYANYA

Following Emma Nyra‘s exit in 2015, Iyanya and Ubi Franklin owned record label, Made Men Music has signed another female artiste on the label. The new artiste goes by the name Tonye .

The CEO of the label, Ubi shared the news on Instagram a couple of minutes ago. “First Lady Alert. @ whoistonye on behalf of Me The CEO Of Made Men Music and The Chairman and Board of Directors cc:@ iyanya And Artiste @iyanya @teknoofficial@selebobo1 @chibbzofficial and Our Super Producer @djcoublon And staffs@mademenmusicgroup1 we Welcome You.”

DAVIDO

How Jim Iyke, John Dumelo Failed Beasts Of No Nation Audition

Jim-Iyke

Actor Kobina Amissah-Sam, who played the role of Agu’s (Abraham Attah) father in Beasts of No Nation movie revealed in a recent interview with a radio station in Ghana, Hitz FM that the likes of John Dumelo and Jim Ike were among other great African actors who failed in an audition for various roles in the movie.

He also disclosed that his hair cut gave him an added advantage during the auditions. "I went for the acting audition with my friend and we were called into the auditioning room. One of the casting directors said yes, he has the African look, and he thinks he would be the best person to play the role of Agu’s father. So I am sure my hair cut played a major role in me getting the nod to be part of the cast".

Nigerian act and HKN boss, Davido is currently not happy with his cousin and label mate,B-Red over what he described as unnecessary jealousy of his newly signed act, Mayorkun.

Davido took to twitter and put B-Red on a full blast.

He said he has invested and done everything he could to make him a star. "My own blood hating on me... over Mayorkun's success. Wow!!! I've done so much for u...U still no blow! Hater oshi."

33/ TRAVEL, LEISURE & TOURISM

22.04.2016

Accra City Hotel Confirms Partnership for Second Accra Weizo The Accra City Hotel, formerly Novotel Accra City Centre, has confirmed its partnership for the second edition of Accra Weizo which will hold on the 15th July 2016 at the La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Accra, Ghana.

The hotel is a 4-star hotel in the heart of the Ghanaian capital, located close to the city’s business and entertainment districts. It is just 2 km from the beach and 8 km or 15 minutes’ drive from Kotoka International Airport. Ideal for a business trip or holiday in Accra, the hotel has 196 rooms, an international and regional restaurant. The six fully-equipped meeting rooms can welcome up to 100 guests for conferences and meetings; with a free Wi-Fi available throughout the hotel. The Second Accra Weizo is themed: “Seamless Travel in West-Africa”. It will be an in-depth look at ways to improve Travel and Tourism growth in West Africa through easy access to towns and cities in West Africa.

Improving and simplifying airport and border processes; standardising Hotel and facilities for tourism through shared vision.

The Guest Speaker, Mr. Henock Teferra, a Master’s Degree holder in International Law from Universite de Nice, is the Managing Director of ASKY Airlines, ASKY Airlines is a pan Africa airline, based in Lome, Togo. Henock was Vice President in charge of strategy, communication, and alliances at Ethiopian Airlines, where he demonstrated a huge leadership ability. He is a top airline executive with solid experience and diplomatic skills. He will be speaking on the topic ‘The Challenges of Running a Successful Regional Airline in West Africa’, at the event.

Other speakers at this year’s event are the Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors Limited, Captain Fola Akinkuotu and the Vice Chairman of SAHCOL, Mr. Chike Ogeah. Both

Accra City Hotel

have confirmed their attendance as speakers at the Second Accra Weizo. Captain Akinkuotu who was the former Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), is also a pilot, as well as flight and aircraft engineer, and has vast experience in the aviation industry will be heading the team of panelists which include several top aviation experts and government functionaries as they discuss and deal with issues that relate to the theme of this year’s event: ‘Seamless Travel in West-Africa.’

Ogeah served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Ltd. He is currently the Vice Chairman of Skyway Aviation Handling

Company Ltd. Ogeah will be speaking on ‘Integrating Airport Operations in West Africa.

Both men will join the Managing Director of ASKY Airlines, Mr. Henock Teferra, who is the key note speaker to at the Second Accra Weizo 2016. Mr. Ikechi Uko, the Organiser, said Accra Weizo is a one-day travel seminar, awards, exhibition and the objective is to improve travel and tourism growth in West Africa through easy access to towns and cities in West Africa.

The event will be taking place at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana on the 15th of July, 2016 from 10am-4pm.

The West Africa Award (Balafon) will hold at 5pm, with award categories to include: West Africa Tourism Man of the Year, West

Africa Aviation Man of the Year, West African Personality of the Year and Top 50 Hotels in West Africa. La Palm Royal Beach will host the Carnivore night by 7pm. The Target audience is Travel Professionals in West Africa. Over 150 Travel Professionals are expected from all over West-Africa.

According to Mr. Uko, other discussants will include, MD Arik Air, MD AWA, and MD Air Cote d’lvoire who are also expected to speak at the event. Also invited is the DG, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority as the Chairman of the event, while the Special Guest of Honour will be the DG, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

The 2nd Session of the event will commence by 1:30pm with the Topic “West Africa As A Destination”. The first paper will be Challenges of West Africa as a Destination. There will be case studies from the East Africa example, and The SADC example. The maiden edition of Accra Weizo in 2015, attracted some global rated expert like Adefunke Adeyemi, RegionalHead, IATA for Africa and the Middle East.

She spoke on Intra Africa Air Connectivity, the facts, Challenges and Benefits. Mr. Frank Nneji, Managing Director, ABC Transport Limited, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Founder Kasapreko Company Limited, Femi Adefope- Head HRG & GSA Delta Airlines in Nigeria were all Speakers at Accra Weizo 2015. The event is in partnership with Tour operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA), National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA) and the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP). The event would feature private tours, Ghana. Weizo is an event from the organizers of African Travel Market, Lagos -the only International Travel Fair in West Africa recognized by UNWTO and Abuja Bantaba, Abuja-Nigeria.

Ethiopian to Launch Flights to New York-Newark Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing airline in Africa, has announced that it will commence scheduled thrice weekly flights to New York-Newark from Addis Ababa on July 3, 2016, via Lomé, Togo.

Ethiopian will be deploying the modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner on this route, which not only offers unparalleled onboard comfort to passengers, but is also the world’s most environmentally friendly aircraft with its lower carbon and noise emissions. Ethiopian’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner is configured with 24 business class and 246 economy seats, all of which

are equipped with Ethiopian’s renowned audio-visual inflight entertainment consoles.

Passengers will be able to connect between New York-Newark and many cities throughout Africa. At Lomé, passengers will enjoy seamless connections to/from points in West Africa with ASKY, Ethiopian partner airline based in Lomé. Connections will be available to/ from Abidjan, Bamako, Bissau, Brazzaville, Conakry, Dakar, Douala, Kinshasa, Lagos, Libreville, N’djamena, Niamey, Ouagadougou and Yaoundé. At Addis Ababa, passengers will enjoy seamless connections to/from points in

East and Southern Africa, including Nairobi, Dares Salaam, Khartoum, Kampala, Kigali, and Johannesburg.

Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, remarked, “We are thrilled to resume our service to New York, our fifth gateway in the Americas. New York is one of the world's most economically powerful cities and including it in our ever expanding network will play a critical role in the expansion of trade, tourism and investment between the fast growing continent of Africa and the United States. I would like to thank all who strived

hard to make the route possible.”

New York-Newark becomes Ethiopian’s 93rd international gateway and 4th gateway in North America. Ethiopian currently operates daily nonstop flights from Washington DC to Addis Ababa, as well as three weekly nonstop flights from Toronto to Addis Ababa and three weekly flights from Los Angeles to Addis Ababa via Dublin. Ethiopian is expanding its network rapidly. In the past year has introduced services to Tokyo, Manila, Dublin, Los Angeles, Cape Town, Durban, Gaborone, Yaoundé, and Goma.

… Storms South-east

Officials of Ethiopian Airlines with memers of Kenyetta Market Traders Association

Africa's Leading Airline Ethiopian airline the first international airline to fly into South Eastern Nigeria stormed the cities of Enugu, Aba, Onitsha and Owerri to thank the market leaders and other stakeholders who had supported its operations from Enugu.

Led by the General Manager Nigeria, Mr. Solomon Begashaw, the team included the Sales Manager for the airline, Elias Omerenna, local journalists and the Sales and Traffic Manager, Enugu Theodros M/Selassie.

They started their Eastern Roadshow from

the Ogbette market in Enugu. The team was received by the executives of the Ogbette Main Market Association OMMTA. In a town hall meeting at the executive council chambers, the traders commended Ethiopian Airlines as the airline of choice for most people in the East.

According to the Vice Chairman, Anthony Nebechukwu Nwodo, Easterners are the biggest travellers in Africa and any airline that wins their heart will thrive. They wanted Ethiopian Airlines to increase frequency of its flight from three weekly to a daily schedule. They also

Officials of Ethiopian Airlines with members of Ogbete Market Traders Association

asked for a big aircraft like the B777 along with regular cargo flights to bring back all their bags when they travel. They assured the Airline executives that the airline will be supported to succeed in Enugu as they consider ET an organised Airline. The ET team later visited the Kenyatta market in Enugu.

Other towns the team visited on the thank you tour included Onitsha, Aba and Owerri.

The tour is part of Ethiopian airline reach out to Nigerian Travellers over the last three months. In his response the GM promised

them improvements on service delivery. He told them that starting from March Ethiopian airlines charged the same fare from Enugu and Lagos so there is no need traveling by road to Lagos to get a flight out of Nigeria.

He also promised new cargo flights to Enugu once they get the necessary approvals from the Nigerian government. Recently, the airline was chosen by the largest travel association in West Africa the 1500 members strong National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA) as the best airline in Nigeria.

34/ETIQUETTE

22.04.2016

THE ETIQUETTE FORUM ADEKANMI OTEDOLA-OLUSANYA

email mretiquetteonline@yahoo.com

tel. 08112661635, 0809285 4855

How to Manage Hatred, Bitterness and Rejection (2) Last week, I commenced this series on managing hatred, bitterness and rejection.

This week, I continue with why you should see unjust hatred and rejection towards you as an asset and how you can use it to your advantage.

TAKE CONRTOL OF THOSE BITTER THOUGHTS BEFORE THEY CONTOL YOU If you don’t control bitter thoughts they will control you. If you allow them to control you, you will end up making mistakes because a negative emotion most often result in negative impulses and negative decisions while positive emotions most often results in positive decisions. If you let negative emotions like bitterness to overwhelm you, you will end up taking wrong decisions.

How do you take control of bitter thoughts?

At the points at which such thoughts begin to flood your mind and inflict unnecessary pain on you, say good things about yourself,

your situation and those people who are inciting the pain. Remember they are part of a process that should work towards your ultimate fulfillment. You could say things like “This phase shall pass”, “I’ll come out of this bigger and better”, “I refuse to be depressed, I am full of joy”, “God bless everyone working against me.” These positive words would turn the negative feelings into positive ones which would in turn bring you to a state of calm, quiet and self-control. It is at this point that you would be well where you know exactly what to do, the steps to take and how to handle the overall situation.

A lot of people suffer animosity at their places of work, families’ surroundings etc but only those that know how to manage it properly come out on top. Remember if you are segregated, marginalised, cheated, maligned and even abused at your place of

work you will not be the first and certainly would not be the last. Your first impulse should not be to pack your bags and leave the organization, your first reaction should be to get yourself in the right frame of mind where your negative emotions have been sublimated into positive emotions. Those positive emotions would then yield positive impulses and the positive impulses would result in positive decisions. Many people have left jobs under pressure running from a challenge only to end up underutilised, poorer and less fulfilled because they left without getting the ‘lesson’ and the ‘blessing”.

While I am not disputing that leaving a job where one is hated could be a good decision in certain instances, what I am advocating for is that people should take the right decision and that most time that right decision can only be made from a line of positive feelings, positive impulses

and positive decisions. I will share a good example with you. Tonye Cole the executive director of the Sahara Energy group – one of the leading energy companies in the country- once said he was tired of the dirt in the oil industry and wanted to resign at some point but after some introspection and meditation on the issue, he decided he would remain in the oil and gas industry and become an agent of positive change in the industry. He remained in the oil and gas sector and today has succeeded enviably well in that same sector.

You could purchase a copy of my book on etiquette titled PROPER MANNERS AND ETIQUETTE IN ANYTHING AT ANYTIME AND ANYWHERE at the price of N3,500 at our corporate head office at 340 - 344 Ikorodu Road, by Idi-Iroko Bus Stop, Maryland, Lagos.

Or call 0802 312 6010 or 0811 266 1635 to have a copy sent to you.

Cardinal Joseph Borgolio now Pope Francis was not successful at his first opportunity to becoming Pope - the nod going to Pope Benedict the 16th. He managed it well retiring back to Argentina living in a guest house and remaining the people’s cardinal only to end up becoming the first Pope to succeed a living Pope in 600 years of Roman Catholic history

Tonye Cole once said he was tired of the dirt in the oil industry and wanted to resign at some point but after some introspection and meditation on the issue, he decided he would remain in the oil and gas industry and become an agent of positive change in the industry. He remained in the oil and gas sector and today has succeeded enviably well in that same sector.

Former African footballer of the year, Sam Eto was bitter about the way he was treated at soccer club Barcelona and made unpleasant remarks about his then coach Pep Guardiola after which his career took a nosedive and Pep Guardiolas flourished

Britain’s most successful club coach, Sir Alex Ferguson, was not successful early on with Manchester United and was at the point of being axed. He endured the pressure and eventually became the Premiership’s greatest manager

35/ENTREPRENEUR

22.04.2016

‘Architecture is the Bedrock for a Creative Mind’ Mary Ekah writes on the swelling passion of an intellectually inspired entrepreneur, an architect tuned musician, Oghenemairo Ozah, a.k.a Myro, a graduate of Architecture, whose craze for his creative expressions, singing, stage performance, urban apparel designs and graffiti arts is immeasurable Myro’s fine blend of architecture, urban designs and music is bespoken. Dedicated to his music career, Oghenemairo Ozah with the stage name Myro, owes his artistic strength and inspiration to the study of architecture at the Caleb University, Lagos.

“Studying architecture is the first best thing that happened to me; architecture is the bedrock for any creative mind. It equips you and launches you out into limitless opportunities,” he said.

Riding to fame with his singles, ‘Ocha’ and ‘Plantain,’ on the platform of Masterpiece label, Myro advocates sound education, as key to taking advantage of the multi-billion dollar entertainment industry. He talks on the importance of discipline, focus and what he considers the ‘non- issues’ in youths pursuing careers in the entertainment industry.

The young wishful entrepreneur believes Nigeria can make the best of its ‘generation next’ by establishing academies to help the bourgeoning youths channel their creative ability into engaging and lucrative businesses capable of employing thousands of people.

On his forms of creative expressions, he said, “At the heart of my creative expressions is architecture, which we often refer to as the ‘Frozen music.’ Architecture is broad and it offers you deep insights into the world of creativity. Its part in interior designs enables you combine colours and guides you through balanced judgement in beautification, which I enjoy doing.”

Speaking further, the young artiste said, “Prior to my studying architecture, I started the graffiti movement in Nigeria, doing graffiti for the British Council 'Words and Pictures' project. I also did graffiti for different musical videos then as a teenager.”

Myro’s graffiti arts took centre stage at award ceremonies like the 'Headies', much as he did for the Lagos State Government beautification project.

His creative outlook has been expressed in architecture, music, landscaping, interior design, apparel design and merchandising.

However, music is his focus right now.

On ‘good music’ and inspiration for creating good music his belief is, first, good music must have a welcoming appeal to the ears and be soothing. “Good music is what people want to listen to, dance to and sing along whenever they hear it”, he added.

“Personally, my songs are inspired by the desire to entertain the target audience, the youths. I try to write it, as I understand it, because I know that music is an art form that is best expressed with the passion you have for it. Remember too, that people have their own story, their own arts as they have experienced it. The inspiration comes at different times and I do that in my own space. Preparedness and utmost discipline are two things a musician who wants to succeed must not play with. You must note down the ideas as they come; melody, tune, the lyrics as they come. You don’t plan to recall an idea later, because you may lose the original idea after all”, he explained.

Myro’s whose daily effort to grow his music career is glaring, noted: “I have my basic activities and other things come in too.

Traditionally, I do my voice training, some physical exercise, because it is good to stay in shape as part of what fans see about artistes too. I record for DJs, who have requested for my jingles. Importantly, I listen to beats, songs, and oldies by established artists as well as hit songs from different genres. I listen to radio to know latest trends, check out my schedule, especially when I have to

Myro

do media rounds, and visit places.”

His music aims to entertain, educate and enlighten the society. “First, there is music for different occasions and different moods.

You cannot be doing music only for one reason always. What makes a classical music for me is having songs that will completely entertain people, they listen to the song and they can feel happy. There are songs for entertainment and in that album you have songs that are imparting knowledge, teaching people things they need to know by addressing a societal ill and how to correct them. Music is broad and should not be one-sided. I have songs that are totally entertainment, just for that purpose, yet I have others with messages, shedding light on issues and possible solutions.”

His advice for aspiring youths in music career is that family position and coping with trade demands are important. “Young people must understand that being educated gives you a broader view of the music business.

So, it is no longer a fancy to drop out of school to do music. Now, technology has made it possible for people to multi-task and be good at all they are doing if they keep the vision.

“Education taught me from the onset how to manage my music career to remain relevant for as long as the songs are there. Someone like Davido is also a graduate and doing his music. So, pursuing a career in music is no

excuse to be out of school. School on its own, impacts discipline because there are things you learn in school that you cannot learn on your own outside, besides getting your first fan from your school. It is no longer an issue that families struggle to endorse their children for a career in music. All they need do is create good space for such a child to confide in the family and get positive support from home.”

He is emphatic that it is a big error for people to think that you must rely on substances simply because you are in music.

“You only need to be disciplined and remain focused on your goal, which is part of what going through a formal education helps you do”, he advised.

For him, the music industry is no doubt lucrative. “The music industry is a multi-billion dollar one. There are so many avenues that have not been fully exploited in music in Nigeria. For example, we just know about the online platform that helps you sell music, not necessarily having to perform. The online market is very huge. Other avenues like merchandising are not yet big in Nigeria.

The industry is lucrative, employing a lot of people apart from the artistes. There are the producers, sound engineers, the promoters, managers, and others within the value chain that are benefiting from the industry. For me, we have been able to grow my own fan base online and for events and shows

where we are commissioned to perform. So far, I have been blessed to harness those platforms.”

Staying connected with his fans is ultimate.

“I feel cool about my growing fan base, considering that I started professionally in the last quarter of 2014, and knowing well that the industry is kind of saturated.

Staying connected with fans is important to the work I am doing, and the picture gets better when people appreciate your work by singing along at performances”, he said while quickly adding a word of appreciation to Lagos State government for granting him the opportunity to perform at the ‘One Lagos Fiesta’ at Badagry and Epe, in 2015.

Presently Myro is building on the platform, which his last single, 'Plantain remix’ gave him; a single he did with Oritsefemi. “I also have a new single coming out soon, besides a number of songs am working on. I am keeping a close touch with my promoters and event managers to ensure that I get the right positioning with the right audience”, he added.

On what to do when money starts rolling in. His response: “I am very business inclined. When money starts coming, the basic thing is to grow my little investment and be able to sustain the brand. However, I am not against splendour of pampering yourself if you are working and money comes in.”

36/COLLAGE

22.04.2016

Nigeria's Ambassador to CĂ´te d'Ivoire, Mrs Ifeoma Akabogu-Chinwuba, flanked by Gideon Babalola and Deborah Ukeh, who won silver in the singles and gold in the mixed doubles at the International Badminton Tournament in Abidjan.

Mr. Sunday Oladapo Ogunnowo; celebrated his 40th Birthday with wife, Bose; and children, Ayomide and Ayala, in Agbede Ikorodu, Lagos‌ recently

L-R: Mr. Ifeanyi Okeleke; Miss. Onyebuchi Okeleke and Mr. Clement Okeleke and his wife, Patrica with Miss.

Chekube Okeleke during Mr. and Mrs. Okeleke's 39th marriage annviersary at Ugbolu in Asaba, Delta State... recently.

