Monday 2nd May 2016

First Bank Leads, As CBN Sells $669m to Banks in April Removal of forex controls hurts Argentina’s economy, fuels protest

Obinna Chima

of foreign exchange (forex) to end users in the economy, returns on forex utilisation published by commercial and merchant banks have shown that it allocated a total of

As the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continues with its demand management in the allocation

$669,405,241 in April.

The sum compiled by THISDAY was $251,947 lower than the $921,352,549 sold to banks in March.

But the CBN remained

unable to adequately meet the dollar demands of banks on behalf of their customers, as the central bank continued to refund banks for huge volumes of unfulfilled bids

at the weekly forex auctions.

Forex demand in April covered importation requirements for fuel, spare parts, machinery and equipment, repatriation of capital, air

ticket remittances, payments for foreign loans, school fees, personal and business travel allowances.

Continued on page 11

Kogi Asks Supreme Court to Nullify House Resolution on Take over of State Assembly… Page 12 Monday 2 May, 2016 Vol 21. No 7648. Price: N250

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Accommodation Crisis Hits Buhari’s Ministers Many reside in dingy hotels, ask for N20m to rent secure, fit and proper homes in Abuja

Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja Six months after President Muhammadu Buhari swore in his ministers, most of them have still not settled down in Abuja and are groaning because the N4 million approved by the president as their yearly accommodation allowance have not been able to rent

any meaningful house in Abuja, THISDAY has learnt.

The N4 million, THISDAY findings reviewed, can only rent flats and not homes, and giving the need for security, those flats which have many other tenants in the building, are not secure or fit for purpose.

Continued on page 10

THISDAY DELIVERS JOURNALISM OF VALUE: HOME AND DESIGN MAGAZINE INSIDE

ALUTA CONTINUA…

L-R: President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Bobboi Bala Kaigama; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Mohammed Bello; and President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Ayuba Wabba, at the Workers’ Day rally in Eagle Square, Abuja… yesterday. See stories on pages 10,51,52&58 adeboye kingsley

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MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 • T H I S D AY

PAGE TEN

NLC Asks FG to Set up Special Account for Recovered Funds We need willing partners in anti-graft war, says Buhari Paul Obi in Abuja As Nigerians yesterday celebrated Workers’ Day, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) called on the federal government to urgently set up a special and separate account for recovered looted funds and channel such funds to job creation, describing rising unemployment as Nigeria’s greatest economic crisis at present.

The call came as President Muhammadu Buhari said government was in dire need of willing partners in the fight against corruption, stating that the administration remained committed to addressing the current economic ills in the country.

Represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, the president said: “This administration shall effect positive change in the lives of average Nigerians to ensure that the downtrodden are elevated, and most importantly to fight the intense pain of corruption which has enriched the very few to the detriment of the majority of Nigerians who groan under the overwhelming weight of poverty and all the super structural and infrastructure maladies resulting from corruption.

“In this fight against corruption, I need you all to be very willing partners. Fighting corruption in the public service, in particular, requires workers to play a major role by cooperating with the government."

Speaking against the backdrop of the excruciating economic hardship in the country, Buhari said: “I make no excuse as this government of the APC is determined to tackle headlong, all socio-economic ills that have troubled our nation and we shall evolve solutions to emerging threats to our wellbeing and the realisation of sustainable development, as well as growth anchored on equity and social justice.”

While requesting the cooperation of organised labour, the president

observed that the partnership was necessary for a vibrant economy and increased investment.

“I request your cooperation and understanding as partners in progress. The need to ensure a conducive atmosphere devoid of incessant industrial actions becomes paramount to ensure no loss of mandays and accordingly, promote high productivity, which is a prerequisite for sustainable development based on increased investment, creation of jobs as well as protection of jobs.

“I further assure you that working together, this administration will protect workers’ rights and shall promote incentives for great productivity and enhance greater prosperity,” he said.

Addressing the large number of workers at the Eagle Square, venue of the Workers’ Day celebration, NLC President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, said the call for government to set up a special account has become imminent so as to address the monster of unemployment ravaging Nigeria, which he said was capable of derailing the country’s social and economic prospects.

Wabba said: “Nigerians had voted the current APC government under President Muhammadu Buhari in the belief that his personal integrity as a man of virtue and experience, would help to bring about positive change in their lives, as promised in the party’s campaign slogan of ‘Change’.

“This May 2016 marked the first anniversary of the coming into office of the current administration.

What has been the scorecard of the government in addressing the problems it met on assuming the reins of governance? What has happened in the areas of national security, in the fight against corruption, in the efforts to revive the economy and provide jobs to Nigerians, to cite a few concrete areas in the last 12 months?”

The NLC stated that it takes the

issue of corruption seriously, given the ripple effects it has on the nation.

He said: “As organised labour, we were perhaps the first to share the current government’s concern about the impact of corruption on our national life.

“We believe that one of the fundamental problems of our country at the moment is endemic corruption.

This has penetrated all facets of our national life and is responsible in a very large part for our retarded development.

“Indeed, there is a convergence between our own promise to Nigerian workers during our 11th Delegates Conference in February/March 2015 and the campaign promise of President Buhari during the general election, which came after ours on March 28, 2015.

“This was what motivated us early in September 2015 to mobilise our members and allies in the civil society to have the one day national rally against corruption and for good governance.

“In our letter to Mr. President, the leadership of the National Assembly and state governors on that occasion, we canvassed for all stolen funds identified and recovered to be kept in a special account and appropriated for job creation, funding education, infrastructure and upgrading our health care infrastructure; “The establishment of special anticorruption courts to try corruption cases throughout the country; all elected and appointed public officers to publicly declare their assets and liabilities upon assumption of office; an urgent need to review and strengthen our anti-corruption legislations; an expansion of the whistle blowing and fraud protocol by the EFCC to include payment of 10 per cent of the forfeited undeclared assets to the whistle-blowers/informants when successfully prosecuted; “For anti-corruption agencies to, as a matter of urgency, extend

their searchlight to the two tiers of government, the states and local governments; the appointment of anti-graft judges as provided for in the ICPC Act, in the 36 states of the federation to handle corruptionrelated cases exclusively; and a drastic downward review of the unsustainable high cost of operating the current democratic dispensation.”

Wabba also deplored the federal government’s sloppiness at engendering a reliable electoral system for the country, stressing that the government’s indifference to the calls for thorough electoral reforms has severe consequences on the polity.

“In our last May Day address, we were full of praise for the former chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, for his firmness in refusing to be manipulated by politicians, and for standing his grounds in ensuring that new technological innovations helped to reduce rigging substantially in the March/April 2015 general elections.

“We also praised the statesmanly role played by then President Goodluck Jonathan in allowing the will of the electorate to prevail without executive interference.

“However, the required reforms needed to perpetually guarantee this nation free, fair and credible elections are not yet completed.

“Despite the fact that in the last 12 months of President Buhari's regime, INEC has been left to run its show as it deems fit, the desperation of politicians of the two mainstream parties gives us a lot of cause for concern.

“Unless the unfinished reforms started with the partial implementation of the Justice Mohammed Uwais’ electoral reform committee are completed, we see danger ahead.

“Among these reforms waiting to be implemented is the establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission.

For us in organised labour, unless our politicians know that there is a real possibility that their electoral

rascalities carry real penalties of jail terms or long-term disqualification from contesting for public office, the type of disgraceful mayhem witnessed during the recent election in Rivers and other states would continue unabated.

“Similarly, unless we fine-tune the procedure for the appointment of the chairman and key officers of the electoral management body as recommended in the Justice Uwais report, the current progress made in the independence and operations of INEC are not irreversible,” Wabba stated.

On the electricity tariff hike, NLC observed that all its demands “have failed to persuade government to do the right thing”.

“We have the mandate of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of congress that should this intransigence on the part of government, the Discos and Gencos continues, we must prepare to hold a national strike to force the reversal of the latest increases.

“We call on Mr. President to direct his officers running the agencies and ministry responsible for the electricity sector to respect the overwhelming wish of Nigerians, and halt the increase,” he said.

While tackling the governor of Kaduna State for the second time, the NLC president added: “As organised labour, we are determined to stop Governor el-Rufai from trampling on the fundamental rights of our members.

“We are not prepared to surrender our hard-won rights/freedom to belong to unions, to a governor, who yesterday (during the January 2012 fuel protests) was happy to wear our union T-shirt and march with us on the streets of Abuja.

“In the interest of industrial peace and harmony in the state, we call on the governor’s superiors in the ruling party to advise him to retreat from the path he has chosen.

“We want to ask our allies in

civil society among professional bodies, market men and women, peasants and others to continue to join hands with us as we campaign to build a more equal society from what currently obtains."

Also, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) President, Bobboi Kaigama, bemoaned the approach the federal and state were adopting in running the economy.

“When a budget is delayed, the economy and the people suffer, which is exactly what we are facing right now. Nevertheless, we are not so much bothered about the increase or decrease in the budget provided the money is judiciously used. There is the dire need to increase investment in infrastructure as a way to revive the economy.

“For example, Dunlop closed shop because it was spending about N150 million to power its plants monthly.

The federal government must show its seriousness by ensuring that the budget pays special attention to infrastructure and job creation.

“More teachers, military and police officers need to be employed.

The private sector likewise needs a friendly environment to operate,” Kaigama said.

He stated that “the idea of empowering market women via loans is good. However, we frown on governors giving male and female goats to widows in the name of ‘empowerment’.

Getting graduates to sweep the streets can also not be adjudged to be empowerment. Under the framework system theory, when an organ is affected others naturally feel it too.

“When infrastructure, for instance, is fixed other sectors will find their bearing. We expect much from this government in the area of economic diversification into non-oil sectors such as agriculture, solid minerals, communications, science and technology and other revenuegenerating areas,” he stressed.

residences when they visit Abuja.

“By virtue of their office, some ministers such as those in charge of foreign affairs, budget and national planning, finance, trade and investment, health, and education, among others, often host foreign dignitaries from missions, embassies and international or multilateral donor agencies. Accordingly, they would need befitting accommodation.

“It would not be in our interest for such dignitaries to be hosted in tiny flats or in far flung suburbs outside the metropolis, which is what the N4 million can afford at the moment. Besides, there might also be security concerns about allowing ministers to live in such suburbs or even hosting foreign dignitaries there.

“Right now, the absence of accommodation also means that many of them have not been able to relocate their families and have been shuttling on a regular basis to cater to the home front. Realistically, that will be a distraction that the administration could do without,” the aide said.

Another aide, who preferred not to be named, blamed the problem on the monetisation programme of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration,

resulting in the sale of official residences built for ministers and other top government functionaries in Abuja.

“In the past, former ministers lived in purpose-built spacious mansions in Maitama, the Ministers’ Hill, also in Maitama, and the Ministers’ Quarters in Mabushi, which were all within the Abuja metropolis.

“But those official residences were sold to former ministers.

So their successors have had to rent accommodation starting with the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

“And with the N4 million approved by President Buhari, it is next to impossible for the ministers to rent anything decent,” the source said.

He added that the problem does not just apply to ministers but also the principal officers of the National Assembly.

“The Obasanjo administration should not have sold the official residences of the Senate president, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and their deputies to Senator David Mark, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, and others.

“Today, the FCDA is spending billions of naira building another set of official residences for the National Assembly’s principal officers.

Had the government retained

them, billions could have been saved in building a new set of residences for the leadership of parliament,” he said.

A survey carried out by THISDAY revealed that a four to five-bedroom detached house in Wuse II, Abuja, goes for anywhere between N8 million to N10 million per annum. The rate is almost the same in Gwarinpa Phase 1 and Utako, Abuja, while a four-bedroom detached house in Maitama or Asokoro goes for between N10 million and N15 million per annum.

ACCOMMODATION CRISIS HITS BUHARI’S MINISTERS Usually, accommodation for ministers, special advisers and other political office holders is quickly resolved shortly after their swearing-in to enable them settle down to their official responsibilities.

But owing to the inadequacy of the funds approved for their accommodation by Buhari, some ministers have been forced to stay in dingy hotels or squat with friends and relatives, it was gathered.

The ministers, THISDAY learnt, are concerned that it would be next to impossible for them to get accommodation befitting their offices with N4 million in Abuja and have repeatedly appealed to Buhari to review it upwards to N20 million per annum, but their request has been turned down.

According to a source in the presidency, “In a bid to make their case, all the ministers who had formed a committee on the issue of their accommodation met with Buhari last week Wednesday, but he rejected their request because his hands are tied by the Remuneration Act, even though he empathises with their situation.

“They were asking for N20 million per annum for their accommodation. But prior to last week’s meeting,

several other options had been proposed, including buying an estate or the FCDA (Federal Capital Development Authority) building one, but these were considered expensive and dropped.

“The final option was the request for N20 million per annum, because some ministers are squatting in Abuja and the situation is impacting on their jobs.”

However, the president was said to have balked at increasing the accommodation allowance to N20 million on the grounds that the administration could suffer a backlash from the public.

The source also explained that the N4 million approved by the president was in line with the current remuneration package for public office holders in the ministerial cadre set by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) under the Remuneration Act of 2007.

Under the current package, ministers are entitled to N4,052,800 as housing allowance per annum. The housing allowance is 200 per cent of a minister’s annual remuneration.

They are also entitled to N6,079,200 as furniture allowance. The furniture

allowance is 300 per cent of a minister’s annual salary.

But unlike the housing allowance, the furniture allowance is paid once in four years. This means the furniture allowance per annum is N1,519,800.

THISDAY also gathered that ministers will be entitled to N8,105,600 as motor vehicle allowance, but will come in the form of a loan repayable by the end of a minister’s tenure.

However, aides of the ministers conversant with the problem, informed THISDAY that some compromise would have to be reached so that the ministers could find decent accommodation in Abuja.

“We hope there will be a meeting point over what the president has approved for the ministers and the special advisers who are on the same level, as the N4 million is not realistic at all.

“Some of these public office holders were past governors and chief executives in private concerns before they were appointed, and it will be unfair to downgrade their living standards,” one ministerial aide stated.

He added that the nature of their jobs also requires some ministers to host local and foreign dignitaries at their

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

PAGE ELEVEN

Nigerian Tannery under Scrutiny over Failed Projects Funded by UK Aid A Nigerian tannery supplying leather for Ralph Lauren shirts that sell for £2,000 in some of the world’s most exclusive boutiques has received funding from British taxpayers.

Thousands of pounds of foreign aid was spent on two failed projects at the tannery in Kano State where, according to officials, workers also prepare hides used to make designer goods for luxury brand Louis Vuitton, the Mail on Sunday has reported.

At the weekend, the extraordinary revelation that overseas aid funds have been used to support the multi-billionpound fashion industry sparked a furious reaction from British members of parliament (MPs) demanding an end to the UK’s commitment to spend at least 0.7 per cent of national income on foreign aid.

MP Jacob Rees Mogg said: “No one expects British aid money to subsidise the likes of Louis Vuitton, they are quite capable of paying their own way. It is not the right approach for overseas aid at all.”

A Mail on Sunday investigation has discovered that the British Council provided cash for two disastrous projects at God’s Little Tannery, which is on the northern boundary of the sprawling city of Kano in northern Nigeria.

One scheme was to treat effluent from the factory, so that harmful chemicals could be extracted, avoiding the pollution of a nearby river. It was halted because large fans needed for the process never arrived.

The other project was an attempt to make poultry feed from by-products of the leather production process.

Both schemes would no doubt be welcomed by the fashion industry which is under pressure to improve its ethical credentials.

Mr Rees Mogg added: “If you look in the annual reports of these big fashion companies they will have a statement on their social and environmental policy.

“It will almost certainly say they work to the highest social and environmental standards.

These are the sort of projects they volunteer to take on and they can’t expect the cost of it to fall on British tax payers.”

The newspaper's investigators charted the incredible journey of the leather hides from the dilapidated tannery in Kano to the hub of the African leather importing business in Southern Italy.

The majority of the God’s Little Tannery skins shipped to Southern Italy are bought by leather agents the Romano brothers who in turn sell them on

is run by the Morelli Group owned by Monaldo Morelli. His company has 200 employees and an annual turnover of around £35 million.

Mr. Morelli said: “They [the suede items] started in Nigeria.”

Production development manager at Morelli, Allegra Colussi, showed off a suede women’s shirt for Ralph Lauren

which was made using Nigerian suede from Europell.

Named the Charmain, the suede shirt is destined to be part of Ralph Lauren’s forthcoming collection.

Senior product manager at Morelli, Valentina Zancarlin, said the factory sells items such as the shirt to Ralph Lauren for around £275.

The fashion giant will then mark up the garment by seven or eight times – meaning the Charmain shirt will be expected to retail for more than £2,000.

Ralph Lauren failed to respond to requests to discuss its forthcoming collection, but a similar shirt currently available on the company’s website costs £1,882.

Back in Kano, Winston Udeagha, eldest son of God’s Little Tannery owner Kofi Udeagha, said his supervisors earned around £100 a month and that the company sold the skins for £1.40 per square metre.

He said his company had been dealing with Louis Vuitton for 16 years.

At the tannery, workers dip goatskins into vats of chemicals wearing black bin-liners adapted as aprons around their waists.

Professor Abdul Audu, former head of chemistry at Bayero University in Kano, was involved in the British Council project to

manage the impact of effluent when it was launched in 2008.

He revealed: “I instructed the management to dig a large pit where we could install machinery to assist in the separation of chemicals. The pit was dug but it turned out that further work was impossible.”

The second scheme backed by the British Council concerned poultry feed. For several months hundreds of chickens were fed pomo – a food made from boiling cow, goat or sheep skin.

It is a porridge-like meal eaten by some Nigerians. A control group of birds fed regular feed, maize and palm kernels did far better so the scheme was scrapped. Together, the schemes cost the British Council £10,000.

In September 2011 the British Council also spent £2,000 flying top British leather designer Bill Amberg to a fashion week in Nigeria’s capital, Lagos.

The council is officially a registered charity, but receives 20 per cent of its funding from the Foreign Office.

A spokesman for the British Council said it had made a “small contribution” to the business in 2007. He added: “It makes a positive contribution to the Nigerian economy which helps to stabilise the region.”

Louis Vuitton declined to comment.

naira despite a plunge in oil prices that slashed revenue in Africa’s biggest oil producer.

The central bank has instead effectively banned imports of some goods restricted foreign

currency supply and has pegged the naira at N197 N199 per dollar in the past year. It has also introduced other measures such as restrictions of the use of electronic payment cards abroad.

Emefiele recently described the current scarcity of forex confronting the country as good riddance, saying local production of various essential goods were being given top priority.

Winston Udeagha, the eldest son of the owner of God's Tannery factory in Kano to a local tannery called Europell.

There the hides are turned into suede and then sold on to factories in Tuscany and northern Italy that produce clothes, bags and shoes for a host of designer brands, including Yves Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren, Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo and Valentino.

One of the Tuscan factories

FIRST BANK LEADS, AS CBN SELLS $669M TO BANKS IN APRIL The Dangote Group, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc (NSPM), Forte Oil Plc, Matrix Energy Limited, Dozzy Oil and Gas Limited were the major buyers of forex in April.

Just like the previous month, allocations for the payment of tuition fees overseas were the most numerous items. Some market commentators have queried the genuineness of the claims for the huge forex demand for school fees which has remained unabated.

During the month, FirstBank Nigeria Limited got the highest forex allocation totalling $74,673,190, but was lower than the $79,428,530 it got in March.

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank) was allocated $67,146,192 to come in second in April, but its allocations were significantly lower than the $102,565,144 it got in March.

Stanbic IBTC, which was allocated $62,939,062 by the central bank in the month under review, held the third position. The amount it got in April was a 37 per cent reduction compared with the $100,590,015 it was allocated the previous month.

Similarly, Zenith Bank, which got a total of $62,137,299 from the central bank to occupy the fourth place, also had lower allocation in April, as against the $102,279,505 it got in March.

Diamond Bank Plc came in fifth with $60,083,783 it got from the central bank, lower than $77,911,934 it was allocated the previous month.

Coming in after Diamond Bank were Ecobank Nigeria Limited — $47,784,362; United Bank for Africa Plc —

$47,372,870; First City Monument Bank Plc — $45,598,700; Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited — $43,613,801; Access Bank Plc — $35,978,594 and Sterling Bank — $29,117,443.

Meanwhile, while Nigeria’s central bank has firmly held on to its decision not to loosen its forex controls and devalue the naira despite strong criticisms, the decision taken by Argentina to relax its forex policy is currently hurting the South American economy.

Argentina’s strongest unions brought thousands of people into the streets last Friday to protest against high inflation and job cuts in the biggest demonstrations against President Mauricio Macri since he took office in December.

Demonstrators waving blue and white Argentine flags flooded the main avenues of Buenos Aires, blocking traffic in a protest that brought together rival unions which put aside their individual differences to unite and protest Macri’s policies.

On December 16th, 2015, Alfonso Prat-Gay, the country’s finance minister named by Argentina’s new centre-right president Macri had announced that he would lift el cepo (forex restrictions) immediately, to allow the peso float freely.

Prat-Gay had said the “objective is to get the wheel turning again”, as he announced its removal.

But the uncontrolled devaluation of the peso has pushed inflation in the country which was 25 per cent then, much higher. Argentines

continue to lose purchasing power to an inflation rate estimated at 30 per cent.

US-based TV network, ABC News, also reported that thousands of state employees have been fired since the decision was taken last December. The job cuts and the recent elimination of subsidies, which have led to sharp increases in everything from bus rides to light bills, have stoked unrest in a nation with a long tradition of providing generous state jobs and benefits.

Pro-business Macri has said measures are needed to revive Argentina’s stagnant economy, attract foreign investment and end economic distortions that have led to years of consistently high inflation.

“There’s a critical situation in Argentina and we’re not seeing a solution ahead,” said Pablo Micheli, leader of the Central Workers Union, which includes many public sector employees.

A recent report by an opposition think tank, the Argentine Centre for Economic Policy, said 141,542 workers lost their jobs between December and March, mostly in the private sector.

Layoffs have hit particularly hard in Argentina’s oil-rich south as companies try to stay afloat despite low oil prices.

About 40,000 workers in the construction sector were laid off from January to March, Argentina’s Construction Workers Union said.

In Nigeria, with the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari, the CBN under Mr. Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele has rejected calls to devalue the

BANK RETURNS ON FOREX UTILISATION FOR APRIL 2016 ($’M) RANKING

BANK

4TH-8TH

11TH-15TH

18TH-22ND

25TH-30TH

TOTAL ($’M)

01

FirstBank

14,480,540

14,163,477

31,427,590

14,601,583

74,673,190

02

GTBank

24,556,150

14,808,285

13,474,564

14,307,193

67,146,192

03

Stanbic IBTC

17,625,499

15,908,026

16,495,298

12,910,239

62,939,062

04

Zenith Bank

19,590,562

16,691,793

12,914,396

12,940,548

62,137,299

05

Diamond

21,576,682

13,819,849

13,671,749

11,015,503

60,083,783

06

Ecobank

15,319,241

13,252,922

10,246,163

8,966,036

47,784,362

07

UBA

12,751,315

10,723,899

11,912,970

11,984,686

47,372,870

08

FCMB

10,689,034

13,358,244

11,755,450

9,795,972

45,598,700

09

StandChart

N/A

18,652,838

10,365,476

14,595,487

43,613,801

10

Access Bank

8,057,024

12,947,266

6,851,778

8,122,526

35,978,594

11

Sterling Bank

8,099,228

7,708,198

7,696,042

5,613,975

29,117,443

12

Fidelity

7,019,530

7,095,657

6,259,365

8,005,763

28,380,315

13 14

Union Bank Citibank

10,707,425 6,249,201

N/A N/A

8,116,722 10,305,244

6,418,482 6,506,631

25,242,629 23,061,076

15

Wema Bank

4,188,005

4,247,939

N/A

N/A

8,435,944

16

Unity Bank

1,738,343

2,993,864

N/A

2,751,003

7,483,030

17

Keystone

N/A

N/A

5,372,163

N/A

5,372,163

18

Heritage

2,078,700

N/A

N/A

N/A

2,078,700

01

Coronation

1,754,478

3,084,382

5,066,820

N/A

9,905,680

02

FSDH

1,826,320

N/A

1,662,595

1,852,168

5,341,083

03

RMB Nigeria

1,181,830

1,183,415

1,262,408

1,031,672

4,659,325

04

FBN Merchant

N/A

N/A

1,500,000

1,500,000

MERCHANT BANKS

TOTAL N/A: Not Available; Source: Banks’ weekly returns and THISDAY

3,000,000 669,405,241

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MONDAY MAY 2, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

News Editor Davidson Iriekpen Email davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081

JNI: Blaming Fulani Herdsmen for Benue, Enugu Attacks Absurd IPOB, Ohanaeze youths tackle northern govs for defending herdsmen South-east govs to visit troubled Nimbo community this week

Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu and Gboyega Akinsanmi in Lagos and Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) yesterday said it was absurd to blame Fulani herdsmen for the brutal murders of innocent citizens in Agatu, Benue State, Nnibo, Enugu State and some parts of Nasarawa State.

JNI, an umbrella group of all Nigerian Muslims, however condemned in strong terms the repeated attacks on the innocent citizens, thereby calling on the relevant security agencies to arrest the trend.

It expressed concern over the incessant attacks in a statement by its Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, saying taking up of arms against other citizens “portends grave danger to Nigeria.”

In the statement, the group said it received with great shock and deep concern the news of incessant killings and maiming of innocent lives and the destruction of public and private properties.

But the statement rejected sectional views across the country that blamed Fulani herdsmen for the brutal killing of people in Agatu, Nnibo and some parts of Nasarawa State.

The statement noted that it “is indeed absurd and most unfortunate that certain groups or people ascribe the incidence on ethnic and/or religious premise and to whimsically apportion blame in order to batter the gradual restoration of peace and security in Nigeria.”

It pointed out that the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State “has debunked the rumours.

Likewise, the Inspector General of Police (IG) has also debunked the insinuations over those being blamed.”

It therefore cautioned against packaging crimes in religious and ethnic garments, noting that crimes “are abominable and whoever commits them is criminal.

Security agencies should brace up in being proactive and utilise maximally intelligence reports in order to nip in the bud possible eruptions of security problems

within and around communities.”

While condemning the repeated heinous attacks, it called on security agencies “to brace up to the trends in order to put a stop to this ugly tide, as human lives are sacred and must be seen to be treated as so.”

The statement said the group, indeed all Nigerians, viewed the fall out of these repeated attacks, particularly the taking up of arms against other citizens as another trend of insecurity, which it said, portended grave danger to the nation.

It said: “We must not forget so soon the adverse effect of the so-called Boko Haram group that claimed the lives of many innocent lives. Hundreds have been abducted, the male forced into insurgency and the females into slavery.“Millions more are wallowing in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Nigeria and in refugee camps in neighbouring countries. public and private properties worth trillions of Naira have been destroyed.”

However, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide and the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) have condemned Northern Governors Forum (NGF) for refusing to criminalise the actions of the murderous Fulani herdsmen.

In separate reactions to the outcome of the NGF meeting in Kaduna last Friday, both IPOB and OYC said the 19 governors from northern states have unmasked themselves as the sponsors of the rampaging herdsmen.

The NGF had in their communiqué reportedly said it was an insult to regard Fulani herdsmen as criminals and even went as far as standing facts on its head by saying “kidnapping originated from South-east does not make us call it Igbo kidnappers.”

But IPOB in a statement issued by the head media and publicity, Emma Powerful strongly condemned the statements from the northern governors which he said was cosmetic and provocative for them to deny that the Hausa-Fulani terrorist groups (masquerading as herdsmen) were not killers and criminals.”

“The statements by the so-called

governors who were elected to protect the lives and property of the people prove to the whole world that they are the sponsors of the new emergent terrorist group in disguise as Hausa-Fulani herdsmen and cattle rearers,” IPOB said.

The pro-Biafra group reminded the NGF that “the massacre of our brothers and sisters by the northern governors through their foot soldiers Hausa-Fulani terrorist group in Biafra land will not be in vain” as God Almighty would hold them accountable for the blood of the innocent people killed by the rampaging herdsmen.

IPOB accused the northern governors of indulging in hypocrisy and speaking from both sides of the mouth by their “condemnation of the killing of our people in Agatu in Benue State, Uzo- Uwani Enugu State and Delta State after they had promoted those who committed the heinous crime.

“It doesn’t reflect the true character of people who respect the rule of law,” IPOB said, adding that the governors of the South-east and South-south should decode the hidden message in the statement from the northern governors.

“We, IPOB, call on the South-east, South-south governors, Senators, House of Representatives members, politicians, traditional rulers, elders, statesmen and state Houses of Assembly members to sit up for what is coming because Hausa -Fulani Boko Haram terrorist group alleged and their governors have perfected plans to exterminate the lives of the people of Biafra through the Fulani cattle rearers,” the pro-Biafra group said.

The OYC in its reaction pointedly accused the northern governors of being behind the murderous attacks by the herdsmen who have been carrying out attacks in the Middle Belt and Southern part of

the country.

In a statement signed by the trio of the national vice-president, Mazi Obinna Achonye, the Coordinator of Ohanaeze Youths in Niger Delta, Comrade Opurum Cheya, and the Rivers State Chairman of OYC, Bobby Ezemuonye, the OYC stated that the “careless statement from the northern governors is an affront to Ndigbo.”

The OYC, which is the youth wing of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, flayed the members of the NGF for their protective posturing and exoneration of the blood thirsty herdsmen whose violent activities have continued to attract local and international condemnations.

“Instead of joining millions of sane minds across the globe in condemning the atrocities of the herdsmen especially last week’s invasion of Enugu community, the governors were busy absolving the criminals of any wrong doing,” OYC

lamented.

According to the Ohanaeze youths, the 19 northern governors have failed to show good leadership and should bury their heads in shame for defending criminals, adding that “the careless statement by the northern governors amounts to adding insult to injury on the genocide carried out by the Fulani herdsmen in Nimbo community in Uzo- Uwani local government of Enugu State”.

Said the OYC: The statement (by NGF) portends serious danger to our national security and we stand to be corrected in our conviction that the Northern Governors by their utterance are the real sponsors of these herdsmen.

“Instead of condoling with the families of the victims of the unprovoked attacks, the governors were trying to legalise illegality. We have no reason to doubt that the herdsmen are their foot solders acting their evil script.”

PROMOTING CULTURE

L-R:Minister,Information,ArtsandCulture,AlhajiLaiMohammed;formerGovernorofPlateauState,SenatorJoshuaDariye;DeputyGovernor,Prof.Sonni Tyoden;andDirector,ProtocolandPublicRelations,FederalMinistryofInformationandCulture,Mr.PeterDama,atthe2016PuusKaatannualMwaghavul KingdomCulturalFestivalinMangutown,PlateauState....yesterday

TSA Transaction Fees: CBN, OAGF Seek Resolution Ugo Aliogo The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) are in active engagement to resolve the issue of fees payable based on existing contract to the federal government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) platform provider and commercial banks.

The engagement comes six months after the platform providers and the commercial banks were directed to hand over processing fees for services already provided and further instructed to stop charging for TSA revenue collection services to the federal government.

The CBN had via a letter,

dated October 27, 2015, signed by the Director of Banking and Payments Systems Department, Dipo Fatokun, directed SystemSpecs Limited, the providers of the federal government TSA platform to return all fees earned since the inception of the project.

In the letter, Fatokun said: “I have been directed to inform you that you should refund all charges made in to MDAs accounts as a result of the implementation of the TSA.” Fatokun concluded, “Please note that you are required to comply with the above directive latest by Wednesday, October 26, 2015.”

Although the issue has remained unresolved, the platform providers and commercial banks have

continued to provide their services to the government.

A reliable source at CBN confirmed to THISDAY receipt of a report from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and also the Minister of Finance at different times communicating the recommendations of a joint CBN-OAGF committee set up to review and advise government on the lingering issue.

The apex bank source admitted that SystemSpecs and the commercial banks have not been paid for their services since the start of TSA e-Collections. It was confirmed that CBN had received several correspondence from the service provider requesting

for payment of outstanding transaction fees and requesting for the commencement of charges in line with its subsisting contract.

“We have received two letters from Remita in the last three weeks asking for payment of their fee arrears and notice of resumption of charges,” the source said.

According to Deremi Atanda, a senior executive at SystemSpecs, “We have been talking to CBN, Accountant General of the Federation and Ministry of Finance, and we expect this issue to be resolved soon as it is becoming increasingly difficult to continue to provide services without being paid.”

While the CBN and the AGF

are believed to be disposed to upholding the terms of the Remita contract which has been in place since 2013 and which the federal government has consistently said helped to mop up trillions of Naira into the TSA over a period of six months, it appears the Senate however has a different view.

The Senate had in its report of February 2016 recommended the termination of the contract between the government and SystemSpecs, owners of the Remita platform that drives the TSA of the federal government.

Curiously, in its 42-page report of February 2016, which contained the position of Senate, the CBN was “directed” to terminate the contract

with SystemSpecs while in another section of the same report, it had recommended that CBN could continue with Remita but renegotiate the charges to between N500-N700 per transaction.

THISDAY investigations reveal that this position may not be favourable to government as some MDAs have transactions with values as low as N200 e.g. handbooks, fines and penalties, certain rates and levies, etc.

The implication is that the cost of collection will be higher than actual amount collected for government.

The Senate has however continued to decline to put its fund under the TSA claiming autonomy from policies of the executive arm of government.

T H I S D AY MONDAY MAY 2, 2016

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY MAY 2, 2016

COMMENT

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

IMPROVING ENERGY ACCESS IN AFRICA

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Substantially increasing energy access rates has the potential of lifting people out of poverty, argue Ed Brown and Zivayi Chiguvare

nergy in Africa is a scarcer commodity than in the developed world. Fifteen per cent of the world’s population lives on the African continent, yet they represent only 3% of global electricity consumption. Electricity consumption per capita in sub-Saharan Africa is, on average, less than that needed to power a 50-watt light bulb continuously[1]. The 48 sub-Saharan countries have a combined installed generation base of only 68 GW, according to the African Development Bank Group. This is roughly equal to the generation capacity of Spain, a country whose population is less than 5% of that of sub-Saharan Africa.

In 2011, the international community initiated a drive towards achieving universal access to modern energy services by 2030 under the UN’s Sustainable Energy for All Initiative (SE4All). Substantially increasing energy access rates has the potential to make a significant contribution to lifting people out of poverty, creating more dignified living conditions and expanding economic opportunities. The current high level of energy poverty across Africa undermines the economic and social development of the continent. It can also fuel political instability and can even have an influence upon the creation of failed states. Indeed, worldwide there appears to be a strong correlation between political stability and higher electrification rates.

Historically, access to, and utilisation of modern energy technologies has played a huge role in the improvement of the quality of life of human beings. Much of human activity revolves around securing adequate and appropriate food and accessing conditions of thermal comfort. Access to modern energy services (defined by the International Energy Agency as household access to electricity and clean cooking facilities) makes it much easier for individual households to meet these needs. They help individuals to feed themselves and their families, to feel secure, comfortable and healthy in their homes, to communicate more effectively and access information and entertainment and to take advantage of opportunities to develop income generating activities and thus improve family livelihoods.

Improving the reliability and coverage of energy systems is absolutely crucial for a successful industrialisation process that can foster the growth of new industries with meaningful value addition.

Lack of access to modern energy systems has slowed down the socioeconomic development of African countries, and their participation in the global economy remains marginal due to inflexible and inadequate energy systems.

How then should we go about meeting the energy needs of the continent? The two additional goals of the SE4All for our leaders are to achieve the radical transformations in energy access whilst actively driving down global carbon emissions via the promotion of low carbon technologies and energy efficiency. It is important that the North and South work together to support all African countries to achieve the ambitious goals encapsulated within the SE4All. Encouragingly, recent international agreements (such as those announced at COP 21 in Paris) have committed the world’s richer countries to investing significant

LACK OF ACCESS TO MODERN ENERGY SYSTEMS HAS SLOWED DOWN THE SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN COUNTRIES, AND THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY REMAINS MARGINAL DUE TO INFLEXIBLE AND INADEQUATE ENERGY SYSTEMS

resources in supporting the rapid acceleration of the uptake of renewable energy across the countries of the Global South, to help mitigate climate change and promote sustainable local development.

The role of capacity building and applied research in accelerating this uptake cannot be underestimated: Development, optimisation and dissemination of new technologies, innovative mechanisms for financing renewable energy projects, and evidence for formulating efficient policies for renewable energy – just to name a few. This is why the Africa-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Programme (RECP), which supports renewable energy market development in Africa, has recently launched efforts to provide a scientific platform for Africa-EU renewable energy research cooperation.

Last month, the inaugural Africa-EU research symposium was held in Tlemcen, Algeria. The event was attended by 135 international experts, representing universities, research institutions, public sector, industry associations, and international organisations from 30 countries in Africa and Europe. The symposium highlighted three action areas for the international scientific and development communities.

First, while the role of academia in advancing renewable energy market and policies cannot be underestimated, it is unfortunate that most research projects end with the publication of a scientific paper.

Researchers need to build closer partnerships with the private sector in order to translate science into practical and bankable solutions that will have a positive impact on markets and livelihoods while also contributing to the financial sustainability of research institutions.

Private sector players, on the other hand, should also be involved in all stages of a research project, ensuring that research meets actual market needs.

Then, access to energy is not just a question of physical access to energy sources; it is also about people’s ability to pay for them. Many communities across Africa live within metres of national grid systems and yet have no access to the electricity passing so close to their homes. It is therefore important to take a people-centred approach in every research project on renewable energy in Africa. This includes the need to focus on cost-effective, household level off-grid solutions and the acknowledgment of the role of women in energy use, entrepreneurship, policy making and research.

Lastly, although funds are available, financing renewable energy research in Africa remains a challenge. Lack of awareness, difficult application procedures and limited capacities often hinder access to available funding sources such as Horizon 2020, the biggest EU research and innovation funding programme. Joint research proposals with international partner institutions can substantially increase chances for successful applications and increase the quality of research output.

Dr. Brown is national co-coordinator, UK Low Carbon Energy for Development Network, Loughborough University while Dr. Chiguvare is director, Namibia Energy Institute, Namibia University of Science and Technology

DEATH ON THE HIGHWAY

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The shocking death of six medical doctors on the Abuja-Kaduna road is subsiding. But Paul John argues the FRSC argument cannot be entirely trusted

t is no longer news that medical doctors nationwide are currently mourning their colleagues who lost their lives on Sunday, April 24, 2016, on their way to the just concluded Annual Delegates Meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association in Sokoto.

What is now news is that the officials of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) want to use the opportunity to advertise their speed limiting devices.

Unfortunately, they were dealing with one of the most respected and brilliant professionals in the world. Nigerians are surprised how the survivors have come out to openly refute the FRSC report concerning the cause of the fatal accident. My late father while admonishing us to be truthful at all times told us that we could not deceive all the people at all times.

The survivors of the accident raised important issues in their respective rebuttals. First, they stated that the officials of FRSC arrived more than 40 minutes after the accident occurred, hence five victims who could have been saved, had died before FRSC officials arrived at the scene. That showed that it is either FRSC officials did not know the meaning of Golden hour in Trauma management or they were not at their duty post at the time of the accident.

Second, the officials who arrived at the scene albeit belatedly were oblivious of the happenings in the area and they were also ill-prepared for any emergency. This is evidenced by the fact that they carried the victims to a hospital (Doka General Hospital) where nothing was in place to manage accident victims. That tells us that the FRSC officials were not conversant with their operational environment. Even tricycle riders and other road users know hospitals in their environments that are always functional.

The officials of the FRSC did not have enough fuel in their fuel tank. This singular act was enough

for the head of the commission to honourably resign but in the characteristic Nigerian manner, they came out to hoodwink us that the cause of the accident was over speeding. Without fuel in their vehicle, how would they manage the road traffic emergencies they were trained to handle?

When one of the survivors accepted to buy fuel for them, they went in search of fuel but when they finally bought it the golden hour needed for the remaining two critically injured victims had passed.

Thus, on getting to St Gerard Hospital Kaduna, both victims were confirmed dead. The two victims could have survived had FRSC officials come prepared with enough fuel in their vehicle.

This last point is very important because I am aware that there is budgetary allocation for FRSC operations. The question is who feeds on the money meant for the fuelling of FRSC vehicles? My experience then as a student necessitated this question. In one of our clinical days, our consultant got angry with a prison official that normally brought prisoners to our clinic in the Teaching Hospital.

What happened? Our consultant prescribed some drugs to the prisoner believing that her medical condition would improve in the next clinical visit.

Surprisingly, the prisoner’s condition deteriorated when she was brought for the next clinical appointment. Our consultant, with his ingenuity, asked the prison official to leave the consulting room so that he could ask the prisoner some sensitive questions.

It was then that the lady revealed to us that the prison officials neither bought nor gave her any of the previously prescribed drugs. As if that was not enough, they went further to instruct her not to reveal that to the doctor.

On hearing that, our consultant was infuriated and threatened the prison official that if by the next clinical visit the prisoner had not received her prescribed drugs he would personally take the mat-

ter up. He went further to warn the prison official that if peradventure he decided to stop bringing the lady to the clinic that he would also still take the matter up. As we were intent on knowing more, the consultant thereafter told us that he had relatives working with the Nigerian Prisons hence he knew what happened there. He went further to tell us the federal government’s weekly budgets for each prisoner but these prisoners are fed with what was not palatable even to lower animals. We ended up contributing money among ourselves to buy the drugs for her before she was taken away. In view of this, I ask again, who are the cabals managing the FRSC budgetary allocation for fuelling their vehicles? When Ocholi and some members of his family died, the FRSC officials told Nigerians the same thing. According to them, Ocholi and his family members died due to over speeding and tyre burst. Does it then mean that every accident that happens along the Abuja-Kaduna road is due to over speeding? Could it not also be as a result of the deplorable state of the road?

More worrisome is the fact that FRSC officials who arrived more than 40 minutes later, are the ones claiming to know more facts about the accident than the survivors and other eyewitnesses.

I ask again, how can this be? Was it by the use of voodoo (which is not alien to our culture) or did the FRSC officials secretly install closed circuit televisions (CCTV) on our highways? I do not want to talk about the money the surviving doctors gave to both the police and the FRSC officials for performing the duties they are being paid for. I got angrier when I read the FRSC report that said that over-speeding caused the tyre to burst. I asked if the fellow who issued that statement had any knowledge of Charles’s law of gases, the principles of expansion of solids or even elementary physics.

I assured myself that the report was a mockery of

our federal character (as it is enshrined in S.14 (3), CFRN 1999 as amended). Americans call theirs Affirmative Action but here in order to maintain the federal character, meritocracy gives way to mediocrity. So I would like to ask the FRSC official that issued that crap why over-speeding does not cause tyre burst at nights and how he managed to know more about the accident than the eyewitnesses. Or is it only in Nigeria where over speeding bursts tyres? Are there no relationship between tyre burst and pot holes on our roads?

Instead of telling their employers to fix our federal roads, they are busy finding a way to knock the head after the anus has farted. It was the same FRSC that told Nigerians that Ocholi’s driver had no driving licence as if drivers undergo any special training before obtaining the licence.

Even, the blind, the deaf and the aged can easily obtain driving licences in Nigeria. Many people have drivers’ licence which they use mainly as a means of identification and many of them already had it before even learning how to drive. To me, Nigeria’s driving licence is just for identification in banks and other places. How is a driving licence issued in Nigeria? Just pay your fees via online or in the bank, then go and book the day for the capturing of your biometric data and after that the licence is ready for you. What role would such a licence have played to make Ocholi’s driver more responsible or even professional on the road? If it were in developed countries, FRSC officials would be sweating to defend their incompetence and ineptitude in handling the case of the Ekiti State NMA delegates but here they are the ones on the offensive, attacking both the bereaved and the deceased with their fallacies.

Dr John wrote from Port Harcourt, Rivers State

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T H I S D AY MONDAY MAY 2, 2016

EDITORIAL THE RETURN OF DARKNESS

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Frequent power outages have once again raised questions about the competence of those in charge

he anger in the land is raw and the disappointment huge. When the last administration took the bold measure of privatising the power sector more than two years ago, as it unbundled the lethargic Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), many Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief. That has become rather premature. The six private generating and 11 distribution companies across the nation are, for now, evidently too weak to reverse the ugly trend of the past decades. Things are still getting worse, not better.

The overall impression is that the private companies are instruments of exploitation, out there to increase the woes of the consuming public. Till date, Nigerian electricity consumers remain grossly under-served with one of the lowest energy-per-capita rates in the world. Indeed, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed misgivings over the privatisation of the power sector in the country during a recent National Economic Council meeting, saying that the process was more profit oriented than a thing of public interest.

In the past few THE DISCOS SHOULD months, power ENSURE THAT ALL failure and outages have CONSUMERS ARE become so suffocating, METERED, WHICH IS THE emphasising the naONLY EFFICIENT WAY OF MEASURING THE ENERGY tion’s grotesque power poverty. Blackouts have CONSUMED become a regular staple of our daily living, taking the country back to the old bad days when the situation was considered normal. The magnitude of the problem was reflected in the fact that within the first four months of 2016, the electricity transmission system collapsed thrice, once on March 31, 2016 which was total and twice in April, both partial. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) blamed the low supply of gas to thermal power plants for the frequent system collapse.

Last Wednesday Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, attributed the cause of the fitful power supply which had earlier peaked at 5000 mega watts to vandalism of the strategic Forcados pipeline

Letters to the Editor

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in Delta State. “It is a Ministry of Petroleum issue,” said Fashola as he parried the blame, excuses that have been nauseatingly repeated over the years. “They are keeping us in the know about all of this and when all these will be restored to normal service.” While on a visit to the Forcados terminal earlier, the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo called for the expedited repair of the pipeline damaged since February.

E T H I S DAY

EDITOR IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU DEPUTY EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATIONí S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, MBAYILAN ANDOAKA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GENERAL MANAGER PATRICK EIMIUHI GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE ART DIRECTOR OCHI OGBUAKU II DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO

ven more astonishing is that in the midst of the darkness inflicted on the people, the energy distributing companies had already raised tariffs astronomically, choking individuals and corporate outfits, in obedience to the new tariff regime which took effect from February 1, but which is being contested in court and indeed, by the labour unions and National Assembly.

Many umetered homes that are barely supplied power once a week are charged around N15,000 or more a month, in arbitrary billings. Last week, the Kwara State House of Assembly summoned three business managers of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to explain what it described as “erratic power supply and overbilling” of consumers in the state.

The epileptic nature of power supply makes Nigeria one of the harshest environments to do business and also renders the country less competitive. In the face of the acute shortages, individuals and businesses resort to self help by generating their own power. Yet privately generated electricity also comes at a huge cost. This is aside the negative implications of the more expensive and self-generated electricity on the cost of living, on business profitability, on the incidence of poverty, on health, safety and the environment.

We had taken all these factors into consideration in previously and cautiously endorsing the new measures being put in place by the energy regulating agency. But we also demanded that the Discos should ensure that all consumers are metered, which is the only efficient way of measuring the energy consumed, and eliminate as soon as possible the extortionate billing method which comes in form of estimation.

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BETWEEN BOKO HARAM AND FULANI HERDSMEN

hese are strange times for our beloved nation. Harsh economic realities occasioned by sharp decline in global price of oil coupled with incessant fuel shortages, unemployment, inflation, hunger and poverty, have combined to make life tough for the people. To complicate things, political situation remains as charged and volatile as ever. However, of all our nation’s current troubles, insecurity is, perhaps, the most complex.

Until recently, terrorism is alien to our culture. But recent occurrences have since altered the equation. Thanks to the dastardly acts of the Boko Haram sect, Nigeria is, today, a focal point of global terrorism activities. Through a series of callously designed and devilishly executed bloodletting operations, unrivalled in the annals of the country, the sect has thrown the country into protracted volatility.

To underline its wide acclaim as a globally recognised terrorist body, the sect was designated by the U.S. Department of State as a terrorist organisation in 2013. In the first half of 2014 Boko Haram killed more than 2000 innocent and hapless civilians, in about 95 attacks. In the last three years, more than 3000, people have lost their lives as a result of Boko Haram operations. A recent research claimed that Boko Haram attacks have left at least 12,000 people dead and 8,000 crippled in the last three years while more than a million had been displaced. Presently, 219 secondary school girls, kidnapped in a most notorious manner, from their school, Government College Chibok, Borno State, have been in the den of the Boko Haram sect for well over 200 days.

As the nation continues to grapple with the arduous task of containing the activities of Boko Haram, out of the blue came yet

another menace of a different kind, but with an equally potent capability to waste human lives. Take the back seat Boko Haram; enter Fulani herdsmen, the new merchant of blood in town!

Though the bloody acts of Fulani herdsmen have been around for quite some time, but its intensity, of late, is becoming quite alarming.

From Agatu in Benue State, Akure in Ondo State, Bukuru area in Plateau State, Oke Ogun area in Oyo State, Gassaka and Bali local government areas in Taraba State to Nimbo in Enugu State, rampaging Fulani herdsmen seem to be on a mission to draw blood.

And blood they are getting. Everywhere they go, sorrow, tears and blood trail them. Curiously, they operate in such audacious fashion that makes mockery of our national security arrangement.

From the way things are, there seem to be a thin line between Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen. Both are agents of death that regale in inflicting pains and sorrows on their victims. Think about many orphans and widows that the duo have unleashed on the society. Perhaps more fearful is the fact that they both seem to be above the laws of the land.

Sadly, as it was the case at the onset of Boko Haram insurgence, the dastardly acts of Fulani herdsmen have not been accorded the requisite handling by appropriate authorities. For instance, it took President Muhammadu Buhari something akin to ages before he eventually came out with a precise position on the appalling activities of the Fulani herdsmen. The motive behind such costly silence, in the face of acts capable of disintegrating the country, remains a mystery to ordinary Nigerians. It is exactly same pattern of belated response that gave Boko Haram the necessary impetus that turned it into such a monstrous group. The reason(s) why our

leaders often wait pointlessly for the blood of hapless compatriots to be spilled in needless circumstances before stemming the tide would continue to be a mystery.

This brings us to the thorny issue of modus operandi of both Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen. The method of operation of the two groups is quite curious. As for Boko Haram, since it has now assumed the status of a global terrorist body, the sophisticated nature of their arsenal and operation is no longer unusual. What is, however, odd is the kind of riffles being reportedly used by rampaging Fulani herdsmen across the country. It becomes curious as to what Fulani herdsmen could be doing with such combatpurposed assault rifles.

What could be the source of such dangerous ammunition? If there is, indeed, a source, then, like Boko Haram, there would definitely be sponsors. If there are sponsors, the next puzzle is: what could be their motives? Could it be that purported skirmishes

by Fulani herdsmen across the country are just clever ploys by some ‘evil genius’ to further throw the country into prolonged chaos? Could it be that recent upsurge in Fulani herdsmen atrocities is being orchestrated by some ‘powerful’ people with sinister intent to derail the country?

Sufficient intelligence must be gathered to really understand their motives, sponsors (if any) and grouses. It has been argued in some quarters that some of those at the forefront of current herdsmen ‘insurgence’ in the country are from neighbouring countries. This claim must be properly verified and appropriate action taken if it is found to be real.

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

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

POLITICS

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

T H E M O N D AY D I S C O U R S E

The New Terror Threat The average Nigerian glibly calls it Fulani herdsmen attacks. The authorities see it differently – a mere internal security challenge with ethnic colouration. But the discerning see the face of an emerging terror threat with all its tricks and trappings. In this discourse, Shola Oyeyipo, Segun James and Jameelah Sanda attempt to dissect the undercurrents of these rising attacks by so-called, yet heavily armed, cattle rearers

Cattle herdman or terrorist?

N

ot until mid-last week, President Muhammadu Buhari had kept mute over the marauding Fulani Herdsmen, who in some instances sacked an entire community, killing even toddlers in their moments of insanity. The encroachment of Fulani herdsmen on the farms of southerners in the name of grazing had long existed, usually forcing a clash between the farmers and the herdsmen. Save for Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who condemned the recent attacks in all their forms penultimate weekend at a Town Hall meeting in Lagos, the silence of the presidency, Buhari in particular, had been suspect because he is also of the Fulani extraction, a majority of the people believed.

Thus, the president’s handling of this unprovoked violence against Southern farmers by the Fulani herdsmen had angered quite a few because it is the same way he has been handling a few other matters in the country, often acting as if he didn’t owe the people the right to know. The lingering fuel scarcity, which is still biting really hard, comes handy.

As president and substantive minister of petroleum, it was not out of place that at the point the crisis peaked, the president should have come out to address the nation, situate the problems and allay the fears of the people.

It is called strategic communication.

But till date, President Buhari has not seen the need to speak to the Nigerian people on the fuel scarcity. The same approach he seemed to initially embrace on the Fulani herdsmen violence until the recent reaction was forced out of him, supposedly so. Unfortunately, not much is seen to have been achieved with the threat of landing heavy on the herdsmen and insidiously, the nation is evidently faced with another terror threat in the guise of Fulani herdsmen.

The violent activities of Fulani herdsmen have tarried for a while but it has always been scantily reported and in low dimensions. But in recent times, the record of their violent attacks in various parts of Nigeria is mounting daily and has continued to generate grave concerns amongst the well-meaning Nigerians. The

height of their mindlessness however came to the fore on September 21, 2015, when herdsmen reportedly numbering over 20, abducted a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and chieftain of Afenifere, Chief Samuel Oluyemisi Falae on his 77th birthday after invading his farm in Ilado village, Akure North area of Ondo State.

Less than two hours after the incident, the kidnappers demanded a N100m ransom but about 96 hours, Falae, who was also a former Finance Minister, regained his freedom after he was reportedly rescued by a team of security operatives led by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, as directed

by President Buhari. Following the abduction, which sources scornfully alleged was a subtle way of getting their share of the N100million the elder statesman admitted to have received from the embattled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, Afenifere called for the expulsion of the herdsmen from the South-west if they would continue to jeopardise peace in the region.

But in what seemed like the Fulani herdsmen had a score to settle with Falae, after abducting him from his farm at Ilado last October and releasing him three days later with a ransom, they returned to the farm in April 2016 to

That the northern governors were quick to siding with the Fulani herdsmen was believed to have first exposed the warped mindset, an indication that ethnicisation of issues is a more present and living factor in the body polity

abduct one of his security guards and the victim was later found dead, two days later in a river near the farm. Falae was said to have had trouble with herdsmen, who grazed their cattle on his farm.

Less than 10 days after the Falae abduction, gunmen numbering about five also abducted Oba Adebisi Obademi, the traditional ruler of Apaa-Bunu community in Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi State. The traditional ruler was picked up at about 7.30 a.m. on his way to Odo-Ape, a suburb community close to his domain and was whisked to an unknown destination on a motorcycle. Even before the issue started to assume a national threat, residents and travelers between Ondo and Kogi State that have had encounters with the hoodlums, who carry out random attacks and retire to the bushes, where they reside would have sour tales to tell.

The Road to Golgotha Across the Nasarawa-Benue states borderline, Agatu was still hundreds of miles away but passengers on the motorway were already getting an eyeful of savagery. In a village farm with fresh ridges heralding a new planting season, a young Fulani herder perched on a cashew tree, his cattle trampling below him.

Armed with a machete, he was hacking away at the lush branches, felling them to the ground for the animals to feed. The farm owners stood outside their huts and like the passing motorists, could only watch helplessly as the cash crop was stripped bare and their yam seedlings destroyed.

The routes to Makurdi, Otukpo and Apa were characterised by the same landscape and scenario. Along both sides of the road were hundreds of farmlands with ridges and all dotted with cashew trees, mangoes and oranges – tempting sights to nomadic herdsmen and their livestock!

Provocative as the first cross-border scene was, the young Fulani herder on the cashew tree was simply conducting his business in a peaceful manner, going by the benchmark of good relationship between farmers and armed

herders in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria.

Weeks ago, the Agatu region of Benue State became a red spot on the world map when Fulani cattle herdsmen in combat gears, armed with the trademark AK-47 rifles, invaded several villages and farm settlements in broad daylight, gunning down children, women, men and the elderly alike. About 300 villagers were reportedly massacred in the first killing spree with heavy casualties recorded in communities like Aila, Okokolo, Akwu, Adagbo, Odugbehon and Odejo.

With soldiers from 82 Division Enugu stationed in Aila and Obagaji, the headquarters of Agatu Local Government Area, the alternative access road from Apa was a connection of snaky farm roads that crisscrossed several abandoned villages.

From Aila to Obagaji, Akwu to Odejo, the invaders burned down houses, churches and police posts. Here and there corpses were seen lying in the most grotesque positions.

The totally dried corpses in various stages of decomposition were pointers that the killings must have been done at different times.

The gory sights equally suggested that the marauders kept coming back for returnees, undeterred by the presence of soldiers.

Agatu is not the first homeland in Benue State to receive what is now referred to as baptism of fire from herdsmen. Between 2011 and 2014, suspected herdsmen attacked dozens of communities in the four local government areas of Guma, Gwer-East, Buruku and GwerWest, some more than once.

The hometown of the late Tor Tiv IV, Alfred Akawe Torkula, in Guma was razed. Similarly, houses, food barns and farmlands were burnt and scores killed in communities like TseAderogo, Tse-Akenyi, Umenger, Angyom, Aondona, Anyiase, Adaka, Gbajimba, Tyoughtee, Gbaange, Chembe, Abeda, Mbachoon, Tongov and Mbapuu.

A disturbing pattern may have appeared with the large-scale invasion of Agatu. Whilst in the past, the herdsmen would attack, kill and disappear, this time with Agatu they appeared to have come with an occupation agenda. The

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

POLITICS/ THE MONDAY DISCOURSE T H E N E W T E R R O R T H R E AT

Marauding herdmen sacking a community during their moment of insanity

inability of the Nigerian soldiers deployed in Agatu to arrest even one attacker has fueled suspicions of complicity by security agents.

Just as the dust is settling on the Agatu killings, another killing were reported in Enugu with over 40 persons reportedly killed by some Fulani herdsmen at Nimbo in Uzo- Uwani Local Government Area of the state.

The killing came barely 24 hours after stories filtered to the people that about 500 heavily-armed Fulani herdsmen had sneaked into the community preparatory to launch an attack. True to intelligence report, about seven villages in Nimbo (Nimbo Ngwoko, Ugwuijoro, Ekwuru, Ebor, Enugu Nimbo, Umuome and Ugwuachara) were attacked.

Ten residential houses and a church, Christ Holy Church International, aka Odozi Obodo, were also said to have been burnt by the herdsmen just as vehicles and motorcycles were destroyed and domestic animals killed.

A young man, whose name was yet to be ascertained, was burnt inside a commuter bus belonging to one Ejima, son of a prominent man popularly called ‘Are you there’ near the Christ Holy Church, Nimbo.

According to Ezugwu said: “I was coming out from the house when I heard the community bell ringing. I was going with a friend to know what the bell was all about, only to see about 40 Fulani herdsmen armed with sophisticated guns and machetes.

“They pursued us, killed my friend and shot at me several times but missed. They caught up with me and used machetes on me until I lost consciousness.” He said one of them later discovered that he was alive and called on the others to finish him off. They ignored him.

He said he crawled until a Good Samaritan helped him to the hospital.

Another one had his stomach ripped open, spilling his intestines. The traditional ruler of Nimbo, Igwe John Akor, cried that when the attackers struck at about 7.00 am, they had left for the farms. “Most of those who were killed died in the early hours of the morning.

We are still counting our losses. We have not started going into the farms and bushes to look for our dead brothers and sisters.

“When the situation becomes very calm, we will start looking for the rest of the victims. For now, our prayer is that the federal government sends security men to restore peace.”

Also, the traditional ruler of Abbi community, Eze Fidelis Igwe, complained that his community had over the years suffered untold hardship in the hands of Fulani herdsmen, whom he accused of maiming and gang-raping “our women at farmlands” in addition to robbing and kidnapping his people or stealing and destroying cash crops in the community.

“This is the fourth time Fulani herdsmen have invaded our community in three years.

The losses are too much for us to bear. The remaining people of the community have now taken refuge in neighbouring communities due to fear of another invasion by the herdsmen who do not give signs before striking. We have made several appeals to the Police,

Uzo-Uwani Local Government and Enugu State government demanding for the Fulani herdsmen to leave our community, but nothing has happened.”

There had been anxiety in Nimbo following reports that about 500 Fulani herdsmen were assembling to attack the area. It was gathered that fellow Fulani herdsmen at Adani had imported about 500 others from Nasarawa State to help them invade Nimbo community on the grounds that some of their cattle were missing in the area.

According to sources, Chairman of UzoUwani Local Government Area, Cornell Onwubuya, had alerted Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the state Commissioner of Police, Ekechukwu Nwodibo, of the threat.

Onwubuya was said to have further alerted other stakeholders, who met leaders of the Fulani community in Enugu State on the impending attack, but no action was taken.

To the Secretary General of Ohanaeze, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, the continuous killing of people across the country by herdsmen without any response from the federal government is a failure of governance. He said: “We are very sad and very disappointed that all over the country, not just the South-east, these killings

by Fulani herdsmen have continued unabated and nothing concrete is being done by the federal government.

“The first act of governance is protection of lives and property. It is complete failure of governance. There has been no response from the federal government and this is allowing the Fulani herdsmen to continue the killing spree.

Everybody is worried about the poor attitude of the federal government to this massacre across the country. Boko Haram is operating in the North East and Fulani herdsmen are killing people all over the country. It is not the herdsmen that should be held responsible, but owners of the cattle.

“The herdsmen are under the instruction of highly-placed Fulani people who own the cattle. They are heavily armed. How many cows

Therefore, with the governors from the different regions of the country fighting the cause of their people without recourse to national security and harmony, the menace of the herdsmen might tarry for an even longer time except this act of violence is seen as what it is – crime – and addressed as such

can the herdsmen buy? Federal government should stop this nonsense before it causes a catastrophe.”

Sport of Blood Looking at some of the records of violence linked to the herdsmen, they are no less the face of a new terror, if they have not been infiltrated by the traditional terrorists. In July 2012, Senator Gyang Dantong and the Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Gyang Fulani died in a stampede that ensued while attending the mass burial of about 50 victims of attack by Fulani herdsmen at Maseh village in Riyom LGA, Plateau State.

In Ndokwa Local Government area of Delta State, 27 persons were reportedly killed in April 2013, after the herdsmen were confronted by youths. Then Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had to forward a bill to the state House of Assembly to protect Deltans from the Fulani herdsmen.

On April 23, 2013, 10 farmers were killed in an attack in Mbasenge community, Guma L.G.A, Benue State by suspected herdsmen.

On May 7, 2013, 47 mourners were gunned down by suspected herdsmen in Agatu while burying two policemen. A week later, precisely on May 14, 2013, over 200 herdsmen surrounded Ekwo-Okpanchenyi, Agatu LGA, Benue State killing 40 people and on July 5, 2013, 20 people were killed in a conflict between Tiv farmers and herdsmen at Nzorov, Guma LGA, Benue State.

As the killing spree continued, on July 28, 2013, while retaliating an alleged killing of 112 cows by native, herdsmen invaded two villages in Agatu and killed eight villagers. On November 7, 2013 another attack was carried out on Ikpele and Okpopolo communities in Agatu, killing seven persons and displacing over 6000 inhabitants. Thirty six people lost their lives and seven villages were overrun in an outbreak of fighting between herdsmen and locals in Agatu on November 9, 2013.

Then, on July 21, 2013, five herdsmen wielding AK 47 rifles ambushed a 14-seater Hiace bus travelling from Onicha-Ugbo to Asaba, Delta State, dispossessing the occupants of their belongings and inflicting machete cuts on them. Herdsmen attacked Motokun village, Patigi local government area, Kwara State in June 2015. Oro-Ago, Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State was also attacked and the same herdsmen also attacked Ninji and Ropp villages in Plateau State, killing 27 persons. The same group reportedly murdered no fewer than 70 persons, believed to be Christians.

In September 2015, an attack by some Fulani herdsmen on Onitsha Ukwuani in Ndokwa West local government area of Delta State left about three persons dead. On the same day, a middle-aged woman was raped and subsequently killed by three Fulani herdsmen in Edo State and on October 2, 2015, the marauding assailants raped, killed Ogun Residents and farmers.

Residents of Ulaja and Ojeh communities in Dekina local government area of Kogi State had their fair share of the violent activities of

the herdsmen in November 2015, when the town was attacked and about 22 men and women hacked down. Then on December 1, 2015 a man was killed in Ofagbe community, Isoko North council area of Delta State and on January 24, 2016, a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and 29 others were killed in Adamawa State by suspected Fulani herdsmen, when they attacked Demsare, Wunamokoh, Dikajam and Taboungo in what was believed to be a vengeance mission over an existing feud with farmers.

As the killing went on unabated, on February 8, 2016, herdsmen killed 10 persons in TomAnyiin, Tom-Ataan, Mbaya and Tombu in the Buruku local government area of Benue State and three days later, on February 11, 2016, they perpetrated another attack on Abbi community in Uzo-Uwani, Enugu killing two siblings, burnt houses and motorcycles.

In one of the attacks with the highest casualty rate, on February 29, 2016, over 500 locals were killed and 7000 residents were displaced in an attack in Agatu LGA by the herdsmen. On March 9, 2016, eight residents were killed during attacks on Ngorukgan, Tse Chia, Deghkia and Nhumbe, Logo LGA, Benue State. A clash between herdsmen and farmers in Benue led to the killings of APC youth leader, Mr. Aondohemba Kasa and three others on April 5, 2016.

Following the killing of a 64-year old farmer, identified as Alex in Edo State on April 9, 2016, a Fulani camp was razed by an irate mob. On April 12, 2016, Fulani herdsmen attacked Dori and Mesuma villages in Taraba and killed at least 15 people and on April 19, 2016, a band of herdsmen invaded farms in Lagun village, Lagelu local council Oyo State and killed one Mr. Jimmy Aido.

On March 27, 2016, tension mounted in the agrarian community of Ugwuneshi in Awgu local government of Enugu State, when soldiers arrested 76 Enugu farmers and dumped them in prison for challenging Fulani herdsmen as the rural dwellers expressed anger over their kinsmen languishing in federal prison in Afara, Umuahia, Abia State.

The farmers, including youths were rounded up by men in military uniform and bundled into trucks only to surface at Umuahia, where they were divided into three groups and arraigned at magistrate courts. They were whisked away to prison custody as none of the magistrates agreed to grant them bail.

Earlier in April, member representing Ethiope East constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Evans Iwhurie, said Fulani herdsmen shot dead a staff of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka and a farmer at their farms in cold blood. He gave the name of one of them as, Mr. Francis Okotie, 52 year old father of eight, who was a senior staff of the university attached to the university library.

According to Iwhurie, Okotie was shot twice, on his arm and on the back of his head at his plantain and palm oil plantation farm, where he had gone to fumigate.

The daring herdsmen had on Saturday, April

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

POLITICS/ THE MONDAY DISCOURSE T H E N E W T E R R O R T H R E AT 16, abducted the Enugu State Auditor along Nsukka-Adani express road. They demanded N5m as ransom for his release. He was later released but after purportedly parting with about N700, 000.

Then on April 21, another non-academic staff of the university, Mr. John Ogeleke, was kidnapped at Kwale, Ndokwa West local government area of the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen. He was on his way towards Ogume from Kwale, when he was reportedly snatched at gun point from his Nissan Pathfinder jeep. He was yet to be released as at press time.

Then more recently, on April 25, 2016, while the people of Enugu State were already disenchanted about the tension and disruption of their means of livelihood, disaster struck again in the sleepy Ukpabi Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani council of Enugu State, when the herdsmen attacked the area, killing residents, particularly farmers. They destroyed property worth millions of naira. The number of people that lost their lives was put at about 48, while scores sustained varying degrees of injuries and a lot of houses were razed.