L-R: Bride Sister, Mrs. Veronica Edoja; Mr. Anthony Osiegbu and his wife former Miss. Rita Erhurhe; and Mr. Peter Edoja, during the couple's wedding at Christ Believers Anointed Deliverance Ministry in Lagos... recently JAMES AGORI

L-R:The outgone Flag Officer Commading, Western Naval Commad, Rear Admiral Raphael Osondu and his successor, Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai, at the handing over ceremony at the command headquarters in Apapa, Lagos, recently CHIEMELIE EZEOBI

L-R: Pastor (Dr) Paul Eneche; his wife, Bekky; the Celebrant, Rev (Mrs). Titilayo Okoye; her Husband, Rev William Okoye; and former Minister of Information, Prof Jerry Gana, during the 60th Birthday Anniversary of Rev (Mrs) Helen Titilayo Okoye which held in Abuja recently JULIUS ATOI

37/THISLIFE

22.04.2016

Clinging on My Brother’s Memory Maero Ozako My brother lived his life in treasured hurry, always putting meaning to every moment, always and there for everyone.

No one can prepare anyone for this trip.

Somehow, in my heart, I thought my brother Efere Ozako (January 17, 1966-April 18, 2013) would cheat death and be the last to leave the earth. My brother was smart and definitely loved by man, woman and God. Sounds really silly now but I wonder if you know those kinds of people who would just be able to talk their way out of every situation.

And he was terribly good at that.

Alas! I walked into the full room in the hospital, machines still beeping. I touched his warm chest, took a look at his toe nails again and thought that I must drive over and trim them when he gets out of this hospital just the way I used to many years before.

There he was looking quiet for the first time in his life, I am sure. I took a look at him and knelt by the bed. My issue with God at that time was that he should not spend too much time in this sleep. The night before, as I screamed, he twitched his toes and that gave me great relief. I asked him, ‘ Efere, when are you going to get out of this sleep.

What am I to tell mummy when she calls and calls you again today?’ My mother had called him the day before as she does us all almost every day of our lives. When he did not take the call, she called me and I ‘posted’ her. He was already in hospital.

When I told her that he was resting, she told me for the first time in my life, ‘Maero, you are a liar!’I knew that this was a lie I had to tell But this guy had to be sleeping now. I took another look at him. Then this woman said to me, ‘ Efere don go. Efere don try.’ I agreed that he had tried and he would continue to.

Then she said, ‘ Efere don die’. As I think, that hollow ball bounces again around my stomach. Go where? I thought. How could he? Did Efere not know the implications of strolling just like that in his bow-legs away

Late Efere Ozako

from this earth without at least saying good bye? Come on! The most painful part of life is death and indeed not even knowing till almost the whole world knew. Nothing

violates the soul as much as being thrown on a field like this.

My brother Efere, was the best friend of many, commentator, lawyer to the world

and a prankster of great repute! There were many parts to this young man. Many.

As a lawyer, he made a groove of a mark.

Lawyer to Multichoice for many years and definitely Nigeria’s foremost entertainment lawyer, visitor to the Kenyan film festival, AMAA etc. It is a joy and honour that AMAA through Peace Anyiam-Osigwe have immortalised him.

My brother was a genius, yeah, yeah!

True. At eight years plus, he was headed for the Federal Government College, Warri.

He was an avaricious reader. It was normal that Efere would buy bole, roasted plantain, finish it and promptly stretch out the old newspaper wrap and eat up the info. If he walked into my home, it would be a bee line to the pile of newspapers and voom! The ‘thief’ would tiff my papers. As for ‘tiffing’, Efere was great at taking my friends. I must confess that I stole some of his friends. Till this day, most of my friends and his are ‘knotted’ together.

Losing him has to be the greatest kick to my stomach. I cannot account for what I felt or what my family feels till this day; my mother, father, his children, my siblings.

Raw. Raw. I do not even know how anyone who loses anyone feels till this day. There is no science to it. Only God knows the crevices, the dark corners of the heart.

Death teaches us about life and this one has. Life is not the way it looks sometimes.

If I knew that Tuesday was the last day we would speak before the Thursday of his passing, maybe, I would have been on the line till now.

I recall my brother calling me and telling me he had chosen a name for his new magazine, ‘TAKAII’ which means ‘tell them’ in Isoko. I argued and argued with him but he twisted my arm and I agreed that it may just work. The same was the story with ‘Wetin Lawyers Def Do Sef?’, his free parley which was a platform to teach people about basic law tenets.

Three years after, the soup almost tastes the same. I still wonder, Wetin Efere Dey Do Sef?

Igwe Obioremgbe Ofala Festival Holds April 30 Anayo Okolie The 3rd Ofala festival of the traditional ruler of Amorka Community, the Ogbuehi Jideofor V, HRH Igwe Kenneth Okolie Obiriolemgbe (KSJI. JP), will hold on April 30, 2016 at his palace at Umuezike.

The monarch, who disclosed this in a statement he personally signed, apologised to the people of Amorka for the late coming of the 3rd Ofala festival, assuring them that the next festival would be celebrated as at when due.

“My good people of Amorka , kindly join hands with the Igwe to promote, keep and maintain the traditions of our land. So, all hands must be on deck to enable us achieve our targeted goals as a community.

“Peace is essential in our community. I talk of peace because I know that no community can grow if there is no peace. It therefore becomes very pertinent for us all to maintain peace in our various homes.”

According to him, top federal and state government officials are expected to grace the occasion. Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, Dr. ABC Orjiakor, Senator Andy Uba, Senator Annie Okonkwo, House of Representatives member, Hon Emeka Anohu, member, Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Chidi Udemadu, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Town Union Matters, Hon. Greg Obi, are among the prominent people that would be present at the August event.

Others, he said are Commissioner for Special Duties, Chairman, Ihiala Local Government, Hon Tabugboo and Chief Executive Officer Global Industries Limited, Elder Jude Udeozor.

R-L: Wife of the Igwe, Lolo Ann Okolie Obiriolemgbe, Igwe K.O. Obiriolemgbe and some members of his cabinet

Igwe K.O. Obiriolemgbe was forced back home from the Seat of Caliphate Sokoto in 2000 to ascend the vacant throne of his late Dad HRH Igwe Paul O. Obiriolemgbe after he passed on.

In accordance with the chieftaincy constitution, Obiriolemgbe was installed officially in 2001. He was presented to

the then governor of Anambra State Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju and in 2002, he was issued a Certificate of Recognition and a Staff of Office as the Jideofor V of Amorka

by Mbadinuju.

His good leadership and determination in participating in things that would promote his community, his local government and

the state in general earned him a promotion in the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council.

The Monarch, however, commended Governor Willie Obiano for the good work he is doing in the state, adding that the prayers of the people of Anambra State will continue to guide him and his team.

38/OPINION

22.04.2016

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

D

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

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From Paris Club to China’s Shop

ilemmas and difficulties forced Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, to act against his will.

Last week, Buhari crossed the pacific ocean to beg for new loan and the restructure of the existing one in Beijing.

Much more, the former military dictator seen as a symbol of hope for a new Nigeria has been battling the headache presented by the free fall of naira against the United States dollar since he came to power in May last year.

The flush of media attention around Buhari’s trip to China and the currency swap has given little understanding of a “well-intentioned” deal for Nigeria in Beijing.

Much of the conversations have been about Nigeria’s debt clock rather than what prompted Buhari’s passage to China.

The $6billion loan restructuring has been explained not to be a new deal, but an existing loan, reworked in the best interest of Nigeria, though, there’s something stealth and secret about the trip that Nigerians will be surprised to know in the future.

But, I’m camping with Buhari on this loan restructuring since financial rectitude is our collective watchword against the order of the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, where profligacy reigned supreme.

Ordinarily with the way dollar has been going on the upward swing against the naira there’s no household that has not felt the impact across the country, except such a household runs its own economy that is different from what we call the Nigerian economy. I doubt if any household does.

In the Nigerian economy, China is a big player among other countries on our plate.

To make light of the serious matter, everywhere you turn around the country there must be a

President Muhammadu Buhari and Chinese President Xi Jinping

made-in-China product. We can’t say that of every country investing in our economy.

And this, no other investor has got a town in Nigeria, but China has one. China town is actually a phenomenon.

Truly, most of the deals that Nigeria has around its major infrastructure in recent years have been with the Chinese companies and banks.

Think of the billion dollars Lagos light rail and your mind will not go to Washington, London or Berlin. You’ll think of Beijing, because China's state-owned China Civil Engineering Construction Corp (CCECC) is in charge kicking the project to life.

Indeed, in the past, Julius Berger Construction Company held the monopoly of building our road infrastructure, but CCECC’s entrance has changed the status quo over the years.

Another example is to look inside our open markets and high street shops, the trade volumes are not without Chinese hands. The trade flow from China has helped put food on the table of many Nigerians and continues to make life

affordable for millions of Nigerian families—low quality, low expense.

From electrical cables to vehicle spare parts, clothes and household items, the Chinese invasion is simply incomparable. It’s like a hammer on the nail.

Now the big piece of this is that our major airport terminals from Lagos to Port Harcourt, Enugu to Calabar, Abuja to Kano and others are being financed by Chinese banks. That holds true for our power plant projects and investment in agriculture as well.

One more, with the tumbling Oil prices and the buyers beware syndrome that has kept our major buyer, the United States at a distance, China has become a ready customer and investor.

In January 2014, the federal government approved a $10 billion in Chinese oil exploration in the Bida Basin in Niger State. That is coming at a time Shell, Chevron and other big players are almost tired of our volatile environment.

The Chinese companies are simply not worried about the future of Nigeria. They are putting their money and mouth in our economy.

So cleverly, President Buhari must have thought very deep and rightly so that to swap naira for yuan (Chinese currency) is to swap hell for heaven.

This is the arithmetic: the scenario I painted above shows that about 50 per cent of our deals are with China. Nigerians doing business with China need US dollar, because it is an internationally acceptable currency denominator.

But the same dollar will still be changed to yuan, when it gets to China. So what if small and big businesses can get yuan straight from here? What if Nigeria starts paying its Chinese contractors in yuan instead of dollars?

The result will be less pressure on naira. The dollar will not be that strong, because the law of demand and supply will come into effect.

That’s exactly what I think Buhari wants to do with the currency swap. He wants to make yuan the king without unnecessary competition with naira and dollar rate will see a decline.

And while the China loan and its renegotiation may not necessarily put us in a dire situation that confronted us with the Paris Club in 2005, when we negotiated $30billion debt pardon, the statistics provided by the Debt Management Office, which now shows that we are owing $65billion (N12 trillion) should be a sign to Buhari’s presidency to tread cautiously— a plum size of the debt being domestic notwithstanding.

Of course, Nigeria’s dependency on China will then become the next challenge and that will require a strong fiscal policy. A deal with China can be complex and as a country we are now in a very ticklish situation.

One example will make the message clear: China holds America’s debt in trillion. As at December 2015, the debt stood at about $1.25 trillion. To take advantage of this, China frequently weakens yuan against the United States dollar.

When it does, the price of its commodity export to the United States will be cheaper and most American families like bargain prices. The end result: there’s a ready market for Chinese export and that will funnel job creation for its 1.3 billion citizens.

In international commodity market, it is called Chinese manipulation. China needs to lower the yuan to remain competitive with other emerging markets, whose currencies are free-floating. It is an economic strategy China is using to keep its export prices competitive. It is also a bait China is using to get more value for the debt the United States owes it.

China’s long term ambition is this: China wants the yuan to replace the US dollars as the world's new global currency.

LEKANFATODU HEADS-UP

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Change and Inconvenient Truths

he renewed conversation about car purchased by the National Assembly in this austere economy compelled me to go into the archive.

Below is an abridged version of an article first published on this page on January 8, 2016. I find it relevant to this discourse.

When during his maiden presidential media chat, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed his displeasure over a proposed budgetary spending on cars by the National Assembly, I knew that the entire fabric of change that ushered in the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) government headed by Buhari would be put to another round of interrogation.

Before now the quality of democracy that exists within the party has been questioned following intra-party scuffles for leadership positions amongst members of the same ruling APC at the resumption of the 8th National Assembly.

I also knew that, following some critical extracts from the media chat, the President himself, who is the presiding officer at the temple of change, would also be brought to question, not only from outsiders who are keeping a close watch on the activities of the new government, but also from the ranks of the devotees of the doctrine of change, particularly some of the politicians who have benefited from the change campaign, and are presently occupying various political offices in the country.

In what seems like an image-obliterating salvo to the National Assembly that is still struggling to burnish its public perception, President Buhari

President Buhari

told Nigerians about his unchanging austere posture and offered an unambiguous homily to the legislative arm of government on the necessity to follow suit.

Apart from speaking on the perceived reluctance by the National Assembly to comply with the new Treasury Single Account (TSA) through which the federal payments can be transparently managed, the president took a strong position on the desire of the federal legislators to spend a part of the limited national resources on cars that will cost billions of naira. “If I can turn down N400 million for the presidency that I do not need any new car because of the economy, I can’t see the National Assembly spending more than that N47 billion to buy cars, on top of transport allowance they collect.

“I have to revisit that story. The budget for their transport allowance comes up to a N100 billion. With the kind of money that goes into the National Assembly, we have to look at it conscientiously and see how we can live within our means,” he said.

With this, it was obvious that the Presidency has once again put itself against the legislature with whom it has continued to manage what has been seen as less than a rosy relationship; or better put a secretly frosty one.

Expectedly, the legislature has swiftly risen up to defend itself on the allegation cast by Mr. President.

In a statement by the spokesperson of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, he said “Since the claim in an online medium that we are planning to purchase vehicles, we have not taken any further action on the issue. We are surprised that a proposed purchase became a subject of controversy and several figures that are far from our projections have been bandied around.

“This is a responsible and responsive National Assembly. We really need project for vehicles to facilitate our work. We will however follow due process when we choose to take decisions on the purchase,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport and the senator representing Lagos East senatorial district, Senator Gbenga Ashafa said the reported new vehicles are not personal vehicles to legislators, and maintained that they are meant for oversight functions.

Meanwhile his colleague from Osun State and

the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye has given a more direct and blunt response to the whole issue of budgetary allocations at a time when the nation is seeking to borrow to fund parts of its national budget.

Putting a challenge to both the presidency and the legislature, the academic-turned-politician said, “If I was president of Nigeria today, honestly to the extent possible I will end official cars for everybody – from President to the level 8 officer.

“We once had a republic where our Head of State rode a Peugeot 504 and gave us what he called ‘Operation Low Profile’. We must go back to that.

“A situation whereby we go through the streets of Abuja and everybody is riding SUVs, everybody is focusing on the senators because 109 of them are the ones who were elected. Ask yourself, ‘what type of cars are the ministers riding? What type of cars are the judges riding?

What type of cars are the DGs of parastatals riding?’ Senator Adeyeye said.

It is common knowledge that most of the functionaries and occupiers of the offices stated

by Adeyeye are supposed to be working directly from the template of change because of their appointments by the Presidency that is why these bitter truths are somewhat difficult to swallow. But it must be told regardless.

It should also be brought to Mr. President’s awareness that it is equally wasteful spending to allocate N326 million to Aso Rock Wildlife Conservation, as against the N24. 6 million budgeted last year while endangered animals in public animal parks are made into delicacies.

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Nigeria’s Long Road to Petrol Scarcity

Segun James How can the leadership of a country whose economy is dependent on oil deliberately decided to sabotage the economy by awarding a contract for the turn-around-maintenance (TAM) of a Nigerian refinery to an Indian fishing company, which has no knowledge of oil and gas operations?

This was the key question that agitated the minds of the oil and gas industry stakeholders when in 1996 a probe was opened on the TAM that took place on the Warri refinery.

The then management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had awarded the TAM to Primlaks Nigeria Limited, a company whose sole activities was fishing in the Nigerian waters.

A lot of companies including major oil producing companies in the country and the company that built the refinery had submitted bids for the TAM contract which was worth several million dollars, but surprisingly, the contract was awarded to Primlaks, a company that was never part of the biding process in the first place.

Politics has always been lousy with business and management especially in Nigeria; worse still; there has never been rules and tradition too.

So, for this, every new government brings in a new manager for every government business even if the manger is not competent and the job he is expected to do is highly specialised and required experience.

This is made worse if the business concerned is the mainstay of the nation’s economy. In Nigeria’s case, the petroleum industry accounts for about 70 per cent of government revenue and over 90 percent of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.

As Nigerians grapple with fuel scarcity that has virtually shut down the country for weeks, not a few people knew that this perfidy began in 1994, precisely during the regime of the late maximum leader, General Sani Abacha.

Prior to that time, professionalism had always been the order in the petroleum industry with the NNPC shielded from politics.

But when Gen. Ibrahim Babangida took over as the head of state, things started on a new course. This was the time politics came into the oil industry. Every decision and activity was taken from the political turf than from the

professional, which had hitherto been the norm.

In the oil refining industry, comprehensive maintenance and upgrade of equipment called the TAM takes place every two years. During this period, the entire refining process is shut down for 45 days for the maintenance period.

All the four refineries in the country – the old Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), Eleme Refining and Petrochemical Company (ERPC), Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) - needed TAM urgently.

But unfortunately, the TAM for WRPC and the KRPC were somewhat complicated.

The Kaduna refinery, which was commissioned in 1980 was designed to use imported “heavy crude oil” from Venezuela instead of the “Light Sweet Crude,” Bonny Light produced by Nigeria.

Because of the vandalism of the pipelines that transport the crude from Escravos in Delta state to Kaduna which necessitated a number of shut downs in the past, the TAM on the refinery became very complicated.

The Warri refinery which came on stream in 1978 experience a lot of setbacks from the beginning. Of the three plants commissioned to operate in the refinery, only two was working.

While the petrol and the Diesel were working optimally since it came on stream, the kerosene plant was never functional; and all efforts to put it on stream had proved abortive.

Even though the petrochemical side’s polypropylene and carbon black plants were working, all the plants within the refinery had broken down due to lack of maintenance. Thus they were in dire need of TAM badly.

The same problem besets all other refineries in the country as the NNPC, under the government of Babangida never carried out TAM on any of the refineries for about six years.

Every time a TAM was planned, somehow, the process was abandoned and or postponed for another year. This was the situation until 1994 when the TAM was eventually carried out on the Warri refinery while the others refineries were on standby operation.

The TAM process was supposed to last for 60 days, but it was extended to about 100 days as the rot in the system was not anticipated.

The equipment on the refinery was obsolete. At the end of the TAM, the refinery maintenance department was forced to fabricate most of the

obsolete parts from its workshops for the refinery to come back on stream.

At the end of the TAM, the petrochemical plants could not resume operation. The refinery was stopped from producing kerosene. But the fuel plants however came on stream even if though it was not at optimal capacity as its produced at less than 60 percent of its 125,000 barrel installed capacity.

The same problem besotted the other refineries in Kaduna and Port Harcourt. This was the beginning of the nation’s decent into the abyss of perennial fuel scarcity.

However, if this was scandalous enough, the worst was not unraveled until in 1996 when the truth began to unfold as to why the TAM failed.The Abacha government in a surprise move instituted a panel to probe the management of the Warri Refinery and in particular the operation of the TAM following the total breakdown of the refinery plants a few weeks after the supposed total overhaul of the refinery.During the probe, cans of worms were exposed as materials purchased by the NNPC for millions of dollars were found to cost a few hundred dollars.

So alarmed was the government that the managing director of the refinery Dr. Owolaku was placed on indefinite suspension and was later relieved of his job.

The TAM done by Primlaks was said to be shoddy that it in actual fact did more damage to the plants than remedy the situation. Since then, the plant has never performed optimally.

Today the refinery can only produce at 30 percent of its installed capacity.

Today, the refinery is 38 years old and most of the equipment used in constructing it are well over 40 years, hence they can no longer meet the need of the times. Even the manufacturers have stopped make them many years ago.

Most refineries the world over today are now digitalised, yet the NNPC claims to do TAM on obsolete equipment, which are no longer in production.

In 2015, before the present administration took over, there were reports that the corporation spent over N152billion on TAM of the four refineries. This was however refuted by the corporation. The then Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Department of the corporation, Mr. Ohi Alegbe had said the corporation was a public entity responsible for

the government and people of Nigeria.

Specifically, he dismissed the report credited to some civil society organisations, alleging that the NNPC had committed N152 billion for the TAM of the four refineries between 2011 and 2013. Alegbe however explained that a decision was taken in 2011 to rehabilitate all the refineries, using the Original Refinery Builder (ORB) of each of the refineries.

Alegbe said NNPC was focused on its mandate and would not be distracted by the spate of politically inspired polemics against its operations.