While the people were yet to recover from the confusion created by recent attacks, the herdsmen launched fresh attacks in Umuchigbo, another community in the state.

Arase was about the same time at Nimbo to assess the level of damage caused by the previous damage.

An Instructive Flashback In 2000, some Fulani herdsmen invaded Oyo State, leading to the fratricide between Yoruba farmers and Fulani herdsmen. The situation was so protracted that General Buhari-led the arewa (northern) community leadership to the then Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina at the Government House, Agodi Ibadan, for a resolution of the crisis. Here is the story of how Adesina solved the crisis as recounted by his Chief Press Secretary, Kehinde Olaosebikan.

According to him, Adesina, “Buhari actually telephoned the governor that he was leading a team to his office. In less than 30 minutes after the general informed the governor of his visit, we noticed that the entire secretariat was already filled with lorry loads of our brothers from the North. This created some tension but we kept our calm. At about 2 p.m., Buhari arrived in a long convoy at the governor’s office in company of the former governor of Lagos State, General Buba Marwa, Alhaji Aliko Muhammed, Alhaji Abdulrazak and Alhaji Hassan.

“They all wore long faces. In fact, the anger in them was palpable as all pleasantries extended to them were ignored. ‘This is trouble’ was the expression on the faces of all of us in the governor’s office. Shortly afterwards, the state Director of State Security Service (SSS) and Commissioner of Police arrived. But their presence did not change anything particular on the fears that had already gripped majority of us. The two security chiefs did not come with any operatives, they came almost alone.

“The meeting was called to order after Lam walked into the Executive Chambers.

Introductions over, Buhari spoke on their mission to the governor’s office. Emitting fire, the general accused Lam and the government of Oyo State of complicity in the killing of over 68 Fulani people in Oke Ogun area and perversion of justice.

His words: “Your Excellency, our visit here is to discuss with you and your government our displeasure about the incident of clashes between two peoples… the Fulani cattle rearers and merchants are today being harassed, attacked and killed like in Saki. In the month of May, 2000, 68 bodies of Fulani cattle rearers were recovered and buried under the supervision and protection from a team of Mobile Police from Oyo State Command.

“That some arrests were made by Oyo State Police Command in the massacre and they immediate released without court trial.

This was said to have been ordered by Oyo State authorities and they were so released to their amazement. The release of the arrested suspects gave the clear impression that the authorities are backing and protecting them to continue the unjust and illegal killings of Fulani cattle rearers…”

Buhari, he said, therefore wanted immediate stoppage of the killings, justice and compensation to the Fulani. “As weighty and indicting as Buhari’s allegations were, Lam remained unperturbed. He fired back with his own well-coordinated arsenals. Lam identified all the points raised by Buhari and simply asked the heads of the organizations directly involved to respond to the allegations.

“First to speak was the Commissioner of Police, who debunked all the claims. Instead of the allegation that the natives were killing Fulani, the commissioner said pointedly that the opposite was the case. ‘The killing of the

Another scene during the sacking of Agatu

natives by the Fulani was duly reported to the police and, of course, we can’t make arrest because, as soon as they kill, they migrate to other areas. Who are you going to arrest?

That is the problem.

“On the killing of Fulani, which he said was as result of “piled up anger, the commissioner disclosed that arrests had been made and the suspects were in police custody. Next was the Director of SSS, who equally debunked the allegations by Buhari. ‘The natives don’t have problem with the Fulani, who are resident but those who are coming in, they don’t care about anybody. They just go ahead and when they graze the natives farms, whoever cares to challenge them runs into trouble.

You said 68 people were killed and people driven away. I am not saying there were no killings but they cannot be more than five. The petition is on the harsh side, there is nothing like that.

“Not done yet, Lam called in his Deputy, Barrister Iyiola Oladokun; his SSG, Chief Michael Koleoso, both from Oke Ogun, and the chairman of one of the affected local government areas, Mr. Ademola Alalade. They stated the true position of things, corroborating the submissions of the security chiefs.

“At this point, all the tensions and apprehensions evaporated. Trust Lam any day, he must rub it in. He spoke for about 20 minutes and the Generals were at the edge of their seats for the entire period. They were like chicken that had just been thoroughly beaten by the rain, when Lam said, ‘Before I thank you for this visit, you have come to tell me something. I also want to tell you something and that something is to make an appeal.

‘General Buhari has been a former Head of State, Brigadier Marwa has governed Lagos for some time and with credibility… so you are national leaders of this country. Even though by accident of birth, you are from the North, you can be born anywhere; maybe next time when I am coming to the world, I will be born in the North or the South-South.

‘My appeal will be that effort must be made to unite this country and that will be in the best interest of all Nigerians. I am appealing to the Arewa Consultative Forum, under which auspices our distinguished Nigerians are here.

In recent times, they have been sending wrong signals to a number of us who, believe in the unity and peace of Nigeria; you have been too critical of the efforts of the federal government.

I am saying this because Nigeria, at this point, cannot afford to break and the words you northern leaders utter are very weighty. In the South here, we normally analyze them critically.’

“On all the allegations, he said: ‘From what they have written in the petition, this government is completely blameless because we don’t interfere either with the judiciary or with the police functions. I always preach peaceful co-existence in Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole. We are all Nigerians and that is what we have been preaching all along and we shall continue to be Nigerians, no matter the present or immediate problems which will be solved by the grace of Allah.

‘I want to say also that we really have to appeal to our people, the itinerant Bororo people that they should observe less aggression.

It is not good, it is not right just coming from somewhere, then you just pass through farm lands cultivated may be with the person’s life savings and then overnight everything is gone. That is not right, even Allah does not approve of that.

‘We even wonder when they talk about these people carrying dangerous weapons; I say do they really believe in Allah? When you just take life like that and go away! Are we not forbidden not to take human life? So I think General Buhari, General Marwa, you have to be educating them… It is my pleasure to inform you that at the Presidential Lodge, we have made some arrangements for refreshments so that before you go we can refresh together.’

“Buhari and his team did not wait for any refreshments. They came in angry and left bewildered. But for the maturity and wisdom of the late former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina, Nigeria could have been plunged into a second civil war,” he narrated.

In Buhari’s Nigeria Today, the Fulani have literally taken what was perpetrated in Oyo State in 2000 to other parts of the country. The situation is even made worse by the fact that Buhari, who led the delegation of Arewa leaders to Oyo State, is now the president. The activities of the Fulani Bororo have not only caused anxieties all over the country, but his reluctance and forced reaction to the killings allegedly perpetrated by his Fulani brothers have left Nigerians miffed, wondering if this is not a signal that the president has begun to exhibit oddly, his sectional sentimentalism.

Now, the Entire Country is worried!

Angry at the unrelenting and audacious activities of the Fulani herdsmen, Nigerians from different walks of life have continued to express their disappointment at the handling of the situation so far. Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose described as worrisome, the initial silence of President Buhari on the alleged killing of harmless Nigerians by Fulani Herdsmen, saying; “wanton murder of over 300 Agatu people of Benue State and the silence of the federal government on this genocide is a clear invitation to chaos.”

The governor cried that the activities of the Fulani Herdsmen are inimical to the revival of agriculture in the country said. “Farmlands costing billions of naira have been destroyed in states in the South-west, South-east and North Central zones of the country. One wonders how Nigerians can go back to farming, when those already in the farms are losing billions of naira worth of crops to destruction of their farmlands by the Fulani herdsmen and the federal government is not doing anything about it.”

Fayose expressed his sympathy to the victims and their families and warned that the federal government must stop playing the ostrich to the menace of the Fulani herdsmen.

“If in the last one week, over 300 Nigerians were allegedly killed, several villages razed, with farmlands destroyed by Fulani herdsmen and President Buhari is comfortable junketing from one country to the other, something is definitely wrong somewhere.

“This is because in saner climes, no country will have over 300 of its citizens reportedly killed with thousand others displaced and the leader of such country will not rush home from wherever he is to take charge of the situation by himself,” the governor said.

He said President Buhari must be reminded how he led a delegation of Arewa leaders to Ibadan on October 13, 2000, to confront the then Governor of Oyo State, Adesina over alleged killing of Fulani herdsmen in Saki, Oke Ogun area of the state.

“If 16 years ago, President Buhari could

be so concerned about the killing of Fulani herdsmen in Oyo State such that he, as a private citizen led Arewa leaders to Ibadan to show their anger, why is the President silent now that Fulani Herdsmen are the ones allegedly killing people, raping women and destroying farmlands in Benue State in particular and other states in the country?

“Is the President unmindful of the possibility of Nigerians seeing his silence as conspiracy?

Most importantly, what has Boko Haram caused Nigeria that the Fulani Herdsmen are not also causing now?”

He challenged the umbrella body of cattle breeders, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in particular and Northern leaders in general to wade into the persistent involvement of herdsmen in attack on communities, killing and raping of Nigerians. “Nigeria is still battling Boko Haram and the country cannot afford another regime of anarchy, which this persistence killing of Nigerians by the Fulani Herdsmen can cause.”

Also miffed by what is fast becoming an ugly trend, Senators from the South-east region of the country, under the umbrella of the South-east Senate Caucus have warned that the unity of Nigeria was under threat if the federal government failed to urgently address the massacre in Enugu as perpetrated

by Fulani militias.

In a statement read on their behalf by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, at the end of an emergency meeting held in Abuja, they vehemently condemned the attack, which reportedly left over 50 persons dead and scores displaced, while also calling for a summit of governors of the South-east and South-south states on the issue.

They advised that the meeting should be made mandatory for governors, members of the National and state Houses of Assembly, socio-cultural associations, traditional rulers and major stakeholders. The lawmakers said the emergency summit will look into and evaluate the very dangerous situation and seek a coordinated response that will ensure the security of lives and property of their people.

“We can no longer sit and watch while our people are daily slaughtered like fowls without even attracting the cursory routine condemnation by the presidency. We are even more appalled that despite the alarm raised by the Ukpabi Nimbo community of an imminent attack by the Fulani herdsmen and the associated vague assurances by the chairman of Fulani community in Enugu that such attack would not happen, yet the security agencies failed to prevent the attack that happened two days after the alarm.

“It is disheartening what is happening, and somebody has to take responsibility.

That somebody has to be the institution of the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

Also, in what aptly captures the overall feeling of affected farmers across Nigeria, the chairman, Ondo State Agricultural Commodities Association and his secretary, Akinola Olotu and Obaweya Gbenga, respectively highlighted their pains and described as “colossal losses,” the destructive effects of the activities of the herdsmen on agricultural produce as they continue with untamed invasion of farms in Ondo.

“By cattle grazing the farms and trampling on essential crops, including maize, crops worth millions of naira were destroyed by Fulaniherded cattle,” he said, demanding N2bn

CONT’D ON NEXT PAGE

19

T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

POLITICS/ TRIBUTE&HONOURS

Olufunso Amosun: Beauty and Brains at 50 Idowu Sowunmi pays tribute to the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, who is 50 today

H

er willpower and focus to bring out the best wherever she finds herself has tenaciously distinguished her from the rest.

She pays attention to details with a primal vision of setting new standards and raising the bar in her humanitarian quests to uplift mankind. She devotes a considerable part of her time, energy and resources on a regular basis in advancing the cause of the less privileged and championing initiatives that support the needy in our society. Her dream is aimed at empowering and uplifting the disadvantaged people regardless of their age, education status, religious and political affiliations.

Welcome to the world of Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, the Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

Born some 50 years ago on May 2, Mrs. Amosun is today joining the elegant circle of Golden Jubilee Club. No doubt, 50 is a milestone and clocking the golden age calls for a celebration of some sort. To celebrate this remarkable woman of virtues, I have decided to put this piece together to showcase the natural values many don’t really know about her.

Working with Mrs. Amosun since January 2012 as one of her close aides has given me the vista of opportunities to know her better and appreciate her genuine passion to assist, support and empower the less privileged and the needy in our society.

Beyond her care for the good people of Ogun State, Mrs. Amosun has become a mother figure to many in the government circle in the state, touching their lives with so much compassion outside their official duties.

Personally, I was somewhat agitated and disturbed over a domestic matter and I couldn’t sleep sometime in February 2013.

In my state of restlessness, I picked up my Blackberry phone around 2am and began to fiddle with it: played music, changed my BB Display Picture amongst others. Suddenly Mrs. Amosun sent a message to my phone, asking why I was not sleeping at this time of the day.

I was shocked to my marrow. I responded by saying I was trying to get some things sorted out. Dissatisfied, she probed me further: are you sure? And I said yes. I didn’t really want to bother her about my personal challenge.

Another touchy encounter I had with Mrs. Amosun was on May 30, 2013. I got a call from Lagos that my wife was in labour and had just been rushed to the hospital. I asked the caller about the condition of my wife but he was not audible enough. I called my wife severally, no response. I called my mother-in-law, no

Amosun...a dotting amazon at 50

answer. I became worried. I stayed glued to my phone moving from one section to another to check who else I could call. I stumbled on the number of our family doctor; called him but he didn’t pick too. My worries increased.

So I resigned to fate, hoping for the best.

I went to my DP and I wrote: “It’s Well - I Believe, It Will End in Praise.” Immediately, the governor’s wife asked me: “What’s the problem?” Of course, I had no option than to open up that my wife was in labour. She offered some prayers and encouraged me to be calm. About one hour after, I received a call that my wife had just been delivered of a bouncing baby girl and that my wife and the baby were in good condition. With so much elation, I sent message to the governor’s wife that my family had just been populated with another baby girl. She congratulated me and sent message to my wife.

My takeaway: as a caring mother, Mrs. Amosun often feels strongly concerned about the welfare of people around her and she has successfully extended similar gesture to the good people of Ogun State.

Mrs. Amosun’s compassion to help others is second to none. I was at a loss momentarily, the very first day the governor’s wife said she would be climbing the Mountain Kilimanjaro

Mrs. Amosun’s compassion to help others is second to none. I was at a loss momentarily, the very first day the governor’s wife said she would be climbing the Mountain Kilimanjaro in Tanzania for the sole aim of raising funds for the victims of the insurgency in the North-east…While I was still struggling to come to terms with her decisions, it dawned on me that indeed Mrs. Amosun has a strong-willed empathy and the spirit to always support the less privileged in Tanzania for the sole aim of raising funds for the victims of the insurgency in the Northeast, who are scattered across the various Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Nigeria. While I was still struggling to come to terms with her decisions, it dawned on me that indeed Mrs. Amosun has a strong-willed empathy and the spirit to always support the less privileged.

No wonder, Mrs. Amosun has been using every opportunity to call on the individuals, the corporate bodies and any other interested parties to join her in lending a helping hand to the less privileged. This, she often expresses with a Yoruba song: Eni k’eni ti iwo ba ni ipa l’ati se iranlowo fun ooo, Oun na l’eni keji re, Toju re. This can be literarily translated thus: Endeavour to help the needy you can afford to assist, for such person is your brother or sister.

Her ‘communal spirit’ of lending a helping hand to the less privileged made Mrs. Amosun to initiate different programmes to massively complement the efforts of her husband, Senator Amosun in the governor’s overall Mission

to Rebuild Ogun State.

Through her foundation, UPLIFT Development Foundation, the governor’s wife has been focusing on poverty alleviation, using UPLIFT as an acronym for ‘Understanding People’s Limiting and Inhibiting Factors Today.’ The foundation provides intervening programmes to empower the vulnerable and the needy, with basic facilities to achieve the ultimate goal of making them self-sufficient.

The UPLIFT vision centres on poverty alleviation through the provision of economic empowerment, skill acquisition programmes and access marketable items and loans. Her target groups include the physically challenged, those living with HIV/AIDS, vulnerable aged, unemployed graduates, vulnerable orphans and disadvantaged women and children in general.

Some of her programmes include: UPLIFTing the Aged; Free Eye Camp; UPLIFTing Women; UPLIFTing Widows; UPLIFTing Unemployed Graduates; Uplift Cancer Awareness Campaign; UPLIFTing the Physically Challenged; UPLIFTing SS3 Students; UPLIFTing Youths through Beatification; UPLIFTing Traders; UPLIFTing the Environment International Conference and Workshop; UPLIFT Aged Welfare Card; UPLIFT Food Outreach; Launch of Green Education for the Youths, Waste to Wealth Initiative; UPLIFT Under-15 Grassroots Football Camp; MITROS Micro Credit Scheme; and De-worming Exercise for School Children.

Others are UPLIFTing Women Living with HIV/AIDS; UPLIFT Artificial Limb Camp; UPLIFT Safe Motherhood Initiative; UPLIFTing Rainstorm Victims; UPLIFTing Rural Dwellers; UPLIFTing Orphans and Vulnerable Children; Community Empowerment Programme; 1st National Green Essay Competition; 1st Ogun State National Women Conference in 2014; UPLIFTing Schools; Free Breast Lump Excision Surgery and Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for IDPs amongst others.

Mrs. Amosun has built a strong tie with the vulnerable citizens across the length and breadth of Ogun State through her various initiatives. She has undeniably touched many lives through her UPLIFT Development Foundation.

The stark reality today is that Mrs. Amosun is 50 and to this I say, Congratulations and Happy Birthday. But the ladyish and glowing look of Mrs. Amosun can make anyone demand for a recount to determine if she is actually 50.

Happy 50th birthday to a mother, mentor and confidant!

•Sowunmi is media aide to the wife of the Governor of Ogun State

T H E N E W T E R R O R T H R E AT compensation from the federal government for the colossal loss suffered by cocoa and oil palm plantations affected during the rampage.

The meeting was attended by 24 agricultural commodity associations.

Talking to THISDAY, first son of former Biafran leader, late Chief Emeka OdumegwuOjukwu, lawyer and right activist, Mr. Debe Ojukwu, expressed worry about the development. He harped on the urgent need to strike a balance that can facilitate peace.

“I’m worried and it should be stopped because we are talking about means of livelihood. The means of livelihood of people in the East is farming. The means of livelihood of people in the North is shepherding but you cannot sacrifice one for the other. You cannot say because you need pasture, you roam about to feed your animals and then you trample of somebody’s farm and destroy the whole crops. It is not done!

“So, normally the problem is because we over-concentrate our energy in one place.

In London and all those places, the farming population is usually about one or two per cent and they are the richest. Somebody has a grazing field, he has farm, he has about 300 herds of cattle and then he buys fodder to feed the cattle there. He doesn’t start parading the streets of London because you want to feed your cattle; you don’t do that! So, rights of the people in the South should be respected and the violence that is attendant is something that should be discouraged.”

A Lagos-based businessman, Ben Chuka Eche, who is a native of Awgu Egbeleli town, is one of the very concerned persons that have been working round the clock with relevant authorities to ensure that peace returns to every part of the state currently under the

Fulani siege. In his opinion, the activities of the herdsmen are assuming a very dangerous proportion and must be checked by the federal government so as to allow the people return to their normal lifestyle.

Narrating the ordeals of people in affected villages, Eche said the bane of the conflict is that farmers have no means of protecting their crops because the herdsmen are heavily armed with guns and other dangerous weapons and even when they report to the police, they are challenged because of access to the farmland and as such, the herdsmen carry out attacks on the people freely.

“Previously, herdsmen used to wander with their cattle but the difference was that they were afraid of the villagers and respect their farm lands, mostly the pasture along the highways and unarmed with only the sticks.

Now, it is a total change. The herdsmen are armed with Ak-47 and all manner of locally made guns and wander mostly inside the farmlands thereby increasing the friction with farmers because of destruction of the crops and their livelihood.

“They commit a lot of atrocities. They kill and rape women. In my community now, women cannot go to farm unaccompanied. A few months ago, a man was killed and buried in a shallow grave. Mind you, there are also random kidnapping and armed robbery attributed to this group. The leadership, as matter of urgency, must talk about it now. And as expected, the federal government must take the lead in finding lasting solutions,” he bemoaned.

Eche said the Igwe, the traditional ruler and elders have tried to engage the herdsmen leaders to appeal to them to leave the community but unsuccessful, adding that the

federal government should articulate a long term strategy that must remove wandering over land looking for pasturage for their cows as a way to avoid the clashes.

“Like other farmers and businessmen, they should be encouraged to approach leading finance houses and banks to borrow to establish ranches. It is a more progressive way to deal with this issue. Meanwhile they should vacate illegal occupation of other people’s land to avoid conflict.

“There’s need for us – leadership of this country – to fashion out the strategy on how to manage the issue of herdsmen. South-east Governors Forum and other regional bodies should develop strategy on how to resolve this. We have enough security issues in this country. Let’s not allow this to get out of hand.

It was Agatu in Benue last time, my community now, who knows where it will be next?”

Taming the Monster It is almost a consensus that urgent efforts must be made to curtail activities capable of jeopardising the fragile peace in the country and one of such is the rampaging Fulani herdsmen, who were previously nomadicpasture seeking cattle rearers now turned sophisticated weapon wielding killers in Benue, Ondo, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Ogun, Kwara, Taraba, Adamawa, Enugu States and some other parts of the country.

Though the issue has generated huge concern, the unfortunate constant attacks on communities in Enugu State calls for urgent action as a way to avoiding an escalation of the already obvious fault lines in the country.

Government cannot afford to pay lip service to the issue. It must be tamed immediately.

This is why many consider as unfortunate,

the position of the 19 Northern governors, who recently took strong exception to alleged branding of perpetrators of crimes around the country as Fulani. The governors, who rose from a meeting in Kaduna, said much as they condemned the recent attacks by suspected herdsmen in Enugu and other parts of the country, it was out of place by anyone to label all criminals as Fulani.

Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, said it was an insult to consider criminals as Fulani.

He said: “We want to unequivocally condemn the recent killings in Enugu and other parts of the country. But we equally condemn the politicization or permit me, the ‘ethinicisation’ of the whole crisis,” the governor said.

“It goes beyond Fulani. If anything happens, they say Fulani herdsmen. To me, it is an insult.

Kidnapping in this country originated in the South-east, were they called Igbo kidnappers?

We have a great national challenge and we want to call on all and sundry to come and let us solve our common challenges as a people, because the blood of paternity that binds us together supersedes whatever differences that might divide us.”

That the northern governors were quick to siding with the Fulani herdsmen was believed to have first exposed the warped mindset, an indication that ethnicisation of issues is a more present and living factor in the body polity. Therefore, with the governors from the different regions of the country fighting the cause of their people without recourse to national security and harmony, the menace of the herdsmen might tarry for an even longer time except this act of violence is seen as what it is – crime – and addressed as such.

20

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 • T H I S D AY

FEATURES

Acting Features Editor Charles Ajunwa Email charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

‘We Saw Death’ Christopher Isiguzo writes that survivors of last Monday’s invasion of the quiet agrarian community of Ukpabi Nimbo in Uzouwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by suspected Fulani herdsmen are still reeling from the bloody onslaught on their community

The Ogbobes receiving treatment in hospital

T

he uproar that trailed last Monday’s invasion of the quiet agrarian community of Ukpabi Nimbo in Uzouwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by suspected Fulani herdsmen leading to the killing of about 48 persons, burning of a community church and residential buildings as well as destruction of other valuables worth several millions of naira may have simmered but its impact on the lives of that once peaceful area would remain evergreen.

Though so many people lost their lives but those who sustained life-threatening injuries are still gnashing their teeth wishing that fateful day never came. At the moment, no fewer than 20 persons scattered across different hospitals in Enugu now have their lives on the cliffhanger. The tears still flowing down the cheeks of a number of them even in their state of unconsciousness speak volume of the pain in their hearts.

From Royal Cross Specialist Hospital where two persons including a former Councillor are receiving treatment, to Bishop Shanahan where six persons, three of whom are still unconscious and Nsukka District Hospital with four persons on their sick beds, the stories are the same. Even at the Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu and Parklane Hospital where about four persons were taken to, it remains a tale of pain, agony, regret, sadness flowing

through their minds.

However, while tension has continued to

The invaders shot sporadically into the air, and as people opened their doors running helter skelter, they were being mowed down with machetes and guns.Those who received gun shots died instantly while most of the survivors were those who ran away with machete cuts.Those who saw their death and experienced pain in an unimaginable proportion were those they captured alive.They were cut into pieces, severing their arms first before slaughtering them

grip residents of communities who are yet to taste the venom of the suspected rampaging herders, most watchers and analysts are still wondering how over 200 suspected Fulani herdsmen successfully invaded a community and executed their plans without anyone of them being apprehended by either the villagers or security operatives despite the fact that the attack was an open secret all along.

Prior, to the attack, there were reports that something of such was about to happen. Even among security network, the police, the local government and the state government were alerted but yet it was not forestalled. Alhaji Saidu Bafo specifically told THISDAY that he had alerted the state government of the impending attack and expressed dismay that nothing was done to avert it.

According to two brothers who survived the attack, police were actually deployed to the community the night preceding the attack but they left around 5.30am while the herders attacked around 6am. The two brothers, Cyprian Ogbobe, 41, and Innocent Ogbobe, 35, are currently on admission at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Park Lane Enugu.

Cyprian, who had multiple machete cuts on his body managed to say a few things he witnessed on that fateful day with the assistance of his mother, Mrs. Regina Ogbobe, currently attending to them in the hospital. The

younger Ogbobe, with cuts on his forehead, arms and leg remained unconscious throughout the period of the interview. He was said to have been in that state since the invasion of their community last Monday.

The severely wounded Cyprian narrated that the herdsmen came with buses but parked far away probably at Kogi side of the border, and sneaked into the community on foot.

They probably laid siege in the bush while monitoring the police or being informed by an informant, who apparently tipped them off about police departure. “My brother, let me tell you, we really saw death with our own eyes. This is the most wicked thing somebody could do to a fellow human being”.

Mrs. Ogbobe who held back tears to collaborate her son’s account noted that the herdsmen had posed constant threats to the community over the years. She said they usually go to farm in groups following constant rape of women and destruction of their farms by the cattle herders.

Even in the midst of tears, she said “we have been hearing of all manner of stories about how Fulani herdsmen have been clashing with farmers, but we never knew that Monday would be our turn. There is this young lady, I can’t immediately remember her name, she had been away from the village staying in South America for several years.

She just returned recently and was making

21

T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

FEATURES

Mazi Utazi Michael on hospital bed

Burnt church

We have never experienced something like this before.

What is our sin? Is it because we are peaceful people? I died several times, when I saw the lifeless bodies of my people, when I saw how they were massacred; when I saw how they were ribbed off, when I saw the wailing, the tears.

It was so traumatic but my prayer is that God will help us arrangements to possibly take her family along with her to America with the aim of giving them a good life but you can’t believe it that these herdsmen slaughtered her with her parents. The entire family was wiped out.

“There is nothing these people have not done to us. They have destroyed our farmlands, raped our women, attacked at different times though with minimal casualty but this one is the mother of all of them. There’s no family in our community that is not affected this time around. This is one experience we can never forget in a hurry. See how my children are lying down helplessly on these beds. When they are supposed to be doing something meaningful, herdsmen have confined them to hospital beds. May God see them through,” she said.

In another account, Eze Ngozi, the daughter of another victim of the attack also on admission in the hospital spoke on behalf of her father, a septuagenarian, Mazi Utazi Michael noting that “nobody will even wish his/her enemy such an experience.

According to her, “the invaders shot sporadically into the air, and as people opened their doors running helter skelter, they were being mowed down with machetes and guns. Those who received gun shots died instantly while most of the survivors were those who ran away with machete cuts. Those who saw their death and experienced pain in an unimaginable proportion were those they captured alive.

They were cut into pieces, severing their arms first before slaughtering them”.

On his part, the traditional ruler of Nimbo community, Igwe John Akor said the people of the area have suddenly become refugees in their own land as those who managed to escape from the hands of the marauding herdsmen have already fled the community.

“We have never experienced something like this before. What is our sin? Is it because we are peaceful people? I died several times, when I saw the lifeless bodies of my people, when I saw how they were massacred; when I saw how they were ribbed off, when I saw the wailing, the tears. It was so traumatic

Remains of Ugwu Ogbu, a teacher from Enugu Ezike posted to Nimbo but my prayer is that God will help us. The governor was here and he promised to take care of the bills of those in the hospitals, we are grateful to him. But, we are also asking that they should provide security to our people.

The security people were alerted that these people will attack but nothing much was done and it happened in a most gruesome manner. May this never happen again,” he told THISDAY. Meanwhile, condemnations have continued to trail the incident with members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) vowing not to fold their arms and watch innocent citizens of the South-east lose their lives in the hands of the suspected rampaging herders. The group said the attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen, is a calculated attempt by the Hausa-Fulanis to Islamise Nigeria, especially Ndigbo but said that the plans will not work.

According to a release made available to journalists in Enugu, signed by the Director of Media and Publicity, IPOB, Emma Powerful, there had been such attempts in the past starting from Usman Dan- Fodio to Islamise Nigeria but it did not work.

The group frowned at the leaders of Igbo people who they call Biafrans, especially the governors of the South-east for not living up to expectation, saying that this was what made way for the senseless killing and maiming of citizens by the Fulani herdsmen. They pointedly accused the South-east governors of playing politics and games with the lives of their subjects by not doing much to check the rampaging herdsmen.

“The governors and politicians used the life of their subjects to play games and politics, if not so, why would they not summon an emergency meeting to deliberate the impending danger, condition of their people, because they were used by their counterparts in the

North against their people. Let them go and see what the governor of Kaduna State is doing to the Christians in that state and their master in Aso Rock is not saying anything because it is a strategy to Islamise the Biafrans and Christians. While Fulani herdsmen kill hundreds all around the country daily, we remember this tweet from @elrufai never forget, we will write this for all to read, anyone, solder or not that kills the Fulani takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes.

“Now, the Hausa Fulani and Boko Haram terrorist groups are killing, raping our women and girls, destroying our farmland and kidnapping our people with impunity on a daily basis in disguise of Fulani herdsmen and cattle rearers and nobody is saying anything because they are Biafrans. The DSS will never come up with their concocted intelligence report again, let the world hear it now. We are totally disappointed with the governors and politicians of this land for not knowing the meaning of chief security officer of their states,” the release noted.

While lamenting what happened at UzoUwani, IPOB lamented thus: “Biafrans, our destiny changes with our thought, we shall become what we wish to be, when our betrayers thought, the governors and politicians corresponds with our heart desire because they are sabotaging every efforts we do. In line with this, posterity will never forgive those who sabotage the struggle and Biafra restoration. We have no other place except Biafra.

“IPOB worldwide, will not fail to let the Hausa Fulani know that historically, the Biafrans were not born like cowards and we are ready for what is to come. They tried this their Islamisation agenda before, during the era of their fathers Usman Dan- Fodio

and Amadu Bello but they did not succeed and they did it again in 1966-1970 when they decided through Hassan Katsina, Yakubu Gowon, Muhammadu Buhari, Olusegun Obasanjo, Murtala Muhammed and Ibrahim Babangida and others to kill Biafrans from two years up. We know that they will still fail again but you bear in mind that this is 21st century. Biafrans are the chosen people of Chukwu Okike Abiama (God Almighty) and no weapon fashioned against us shall prosper.

“All these happenings, prove that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra Mazi Nnamdi Kanu the prophet and visionary of our time is right because all his prophecies have come to pass. The Christians in this country you are still waiting for the total Islamisation before you do something. This is the time we take the destiny in our hands before what happened to the Christians in the North Africa and Turkey happen to you,” the group pointed out.

Among notable persons and groups who have joined in condemning the massacre in Ukpabi Nimo include, are the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka, Most Rev. Godfrey Onah, the Enugu State chapter of Ohaneze Ndigbo, the South-east chapter of the All Progressives Congress, the Christian Association of Nigeria, Enugu chapter, among others. They all asked the federal government to devise strategies aimed at checkmating the activities of the suspected marauders.

Meanwhile, following his visit to troubled Ukpabi Nimbo community Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has convened an emergency meeting with the traditional rulers, president-general of Town Unions and leaders of the neighborhood watch in all the communities in the state for Monday, May 2 (today).

A reliable source disclosed that the meeting is part of series of action plans of the state government to find a lasting solution to the menace of the Fulani herdsmen in the state. It was gathered that the governor was determined to put an end to the inhuman acts of the herdsmen which have consumed the lives and property of innocent citizens of the state as well as threatened the peace and security of the state and the nation at large.

It could be recalled that Governor Ugwuanyi had while addressing the people of the Nimbo community called for peace, fasting and prayers for the intervention of God, assuring them and the people of the state that he will do everything possible within his constitutional powers to end the incessant menace posed by the herdsmen in the state.

The governor also disclosed that when he got a security report on Sunday that the attack will take place in the community, he immediately summoned an emergency meeting of the State Security Council which met on Sunday night till the early hours of Monday, shortly before the herdsmen struck, regretting that the sad incident eventually occurred after all the assurances given to him by the security operatives that the attack will not happen. The scheduled meeting, according to the source, is expected to map out the best strategies that would promote peace and end the attacks from the herdsmen.

22

IMAGES

L_R, HEAD MEDIA, FRSC, MR BISI KAZEEM; ZONAL COMMANDING OFFICER, RS9 ENUGU, MR SAMUEL OBAYEMI; CORPS MARSHAL, MR BOBOYE OYEYEMI; CHAIRMAN, PEACE MASS TRANSIT (PMT), MR SAM ONYISHI AND VICE CHAIRMAN, LOLO IFY ONYISHI DURING THE COMMISSIONING OF PEACE MASS TRANSIT 300 NEWLY ACQUIRED BUSES FITTED WITH SPEED LIMITING DEVICE IN ENUGU...RECENTLY

L-R; Director, Public Affairs & Communication, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Clem Ugorji; CEO Ebenezer Associates Consulting on Health Limited (EACH), Dr Ebenezer Sonaiya; Head, Power & Infrastructure, Stanbic IBTC, Paula Coetzee; CEO Economic Associates, Dr Ayodele Teriba and Finance Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Seye Dosunmu; during the April edition of the Nigeria- South Africa Chamber of Commerce (NSACC) Breakfast Forum sponsored

by Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited in Lagos... recently

T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

President, Cancer Education and Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CEAFON), Prof Francis Durosimi -Etti; CEAFON Administrative Officer, Yetunde Bashorun and CEO, Tanit Medical Engineering Ltd, Anthony Nader, during the announcement of CEAFON’s 2016 Cancer Summit in Lagos,..recently.

L-R; Vice Chairman, Youth Membership, Dr Ibilola Amao; New Chairman, Energy Institute,Mr Osten Olorunsola; Immediate Past Chairman, Mr Effiom Edet and Managing Director, Energy Institute,, Mrs Yewande Abiose at theEnergy Institute cocktail party at Oriental Hotel, Lagos...recently

L-R, Chief Technical officer,Business connecxion(Bcx), Chuka Acha; Chief Financial officer,Bcx, Olushike Bamisheb;,Managing Director,Bcx, John Sviridov and,General Manager,Services, Emmanuel Akhidenor at the Nigeria Communications Week Beacon of Information and Communication Technology(BoICT) award where Business Connexion received ICT solutions provider of the year award in Lagos...recently

L-R; Commissioner of Police, Finance & Admin, Hyacinth Dagala; AIG of Police, Communications, Danladi Mshelbelwa and CEO, IHS Nigeria, Rajiv Jaitly, at a workshop organized by IHS on protection of Base Transceiver Stations in Nigeria at the International Peace Keeping Training Centre, Force HQ Abuja, recently.

L-R: Media Relation Officer, Dufil Prima Foods Plc,Ayeni Aramide; Group Head, Public Relations/Event, Ashiwaju Temitope;Brand Manager, Indomie Instant Noddles, Amber Yadav; and Social Media Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Kenneth Iruonagbe, at the media briefing on 8th editon of Indomie Independence day award 2016 in Lagos..recently ETOP UKUTT

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Quick Takes Konga Launches New Payment Solution

Konga.com has announced the launch of a new online payment solution called KongaPay, which it said will facilitate the initiation and completion of transactions in a seamless manner.

Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive Officer of Konga. com, Shola Adekoya, said the e-commerce company unveiled the KongaPaypayment solution because it wanted Nigerians and Africans at large to experience the best of service at their convenience. According to him, the development was an indication that the company was constantly evolving to be more relevant to customers and society.

He said: “We are extending KongaPay to other consumers outside of the Konga.com’s platform because it is designed to be fast, reliable, secure, flexible and above all provides a best-in-class financial solution to Nigerians and Africa at large,” Described as the first in Africa and the world, KongaPay is according to the management of the company pioneering something called me-Commerce. “With KongaPay, take a photo of any item you want to sell and we’ll generate a payment QR code for you.

Just like that, you will be able to share the QR code on your favorite social media sites. We’re excited to provide a unique gateway for local entrepreneurs to reach both local and international markets through social media,” the CEO stated

FOR EFFICIENT TAX COLLECTION

L-R: Executive Chairman, LIRS, Mr. Olufolarin Ogunsanwo; Commissioner for Finance, Lagos State, Mr. Mustapha Akinkunmi and House Committee Chairman on Finance, Lagos State House of Assembly, Honorable Oluyinka Ogundimu, during the Tax Audit Monitoring Agents (TAMA) conference and training by LIRS in Lagos…recently

MSCI Retains Nigeria in Benchmark Frontier Index Obinna Chima The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) has said that it will keep Nigeria in its benchmark frontier-market index after saying earlier this month that it might exclude the country because of the government’s capital controls.

MSCI won’t “implement changes” for Nigerian securities in its benchmarks, including the MSCI Frontier Markets 100 Index, in its semi-annual review next month, the New York-based index provider said in a statement weekend.

The country, however, will be placed under a “special treatment,” and some individual stocks that no longer meet MSCI’s criteria may be

ECONOMY deleted from indexes.

The MSCI is a marketcapitalisation-weighted index designed to provide a broad measure of stock performance throughout the world, with the exception of US-based companies.

MSCI told Bloomberg last month it might remove Nigeria from its benchmarks because inadequate liquidity in the foreign-exchange market is making it difficult for foreign investors to buy and sell securities.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Barclays Plc have already dropped Nigeria’s bonds from their local-currency emerging market indexes.

According to a report by

Lagos-based CSL Stockbrokers Limited, Nigeria currently makes up 11.8 per cent of the MSCI index, which had market capitalisation of $85 billion at the end of March. This puts the theoretical value of Nigeria’s share at around $10 billion.

The CSL report noted that any adjustment that required investors to sell Nigerian equities would have been difficult for index followers to carry out given forex and equity market liquidity issues.

“In other words, MSCI appears to be trying to shield investors from market accessibility issues by not implementing changes,” CSL added.

It pointed out that an exclusion from the index would have forced index-following investors

to face accessibility issues head on as they would have to sell Nigerian stocks.

“In reality however, we believe that investors are massively underweight Nigeria and estimates of index-tracking money in the NSE have been put at around U$500 million.

Daily equity market turnover in recent weeks has averaged around $7 million.

“Once investors are out of the stock market, they would then have to face the even bigger challenge of converting the naira proceeds of these sales to forex. $500 million over 14 weeks would result in investors attempting to remit $35 million per week. Recently, the Continued on page 24

NSE CEO Tasks African Capital Markets on $3.1bn Funding Goddy Egene The President, African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema has called on African Countries to deepen their capital markets so as to facilitate the raising of $3.1 billion by companies in 2016.

Speaking at the Building African Financial Markets (BAFM) seminar in Lagos, Onyema said research by Thomson Reuters indicated that African initial public offerings(IPOs) are to raise over $3.1 billion in 2016. The amount does not only double

STOCK MARKET what was raised in 2015 but also it is the highest value raised in any year since 2010.

Technology, consumer essentials and industrial sectors are set to be the busiest among the 15 IPOs in the African pipeline.

‘Now, what does this mean for us? It means that we must position African capital markets as a viable funding source for the anticipated growth, and liquidity is the key success factor to this goal,” he said.

According to Onyema, sub-regional integration efforts such as WACMI in West Africa, CoSSE in Southern Africa,

and EAC in East Africa are important initiatives that have the potential to unlock demand among issuers and boost liquidity.

“The African Exchanges Linkage Project (AELP), which is a jointly owned mandate between ASEA and the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), is also aimed at addressing the lack of liquidity in African capital markets. Thus, these initiatives are encouraged to fast-track the integration of their regional markets,” he said.

Onyema noted that like integration, technology has become a facilitator of liquidity.

“Historically, the technology

focus for exchanges was on execution, however today, the focus has shifted to information services, pre-trade, and post trade dimensions. Accordingly, information services, pre-trade and post-trade are where the next waves of innovation for exchanges are expected to emerge. Emerging technology such as block chain and fintech are gaining traction. Business models such as Uber and Airbnb who have no taxis or rooms but yet create liquidity in them, demonstrate that technology does not create liquidity on its own but instead it brings Continued on page 24

Student Wins Car in Etisalat’s Cliqfest

As part of its moves to bond with the youth market, Etisalat has boosted its strategic engagement with Nigerian youths as its Cliqfest train berthed at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ojere, Ogun State.

The initiative is designed on a tripod of education, sports and entertainment with the aim of encouraging young Nigerians to pursue their dreams by helping them identify their passions often in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

The two-day event culminated in the emergence of Ogundeyi Ayobami, a HND1 student of Accounting as the winner of the star prize, a Hyundai i10 Car through a raffle draw. An elated Ayobami was full of praises to Etisalat for giving him the wonderful opportunity to experience Cliqfest. “I never believed that I will win the car today and I am still pinching myself to make sure it’s not a dream,” he said.

Earlier, the students were treated to a riveting concert which featured rap act; Reminisce, singer; Lil Kesh of the “Shoki fame and Nigerian Idol 4 winner; Evelle who performed hit after hits from their chart topping albums.

Motivational speaker and life coach, Niyi Adesanya anchored the seminar on the first day and spoke on the theme: “Activate your Dreams,” as he provided the students with a roadmap on how to succeed beyond the four walls of their school and in their professional careers.

FirstBank’s Folake Ani-Mumuney Loses Dad

FirstBank’s Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Folake Ani-Mumuney has lost her father, Dr. Francis Adedoyin Olusiji Owosina. Olusina, a renowned Orthopaedic surgeon, was aged 86.

AstatementonbehalfoftheOwosinafamilyofSagamu,OgunState, Nigeria said the deceased was a scholar of the Federal Government of Nigeria; the British Government; the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations. He served as Chief Medical Director, National OrthopedicHospital,Igbobi,LagosandwasSeniorConsultantOrthopedic Surgeon in charge of the Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Division of the Western State Ministry of Health Services, among others.

A prolific researcher and development-oriented surgeon, he contributed several seminal papers at conferences and in journals across the globe, enriching the broad field of Orthopaedic medicine and related disciplines.

Owosina was a Fellow of the Nigerian Medical Council in Surgery; West African College of Surgeons and International Society for Prosthetists and Orthodists. He founded and led many professional associations, especially associations devoted to rehabilitation of the disabled. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mrs. Margaret Modupe Owosina, five children and many grandchildren.The funeral arrangements will be announced by the family.

“Despite these huge resources, we still face huge energy supply problems. In fact, it is an irony that we do not have sufficient gas to fire our power plants” Vice President , Yemi Osibanjo

24

T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD MSCI RETAINS NIGERIA IN BENCHMARK FRONTIER INDEX

Central Bank of Nigeria has made around $180 million available to commercial banks on a weekly basis to meet total dollar demand from their clients.

“Based on the $35 million assumption above and assuming the CBN forex sales stay at current levels, foreign investors would theoretically apply for 20 per cent of total forex sales to commercial banks in the event of an exclusion from the MSCI index. We see it is as extremely unlikely that the CBN would be willing to grant foreign investors such a large proportion of overall forex available,” it added.

With all these, it noted that an exclusion from the index would have made life very difficult for index-tracking foreign investors, adding that it was possible that the MSCI wanted to avoid causing these difficulties with its latest decision.

NSE CEO TASKS AFRICAN CAPITAL MARKETS ON $3.1BN FUNDING

together market participants, and that leads to liquidity,” he said.

According to him, in the capital markets, technology can be powerful, as it can bring very diverse market participants.

“Building the African financial market is our collective responsibility hence we must seek out knowledge that empower each of us to remove impediments such as outdated systems and trading practices that impede the ability of African exchanges to handle sizeable capital inflows.

Evolution in local regulation is starting to increasingly provide the opportunity for pension funds to diversify their expanding portfolios beyond equity investments in traditional sectors, such as banking and oil & gas availing additional pools of funds to be traded in our markets. These and many more are some of the untapped opportunities waiting to be explored, and it is imperative that we are prepared to take advantage of these opportunities,” he said.

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku Maritime Editor

John Iwori

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Crusoe Osagie

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) Linda Eroke (Labour) Eromosele Abiodun (Cap Mkt) Ejiofor Alike (Energy) James Emejo (Nation’s Capital) Obinna Chima (Money Mkt) Reporters

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (AgriBusiness)

NEWS

PenCom DG: Monthly Pension Contribution Hits N25 Billion Ebere Nwoji The National Pension Commission ( PenCom), has said that average monthly contributions of Nigerian workers into the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) has risen to N25 billion just as it has disclosed that total pension assets under the scheme now stands at N5.39 trillion. The commission said the amounts represented March 2016 figures.

The PenCom Director General, Chinelo AnohuAmazu, who disclosed these at a round table discussions on retirement and Pension in Abuja to commemorate this year’s workers day celebration , said the above total pension assets, was equivalent to the 7.72per cent of the Nigerian rebased GDP. She said, out of this, about 60per cent of the total pension fund assets belongs to the private sector.

She explained that as at March 2016, about 7.01 million workers had registered and are contributing to the scheme.

The PenCom DG said this represents about 7.45 percent of total labour force in Nigeria and 3.95per cent of total population.

She also said out of 36 states in the country, 26 had adopted the scheme and are at different stages of implementation while the remaining 10 states are at bill stage.

Furthermore, she disclosed that about 200,000 private sector employers of labour are implementing the CPS while over 162,343 workers had retired under the Scheme as at March 2016 and are currently receiving pensions as and when due.

Anohu Amazu, represented

by PenCom’s Head, Research and Strategy Management, Dr. Farouk Umar noted that the CPS in its over ten years of operation in Nigeria, had recorded the highest growth of 17 percent in the year 2013, this was followed by 2012 when pension asset growth rate stood at 14 percent.

According to her, in 2015, the growth rate was 13 percent whereas in 2010, pension asset grew by 11 percent.

According to her, in 2014,

the pension Asset grew by 10 percent while in 2011 and 2007, the growth rate was nine percent respectively.

She said the lowest growth rate of three percent was witnessed in 2006 while in2008, it grew by eight percent and six percent in 2009.

Giving an update of activities in the public sector pension, the PenCom boss said the Pension Transition Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) was fully established to handle issues of federal government retirees

Shipping firms and importers in the country are again embroiled in a fierce fight over container deposits running into several millions of naira, THISDAY investigation has revealed.

The fight, which has seen freight forwarders pitching tents with importers, is already threatening operations in the nation’s seaports, especially the ones situated in Lagos.

Though the exact amount involved in the imbroglio could not be immediately ascertained, THISDAY checks revealed that the supremacy contest over the control of the interests accruing in the commercial banks on container deposits is behind the fight.

Already, there were accusations and counter-accusation on the issue. It was gathered that the bone of contention was the huge amount involved and the delay in making refunds to importers and their agents.

The importers and their licensed customs agents at the nation’s seaports accused shipping companies of not refunding container deposits

retirement benefits of Professors and Political appointees in accordance with Section 6(2) of the PRA 2014” “The Commission conducted on-site reviews of the compliance status of 42 self-funded public agencies in September 2015.

The PenCom DG also spoke on the proposed Micro pension scheme saying that it was introduced to extend coverage to the persons working in the informal sector and the selfemployed

ENHANCING SMES DEVELOPMENT

L-R: A Consultant to Bank of Industry, Mr. Adolphus Ojobo; Area Manager, Skye Bank Plc, Benin Area, Mrs. Chinyere Imeribe; Managing Director, Omega Foods and Hospitality, Mr. Alex Otuya; and Head, Small Business Group, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs. Ayo Olojede, at the SME seminar organised by Skye Bank in Benin … recently

Again Shipping Firms, Importers Biker over Container Deposits John Iwori

exempted from the CPS. She said there were 220,376 pensioners on payroll under the four departments of PTAD with a monthly pension of N6.4 billion as at January 2016.

She also disclosed that the commission has conducted the maiden examination of PTAD and the report of the findings forwarded to the Minister of Finance for further action.

“Follow up examination will be conducted subsequently Guidelines are being developed for the payment of

to agents several weeks after return of containers. They alleged that the shipping firms employ delay tactics so that it takes them weeks to refund the container deposits to them.

They alleged that while they are waiting for the payment of the deposits, the shipping firms rip them off by placing the funds in the financial institutions products that yield them millions of naira.

THISDAY had reported that container deposits collection is monetary deposit in lieu of containers that are taken away by agents on behalf of the consignees.

The deposit is expected to be refunded seven days after the containers have been returned to the shipping companies.

A Lagos based freight forwarder, Mr. Fred Ajuzie told reporters in Lagos recently that the shipping companies have been holding on to their money.

Ajuzie, who is a chieftain of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), alleged that CMA/CGM, Hullblyt and others have not been complying with refunding

containers deposit to agents seven days after the containers are returned.

“We do not know what Nigerian Shippers Council is doing. Agents and freight forwarders are not benefiting from regulation of the Council as it affects the prompt refund of container deposits,” he said.

Chairperson, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Apapa Chapter, Julie Ogboru also accused terminal operators of collecting money for services not rendering account.

“I have to remind NSC that we pay for positioning of containers and if we pay for 10 containers, concessionaires will position either two or collect the money and after that, Customs will ask us to reposition and they will collect another money.

“So what is NSC doing that they fold their arms allowing concessionaires collect money for work not done. Every day we keep complaining and you say you are regulators what are you regulating. You should be able to tell shipping companies and concessionaires that they should do it as it should be done,” she said.

AON Moves to Pay All Outstanding Debts to NCAA Chinedu Eze The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has pledged to offset all debts owed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) by member airlines.

However, no deadline has been fixed by the domestic carriers, which said they are battling to remain operational amid many disincentives, which include scarcity of aviation fuel, poor facilities at some airports and high charges.

Prompted by gross revenue deficit, the NCAA Director General, Captain Muhtar Usman met with the management of AON, led by its executive chairman, Captain Nogie Meggison along with prominent airline operators where agreement was reached that the debts would be rescheduled and payments made to the regulatory body.

Speaking on behalf of the operators, the AON Chairman, Captain Meggison remarked that it was incontrovertible that operators were heavily indebted but promised that all unremitted funds would be fully paid.

He thanked the Director General for holding series of meetings with all operators; a

move he said was long expected.

Meggison therefore requested for similar meeting where the Authority’s vision would be properly articulated from time to time to enable airlines keep abreast of developments in the agency.

He, however, called for a retreat where stakeholders would meet to brainstorm on some knotty challenges, which operators and the entire industry have confronted with over the years.

In his response, Usman enjoined the airlines to comply as agreed because the issue of ticket and cargo sales charges was sacrosanct.

He explained that the charges were to enable the Authority and other benefitting agencies effectively carry out its regulatory and statutory responsibilities.

Usman said the NCAA management emphasised the need for automation by operators, which would offer real-time and transparent transaction and directed that all reconciliations must be done within the 60 days window provided.

He advised the operators to forward all required documentations to verify conflicting claims.

25

T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

MARKET REPORT

Stock Market Closes Firmer on Renewed Optimism Goddy Egene and Eromosele Abiodun

The market closed the week on a positive note last Friday as the NSE ASI appreciated by 0.42 per cent to close at 25,062.41 points. Similarly, the market capitalisation appreciated by 0.42 per cent to close at N8.62 trillion compared with the appreciation of 0.60 per cent recorded the prior day to close at N8.58 trillion.

The appreciation recorded in the share prices of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, PZ Cussons Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc were mainly responsible for the gain recorded in the Index.

The Nigerian equities market maintained its positive run to close the week 0.85 per cent higher. Last week’s performance was boosted by renewed optimism by investors on the back of encouraging first quarter results after the turmoil that trailed the 2015 results.

As expected, results released last week showed massive improvement despite recent economic crunch fuelling speculations that the days ahead may be rosy for investors.

Notably, FBN Holdings Plc, which recorded a fall of 82 per cent in 2015, also announced its first quarter result showing improved performance. That development excited the market.

At the close of trading, the NSE All-Share Index and market capitalisation appreciated by 0.85 per cent to close the week at 25,062.41 and N8.621 trillion respectively.

However, the NSE Insurance Index, NSE Oil/Gas Index, NSE Lotus Index and the NSE Industrial Goods Index that declined by 0.28 per cent, 9.69 per cent, 0.85 per cent and 2.03 per cent respectively, while the NSE ASeM Index closed flat.

Despite the positive run in the last two weeks, some analysts have said the market may be volatile in the days ahead, stressing that the recent momentum may not be sustained.

“In the immediate, we expect the market to be volatile given the absence of positive news flow. As such, we advise investors with a medium to long-term investment horizon to gradually build positions in quality names,” analysts at InvestmentOne Limited said.

Daily Performance Summary The Nigerian bourse had opened trading last week in the red dragged by negative investors’ sentiment as indicated by market breadth index.

NSE-ASI was down 0.34 per cent ending the session at 24,765.10, with corresponding market capitalisation of N8.5 trillion. The day’s session outcome was largely influenced by bearish sentiments toward Forte Oil Plc (9.13 per cent), Airline Service and Logistics Plc (4.97 per cent) and Portland Paints Plc (4.96 per cent), cancelling out gains in Learn Africa Plc (4.94 per cent), CCNN Plc (4.93 per cent) and Union Dicon Plc (4.89 per cent). Oil and gas tracker (4.19 per cent) emerged the worst performing sector as Banking (0.25 per cent), Consumer Goods (0.15 per cent) and Industrial (0.04 per cent) recorded marginal gains.

Activity level was weaker relative to previous session. Also, volume and value of trade declined by 23 per cent and 49 per cent respectively closing the session at 144million and N766million. Access Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc recorded the largest volume of trade with 55million and 11million respectively.

On Tuesday, FBN Holdings Plc released its FY 2015 audited results with a N119 billion impairment charge for credit losses, which led to a Profit After Tax of N15 billion. It however released a Q1 result which excited the market. Consequently, The NSE ASI appreciated by 0.24 per cent to close at 24,823.86 points compared with the depreciation of 0.34 per cent recorded the prior day.

The appreciation recorded in the share prices of Dangote Sugar Plc,

FBN Holdings Plc, Oando Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc were mainly responsible for the gain recorded in the Index.

Similarly, the market capitalisation appreciated by 0.24 per cent to close at N8.54 trillion, compared with the depreciation of 0.34 per cent recorded the previous day to close at N8.52 trillion.

Equity market lost marginally on Wednesday as the NSE ASI depreciated by 0.06 per cent to close at 24,809.29 points compared with the appreciation of 0.24 per cent recorded the previous day. Similarly, the market capitalisation depreciated marginally by 0.06 per cent to close at N8.53 trillion compared with the appreciation of 0.24 per cent recorded yesterday to close at N8.54 trillion.

The marginal depreciation recorded in the share prices of Dangote Sugar Plc, Transcorp Plc, Forte Oil Plc, Total Nigeria Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc were mainly responsible for the drop recorded in the Index. The total value of stocks traded on the floors of the NSE on the day was N1.35 billion, down by 10.32 per cent from N1.50 billion recorded the prior day.

The upward movement in a number of highly capitalised stocks pushed up the equity market on Thursday with the NSE ASI appreciating by 0.60 per cent to close at 24,957.08 points. The appreciation recorded in the share prices of Dangote Cement Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, Access Bank Plc and Nigerian Breweries

Plc mainly accounted for the gain recorded in the Index. Similarly, the market capitalisation appreciated by 0.60 per cent to close at N8.58 trillion compared with the marginal depreciation of 0.06 per cent recorded

TOP TEN BROKERS(BY VALUE)

the previous day to close at N8.53 trillion. The total value of stocks traded on the floors of the NSE was N2 billion, up by 48.01 per cent from N1.35 billion recorded the previous day.

AS AT LAST FRIDAY

BROKER RENCAP SECURITIES (NIG) LIMITED EFCP LIMITED STANBIC IBTC STOCKBROKERS LIMITED CHAPEL HILL DENHAM SECURITIES LTD - BRD CSL STOCKBROKERS LIMITED CORDROS CAPITAL LIMITED - BRD READINGS INVESTMENTS LIMITED - BDR AFRICAN ALLIANCE STOCKBROKERS LTD FBN SECURITIES LIMITED CARDINALSTONE SECURITIES LIMITED

TOP TEN BROKERS

(BY VOLUME)

BROKER READINGS INVESTMENTS LIMITED - BDR

VALUE

% VALUE

3,029,928,928.90

24.39

1,991,379,148.45 1,474,871,991.27 584,346,885.25 549,685,670.27 459,135,684.44 356,122,711.05 293,142,073.72 204,431,956.76 202,968,081.92 9,146,013,132.03

16.03 11.87 4.70 4.42 3.70 2.87 2.36 1.65 1.63 73.61

AS LAST FRIDAY VOLUME %VOLUME 197,329,576

8.88

EFCP LIMITED

165,350,873

7.44

STANBIC IBTC STOCKBROKERS LIMITED

150,091,848

6.75

RENCAP SECURITIES (NIG) LIMITED

131,838,813

5.93

APEL ASSET LIMITED - BRD

114,482,438

5.15

MORGAN CAPITAL SECURITIES LIMITED

101,237,846

4.56

CSL STOCKBROKERS LIMITED

95,953,482

4.32

FBN SECURITIES LIMITED

62,432,379

2.81

CARDINALSTONESECURITIESLIMITED

57,516,208

2.59

FORTE FINANCIAL LIMITED

57,393,232

2.58

1,133,626,695

51.01

Market Turnover During the week under review, a turnover of 1.210 billion shares worth N7.115 billion in 15,973 deals were traded by investors on the floor of the exchange, up from a total of 885.367 million shares valued at N5.829 billion that exchanged hands the previous week in 13,870 deals.

The Financial Services Industry led the activity chart with 1.053 billion shares valued at N4.618 billion traded in 9,640 deals; thus contributing 87.01 per cent and 64.90 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Conglomerates Industry followed with 54.319 million shares worth N71.287 million in 564 deals.

The third place was occupied by the Consumer Goods Industry with a turnover of 39.421 million shares worth N1.420 billion in 2,855 deals.

FBN Holdings Plc, Access Bank Plc and United Bank For Africa Plc. Led accounted for 654.258 million shares worth N2.413 billion in 3,965 deals, contributing 54.08 per cent and 33.92 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Also traded during the week were a total of 12,490 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N503,694.85 executed in 28 deals, compared with a total of 4,511 units valued at N1.401 million transacted the previous week in 38 deals.

A total of 8,990 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N10.108 million were traded in 4 deals compared to a total of 3,241 units of Federal Government and Corporate Bonds valued at N3.579 million transacted the previous week in 4 deals.

Gainers and Losers Meanwhile, the price movement chart of the NSE displayed a total of 33 equities that appreciated in price during the week, lower than 35 equities of the previous week.

Thirty-five equities depreciated in price, higher than 32 equities of the previous week, while 121 equities remained unchanged lower than 122 equities of the previous week.

The top 10 gainers were: Nigerian Breweries Plc (N10.19), Eterna Plc (35 kobo), Tiger Branded Consumer Plc (25 kobo), AG Leventis Plc (12 kobo), Honeywell Plc (61 kobo), Wema Bank Plc (8 kobo), NASCON Allied (75 kobo), Cutix (12 kobo), and FBN Holdings Plc (28 kobo).

Conversely, the top 10 losers were: Forte Oil Plc (N60.77), Guinness Nigeria Plc (N6.72), Lafarge Africa Plc (N6.01), Glaxo Smithkline Plc (N2.42), Airline Service and Logistics Plc (34 kobo), UACN Prop Plc (60 kobo), Livestock Feeds Plc (10 kobo), NAHCO Plc (34 kobo), Portland Paints Plc (22 kobo) and Sterling Bank (nine kobo).

26

T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

INSIDE BROAD STREET STATUS REPORT

Nigeria, Others Record Huge Levels of Private Equity Exits

A view of Lagos financial district

AKINWUNMI IBRAHIM

Market Awaits N151bn Maturing Treasury Bills Obinna Chima Investors in the money market are currently expecting a net treasury bills maturity of N150.6 billion expected to hit the market this Thursday.

The impact of this maturing instrument on the liquidity levels of the market is however expected to be off-set by a rollover of the same net amount during the week.

In the treasury bills market, average rate opened the week at 7.9 per cent (from 8.6 per cent the preceding Friday), dropping to 7.8 per cent on Tuesday on the back of increased buying interest. But average treasury bills rate eventually closed the week at 8.2 per cent down, 0.4 per cent week-on-week.

However, analysts anticipate that money market rates would trend northwards as they expect the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to carry out more open market operations (OMO) mop-ups.

Amid expectations of inflows to hit the money market last week, money market rates started the week (Monday) lower than preceding Friday’s closing rates.

Specifically, the open buy back (OBB) and overnight rates dropped one per cent and 0.9 per cent to settle at 3.5 per cent and 4.1 per cent at the end of last Monday’s trading session. OBB and overnight tenors settled at 3.1 per cent and 3.7 per cent last Friday, down 1.4 per cent and 1.3 per cent respectively week-on-week.

Forex Market Amidst devaluation uncertainties and shortages of forex, most foreign investors remained cautious about entering the Nigerian market whilst currency and reinvestment risks linger, a report

by Afrinvest West Africa stated.

The figures on the Nigerian Stock Exchange’s (NSE) Domestic and Foreign Portfolio report released in March had shown that foreign portfolio investors’ (FPI) outflows of N58.2 billion in January and February surpassed inflows of N27.95 billion

MARKET INDICATOR by 108.2 per cent.

“The reservations foreign investors hold at the moment is likely to persist until there is a clear market friendly shift in FX policy direction by the monetary regulatory authority,” Afrinvest stated.

The foreign exchange market was relatively stable at all segments throughout April. The CBN’s official exchange rate remained at N197/$1 whilst naira traded between N320-N323/$1 at the Bureau De Change and N321-N324/$1 at the parallel market during the month.

Nonetheless, last week the naira traded at the CBN and Interbank at N197/$1 and N199.10/$1 respectively. At the BDC segment of the market, the naira traded at N320/$1 throughout the week whilst naira traded at N322/$1 all through at the parallel market save for Wednesday and Thursday when it firmed up to N321.00/US$1.00.

But the central bank remained unable to adequately meet dollar demands in April. Current Gross foreign reserves level closed at $27.14 billion from $27.85 billion at the start of the month.

“We expect that the relative calm in the forex market will spill over into the month of May. However, we believe that there might be a shift in the stance of the central bank on forex policies at the next monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting scheduled for the 23rd and 24th of May,” the report added.

CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele recently described the current scarcity of foreign exchange confronting the country as good riddance, saying local production of various essential goods are now being given top priority. Emefiele said this during a tour of the farmlands cultivated under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme in Kebbi State. He stated that the commitment of stakeholders and the expected output from Kebbi State alone had proved critics of the central

bank’s policy measures wrong. Emefiele, who was full of praise for the farmers and the Kebbi State Government for their determination and commitment, said with the level of success attained under the pilot project in the state, in addition to what he saw at the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate in Niger State recently, it was becoming more of a reality that the country can produce enough food to feed itself and even export in no distant future.

The CBN governor held the view that with agriculture being the bedrock of genuine economic growth of any nation, Nigeria could not be an exception.

“As such, Nigeria with large expanse of arable land ought not to be spending huge amounts of money importing food items at the expense of other competing needs,” he added.

Bond Market Amidst the volatility in the financial market, analysis showed that the domestic bond market was equally being pressured by investor sentiments.

Analysis of the bonds market performance in sampled emerging markets shows that three of Nigeria’s local bonds were the worst performing year-to-date. This was not unconnected with the challenges the economy is currently facing, coupled with monetary policy volatility that has weakened investor sentiments.

Last week, activities in the bonds market were mixed as average yields across benchmark bonds opened the week at 12.4 per cent (from 12.6 per cent on last Friday), with increased buying activity observed on the 20-year benchmark bond (FGN MAR 2036).

Average yield rose by 0.2 per cent to settle at 12.6 per cent by Midweek amid selling activities across board. Whilst the bonds market was generally quiet on Thursday, average yield across benchmark bonds rose one basis point, eventually settling at 12.7 per cent on Friday, which was higher by 0.1 per cent week-on-week.

Zenith Bank, Kudirat Abiola Way, Olusosun, Oregun, Lagos Nume Ekeghe Going into this branch for the first time, one will expect that the banking hall will match the size of its big exterior. This is not so, as inside this branch is very small, though well structured. At the time of this investigation, the staff members attending to all the customers were only four.

There were only two tellers attending to all banking transactions and two customer

INSIDE BANKING HALL service personnel. One of the customer service personnel even left minutes after this reporter entered the banking hall, leaving the bulk of work for only one person.

Due to very limited staff on duty, the banking hall was crowded with long queues of customers waiting to be attended to. The

banking atmosphere was not conducive as customers, who waited for longer time for transactions that ordinarily should not last for more than five or 10 minutes looked worried.

Also, the two tellers, who apparently were overwhelmed by the huge crowd of customers, were not friendly. The service officer was also slow in resolving complaints.

The management of this branch needs to engage more hands to ensure quality service delivery.

African private equity firms cashed in on investments last year at the highest rate in almost a decade, with South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya accounting for two-thirds of these exits.

Equity firms sold investments in 44 companies in 2015, compared to 39 companies in the two previous year, according to a report by Ernst & Young (EY) and the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA).

According to Reuters, the number of successful private equity exits influences a company’s ability to attract investors and raise funds. Private equity firms in Africa still continue to outperform public markets, the report showed.

The financial services sector capped the highest exits at 24 per cent between 2014 and 2015, while the oil and gas sector saw no exits during the same period, the report showed.

One of those institutions was Access Bank, which obtained approval to raise up to N100 billion from either private or public funders.

“The biggest current challenges noted

by PE firms included an increasingly tough macro-economic environment, particularly currency fluctuations, valuations trending upwards, and an intermediary landscape that is underdeveloped in a number of countries,” EY said in a statement.

Returns per region varied, with East Africa performing the best, closely followed by Southern Africa (excluding South Africa) and North Africa, the report noted.

Geographic expansion, cost reduction, mergers & acquisitions, and new management were some of the factors contributing to the growth.

AVCA analysts were still cautious about the growth of the market, saying that the year ahead will still be challenging.

“We saw a development in exit routes across Africa in 2013. Historically, sales to corporates have been the principal exit route. Indeed, trade sales accounted for 44 per cent of African exits between 2007 and 2013. However, last year they made up less than one-third of PE exits, the lowest proportion recorded. Exits via initial public offerings remained in line with historical levels, at four per cent but sales to other PE houses saw a sharp increase in share.

“PE-to-PE sales rose from 14 per cent in 2012 to 22 per cent in 2013, the largest proportion recorded by some margin.

Last year ’s percentage is significantly higher than that recorded over the long term — 14 per cent from 2007 to 2013. An increasing prevalence of secondary buyouts is indicative of a maturing market, and Africa seems to be no exception.

“While some of last year’s increase in proportion is the result of fewer trade sales overall, it seems highly likely that as more Africa-focused funds emerge and more global players look to the region for investments, so secondary buyouts will increase as a share of exits over the medium term,” it added.

In addition, it showed that there have been significant shift away from stock sale on public markets as an exit route.

In 2013, there were no PE realisations using this route, compared with a longrun average of six per cent of exits.