According to him, the NNPC made recourse to a new strategy after the ORBs declined participation and nominated some partners in their stead who came up with outrageously unfavourable terms.

“The nominated partners, as sole bidders, came up with humongous price offers after two years of thorough and exhaustive scope of work definition and price negotiations. “The proxies were also unwilling to provide post rehabilitation performance guarantees,’’ he said.

He said the new arrangement, which kicked off in October 2014, entailed phased and simultaneous rehabilitation of all the refineries, using in-house and locally available resources.

Alegbe said that the strategy also embraced the direct use of Original Equipment Manufacturer representatives to effect major equipment overhaul and rehabilitation.

He said it was projected that the new strategy would reduce the cost of the operation by 70 per cent. This money, he said, would help in mitigating the financing challenges of NNPC visa-a-vis refinery rehabilitation.

“The phased rehabilitation programme started in October 2014 after the required funding stream was established and will last for 18 months,’’ adding that over 60 per cent of materials needed for the TAM at Port Harcourt refinery had been delivered and that their installation was in progress.”

Alegbe also disclosed that material orders and deliveries to Kaduna and Warri refineries remained substantial.

Despite the accusation and counter-accusation, Nigerians today are groaning under petrol scarcity, the fall out of the political decisions taken over 20 years ago. Finding a lasting solution to the perennial fuel crisis by revitalising the refineries remains elusive even as the oil marketers are smiling to their banks at the expense of Nigerians.

40

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Enugu Airport Runway Death Trap

Evarest Nnaji As my Lagos bound commercial flight charged out on takeoff roll on Runway-26 at Enugu airport, my heart jumped out of my mouth as a sudden shock jolted the airplane fuselage when the landing gears hit the macadamised portion of the runway; a shoddy construction job embarrassingly delivered by PW construction company less than six years ago.

This frightening jolt immediately left a bad taste in my mouth as I ruminated on the circuitous route and rigmaroles the people of South East encountered to get the airport see the light of the day both in terms of the resurfacing and extension of the runway and the actualisation of its international airport status.

I stand to be contradicted to say that PW sabotaged the airport and the people of the South East. This is more so, as I recall the synergy and support put together amongst the Federal government and States government of the South East; Federal legislators as well as Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) when that runway extension and resurfacing took effect back in 2010. The tumultuous goodwill and support PW enjoyed, as it was granted every extension it requested in terms of time, and was granted every contract variation it requested to guarantee a good and thorough job that should measure to international standard. The runway design handed over to PW was based on International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standard. Therefore, this level of runway structure could rightly have been constructed in any country of the world under the standard of ICAO. But an alarm was set off in my head as I considered that this runway actually

and realistically failed under 95 days of active landing impacts.

The standard in Enugu runway design means it could have been at London Heathrow or Dallas Fort Worth International airport, or any other ICAO country international airport for that matter.

For instance, each of the seven runways at Dallas Fort Wort (DFW) handles impact average of 336 landing per day, which translates to 10,080 landing impact per month or 120,960 for one year.

Enugu airport runway between 2010 and 2015 recorded average of 15 landing per day. Therefore, 450 landing impact per month. From 2010 when the runway was resurfaced to 2015, was just six years, that is 72 months. At 450 landing per month, Enugu airport recorded just about 32,000 landing impact before it failed. If we divide 32,000 landing impact at Enugu with about 336 landing impact per day that obtains at Dallas DFW, for instance, we will have 95 days of landing impact.

This means that if Enugu airport runway was subjected to the volume of use as obtained on one of the runways at DFW, it actually failed at 95 days of landing impact.

If one considers the economic hardship, stress and risk the South East suffered and encountered during the almost one year Enugu airport closed for the resurfacing and extension of the runway in 2010; one cannot but pity our society and South Easterners in particular.

Elsewhere, PW and its “airport runway engineers” would have had their engineering licenses and certificates revoked and be possibly sent to prison with the contract amount returned to Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria.

When one considers the embarrassment, the distraction of business that will happen to the Airlines and ancillary

services, both local and international, when the runway will be closed again for repair - God knows how many years that will take with the present economic problem in Nigeria - the pains of this kind of sabotage hits hard in the face.

PW has been around in this country for so long. It has also delivered numerous jobs around the nation, so I know there is more to this shoddy job than meet the eye. But time will tell.

In view of this, I hereby recommend inta alia: (a) That PW should be stripped of every contract that has to do with airports and runways in Nigeria. (b) That PW be made to fix the runway without charging additional dime to FAAN or FGN. And PW be made to show proof of all funds needed for the job so as to avoid senseless delay on the remedy job. (c) That PW be made to issue a 25 year guarantee on the runway on completion of the repair. It will also maintain the runway for the next 25 years without charging a dime to FAAN or FGN. (d) To compel it to pay full attention on the runway, PW must halt all its ongoing construction job throughout Nigeria until the runway is repaired and recommissioned.

The current horrible situation of Enugu airport runway readily brings to mind one of the embarrassing challenges of our national infrastructure development. Most times we are challenged to question whether our roads are basically poorly constructed as a result of poor technical competence on the part of the contractors, or that like the Chinese variegated product standards, the quality and standard of products you demand and pay for is what will be produced are handed to you. In other words, that the quality of job they deliver is proportional to the amount of money they are paid. In our probing perplexities, we at times also wonder if the national embarrassment of our

road infrastructure could be a case of our natural indifference to maintenance culture. Put it differently, could the reason for the mind boggling failure of our road infrastructure that most times happens even before the commissioning, be blamed on the fact that our road maintenance agencies do not follow up immediately until a greater portion of the roads are dilapidated? These reasoning “excuses” have been dismissed with the wave of the hand by those who opine that when you travel on highways around the world, you don’t see road maintenance agencies patching up the roads, as you travel. And in those countries, roads hardly fail before they are commissioned for public use - a deplorable situation very common in our dear country.

On cost comparison, Nigeria pays more than 200% the value of runway construction cost when compared with other ICAO countries of the world.

Presently, in Enugu, airport personnel use putty to fill up the macadamised portions of the runway before each landing of any heavy aircraft at the airport.

This is totally unacceptable, government should rise up to the challenge and arrest the culprits and compel them to remedy this blatant fraud committed against the Nigerian nation; the people of the South East and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria.

Our attempt at holding people accountable to their actions and to bring sanity and sanctity, dignity and respect to our common wealth in our nation will be a long shoot if full and commensurate penalties are not meted out to the culprits to serve as a deterrent to other contractors and their likes in our new and evolving Nigeria.

•Nnaji, the Managing Director/ CEO of OAS Helicopters, writes from Lagos

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Aviation Industry Faces Severe Challenges

Chinedu Eze

The Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Tony Tyler has said the aviation industry is battling with a lot of challenges but is resilient enough to survive them.

Tyler made this known in Copenhagen, Denmark at this year’s Ops conference, noting that there have been tragic events that have challenged aviation in recent times.

He said there is no manual for sudden tragic events like the one that happened at Brussels airport in Belgium few weeks ago, “but as an industry we have had to become expert at managing around shocks in an era marked by terrorist attacks that have frequently targeted aviation; airspace closures from natural disasters to epidemics and risks in the air from conflicts on the ground.”

Tyler said each of these problems has presented “us with new challenges to be surmounted. Yet, there are still some reliable guideposts.

As an industry, the safety and security of our passengers and

crew is always paramount. And we are making strong progress in this regard.”

He said according to the 2015 IATA Safety Report, the global jet accident rate (measured in hull losses per 1 million flights) was 0.32, which was the equivalent of one major accident for every 3.1 million flights and noted that this was a 30 per cent improvement compared to the previous five-year rate of 0.46 hull losses per million jet flights, adding that although we work hard to prevent any loss of life, the industry experienced four fatal hull loss accidents in 2015 - all involving turboprop aircraft with a total of 136 fatalities.

This compares positively with an average of 17.6 fatal accidents and 504 fatalities per year in the previous five-year period.

“I must qualify this figure, because two tragedies—the losses of Germanwings 9525 and Metrojet 9268—are not included in the totals, as they were deliberate events, not accidents. Indeed, 2015 is similar to 2014 in this regard. If you look at the last two years, the industry’s safety performance

has been affected primarily by events that could be previously classified as almost “unthinkable”.

There are no easy solutions to the issues that were revealed in each of these tragedies; however, aviation continues to work to minimize the risk that such events will happen again. As an industry, we have become very good at applying lessons learned via a systematic, wellresearched, collaborative process, based on global standards and best practices.

“This has been the industry’s modus operandi for decades and it has helped to make aviation the safest form of long-distance travel the world has ever known. This process will guide us in understanding the causes of our most recent tragic accident, FlyDubai 981.

Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those lost,” Tyler said.

He said the global standards are vital to sustaining safety improvements. This is shown in the performance of airlines on the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registry, noting that last year the total accident

rate (all aircraft types) for IOSA-registered carriers was nearly three times as good as the rate for non-IOSA carriers (1.14. vs. 3.23); and over the five years 2010-2014, the rate is more than three times better (1.48 v s. 4.99).

“In 2015 IOSA was successfully transitioned from a snapshot of compliance to a continuous management process across the two-year audit cycle.

A focus in 2016 will be to ensure the highest standards of quality assurance in the audit process are being maintained.

As part of managing operations in a changing world, we have had to become far more effective at ensuring public confidence in our industry. The Ops Conference is a technical gathering. But the success of many of our challenges are as dependent upon effective communications as they are on technical expertise,” Tyler added.

In the area of infrastructure, Tyler said by 2034, the number of air travelers would reach 7 billion annually.

“We can only accommodate this doubling of demand for connectivity if we have adequate

infrastructure in place. Yet progress is lagging in many parts of the world.

We have found the technical answers to delivering greater efficiency and safety with big change programs like the Single European Sky (SES) and the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) NextGen. But we have not been able to muster the political will or funding to achieve either in a meaningful timeframe,” he said.

Tyler noted that the European Commission has understood the importance of SES to an industry that supports 12 million European jobs and contributes 4.1 per cent to European GDP. “But it seems to be taken for granted that this industry will somehow just deliver on these benefits, even if treated by governments with, at best, benign neglect. And at the state level, the narrow and misguided interests of controllers have prevailed over those of the hundreds of millions of European travelers and the broader economy.

This year we have launched a new approach with a study outlining the economic costs of failing to deliver much needed

airspace modernization in Europe.

And it’s a big number—some EUR 245 billion in 2035 alone.

It’s our collective duty to make sure that number is top of mind with politicians, consumers, chambers of commerce and individual businesses. If this continent reaches 2035 missing that EUR 245 billion, it will be a quality of life issue for every European,” he said.

In the area of regulation, Tyler said it was the area where “our industry has an opportunity to help shape the discussion. Let me be clear that the industry does not oppose sensible, well thought-out regulation, developed with participation from all stakeholders. Indeed, regulation, advanced in partnership with industry, and based on global standards developed through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) process.

“This a cornerstone of our success in making aviation so safe. But over the past few years we have seen states introduce new requirements that are not based on a data-driven, riskbased approach and that create little or no added value,” the IATA DG said.

Dispatcher Advocates Greater Awareness for the Profession

STRATEGISING ON THE ECONOMY

L-R: Minister of Finance , Mrs. Kemi Adeosun ; Minister ofTransportation , Mr. Rotimi Ameachi and the Minister of Environment , Amina Mohammed at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja …recently godwin omoigui.

Government May Introduce New Visa Regime to Attract Tourists The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has stressed the need for a new flexible visa policy that would help attract tourists into Nigeria.

Speaking in Lagos recently, Mohammed emphasised that it has become imperative to overhaul the Nigerian visa policies and other challenges militating against the growth of tourism in the country.

He said there is the need to train officials at the country’s border post to be more tourism friendly in order to promote tourism growth.

Mohammed said the process of getting Nigerian visa abroad is too cumbersome and too rigorous as it would not help in encouraging the growth of tourism.

The minister cited the example of Ghana that has

concluded arrangements to introduce visa on arrival, which is a step towards boosting tourism.

He also observed the need for accurate tourism statistics for reference and planning purposes.

Futhermore, he noted that the Calabar Carnival could compete favourably with other international carnivals abroad because if it was better organised in terms of decency, and quality, adding that the carnival is worthy of international promotion and marketing abroad to attract tourists to Nigeria.

He therefore called for the collaboration of the different tourism stakeholders in different ministries like Interior, National Security, Aviation, Immigration and others to

turn the country’s tourism fortunes around.

He said the country is going to witness improvement in tourism infrastructure so as to drive traffic, including the need to also get the stakeholders involved.

The Minister observed that despite the challenges of poor infrastructure, location of some of the tourism attractions in remote areas and all that, “we know what to do grow tourism and what to put on ground to develop our creative industry.

Mohammed promised that the government would provide the enabling environment for tourists, especially religious tourists coming into the country for different church programmes like that of Synagogue and others for spiritual purposes so that they can continue coming

again and again.

The Minister also disclosed that the National Theatre would remain the property of the federal government.

Mohammed noted that this Administration is diversifying the economy away from oil, which for many years has been the mainstay of the country’s economy.

According to him, “Among the sectors that have been identified as veritable sources of revenue for the nation are the Arts, Culture and Tourism Sectors. This is why we in the Ministry of Information and Culture are working hard to move these sectors from the margins to the mainstream and ensure that the rural poor in particular are factored into the Sector’s architecture.”

A Licensed Aircraft Dispatcher and Ground Instructor with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Mrs. Victoria Adegbe, has called on the federal government and industry stakeholders to accord more respect and awareness for the job of aircraft dispatch as a key profession in the sector that plays a crucial role in the safety and efficiency of any flight.

Speaking at the official launch of the book titled; “Dispatch Made Easy: An Aircraft Dispatch Handbook,” which she authored, Adegbe noted that unknown to so many, the Dispatcher is the one who essentially plans and ensures the smooth operation of a flight by checking the weather and deciding the safest flight path taking into account wind direction at destination or alternate airports, deciding on the amount of fuel to carry, the maximum baggage that can be safely airlifted, and advise pilots if conditions or paths change. Asked why she embarked on writing such a book, Adegbe remarked that during her training at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), there were no books of this nature written by a Nigerian that she could refer to as a resource material.

Chairman of the occasion, Capt. Data Tarfa, Captain, Presidential Air Fleet/ Former Fleet Capt, Nigeria Airways, noted that the job of the Dispatcher and his role to the safety of a flight cannot be over emphasised. He said the Dispatcher is the one who determines if an aircraft will be released for flight or not based on his assessment of all the

necessary parameters required for safe operations. “This book is not only timely and useful for future generations, but comes as a challenge for many of us who were unable to put down our experience in a book like Victoria has done today,” he stressed.

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Saleh Dunoma, was represented at the occasion by the Director of Administration, Mr. Ikechi Uko. He commended Mrs. Adegbe for the brilliant work in putting together such a book in an easy to read, qualitative and informative manner. Similarly, Mr. Sam Onwutuebe, Operations Control Manager, DANA Air, said being a Dispatcher himself, he is proud of the effort made by the author and expressed optimism that this will contribute in no small way in transforming the profession form one confined to a room in an airline office to receiving the recognition it duly deserves.

Commenting on the job of the Dispatcher, the Senior Vice President – Operations/Deputy Managing Director, Arik Air, Capt. Ado Sanusi, said: “He is the Captain on Ground. He makes all the decisions and then gives the captain the brief. He decides the route that the airplane will follow, he decides the flight level, he decides the fuel that he will take, he decides the speed that he will fly, he decides a lot for the captain and he briefs the captain. So he works very closely with the flight crew and he is an integral part of the flight crew actually. So, the Dispatcher is a very essential aspect of conducting a safe flight from point A to B.”

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

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CITYSTRINGS

Acting Features Editor Charles Ajunwa Email charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

Ambode (right), addressing dignitaries, party chieftains, traditional rulers, residents at the Ikorodu Town Hall, Ikorodu, Lagos…recently

A Promise Kept

The residents of Ikorodu area of Lagos last week, rolled out the drums to welcome Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who was in the area to give account of his stewardship, writes Godbless Aghogho

L

agos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, came out last week Thursday to render account of his stewardship to the people of the state. It was indeed an opportunity for the governor to let the people know the numerous projects he embarked upon in the last 10 months. He also took time to feel the pulse of residents and responding to the many petition placed before him by residents of the state.

The venue of the First Quarter 2016 Town Hall Meeting, which is the third in the series took place at the Ikorodu Town Hall and the venue was jam-packed as early as 9am with top government functionaries, former public office holders, traditional rulers, community leaders, party chieftains, market men and women, youths, religious leaders, artisans, members of the private sector among others.

The concept of the public engagement, which was introduced by Ambode, was geared towards rendering account of stewardship and directly engaging the people on their views about governance and more importantly where government should intervene in issues affecting them.

The meeting under review before now had previously moved to Lagos West and Lagos Central Senatorial districts respectively where the Governor equally rendered account and listened to the people on what they actually want from government, a development which formed the basis for subsequent developmental strides.

Before welcoming questions and suggestions from the people, Ambode gave account of how he has managed the state over the last quarter and also unveiled the numerous projects to be embarked upon in the months ahead.

For instance, Ambode said the State Government would formally sign a Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU), with investors for the construction of the proposed 4th Mainland Bridge before the end of next month, adding that once the agreement is signed, work would begin on the Bridge, which according to him, would go a long way to boost the economy of Lagos East Senatorial District.

He said: “Many investors have shown interest in the actualisation of our dream for the 4th Mainland Bridge which will run from Ajah to Ikorodu to Isawo and berth at Ojodu, Ikeja back to the Ibadan expressway. By the grace of God, we will sign MoU and commence action before May 29.”

He revealed that investors have equally shown interest in the redevelopment of the fish market to an international Fish Market and the redevelopment of inner roads in Epe and Ibeju-Lekki.

Ambode also said the intention of his administration was to ensure that no part of the state is left undeveloped, expressing

Speaking on the need for the youths in the state to key into the programmes lined up for them by his administration, Ambode urged street urchins and youths involved in social vices such as cultism to lay down their arms assuring that they would be empowered

optimism that the Lagos East Senatorial District which used to be the economic hub of the state in the then Western Region will regain its position.

He said: “Over the years, the economic activities have continually dwindled resulting in urban migration, underdevelopment and unemployment. It is with a view of revitalising the economic activities of this zone that Government has identified the need for urgent intervention.

“To this end, Government will be relocating the Mile 12 Market to Imota. Work on this will commence next week. Our vision is to make the East Senatorial Zone economically viable and liveable”, Governor Ambode said.

Responding to complaints on the menace of Okada transportation in the state, Ambode asked the people whether they would support a total ban on such mode of transportation in this age and time and in a city like Lagos, a question which was answered in the affirmative by majority of the stakeholders in the hall who raised their hands in support.

The Governor said: “I’m encouraged by this very transparent, credible, free and fair affirmation which I just got from the people.

From the response, many of the people in this hall are in support of a total ban on Okada and since this is a government of the people, all the security agencies in Lagos including the Police, Task Force, LASTMA and others, to start with, are hereby directed to fully enforce the ban on Okada between Mile 12 and Ikorodu.

“We will not tolerate Okada on the road and I hereby emphasise that there is no more Okada on Mile 12-Ikorodu Road. Anyone caught flouting this directive will have their Okada impounded and we would prosecute such people as well before the court,” the Governor said.

Speaking on the need for the youths in the

state to key into the programmes lined up for them by his administration, Ambode urged street urchins and youths involved in social vices such as cultism to lay down their arms assuring that they would be empowered to be gainfully and productively engaged.

He said the plan of his administration is that youths, artisans and entrepreneurs in each of the senatorial districts and divisions in the state would be able to access at least N1billon between now and June from the Employment Trust Fund (ETF), and use same for their greater economic prosperity, and by extension that of the state.

Ambode, who also responded to pleas by residents in Ikorodu on the need for the expansion and rehabilitation of the road network, assured that government will explore the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative to transform the Ikorodu-Imota-Agbowa-Itokin-Epe Road into a standard 8-lane road.

He also directed the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources as well as the State Electricity Board to look at the possibilities of providing electricity for Igbo-Olomu community in Ikorodu who have been without light for over 10 years.

Highlighting some of his administration’s strides in the last quarter, Ambode said the state achieved major breakthrough in security, saying that since the launch of the N4.78 billion equipment, the state had won several battles against crime.

He said the quick response in the rescue of the kidnapped girls in Ikorodu and the quelling of the Mile 12 riot were testimonies of the effectiveness of the security system in Lagos.