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

APPOINTMENT / AWARDS

Again, StarTimes Emerges Best Pay TV Operator One of Africa’s frontline digital television platforms, StarTimes continues its winning streak by clinching the Best Pay TV Operator in Nigeria award at the Beacon of Information and Communication Technology (BoICT) awards gala, which held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, recently.

During the ceremony attended by policy makers, captains of industries, regulatory bodies and other key players, StarTimes was presented with the prestigious award and commended for its consumer friendly offerings, particularly its record-smashing Nova Pay TV bouquet for N600 monthly subscription.

StarTimes is one of the leading digital-TV operator in Africa combining satellite and terrestrial DTV systems to provide an open and secure digital wireless platform. It provides a robust signal

transmission service for public and private broadcasters that offers consumers outstanding Pay-TV programs and owns a featured content platform with 440 authorized channels consisting of news, movies, series, sports, entertainment, children’s programs, fashion, religion, among others.

Speaking on StarTimes awards, The Editor-in-Chief and CEO of CommunicationsWeek Media Limited, organisers of the awards, Mr. Ken Nwogbo, said over time, StarTimes has revolutionalise the Pay TV industry landscape in Nigeria with its consistently affordable and public friendly offerings.

“Since StarTimes joined the industry, Pay TV has become more popular and accessible for many people.”

Receiving the awards on behalf of the board, management and staff of the company, its Marketing Director, Oludare Kafar, expressed appreciation

to millions of StarTimes subscribers whom he said, made it possible for StarTimes to win consecutively for some years running.

“As a business, we have embraced innovation and cutting edge global technology solutions to deliver compelling digital television experience to our millions of subscribers. With very sharp picture quality, strong signals and rich channels that meet the entertainment need of every member of the family, we offer affordable bouquets of digital television as part of our commitment to guide Nigerians into full digitalization. We also engage in relevant collaborations with critical stakeholders to achieve this,” Kafar said.

“Recently, we have invested heavily into sports content acquisitions and channels, and expanded entertainment horizon for sports loving Nigerians. With StarTimes,

Nigerians are guaranteed of an ever increasing buffet of solid entertainment, be it sports, movies, drama, cartoons and music,” he added.

Kafar noted that StarTimes had grown from a 40 channel platform to offering over 100 quality channels. “We are committed to giving more to our subscribers with various life enriching engagements.

For instance, we just launched new channels including ST Plus for Indian movie lovers, Jyb TV for kids, Emmanuel TV for religion, Orbit TV, People TV and DiTV for general entertainment and IDX for true life stories and crime documentary. We also just concluded our annual all expense paid trips for 3 to USA. We are truly committed to enriching our viewers all round experience.

With this award, we are highly motivated to continue offering more robust experience for viewers,” he said.

Task System Announces Fresh Managerial Appointments In line with the desire to position its business for future growth, Task Systems Ltd has announced new managerial appointments, with erstwhile Executive Director, Mrs. Olufunke Oduntan elevated to the position of Managing Director, while Mr. Lekan Faola joins the company as General Manager (Solutions).

Former Managing Director of the company, Mr. Stanley Okpalaeke is now Group Executive Director in charge of Strategy/New business at Zinox Group Headquarters.

Both appointments took effect from April 1st, 2016.

In a statement made available to journalists, the company, a subsidiary of the Zinox Group, affirmed that Oduntan’s selection was a result of years of outstanding and meritorious performance, which made her an unarguably excellent choice to fill the vacant role of Managing Director.

A graduate of Business Administration from the Lagos State University, Oduntan also holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos, Akoka. She has a wealth of experience in marketing Information Technology

and Telecommunications and has also participated in several trainings within and outside the country. A conscientious business leader with a penchant for service delivery, Oduntan has previously worked with companies such as Virgin Technologies Limited, Siemens Nigeria and Zinox Technologies Limited, before joining Task System Formerly General Manager, IT Infrastructure Strategies at sister company, Zinox Technologies Ltd., Faola’s appointment as Chief Solutions Architect at Task Systems is a result of over 18 years of sound business development experience in Information Technology, Telecommunications and Networking.

As a highly trained engineer, Faola has proven ability to enter new markets, attract new customers and grow the business in competitive environments. He also boasts a solid understanding of government, corporate, international and emerging markets with a successful track record in Business and Territory Development, Go-to-market strategy, Channel development, Strategic planning and Relationship management.

Phase3 Emerges Top Recipient of ICT Industry Award

REWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

MD/CEO, VDT Communications, Biodun Omoniyi (middle), displaying the two awards won at BoICT Awards 2016, (Bandwidth Company of the Year and ICT Personality of the Year); flanked by the company’s Chief Technology Officer, Victor Omoyeni (left) and its General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Bimbo Ikumariegbe, during the award presentation in Lagos...recently

Globacom Wins Three Awards at Beacon of ICT Gloacom has again recorded another feat in the annual Beacon of ICT Awards, as the telecommunications company clinched three awards at the 7th edition of the Awards held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos recently.

The company came tops in the “Internet Company of the Year,” “Best GSM Company of the Year” and “Enterprise Solutions Provider of the Year” categories.

The organisers of the award, Communication week media, publishers of Communications Week, announced Globacom as winners in the three cat-

egories after an online voting conducted from November last year to March 15, 2016.

Globacom, the organisers said, earned the voters’ approval as Internet Company of the Year for its outstanding achievement in the data market in 2015.

Facts including industry statistics which showed that 53 per cent of new Internet subscribers in the last 12 months chose Globacom and the company’s emerging status as the leading operator in the data market were cited by the organisers as reasons for the award.

Communications Week Media also noted that Glo won the GSM Company of the Year because of its continued pioneering role in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry with its innovative products and quality of services.

The publication added that Globacom won the Enterprise Solutions Provider Award because the company had through its end-to-end backbone infrastructure and customer-focused business solutions become the preferred service provider for several corporate organisations.

The ceremony was chaired

by Chairman of Open Media and former Executive Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe.

The company had won the Best Telecoms Company of the Year, Most Innovative Mobile Player of the Year and Undersea Cable Company of the Year at the 2015 edition of the event.

The Beacon of ICT Awards was instituted to reward the vision and enterprise of individuals and companies that have contributed to the growth of the ICT industry in a particular year.

Phase3 Telecom has been honoured as Fibre Optic Company of the Year at Nigeria Communications Week “Beacon of ICT” Awards 2016 which held in Lagos at the weekend.

The West African largest independent fibre optic infrastructure and telecommunications services provider had won the award for three consecutive years as an auspicious development in the wake of recent network expansion.

It claims that this is both a validation of its unwavering commitment to top notch service provisioning and a laudable addition to its ever growing sea of prominent local and international accolades and acknowledgments. The most recent being its recognition and win for pioneering the largest aerial fibre network in the sub-region as well as broadband service provider of the year at ATCON Telecoms Industry Merit Award and Nigeria Technology Awards respectively.

According to Chief Executive Officer of Phase3 Telecoms, Mr. Stanley Jegede, the win confirms the company’s inimitable approach to amplifying regional connectivity that put the customer’s need first. With an unfailing drive to give access and enhance the availability of fast and reliable

internet to the unserved and underserved parts of West Africa Sub-region.

The company’s growing realisation of its strategic insight and blueprint to limiting the current digital divide in Africa’s telecommunications industry is being validated by such honour and is certainly not taken for granted. “These praises are both humbling and encouraging of the fact that Phase3 is on the right course however must not rest on its oars as much is expected of it still,”Jegede said.

He further reiterated that Phase3’s continuing collaboration with key partners allows it to extend its reach in the West African sub-region thus solidifying its space as an indigenous telecom service provider of repute and one of the broadband champions of Africa’s socio-economic development.

Thanking the firm’s supporters and stakeholders, Jegede concludes by maintaining that speedy broadband penetration is a major focus as Phase3 continues to ensure that the region enjoys quality of service, reliability and exceptional customer experience riding on investment in communications technology that enables clients to share critical and big data within a secure, reliable and scalable infrastructure.

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Adzape-Orubibi: We Ensure Transparency in Handling of Govt Revenue The new Executive Chairman of Benue Internal Revenue Service, Mrs. Mimi Adzape-Orubibi, spoke with George Okoh about the challenges faced by BIRS in tax collection. She however said with the new innovations and her resolve to ensure transparency and accountability in the handling of government revenues, tax collection in the state has significantly improved. Excerpts: What are you doing differently from what those who held this position before you did in order to boost tax collection in Benue state?

Well, firstly, on assumption of office about six months ago, I introduced the Point Of Sales (POS) system, in the collection of taxes. Before now people printed their own receipts and diverted the money that was supposed to go into government’s coffer. But with the introduction of the POS that issue has been addressed permanently. We are also saving cost in the printing of receipts because the device has its inbuilt receipt.

There is also transparency and accountability in the handling of government’s revenue.

We now enjoy public confidence in what we are doing. The Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government are also not left out. We have introduced the use of POS devices to them. The policy exempted the consultants or agents we engaged, who have been given targets to meet and since we are in a contractual agreement with them we exempted them from the policy because they collect the revenue and remit monthly to BIRS accounts what we consented to in our contractual agreement with them. The accounts they pay into is a non cheque account.

Once money is paid in, it’s automatically transferred into the Accountant General’s account. Nobody is permitted to handle cash anymore. We have brought in a lot of changes. Before now the MDAs had numerous revenue accounts. What they were doing was that they pay into such accounts and withdraw at will. Section six of the Revenue Administrative Act of Benue State, section six (i) stipulates that we should close all the revenue accounts that MDAs were operating which were not opened with authorisation.

So I wrote the banks and the MDAs to close such accounts in line with the provisions of the Act. They argued that they were operating such in order to have money to procure things. We however disagreed with them. We pointed out to them that they receive overheads for such purposes and if what they receive was not enough, they should write and inform the government.

I did not allow that because how can they generate money and use it at will. It will not allow us have a comprehensive report of our revenue strength. All monies are supposed to be revenue consolidated. So if they had continued with the old practice the Accountant General and I would not know what was actually coming in.

How did the MDAs receive the new policy?

They resisted it and the matter went to the State House of Assembly, which told them the position of the law and directed them to operate only with the BIRS account in 23 banks in the country, we call them the collecting banks. They collect revenue and at the end of the month BIRS moves the entire revenue to the government’s accounts for disbursement. That we’ve done and it has helped us to block leakages because even as the Executive Chairman of BIRS I do not have access to the accounts because they have no cheques. So after achieving that, my next move is to look inward. I discovered that my staff members have not been trained for years. I want to train them in order to prepare them for the task ahead because we have been given a monthly target of N1.5billion by the Governor and we are determined to achieve that. The strategy I

Adzape-Orubibi have adopted is to trickled down the target to each department and unit. I was able to divide it among the offices and they are conscious of it. All the Area Tax Officers know it and they have been given targets and if you don’t meet your target somebody else will take over from you. And to encourage us to work hard, the government has placed us on five percent of our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) collection. You know what that means, the more collections we make the better for us. Though the percentage is not enough, because today we have 74 units, 28 Area Offices and four zonal offices and we pay rents on all these offices. BIRS owns the building of only four of these offices and they are situated where rents are low.

So we pay our rents from that percentage and also take care of several other issues and logistics. That is the more reason why we must work very hard. We want to thank the governor because before now we were flat without that provision but he thought it wise to introduce it in order to help us meet our obligations.

How have you been able to convince the people to respond positively to tax payment?

Suffice it to state here that we have also dedicated time to create awareness about our tax laws. We know that there is a missing

link in that area because the people have been complaining about taxes. In fact when I came in about six months ago, I adopted the strategy of feeling the pulse of the people on some of the gazzetted tax laws like the borehole and emission taxes and the feedback I got was a cryout from the people. However for any amendment to be carried on such laws, which were actually passed by the previous administration, we have to approach the House of Assembly in order to give such laws a human face. We are also looking at bringing construction maintenance charged, which will enable us collect rates from heavy duty trucks. In doing that, we will erect weighing devices to take the tonnage of the goods they carry at every exit point of these trucks. With that we will check the activities of hoodlums who stand on the roads with sticks harassing drivers of heavy duty trucks in the state. We are making a presentation to the Executive Council of the state with a view to making a law to that effect and by so doing ensure that the right amount is paid as taxes by the truck drivers who daily visit our markets to buy various food stuff and other goods. In fact in the days ahead we are also looking at collecting such taxes electronically to ensure transparency and accountability.

Which areas are you facing more challenges in your assignment ?

We are having challenges with the MDAs, the reason being that some collect revenues and do not remit to the coffers of government. They do not have targets unlike the BIRS. Section 24(8) (a) of the Revenue Administrative Act of Benue State says we should assess all taxable persons chargeable with tax in Benue state, while subsection (b) says collect, recover and pay all revenues into the consolidated revenue account. So we have to collect, because we own all the revenue sources but they the MDAs have to do their professional jobs while the BIRS does the collection at the point of payment. We are taking most of these things up because Section 12 (6)(8) of the BIRS law are explicit. (6) says if the Board deems it necessary it will appoint consultants, agents and accountants to collect all revenue from all MDAs. Subsection 8 permits us to make these appointments in exclusion of the MDAs. It is explicit. So that is where we have issues. My staff members work with targets unlike what you have at the MDAs. My consultants also work with targets. If they fail, we will take steps to recover the money in line with our contractual agreement.

But I cannot do that to the MDAs if they fail to bring in money. They are not under pressure to deliver but I am under pressure to deliver. My mindset is my target while their mindset is to collect salaries at the end of the month whether they deliver or not and nobody queries them. So of late there hasn’t been a good relationship between them and us because they see us as people who have come to collect their jobs. They claim that one is working and another is ‘chopping’.

I told them no, nobody is ‘chopping’, the money goes into government coffers for the payment of salaries and the provision of necessary infrastructure for the good of all. The contention got to a point that I was summoned by the House of Assembly but after presenting my case the House saw reason with me. We are all working for the same government. They are now claiming that BIRS has incapacitated them that they cannot work because we are collecting all the money.

Yes we are. They get overheads, which are for them to use. My major concern is that revenue collection must follow due process and eventually get back to where it should go, which is obviously to the Accountant General for onward distribution. That was my major challenge but I believe we have understood each other on that matter now.

Another of our challenge is funding in the face of scarce resource, but the Governor is doing his best because the wage bill of the state is so high and the allocation that comes to the state is so meagre and unable to meet the wage bill. Yet the Governor is doing his best in that regard. Maybe we may still do another biometrics to ascertain the astronomical wage bill. On our part, we are witnessing a steady growth in our collections. And in all that we do we abide strictly to the provisions of the law.

I vividly recall that when I was appointed, the Governor personally told me that we must apply ourselves to the law and by so doing not run foul of the law. That is what we are doing in BIRS. Every action we take is pursuant to carrying out our responsibilities and we take cognizance of the provisions CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

BATN’s Boost to Rice Farming As Nigeria continues making efforts to raise the bar in the area of agriculture and lessens its overdependence on crude oil, more corporates are beginning to lend a hand in food production, writes Raheem Akingbolu Food security has been a growing concern for government, which has in its view a population of well over 150 million that is experiencing rapid growth. It is a critical element in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations (UN) and it is crucial to the eradication of poverty and hunger. The UN, in its 2015 Sustainable Development Goals Fact Sheet acknowledged that “500 million small farms worldwide, most still rain-fed, provide up to 80 per cent of food consumed in a large part of the developing world.”

Hence, it recommends investing in smallholder farmers as a sure path to food security and nutrition for the poorest, as well as food production for local and global markets.

In keying into this goal, the Federal Government, in recent years, has experimented with various agricultural policies with varying results. One of such policies was the ban, last year, placed on the importation of rice, which is a staple in Nigeria. However, concerns raised by agricultural experts over inadequate local production forced the Government to modify the ban.

Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulAziz Yari, while addressing journalists after a Federal Executive Council meeting in October last year, said that “the ban on the importation of rice would not be enforced until the local industry is developed enough to produce maximally for local consumption.”

Experts’ view Experts are of the view that the wait for self-sufficiency in rice production may take a little longer, being that rice is a crop that requires high volume of water and considering the prevalence of rain-fed farming culture among rural farmers. Minimal cultivation of the crop takes place during the dry season, thereby making it hard to achieve an all-year round cultivation, which is critical to a maximal annual yield.

It is gratifying to note that, in recent years, government has shown strong support for dry-season rice

Rice farm farmers in the country. For instance, in the 2013/2014 farming season, under the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), government assisted tens of thousands of dry season rice farmers with agricultural inputs, including irrigation facilities and equipment in some states where rice is widely grown.

There have also been concerted efforts by the private sector to partner with government to boost the productivity of smallholder rice farmers. The intervention of the British American Tobacco Nigerian Foundation (BATNF) in dry-season rice farming in some northern states is one of such interventions worth mentioning.

Rural farming One community that bears testimony to this is Gaba-Dokko in Bida, Niger State, where dry season rice farming is fast-gaining acceptance.

It plays host to one of the BATNF model rice farms. With this project, BATNF provides technical support and agricultural inputs as well as finance to rice farmers cooperative societies through its implementing partners. Some of the other communities are Kwande in Benue State and Ojeigbe in Ebonyi State.

Recently, the BATN Foundation and its implementing partners from

the Niger State Agricultural Development Project/FADAMA Control Office (ADP/FCO) visited dry season rice farmers and their model farms to monitor and evaluate the progress of the project. The feedback indicated that the intervention is starting to yield the deserved, positive impact.

Gaba-Dokko, a predominantly Nupe community about 150 kilometres from Minna, is just beginning to embrace dry-season rice farming. Coordinator of the Niger State ADP/FCO, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammed Vatsa, led a team of ADP officials, which included Project Supervisor, Mr Aliyu Idris, and Mr Baba Shawa, as well as Mr Tajudeen Akinwale of the BATN Foundation, on a visit to the 11 hectares of farmland used by the farmers.

According to Alhaji Vatsa, while the native farmers in the community still largely practise the traditional wet-season rice farming, the site chosen for the dry-season farming project was previously not farmed during the wet season because of its vulnerability to flooding. As a result, the land is not put to use all year round. But with the dryseason rice farming initiative, there is a turn around. Thus, what the farmers lose during the Wet season they now gain in the dry season.

Public private partnership Under the auspices of BATN

Foundation, the Niger State ADP/ FCO provides technical support/ backup as well as trainings and basic tools for the farmers. It also ensures that there is a ready market for their produce and recommends the beneficiaries of the scheme, who must own lands that they farm and belong to cohesive groups. In most cases it is a communal land acquired through a joint venture scheme.

Vatsa added that though the large expanse of land belong to the about 15 beneficiary farmers of the scheme who formed a cooperative group, they were constantly under the watch and supervision of the Niger State ADP/FCO. He lauded BATN for its technical assistance and financial support to the farmers.

Some of the farmers present were delighted by the visit as they showed the ADP and BATN teams round their farms. With the Wet season over, the lush green vegetation on their farms stood in contrast to dry foliages of the neighbouring farmlands cultivated for the previous rain-fed farming season.

They gladly testified to the huge benefits in Dry season farming and the comparative advantage it has over Wet season farming, which they also practise.

Engaging the youths One remarkable development is that more youths are embracing farming in the community. The youth have also indicated keen interest in the dry season farming.

A sizeable number of the farmers are below 30 years and among them are graduates of higher institutions who ignored the allures of white collar jobs in the metropolis for agricultural enterprise in their country home. They include head of the cooperative group, 35-year-old Farin Ndatsu; Baba Teacher Washi (30) and Gimba Efori (25), Alhaji Yusuf, Danladi Yusuf, Mohammed Isah, among others. Most of them said that they cater for their families with proceeds from their farming businesses. However, the absence of effective irrigation facilities has

often been a constraint to many other farmers.

In a chat with THISDAY, Farin said that it was his first attempt at dry-season rice farming. He expressed satisfaction in the scheme and gratitude to BATN for its technical support and training, which he said has ultimately boosted their productivity. Farin, who has farms on three hectares of land, said that farming was bequeathed to him by his parents. He also projected reaping 100 units of 75 kg bags of rice during this farming season which spans 90 to 100 days. This he said is in contrast to the 70 bags yield from his wet-season farm located elsewhere.

One of the benefits of the trainings and technical support the farmers received on agricultural best practices is identifying and accessing the best variety of rice to grow.

Farin, who spoke on their preference for the Faro 44 rice variety, noted that it takes just between three and four months to grow from planting to harvesting. Besides, it has long grains and produces a higher yield.

Water is sourced from a neighbouring brook 500 metres away from the farm project site by means of irrigation. The water is channeled through an underground pipe, which transports it in and around the farmlands.

Vatsa observed that the average output of the farmers has risen to six metric tonnes per hectare, from about four metric tonnes, as a result of technical support from BATN. He, however, suggested that in order to meet the high demand for water, a high power generator would be needed to draw water from the nearby river to the farmland.

In the face of dwindling revenue from oil, such initiatives, aimed at boosting rice production with the potential of enduring food production and consequent socio-economic development, would receive greater support from government and the private sector. This becomes imperative, especially as agriculture is reckoned as the single largest employer in Nigeria.

ADZAPE-ORUBIBI: WE ENSURE TRANSPARENCY IN HANDLING OF GOVT REVENUE of the laws guiding our duties.

There is this contention that the tax rates in Benue state are higher when compared to other states; a particular reference is the vehicular license taxes, why the disparity?

That is completely wrong. It’s not true; our rates like in other states of the federation are Joint Tax Board (JTB), approved. We cannot for any reason collect anything above the JTB approved rates. We have all our rates openly displayed in our offices for every prospective tax payer to see. From available records we are doing far better than our neighboring states and several others.

When people claim that some persons run to neigbouring states to have their licenses renewed I tell them it’s not true, the reverse is the case because from available records we are doing better than those states and this is because we enjoy much more patronage given the transparent manner such issues are handled in Benue state.

On the issue of tax clearance, the rule is that individuals are supposed to file their income statement indicating their earnings from January to December. I’ve gone out severally to tell the people that they are supposed to file in their tax returns between January and March that is the deadline. But if you do it from April, the law says you will pay N50,000 as an individual because you are filing late while an enterprise pays N500,000. I want to also state that we are currently publishing a local news magazine, which we distribute for free wherein we take time to enlighten the people on different taxes and the rates they are to pay and at what given time. We also include the hotlines of those we engaged as consultants and agents and every other thing that the public should know so that they are not cheated by anyone or even our agents.

So when you have not filed as stipulated by law we apply best of judgement in arriving at your tax. There are rates in percentages

that apply to your incomes depending on the amount involved. Now, it will surprise you to know that Nigeria’s Pay As You Earn, PAYE, rate is the least when compared to other countries. We deliberated on that at our last JTB meeting in Kano. Even with that, people are still complaining. The fact is that if you don’t file your returns, we assess you on our own based on best of judgment as provided by law. The onus rests on you to declare you income to enable us prepared your tax clearance. Moreover even when you declare, we also write to our bankers to alert them before it is processed and given to you. It is not something you get off the shelf. So what I’m saying in essence is that when we apply best of judgement to arrive at the payable tax, we do it without recourse to your income, so it’s discretional and you have no reason to complain. But if things must be done rightly you must tell us how much you earned and in case you do not have income so to speak, we assume that

you earned 100,000 for three years so as to enable us raise a clearance for you. But the fact is that people always complain when it comes to taxation. So what we do is to apply ourselves to the provisions of the law so as to be properly guided and be able to defend yourself at every given time.

There is the issue of people who reside and work with cooperate organisation in the state but are not able to get their tax clearance because their tax deductions are made at their head offices, how can that issue be addressed?

The right thing is that such organisations ought to deduct the taxes and remit same to the tax board where the employee is resident so as to qualify him for a tax clearance in that state. If that is not done, I’m afraid the affected persons may be compelled to pay another tax in his state of residence to qualify for the issuance of a tax clearance certificate in that state.

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Technology Potential Largely Untapped in Nigeria, Says HP Emma Okonji The Managing Director, Hewlett Packard (HP) Nigeria, Mrs. Ify Afe has expressed worries about the huge potential that exist in Nigerian technology space that are still largely untapped, insisting that education and awareness creation will expose Nigerians to tap from such potential.

Afe, who spoke in Lagos at the weekend, said a lot of opportunities exist for Nigerians to leapfrog, but they need to be exposed to the opportunities that abound in Information Technology (IT) in order to make a difference.

“We have huge population as well as huge challenges on our hands as Nigerians, but very few people are aware of the existing solutions to address their daily challenges.

Nigerians are aware that they have challenges, but they do not know the means and the how to address those chal-

lenges. A lot of Nigerians are not fully aware of the technology solutions that are already on ground that they can use to address their challenges and we have a lot of those solutions from HP, and I think that is the area the Nigerian government needs to work on by creating the right opportunities for people to understand how to use technology to address their challenges in their daily lives,” Afe said.

According to her, “It is for this reason that HP devotes a lot of time on research and marketing, just to understand the needs of Nigerians and develop software solutions that will address all of those challenges.”

She explained that Nigerians are not naive of the opportunities and challenges before them, but that they do not know the technology solutions to address those challenges, and that is why there are lots of untapped

opportunities in the technology space and that HP is particular about developing the right education and creating the right technology awareness among the Nigerian people.

She said government must ensure that the right policies are put in place to facilitate all of these, and that HP would continue to work closely with government to achieve the goals.

“Government should insist on the right level of standard for products and solutions in the country and endeavour to come up with policies that will protect organisations operating in the country as well as the Nigerian citizens. For instance, government must insist that hospitals must use state-ofthe-art technology in order to provide the right treatment to patients,” Afe said.

She further explained that in an attempt to address the technology gap and the untapped IT opportunities in the country, HP partnered United

Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) on a programme called the HP Life + UNIDO partnership, designed to capture Nigerian youths that do not know how to use the right technology solutions to address their challenges.

“We want to create awareness campaign in this area to make Nigerians better informed because majority of Nigerians have good business ideas, but they do not know how to go about them and how to create opportunities out of them. The HP Life programme will expose them on how to achieve their dreams and that is what is actually driving the HP Life + Programme,” Afe said.

She explained that a lot of young school leavers who tried to start something on their own, were grounded at a particular level of their business, because they lack the skills and exposure, and they do not know how to scale-up their business.

PZ Assures Shareholders Consistent Dividend Payment Goddy Egene PZ Cussons Plc has assured shareholders of consistent dividend payment, saying the company is well positioned to leverage emerging opportunities in the industry to boost its profitability.

The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Christos Giannopoulos, stated this when company’s board and management sounded the closing gong at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos last week.

He told journalists that PZ Cussons is one of the few companies that have paid dividends over the years, saying that policy would continue.

According to him, “as long as we paid dividend, it means the fundamental of the company and confidence of investors in the company is strong.”

He disclosed that the company currently imports majority of its raw materials, noting that if the suppliers could set up operations in the country, it would reduce the cost of production and increase its bottom line.

“The company is doing everything within its powers to attract our suppliers to set up their operations in Nigeria,” he said.

Giannopoulos said that the company is working hard to reduce the amount of foreign

goods that comes into the country, adding that the firm has brought its associate companies and currently secured 26 hectares of land which allows it to produce palm oil in Nigeria.

He said Nigeria has a lot of raw material and the ability to create and not to depend on import products.

He said: “PZ Cussons has brought its associate companies and got 26 hectares of land plantation which allows us to produce palm oil in Nigeria.

Nigeria was once the biggest.

Palm tree in the world. So we are doing our part to be able to reduce the amount of foreign goods that Nigeria requires.

The rest of our businesses are at growth stage and the old brands always looking to find the opportunities with the consumer as their taste are changing.

“As it stands today, we still import majority of our raw material, we are working very hard with our suppliers to attract them to come and set up their operations in Nigeria.”

He advised the government to be consistent with its policy, saying that would enable company to plan well.

“Business requires stability, the most important thing is for government to put in place policies or enforce policies on a long term basis,” the PZ Cusson CEO said.

KairosWebTV Enters Nigeria to Boost Enterpreneurship Raheem Akingbolu

A DESERVED HONOUR

L-R: Group Managing Director, SO&U Group, Mr. Udeme Ufot, receiving a distinguished award of excellence from the former chapter Chairman of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Sam Uko during the annual general meeting/dinner award of the state chapter of NIPR in Uyo…recently

MainOne Joins Global Efforts to Promote Women in ICT Emma Okonji West Africa’s leading connectivity and data centre solutions provider, MainOne, has lent its voice to the global campaign urging girls and young women to consider careers in the growing Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

At the International Girls in ICT Day celebration, which held recently in Lagos and hosted by E-Business Life Communications Limited, MainOne confirmed the gender disparity in the area of ICT education in Nigeria, and called on governments and organisations to help address the imbalance.

The Marketing Manager at MainOne, Jumoke Akande,

noted that there is currently a gender disparity in ICT jobs and urged girls and women to pursue ICT-related careers.

According to her, “We believe that improving the number of girls in ICT careers creates a more balanced and inclusive society. Therefore, it is important that we encourage girls to expand their horizons, to empower and enable them overcome whatever limiting mindsets and fears they might have regarding pursuing careers in ICT.” She further emphasised MainOne’s support for initiatives aimed at encouraging technology careers for Nigerian girls. She said: “At MainOne, our goal is to provide

girls of all ages with support, mentorship and the motivation to pursue ICT-driven careers, eventually becoming active role models themselves to the next generation of girls. Our CEO, Ms. Opeke, is an ITU female role model and believes this cycle is necessary to create better opportunities for our girls and revert the gender imbalance in Technology.”

The Chief Executive Officer of eBusiness Life Communications, Ufuoma Emuophedaro, appreciated MainOne for its efforts in expediting digital literary and called on other stakeholders to join hands to further invest in girls and young women by supporting the ‘Girls in ICT’ campaign and empowering them, giving them

the confidence to pursue ICT studies and careers.

The Girls in ICT Day, celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday in April, is an awareness-raising initiative designed to promote studies and careers in technology to a new generation of girls and young women with an interest in becoming ICT enthusiasts. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Expanding Horizons and Changing Attitudes” and it was sponsored by MainOne along with other organisations and individuals. The event was attended by the representative of the Minister of Communications, representatives from IT companies and other industry stakeholders.

KairosWebTV, a next-generation premier online TV platform for emerging and aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups, has been launched to transform the Nigeria’s online television space.

Among its other offerings are news and insights, technology trends, edutainment, skits, events and online digital training.

The innovative webTV is owned and run by CIHAN and focuses on motivating and inspiring viewers to success. It features seven channels with content from partners across over the world such as Fate Foundation, Real Success (South Africa), Nigerian Olympic Committee and The Winlos, among others.

At the media launch in Lagos recently, the Chief Executive Officer of CIHAN, Mr. Celestine Achi, who is the founder of the entertainment platform, said it was designed to save cost for the viewers, adding that the era of reaping off payTV viewers must be challenged through disruptive technologies.

Achi, a Digital PR strategist and social techpreneur, said the platform had been configured to save users’ data, “which has been the reason some people are keeping off the online platforms.

We want to restore confidence in the minds of digital natives, while providing enabling ground for the digital migrants to exploit the power of the internet. Whether you are on 2G, 3G or 4G LTE, the experience will be such that videos should show seamlessly.”

The CIHAN chief executive officer said the platform would deepen local contents as part of measures to boost the digital migration through Nollywood contents.

Speaking on the various channels on the television, he said entrepreneurship channel focuses on motivating emerging entrepreneurs and startups. “We are doing that through three key partnerships. The NetNEWS Channel provides up-to-date news on entertainment, politics, business and sports. We will even go deeper to give you news behind the news, which are usually the human angle stories.

“KairosWebTv also recognises the need to inspire creativity. That is why we have the Winlos Channel, which uses creative, inspiring and hilarious skits and sketches as well as dramatic illustrations to motivate viewers based on real life issues. The TechSavvy Channeldelivers news and insights on the latest technology trends,” he stated.

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Brandzone Innovation Summit to Tackle Economic Volatility Nosa Alekhuogie Brandzone Consulting LLC in conjunction with its knowledge development arm Brand platform Lecture Series is set to host a bare-it-all summit with the theme, ‘Branding in a Volatile Economy’.

The Summit is a gathering designed to enable practitioners and Brand visionaries/owners to share insights on branding and growth strategies inclusive of opportunities inherent in the market place locally and globally.

A release weekend stated that the full day summit, which holds on May 10, at the Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, will focus on how branding, marketing and communications experts can reach today’s technologically savvy audiences, build deep customer relationships, and connect with the consumer in a positive way.

Already, registration for the summit is open on the website http://brandzonellc.com/ brandplatform/.

According to the organisers, the summit shall give participants fresh insights and new knowledge to continue creating the most innovative strategies and ideas for businesses and

products while building profitable businesses.

Speakers at the summit are industry thought leaders who are marketing, branding and communications experts from diverse sectors that include FMCG, Telecommunications, Banking, Oil and Gas and Advertising representing Multinationals, Fortune 500 firms, Blue Chip companies and top rated indigenous corporations.

“The Summit Advisory Board is filled with industry thought leaders. The members are responsible for the strategic direction of the Conference. The support and participation of these executives from top performing organisations ensures that we create excellent content and a conference that delivers maximum value”, Managing Partner, Brandzone Consulting LLC and Converner and Visioner, Brandplatform Lecture Series, Chizor Malize said.

She said: “We are as excited as ever organizing this highly cerebral event not only with the timeframe in our national space and experience, but also having such a virile platform to warehouse the insights, knowledge and expertise of top industry players - on a single

Malize platform - in advancing not only the professional practice of branding and advertising but also championing and shaping discourse around issues that have overriding benefits to the economic development and growth of the Nigeria.

So, it is against the background that this year’s Summit is aptly entitled, “Branding in A Volatile Economy”. A clinical attempt at diagnosing and proffering solutions- from branding and marketing communication perspectives- to myriads of challenges facing the nation.

Nigeria’s economy she continued, is at a crossroad which thus portends a great danger

to the continuous existence of numerous businesses and other professional service providers- of which the marketing communication industry is not exempted.