The Governor added that many criminals had so far been arrested since the launch of the security equipment, saying that he was ready to pay for information given that would lead to the arrest of hardened criminals.

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CITYSTRINGS

Ambode (right), exchanging pleasantries with Alara of Ilara Epe, Oba Akeem Adesanya (left) while the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Sotobi (middle), watches in admiration

R-L: Ambode, Secretary to the State Government, Mr.Tunji Bello and Senator Ganiyu Solomon, during the 2016 First Quarter Town Hall meeting, at the Ikorodu Town Hall, Ikorodu, Lagos

L-R: Ambode, discussing with Senator Anthony Adefuye and Senator Gbenga Ashafa

L-R: Ambode, with Majority Leader, Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade and Senator Gbenga Ashafa from Lagos East Senatorial District

“I am ready to pay monetary compensation for information on hardened criminals as we proceed to make Lagos crime-free. We are happy to report that crime rate has also reduced in the last three months,” he said.

Ambode also used the occasion to appeal to residents to continue to pay their taxes, take ownership of projects the government has initiated and support the government to achieve the policies and programmes aimed at ensuring a safe and prosperous Lagos.

While responding to request from residents on the action plan of government on water transportation, Ambode said his administration would soon roll out comprehensive programme on the transportation mode, saying plans are in top gear to transform water transportation in Lagos to world class.

He said government would embark on channelisation of the waterways and construct modern jetties, and embark on massive campaign to encourage the people to embrace water transportation.

Responding to concerns raised by the disabled, Ambode said a Disability Fund to be managed by the disabled people themselves would soon be launched, assuring that he would never forget such category of people.

While responding to submission of Alhaja Omoniyi Akashoro, the Iya-Oja of Okorodu on the need for market, motor park and health centre to be constructed in the area, Ambode said he was thrilled by the revelation of the woman that that are actually available land in the area lying untouched which could be used to build the said infrastructure.

Ambode therefore directed the Lagos State Ministries of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Transportation and Health to look into the request and come up with immediate action plan to commence work on the projects.

He also announced that the stadium in Igbogbo would be upgraded and transformed to boost sporting activities in the Lagos East zone.

Besides, Ambode, while responding to request by a Community Leader in Shomolu-Bariga, assured that the area would soon experience massive transformation, especially in terms of fixing the dilapidated road network in the area. He said his administration had started work on Odunlade Street in the area, assuring that other roads would soon be rehabilitated.

The Governor also appealed to the leaders in Ikorodu to make available land to construct new market to relocate marketers currently plying their trade in Ikorodu Roundabout, saying such place was not appropriate for market.

Speaking on the administration of Governor Ambode so far, former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye said there was no doubt that the Governor has done creditably well ever since his swearing-in to office on May 29, 2015.

He said: “Well, from my assessment, the Governor has done well. He has increased

Ambode, who also responded to pleas by residents in Ikorodu on the need for the expansion and rehabilitation of the road network, assured that government will explore the Public Private Partnership initiative to transform the IkoroduImota-Agbowa-ItokinEpe Road into a standard 8-lane road

our aerial power to control crime; he has provided additional vehicles and motorcycles for security people to move around and even if you move to Ikorodu where we had a lot of criminal activities like illegal bunkering, that has stopped and the people are living peacefully.

“In terms of health, he has done a lot as well; he has provided mobile clinics and on education he has done very well and I know that the school feeding programme would soon start in the state.

“I have had personal experience with the Governor as well as I know that he has had to help people personally, and that makes me believe that for him to have done so much within just one year, the next three years, he would do much more,” Ogunleye said.

On her part, former Secretary to Lagos State Government, Princess Aderenle Adeniran Ogunsanya, thanked Governor Ambode for the numerous projects which he had sighted in the Ikorodu division, saying it was clear that the Governor is working.

“I think he is working; I think he has done a lot of ground work and we have been seeing some changes. We welcome the BRT; we welcome the effort he is making to get Isawo Road started. We thank him for that because I know that a few months time, we will see a great difference.

“I also think that more publicity should be done about his work because I know Governor Ambode is working but the masses need to know so that such will send signal that things are going to get better and that they are being worked upon,” Ogunsanya said.

Also speaking, Mr. Laja Martins, the CDC Chairman for Ikorodu North, recalled how he doubted the ability of Governor Ambode to deliver when he took over the mantle of leadership in the state, but that within the spate of one year, he has been proven wrong.

“I must say I am very much impressed with what Governor Ambode has achieved so far.

Take for example two issues; the rescue of

school girls in Ikorodu here. The Governor was fantastic with his team and the second is the Mile 12 issue, the Governor handled it in a very mature way and that is very unprecedented.

I must say we are very happy. Look at how many roads he has constructed. Just yesterday, the roads being constructed in Ikorodu were lighted. Governor Ambode is wonderful and he is a God-sent Governor,” Martins said.

Some of the notable public figure who thronged the venue included former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye; Senator representing Lagos East at the National Assembly, Gbenga Ashafa; member, House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Jimi Benson; former Senator representing Lagos West at the Senate, Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon; Senator Gbenga Adefuye; Chairman of Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chapter, Chief Henry Ajomale; former Secretary to Lagos State Government, Princess Aderenle Adeniran Ogunsanya; former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Jokotola Pelumi; Majority Leader of Lagos State House of Assembly, Sanai Agunbiade; lawmakers representing Epe 1 and 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Abiodun Tobun and Segun Olulade respectively, among many others, while members of the State Executive Council were led to the meeting by the Governor himself.

Notable traditional rulers who participated fully at the event included the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotebi; the Alara of Ilara-Epe, Oba Akeem Adesanya; Ranodu of Imota, Oba Adeniyi Agoro; Aladesanyi of Odonaforija Kingdom, HRM Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja; the Apase of Epe Land, Chief Sakiru Akanni Seriki, Lagos White Cap chiefs, among others.

The atmosphere was a carnival like event with many celebrating the achievements of the Governor ever since assuming the mantle of leadership in the state of aquatic splendour, and the hope of greater achievements in future geared towards the upliftment of the state.

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WORLD OF ISLAM Al-Jumah/IslamiCity Among the signs of truthfulness is tranquility in the heart. And among the signs of falsehood or a lie is the restlessness (reeba; which also means doubt) of the heart. As reported in Tirmidhi: Al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali reported that the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: “Truthfulness is tranquility, and lying is restlessness” (Tirmidhi, graded hasan sahih).

The two sound collections report on the authority of Abdallah ibn Mas’ud that the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: “Verily, truthfulness leads to righteousness (birr), and righteousness leads to the Garden.

A man speaks truth until he is written with Allah as a truthful person (siddiq). Lying leads to wickedness (fujur), and wickedness to the Fire. A man lies until he is written with Allah as a liar” (Bukhari, Muslim).

Hakim ibn Hizam, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: “The buyer and the seller have the choice (to revoke the deal) until they part. If they were truthful (while making the deal) and clear, they are blessed, and if they Bed and concealed, the blessing of their transaction is eliminated” (Bukhari, Muslim).

The Essence of Truthfulness ‘Abdalwahid ibn Zayd said: “Truthfulness is to be loyal to Allah in deed.” Another said: “It is the agreement of the inside with one’s words.” It has also been said: “It is the identity of the secret and the evident. The outside of a disbeliever or a hypocrite is better than his inside.” It has also been said: “Truthfulness is to proclaim the truth even at occasions of great harm.”

Al-Junayd said: “The truthful person changes (his state) 40 times a day, while an ostentatious person stays on the same state for 40 years. “These words need explanation, for it appears to contradict commonsense. But what Al-Shaykh Abu’l-Qasim [al-Junayd] means is different, and is correct. For the thoughts and objections that occur to the truthful do not occur to the liar. Even Shaytan does not interfere with the liar too much, for there is no

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Truthfulness

good inside of a liar to begin with which he would want to corrupt. The truthful is challenged by these objections or threats, and moves from one action to another, one state to the next, fearing complacency and losing his ultimate goal, Allah. This is the state of the one truthful in seeking Allah. Similar is the case with one who is truthful in seeking knowledge, or this world, and so on. Anyone who is truthful in his search is never stationary at the same state.

Al-Sadiq, truthful, is one whose goal truly is the pleasure of his Lord, fulfillment of His commands, and the following of the path that He loves. He follows these aims no matter where they take him.

You will find him now in remembrance of Allah, now in battle, now in performance of Hajj, now in benefiting people through teaching and other ways, now in commanding good and forbidding wrong, now in establishing some cause which helps the Deen of Allah as well as this-worldly benefit, now in visiting the sick or following a funeral, now in helping the oppressed if possible, and so on. Such a person is constantly in a state of separation (tafarruq) while also being in the state of concentration (jam ‘iyyah).

They are not owned by any formalities, customs, or forms in worshipping God. They have no one place where they will pray to the exclusion of any other; no one clothing that they will wear to the exclusion of any other (wool or cotton or any particular robe).

They have no one particular form of worship that they will do to the exclusion of others. For in such formalities (that many people have invented) there is calamity, ostentation, artificiality, worshipping of one’s own self rather than God, and preference of one’s desire rather than God’s command. These ailments have obstructed those who adopt these limitations from their journey to Allah, the Most High. They become prisoners of their forms, and consider it below their level to perform certain acts of worship, and fear that people will look down upon them, neglecting their downfall in the eyes of God.

Among them (such Sufis or worshippers), there are those who sense this sickness in their state, yet the prison of their formalities, outer forms, and outfits never permits them to correct this sickness.

This is the case with the liar and the ostentatious, who shows to people other than what he knows of himself before God. This is the very essence of hypocrisy. Were he to work for God’s pleasure and be truthful, those formalities and limits would become unbearable for him. Thus, the statement of Abu’l-Qasim al-Junayd is correct and grounded in truth, for he knew the depth of the soul and its afflictions and the ways in which truth becomes confused with falsehood. The bearing of truth is like the bearing of a huge mountain—none but those given determination and strength can manage it. They stand under it unsettled like one who is lifting a heavy load. While the ostentatious liars carry nothing and thus sense no burden. [On the essence of truthfulness] another said: “One who flatters oneself or another person cannot so much as smell truthfulness.”

Ibrahim al-Khawwas (d. 292 AH) said: “A truthful person is one whom you see not except performing an obligation or seeking higher status through a supererogatory act.”

Al-Junayd said: “The essence of truthfulness is that you tell the truth at the occasion where nothing but lying would have saved you.”

It has also been said: “Three things never part a truthful person: Sweetness [of being truthful], saltiness [of consequences], and awe [of the Truth—God].”

One divine report (athar ilaahi) has it: “Whoever is truthful to Me in his secrecy, I am truthful to him [about My promise of support and honor] in public before My creation. ” Sahl ibn ‘Abdullah al-Tustari (d. 283 AH) said: “The first dishonesty of a truthful person is their inner conversation.”

[Presumably, he means inner conversation that involved some falsehood.]

Yusuf ibn Isbaat said: “That I spend one night in which I am truthful toward Allah is dearer to me

than wielding my sword in God’s way.”

Al-Harith al-Muhasabi said: “Truthful is one whose heart is so sound that he cares not to lose any and all regard in people’s hearts. Nor does he care to make known to people even the lightest of his righteous deeds. Nor does he dislike that people come to know his shortcomings, for that dislike would suggest that he loves to gain regard in their eyes, and that is not a sign of the truthful.” [Ibn al-Qayyim comments:] This assertion is questionable, however, for one’s dislike that people know of one’s evils is similar to one’s dislike for illness or other calamities—it is natural, and does not negate one’s truthfulness, especially if one is a role model for others.

A righteous person can dislike publicizing his shortcomings for two harms: (1) Because that may lead people to no longer have a righteous role model— which would be a loss if one is a role model in righteousness; and (2) because the ignorant among those who look up to him as a role model may follow him even in his errors if they come to know of it.

What negates truthfulness is if one dislikes publicizing his errors due to self-aggrandizement. If one’s dislike is due to his love for God’s commands, to spread [knowledge] of His path, and the commanding of good and forbidding of wrong, such a person is indeed truthful—and God alone knows the secrets of hearts and their true aims. I think that this is, indeed, the meaning of Al-Muhasabi’s statement.

One of them said: “If one does not observe the timeless obligation, timed obligations are not accepted from him.” When asked what the “timeless obligation” was, he said: “Truthfulness.”

It has been said: “Whoever asks Allah for truthfulness is given a mirror whereby he is shown truth and falsehood.”

It has also been said: “You must be truthful when you fear that it will hurt you, for it really will benefit. And you must desist from lying when you think that it will harm you, for it will not.”

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CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MR AKINWUNMI IBRAHIM ADEWALE, now wish to be known and addressed as MR IBRAHIM GAFARI AKINWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ISAH ALIYU KATANGA, now wish to be known and addressed as ISAH ABN ALIYU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MICHAEL FAVOUR ADA, now wish to be known and addressed as AKOR MICHAEL ACHAYA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as NURAT SALAMI, now wish to be known and addressed as JOHNSON ALEXANDER NURAT SALAMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as RACHEL BINTU KANKADI ONOCHIE, now wish to be known and addressed as RACHEL BINTU KAnKADi onoCHie-AbUgU. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ABIEYUWA IGBE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AYODELE ABIEYUWA IGBE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ABIODUN ABIOLA A. FAMOYIN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AMANAN ABIODUN ABIOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as IDAYAT SALAMI, now wish to be known and addressed as IDAYAT ADEROHUNMU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as AZEEZ KABIRU, now wish to be known and addressed as LASISI KABIRU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as AGUH ONYINYECHI ANASTASIA, now wish to be known and addressed as ONWORDI ANASTASIA ONYINYECHI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as IDAYAT AZEEZ OKIKIOLUWA, now wish to be known and addressed as BLESSING KAYODE MARY. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please

take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed ADENIRAN as TAJUDEEN ODUBEKO, now wish to be known and addressed as ABRAHAM ADENIRAN ADEBEKO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ADELEKE AJARA KEMISOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as ADELEKE AJARA OMOWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS MAUREEN NONYE OGBUDEBE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MAUREEN NONYE ONYEKWERE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ESHIET UNWANA BENJAMIN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKOROAFOR UNWANA JONATHAN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ODERINDE BUKOLA COMFORT, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ALADESE BUKOLA COMFORT. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS EHIGIATOR IZEHIUWA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OSOBASE IZEHIUWA OGIE PRECIOUS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as FAREED OLARENWAJU AROGUNDADE, now wish to be known and addressed as FAREED ABIOYE AROGUNDADE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OBAZE FRANCESCA ADANKWO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKOROR FRANCESCA ADANKWO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUJIDE OLUWASEUN OLUFUNKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OYEDEJI OLUWASEUN OLUFUNKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OBIH STELLA IFEYINWAY , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKOLI STELLA IFEYINW. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as AMAO MORUFU MALAIKA ABIDEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as AMOO MORUFU MALAIKA ABIDEMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take

I formerly known and addressed as UNOMGO WUESE, now wish to be known and addressed as UNONGO WUESE FIDELIA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS CHIDINMA JENNIFER OZULIGBO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHIDINMA Jennifer iniobong Peter-essien. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ODARO LUBOR OSAS, now wish to be known and addressed as ODARO IYOBOR ANITA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take

note.

note.

note.

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BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

AfDB Pledges $300m Financing Support to Youths in Agriculture FG to ban tomato paste from China James Emejo in Abuja The Country Director of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Ousmane Dore, said that the bank plans to invest $300 million to support the youth in agriculture campaign in the country.

His commitment came as the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri also said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will not resort to policy summersault but “keep reforming it” to get the best for Nigerians.

Both the minister and Dore spoke in Abuja at the opening of a two-day Empowering Novel Agri-Business Led Employment (ENABLE) Youth Design Workshop which is being championed by the AfDB in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

The programme aims at developing the next generation of African entrepreneurs in agriculture.

Lokpobiri’s assurance came against the backdrop of suggestions that the present administration may abandon previous agricultural policy framework of the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Nevertheless, he said a new roadmap for agriculture which will cover from 2018 to 2019 would be launched a few weeks from now.

He said government was determined to provide the needed financing to encourage youths, particularly the unemployed graduates to venture into agriculture as part of its economic diversification framework to reduce dependence on oil revenue.

The minister who also expressed the regret that the

country currently spends about $6 million daily on rice importation, a situation which exerts undue pressure on the foreign exchange, added that government was considering banning harmful tomato paste imported from China notwithstanding any exiting trading deal.

He noted that the country currently has adequate capacity to produce good tomato paste.

He frowned on a development whereby other countries used Nigeria as dumping ground for almost spoilt food.

Meanwhile, Director of Agriculture, AfDB, Dr. Chiji Ojukwu said the bank plans to spend $12.5 billion on agriculture in Africa within the next 10 years as well as create 1.2 million agriculture related businesses within five years.

He said the institution further targets to support 10,000 enterprises where 50 percent would be owned by women.

AFC Launches Africa Project Developers Initiative Obinna Chima The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) alongside its development partners has announced the launch of the Africa Project Developers Initiative (APDI).

APDI is a think tank and network to promote and enable project development in Africa.

It creates a platform that fosters continuous dialogue amongst members, standardises project development documentation, develops market benchmarks, enables knowledge transfer, leads and facilitates independent research and serves as a policy advocacy forum for the industry.

A significant bottleneck in unlocking Africa’s infrastructure is the development of viable projects that meet the viability and bankability tests of financiers. African project development itself is a proven asset class, with an increasing number of projects successfully reaching financial close: Azura, Nigeria; Cenpower, Ghana;

Cabeolica, Cape Verde; Henry Konan Bedie Bridge, Cote D Ivoire.

The challenges experienced by developers require the establishment of an innovative and collective approach to addressing the issues. The average project development time span from concept to financial close is 7 years. If Africa is to make an impactful difference and meet its developmental aspirations, a think tank such as the Africa Project Development Initiative, is an imperative for project developers.

A statement quoted the Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer of AFC,Oliver Andrews to have said: “There are huge opportunities for international investors in Africa if its much-needed large scale infrastructure projects are bankable. As one of Africa’s leading project developers, AFC knows the challenges facing both developers and investors and has successfully negotiated them in

the past to bring about some of the continent’s most significant infrastructure projects. APDI will combine our experience and expertise with that of our partners to create innovative solutions to the issues inherent with project development.”

The President and CEO of AFC, Mr. Andrew Alli, announced the establishment of APDI at the last edition of the Africa Investor Conference in 2015. AFC will be collaborating with partners such as FMO and IFC, amongst others, to have a pre-launch round table meeting in May 2016 in Lusaka, on the occasion of the Annual General Meetings of the African Development Bank. A formal launch is planned in September 2016.

AFC’s mission is to address Africa’s pressing infrastructure needs and build the foundations for robust economic development across the continent, all the while seeking a competitive return on investment for its shareholders.

MTN’s Subscriber Base Falls 1.4% in First Quarter MTN Group Limited’s subscriber numbers fell during the first quarter as disconnections ordered by the government in Nigeria, its biggest market, curbed the growth of Africa’s largest wireless operator.

MTN’s customer base decreased by 1.4 per cent to about 229 million across 22 countries in the three months through March, compared with the previous quarter, the Johannesburg-based company said in a statement on Thursday. The company cut its guidance for the full year to 11.95 million net additions from 12.5 million.

“In order to mitigate any future regulatory challenges, the group took an exceptionally conservative stance by disconnecting all subscribers who could possibly be deemed to be non-compliant,” Bloomberg quoted its Executive Chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko to have said in the statement.

“This has had a significant unfavorable impact on total subscriber growth and revenue” in the first quarter.

MTN was fined a record $5.2 billion in Nigeria last year for missing a deadline to disconnect subscribers, whom the government had deemed

unregistered amid a crackdown on security. The company is still in negotiations about settling the penalty, which was later reduced to $3.9 billion. Nhleko returned to the company he used to run in November to handle the dispute after Chief Executive Officer Sifiso Dabengwa resigned.

The shares declined as much as 2.7 per cent before reversing to trade 2.2 percent higher at 151.11 rand by 9:29 a.m. in Johannesburg, valuing the company at 277 billion rand ($19 billion). The stock has lost about 21 percent of its value since the Nigeria penalty was announced in October.

Yields on Nigeria’s Treasury Bills Rise Across Board Yields on Nigerian short-dated treasury bills rose significantly at an auction on Wednesday where the central bank sold a total of N167.51 billion worth of debt with maturities ranging between three months and one year.

The central bank said it sold

N36.78 billion of 3-months paper at 7.88 per cent yield, about 1.78 percentage points higher than at the last auction on April 6.