As marketing communication experts, it behooves discerning and dynamic practitioners to begin to look inwards with a view to providing perspectives that would help shape both professional and national discourses toward economic rejuvenation and advancement of Nigeria.”

Malize said: “A cursory look at the lineup of resource persons for this year’s Summit bears eloquent testimony to the veracity of the quality of intellectual insights and fireworks expected at the Brand Innovation summit 2016.

From the keynote speaker, Aigboje Aig – Imoukhuede, an accomplished technocrat cum institutional czar, to Olajumoke Adenowo, a top rated practitioner in the architectural landscape in Nigeria, to the ebullient and dynamic media prodigy, Chude Jideonwo to the resourceful and ‘poster child’ of indigenous business conglomerate, Bukky George balanced with the international perspectives and insights to

A WARM WELCOME

L-R: Vice President/Chairperson Membership Committee, Lagos Chamber of Commerceand Industry (LCCI), Mrs. Toki Mabogunje; Past President, LCCI, Asiwaju Sik Onafowokan; President, LCCI, Mrs. Nike Akande; Deputy President, LCCI, Babatunde Rawase and Vice President, Chief Micheal Olawale-Cole, at the LCCI new members’ induction ceremony in Lagos … recently ETOP UKUTT

be provided by Yaw Nzarkoh of Unilever Nigeria PLC, the one day event would no doubt provide participants the necessary nuggets to navigating their businesses and brands through an unstable economy. “ She added: “As the nation grapples with the impact of dwindling oil fortunes, devalued currency and weakened economy, there is no better time to become more creative with brands and branding for quality, competitiveness and growth”. In her opinion, “the marginal propensity to consume and the disposable income of consumer in a wobbling economy is shrinking due to the prevalent uncertainties. Consumer become more discerning and selective in their consumption habits owing to the lull in the economy. This also have impact in sales and revenue and therefore further weaken corporations overall performance. It therefore, behooves the practitioners in the industry as well as business and brand visioners to innovatively and strategically connect their brands with the consumer minds to remain relevant and ensure continuity in patronage, growth and profitability”. Continuing, she opined that “today’s economic realities have significantly changed the behavioural and consumption paradigm of consumers. Therefore, there is the ‘battle’ to maintain a share of the consumers mind and wallet through cutting edge branding solutions. There is the need for strategic and conscientious approaches towards attracting, engaging and retaining consumers of goods and services of companies and organisations in meeting the expectations of their consumers. So, essentially, one of the crucial take-away for participants at the summit is that they will be availed the technical/ professional knowhows to continue to drive their brands through growth and profitability- even in the midst of economic volatility.”

Malize stated that the dynamics for Branding and marketing is totally different today as brands battle for consumers’ minds and wallets. The mechanism for customer engagement has also changed with the emergent of more innovative communication platforms predominantly driven

by technology. Furthermore, she said the Summit will provide participants insights into the 21st Century consumer engagement strategies that would help practitioners and brand owners shape and create robust and winning customer engagement platforms for brands while developing positive relationships and associations that elicit excitement and action by consumers.

The summit is structured to address the key and contemporary developments in branding and communication that can support organisations drive increased brand penetration, revenue and profitability. The resource packed summit programme includes a keynote address and four different plenary sessions and panel discussions all taken by industry experts.

The sessions will examine a wide variety of topics critical to the sustenance of brands in an economy experiencing a lull.

It would provide insights on the strategies for connecting brands to consumers while driving profitable businesses.

The sessions would also provide participants fresh insights, experiences and knowledge on Communication practices, concepts and principles of building and sustaining profitable businesses in a fledging economy.

Focused on achieving collective intelligence, the Brand Innovation Summit is hinged on the collection and documentation of new knowledge and best practice in the areas of branding, marketing and Communication Management with a view to aid industry development.

Part of the process is to provide a platform where participants will gain new knowledge and insights needed to propel businesses to profitability; increase knowledge on the interplay and interrelatedness of elements in moulding a successful business venture; learn and share branding best practices with industry experts with a view to increasing brand affinity and growth; increase knowledge on social enterprise dynamics as a catalyst for organisational growth; learn and share branding best practice with industry experts as well as network and connect with industry leaders and practitioners across diverse sectors.

Promoters of Maltina Hunt for 2016 Outstanding Egypt Tourism Revenue Down in First Quarter Teacher Raheem Akingbolu After the euphoria that heralded the first edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year Award, instituted by Nigerian Breweries to reward excellence among secondary school teachers, the company has begun process to select this year winner. Mrs. Rose Nkemdilim Obi won the maiden edition of the award.

Now, NB Plc, riding on this euphoria, has sounded the whistle for the commencement of the second edition of the Maltina Teachers Award.

The second edition, according to the company, promises to be

bigger and more competitive, because unlike the first edition which was restricted to only public secondary schools in Nigeria, the entry bar for the second edition has been widen to include private secondary schools also.

In a recent press conference to herald the landmark event, the Corporate Affairs Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Kufre Ekanem noted that like in the first edition, at the end of collation of entries and screening, national champions will emerge from each of the 36 states and the FCT, alongside first and second runners up.

And the overall winner will emerge at a grand ceremony

in commemoration with the World Teachers Day. According to him, each state champion will get N500 000 and the top 10 teachers will also be recognized before the overall winner is crowned. He also stated that the second and first runner-up will receive trophies and an additional N750 000 and N1million respectively. The Maltina Teacher of the Year 2016 will get an additional N1million instantly plus another prize of N1million every year for the next five years, alongside a developmental training opportunity abroad and a block of classroom built at the school where the winner teaches.

According to him, the company hopes that through this initiative, it can inspire the nation to accord teachers their deserved credit and bring back respect to the teaching profession in Nigeria.

He added that that the objective of the award is to create an avenue where exceptional teachers will be showcased and rewarded annually and continuously.

The Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative was launched in 2015 through the Nigerian BreweriesFelix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund. It is designed to recognise, celebrate and motivate teachers in Nigeria as part of Nigerian Breweries commitment to the development of education.

Egypt netted just $500 million in tourism revenue in the first quarter of 2016, down from $1.5 billion a year earlier, highlighting the country’s struggle to kick-start a key earner.

Egypt’s tourism industry, a cornerstone of the economy and critical source of hard currency, has been struggling to rebound after the political and economic upheaval triggered by the 2011 uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule.

Tourism revenue has also taken a heavy hit since a Russian plane crashed in the Sinai last October, killing all 224 people on board in what

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called an act of terrorism.

Islamic State said it planted a bomb on board.

More than 14.7 million tourists visited Egypt in 2010, dropping to 9.8 million in 2011.

In the first quarter of 2016 1.2 million tourists visited Egypt, down from 2.2 million a year earlier, said economic adviser to the ministry of tourism Adla Ragab.

Egypt aims to attract 12 million tourists by the end of 2017 through a plan that includes increasing the presence of national carrier EgyptAir abroad, tourism minister Yehia Rashed said in a recent interview with Reuters.

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FG Promises to Rescue Textile industry The federal government has restated its commitment to addressing the myriads of challenges besetting the nation’s textile industry.

The Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Investment, Hajia Aishat Abubakar gave made the pledge during a facility tour to Lucky Fibres limited, makers of Noble Rug and Carpet in Lagos.

Receiving the minister, Senior Human Resources Manager, Lucky Fibres Limited, Mrs. Kemi Ajibade expressed concern about the slow pace of development in the sector as a result of unfavourable government policies and infrastructure deficit.

According to Ajibade, activities in the company have been at low ebb as a result

Abubakar of epileptic power, limited raw materials occasioned by foreign exchange restrictions , hence, under utilisation of equipment.

She equally pointed that illegal activities of smugglers is taking its toll on the firm’s

turn over, adding, “an average Nigerian cannot identify quality products, but will prefer to go for what is cheap in the market even if it does not serve for a long time.”

“We urge government to assist us in addressing the activities of smuggling. If you visit Alaba Market, you will see different kinds of substandard carpets and rugs being displayed for sales”, she pleaded.

Ajibade also solicited urgent interventions of government in the industry by patronising the firm.

According to her, “the textile sector has the capacity to absorb more workers than any other sector in the economy. We need government’s patronage to boost

our capacity. As at today, the company has 2500 direct and indirect staff in its payroll, if we are able to operate in full capacity, we will be able to engage more hands and reduce unemployment in the country.”

The minister expressed satisfaction with the high grade sophisticated equipment and quality produce of the company.

While commending the company for promoting the federal government “made in Nigeria “ initiative, she urged players in the sector to be at patient with the government, pointing out that, the administration is considering a holistic approach to tackle the highlighted challenges bedeviling the country.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT

L-R: 2nd Vice President, Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN), Prof. Olugbenga Ogunmoyela; Group Managing Director/CEO, Drugfield Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Mr. Olakunle Ekundayo; 1st Vice President, IPAN, Dr. Olufemi Oyediran and acting Registrar, ICCON, Mr. F. Kiyore, during the 23rd IPAN mandatory training workshop on entrepreneurship and innovation in Lagos …recently ETOP UKUTT

Air Côte D’Ivoire Makes First Order of Airbus A320neos in Africa

FAAN Boss Harps on Regular Sporting Activities

Air Côte D’Ivoire, the national airline of Ivory Coast based in Abidjan, has signed a firm order for two A320neo and two A320 aircraft. The agreement makes Air Côte D’Ivoire the first African airline to order the A320neo.

The airline’s first purchase agreement directly with Airbus also makes Air Côte D’Ivoire a new customer.

Air Côte D’Ivoire selected the A320 family for its wider cabin, low operating costs and excellent fuel efficiency.

The airline has selected CFM engines for their A320 fleet.

Air Côte D’Ivoire currently operates five Airbus aircraft on lease; 4 A319s and 1 A320.

The aircraft would feature a 2-class cabin layout.The new aircraft will fit seamlessly into the airline’s current fleet, thanks to Airbus’ fleet commonality,and best-in-class passenger comfort of any single aisle aircraft.

The managing director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN Engr Saleh Dunoma has charged workers in the organisation to engage in regular sporting activities in order to remain healthy always..

Declaring open the organisations inter-departmental unity football competition at the FAAN school Ikeja, Engr Dunoma noted that regular sporting events will ensure that workers mental and physical alertness remained He explained that the football competition was not only organised as keep fit exercise but also to unite workers of various departments outside the office environment.

According to Dunoma, the annual football inter departmental competition will bring out talents in the FAAN that will participate at events at the national levels

“With these new aircraft Air Côte d’Ivoire will position itself as a flagship airline in the region by offering its passengers the best on-board services. Air Côte d’Ivoire will also improve its punctuality and reliability thanks to these latest-generation Airbus aircraft,” said Chairman of the Board, General Abdoulaye Coulibaly,.

“We are very pleased to welcome Air Côte D’Ivoire as our first customer for the A320neo in Africa. Our A320neo and A320 will offer Air Côte D’Ivoire thelowest operational costs and the highest seat comfort and widest cabins for its passengers.

This order will play a key role in the development of Air Côte D’Ivoire with new routes to West and Central Africa,” said Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, John Leahy.

in the near future.

Describing the event as successful, the FAAN Boss appealed to other sister agencies to embark on sporting activities aimed at building the physical and mental alertness of their workers adding that it will enable workers overcome some health challenges.

Dunoma announced that other sporting activities will be introduced as soon a committee set up submits its report and appeal to workers to take advantage of the competition to exercise their body.

The opening game between the directorate of mechanical and engineering services and that of Airport operations ended in favour of the engineering Directorate 2-1.

The kick off of the match, which was done by Dunoma was witnessed by management staff and workers of FAAN.

Nigeria Loses $1.5bn Monthly to Piracy, Others Nosa Alekhuogie with Agency Report Nigeria has been reported to be losing about $1.5 billion monthly due to piracy, smuggling, armed robbery at sea, and fuel supply fraud.

A United States Deputy Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Michele J. Sison, made this announcement recently at an Open Debate on Peace Consolidation in West Africa titled “Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea in the Gulf of Guinea.”

Sison noted that illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing also generates a sizeable income loss in the hundreds of millions of dollars a year, for many countries that depend on this sector to survive.

She added that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea has been on the increase at a very alarming rate.

According to Sison, the root causes of piracy in the region are ineffective governance structures, weak rule of law, unjustified legal frameworks and inadequate naval, coast guard, and maritime law enforcement.

She said: “The absence of an effective maritime governance system, in particular, hampers freedom of movement in the region, disrupts trade and economic growth, and facilitates environmental crimes.”

Stressing further, she said that the solution to these main causes lies in greater African stewardship of maritime safety and security at the continental, regional, and member state level. In addition, there is a need

for strong political will from African governments and leaders to pursue and prosecute crimes at all levels within criminal enterprises.

“Absent African ownership and action from national and local governments to tackle maritime security challenges, there is little reason to believe that attacks in the Gulf of Guinea will decline. International cooperation and integration among regional countries, international organisations, industry, and other entities that have a stake in maritime security are also critical to ensure the full range of lawful and timely actions to combat piracy and other maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea,” she said.

Sison, who called for immediate action on the issue, pointed out that states in the region should establish a pilot maritime Zone E, covering the coasts of Nigeria, Niger, Benin, and Togo, as these areas are prone to attacks.

“Establishing Zone E would provide the means for an integrated approach to coordinating joint patrols, naval drills, training programs, and intelligence sharing among the naval forces of countries in the zone. A comprehensive, regional approach would help reduce the loss of national revenue, support socio-economic development, and expand environmental protection in the region.

The U.S. is assisting with strengthening the judicial sectors of Gulf of Guinea nations and regional capacity to address piracy and related maritime crime,” she said.

China Easter Orders 35 Airbus, Boeing Aircraft China Eastern Airlines has placed an order for 35 widebody jets from Airbus and Boeing, as the Shanghai-based carrier continues to build its long-haul fleet.

Reuters reported that the delivery of the 20 Airbus A350-900s and 15 Boeing 787-9s would start from 2018, the Shanghai-based carrier said.

Air China, China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines are also placing large aircraft orders. In October, China ordered 130 jets from Airbus during German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s China visit.

China Eastern alone would have more than 800 aircraft in its fleet by 2020, up from around 561 as of the end of last year, Ma said earlier this month.

Chinese airlines are adding flights to New York, Paris and Sydney from inland cities, while launching new routes to smaller cities in North America, Europe and

Australia.

China Eastern, which has an equity tie up with Delta Air Line, aims to increase its market share this year on China-US routes to 17 percent of total seats available, from 11 percent in 2015, according to its president, Ma Xunlun.

Last year, 2.56 million Chinese people travelled to the United States, while 2.1 million Americans visited China, according to the US Department of Commerce and China National Tourism Administration.

This year, outbound Chinese passenger numbers will exceed 3 million, as the US government eases its visa policies.

China Eastern, which flies to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Hawaii, is attracting more transit passengers from North Asia and South Eastern Asia who prefer to take China Eastern flights in Shanghai to North America, according to Ma.

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SON to Enforce Use of Energy Saving Appliances Raheem Akingbolu The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has announced plans to begin enforcement on the use of energy saving appliances in the country, as part way for conserving its energy resources.

This is coming against the background of opinions that Nigeria needs to use only energy-efficient equipment as a way of checkmating current wastage of scarce power resources.

The acting Director General of the organisation, Dr. Paul Angya, explained that even

energy-endowed countries of the world are working towards reducing energy consumption, maintaining that Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind.

Angya, who was represented by the Head, Electrical and Engineering Department, Mr. Richard Adewunmi, spoke at the technical committee meeting on standards and labels (MEPS) held under the auspices of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) for air conditioners in Nigeria in Lagos, recently.

Angya said that the technical meeting aimed at preparing what he called a minimum

energy consumption standards for electronic appliances, adding it will form part of the agency’s SONCAP requirements when eventually approved.

“When the standards are implemented, it will form part of our SONCAP requirement.

The implication is that before any importer can bring in electronic appliances, he must conform to the minimum energy requirement of the standards,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria is yet to generate up to 40 per cent of her energy need s and for her to migrate to renewable energy, Nigerians must

minimise the usage.

He added: “Renewable energy as we all know is not cheap. If we want to migrate to renewable energy, we need to ensure that people maximise its usage. We identified several electrical appliances that are frequently used in the household and we decided to start with lamps. Previously, you need a 60 Watts lamp to lighten your house, but now what is needed is just 15 Watts.”

Furthermore, he said that the initiative will help to conserve over 30 per cent of energy when fully implemented monthly.

ExxonMobil Profit Beats Expectations on Big Cost Cuts Exxon Mobil Corp, the world’s largest publicly traded oil producer and a major player in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, reported a higher-than-expected firstquarter profit on Friday as it slashed costs to offset plunging crude prices and weak refining margins.

The results reflected the new reality for an oil industry hammered by a more than 60 percent drop in crude prices since 2014 that has forced radical reductions in spending and personnel.

Exxon’s capital budget during the first quarter dropped 33 percent from a year earlier, reflecting a drive to survive a price downturn that has already cost the company a perfect credit rating, according to Reuters reported.

Exxon reported net income of $1.81 billion, or 43 cents per share, down from $4.94 billion, or $1.17 per share, a year earlier.

Analysts on average expected earnings of 31 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Shares of Irving, Texasbased Exxon rose 0.6 percent to $88.60 in premarket trading.

Exxon Chief Executive Officer Rex Tillerson cited the company’s large size and cash flow for helping

it weather the low prices.

“The organisation continues to respond effectively to challenging industry conditions,” Tillerson said in a news release.

Production rose 2 percent to 4.3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Exxon’s oil and gas production arm lost money in the United States during the quarter. The company operates in North Dakota, Texas and other parts of the country.

Internationally, profit at the oil and gas production arm fell 74 percent.

The company’s refining unit’s profit fell 45percent due to weak margins; unusual as these operations tend to perform better during periods of low oil and gas prices.

Exxon earlier this week had raised its dividend by 3percent, one of the smallest increases in years. Historically, increases have ranged from 5 percent to 10 percent or more.

During the first quarter, Exxon spent more on its dividend than it earned.

The dividend increase came the day after Standard and Poor’s slashed the company’s sterling credit rating by one notch to “AA+,” citing concern about Exxon’s quarterly payout to shareholders.

Oil Ends Steady Near $50, Best Monthly Gain in 7 Years

REWARDING EXCELLENCE IN ICT

L-R: Managing Director, Rack Centre Ltd, Ayotunde Coker; Representative of Minister of Communication, Ibiye Memberr; former Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe; and Managing Director, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Lanre Kolade, at the Beacon of Information and Communication Technology BoICT awards in Lagos… recently

ConocoPhillips Tables Asset Sales As Rout Worsens Buyer’s Market ConocoPhillips is pulling some of its assets off the market as a prolonged industry downturn makes it harder to get the desired prices. “We pulled some assets off the market where we’re not getting what we think is fair value for it, but there are a few more assets that we still have on the market that we’re hopeful around,” Bloomberg quoted Chief Executive Officer Ryan Lance to have said on an earnings call. “The market has softened quite a lot.” The third-largest U.S. oil producer is among a slew of drillers that have turned to asset sales and cost cuts to cope with crude prices 60 percent below their 2014 peak. The company was considering the sale of Western

Canadian assets estimated to be worth as much as C$1 billion ($792 million), people familiar with the matter said in February. ConocoPhillips has some assets on the market in Indonesia as well as portions of its deep-water portfolio, Lance said, noting the company is “not going to fire sale anything.” The gap between what sellers and buyers think assets are worth will narrow once there’s “increasing consensus of lower for longer,” according to Ernest & Young’s global oil and gas transactions review 2015. As raising cash through sales proves difficult and the company had a net loss for the fourth straight quarter in the first three months of the year, ConocoPhillips is reducing

spending further. The 2016 capital budget was lowered 11 percent to $5.7 billion, primarily driven by cuts to deep-water exploration, deferrals and lower costs across the portfolio, the Houston-based company said in an earnings statement Thursday.

The producer maintained its full-year guidance for production and operating costs, and its earnings per share beat analysts’ estimates by 10 cents. “During the quarter, we took actions to conserve cash, improve liquidity and position the company for strong performance as prices improve,” Lance said in the statement. “We reduced our dividend, further reduced our 2016 capital expenditures guid-

ance, raised low-cost debt and continued to improve our cost structure.” The cost cuts, while consistent with plans to reduce deep-water activity, raise the question of how ConocoPhillips will maintain its production guidance, said Luana Siegfried, an analyst at Raymond James.

“If the company can keep lower costs across the portfolio, something stable, the capex spending could be good for the company,” Siegfried said.

The first-quarter net loss was $1.5 billion, or $1.18 a share.

That compares with a profit of $272 million, or 22 cents, a year earlier. Excluding onetime items, the per-share loss was 95 cents, better than the $1.05 average of 22 estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Oil prices ended steady on Friday after hitting 2016 highs but finished April trading about 20 percent higher, with Brent crude having its best monthly gain in seven years.

A weaker dollar and optimism that a global oil glut will ease have lifted crude futures by more than $20 a barrel since they plumbed 12-year lows below $30 in the first quarter, Reuters reported. Brent futures settled just a penny lower at $48.13 a barrel, after reaching a 2016 peak at $48.50. It rose 21.5 percent in April, its largest monthly advance since May 2009. U.S. crude futures closed 11 cents lower at $45.92 a barrel, after hitting a year-to-date high at $46.78. It gained 20 percent in April, the biggest monthly gain in a year.

With prices less than $5 away from $50 a barrel, investment bank Jefferies said the market “is coming into better balance” and would flip into undersupply in the second half of the year. But others warned that the rally was driven by investors holding large speculative positions, while oil stockpiles were still high, with a Reuters survey showing OPEC output in April rising

to its most in recent history.

“The issue is that we haven’t seen price rallies ... correlate with fundamentals,” said Hamza Khan, senior commodity strategist at ING. “The fundamentals - high stocks, high production haven’t changed.” Technical analysts said crude could cruise to $50 a barrel but stiffer resistance before $55 could spark profit-taking on the market’s biggest rebound in two years. Analysts polled

by Reuters raised their average forecast for Brent in 2016 to $42.30 per barrel, the second consecutive month of increases. Bank of America Merrill Lynch said in a note that “non-OPEC oil supply is indeed hanging off a cliff”, and estimated that global output would contract yearon-year in April or May for the first time since 2013. The OPEC survey aside, Saudi oil output was expected to edge up by 350,000 barrels per day to around 10.5 million bpd, sources told Reuters, as tankers filled with unsold oil floated at sea seeking buyers.

The discount in spot U.S. crude to the next trading month meanwhile whittled to its smallest since January, reducing the advantages of storing oil in the United States for later delivery.

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Experts Highlight How PPPs Can Attract FDIs Obinna Chima In order to significantly raise the level of infrastructure in the country and enhance foreign direct investments (FDIs), experts have stressed the need for policy makers in Nigeria to embrace Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

The experts made this call at a one-day seminar organised by Akindelano Legal Practitioners (ALP) in Lagos recently. They noted that Nigeria’s huge infrastructure deficit cannot be tackled by government alone, considering the significant drop in earnings to the three tiers of governments.

Specifically, the Senior Transactor, Infrastructure Financing, Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria (RMB), Rachel More, stressed the need for a conducive environment for PPPs to thrive in the country, saying that the financing opportunities in Nigeria are huge.

She also said there must be transparency, consistency of policy and regulation in the system to encourage investors.

“There is a funding gap in Nigeria, given the state of the country’s infrastructure space.

There is absolutely no way that the government can provide

these infrastructures relying solely on public funds. So there is an opportunity to partner with the private sector to make those projects reach fruition and for the people to benefit.

“Yes, there are many hurdles such as inconsistencies in policies, the legal framework, so we need to create an enabling PPP environment. A lot depends on our policy makers and regulators. There are obviously constraints on the financing side.

“But you can unlock those constraints if there is certainty about what to expect going forward. So, if there is clarity, consistency and transparency, then you have investors more willing to throw monies at projects hoping that they would get fair returns on their investments,” she added.

More, noted that competition for global FDI has become stiffer, urging government to tackle militating hurdles and implement macroeconomic policies that would be accommodating.

On his part, a Director at FBN Quest, Patrick Mgbenwelu pointed out that FDIs plays a critical role in accelerating infrastructure growth in any economy. He also noted that a conducive environment remains a building block for the growth

of any economy.

Once there is conducive environment, investors would be willing to come in and banks would be willing to lend, he said Mgbenwelu added: “FDIs will only flow where there is a stable government, clear and consistent policy, and an investor-friendly environment. So, looking closely at each of these, the foregoing remains the direct correlation of these with what is required for driving the growth of infrastructure in Nigeria.

“According to one of the leading African regional banks, Nigeria’s infrastructure gap currently sits at $350 billion to be extended over the next 10 years. There are different figures however. This represents a significant opportunity for investors and financiers alike in the Nigerian economy. This would result to creation of jobs and growth in the non-oil sector.

“One of the major constraints is that the Nigerian banks is still not able to provide long term funding no matter how much liquidity you have if you cannot finance infrastructure that is so much highly capital intensive, if you do not have long term liquidity, you can as well change the subject,” he added.

Heritage Bank, Oyo Sign Deal on Economic Diversification Heritage Bank Limited and the Oyo state government have gone into a multi-billion naira partnership to revive agriculture and boost agro-allied businesses in the state.

The partnership was in line with the current drive by governments to diversify the economic and revenue base of the country.

A statement explained that the Oyo State Agricultural Initiative (OYSAI), the state government announced that the project was part of its revolution in the agricultural sector and a massive empowerment programme for both youth and women across the state.

Speaking at the launching of the project, the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, explained that the state has “successfully secured a viable partnership with some private investors and financial institutions to back up the project in the areas of poultry development, rice production and processing along the value chain.”

The governor thanked Heritage Bank and other partners for electing to support the

project aimed at diversifying the state economy and drive self-sustainability by adding value to the lives of about one million beneficiaries. He added that the project will also reposition the state as the food basket of Nigeria and generate massive revenue for economic emancipation.

“Farming is attractive; we want to make it more attractive. The programme will create jobs, wealth and socio-economic productivity.

It will link agriculture to small business and manufacturing. The programme will also improve the lot of women, youth and small scale businesses,” Ajimobi said.

The project, according to the governor, will spread across 3,000 hectares of land in 28 out of the 33 Local Government Areas of the state. He added that the project will be in three stages: food crop cultivation, cash crop/horticulture and food processing.

Under the arrangement, land, improved seedlings, fertilizer, farming equipment will be made available to participants in the

projects, while the banks will support willing agro investors with funds and advisory services.

The bank’s Executive Director, Lagos, South West and Corporate Banking, Mrs. Mary Akpobome, who represented the Managing Director/CEO of Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, at the launch, stated that the project was in line with the bank’s vision of partnering with individuals, organisations and governments to create, preserve and transfer wealth across generations.

According to her, “We believe that our youth are the future leaders that will positively reshape and reposition our country in the global environment, and Heritage Bank is committed to contributing her unending quota towards grooming them by facilitating enabling opportunities and platforms as this project.

“This programme will definitely lead to the creation of quality and sustainable employment and livelihood for the youth, which will in turn reduce the crime rate in the society.”

Ecobank Partners Pamodzi on ‘Rapid Transfer’ The Chief Executive Officer, Pamodzi Sports Marketing, Mike Itemuagbor and promoter of Okpekpe International Road Race has said the Ecobank Rapid Transfer product was most ideal and suited for the race scheduled for May 7th in in Edo State.

Itemuagbor observed that the product would adequately cater for over 3000 local and international professional athletes expected at the competition including sports enthusiasts and government officials across the continent.

According to him, “The Okpekpe Road Race is global competition. It is therefore natural we look for a bank with a product that has international appeal. This informed our choice of Ecobank Rapid Transfer.

The product has contributed immensely to the success of the past competitions.”

Speaking on the partnership recently, Ecobank’s Managing Director, Charles Kie said the Ecobank Rapid Transfer was best suited for the competition that has grown to have global recognition. This year’s

partnership is the 3rd on the row the bank is getting the official money transfer status of the renowned Okpekpe Road Race.

According to Kie, the Ecobank Rapid Transfer is an innovative money transfer services available within Nigeria and countries in Africa where Ecobank is present. “The service was conceived out of the need to provide quick, convenient, accessible, and reliable money transfer facility for our retail and wholesale customers and non-customers of the bank”.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah

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 28 April 2016 The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $42.02 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $41.38 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

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

MARKET NEWS

FCMB Group Shareholders Approve N1.98bn Dividend Goddy Egene and Eromosele Abiodun Shareholders of FCMB Group Plc, the holding company of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, FCMB Capital Markets Limited, CSL Stockbrokers Limited and CSL Trustees Limited, last Friday approved N1.98 billion dividend for the year ended December 31, 2015.

The dividend, which translates to 10 kobo per share was approved at the 3rd annual general meeting (AGM) company held in Lagos.

FCMB Group Plc’s pre-tax profit fell 68per cent for the full year ended in December 31, 2015. Speaking at the AGM, the Chairman of FCMB Group, Dr. Jonathan Long, said, ‘’Although 2015 posed many challenges

for the group, it was again possible for us to continue the development of our core banking franchise and to do so profitably.’’

The Managing Director of FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Peter Obaseki, noted that the group is focused on sustaining the momentum of its leading retail presence.

According to him, “as we

seek to build more businesses in the retail space, we hope to fully launch a micro-finance business as a full subsidiary of the Group and seek opportunities to improve controlling participation in the pension fund industry; we expect our non-pension asset management and private trusteeship business to grow more steadily. A combination of these initiatives will reduce the

pressure on the bank’s balance sheet and steer activities to less capital intensive businesses.’’

Speaking in the same vein, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank Limited, Mr. Ladi Balogun said the bank had moved swiftly and decisively to address the challenges that affected its financial results last year. ‘’In the fourth quarter of

2015, we began to see early promising signs from the actions we have taken so far to reset the business and restore our growth,’’ he said.

He added that FCMB’s performance this year will be driven by improvements in operating efficiency and its retail banking drive, particularly in alternate channels (ATMs, POS and agent banking).

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

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

CITYSTRINGS

Acting Features Editor Charles Ajunwa Email charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

Okada riders on a Lagos road

The Okada Menace Godbless Eduviere writes that commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as ‘okada’, especially in Lagos, are taking the law into their hands with their reckless driving and fragrant disregard for traffic rules

I

t was on a Monday, April 11, 2016 at about 11:34am. The weather was hot, very hot. Yet streams of people bustled around at Waterside Junction, at the Olodi Apapa area of Lagos State as they strived to eke a living. Thus, with the crowd, it was a cacophony of noises from traders calling for prospective customers, to commercial motorcycles known as okada in local parlance, blazing past recklessly.

Obviously, okada accident on regular basis is one prevalence case that civilians and even the Nigeria Government have tackled over the years and there hasn’t been any success in taming the nuisance they constitute to the society.

Okada, as some people may say, is a

stubborn and aggressive machine. It succeeds where other vehicle fails and rides

They are very reckless riders and if you must patronise them, then you must have to caution them to drive slowly and carefully. Else you might end up sustaining injuries or even losing your life

through narrow roads where other vehicles cannot. This probably, is the reason why lots of people patronise it to convey them to their destinations.

Many usually say that the characteristic of okada as a machine has faded into its riders that they even now act like it. In order to meet up with life, riders tend to be very stubborn as their motorcycles, aggressive as its sounds, and brave as to risk their lives over nothing.

It was this recklessness that informed the decision by the then Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, to place a ban on them.

This was also because of the series of crime and accidents that had occurred in the past.

In the past, countless number of crimes of various kinds and accidents have resulted

from certain Okada drivers in Nigeria. Several armed robbery cases are carried out with Okada riders.

There’s no limit to the havoc tastes that this so called “bitter sweet” call okada have caused Nigerians. Thus, it was on this note, that the interest of its riders and passengers were properly checked.

Sometimes during the Fashola Government, a ban was placed on it but the interests of the masses seems to be otherwise as it’s a faster means to convey passengers to their various destinations.

Earlier on, a lady was knocked down by a motorcyclist in front of the a new generation bank located at Waterside junction, Apapa.

The victim who identified herself as Mrs. Titilayo Lawal said “Bikers are too stubborn”.

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CITYSTRINGS

Okada riders

Okada riders waiting for passengers

I was on my way from the house where I went to pick up my daughter’s shoe to give to her when all of a sudden I heard voices of people. I turned to look what was going on, it was the police chasing okada from parking at the Waterside junction as its too crowded. Seeing the race of the riders, I tried to run for my dear life, but unfortunately for me, an okada man knocked me down

“I was on my way from the house where I went to pick up my daughter’s shoe to give to her when all of a sudden I heard voices of people. I turned to look what was going on, it was the police chasing okada from

parking at the Waterside junction as its too crowded. Seeing the race of the riders, I tried to run for my dear life, but unfortunately for me, an okada man knocked me down,” Mrs. Titilayo said.

Citizens, whose lives have somehow been affected by this “bitter sweet” means of transport commends the efforts of Government toward these reckless and aggressive riders of okada.

A victim of okada accident, who preferred to remain anonymous, told THISDAY how he almost lost his life sometime last year.

According to him, he said the accident occurred between the Barracks and National Stadium In Surulere. “They are very reckless riders and if you must patronise them, then you must have to caution them to drive slowly and carefully. Else you might end up sustaining injuries or even losing your life,” he added.

The aggressiveness and reckless attitude created several dramatic scenes during the ban, last year. There was protest by riders who opposed the ex-Governor’s decision which even led to some violence display on several occasions in Lagos State.

In line with the protests on the interest of the citizens towards the banning of okada in Lagos State, the Ex-Governor, Fashola came up with the idea of kits against accidents.

The kits which include crash helmet meant for okada riders and passengers and also

urged bikers to obey the traffic laws in order to ensure the safety of their lives but like the saying goes, “as a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly”.

Since the administration of the current of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, motorcyclists have soon returned to their old habits of not wearing their crash helmet and undermine the traffic laws.

All over the nation, motorcyclists seem to be flouting the traffic laws placed by the state governments. In Lagos State, the ninth law of Road Safety states, “Riding motorcycle without crash helmet for rider and passenger will attract N20, 000 or three years imprisonment” but approximately, more than 96 per cent of Okada riders in Nigeria don’t use helmet during field work; During field work, most of riders appear to be under-age and this is against the tenth law of Road Safety which states, “Prohibits under-aged from riding a motorcycle and the fine for such offence is N20, 000”.

The casualty rate of Okada accidents has remained high over the years. Motorcyclists are usually seen on high speed and this exposes them and their passengers to great risk, should there be an accident.

Okada riders in Lagos have become a law unto themselves. They ride against traffic and show absolute disrespect for traffic lights, they ride on highways and on streets and attempts to query their excesses which mostly

result in a suicide mission, thus earning them the sobriquet ‘lord of the roads’.

The role of unfaithful policemen also encourage the recklessness of okada riders as they collect money from them rather than properly caution them. Most motorcycles do not have numbers plate and possibly no vehicle registration for easy identification in view of the high level of security concerns occasioned by rampant kidnapping and armed robbery.

Recently, interviews with some of Okada riders as to why they do not wear crash helmet posed an interesting comedy scene as some of them were stubborn and aggressive to THISDAY. Some of them threw words of insult and rode away, while others ignored and warned against taking their photographs.

An okada rider, who reluctantly complied, said, they feel very uncomfortable using crash helmet, and another said his is old and requires replacement but their daily income as transporters doesn’t amount to buying new ones.

A problem solved is problem-free. Countless number of lives had been lost for decades.

Rather than destinations, reckless okada riders drove many innocent souls to the land of no return. Thus, the journey to “Had I know” land will continue if no drastic action is being taken to reduce the excesses of these riders that posed themselves as “Lord of the Roads”.

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T H I S D AY MONDAY MAY 2, 2016

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T H I S D AY MONDAY MAY 2, 2016

NIGERIAN ELECTRICITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGENCY (NEMSA)

PUBLIC NOTICE

BANING OF SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS IN THE NIGERIAN ELECTRICITY SUPPLY INDUSTRY (NESI) AND REPORTING OF ELECTRICAL INCIDENCES (ACCIDENTS/ELECTROCUTION (S), ELECTRICAL FIRES) FOR INVESTIGATION This is to inform all the Discos, Licensed / Certified Electrical installation contractors and the general public that the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has banned the use of substandard materials and equipment by electrical contractors and distribution companies in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and other allied industries/work places.

This move is to guarantee the delivery of safe, stable and reliable power supply to the citizenry and to guarantee the safety of lives and property nationwide.

During the Agency's nationwide monitoring and evaluation exercises by the technical management team and the sixteen (16) field inspectorate offices across the country, the indiscriminate use of substandard materials / equipment in the networks and bad construction practice in NESI by the electrical contractors and Discos alike were discovered. These are major hindrances to safe, reliable and stable power supply to Nigerians. Also, this is the reason why most networks get into state of disrepair soon after they are completed/put into use.

Henceforth, the utility companies / Discos and the Certified Electrical Installation Contractors are warned from further use of these types of substandard materials/ equipment in the NESI. They are also strongly advised to ensure strict compliance and adhere to standard construction practices in the execution of their network and power systems.

BANNED SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS/EQUIPMENTS: 1. Use of untreated wooden poles, whose frequent failures usually result in sudden collapse of distribution network/systems.

2. Use of untreated wooden cross-arms, whose frequent failures usually result in sudden collapse of distribution networks/systems 3. Use of un-galvanised channel/angle irons whose frequent failures usually result in sudden collapse of distribution networks/systems 4. Use of un-galvanised and proper tie straps whose frequent failures usually in sudden collapse of distribution networks/failures 5. Use of un-galvanised bolts and nuts whose frequent failures usually result in sudden collapse of distribution of networks/system 6. Use of split conductors and cables resulting in sudden snapping of conductors and networks collapse posing risk to lives and property.

7. Use of undersize conductors and cables limiting current carrying capacity and posing danger to lives and property.

8. Use of fake/non copper (aluminium) cables for indoor wiring and installation.

TEST & CERTIFICATION: The utilities companies (Discos) and certified electrical installation contractors are hereby warned that it is an offence punishable under the law to execute and commission any electrical installation including metering for use without the statutory inspection, test and certification by an electrical inspector and National meter test stations (NMTS) of NEMSA. The public may also note that electrical accidents don't just happen but are caused by lack of adherence to technical standards and safety procedures in NESI and other work places.

Any noticed event or incidences of electrical incidents, electrocution or other electrical hazards in the networks, power systems, public places, homes, offices, industries, etc, should immediately be reported to the nearest utility company (Disco office) for necessary action and such incident should be reported to the nearest NEMSA Inspectorate Field office for proper investigation to find out the causes, remedial actions needed and more importantly to prevent future occurrences of similar incidents leading to loss of lives and property in line with the NEMSA's ACT 2015 and other statutory regulations.

The following are contact information for NEMSA's Inspectorate Field Offices, phone numbers of the Management team as well as the help desk who can be reached in the event of observing any person flouting these banned materials/equipment or to report electrical accidents.

Area Inspectorate Offices S/N ZONAL OFFICE LOCATION 1 Abeokuta 2

Abuja

3

Akure

4

Benin

5

Enugu

6

Ibadan

7

Ilorin

8

Jos

9

Kaduna

10

Kano

11

Lagos-Eko Area

12

Lagos – Ikeja Area

13

Maiduguri

14

Port-Harcourt

15

Sokoto

16

Yola

LOCATION / ADDRESS

Federal Secretariat, P.M.B. 2078, Abeokuta, Ogun State Plot 1213 Birao Street, Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja Federal Secretariat, P.M.B. 702, Akure, Ondo State Federal Secretariat Complex, Opp. Aduwawa Quarters, P.M.B.1319, Benin City, Edo State Federal Secretariat, P.M.B. 1110, Enugu, Enugu State

STATE COVERED Ogun

HEAD

E-MAIL

Engr. K.O Ekpo

FCT Niger State

Engr. U. Momoh

Kaluiyke1965@ yahoo.com nemsaabujazo nal@gmail.com

Ondo and Ekiti State Edo & Delta State

Engr. Abdulrahman Igesi Engr. Jimoh A. Quadry

Anambra, Enugu, Engr. Richard Imo, Ebonyi & Abia Nwaneri State Oyo, Osun Engr. Muyiwa T. Alabi

Ministry of Energy Building, Beside Nitel Hqs., Inside Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi P.M.B. 5028, Ibadan, Oyo State Sir Kashim Ibrahim Road, Behind Kwara & Kogi Governors House, P.M.B. 1580, Ilorin Kwara State Club Road, P.M.B. 2099, Jos, Plateau, Benue, Plateau State Bauchi, Gombe & Nasarawa 6, Yakubu Gowon Way, Hospital Kaduna Road P.M.B. 2119, Kaduna Federal Secretariat, P.M.B. 3477, Kano, Jigawa & Kano, Kano State Katsina Glass House, Block D FMWH Lagos State (Eko Premises, TBS, Moloney Street, DisCo) Lagos

NMTS (Oshodi), Alasia Bus Stop, Agege Motor Road, Near YTK Petrol Station 3, Lake Chad Nurs. Str. Near Lake Chad, P.M.B. 1032 Maiduguri, Borno State Federal Secretariat, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State Eis Building Complex, Near Kangiwa Square P.M.B. 2291, Sokoto, Sokoto State 29a, Mubi Road, P.M.B. 2094, Yola Adamawa State

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

nwerichard@g mail.com Naotoy42@yah oo.com

Engr. Nelson Obiokwu

cassellngx@ya hoo.com

Engr. Gideon Nanjwan

gdnanjwan@g mail.com

Engr. E. Alobo

ejaalobo@yah oo.com mgmkonduga @yahoo.com owandaniel@y ahoo.com

Engr. M. Kunduga Engr. Daniel Owan

Lagos State (Ikeja DisCo)

Engr. Oyinlade Adewale

Best_oyinlade @yahoo.com

Borno & Yobe

Engr. James Bata Sani

Jamesbatasani @yahoo.com

Rivers, Cross Rivers, Bayelsa & Akwa Ibom Sokoto, Kebbi & Zamfara

Engr. Agam Ikechukwu

agambrunoiyke @yahoo.com

Engr. Ekpontuen Anthony Ntuen

clergytony@g mail.com

Taraba & Adamawa Engr. Ugadu Silas

MANAGEMENT NUMBERS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

igetsiabdul@g mail.com halabarma@ya hoo.com

07010000102 07010000199 07010000105 07010000120 07010005898 07010003411 07010000196 07010040993 07010009019 07010055220 07010027747 07010000171 07010008481 HELP DESK NUMBERS 07010046100 07010155560 07010000253 07010000254 07010005235 07010005237 07010005651 07010009354 07010023306 07010033612

Signed: Management

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

esugadu@yaho o.com

07010033613 07010040733 07010041325 07010041329 07010041345 07010041345 07010041347 07010041348 07010041349 07010041351 07010050325 07010050326 07010050327 07010054402 07010116200 07010119945 07010121116 07010122276 07010126449 07010133127 07010135119 07010138557 07010141995 07010143100 07010144048 07010144497

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MONDAY MAY 2, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Death Toll from Building Collapse in Kenya Rises to 16 The death toll from a collapsed six-storey building in Nairobi has risen to 16 from 12, the Kenya Red Cross

said yesterday, but officials declined to be drawn on how many more people might be still under the rubble.

Yemeni Peace Talks Suspended after Houthis Seize Base The Yemeni government suspended direct peace talks to end the country’s civil war yesterday after the Houthi movement and its armed allies seized a military base the north of the capital Sanaa, two members of the official delegation to the talks said.

The Houthi assault killed several of the soldiers defending the Umaliqa base. Unlike most of Yemen’s soldiers, those at Umaliqa had refused to take sides in the war between the Iran-allied Houthis and the Saudi-backed government.

The Houthis had tolerated this neutrality until they launched a surprise push into the facility in Amran province and seized its large cache of weapons at dawn, local officials said.

“We have suspended the sessions indefinitely to protest these military actions and continued violations of the truce,” one member of the government delegation to the Yemen peace talks in Kuwait told Reuters.

The delegate declined to be named, citing rules on media commentary at the U.N.-sponsored peace talks.

Representatives from the Houthi movement and the allied party of former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh were not immediately available

to comment.

Abdel-Malek al-Mekhlafi,Yemen’s foreign minister and the government’s top delegate to the negotiations in Kuwait, said in the immediate aftermath of the Houthi assault that it had “torpedoed” the talks.

“We will take the appropriate position in response to the Houthi crime at the Umaliqa base in Amran for the sake of our people and country,” he wrote on his official Twitter account, without elaborating.

Buttressed by a truce which had been largely holding since April 10, the talks in Kuwait had been inching ahead in recent days and the Houthis said Saudi Arabia had released 40 Yemeni prisoners it had been holding on Saturday.

For its part, Yemen’s Houthirun state news agency Saba accused the mostly Gulf Arab coalition and Yemeni government forces of violating the truce 4,000 times, saying shelling, bombing raids and warplane overflights had raised tensions.

The war has killed at least 6,200 people and unleashed a humanitarian crisis in the already impoverished country.

Yemen’s army has split and military bases and commanders have mostly either taken the Houthi or the government side.

Milken Institute Global Conference Takes off in Los Angeles Zacheaus Somorin

For the 19th year, the Milken Institute Global Conference started yesterday, bringing together leaders who drive change. More than 3,500 people from 55 countries and 45 states are gathering for discussion across 11 content tracks, with the overarching theme exploring “The Future of Humankind.”

“Our Global Conference builds relationships that turn powerful ideas into transformative action, especially in our core areas of access to capital, improving health care and spurring job creation,” says Institute President and CEO, Mike Klowden. “Our ability to bridge the worlds of business, finance, health, education and policy has never been more in demand.”

More than 700 speakers, including major investors, CEOs, senior government officials, scientists, educators, philanthropists and journalists,

will take part in 200 sessions at the conference. These include Jessica Alba, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, The Honest Company; David Baltimore, Nobel Laureate; President Emeritus and Robert Andrews Millikan Professor of Biology, California Institute of Technology.

Others include Kyle Bass, Chief Investment Officer, Hayman Capital Management, Elizabeth Blackburn, Nobel Laureate; President, Salk Institute, Tony Blair, Former Prime Minister, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Jerry Brown, Governor, California, Kobe Bryant, NBA Champion; CEO, Kobe Inc among other discussants.

For the first time, an extensive number of Global Conference panels will be live-streamed. Videos of all panels will be posted on the globalconference.org. In addition to blog posts and videos, nearly all Global Conference panels will be live-tweeted.

The 198-room building in Huruma in eastern Nairobi collapsed on Friday night after heavy rain and rescue work was continuing on Sunday.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, who visited the site of the collapse, told officials “to undertake an immediate survey of all the houses in the area to find out those which are at risk of collapsing”.

He also ordered the arrest of the owners of

the building, which had been condemned by the authorities.

“Those people who have died in Huruma have died an unnecessary death. That death is a product of corruption.

And that is what we must fight in Nairobi,” legislat or Johnson S a kaja said during Labour Day celebrations in the capit al.

The Kenya Red Cross said in a statement 16

d ea t h s h a d been c o n firmed and 135 people injured and treated for t h ei r i n j uri es. “ S ea rc h a n d resc ue operations are ongoing to rescue survivors that ma y st i l l be t ra pped un d er t h e rubbl e, ” i t sa i d .

Neither the Kenya Red Cross nor the National Disaster Operation Centre - which is leading the rescue operation - would be drawn into giving an

estimate of how many people may still be under the rubble.

On Saturday, Nairobi County Deputy Governor Jonathan Mueke said the building that collapsed, and several others in the area, had been put up without their approval.

Heavy rains have led to building collapses in the past in poor neighborhoods of the Kenyan capital, which residents have usually blamed on shoddy or illegal construction.

AGAINST TRUMP

Protesters against Donald Trump protest outside the California Republican Party conven”on in Burlingame, California… weekend

IS Suicide Bomber Kills Two Police in Turkey

Two police officers were killed and 23 people wounded in a suicide car bomb attack on police headquarters in the south- eastern Turkish city of Gaziantep, the governor and police sources said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but security sources said police raided the home of a suspected Islamic State militant believed to have carried out the attack and detained his father for DNA tests and questioning.

Turkey has suffered attacks recently both from Kurdish militants and Islamic State fighters, raising uncertainty at home and among NATO allies about spillover of conflict from neighboring Syria.

The Gaziantep-based suspect is believed to have detonated a bomb-laden vehicle just outside the gates of police headquarters on a street housing several other provincial government

buildings whose windows were smashed.

“The father of a suspect who is believed to have carried out the attack has been detained. We have records of the suspect’s links with Islamic State,” a security source said.

A Turkish flag was hung on the side of the police headquarters building.

Many shops were severely damaged. Shopkeepers and municipality workers cleaned streets covered with rubble strewn by the blast felt across the city.

Police, who cordoned off the area and increased security measures across the city, removed the pieces of a wrecked vehicle and collected body parts thought to be belonging to the perpetrator from the scene.

Nineteen police officers and four civilians were wounded in the attack, a statement from Gaziantep governor Ali Yerlikaya’s office

said. One police officer died at the scene and a second in hospital, a security source said.

Several hundred miles eastwards along the same border, in the town of Nusaybin, three Turkish soldiers were killed and 14 others wounded in an armed attack

by Kurdish militants, an army statement said.

Turkey is facing security threats on several fronts. As part of a U.S.-led coalition, it is fighting Islamic State in neighboring Syria and Iraq and battling Kurdish PKK militants in its southeast, where a 2-1/2-year ceasefire collapsed last July, triggering the worst violence since the 1990s.

Turkish military sources said on Sunday drones from the U.S.-led coalition, drawing on intelligence from Ankara, had struck an Islamic State explosives depot in the northern Syrian town of Dabiq. Two Islamic State

militants outside the building were killed and several others were thought to have been inside.

The province of Gaziantep, bordering Islamic State-held Syrian territory, is home to a large Syrian refugee population and there have been several police raids on suspected Islamic State militants there over the past months.

A wave of suicide bombings this year, including two in its largest city Istanbul, have been blamed on Islamic State, and two in the capital Ankara were claimed by a Kurdish militant group. The Sunni hardline group, which usually claims responsibility for its attacks has never done so in Turkey.

Last week a female suicide bomber blew herself up next to a mosque on a busy street in Turkey’s fourth largest city of Bursa, wounding eight people.

Turkey has also faced attacks from far-left groups, mostly on police and security forces.

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45

INTERNATIONAL

Germany: Anti-immigrant AfD Says Muslims Not Welcome Delegates from Germany’s anti-immigration party Alternative for Germany (AfD) yesterday backed an election manifesto that says Islam is not compatible with the country’s constitution and calls for a ban on minarets and the burqa.

The AfD, set up just three years ago, has been buoyed by Europe’s migrant crisis, which saw the arrival of more than one million, mostly Muslim,

migrants in Germany last year.

The party has no lawmakers in the federal parliament in Berlin but has members in half of Germany’s 16 regional state assemblies.

Opinion polls give AfD support of up to 14 percent, presenting a serious challenge to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives and other established parties ahead of the 2017 federal election. They rule out any coalition with the AfD.

Rousseff Says Opponents Plotting to Water down Brazil Labour Laws Brazilian President, Dilma Rousseff, yesterday accused her opponents of plotting to water down existing labor legislation and cutting social stipends for the poor if Congress puts her on trial for allegedly breaching budget rules.

Rousseff, speaking at a Labor Day rally in São Paulo, said her ouster from office would open room for a dismantling of labor rules that have protected millions of workers in Latin America’s largest economy.

In her speech, she did not name the opponents she was referring to.

A Senate committee is currently discussing whether a request by the lower house to initiate proceedings to impeach Rousseff are valid and should go to a plenary vote. Recent polls showed that senators would back putting Rousseff on trial for using state banks to fund government programs - an offence that violates the country’s fiscal responsibility law.

Apart from watering down the labour code, she said her ouster would weaken social programs that have kept her Workers Party in power since 2003. Efforts to help local manufacturers actively participate in a massive offshore oil exploration plan could suffer too, she noted.

“This is not only a coup against a democratically elected government, but also a coup against the hard-won rights of the workers of this country,” Rousseff said.

Businesses have for decades complained of the so-called CLT labor code for excessively raising the cost of hirings and dismissals, and stimulating unnecessary litigation between employers and workers.

In recent days, local newspaper reports have said that Vice President Michel Temer, who would replace Rousseff, would be willing to revise some aspects of the legislation to resuscitate an economy that is braced for a second straight year of contraction.

Al Shabaab Militants Kill 15 Soldiers in Somalia Al Shabaab insurgents killed 15 Somali soldiers and retook a town northeast of the capital Mogadishu yesterday, just one day after it had fallen to government forces, the military said.

The Islamist group, which wants to topple Somalia’s Western-backed government, said it had killed 32 soldiers in the assault. It was not possible to verify independently the death toll. Al Shabaab has inflated casualty figures in the past.

Captain Nur Ali said the attack had taken place early yesterday morning in the town of Runirgood, about 180 km to the north east of Mogadishu.

“Al Shabaab used a suicide car bomb to penetrate a military base. It exploded and then fierce fighting followed. At least 15 soldiers died,” Major Abdullahi Omar, a second army officer, told Reuters from the region by phone.

“The soldiers (at the base) were few and there were no AMISOM or other military nearby for reinforcement. We killed more than 10 militants

in fighting on Saturday and Sunday,” Omar added.

AMISOM is the African Union peacekeeping mission.

Residents of Runirgood said they had seen dead bodies of both al Shabaab and government soldiers in the town.

Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab’s spokesman for military operations, said its fighters had killed 32 soldiers and captured three vehicles.

“It was a fierce battle and thank Allah, we recaptured the town,” he told Reuters.

Somalia’s government is battling to rebuild the Horn of Africa nation after more than two decades of conflict.

Al Shabaab ruled large parts of Somalia until 2011, when it was driven out of Mogadishu

by African Union and Somali troops.

It still controls some rural areas, however, and carries out frequent attacks in the capital and other areas.

Last week it attacked a Somali government military base and killed five soldiers near the northwestern town of Baidoa.

In a raucous and highly emotional debate on the second day of a party congress, many of the 2,000 delegates cheered calls from the podium for measures against “Islamic symbols of power” and jeered a plea for dialogue with Germany’s Muslims.

“Islam is foreign to us and for that reason it cannot invoke the principle of religious freedom to the same degree as Christianity,”said Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, an AfD lawmaker from the state of Saxony-Anhalt, to loud applause.

Merkel has said freedom of

religion for all is guaranteed by Germany’s constitution and has said on many occasions that Islam belongs to Germany.

Up to 2,000 left-wing demonstrators clashed with police on Saturday as they tried to break up the first full AfD conference. About 500 people were briefly detained and 10 police officers were lightly injured, a police spokesman said.

The chapter of the AfD manifesto concerning Muslims is entitled “Islam is not a part of Germany”. The manifesto demands a ban to minarets the towers of a mosque from where the call to Muslim prayer

is made - and the burqa, the all-encompassing body garment worn by some conservative Muslim women.

In yesterday’s debate one delegate’s call for greater understanding drew jeers and loud whistles.“I call for a differentiation and urge everybody to visit their local Muslim communities and initiate a dialogue,” said Ernst-August Roettger, a delegate from the northern city of Lueneburg.

He was speaking in support of an amendment that called for acceptance of everybody’s religious freedom and for the party not to

regard all Muslims as extremists.

Delegates rejected the amendment.

Germany is home to nearly four million Muslims, about five percent of the total population.

Many of the longer established Muslim community in Germany came from Turkey to find work but those who have arrived over the past year have mostly been fleeing conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Last month the head of Germany’s Central Council of Muslims likened the AfD’s attitude towards his community to that of Adolf Hitler’s Nazis towards the Jews.

HUGE GARBAGE

Garbage collectors stand at the site where a massive pile of garbage collapsed at a landfill dumpsite in Guatemala City, Guatemala…weekend

Afghan Forces Battle to Push Taliban from Southern Highway Afghan security forces have been battling to push back Taliban fighters seeking to cut off the capital of the southern province of Uruzgan, officials said yesterday as army units worked to clear roadside bombs from the main highway into the town.

The insurgents have in the past month stepped up their offensive aimed at taking control of Uruzgan, which straddles one of Afghanistan’s main opium and gun-smuggling routes. NATO commanders view the rural province as a key battleground as, if it fell, the Taliban could use it as a springboard to launch attacks on Helmand and Kandahar further to the south.

The Taliban is seeking to isolate the provincial capital Tarin Kowt from outlying districts and over the past week has been fighting Afghan forces for control of the road between the town and Shawali Kot in Kandahar province.

The battle has added to the pressure on stretched security forces engaged in heavy fighting from Helmand in the south to Kunduz in the far north.

A spokesman for the Afghan army’s 205th Corps said troops had reopened the route but the situation was still unstable and the road was threatened by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by the insurgents.

“We launched a counterattack that inflicted heavy casualties to the Taliban and reopened to the highway but it is heavily mined and our engineers are working to clear IEDs off the road,” army spokesman Mohammad Mohsen Sultani said.

Underlining the extent of the threat, General Abdul Raziq, the Kandahar police chief who gained a fearsome reputation fighting the insurgents in his home province, has joined the battle, according to Zia Durani, a spokesman for the head of Uruzgan’s provincial police.

Brigadier General Charles Cleveland, spokesman for the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Kabul, said the situation in the province was “serious”although there did not appear to be any immediate prospect of Taliban victory.

“We’re watching it closely and there is concern about Uruzgan,”

he said.“We don’t think either the province of Uruzgan or the provincial capital Tarin Kowt is about to fall but we’re watching it closely,” he said.

Only 8 percent of the population having access to electricity. Its mix of flat and mountainous terrain has been fertile ground for insurgents who fought Australian, Dutch and U.S. troops for years.

So far no additional foreign troops have been sent to bolster the defense, as they were in Helmand earlier this year, and coalition aircraft have not carried out air strikes in support of Afghan troops fighting the Taliban, Cleveland said.

But the fighting in Uruzgan underlines how difficult ensuring security in remote areas has been for the Western-backed government in Kabul, which is estimated to control only about two-thirds of the country.

“The Taliban have not been defeated. They are everywhere,” said provincial council chief Abdul Karim Khademzai.

“Apart from one district, all roads from the district centers to the provincial capital have been cut off and the government only

control the provincial capital,” he said.

The districts of Deh Rawod, to the west of Tarin Kowt and Khas Oruzgan, to the east, have long been targeted by the insurgents, who say they have control of large parts of the province and now threaten Tarin Kowt.

“If the provincial center is captured and liberated, it will inevitably be a huge blow for the enemy as they will lose their only toehold in the province,” Mullah Aminullah Yousuf, identified on the Taliban’s website as the insurgent official in charge of Uruzgan province, said in an interview on the site.

With the annual opium harvest now in full swing, Taliban tax collectors have been raising funds from local farmers, who depend heavily on the crop but as fighting has intensified, life has become increasingly difficult, said Amanullah Hotaki, a local tribal elder.

“In some districts where the Taliban are in control, food prices have gone up, there are no hospitals, people die on the way to Kandahar to get treatment,” he said.

MONDAY MAY 2, 2016 • T H I S D AY

46

INTERNATIONAL

Eyeing an Indiana Victory, Trump Says, ‘It’s over’ Front-runner Donald Trump said yesterday that he will have essentially sealed the Republican U.S. presidential nomination if he wins Tuesday’s contest in Indiana, where he holds a big lead over chief rival Ted Cruz.

A new NBC/Wall Street Journal/Marist opinion poll showed Trump with a wide lead in Indiana, 49 percent to 34 percent

for Cruz and 13 percent for a third candidate, Ohio Governor John Kasich.

Trump, a 69-year-old billionaire real estate developer, sounded confident in an interview on “Fox News Sunday” when asked whether Indiana would basically end the long-running Republican race in his favor.

“Yes, it’s over,” Trump said.

“It’s already over.”

The poll showed the depth of the challenge facing Cruz, a conservative U.S. senator from Texas who is trying to prevent Trump from winning the 1,237 delegates needed to seal the nomination.

Cruz’s hopes rest on emerging as a consensus alternative to Trump at the Republican National

Malema Rallies South Africa’s Poor, Pledging Land, Jobs The firebrand leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters on Saturday launched his party’s campaign for what are expected to be closely-fought local elections, promising to rescue voters from poverty, unemployment and corrupt government.

EFF president Julius Malema chose the highly-symbolic backdrop of Soweto, Africa’s most famous township outside Johannesburg and just a stone’s throw from Nelson Mandela’s last home before his arrest, to lay down his challenge to the ruling African National Congress whose youth wing he once headed.

With the ANC’s vast majority now straining under the weight of President Jacob Zuma’s scandal-plagued leadership and high unemployment as the economy stutters, opposition parties have made inroads into the liberation party’s strongholds.

Formed just three years ago the EFF won 6 percent of the vote at national polls in 2014 to become the third largest party and the second largest in opposition.

Youths Clash with Police in Paris over Labour Law Hooded youths clashed with police in Paris yesterday during a May Day rally against planned labour reforms, while the government insisted it would not withdraw the bill which is due to be debated in parliament later this week.

Police, who said they clashed with a group of about 300 youths and detained three of them, responded with tear gas.

The reforms would give employers more flexibility to agree in-house deals with employees on working time, a move the government says is needed to bring down unemployment now above 10 percent.

Critics say the reforms will lead to poorer working conditions and more sackings.

“The draft bill is fair and necessary for the country,”Labour Minister Myriam El Khomri told Europe 1 radio, Le Monde and iTELE in an interview.

More than 80,000 people marched throughout France on Sunday, including up to 17,000 in Paris, police said. That is far fewer than in the first rallies against the reform which started two months ago.

The radical left party has collected large chunks of support in working class areas, and is seen likely to gain further ground in forthcoming polls after scoring several political victories and championing economic causes such as mine nationalisation and redistribution of land.

The EFF last month pushed the Constitutional Court to deliver a ruling that Zuma had violated his oath of office and was liable for a portion of the $16 million spent on renovations to his rural home in Nkandla.

“I am happy to report to you that we have stopped the Nkandla corruption,” Malema said to roaring cheers, just days after police said they were investigating him for “inflammatory speech” after he said the EFF was willing to take power by “the barrel of a gun” in a TV interview.

Lashing the ANC for its patchy record in providing basic services and accusing it of pandering to the middle-class, Malema pledged that the EFF would give the poor land, water and electricity, as well as free internet access.

“The EFF will not build

bicycle lanes (for the affluent) as long as the people still stay in the shacks,” said Malema, donning his trademark red, Che Guevara-style beret that has become a popular symbol of militant politics among young South Africans.

Some analysts expect another court ruling, to be handed down on Friday and ordering a review of a 2009 decision to drop 783 corruption charges against Zuma, to hurt the ANC at the ballot box.

“I’m not sure it’s going to benefit the EFF in the elections, because the issues they are claiming credit for are not really grass roots issues,” said political analyst at NKC African Economics Gary van Staden.

But rubbish collector and former ANC supporter Raymond Ngwana, 40, said it was because of Malema’s EFF that corruption in national government and local municipalities was being exposed.

“I remember some years back Archbishop (Desmond) Tutu said if you put in Zuma as president the world will laugh at us. Look now that’s exactly what’s happening.”

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Convention in Cleveland on July 18-21. Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, 68, leads U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, 74, of Vermont in the race for the Democratic nomination.

On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Cruz, 45, was asked several times whether he would support Trump if the New York businessman was the Republican nominee. Cruz evaded the question each time and turned the questions into an attack on broadcast media.

“I recognize that many in the media would love to see me surrender to Donald Trump because that means that Hillary wins. The media has given $2 billion in free advertising to Donald Trump,” Cruz said.

Cruz said he has momentum in Indiana based on his choice of former candidate Carly Fiorina for his vice president and Friday’s endorsement by Indiana Governor Mike Pence.

Americans will elect a successor to President Barack Obama on Nov. 8.

Trump, who has amassed 996 delegates, according to an Associated Press count, has momentum behind him and looks increasingly likely to win the nomination outright, without a contested convention, perhaps when California votes on June 7.

Indiana has 57 Republican delegates. Three are awarded from each of the state’s nine U.S. congressional districts

with the candidate who receives the most votes taking them all. The 30 others are awarded to the candidate who wins the most votes statewide.

At a rally in Terre Haute, Indiana, Trump urged Republicans to join his “movement” and turn out for him in big numbers.

“The more we can win by in Indiana is so important. It’s a mandate ... a really important mandate. It’s a mandate for change, but not Obama change.

Real change. It’s a mandate for genius,” he said.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a leading Republican critic of Trump, called him the “most unelectable person” the party could nominate. Graham had sought the nomination himself.

“Keep fighting Ted,” Graham told CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

On the Democratic side, front-runner Clinton told CNN’s “State of the Union” that rival Bernie Sanders has been “helpful” in bringing millions of people into the party’s presidential race, but it was time for him to step aside.

“There comes a time when you have to look at the reality,” said Clinton, who won four of the five Northeastern states that voted last Tuesday and who has a big lead in the delegate race ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia

on July 25-28.

But at a news conference in Washington, Sanders refused to get out, saying he believes the Democratic battle will end up in a contested convention.

Sanders said it was nearly impossible for Clinton to win the 2,383 delegates needed for nomination without superdelegates, who are unelected and free to support any candidate they wish. “We intend to fight for every vote and delegate remaining,” he said. Clinton has 2,165 to Sanders’ 1,357 delegates, according to an AP count that includes superdelegates who have said whom they support.

In his Fox interview, Trump defended at length his views on foreign policy, which he outlined in a speech last week in Washington that drew criticism for sometimes contradictory views. Trump said he would move quickly to destroy Islamic State’s militancy, but would resist interventionist policies in order to focus on nation-building at home.

Trump said “every move we made in the Middle East was wrong” over the past 15 years, with lives and money wasted. He said he would resist such policies.

Asked whether the United States should return to working with “strongmen” leaders like the late Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Trump said: “Isn’t it too bad that we knocked him out in the first place?”

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T H I S D AY MONDAY APRIL 25, 2016 47

MONDAY MAY 2, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

‘US Soldier Can Access Classified Information’ Lawyers for United States army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who faces a potential life sentence for desertion while serving in Afghanistan, will be allowed access to classified material to prepare his defence, a military appeals court has ruled.

Legal proceedings against Bergdahl, which had been halted while the classified material issue was being resolved, can now resume, according to a Thursday ruling by the United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals that was made public late on Saturday by Bergdahl’s attorney, Eugene Fidell.

Bergdahl, now 30, walked away from his post in Afghanistan in 2009 and was captured by the Taliban, who held him prisoner for five years and tortured him. He later told military investigators that he left his post because he had a plan to tell military brass about incompetence among his commanders.

He was freed in a prisoner swap in May 2014 involving the release of five Taliban leaders who were being held by the U.S. The exchange was criticized by Republicans in

Congress.

Bergdahl returned to active duty, but after an investigation he was prosecuted by the U.S. military who said his disappearance from his post resulted in a 45-day search that put soldiers’ lives at risk.

The formal charges in his court-martial are desertion and misbehaviour before the enemy. He has not entered a plea to the charges or decided whether he will be tried by a military judge or a jury of soldiers.

His defence asked fo r access to 300,000 pages of classified documents and on Feb. 2 a military judge ruled that the defence should have access to all classified information that the government may offer into evidence at trial.

T h e U. S. g o v e r n m e n t appealed the ruling saying the judge had a b u s e d his discretion. The pre-trial proceedings were put on hold while the issue was being resolved.

The Army Court of Criminal Appeals said in its ruling that the military judge had not granted the defence unfet-

tered access to classified information, but only to material in the context of trial discovery.