A total of N35 billion worth of the 6-month treasury bill was sold at 8.99 percent against 8.69 percent at the previous

auction, while N95.73 billion of the 1-year treasury bill was sold at 10.24 percent compared with 9.48 percent previously.

Reuters revealed that Investors demanded a total of N253.19 billion abillioNN445.86 billion subscription at the last auction.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

FEBRUARY 2016 Broad Money (M2)

20,489,166.72

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,095,578.34

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,377,483.11

---- Demand Deposits

7,682,095.23

-- Quasi Money

11,429,588.38

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,471,351.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

15,017,814.94

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

22,414,322.75

---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,424,029.62

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

4,807,604.55

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-1,383,574.93

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

18,990,293.13

--Other Assets Net

-7,396,507.81

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,095,380.23

--Currency in Circulation

1,711,623.51

--Banks Reserves

3,383,756.72 • Source - CBN

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Price (N) Stanbic Balanced Fund

Buying Price(N)

Selling Price

1,660.29

1,685.29

Stanbic IBTC NEF

1,000.00

11,002.32

11,326.67.11

Stanbic SIBond

20

120.47

120.47

Stanbic IBTC Ethical

1

1.10

1.13

Stanbic IBTC GIF

142.90

143.38

UBA Balanced Fund

1.2563

1.2493

UBA Bond Fund

1.3443

1.3443

UBA Equity Fund

0.8205

0.8074

UBA Money Market Fund

1.1510

1.1510

ARM Aggressive Growth Fund

N13.1141

N13.5095

ARM Discovery Fund

N288.9978

N297.7112

ARM Ethical Fund

N22.6462

N23.3290

ARM Money Market Fund

13.1161 (Yield % ) • Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 20 APRIL 2016 The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $38.46 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $38.27 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Murban (UAE), Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

53

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

21-Apr-16

20-Apr-16

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

01 Dangote Cement Plc

161.00

161.00

0.00%

2,743,521,692,205.00

10.64

15.13

5.58

4.97%

4.26

02 Nigerian Brew. Plc.

105.02

103.14

1.82%

832,714,175,257.76

5.37

19.21

2.96

3.49%

4.80

03 Nestle Nigeria Plc.

640.01

640.01

0.00%

507,307,927,842.52

29.95

21.37

3.35

4.53%

13.35

04 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.

16.05

16.16

-0.68%

472,370,426,545.20

3.38

4.78

2.07

10.95%

1.15

05 Zenith Bank Plc

12.13

11.80

2.80%

380,839,469,624.18

3.37

3.51

0.86

15.25%

0.62

278.57

278.57

0.00%

362,832,160,862.71

4.45

62.62

2.91

1.24%

7.84

07 Lafarge Africa Plc.

74.00

74.00

0.00%

337,062,733,940.00

5.93

12.48

1.26

4.05%

1.91

08 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

14.70

14.70

0.00%

269,738,402,860.50

1.39

10.56

0.52

4.22%

0.72

336.00

335.00

0.30%

185,912,265,168.00

23.48

14.27

1.64

4.75%

0.66

10 Guinness Nig Plc

99.84

99.84

0.00%

150,347,876,689.92

0.78

128.28

3.02

0.00%

3.36

11 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

14.30

14.30

0.00%

143,000,000,000.00

2.04

7.02

1.21

0.70%

1.27

12 United Bank for Africa Plc

3.50

3.34

4.79%

126,978,342,127.00

1.64

2.03

0.38

17.96%

0.36

13 FBN Holdings Plc

3.36

3.35

0.30%

120,608,183,781.12

2.16

1.55

0.30

29.85%

0.21

29.25

29.25

0.00%

110,661,415,312.50

0.32

92.81

1.87

0.17%

13.83

142.59

147.00

-3.00%

91,341,779,860.17

11.12

13.21

1.21

1.50%

3.92

3.98

3.76

5.85%

91,074,017,253.84

2.28

1.65

0.32

14.63%

0.30

20.35

20.35

0.00%

80,799,207,865.75

1.10

18.54

1.12

6.39%

1.92

18 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

5.50

5.42

1.48%

66,000,000,000.00

0.96

5.64

0.64

9.23%

1.12

19 International Breweries Plc.

20.00

20.00

0.00%

65,884,985,600.00

0.64

31.29

3.56

1.25%

5.47

20 Julius Berger Nig. Plc.

43.00

43.00

0.00%

56,760,000,000.00

1.85

23.26

0.42

3.49%

2.34

154.01

149.00

3.36%

55,535,276,300.62

13.51

11.03

0.84

4.83%

3.50

4.50

4.30

4.65%

54,155,785,023.00

0.50

8.60

0.09

17.44%

0.33

20.20

20.00

1.00%

53,009,591,177.40

1.84

10.86

0.16

10.00%

0.51

147.00

147.00

0.00%

49,909,710,039.00

11.92

12.33

0.24

9.52%

3.07

25 Sterling Bank Plc.

1.53

1.56

-1.92%

44,049,339,732.78

0.36

4.36

0.41

5.77%

0.47

26 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

1.02

1.01

0.99%

39,495,417,373.50

0.05

19.25

0.96

0.00%

0.45

18.43

18.43

0.00%

35,401,530,652.41

2.70

6.83

0.48

5.43%

0.48

1.22

1.20

1.67%

35,349,252,368.06

0.48

2.50

0.24

13.33%

0.19

35.01

35.01

0.00%

35,010,000,000.00

3.28

10.68

3.08

0.29%

1.56

1.41

1.40

0.71%

32,656,148,444.88

0.92

1.52

0.17

21.43%

0.14

24.97

24.97

0.00%

29,861,035,905.36

0.81

30.94

0.97

1.20%

2.26

0.72

0.72

0.00%

28,431,628,713.36

0.06

11.93

0.61

0.00%

0.60

33 Cadbury Nigeria Plc.

14.77

14.77

0.00%

27,741,044,130.80

3.21

4.61

0.82

8.80%

2.68

34 Okomu Oil Palm Plc.

28.80

30.00

-4.00%

27,472,608,000.00

2.76

10.88

2.94

0.33%

2.37

35 Cap Plc

38.50

38.50

0.00%

26,950,000,000.00

2.49

15.49

3.82

2.99%

17.73

36 Mansard Insurance Plc

2.16

2.10

2.86%

22,680,000,000.00

0.16

13.27

1.33

2.38%

1.27

37 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.80

3.71

2.43%

22,351,083,941.00

0.71

5.20

0.73

5.39%

0.84

38 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

7.70

7.74

-0.52%

20,400,675,510.60

0.79

9.74

1.27

7.11%

2.89

39 FCMB Group Plc.

0.99

0.95

4.21%

19,604,683,646.46

0.24

3.95

0.12

10.53%

0.12

40 Skye Bank Plc

0.96

0.96

0.00%

13,325,089,353.60

0.85

1.12

0.10

31.25%

0.09

41 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.35

1.35

0.00%

10,705,766,838.30

0.14

9.56

0.22

11.85%

0.50

42 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.03

1.03

0.00%

10,683,926,641.36

0.21

4.99

0.54

0.00%

0.69

43 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

6.77

6.45

4.96%

8,507,708,475.82

0.96

6.75

0.62

1.55%

0.80

44 Unity Bank Plc

0.68

0.70

-2.86%

7,948,749,800.56

0.54

1.29

0.13

0.00%

0.10

45 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

4.40

4.20

4.76%

7,562,499,978.00

1.81

2.32

0.64

16.67%

0.22

46 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,124.00

0.10

5.16

0.94

6.00%

0.45

47 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

3.99

3.99

0.00%

6,480,632,812.50

0.33

12.05

0.76

5.01%

1.06

48 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

4.68

0.11

0.02

0.00%

1.89

49 AIICO Insurance Plc.

0.75

0.72

4.17%

5,197,653,360.00

0.28

2.60

0.15

6.94%

0.51

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

2.15

2.15

0.00%

3,225,000,000.00

0.50

4.33

0.39

2.33%

0.51

06 Forte Oil Plc.

09 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd.

14 Unilever Nigeria Plc. 15 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc. 16 Access Bank Plc. 17 P Z Cussons Nigeria Plc.

21 Mobil Oil Nig Plc. 22 Oando Plc 23 Flour Mills Nig. Plc. 24 Total Nigeria Plc.

27 U A C N Plc. 28 Fidelity Bank Plc 29 Presco Plc 30 Diamond Bank Plc 31 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc. 32 Wema Bank Plc.

TOTAL

7,941,813,136,341.54

TOTAL MARKET CAP

8,568,535,451,487.26

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

92.69%

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

Open 20-Apr-16

Close 21-Apr-16

Change %

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion)

24,784.95 8.53

24,909.88 8.57

0.50% 0.50%

Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion) Diamond Bank Plc

101.79 7.93

102.00 7.94

0.21% 0.21%

3.96

4.08

3.03%

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open Close Change % 20-Apr-16 21-Apr-16

Access Bank Plc. Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc United Bank for Africa Plc UACN Property Development Co. Limited Oando Plc

3.76 6.45 3.34 4.20

3.98 6.77 3.50 4.40

5.85% 4.96% 4.79% 4.76%

4.30

4.50

4.65%

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change % 20-Apr-16 21-Apr-16

Okomu Oil Palm Plc. 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc. Unity Bank Plc Sterling Bank Plc. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.

30.00 147.00 0.70 1.56 16.16

28.80 142.59 0.68 1.53 16.05

-4.00% -3.00% -2.86% -1.92% -0.68%

Market closes northwards as ASI gains 0.50% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Thursday, April 21, 2016 was bullish as the market closed green due to resumed activities upon recent releases of first quarter financial statements. This was further highlighted by positive performances from all the NSE Sub sectors; Banking, Consumer Goods, Oil & Gas and Insurance. Trading activities decreased in volume as 178.78 million shares worth N1.18 billion in 3,223 deals exchanged hands today. This is a decrease from the 228.9 million shares worth N1.11 billion in 2,698 deals carried out on Tuesday. Topping in volume terms was FBN Holdings Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc, while Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with a 0.50% (+124.93) increase to 24,909.88 from 24,784.95 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization appreciated in tandem to N8.57 trillion from N8.53 trillion of prior trading day. The Thisday BGL 50 Index followed suit with 0.21% increase to close at 102.00 from 101.79 the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N7.94 trillion from N7.93 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 26 stocks gained on the bourse today while 17 stocks declined, leaving 146 stocks unchanged. Access Bank Plc emerged the toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 5.85% to close at N3.98 per share. It was followed by CCNN Plc with a gain of 4.96% to close at N6.77 per share. Others on the gainers list include; United Bank for Africa Plc, UACN Property Development Co. Limited and Oando Plc, while on the decliners’ list; Okomu Oil Palm Plc led with a loss of 4.00% to close at N28.80 per share. It was followed by 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc.with a loss of 3.00% to close at N142.59 per share. Others on the losers list include; Unity Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.

REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

54

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

MARKET NEWS

Union Bank MD Promises to Sustain Improved Financial Performance Goddy Egene and Eromosele Abiodun The Managing Director of Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN), Mr. Emeka Emuwa yesterday said the bank would sustain the improved performance recorded in the first quarter through cost reduction strategy. UBN recorded flat gross earnings of N27.3 billion for the first

quarter ended March 31, 2016.

However, profit after tax (PAT) jumped by 108 per cent from N2.2 billion to N4.6 billion.

Speaking at the bank’s ‘Facts behind the figures’ presentation at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos, Emuwa said the bank would further reduce its cost to income ratio (CIR) by the end of 2016.

According to him, the bank

will ensure client retention and acquisition, risk management and recoveries as well as cost management.

He said the CIR would be reduced from 67 per cent in 2015 to 60 per cent in 2016. He stated that the bank’s cost to income ratio stood at 183 per cent in 2011, but was reduced to 96 per cent in 2012, 71 per cent in 2013 and 67 per cent

in 2014.

The chief executive officer said that the bank would also embark on strategic partnerships to ensure sustained growth in 2016 and beyond. He added the bank would improve its business process and branch network and channel optimisation to sustain growth and development.

On non-payment of divi-

dend, Emuwa said that the bank was not able to declare dividend due to negative retained earnings.

According to him, regulatory policy stipulated that a company must not declare dividend with negative retained earnings.

Also speaking, at the event, the Executive. Director and Chief Financial Officer of

DAILY STOCK MARKET REPORT T H E

N I G E R I A N

STO C K

E XC H A N G E

UBN, Mrs. Oyinkan Adewale, explained that its 6.99 per cent non-performing loan (NPL) had almost 200 per cent coverage.

Speaking at event, the CEO of NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, commended the bank for timely release of information at the nation’s bourse, adding that the stock market is driven by timely relevant and accurate information.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016

55

56

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS Arik Explains N12bn FAAN Debt

News Editor Davidson Iriekpen

Email davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081

FG gives parties 14 days to settle debt crisis Chinedu Eze in Lagos and Dele Ogbodo in Abuja After the suspension of its operations for 24 hours over the disruption of its service by workers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Arik Air yesterday said from the time it started operations in 2006 till February this year, it had paid FAAN over N18.9 billion.

The airline said FAAN acknowledged that it only received N11.4 billion from the airline and said it recognised the surplus in its account but the payment of that surplus was not credited to Arik.

This came as the Minister of State for Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika, yesterday gave the managements FAAN, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Arik Air Group two weeks within which to resolve all issues relating to indebtedness between them.

The airline resumed services yesterday after the disruption of its flights at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, over alleged N12.5 billion debt, as claimed by the union leadership.

The airline said the problem it has with FAAN stemmed from the latter’s inability to keep proper documentation of its charges, like accurately recording charges on a particular flight with its registration number, the time it landed, the take-off weight, day and time of flight and departure and destination.

The Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr. Chris Ndulue, who disclosed this to journalists during a media conference at its head office in Lagos, said this was the standard

way other airport service providers all over the world; documented their charges so that the customer would know how much it owes and the services that incurred the charges.

Ndulue alleged that FAAN arbitrarily allots figures on bills without the necessary data to back the figures and described the disruption of its operations

by FAAN workers as a violation of the legal attempts to reconcile figures between the authority and the airline in the court of law.

He said it was startling that FAAN could not account for the outstanding N7.5 billion that mysteriously disappeared from its account, of which the agency agreed that there was surplus money in its account but was not sure who credited its account with the surplus sum.

Though, he did not disclose huge sums lost to its disrupted flights last Wednesday by the workers, the Arik Air boss said the airline was deliberating other measures to seek redress over the matter, adding that the airline’s management met the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to formally protest the illegal action and latter pledged that he would help to redress the issues.

He said the airline over time made efforts to work out an amicable resolution of the disputed figures through legal representations in response to a suit filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos by FAAN. FAAN, he said, had not been forthcoming with details on how to resolve the impasse despite ministerial interventions through committees set up to reconcile the

figures.

He said the resort to self help

by FAAN workers and aviation union members to attempt to recover alleged debts through intimation would not force Arik Air to pay for services that have not been formally documented, adding that the airline would continue to explore existing legal instrument and channels to fight for its legitimate claims.

Ndulue said FAAN had initially concluded plans to impound its aircraft; but jettisoned the idea and then went and incited the union to disrupt its operations.

The latest move of using unions to disrupt the operations of an airline, he said was contrary to laid down rules to resolve conflict between organisations.

“FAAN claimed that we are owing them several amounts, which keep changing.

“They even planned to impound our aircraft, but changed the plan.

Only last Wednesday, without notice, FAAN workers disrupted our operations.

“We refused to be intimidated by such underhand methods. We will not be frustrated to pay for services we cannot prove we have been provided without any documentary evidence. These illegal attempts are in violation of existing reconciliation

moves both at the courts and the Ministry of Aviation.

“We wonder why FAAN will violate on-going negotiations and reconciliation. This is unlawful and unwarranted.

“We want FAAN to tell the world what happened to the N18.9 billion we paid since inception, for which they could only acknowledge only N11.4 billon.

“What happened to the outstanding N7.5 billion Did the money disappear mysteriously?”

Ndulue asked.

Meanwhile, in a statement signed

by Mr. James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, on behalf of the minister, he said the directive was the outcome of the minister’s meeting with the management of Arik Air in his office in Abuja yesterday.

Sirika directed the parties to report back to him after 14 days period with a resolution on amounts owed, payment plans and the way forward.

The minister regretted the alleged indebtedness by Arik Air which has led to disagreements with some trade unions within the regulatory agencies.

He stressed that the government would not condone lawlessness within the industry, adding that all airline operators must conform

to industry rules and regulations which include the prompt payment of applicable fees and fines as at when due.

He said the goal of the present government is to develop an aviation industry that is founded on the principles of safety and security of not only the regulators and airline operators, but also passengers and their luggage.

In a remark, the Chairman of Arik Air, Mr. Arumeni Johnson, was quoted in the statement as decrying the regularity and impunity with which trade unions operating at the airports disrupt the airline’s operations under the guise of its indebtedness to their organisations.

He said such practices, if not stopped by the authorities, was capable of running down the industry. Johnson described his airline as a responsible corporate citizen that is always ready to meet its obligations to its passengers and service providers.

He said: “Is it now the duty of the union to seek payment of money owed aviation agencies?

The union has clearly gone beyond its mandate and we implore the minister to intervene.”

Also, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed all airlines (domestic and charter) operating in the country to forward

in full unremitted funds accruable to the authority without further delay or face immediate sanctions.

This directive was handed down at a meeting held Wednesday with the operators on non-remittance of five per cent ticket, cargo and charter sales charges (TSA/TCA) held at the authority’s Headquarters Annex in Lagos The Director General of the NCAA, Captain Muhtar Usman, presided at the meeting in company of the authority’s top management staff.

According to the DG, the directive was with regards to the five per cent TSA/TCA collected at source from the air passengers by the airlines on behalf of the federal government of Nigeria.

“It is imperative that all unremitted funds must be forwarded in full to the NCAA immediately. The airlines must desist from using these funds ‘held in trust.’ The ongoing five per cent ticket/cargo/charter/sales charges automation of payments, which offers real-time transparent transactions must be completed within two months. This will remove endless reconciliation of data and reduce high debt profile of airlines to NCAA,” NCAA spokesman, Sam Adurogboye said.

Governors’ Forum Meeting on Economy Ends in Deadlock A meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) held on Wednesday to discuss the state of the nation’s economy ended in a deadlock.

The meeting which was held inside the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, ran late into the night.

About midnight ,the Chairman

of the NGF, Alhaji Abdulazeez Yari briefed State House correspondents that the meeting did not reach any conclusion on the discussions on the economy.

Yari who is the Zamfara State Governor said the forum will reconvene next Thursday to continue further discussion.

Kaduna Govt Seeks Death Sentence for 50 Shiite Members The Kaduna State Government yesterday asked the state High Court to sentence 50 Shiite members to death for allegedly causing the death of a soldier.

The government had filed a fivecount charge against the accused before Justice David Wyom.

It accused them of criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, culpable homicide, disturbance of public peace and wrongful restrain.

In the petition, counsel to the government, Mr Bayero Diri, said the offences are punishable under Sections 97, 221, 102, 106 and 225 of the Penal Code Law, Laws of Kaduna State 1991.

The government, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the offence was committed between December

12 and 14, 2015, in Zaria.

It alleged that the suspects, among other things, shot dead one Corporal Yakubu Dankaduna of the Nigerian Army “with a gun when he alighted from the convoy to disperse the shiite members.”

Section 102 of the penal code prescribes death sentence for such offence.

The prosecution told the court that they intend to present 39 witnesses.

The plea of the accused persons was not taken as the judge adjourned sitting till May 16.

It was gathered that the 50 suspects were among the 265 persons currently in custody, who were arrested during the Shiites clash with the Army on December 12 and 14, 2015.

CAMPAIGN AGAINSTSLAVERY

FormerPresident,Dr.GoodluckJonathan(middle),displaying acopyofthe2016GlobalSlaveryIndexwith its Publisher,Mr.AndrewForrest(right); andhis daughter,Grace,inNewJersey,USA...yesterday

FG Compiling Data on IDPs for Resettlement Tobi Soniyi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration has begun the process of putting together comprehensive data on all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Nigerian refugees with a view to speeding up their resettlement.

A statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari made the disclosure while receiving

the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Samantha Power, at the Presidential Villa.

Buhari said the compilation of reliable data on the IDPs and refugees was being handled by designated federal government agencies, the military and other security agencies. ‘‘We have frightening indices of the number of people and the situation in the IDP camps across the country. And in spite of the government’s efforts and the hospitality of individuals and

organisations, the situation needs better handling. ‘‘A large segment of the IDPs are mostly women and children.

Some of the children are orphaned and don’t know where they came from.

“Now we are working on getting a comprehensive data of all the people in the camps so that the government and NGOs will be properly briefed on where and how to support them,’’ he said.

The president said that IDPs, who were into farming before they were displaced by the Boko

Haram Sect, would be mobilised and assisted by the Ministry of Agriculture to return to their farms.

Power commended the federal government for always being the first and highest responder to the IDPs in various camps in the country.

Power, who had earlier visited Nigerian refugees in Cameroun, said the situation in the camps could be improved with more information on the number of people in the camps and their areas of need.

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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US to Share Intelligence on Boko Haram with Nigeria, Promises Support on Fight against Terrorism Says no major rescue operation has been carried out for Chibok girls Tobi Soniyi in Abuja and Zacheaus Somorin in Lagos with agency reports The United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, has said the US is poised to provide Nigeria with information and intelligence needed to locate the missing Chibok girls and fight Boko Haram.

According to her, the issue of the missing girls remains a huge priority to the US. Speaking after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock in Abuja, Power said she discussed the case of the missing girls extensively with Buhari.

She said: “The issue of the Chibok girls and other adaptations is of huge priority to the US And it was the issue I discussed at length with President Buhari today. (yesterday).

“We had moved to provide the information and intelligence needed to the Nigerian authorities.

We have in recent months been able to allocate additional information sharing platforms and additional surveillance to aid the fight against Boko Haram.

“We will not rest, we will

continue to deepen our partnership and be more effective with our partners on the ground. We are determined to support Nigeria and other neighboring countries efforts to secure more rescues of adopted people and releases in the days and weeks ahead.”

Power said she also discussed with Buhari the importance of pursuing every need related to the Chibok girls and making sure, “we have mechanism whereby parents and family members who have been abducted by Boko Haram can be given information whereby videos can be examined and family members offer their feedbacks on their impression on the videos and indeed with those involved in the operations in trying to rescue the girls.”

According to her, the recent video was one part of their discussion and the larger puzzle that needed to be assembled .

Meanwhile, the US has said it has not carried out any major operation to rescue the abducted Chibok girls, saying however that they have not been abandoned.

It pointed out that American and African forces sent to Cameroun to fight Boko Haram had on several

FG Suspends MTN Talks Pending Probe Outcome The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has stated that the federal government will suspend new talks with South Africa’s MTN over a $3.9 billion fine for missing a deadline to disconnect unregistered SIM card users until the National Assembly concludes its probe.

Last month, the House of Representatives launched a probe into whether Nigeria can reduce the fine, which had originally amounted to $5.2 billion.

In December, telecoms regulator NCC cut the fine to $3.9 billion.

The probe, according to Reuters, has hindered efforts by MTN to launch new talks aimed at getting the fine reduced further.

“As soon as the ongoing (parliamentary) investigations are concluded, we will sit down

occasions located clusters of the schoolgirls kidnapped by the militant group two years ago.

According to US officials, rescue operations had not been carried out because of fears that any ensuing battle with Boko Haram fighters would put the captives at risk, or incite retaliation against hostages still being held in other areas.

A New York Times report quoted an American officials saying a combination of local intelligence, intercepted communications and drone footage had been used to locate groups of the 276 girls abducted from the Government Secondary School in the Nigerian town of Chibok this month.

Some of the girls have since been tracked to Nigeria’s sprawling Sambisa Forest.

Officials insist that efforts to free the girls have not been abandoned.

They say that a major concern is the hundreds of other women and girls who are also held by Boko Haram, captives who are often sexually assaulted, forced into marriages with their tormentors, and sometimes killed.

“You’re not just looking for 200 girls,” said General Carter F. Ham, the retired head of the United States military’s Africa Command.

“There are many, others who have been taken hostage, thousands killed, and two and a half million people displaced,” he said.

Senior American military officials

joined the US Ambassador to the UN, Power, in Cameroun this week to speak with the country’s military and civilian leaders about the fight against Boko Haram and information gleaned by American intelligence.

The talks took place not far from where American Special Operations forces and hundreds of surveillance drone operators are based. Despite the proximity of the troops, Boko Haram’s attacks continued.

Last Monday night, three Camerounian soldiers were killed and five wounded after Boko Haram fighters ambushed a military convoy near Dabanga, a town in the country’s North, Camerounian military officials said. The ambush followed intense fighting on the Nigerian side of the border, where Boko Haram militants attacked an army base, wounding 22 soldiers.

US military officials said intelligence reports show that the girls have been divided into smaller groups. General David M. Rodriguez, the head of the military’s Africa Command, told journalists at the Pentagon this month that the Chibok girls have been “moved to some very isolated places.”

Rodriguez added that locating them is “not an exact science.”

Because the girls have been dispersed, military forces from Chad, Nigeria and Cameroon might need to mount simultaneous rescues to make sure that Boko

Haram fighters do not retaliate for the rescue of one group.

Such a multipronged, coordinated operation would be difficult even for highly trained American troops with combat experience in Afghanistan and Iraq to pull off.

“So the challenge is, how do you find a lot of people held hostage in different places?” General Ham asked.

“That’s really complex and it stretches the capability of local forces.”

About 100 miles South of Maroua, the city where Brig. Gen. Donald C. Bolduc, top United States Special Operations commander for Africa, met last Monday with Camerounian military officials, about 200 American drone operators and Special Operations forces worked with local troops to gather intelligence on Boko Haram and the whereabouts of its many hostages.

General Bolduc has recommended that the Pentagon send dozens of additional Special Operations advisers to the front lines of Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram. Such a move would push American troops hundreds of miles closer to the battle against an extremist group that has killed thousands of civilians in Nigeria’s North-east and in neighboring Niger, Chad and Cameroun. The additional advisers would serve in noncombat advisory

roles, military officials said.

Even if the African forces continue to push back the militants, as they have managed to do in recent months, the hostage issue is not going away.

There has been concern that Boko Haram, perhaps because it is on the retreat, is increasingly using its hostages as suicide bombers.

Few observers appear to put much stock in the assertion by Buhari, that the militant group is technically defeated.

Col. Badjeck Didier, a spokesman for Cameroun’s Defence Ministry, said Tuesday that he worried that some of the Chibok girls might have been turned into suicide bombers.

Tom M. Sanderson, director of the transnational threats project at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said the length of the girls’ time in captivity may have contributed to the difficulty in rescuing them.

No United States official has yet made a public assertion that the Chibok girls have been turned into suicide bombers. Ms. Power, at a news conference on Tuesday in the capital, Yaoundé, said that the Special Operations forces sent by President Obama were doing “surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance” and would continue their efforts to locate the Chibok girls.

with them (MTN),” Shittu told journalists last Wednesday.

The House launched its investigation after MTN angered lawmakers by snubbing an invitation to its Nigeria Chief Executive, Ferdi Moolman, to appear at the telecoms committee, according to lawmakers.

MTN offered in March to pay $1.5 billion, according to a document seen by Reuters. And it dropped a legal case against the regulator as the first step in its efforts to reach an out-of-court settlement.

Last year, Nigeria imposed a deadline on mobile operators to cut off unregistered SIM cards, which MTN missed, amid fears the lines were being used by criminal gangs, including Boko Haram.

PDP Convention: Former Ministers Seek Responsible Leadership Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Former Ministers’ Forum yesterday, canvassed for the emergence of new set of leadership that would completely transform the fortunes of the party.

This came as the ministers failed to take a position on the controversy regarding the zoning of the party’s national chairmanship position to the North-east.

The meeting, which was poorly attended as compared to their previous ones, noted that the forthcoming national convention would determine the survival of PDP as a political party.

The Chairman of the forum, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), who read the communiqué after the meeting, called for transparent

and credible congresses and national convention that would be in conformity and in line with the party’s constitution.

“The forum recognised serious concerns over the arrangements and is unequivocal, that should the convention not produce officers of the party that reflect the will of the people, it will portend continued disaster for the party in popular elections,” the communiqué added.

It noted that the forthcoming national convention will determine the survival of PDP as a political party.

The forum warned that “to have delegates that are pre-selected or pre-elected to return preferred candidate to national officers will be seen as a perpetration of lack of internal democracy that mortally injured the party in 2015.

FINANCIAL EXPERTS

L-R: Minister of Economy of Chile, Dr. Luis Cespedes Cifuentes; former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu; and Minister of Finance of Mexico, Dr. Luis Videgaray, as panelists at the 2016 Global Empowerment Meeting (GEM) at the Centre for International Development,HarvardUniversity,USA...recently.

NBS: 49,867 Nigerians Involved in Road Accidents in ThreeYears The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said no fewer than 49, 867 Nigerians were involved in road accidents from 2013 to 2015.

This was contained in a report released by NBS on Police Data – Reported Road Accidents and Stolen Vehicles yesterday in Abuja.

The report, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), gave the

breakdown of those killed in the accident as 5,539 in 2013; 4,430 in 2014 and 5,042 in 2015, respectively.

It showed that 12,372 persons were injured in road accidents in 2013; 12,227 in 2014 and 10,257 in 2015.

The report, however, put the total number of reported cases of road accident during the period at 24, 954 in the 36 states of the federation

and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It showed that the highest number of accidents were reported in Lagos with 4,038 cases, followed

by Ogun with 3,484 and Rivers with 2,145 cases.

The lowest number of reported cases of road accident was recorded in Jigawa having 21; Delta 22 and

Zamfara 70, cases respectively.

Meanwhile the report stated that a total of 2, 569 vehicles were stolen in the period, showing that 551 vehicles were stolen in 2013; 1,201 in 2014 and 818 in 2015.

It stated that out of the stolen vehicles, 341 were recovered in 2013; 592 in 2014 and 436 in 2015 in the country.

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Economics Loses to Politics as Buhari Takes Naira Stand History is repeating itself in Nigeria, where the more President Muhammadu Buhari is urged to devalue Nigeria’s naira, the more he is digging in his heels. Investors are beginning to surmise that politics — rather than economics — will determine the currency’s immediate future.

Even as growth slows, inflation rises and foreign investors flee, analysts in a Bloomberg survey are backing away from estimates a devaluation will take place before the third quarter.

Buhari, 73, has made it clear that he, not the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has the final say on currency policy — and that he is against taking that step, just as he was during his first stint in power in the 1980s.

He is loath to be seen by voters as capitulating to foreign investors and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), both vocal critics of his stance, according to New York-based Teneo Intelligence.

“Changing his position would make him seem like a spineless leader,” said Manji Cheto, an analyst at Teneo, a global advisory firm, who predicts there won’t be a change of currency policy until at least the second half of this year.

“Buhari is seen as the man who will stand up to foreigners. He ran a campaign as a strongman, someone who would put Nigerian interests ahead of foreign ones.”

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has pegged the naira’s official rate at 197-199 against the dollar since March 2015.

Buhari has backed that policy since he became president in May, confounding analysts who thought he would have caved in by now and let the naira fall, as other oil exporters from Russia to

Kazakhstan and Colombia have done with their currencies. Foreign exchange trading restrictions and import curbs have led to shortages of goods from gasoline to milk and sent the naira plunging to 320 on the black market.

Buhari and Emefiele, who meet at least weekly said the naira is fairly valued on the official market and that letting it drop would only harm poor Nigerians by pushing up prices. That’s already happening, with inflation accelerating to an almost four-year high of 12.8 per cent in March as manufacturers struggled to pay for imports.

Growth slumped to 2.8 per cent last year, the slowest pace in 17 years. It will slow further to 2.3 percent in 2016, according to the IMF, which called for a “speedy unwinding” of the currency controls to help revive growth.

It’s not the first time Buhari has resisted the IMF. When he last ruled Nigeria from 1983 to 1985, a time when, like today, oil prices had just crashed, he ignored advice to depreciate the naira and refused financial assistance from the Washington-based lender.

After Buhari was ousted in a coup amid a worsening financial crisis, his successor Ibrahim Babangida started an IMF-led structural adjustment programme, which included a devaluation. It was the first of many that saw the currency’s value drop from roughly parity with the dollar to today’s rate of near 200. Politicians still say the IMF programme failed the country.

“I’ve lived through several rounds of naira devaluation and I have seen very little benefit to the Nigerian economy and people,” Nasir el-Rufai, the 56-year-old governor of Kaduna, a northern

Edo 2016: Esele, Ex-TUC President Unfolds Three-Point Agenda Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City An All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in Edo State and former President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Peter Esele, has denied any acrimony between him and the state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, supposedly triggered by the latter’s disposition for a preferred candidate ahead of the governorship election scheduled for September 2016 Esele, who spoke with journalists in Benin City, capital Edo State while unfolding his three-point agenda if elected as governor, attributed the purported rancour as the handiwork of the opposition party.

Esese, who is also a former president of PENGASSAN, said he joined the Edo 2016 governorship race on the grounds of his qualification, experience, acquired skill and having the solution to what was lacking, added that his government will focus on Agriculture, Culture and Education “ I told the governor I was running, he said he has a preferred candidate and he has right to do that but again it is the delegates that will decide. I am appealing to him to provide a level play field.

“People want a lot of rancour between me and the governor

but be that as it may, if I have disagreements with the governor, I have access, I will go to him and let him know how I feel. When you get to a level that you become president of TUC or any leadership position, there is a responsibility attached to it. I was one of those that found it repugnant when the them presidents, Goodlcuk Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo were exchanging letters.’’

Esele promised to build on the giant strides made by the previous government on education especially the Oshiomhole red roof revolution declared that he will establish research link between university and government, grant loan facility of a N100million to universities and department that affect government directly.

He equally disclosed his intention to put aside special schools in each of the three senatorial districts for the best students with a view to create a healthy and competitive society.

The former unionist, who berated the federal government over inability to diversify the economy said his administration will create an environment that will attract and gravitate people into farming adding that no country can be define on the basis of crude oil, but experience and acquired skills.

state of about seven million people and a senior figure in Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC), said in an interview in Lagos. “I supported each of them as a solution to the challenges we faced at the time. I regret that support because I have seen very clearly it brought nothing to Nigeria.”

For investors, such thinking makes little economic sense. Most businesses are already trading at the

black market rate since the central bank’s policies are choking off dollars in the official market, according to Exotix Partners LLP, a London-based investment bank focusing on frontier markets. PZ Cussons Plc, the Manchester, UK-based soap maker, said last week its Nigerian unit was forced to pay a 50-70 per cent premium on the official rate to source foreign-exchange.

With foreign investors avoiding

the country until there’s a devaluation, Nigeria’s local bonds are the only ones to have made losses this year among 31 emerging markets tracked by Bloomberg.

Nigerian average yields have risen 161 basis points to 12.31 per cent since the end of 2015, whereas Russia’s have fallen 26 basis points to 9.29 per cent and Colombia’s 28 basis points to 7.77 per cent.

Buhari “just doesn’t get it,” Kato

Mukuru, the London-based head of equity research at Exotix Partners LLP, said in an interview. “When he was last in power in the ’80s he was also told to devalue the currency. He refused. Clearly he didn’t do the same economics as I did. There comes a point where you need to understand that the whole country has already devalued.”

• Culled from Bloomberg

60 HEARTY CHEERS

L-R: Former Governor of Ogun State,Gbenga Daniel; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; her husband and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Lagos State Commissioner for Finance,Mr. Olawale Edun; and his wife, during the 60th birthday thankagiving serivce of Edun,at the Methodist Church of the Trinity,Tinubu Square, Lagos...yesterday

Zaria Clash: AI Accuses Nigerian Military of Covering up Mass Slaughter Claims satellite pictures revealed site of possible mass grave Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Amnesty International (AI) has accused the Nigerian military of mass slaughter of hundreds of men, women and children by soldiers in Zaria, saying that the attempted cover-up of the alleged crime demonstrates an utter contempt for human life and accountability.

The global human rights watchdog in a statement yesterday, said that it has published evidence gathered on the ground revealing how the Nigerian military burned people alive, razed buildings and dumped victims’ bodies in mass graves.

The AI in its latest report titled “Unearthing the truth: Unlawful killings and mass cover-up in Zaria”, gave a shocking eyewitness testimony of large-scale unlawful killings by the Nigerian military and exposes a crude attempt by the authorities to destroy and conceal evidence.

According to the Al’s Research and Advocacy Director for Africa, Mr. Netsanet Belay: “The true horror of what happened over those two days in Zaria is only now coming to light. Bodies were left littered in the streets and piled outside the mortuary. Some of the injured were burned alive,” “Our research, based on witness testimonies and analysis of satellite

images, has located one possible mass grave. It is time now for the military to come clean and admit where it secretly buried hundreds of bodies.”

The rights group stated that more than 350 people are believed to have been unlawfully killed by the military between 12 and 14 December, following a confrontation between members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and soldiers in Zaria, Kaduna, State.

Part of the statement read: “IMN supporters - some armed with batons, knives, and machetes - had refused to clear the road near their headquarters, the Hussainiyya, for a military convoy to pass.

The army has claimed that IMN supporters attacked the convoy in an attempt to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff. IMN members deny this.

“Following an initial confrontation, the military surrounded other locations where IMN supporters had gathered, notably at the residential compound of IMN leader, Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky. Some people were killed as a result of indiscriminate fire. Others appeared to have been deliberately targeted.”

“All available information indicates that the deaths of protestors were the consequence of excessive, and arguably, unnecessary

use of force.”

The AI also provided evidence of children alleged to have been either injured or killed including a 16-year-old schoolgirl named Zainab who was quoted to have said: “We were in our school uniforms. My friend Nusaiba Abdullahi was shot in her forehead. We took her to a house where they treated the injured but, before reaching the house, she already died. “ A 10-year-old boy who was shot in the leg told Amnesty International how his older brother was shot in the head as they tried to leave the compound. “We went out to try to shelter in a nearby house but we got shot.”

In the same vein, the human rights body claimed that many people were shot and burned alive, stating that on December 13, two buildings within Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky’s compound, one of which was being used as a makeshift medical facility and mortuary, were attacked by soldiers.

They claimed that the footage believed to have been shot on mobile phone by IMN supporters after the incident showed bodies with gunshot wounds as well as charred bodies strewn around the compound.

The AI further claimed that a certain 22-year-old student, named

Alyyu, claimed that he was shot in the chest outside the compound and was taken inside for treatment: “There were lots of injured people in several rooms. There were dead bodies in a room and also in the courtyard. Around 12-1pm soldiers outside called on people to come out, but people were too scared to go out. We knew they would kill us. Soldiers threw grenades inside the compound. I saw one soldier on the wall of the courtyard shooting inside.”

According to AI, a mother described a phone conversation with one of her 19-year-old sons before he was killed alongside his twin brother and their step brother and sister in the compound. “They are shooting those injured one by one,” he told her.

The human rights body said that as soldiers set fire to the makeshift medical facility in the compound that afternoon, Yusuf managed to escape despite serious gunshot wounds: “Those who were badly injured and could not escape were burned alive,” he told Amnesty International. “I managed to get away from the fire by crawling on my knees until I reached a nearby house where I was able to hide until the following day. I don’t know how many of the wounded were burned to death.

Tens and tens of them.”

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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FG Mulls N300bn Treasury Bond to Improve Liquidity in Electricity Market Eyes N5.3tn pension fund, NBET to manage bond

Chineme Okafor in Abuja The federal government is looking at initiating a treasury bond to the tune of N300 billion to improve funding in Nigeria’s electricity market, THISDAY has learnt.

It was gathered from two industry sources who are conversant with the development that the proposed treasury bond would seek to address the prevalent operational challenges the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) face.

The Discos, the sources said, are not charging consumers costreflective rates for electricity supplied to them, and the government is also not willing to provide some sort of subsidy to cushion their revenue shortfalls as reportedly agreed with them during the power privatisation exercise.

This development they said means that they were under-paying the Gencos for power supplied to them, as well as contending with lots of challenges sourcing for good monies to invest in expansion of their networks.

They added that they are also unable to undertake other planned investments that may include sourcing for alternative power outside of the national grid for their customers, hence, the government’s decision to float the market driven bond.

Speaking further, the sources explained that the bond is expected to be captured in the government’s financial plan for 2016 and also

guaranteed by it.

They explained that it would majorly target to have the country’s N5.3 trillion worth pension fund invest in it with established terms on returns.

Operators in the country’s pension industry had said the huge fund would not be deployed into the country’s power sector unless it has a structured product to consider. The sources noted that the bond would be one of such structured products that the fund could consider. They also said it would be open for other classes of subscribers.

Also, the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), an agency of the government which procures bulk electricity on behalf of the Discos is expected to manage the bond.

The Discos have reportedly failed to consistently pay to NBET 100 per cent value of the power they bought from generation companies (Gencos).

The bond will in this regard help to bridge these gaps and also give them the opportunity to do their capital expenditures.

According to the sources, the decision to establish the bond was initially mulled by the executive arm of government who had considered the financial challenges of operators in the power sector and thought that it would be better to set up such long term bond where good funds could be pulled up for them and guaranteed by it.

One of them explained that the overriding motive was to keep the power sector from possible

collapse that could arise from chronic illiquidity.

The other source noted that in guaranteeing the bond, the federal government would issue to prospective buyers redeemable treasury certificates for the length of time it would take to mature, while the Discos would gradually pay up with interest, monies given to them from the bond.

“You must realise that this is an executive programme, and it is hoped that when the budget is passed, the NBET can conclude plans on this. However, it may not be until July before it is launched,” the source said.

He further said: “The bond is

meant to alleviate the operational pains of the Discos majorly, and galvanise for them the capital they need to meet up with their opex and capex. They have grossly underpaid the Gencos through the NBET and that is not a good development because the Gencos have to continue to operate.”

He also noted that the government in trying to hold the Discos accountable for default in the bond terms, will either take from them their shares certificate and distribute to subscribers or take over the companies to repay the subscribers.

“Meanwhile, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has

denied reports that there would be a likely blackout in the country following a lingering labour related issue at its Abuja headquarters.

TCN said in a statement from its General Manager, Public Affairs, Seun Olagunju that such report was not factual as the labour issue would not affect staff in its regional offices nationwide.

It said the regional office staff are responsible for the actual wheeling of bulk electricity and have being at their duty posts, ensuring that electricity generated by Gencos is seamlessly transmitted to distribution load centres nationwide.

TCN explained that the on-going labour issues affect administrative

work only at its corporate headquarters and its ability to carry out its core duty of wheeling bulk electricity is not in any way hampered by the inability of staff at the corporate headquarters to temporarily gain access to their offices.

“Moreover, engineers whose core duty it is to ensure that electricity is efficiently wheeled through high tension transmission lines and substations located in various areas across the country, work in the regional offices and work centres.

“Presently, these engineers are at their duty posts, performing their duties assiduously. As such, the issue of imminent blackout does not arise,” said TCN in the statement.

PDP Convention: I Have No Interest in Party Office, Says Metuh

YES, WE CAN

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

LCDA Referendum: Hoodlums Hijack Ballot Boxes, Injure Two in Ogun

The outgoing National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, has said that he is no longer going to vie for a national office position at the next convention of the party.

The embattled spokesman of the PDP who is currently standing trial after he was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on account of his role in the spending of funds from the Office of the National Security Adviser, said his decision to stay out has the backing of family members.

In a statement he issued yesterday, Metuh said his commitment to the party remained unshaken, especially as the party strives to reposition its affairs.

“As one of the longest serving members of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) and currently a critical player in the

party, my supporters and admirers expect me to contest and this has spurred speculations in the media.

“However, I wish to state publicly that I have no ambitions to continue as a member of the National Working Committee after the expiration of my current tenure as the National Publicity Secretary, a decision that is enjoying the support of my family.

“I therefore with every sense of responsibility confirm to all members of our great party that I will not run for any position whatsoever in the forthcoming National Convention irrespective of which office may be zoned to the south-east for that matter.

“What is paramount in my mind at this point is to continue to lift the image of our great party during the remaining part of my tenure as the image-maker of the PDP, a position, which by the grace of God, I have been able to dutifully deliver to the best of my ability despite daunting challenges.

L-R: Chief Operating Officer, NHV, Oostende, Belgium, Lars-Henrik Thorngreen; Chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd and former Minister of Interior, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho; Vice President and Head of Operational Marketing, Airbus Helicopters, Regis Magnac; Commercial Manager of Atlantic Aviation, Jimmy Ini; and Managing Director of Atlantic Aviation, Shaf Syed, when Airbus Helicopters undertook a demonstration flight for its new H175 product in Lagos ...yesterday.

Sheriff Balogun in Abeokuta Some suspected thugs yesterday invaded two polling units in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State during a referendum for the proposed Afon Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

During the referendum, the thugs also snatched two ballot boxes meant for the exercise The crisis started when officials of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) arrived Ita Baale -Ago -Keesan and Obada polling units to conduct a referendum for the proposed Afon LCDA as stipulated by the state House of Assembly.

During the conduct of the

exercise, youths in Afon and Imala who were within the proposed LCDA clashed at the polling units leaving two persons injured when youths who were armed with various dangerous weapons attacked one another.

Meanwhile, three journalists narrowly escaped from the hands of the suspected thugs.

The journalists include: Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji of Premium Times, Suleiman Fasasi of Nigerian Pilot and Daud Olatunji of Vanguard.

However, according to the returning officer for ObadaOwode-Idi-Ayun ward, Onsa Aliu-Adio, “we heard that there was an attack in Obada axis and two ballot boxes, ballot papers and other electoral materials were

snatched away at gun point.

It was also gathered that the Imala youth were provoked by the action of a member of the state House of Assembly representing Imeko-Afon state constituency, Jemili Akintade, who led some youth from Afon to attack the Imala youth.

Speaking with journalists on behalf of the people of Imala, the Ashipa of Imala, Chief Adetayo Ajayi, condemned the action of the government to hold a referendum for Afon in Imala territory which belongs to Abeokuta North Local Government Area.

Ajayi said Abeokuta North and Imeko-Afon Local Governments Areas have different territories which have been clearly stated.

According to him, the attempt by the people of Afon to hold their referendum in the territory of Abeokuta North is an affront and must be condemned by all.

He said: “ Obada belongs to Imala.They did not indicate where Keesan is situated. What Imala is saying is that it is inconceivable that somebody will move miles away from his territory to another territory and want to hold a referendum, that is why we say no.

In his reaction, a community leader, Jide Ogunesan, said there was nothing new about the move to conduct referendum in those two areas, saying, the exercise had been taken place there since.

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016 • T H I S D AY

60

CRIME&PUNISHMENT

Ex-Bauchi Guber Candidate, Abdullahi Adamu in EFCC Net over N6.5bn Fraud Adebiyi Adedapo inAbuja Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have swept on a former governorship candidate in Bauchi

State, Abdullahi Adamu, for an alleged fraud of N6.5 billion.

Abdulahi was arrested after a petition by a Chinese national, Fengquai Zhai, who alleged that the suspect duped him over N6.5

Scorned Lover, Accomplice, Stab Twins, Kill One in Lagos Chiemelie Ezeobi A love scorned man, Alex Onuora, and his accomplice Alia Ogor, yesterday stabbed two brothers, who are twins, after their younger sister refused to have an affair with him.

Due to the nature of the stabbing, one of the twins, Elvis Mekwa, bled to death, while his brother Kene is lying critically ill in a hospital in Lagos According to reports, Onuora and his friend, Alia, had engaged them in a fight over their younger sister in front of a hotel owned by the wife of a popular musician, Segun Adewale, located at Liasu Road at Council bus stop, Ikotun.

Onuora had allegedly used a broken bottle to stab Elvis on the neck and he bled to death.

Before the fight, trouble was said to have started when their sister rebuffed an approach by

Onuora and Alia to lure her to have sex in the hotel where they went to drink.

In anger, Onuora reportedly assaulted the girl, who in turn reported him to brothers.

When the twins approached Onuora, an altercation between them later resulted a brawl and ended in violence.

Onuora’s house at 51 Olalekan Adekoye has since been deserted as was said to have fled to evade arrest.

Although the police were yet to arrest up and his accomplice, they have since arrested the manager of the hotel where the incident happened, one Chibueze Anumudu and woman simply identified as Blessing.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police, who confirmed the incident, said investigations had commenced.

Fleeing Buyer of Five Babies Arrested in Oyo Ademola Babalola inIbadan A fleeing 60-year-old woman, Asabi Adebayo, who allegedly purchased five babies in Rivers State for N1 million each has been arrested by the Oyo State police command.

The babies, according to the state police boss, Leye Oyebade, are (two males, and three females) whose ages range from two years, eight months, seven months, six months, and four months) respectively.

The suspect who had perfected plans to fly the babies abroad for sale, was said to have brought the babies to one orphanage home in Ibadan to obtain certified police report for each of the babies when the lid was blown open.

Oyebade who paraded the suspect and the five babies before journalists yesterday at the Eleyele state Police Headquarters, Ibadan, explained that the woman would have escaped with her evil plans if not for the patriotic behaviour of the officials of the orphanage who promptly reported the matter at the Iyaganku Police Station.

The suspect, Adebayo, who said she hailed from Lagos State is also a British citizen.

The babies have been taken to the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Child Welfare for custody, while the suspects was assisting the investigating police officers who were yet to ascertain the true source of the babies.

Also present at the Police Headquarters during the parade were members of various nongovernmental organisations (NGO), officials of state Ministry of Women

billion, after appointing him a shareholder with 30 per cent share in his company, Solid Units Nigeria Limited, in partial fulfillment of the mandatory requirements for incorporation of a company in Nigeria.

The complainant further alleged that the suspect forged several documents at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in an attempt to take over the company from him.

Abdulahi who had been declared wanted at different times, was

arrested on Monday, April 18, 2016 by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Bauchi and handed over to operatives of EFCC, for alleged criminal conspiracy, fraud and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N6,523,431,000, including $ 550,000.

However, the suspect alongside with one Yusuf Ali of Solid Unit Nigeria Limited are alleged to have obtained the sum of N23,431,000 from one Olajide

Olaleye, Managing Director, TTMW Services Nigeria Limited.

The former governorship aspirant was also arrested following a petition by Zhou Shanqing, the Economic and Commercial Counsellor Embassy of the People Republic of China on behalf of Shengjia International Limited who allegedly made an advance payment of the sum of $550,000 to his (suspect) company for the supply of 300 Mt of lead ore.

Among other things, the suspects

sometime in June 2011, allegedly entered into a contract agreement with the complainant for the supply of 250 metric tonnes of lead ore at the rate of N80,000 as well as N28,000.00 per tonnes of zinc ore, totalling N20,000,000.

The complainant, however, could not receive the goods three months after the contract shipment time.

The suspect is expected to be charged to court after investigations are concluded.

A DAY OF RECKONING

Affairs, and stakeholders in child Suspected armed robbers paraded by the Kaduna State Police Command in Kaduna...yesterday Idris Egaji welfare.

Though, the state police commissioner disclosed that police officers have accompanied the suspect to Port-Harcourt where she claimed to had bought the babies for N5million, they have not been able to apprehend those afternoon. that Masri, on November 19, James Sowole in Akure who sold the babies to the suspect. Akinwale Akintunde “We saw the husband in the 2014, at Police Special Fraud The Divisional Police Officer Unit, 13 Milveton Road Ikoyi, Police in Ondo State yesterday morning greeting everybody (DPO) ,Iyaganku Police Station The Nigeria Police yesterday presented the alleged forged said investigation had but we were surprised to hear where the case was reported, arraigned a Lebanese national, letter to one Martin Nwogoh commenced on the cause of of his death in the afternoon,” one Ojopagogo later narrated Rami El Masri, before an Igbosere as if it was a genuine document. death of a couple, Mr. and she said. how the suspect was arrested Magistrate Court for allegedly According to Seluwa, some According to the prosecutor, Mrs. Femi Oguntunwase, who and exposed. forging a letter claiming to be the defendant presented the were found dead in their house bowls of pap and bean cake The DPO said: “A woman, who a Nigerian. letter with the intention that located at New Sight area of (Akara) were seen beside the operates an orphanage home in Masri, 42, who owns two it be acted upon as genuine Oba Ile town in Akure North deceased which showed that Ibadan came to our station last construction companies along in Nigeria.

Local Government Area of the they died after taking their Thursday and reported to us that the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, breakfast.

“The letter was forged on state. one 60-year-old woman came to was arraigned on a three-count December 15, 2008, and the It was gathered that when The state Police Public them that she has five children and charge of conspiracy and forgery defendant fraudulently presented Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. the neighbours entered into that she needed police report for the before Magistrate Joy Ugbomiko. himself as a Nigerian citizen, a Femi Joseph, who disclosed this, the apartment, palm oil was children to be flown abroad . So, According to the Police, Masri representation he knew to be said however, that nobody had found in the deceased’s on the receipt of the information, and others who are still at large false, with intent that it be acted been arrested over the incident. mouths which indicated that our detectives led by one woman committed the alleged offences upon as genuine in Nigeria.

According to a source in they might have eaten food Superintendent of Police (SP) from between December 15, 2008, and “On November 19, 2014, at the town, the lifeless bodies poison and drank palm oil the Juvenile Welfare Section went November 19, 2014. the Police Special Fraud Unit of the couple were found on to neutralise it. for the arrest of the suspect .

“We saw palm oil in their The prosecutor, Susan at No. 13, Milverton Road, the floor of the sitting room of “So, when we got the suspect Ezema, told the court that Ikoyi, Lagos, the defendant their apartment last Saturday mouths, it may be when they arrested , she told us that she got the defendant on December knowingly and fraudulently afternoon. were having stomach pain, the children for N5million , that 15, 2008, at 6 Oniru Street in uttered the aforesaid false The source said the husband, they drank the palm oil. is a child for N1million and that Apapa area of Lagos State, letter of confirmation to Chief Femi, was on the ground naked We also discovered that the she bought the children from forged a letter of confirmation Superintendent of Police (CSP) while the wife, Modupe, was death happened after their one woman in Port-Harcourt. So, of Nigerian citizenship with Ref: Martin Nwogoh, as if it was a also on the floor in a T-shirt breakfast,” she added. we travelled with the suspect to No MIA/NAT382/1 dated the genuine document,” Ezema said. and a wrapper just as a bottle The PPRO said the remains Port-Harcourt ,unfortunately the said day which he falsely and She said the offences are of palm oil was found beside of the deceased had been woman could not be seen”. deposited at the state Specialists fraudulently presented himself punishable under Sections 363 them.

However, Oyebade, the as a Nigerian citizen by birth. (3), 363 (4) and 409 of the Criminal A resident of the area who Hospital, Akure. state Police boss has vowed to Joseph said the command identified herself as Seluwa, Ezema said the defendant, Law of Lagos State, 2011. ensure that the said woman in knowing it was false, presented The defendant, however, said the couple were seen in had not been able to establish Port-Harcourt who allegedly sold himself as a Nigerian citizen pleaded not guilty to the charge the morning of the fateful day what killed the couple, adding the babies to the suspect was and wanted it to be acted upon and was admitted to bail with hale and hearty, adding that that it is after the autopsy that apprehended and made to face as genuine in Nigeria. the sum of N200,000 with two they were surprised to hear the command would know the the wrath of the law. the news of their death in the next move.

The prosecutor further alleged sureties in like sum.

Lebanese National Arraigned for Allegedly Faking Nigerian Citizenship

Couple Found Dead in Apartment in Ondo

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

NEWS EXTRA

AGF Angry over Bayelsa Assembly’s Refusal to Swear in Opposition Members Rivers assembly speaker refuses to swear in female APC lawmaker Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt and Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa The refusal of the leadership of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to formally induct three opposition members-elect four months after they were declared winners of their various elections, may have drawn the ire of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

This came as the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Dabotorudima Adam, yesterday refused to swear in an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker-elect, Victoria Nyeche, as member of the eighth assembly of the state.

THISDAY learnt yesterday that the federal government through the office of the Attorney-General, has intervened to avoid the looming constitutional crisis in the state and avert the violence that might follow.

The lawmakers-elect who felt short-changed by the action of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-dominated state House of Assembly, had written a letter to the AGF alerting him of the oncoming crisis and attaching copies of the judgements and certificates of return issued them by the Independent National

Electoral Commission (INEC).

Already, it was learnt yesterday that Malami had met with the aggrieved persons, and expressed anger over the premeditated breach of the Nigerian Constitution.

He was said to have frowned on the development, describing it as a breach of the constitution and an affront to the rule of law, which he said the federal government stands for.

A reliable source who preferred anonymity because he was not in a position to speak to journalists, said the AGF had already directed that a letter should be drafted to the leadership of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, particularly the Speaker, Mr. Kombowei Benson, intimating him of the legal implications of not swearing in the lawmakers-elect.

The source noted that a 48-hour ultimatum would also be handed down to Benson to formally induct the affected lawmakers into the house.

The aggrieved lawmakerselect are Watson Belemote of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), representing Brass Constituency 2; Gibson Munalayefa of the Labour Party (LP) for Ogbia constituency 2 and Gabriel Ogbara of African Democratic Congress (ADC)

representing Ogbia constituency 3.

“What is happening in Bayelsa State is a flagrant abuse of the Constitution and the rule of law.

It is also a matter of national security and the office of the attorney-general under the dispensation of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC), acting within its powers, will not tolerate it.

“The attorney-general is taking the matter seriously and has directed that a 48-hour ultimatum should be issued to the assembly to immediately inaugurate the elected legislators or face the consequences,’’ the source who works in the AGF’s office said.

The Police in Bayelsa State had also written the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, warning of the security consequences of the refusal of the State House of Assembly to swear in the three opposition members-elect.

The command noted that the refusal of Benson to inaugurate the three members even after they were given Certificates of Return by INEC could lead to a possible breach of state security. But the Commissioner for Information, Mr Jonathan Obuebite denied receiving the memo.

Also yesterday, the umbrella body of the Ijaw youths, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Worldwide, described

as unfair and unconstitutional the refusal of the Bayelsa House leadership to swear-in the three opposition lawmakers.

President of IYC, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, said Benson, by his action, was violating his oath of office, adding that his refusal to swear in the lawmakers was an act of cowardice which had brought him to public ridicule and outrage.

In a similar vein, political elders in the state under the auspices of Bayelsa First Initiative (BFI), have criticised the lawmakers for dancing to the tune of the executive.

Chief Nathan Egba, who heads the group, blamed the problem of the lawmakers-elect on the governor of the state, Dickson, accused the governor of ruling the state without recourse to the constitution.

However, Obueibite noted that Dickson has no hand in the ordeal of the three lawmakers, adding that it was a purely legislative affair.

“The Bayelsa Governor has never interfered with the affairs of the state House of Assembly.

The state assembly is not subject to the unilateral control of the state executive.

“The matter is purely a legislative one and I am saying it authoritatively that Dickson as a former lawmaker will never interfere in the affairs of the

legislature,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Adam, equally refused to swear in an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker-elect, Victoria Nyeche, as member of the eighth assembly of the state.

While swearing in 12 new members of the assembly, Adam announced that he received a court order restraining the assembly from administering an oath-of-office on Nyeche, pending the decision of a state high court on a matter of impersonation levelled against her.

THISDAY gathered that a state High Court presided over by Justice Adolphus Enebeli on April 20 granted an interlocutory order stopping the swearing in of Nyeche of Port Harcourt Constituency 1.

The court order was based on a motion ex-parte filed on behalf of the claimant in Suit No. PHC/893/2016, Livingstone Wechie, by his counsel, Kingsley Chuku.

Wechie had accused Nyeche of impersonating when she wrote a petition to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) against the confirmation of the chief judge of Rivers State by the assembly, using the letter head of the assembly and addressing herself as member of the assembly even when she had not been administered oath

BACK PAGE

THIS REPUBLIC according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria is ranked fastestgrowing economy in Africa and among the 10 fastest-growing mobile telephony markets in the world. From a private sector investment of $50 million in 1999, it had attracted over $18 billion as at 2009. How can anyone in his right senses describe all that as waste? MTN, Globacom, Airtel, and Etisalat didn’t exist in 1999, or did they?

These companies currently provide direct and indirect employment to thousands of people.

What about the ancillary workers in this sector?

What about the banking consolidation that saw a mostly insolvent 89 banks converged to 25 mega banks that could finance big-ticket transactions that were hitherto far-fetched? The second phase of the consolidation of the sector took the transformation several notches higher such that Nigerian banks started featuring among the world’s top 500 banks. Do we describe this epochal rise of the financial sector as rot left behind? The introduction of the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) was not in existence in the country 16 years ago, or was it? What about the introduction of the cashless economy that dramatically changed the way and manner we do business in Nigeria, (which came with Point of Sale, POS, terminal) - deepening banking penetration and financial inclusiveness on a scale never before seen in this country; and effectively putting the country on the world’s financial connectivity map. All these were made possible by the rapid progress in the telecoms platforms upon which these innovations and successes were achieved. It is a shame that we now describe this era as “rot and waste.”

Now, let’s look at the cement sector: the backward integration policy assiduously pursued in the past 16 years has seen the country grow from a net importer of cement to a cement exporting country; with the likes of Dangote Cement Plc assuming the commanding lead. The backward integration policy was a deliberate initiative to encourage the local manufacture and production of cement and discourage its importation. Who would say it has not worked? Wait a moment – imagine that we were still importing cement with the present forex problems attendant upon importation of goods into the country.

The Local Content law opened up opportunities

of office or sworn in.

The trial judge adjourned the case till April 28 for hearing of substantive motion.

The election petition tribunal and the Court of Appeal declared Nyeche of the APC winner of the April 11, 2015 House of Assembly election against Jones Ogbonda of the PDP. Reacting to the incident, Nyeche, who was among the 25 pro- Chibuike Amaechi supporters in the seventh assembly, expressed surprise at the order, saying what played out was a clear indication of a lawless state as she had not received any order to that effect.

She said: “I feel very saddened for what has happened today. It is an indication that Rivers State is not governed by law. I am surprised that the Speaker said he had a court order. I have not been served the court order.

“This is to show you that the State is not governed by law. It is a calculated plan to stop me from serving my people. I have my Certificate-of-Return issued by INEC and it is surprising that the decision of a lower court could overrule the decision of Court of Appeal that upheld my victory.”

She said she would approach her party, APC, for the next step to take.

to Nigerians’ participation in the oil and gas sector like never before. The multiplier effect of all these has been phenomenal.

What about the National Automotive Policy introduced by the federal government in October 2013 and was expected to run as a 10-year plan to be reviewed every five years. An integral part of the policy aims to replace imported vehicles with locally produced ones through the establishment of automotive clusters in three regions, which would enhance productivity and cost efficiency.

The policy is expected to engender technology transfer, reverse engineering, and create at least 700,000 jobs, with 210,000 indirect jobs in the SMEs that would supply the assembly plants. At least 490,000 other jobs would also be created in the raw materials supply industries. Currently, 2,584 persons are directly employed by the assembly plants. In addition, the policy would make brand new cars more affordable for Nigerians in the long-run. The policy eventually enhanced the status of automobile manufacturing companies such as the Innoson Group, and led to establishment of new assembly plants for Nissan and other vehicle brands in less than four years. Innoson just signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Air Force to manufacture spare parts for its fleet of Alfa jets. Fellow Nigerians, is this part of the “16 years of rot”?

What about the establishment of the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS? For the first time, Nigeria created a national health insurance platform similar to the NHS in Britain for workers. What about the contributory pension reform which led to the setting up of PENCOM? What about the 2007 reform of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)? Are all these part of the “16 years of rot”? Needless to remind those hooked on this new narrative that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) were created during the “16 years of rot” of the PDP. Who will forget that “419” scam was rampant in the late 90s and early 2000s.

The anti-graft bodies effectively neutralised it with the Money Laundering Act. The railway sector is another area we must acknowledge no matter how much we hate the administrations that revived it. For three decades, rail transportation was allowed to decay. It was

revived a few years ago by the very president, the APC derisively referred to as the Clueless One. Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, the Transportation Minister and a chieftain of the APC gushed amazement recently when he went on tour of his ministry that he never knew that the railway was functioning.

Now, recall that the former Governor of Lagos State and now Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola in a rare moment of honesty acknowledged the significant milestones recorded in the power sector reform.

Also the Minister of State for Works, Adebayo Adeyeye, was reported to have also said that the last administration recorded more success in the provision of motorable roads than any other administration in the history of Nigeria.

According to him, the country in 2011 had about 4,500 kilometres of fairly motorable roads, but the Jonathan administration left the country better with about 25,000 kilometres of very good roads. All these happened in the last “16 years of rot.” The energy deployed in promoting the “rot” and “waste” campaign leaves one with the impression that nothing positive took place in the last 16 years.

The last 16 years also witnessed the deepening of our democracy, the emergence of a truly independent INEC, and the opening up of the political space. That political space that expanded tremendously in the last 16 years and led to the rise of the APC is sadly now narrowing in just one year of the party in power. Is it not instructive that the four major elections conducted so far have been mischievously inconclusive?

The list of achievements is inexhaustive as one can go on and on, but for space constraint.

In the 16 years of ‘waste” and “rot”, Nigeria grew its economy from a pariah credit-risk status with foreign investors fleeing, to Africa’s biggest.

The APC had in reaction to the rebasing of the country’s GDP in 2014, described it as an orchestrated distraction and a mindless public relations gimmick. “The federal government has only succeeded in opening itself to ridicule. This is because if ever there was a clear play at oxymoron, this was it: the largest economy with the largest population of the poor, the largest economy with the largest population of unemployed, the largest economy with the largest population of citizens living in darkness, and the largest economy with

the worst infrastructure,” the party concluded. I could hardly believe that statement when I read it. Even though the rebasing was based on facts and figures. It was about Nigeria’s progress and yet the APC was mocking it with such derogatory language just for political gains. What did its jarring supporters do? They celebrated and mocked the rebasement too.

In the last 15 years of the nation’s so-called “16 years of rot and waste,” the country’s GDP was on growth trajectory. Is it not ironic that it was in that period of “rot” that JP Morgan, one of the world’s biggest financial institutions, listed Nigeria on its key emerging markets bond index? Same as Barclay’s flagship bond index and Morgan Stanley frontier emerging markets index. In the last 10 months, two of these powerful financial institutions have evicted Nigeria from their indexes with the third set to follow suit.

One year after the party assumed office, all its statements are still emotive and sentimental devoid of reason and logic. Instead of settling down to work, it has chosen to continue on the path of playing politics with everything. It has blamed the PDP endlessly for the rot in the country. It has declared anyone with a contrary view from its own as corrupt or sponsored. Lai Mohammed responding to critics once said: “Sponsored articles have started appearing in the newspapers and on the social media while ‘Talking Heads’ have started making the rounds in the electronic media, all deriding the fight against corruption as well as this administration. Not stopping there, they have been creating distractions by sponsoring articles in both local and international media to deride the administration’s policies generally, tagging the president a budding dictator and even write off his 2016 budget.”

The question now is: when will the APC start taking responsibilities or accepting blame for its actions or inaction? It does not have an eternity to deliver on promises it made to the people.

The “rot” mantra for 2019 will not work.

Let me remind the party of the time-tested aphorism: conscience is an open wound, only the truth can heal it, so said Uthsman Dan Fodio. The Bible also tells us that “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”.

Let the APC acknowledge and embrace the truth, and it shall be set free.

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FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016 T H I S D AY

63

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016

FRIDAYSPORTS Super Eagles Coaching Job Thrown Open

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Olawale Ajimotokan with agency report The Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) rose from its meeting in Abuja on Wednesday to among other decisions throw open to all candidates the vacant Super Eagles head coach position.

The committee wants the best candidate irrespective of nationality to be hired to lead Eagles in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers starting in October.

The interview for the Eagles post will be before the June 24 draw for World Cup qualifiers.

“After the friendly matches (vs Mali and Luxembourg), and before the 2018 FIFA World Cup group phase draw, the technical committee will initiate the process for the selection of a substantive technical crew for the Super Eagles, with a head coach,” said part of the communiqué from the meeting.

“A small team of eminently –qualified persons with the required pedigree will take charge of the process, and the best candidate would be selected, irrespective of whether he is indigenous or expatriate.”

Meanwhile, former Flying Eagles Coach, John Obuh, has called on Super Eagles players and all and sundry to get behind newly appointed interim senior national team handlers.

The NFF announced on Wednesday that the quartet of Salisu Yusuf, Alloy Agu, Imama Amakapabo and Kennedy Boboye will work with the NFF Technical Director, Shaibu Amodu for next month’s friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg.

Thus, Obuh who led the Flying Eagles to Colombia 2011 and Turkey 2013 FIFA Under-20 World Cups while saluting the choice of the tacticians by the NFF, also called on the Super Eagles players and all stakeholders to back them towards succeeding.

“It is a very good omen for Nigeria football. We should not forget that Imama is topping the league and Boboye is coming from behind, they are all doing well,” Obuh told Goal.com “As long as they have a good coordination from Amodu Shaibu which I believe they will get, I am very impressed they will succeed.

“It is not all about what the coaches will tell the players or what the players are going to do, it also involves everybody, I mean the fans, the managers and sponsors of the team.

“We have a lot of down falling of our football system and we must put hands together to be able to resolve it.

“I just pray that the players are not going to be political or join sides in what is going on. The coaches too need to concentrate and do their beats to ensure their inputs are felt

after the friendly games.

“And for the stakeholders in Nigeria football, they should wake up and let us solve our problems together.”

The Kwara United gaffer also bares his mind on whether the country should settle for an indigenous coach or an expatriate as Eagles’ permanent coach.

“It all depends on the supports. Either is good enough but all depends of the kind of support they get,” he continued.

“Whatever the NFF thinks they can give to the foreign coach, if they give the indigenous coaches that would be very nice.

“The colour of skin deceives us a lot, we might have given the local coaches time to provetheir worth, but have we given them the wherewithal to succeed? All I know is that no foreign coach would accept the kind of treatment meted out to our local coaches.

“For now, I would advice we stick with our indigenous coaches till everything is stabilised because as it stand, no one is talking about our financial capability to hire an expatriate,” he concluded.

Alexis Sanchez celebrating one of his two goals in Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat of West Brom in the Premiership… last night

reuters

LMC, La Liga Set to Seal Partnership on Tuesday A delegation of the Spanish League (La Liga) Board will arrive in Nigeria on Monday for a bilateral meeting with the League Management Company (LMC) to conclude discussions on collaboration between the two leagues which began during a similar visit by the LMC to Spain earlier this year.

The LMC Chairman, Shehu Dikko and the Chief Executive Officer, Hon. Nduka Irabor, were in Madrid, Spain from February

29 to March 1 for follow-up talks with the La Liga initiated talks when both Leagues met at the Forum of World Leagues in Germany.

The La Liga delegation will be led by the President, Javier Tebas, International Advisor, Melcior Solar, Head of La Liga South Africa, Antonia Barradas and the Head of La Liga Middle East office who is also in charge of African affairs, Fernando Sanz.

The two bodies are expected

to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for a partnership that will cover exchange of knowledge, trainings for Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club coaches and administrators, La Liga and NPFL clubs’ exchanges, marketing, commercial, promotional activities and Youth Development.

Dikko said the visit is a landmark for the NPFL as it will be a culmination of strategies for extensive and wholesome

development of the league.

“As a developing league, we have continuously sought collaborations with some of the global model league management and La Liga is the first of such coming into fruition. There are several benefits that will accrue from this relationship and we intend to tap deeply into their over 25 years of experience of commercialization of football,” said the LMC Chairman.

The delegation which will arrive

in Abuja on Monday will pay a courtesy visit to the Hon. Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung and the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria; will also undertake a tour of the Abuja National Stadium.

“The formal unveiling of the partnership between the NPFL and La Liga will hold on Tuesday while we would create opportunity for stakeholders to interact with the delegation at some point during the day”, Dikko further disclosed.

RIO2016: Siasia Reads Riot Acts to Dream Team VI Invitees Report to camp Monday or forget trip to Brazil Dream Team VI Head Coach, Samson Siasia, has warned that any of the players invited from the domestic leagues who fail to report to camp by Monday, April 25 should not bother coming to camp, as the technical crew will work with only players available to them and are willing to play at the Olympics.

Speaking after the team’s training session at the practice pitch of the Abuja National Stadium, yesterday, Siasia said he does not want to make the mistake of the past when players who had been penciled down by the coaching crew were not available when needed.

“I want to work with only the players on ground, and to get them to the shape I want,” Siasia reiterated.

On the issue of other teams in Nigeria’s Group B already announcing plans to include very

experienced over-aged players, the U-23 gaffer said the technical crew and the players are not scared of any individual player, but would rather bother about the quality of opposition at the Olympics’ football event.

“Yes, I have read of plans by Sweden to include someone like Zlatan Ibramovich as one of their over –aged players for the Games.

Good for them, but as far as we are concerned, there is nothing like fear. For us, we are trying to put up a team, and that will determine which players we are going to bring.

We have played against players of stronger calibre than Zlatan. We have played against Lionel Messi and Di Maria and others.

“We would rather think of the fact that they have a strong team tha t will play against us, and not individual players. I don’t want to jump around and start mentioning

names, and later if those players are not available, we would be disappointed. So, I have to be sure of what I am doing and when that time comes we will release the names.”

On the issue of players like John Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi showing interest in playing for Nigeria at the Olympics, Siasia remarked: “I guess that because Mikel missed out the last time, he wants to make up for it. Not only that, the last couple of games he has played for the Super Eagles, he has been playing very well, and if he wants to be part of the team, of course he is welcome, but as I said we have to look at the positions we really, really need people. We are not going to select players because they play for the Super Eagles or because they are still under the age bracket. They have to compete with those players who actually qualified the team

Siasia for the Olympics.”

Coach Siasia confirmed that he has sent a provisional list of 60 players for the Games. According to him, “if your name is not on that list, then no Olympics for you. That’s why we put as many names as we can, we don’t know the Europe

-based players whose clubs would release for the Games.”

The U-23 coach said he smiled and stood near Brazil coach, Dunga after the draws at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro: “I told myself this is the man I would be playing against in the Final Match!”

Friday, April 22, 2016

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MISSILE EFCC to Ekweremadu “The commission is not in the habit of awarding titles to individuals.

And those enamoured of titles, know the quarters to approach for such honours not the EFCC.” – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) distancing itself from a declaration by its National Assembly Liaison, Sulaiman Bakari, for naming Deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, the commission’s Anti-corruption Ambassador.

SHAKAMOMODU PDP’s ‘16 years of Rot’ THIS REPUBLIC

shaka.momodu@thisdaylive.com

S

ince the All Progressives Congress (APC) made it to the seat of power in 2015, it has been doing what it knows how to do best: bristling and spewing propaganda. The unfortunate thing here is that while it got away with it as an opposition party, it is proving a different kettle of fish as the party in power. Its self-assured hubris and the potency of its magical abilities sold on a hypnotic propaganda are being challenged every day by reality. But the party is yet to come to terms with this reality and has continued to fiddle and twaddle about, exposing its unpreparedness even more, for the onerous task of governance.

It has wailed and whined endlessly, assailing the people with excuses about the scale of rot in the past 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party’s rule. It has portrayed the president as working very hard to correct the defects in the economic, governance and social structures bequeathed to it by past administrations, thereby laying a solid foundation for a new order. The APC has exalted President Muhammadu Buhari as a godsend to save Nigeria from the treasury-looting PDP and its supporters and to whom Nigerians must constantly express gratitude to. It is now the new mantra in a constantly evolving narrative of “true lies”, half-truths, propaganda and endless excuses for its gross inability to deliver on the promises upon which it rode to power. On the whole, it has been more talk, buck passing and less action on governance and the economy, as high expectations turn into despair; hopes of millions for a rebirth called change are crushed by its startling ineptitude and incompetence in governance particularly in the handling of the economy.

Even APC’s once loud and vivacious mob supporters, name-calling everyone else who tried to make them see they were betting on the wrong horse have become hoarse; their hauteur tamed by the daily suffering in long queues for fuel to move around and power their generators. They had helped to spread the numerous rumours/ lies told by political shylocks with a narcissist desire for power; only lies made sense to them then. These accomplices of the tragedy we now have upon us now walk about looking forlorn, dejected, and angry at the let-down thus far, but are still in denial of the unfolding reality that the government cannot give what it does not have. It is very ironic that the majority of the APC fans have been hit hard by the economic crisis, a punishing fuel shortage, crippling power outages and a grinding cash crunch resulting from economic stagnation.

The once famous “body language” which was credited with every seeming little progress has disappeared from their lips. They are worried stiff over the government’s staggering lack of interest to apply the brakes to an economy that is racing to the bottom of the abyss. Or should one call it a lack of capacity on its part to chart a new path to the future it promised the people with electrifying fervour? There is no gainsaying the fact that the president’s warm embrace of command and control economic management is firmly rooted in his ultra-conservative nature and cannot change despite the lavish attempt to dangerously present him as a “born-again-phenomenon”. To boot, his disdain for a market-driven economy is rooted

Buhari in the primitive belief that any hint of wealth stinks of corruption.

That, however, is not the thrust of this write-up.

The thrust here is to interrogate the new narrative with facts and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is not a grain of truth in the headline, “The 16 years of rot”, the strapline for a new narrative. Even though I firmly believe Nigeria could have done far better and achieved far more than it did, but for the greed of a few visionless thieves in the corridors of power both at state and federal levels. However it will amount to sheer lunacy, purposeful dishonesty and a travesty beyond comprehension to dismiss the past 16 years on a wholesale as “waste” or “rot”. More so it is an irony that some of the early “body language” achievements joyously celebrated with fanfare were predicated on the foundation and successes of the “16 years of rot” left behind by the PDP. But now that things have faltered, they are back to their familiar blame game.

The questions are: was the rot not there when they were celebrating the powerful effect of Buhari’s “body language”? Is it not strange that all the policies they are currently implementing are products of the “16 years of rot”? The now celebrated TSA was introduced during the “16 years of rot”. And going by statements from the presidency, some of the items on Buhari’s trip to China were follow-ups on earlier agreements on some of the already initiated programmes of the last administration which are part of the “16 years of rot” left behind.

There is hardly a week that passes without the top echelon of the APC and their supporters not lamenting how the PDP “destroyed” Nigeria in 16 years. While this new campaign has sucked many in, especially considering the revelation of the mind-boggling corruption in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), however the evidence to support the recycled claim that the past 16 years have been a “total waste” under the PDP points to the contrary. There is a saying in the land of my fathers that stupidity is better hidden than displayed in the market place.

Who among us will claim not to remember the parlous and distressing state Nigeria was in 1999?

Except for the thoroughly excitable teenagers of the internet age of today whose fascination and adrenalin rush comes from posting fiction on the

0811 266 1654

social media. Interestingly, they know nothing about the history of their country but know not that they know nothing.

In 1999, when the military handed over power to President Olusegun Obasanjo of the PDP, Nigeria was in a perilous situation - a broke country on the brink of economic collapse. The country was a pariah nation with a non-existent credit rating and massive debts owed to two giant international syndicates: the Paris Club and London Club of creditors. Our total foreign debt stood at $35.916 billion as at June 2005. The chunk of the debt - $31 billion was owed to 15 of the 19 creditor-countries of the Paris Club.

In 2006, Obasanjo successfully negotiated and paid off almost $20 billion to the two international syndicates after securing $18billion debt relief for the country from the creditors. It was an unprecedented global feat made possible by high oil prices because of the US/Iraq war of 2003, more prudent management of resources, deft diplomacy, and a savings culture by a determined president. That decision freed the country from the stranglehold of the foreign debt that was threatening to turn it into a junk nation, and opened it up to massive foreign investment inflows.

But before this, Obasanjo had taken some bold and sweeping decisions to secure the nation’s democracy by subordinating the military to civilian authority. Among other things, he purged it of all political soldiers and adventurers (soldiers who had held political appointments) and refocused the military on its core constitutional duty of protecting the territorial integrity of the country.

It is to the credit of former President Obasanjo that he understood the need to set Nigeria up for economic recovery and for it to fully embrace a free market, private sector-driven economy. He immediately set up the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) for the task of evaluating and privatising state-owned loss-incurring companies through a transparent and competitive bidding process. It is interesting to say that most of those privatised companies have been transformed into better managed entities and grown to prodigious status.

Let me remind those with short memories that 16 years ago, it was a luxury and a status symbol if you had a telephone line. There were no mobile phones existing in the country which from 1960 to 2000 had only 400,000 mostly fixed lines and a dismal 0.4 per cent tele-density. Except for a few super rich and famous who could afford expensive satellite phones. The revolution in the telecommunications industry which happened in the past 16 years has been unprecedented in the history of Africa. It has seen active mobile telephone lines by 2011 jump to 89.8 million; has since crossed the 100 million mark and is still growing. People no longer drive several kilometres to NITEL offices to queue just to make a phone call locally or internationally. Each time these rumour-mongers press a button on their cell phones to make a call or connect to their social media platforms via the internet, they should remember that it was made possible by the PDP within the 16 years of “rot”. In terms of growth, Continued on page 61

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