“The stay on the trial proceedings imposed by this court is lifted,” the judges of the Army Court of Criminal

Appeals ruled.

Bergdahl is free while he awaits trial and is stationed at Fort Sam Houston in

San Antonio, Texas, where he works at a desk job and receives treatment at a hospital.

US Cruise Ship Rravels to Cuba for First Time in Decades An American cruise ship has set sail for Cuba from the US for the first time in more than 50 years.

The Adoni has sailed from the port of Miami carrying some 700 passengers. It is due to arrive in Havana on Monday.

Cuba and the US restored diplomatic relations last year.

But several Cold War-era restrictions on travelling and trading are yet to be lifted.

The cruise trip only went ahead after Cuba scrapped a ban on its citizens entering or leaving the island by sea.

The US company operating the cruise, Carnival, had been given permission by both governments to run ships between Florida and Cuba.

A Cuban government rule stipulated, however, that

Cubans could only enter or leave by plane.

The restriction meant it could not take bookings from Americans of Cuban origin.

After protests by CubanAmericans and threats of legal action, Carnival said it would have to postpone its cruises unless the entry policy was changed.

The Cuban authorities lifted the ban just over a week ago.

Before the Cuban Revolution brought Fidel Castro to power in 1959, cruise ships and ferries were a common way to cross the Florida Straits.

Since presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced in December 2014 that they had agreed to mend relations, tourism in Cuba has reached record

numbers.

The cruise ships are expected to bring thousands more visitors to the communist-run island in the coming months,

says the BBC’s Will Grant.

The Adonia will sail every other week from Miami to Cuba, said Carnival.

Iraq Protests: Demonstrators Begin to Leave Green Zone Shia Muslim activists who occupied Iraq’s parliament on Saturday have begun to leave Baghdad’s government district.

Organisers used loudspeakers to call an end to the sit-in in the Green Zone.

Earlier, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered the arrest of those who had stormed parliament.

The demonstrators, mostly supporters of Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr, were angered by delays in

approving a new cabinet.

The protesters accuse the government of neglecting muchneeded reforms, as it struggles with its campaign against the so-called Islamic State group and declining oil revenues.

IS, a Sunni Muslim group that controls parts of western and northern Iraq, claimed a twin suicide bombing on Sunday that killed at least 33 people and wounded more than 50 in the southern town of Samawa.

48

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 • T H I S D AY

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

29-Apr-16

28-Apr-16

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

Open 28-Apr-16

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion)

24,957.08 8.58

25,062.41 8.62

0.42% 0.42%

102.22 7.96

102.66 7.99

0.43% 0.43%

01 Dangote Cement Plc

163.40

163.40

0.00%

2,784,418,909,977.00

10.64

15.13

5.58

4.97%

4.26

02 Nigerian Brew. Plc.

115.89

110.38

4.99%

918,903,501,910.32

5.37

19.76

3.04

3.39%

4.93

16.77

16.64

0.78%

493,560,875,586.48

3.38

4.80

2.08

10.91%

1.16

615.26

620.00

-0.76%

487,689,685,605.52

29.95

20.70

3.25

4.68%

12.93

05 Zenith Bank Plc

12.70

12.28

3.42%

398,735,471,082.20

3.37

3.65

0.89

14.63%

0.65

06 Lafarge Africa Plc.

67.99

70.33

-3.33%

309,687,774,061.90

5.93

12.48

1.26

4.05%

1.91

214.35

225.63

-5.00%

279,186,824,428.05

4.45

53.39

2.48

1.45%

6.68

14.98

15.00

-0.13%

274,876,277,200.70

1.39

10.77

0.53

4.13%

0.74

340.00

340.00

0.00%

188,125,506,420.00

23.48

14.48

1.67

4.68%

0.67

10 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

13.85

13.85

0.00%

138,500,000,000.00

2.04

6.76

1.16

0.73%

1.23

11 Guinness Nig Plc

91.20

91.00

0.22%

137,337,002,745.60

0.78

122.06

2.87

0.00%

3.20

12 FBN Holdings Plc

3.60

3.60

0.00%

129,223,054,051.20

0.42

8.46

0.25

28.01%

0.22

Table 4 Top 5 Losers

13 United Bank for Africa Plc

3.40

3.40

0.00%

123,350,389,494.80

1.64

2.07

0.39

17.65%

0.37

Stock

30.71

30.71

0.00%

116,185,027,837.50

0.32

97.44

1.96

0.16%

14.52

145.00

145.00

0.00%

92,885,602,635.00

11.12

13.04

1.19

1.52%

3.87

4.05

4.06

-0.25%

92,675,821,577.40

2.28

1.73

0.34

13.92%

0.31

21.36

20.35

4.96%

84,809,389,681.20

1.10

18.54

1.12

6.39%

1.92

18 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

5.75

5.80

-0.86%

69,000,000,000.00

0.96

6.03

0.69

8.62%

1.20

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

155.00

155.00

0.00%

55,892,265,610.00

13.51

11.47

0.87

4.65%

3.64

21.00

21.00

0.00%

55,108,980,927.00

1.84

10.86

0.16

10.00%

0.51

4.56

4.60

-0.87%

54,877,862,156.64

0.50

9.50

0.10

15.79%

0.36

154.19

154.19

0.00%

52,350,872,047.03

11.92

11.75

0.23

10.00%

2.93

1.41

1.41

0.00%

40,594,489,557.66

0.36

4.14

0.39

6.08%

0.45

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. 04 Nestle Nigeria Plc.

07 Forte Oil Plc. 08 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated 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 Flour Mills Nig. Plc. 23 Oando Plc 24 Total Nigeria Plc. 25 Sterling Bank Plc. 26 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

0.99

1.01

-1.98%

38,333,787,450.75

0.05

19.82

0.99

0.00%

0.46

27 Presco Plc

35.76

35.01

2.14%

35,760,000,000.00

3.28

10.68

3.08

0.29%

1.56

28 U A C N Plc.

18.03

18.20

-0.93%

34,633,184,897.61

2.70

7.04

0.50

5.26%

0.49

29 Fidelity Bank Plc

1.17

1.20

-2.50%

33,900,512,516.91

0.48

2.44

0.23

13.68%

0.18

30 Diamond Bank Plc

1.39

1.42

-2.11%

32,192,940,665.52

0.24

6.10

0.16

0.00%

0.16

31 Wema Bank Plc.

0.80

0.79

1.27%

31,590,698,570.40

0.06

12.43

0.63

0.00%

0.63

32 Cadbury Nigeria Plc.

15.50

14.77

4.94%

29,112,131,620.00

3.21

4.61

0.82

8.80%

2.68

33 Okomu Oil Palm Plc.

29.00

29.00

0.00%

27,663,390,000.00

2.76

10.70

2.89

0.34%

2.33

34 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc.

22.55

22.55

0.00%

26,967,014,804.40

0.81

27.94

0.88

1.33%

2.05

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

2.26

2.24

0.89%

23,730,000,000.00

0.16

14.15

1.42

2.23%

1.35

37 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

8.70

8.39

3.69%

23,050,113,888.60

0.79

10.07

1.31

6.88%

2.99

38 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.71

3.80

-2.37%

21,821,716,163.45

0.71

5.32

0.75

3.68%

0.86

39 FCMB Group Plc.

1.00

1.02

-1.96%

19,802,710,754.00

0.24

4.16

0.13

10.00%

0.12

40 Skye Bank Plc

0.98

0.98

0.00%

13,602,695,381.80

0.85

1.12

0.10

31.25%

0.09

41 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.56

1.56

0.00%

12,371,108,346.48

0.14

10.55

0.24

10.74%

0.55

42 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.01

1.00

1.00%

10,476,471,755.12

0.21

4.84

0.53

12.00%

0.67

43 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

7.45

7.45

0.00%

9,362,249,356.70

0.96

7.79

0.72

1.34%

0.92

44 Unity Bank Plc

0.67

0.70

-4.29%

7,831,856,421.14

0.54

1.29

0.13

0.00%

0.10

45 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,124.00

0.10

5.16

0.94

6.00%

0.45

46 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

3.85

3.85

0.00%

6,617,187,480.75

1.81

2.23

0.62

17.37%

0.21

47 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

3.66

3.66

0.00%

5,944,640,625.00

0.33

11.48

0.73

5.26%

1.01

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.

0.77

0.76

1.32%

5,336,257,449.60

0.28

2.75

0.16

6.58%

0.54

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

2.14

2.05

4.39%

3,210,000,000.00

0.50

4.33

0.39

2.33%

0.51

TOTAL

7,993,237,473,667.43

TOTAL MARKET CAP

8,621,005,069,253.83

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

92.72%

Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Close 29-Apr-16

Change %

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open Close Change % 28-Apr-16 29-Apr-16

Nigerian Brew. Plc. P Z Cussons Nigeria Plc. Cadbury Nigeria Plc. Fidson Healthcare Plc National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

110.38 20.35 14.77 2.05 8.39

115.89 21.36 15.50 2.14 8.70

4.99% 4.96% 4.94% 4.39% 3.69%

Open Close Change % 28-Apr-16 29-Apr-16

Forte Oil Plc. Unity Bank Plc Lafarge Africa Plc. Fidelity Bank Plc Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

225.63 0.70 70.33 1.20 3.80

214.35 0.67 67.99 1.17 3.71

-5.00% -4.29% -3.33% -2.50% -2.37%

Persistence of upward trend as ASI gains 0.42% on final trade day Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Friday, April 29, 2016 was bullish as the market closed green due to resumed strategic positioning activities by investors. This was further highlighted by positive performances from all the NSE Sub sectors; Banking, Insurance and Consumer Goods (Save Oil & Gas). Trading activities increased in volume as 229.19 million shares worth N1.50 billion in 3,493 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 338.34 million shares worth N1.99 billion in 3,428 deals carried out on Thursday. Topping in volume terms was Access Bank Plc, FBN Holdings Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc, while Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and FBN Holdings Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with 0.42% (+105.33) increase to 25,062.41from 24,957.08 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization appreciated in tandem to N8.62 trillion from N8.53 trillion of prior trading day.

The Thisday BGL 50 Index also followed suit with an increase of 0.43% to close at 102.66 from 102.22 the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N7.99 trillion from N7.96 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 20 stocks gained on the bourse today while 20 stocks declined, leaving 149 stocks unchanged. Nigerian BreweriesPlc emerged the toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 4.99% to close at N115.89 per share. It was followed by P Z Cussons Nigeria Plc with a gain of 4.96% to close at N0.97 per share. Others on the gainers list include; Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Fidson Healthcare Plc and National Salt Co. Nig. Plc, while on the decliners’ list; Forte Oil Plc led with a loss of 5.00% to close at N214.35 per share.

It was followed by Unity Bank Plc with a loss of 4.29% to close at N0.70 per share. Others on the losers list include; Lafarge Africa Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and Custodian And Allied Insurance 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

MONDAY MAY 2, 2016 • T H I S D AY

49

NEWSEXTRA

Troops Discover Another Boko Haram Bomb Factory, Foil Attack on Military Installations Intensify fight with insurgents in Sambisa Forest

Over nine terrorists killed, six soldiers injured

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri and Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

two AK 47 rifles with 29 rounds of The military also revealed that were still held by the insurgents, who them as opportunities.”

RPG 7 bomb as well as three 60mm On some of the victories recorded 7.62mm special ammunition, one Dane mortar bombs and two motor cycles. there are few areas where the equally have bases in part of Abadam Unfortunately, he said, six of our insurgents hold sway in troubled and Mobbar Local Governments Area. in recent times, Irabor said: “Following gun, bow and arrows among others Irabor who said bothAdamawa and a tip-off, troops intercepted four were captured. In the same operation The Nigerian troops have again troops sustained gunshot wounds and Borno State.

Speaking at a press briefing in Yobe States have been totally liberated female suicide bombers approaching two laptops computers and six mobile discovered another Boko Haram have been evacuated for treatment.

Usman however stated that the Maiduguri, the head of the counter- from the insurgents, revealed that from Sambisa in the general area of phones were also recovered, including bomb factory in a Borno State town with which they unleash their acts wounded are all in stable condition insurgency operation in the North-east most parts of Borno State cannot be Jimini-Bolari village. Two unexplored a truck and five motorcycles.”

Irabor also disclosed that on April 30, (the Theatre Commander, Operation transversed as they have been cleared IEDs on the suicide bombers were and responding to treatment. of terror in the North-east region. safely detonated by own EOD team. 2016, a fighting patrol was carried out He also urged the “citizens to always Lafiya Dole), Major General Lucky of Boko Haram.

The Director of Army Public Responding to questions from During the incident, two women and by troops around Wumbi in Kala Balge Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, provide any useful information they Irabor, said: “We are inside Sambisa who disclosed this yesterday, said have about suspected persons to the Forest conducting operation as I speak journalists, the army general said the a baby from Ngawafete village were Local Government Area with troops to you. The troop is led by the acting Nigerian troops were no more facing arrested after the blast as they were encountering terrorists at Tatakura the troops of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade security agencies.” village, 20 kilometres south-west of any threat from the insurgents, noting seen approaching Madiyari village.

In the same vein, the DAPR Commander of 7 Division.” of Operation Lafiya Dole, had on “Similarly, on April 29, 2016, our Wumbi which resulted in death of He however did not give details of that the military is the domineering Friday, succeeded in bursting a secret promised that the military would Boko Haram terrorists’ Improvised continuously intensify clearance the operation within the stronghold force kept recording victories daily troops busted a Boko Haram terrorist nine terrorists but injuries to five against the insurgents, who according base at Yerwa where rustled cattle are soldiers.

Explosive Devices (IEDs) making- operations of the remnants of Boko of the insurgents.

He said during the operation, two held. The troops also raided Kaluketu The military commander however to him are fleeing. factory in Ngala town, in Gambory Haram terrorists in the North-east under He said: “I do not see any threat and the self styled town ofAbuja which motor cycles were seized and other the auspices of Operation Lafiya Dole admitted that few areas within Borno Ngala Local Government Area.

He stated that the troops of 231and State have not been recaptured from ending this war, we are the one after is a Boko Haram terrorist logistics items recovered include: three AK 47 Usman recalled that “despite them for they are fleeing. But we exchange points. At the end of the rifles, a FN rifle, a GPMG, a RPG 7 their defeat, the terrorists continued 331 Battalions and elements of Armed the insurgents.

He said the fringes of Sambisa Forest definitely have challenges but I see operation four terrorists were killed, bomb and 60mm mortar bombs. to attack innocent citizens, military Forces Special Forces Battalion, and soft targets through vehicular accompanied by some vigilantes, conducted a clearance operation at and human borne IEDs. “Despite the ongoing clearance Doksa village aimed at clearing the of the remnants of the Boko Haram remnants of Boko Haram terrorists terrorists, they persistently hid the hiding in the area.

According to Usman, the team IED manufacturing factories location.

“Thanks to the efficient intelligence cleared all the routes in the general and resilience of our troops. It was area as well as suspected hideouts based on this that we got credible of the Boko Haram terrorists before and timely information that made arriving and clearing the terrorists the troops to swoop on one of such out of their enclaves in Doksa 1, 2, factories in Ngala town and destroyed and 3, as well as Sabon Garin Doksa.

He said the military also it as well as killed some of the Boko dominated the area with heavy Haram terrorists,” he stressed.

In addition, he said the troops artillery shelling against other recovered 20 gas cylinders of various registered locations of Boko Haram sizes prepared and ready for explosive terrorists at Buga Dam, Golgore and insertion, primers, gun powder, electric Lariski villages.

“The Boko Haram casualties are wires and tape recorders, among other enormous and troops have also items.

In a related development, Usman intensified shelling other hideouts.”

“The troops also recovered a pick said the troops of 3 Battalion 22 Brigade, at the weekend, carried out a successful up van, several motorcycles, several pre-emptive strike to foil a planned bicycles as well as drugs, foodstuff terrorists attack on the military and and books.

“They also recovered three tyres innocent civilians around Wunbi in Kala Balge Local Government Area of a stolen military Hilux vehicle which was stolen on December 19, of Borno State.

According to him, the pre-emptive 2015. Other items recovered include attack was carried out after information a laptop computer, two mini laptop R-L: Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Senator representing Delta North senatorial district and son of the deceased, Senator was received about the devilish computers, four Dane guns, blood Peter Nwaoboshi; Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio; and Senator Ighoyota Amori, during the funeral of Obi Francis intention and location of the terrorists. pressure measurement apparatus, Agetueonye Nwaoboshi, in Ibusa, Delta State...weekend....

“While on a patrol to foil the attack three rifle magazines, large quantity troops encountered the terrorists at of ammunition of various calibres, Tatakura village 20km South West of a Nokia mobile phone and SIM Wumbi. There was heavy exchange cards,” he said.

Usman added that the troops of gun fire at the end of which nine Boko Haram terrorists were killed,” also rescued four women and two children. he stated.

“It is heart-warming to inform the Tobi Soniyi in Abuja purportedly took over the legislative The army spokesman said the of Section 11(4) of the Constitution. 92(c) of the Constitution.

According to them, the lower functions of Kogi State House of troops captured three AK-47 rifles, public that troops in various parts They also urged the apex court a Fabrique Nationale rifle, General of the theatre of operation Lafiya The crisis in the Kogi State House to nullify the resolution, while legislative chamber of the National Assembly is passed in breach of Purpose Machine gun, a 60mm Mortar Dole are doing well and their morale of Assembly which was unsealed contending in their statement Assembly also condemned the roles section 11(4) of the Constitution Tube, Rocket Propelled Grenade 7 remain very high,” he promised. by the Attorney General of the of claim that “the factional played by the police in providing of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Meanwhile, the military yesterday Federation (AGF) and Minister of disagreement” between members cover for only five members out of 1999 (as amended).

(RPG 7) Tube, G3-Machine gun and “An order of perpetual seven Fabrique Nationale Magazines. revealed that it was presently Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), of the House of Assembly was the 20 members of the House of Assembly “to commit illegalities.” injunction restraining the National He listed other recovered items engaging the insurgents in a fight after it was sealed by the House normal in a democracy.

The plaintiffs claimed that the Assembly from interfering with or to include 108 rounds of 7.62mm to finish within the Sambisa Forest of Representatives took another The plaintiffs stated that the ammunition, Energa grenade, an stronghold. twist as the state government crisis started on February 16, said “disagreement” between the take over the legislative functions has dragged the AGF and the 2016, following a disagreement factions in the House of Assembly of Kogi State House of Assembly National Assembly before the between two factions in the House did not create any “adverse security based on the resolution of the House of Representatives passed of Assembly over the speakership situation” in the state.

Supreme Court.

The plaintiffs stated that: “There on March 9, 2016.”

The state is seeking an order to position.

The processes of the suit had They claimed that following is no security report by the governor nullify the resolution by the House of Representatives to take over the the disagreement, a faction of the of the state, the police or any been served on the defendants, legislative functions of the state members of the state assembly filed security agency in Nigeria that however, the defendants have yet a suit, FHC/LKJ/CS/16/16 (Kogi the disagreement among members to respond to the suit and no date legislature.

Kayode explained that violence Ugo Aliogo The state government represented State House of Assembly and three of Kogi State House of Assembly has been fixed for the hearing. was not the best option for the The House of Representatives by its Attorney-General and the Others V National Assembly and caused insecurity and danger to A former Minister of Aviation, country especially with the had on March 9, 2016 passed a public safety in the state.”

House of Assembly, under Order two others.

Femi Fani-Kayode, has called for current economic challenges, noting “At all times material to the resolution to take over the legislative They said while the suit 3 Rule 5 of the apex court filed caution on the Fulani herdsmen that the issue has to be properly the suit on April 29, 2016 at the was pending, the House of passage of the resolution of the functions of the state assembly. killings, stating that if critical steps tackled before it destroys the nation.

The House of Representatives Supreme Court challenging the Representatives invoked its National Assembly to take He added: “If they don’t stop the are not taken, it would result to House resolution take over the power under Section 11(4) of over Kogi State House of passed the resolution following slaughter of Southerners, the raping break-up of the nation. the constitution to take over the Assembly, Kogi State was the crisis that broke out from the state assembly.

He condemned the attempt of women, the stealing and pillaging ad is calm and peaceful as tussle for the speakership position While the National Assembly functions of the state assembly. by some groups to rationalise of lands by their kinsmen, our The plaintiffs said the House citizens go about their lawful between two factions of the state is first defendant in the suit, the and justify the killings. While people will be forced to retaliate assembly. of Representatives declared business.”

AGF is the second. urging the northern and Fulani and this country will burn and It also in the said resolution The plaintiffs therefore The plaintiffs in the suit with the impeachment proceedings leaders to call their herdsmen break. Nobody wants trouble and number, SC.340/2016, are asking embarked upon by five members sought the following two prayers: directed the Inspector-General to order. “This endless attempt I deplore violence and bloodshed the Supreme Court to declare that of the members of the House of “A declaration that the resolution of Police to seal up the House to rationalise the killings has to but this is the reality. We must the House of Representatives’ Assembly for the removal of the of the House of Representatives on of Assembly until the crisis was stop because Nigeria is already pull back from the brink before resolution was passed in breach Speaker, as clearly violating section Wednesday, March 9, 2016, which resolved. it is too late.” on the road to Kigali.”

COMMISERATING WITH A FRIEND

Kogi Asks Supreme Court to Nullify House Resolution on Take over of State Assembly

Fani-Kayode Calls for Caution on Herdsmen Killings

50

MONDAY MAY 2, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Bi-Courtney Claims Arik Owes It N12.5bn Chinedu Eze Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), the operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2), Lagos, has claimed that Arik Air’s alleged N12.5 billion indebtedness, which led to the disruption of its operations in Lagos and Abuja by aviation workers on April 20, 2016, was part of its (Bi-Courtney) legitimate revenue that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) continued to appropriate despite several legal pronouncements.

But Arik Air management in a counterclaim insisted that it paid FAAN over N18.5 billion since it started operation in 2006, which the agency was yet to

respond to.

However, Bi-Courtney, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Aderemi Ladigbolu, insisted that the major domestic carrier ought to pay its debt to the company because the facility in which it is operating in (the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) belongs to the company as enshrined in the agreement the later had with FAAN and the federal government.

“We want the public, particularly relevant stakeholders, to note that the country’s law recognises Bi-Courtney as the genuine owner of GAT, thus, making FAAN’s continuous operation of the terminal illegal and a clear violation of the laws of

NBS: Aviation Passenger Traffic Dipped by 0.4% in Q4 2015 James Emejo in Abuja Total aviation passenger traffic declined by 0.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2015, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

It noted that Q4 witnessed “both a quarterly and a year on year decline, of 0.4per cent and 8.5 per cent respectively, with a total of 3,810,758 passengers, compared to 4,163,762 passengers in the fourth quarter of 2014.”

As a result, the first quarter of 2015 was the only quarter not to see a year on year decline, it added.

According to the Nigerian Aviation Sector report for Q3/ Q4 2015 which was posted on its website yesterday, the total number hides differing trends in domestic and international travel.

It stated that “After falling between 2014 Q4 and 2015 Q1, the total number of domestic passengers increased every quarter in 2015, to reach 2,723,769 in the fourth quarter; 121,316 (4.7per cent) higher than in the third quarter, but still 245,971 (8.3per cent) lower than in the fourth quarter of 2014.”

The NBS said the total number of international passengers recorded a quarterly fall of 11.0 per cent in Q4, from 1,221,866 to 1,086,989, slightly outweighing the increase in domestic passengers.”

“In the third quarter of 2015 the number of international passengers had increased by 16.0 per cent relative to the second quarter, but was still less than the number in the same quarter of 2014 of 1,296,822,” it added.

At the domestic front, it noted that the “Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos remained the busiest domestic airport in the second half of 2015, with 961,689 passengers travelling through in the third quarter, and 983,903 travelling through in the fourth. This represented 37.0%and 36.1per cent of passenger traffic respectively.

“However, in both quarters this represents a decline in the share relative to 2014, when MMA domestic accounted for 38.3per cent and 36.6 per cent in the third and fourth quarters.

Contrastingly, Abuja Domestic

airport, which is the second largest in terms of passenger traffic, increased its share of passenger travel relative to 2014, although the share declined between the third and fourth quarter of 2015. In the third quarter of 2015, 903,972 passengers travelled through Abuja Domestic Airport, and 920,415 travelled through in the fourth.”

Also for the International Passenger Traffic, Murtala Muhammed Airport continued to account for the largest share of international passengers, according to the NBS. “Whereas with domestic air travel, MMA’s share of passengers was only slightly higher than for Abuja Airport, in the case of international travel MMA dominated in the second half of 2015, accounting for 67.4per cent of international passengers in the third quarter, and 71.1per cent in the fourth.

“This is perhaps unsurprising given Lagos’s status as the business centre of Nigeria, and the location of the vast majority of foreign investment.

Nevertheless these shares were slightly less than in 2014, when in the third and fourth quarter MMA’s share of total international passengers was 69.6per cent and 71.4% respectively. In total, 823,951 international passengers travelled through MMA in the third quarter of 2015 and 772,734 in the fourth, a quarterly decline of 51,217, or 6.2per cent. This followed an increase of 13.2per cent in the third quarter.

Continuing, it said:”Abuja International Airport was the second busiest international airport in the second half of 2015, as in previous quarters.

In the third quarter 282,028 international passengers travelled through the airport, and 223,211 travelled through in the fourth.

“This represented a quarterly decline of 20.9 per cent, considerably higher than the fall for the total number of international passengers, meaning that Abuja’s share fell from 23.1per cent to 20.5 per cent between these quarters. However these shares are still above those in the third and fourth quarters of 2014, of 19.8 per cent and 19.0 per cent respectively.”

the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“FAAN however, continues to defy the laws of the land. It has openly and recklessly denied our company 60 per cent of its revenue by its continuous illegal operation of the GAT as a competing terminal to MMA2 even after an Arbitration Panel, a Court of Law and an Appeal Court had ruled in our favour,” Bi-Courtney said.

The company noted that all revenues, such as passenger processing charge, space rental, fuel surcharge and others, which FAAN had been collecting and continues to collect from its unlawful operation of the GAT, including the N12.5 billion in contention between FAAN and Arik Air, belong to Bi-Courtney.

“The implication of this is that both FAAN and Arik Air are indeed fighting over monies that lawfully belong to Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited.

“We also wish to categorically

confirm that all the airlines operating at the GAT are actively involved in FAAN’s act of illegality, because they are all aware of the position of the law in respect of the ownership of the terminal.

It was, therefore, shocking to hear the Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr. Chris Ndulue, in an interview in THISDAY of April 29, titled: ‘Ndulue: Charges on Airlines should be done Transparently,’ accused FAAN of disregarding specific orders of the court and perpetrating acts of illegality against his company,” Bi-Country said.

The company added that it was surprising to hear Arik Air, which had hitherto supported FAAN in all the latter’s obvious injustice towards Bi-Courtney and outright disobedience to court orders, complaining and now turning round to accuse the same FAAN of arbitrariness and disdain for the rule of law.

“One wonders what went wrong with the romance of the two,” the company said.

Bi-Courtney said it was the hope of the company that this development would serve as a wake-up call to other airlines, service providers and businesses operating at the GAT to the risk they are exposing themselves to due to their continued recognition of FAAN as the operator of the terminal, despite the well-publicised position of the nation’s law on the matter.

“It is public knowledge that the various court judgments on the issue, including the arbitration panel, which first adjudicated the dispute between Bi-Courtney and FAAN, on the terms of the concession agreement for the reconstruction and operation of MMA2, “unambiguously affirmed Bi-Courtney’s ownership of the GAT. There is a subsisting judgment of N132 billion in

favour of Bi-Courtney, which FAAN has refused to honour due to its blatant disregard for the laws of Nigeria. This judgment was obtained in 2012. This amount four years on would have increased.

“Particular judgments confirming the owner of GAT as Bi-Courtney include the 2009 ruling of Justice J. Chikere of the Abuja Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CJ/50/2009. The same judgment was reaffirmed in a ruling on February 13, 2013

by Justice A.R. Mohammed of the same court in a suit filed

by FAAN and the Ministry of Aviation, asking the court to declare that they were not bound by the ruling of Justice Chikere.

Justice Mohammed, in his ruling, had stated categorically that by suing the Attorney-General of the Federation, Bi-Courtney’s suit was binding on all agencies of the federal government,” the company said.

THE PLATFORM

L-R: Mr. Linus Okorie; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; and Pastor Poju Oyemade of the Covenant Christian Centre, during ‘The Platform’ at International Conference Centre in Abuja....weekend

NIGCOMSAT Begins IOT Satellite Service for Belarus Dele Ogbodo in Abuja The Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) at the weekend officially commenced the provision of In-Orbit Test (IOT) service for the Belarus National System of Satellite Communications and Broadcasting called Belintersat.

The service which NIGCOMSAT won through international bidding THISDAY learnt, would rake in $6 million for Nigeria for the 15-year period the service would last.

At the inauguration in Abuja, the Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Ms. Abimbola Alale, while welcoming the Belarus officials led by Mr. Andrei Yanovich and the China Great Wall Corporation (CGWC), said with the commencement of service from Abuja, the jinx that Nigeria cannot provide high technology to European countries has been broken.

According to her, the Belintersat has the KU and C bands which covers parts of Africa from Europe,

adding that with their antenna in Nigeria, NIGCOMSAT would be able to monitor their payloads which is part of the service that it is rendering to them.

She said: “Within the next 15 years, we shall be monitoring their payload and at the same sending the information on real time to Belarus as they have ground station there.

“NIGCOMSAT started this business before them, we have the experience as we have been here in the last 10 years. In the next two week, we shall also start the Carrier Spectrum Monitoring (CSM), which also involves monitoring the traffic on the payload without sending any command since they have clients that are based in the African continent.”

On partnership to help Belarus market its services in Africa, Alale, while expressing optimism at the deal, said Belarus has done foot prints in Africa, adding that site operators can collaborate and provide synergy for one another.

According to her, NIGCOMSAT would work with the Belarus as they have KU and C bands which will further help its Nigerian counterpart which has passed 50 per cent fill up rate.

She added that NIGCOMSAT would explore the Belarus bandwith to step its services.

Alale said NIGCOMSAT is prepared for the take-off of NICOMSAT 2 and 3. “We have been preparing for this in the last four years; our due process certification is ready and handy. The only drawback, she hinted is the appropriation for the counterpart funding,” Alale stated.

She however said the delivery of the project would be based on the commitment of government through its counterpart funding which is between 10 to 15 percent of the project cost, adding that once this is done, it will become easy for the ministry to seek foreign investors for the take-off of the project.

On local services being provided

by NIGCOMSAT, she said: “We work with local channels that are too many to mention.

NIGCOMSAT develop in-house application for local channels like Intel and Galaxy Backbone who work within our ecosystem through provision of broadband services for e-governance, e-learning and e-commerce.”

She said NIGCOMSAT, more often than not, stay at the back while the channel partners take the services to the end-users, adding “we mostly pass our broadband services and other major satellite application to some TV involved in broadcasting.”

In his remarks, Yanovich said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), through the provision of IOT satellite, would assist Belarus in building capacity in the satellite communication. He added that his country was ready to further explore the marketing opportunities in Africa through collaborating with NIGCOMSAT to deliver services where they have enough bandwith.

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Saraki, Dogara Task Workers to Be More Dedicated Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, yesterday encouraged Nigerian workers to be more dedicated to service, noting that the growth of the economy and overall development of the nation depend largely on the degree of workers’ commitment to government policies, programmes and projects.

Saraki in a solidarity message in commemoration of this year’s May Day celebration signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, commended Nigerian workers and the organised labour movement for their contributions to the nation’s economic growth and overall development.

He said from the pre-independence era till now, the labour movement had served as the backbone for the survival of the country.

He hailed workers’ resilience and support for what he described as the change movement which brought in the All Progressives Congress (APC) government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to power at the federal level.

He assured workers that the Senate would continue to partner the leadership of the organised labour with a view to addressing issues of national importance such as the handling of 2016 budget process and increase of electricity tariff by the distribution companies.

He expressed hope that the economic recovery programmes of Buhari would soon bring prosperity to all workers in particular and Nigerians in general.

On his part, Dogara assured Nigerian workers of the commitment of the present administration to enhance their welfare.In a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Turaki Hassan, Dogara congratulated Nigerian workers, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for the May Day celebrations.

The International Workers’ Day was borne out of the struggle to improve workers’ rights and better working conditions, the Speaker recalled.

He added that the House of Representatives is committed to reviewing outdated and obsolete labour laws to enhance productivity among Nigerians.

Ayade Pays Cross River Workers’ May Salaries At a period when payment of salaries has become a herculean task to most of the state governments in the country, the Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade, yesterday made the issue look like a child’s play when he announced the payment of May salaries of workers in the employ of the state government.

Ayade made the announcement while he addressed workers in the state during the May Day celebration held at the UJ. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

Apart from the payment of this month’s salaries to the workers, Ayade announced the appointment of labour representative into the state executive council, release of funds for the building of Labour House, and donation of a new Toyota coaster bus to the NLC. Ayade who minutes earlier had been pronounced “Best Labour Friendly Governor in Nigeria” by the organised labour in the state, said his administration would continue to dignify its workforce by ensuring that they get their dues promptly.

In his address, the Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade John Ushie, assured the governor of the support of the workers towards ensuring success for his administration.

Ushie commended the governor for ensuring that salaries of workers were paid promptly, saying on this the governor has made his mark at a period his counterparts in other state were complaining of lack of financial resources to pay workers.

However, Ushie informed the governor that some issues related to the payment of gratuities and pensions to retired workers were still pending.

The NLC chairman said check of dues owed several affiliates unions based on deduction from workers emoluments were yet to be remitted to the NLC. He said workers in the state would continue to support of the developmental strides of the Ayade administration, especially the construction of the proposed 260 kilometre super highway from Bakassi to Katsina-Ala.

LABOUR-FRIENDLY GOVERNOR

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade (middle), celebrating with labour leaders, during the 2016 Workers’ Day celebration in Calabar...yesterday

Akwa Ibom Labour Tasks Govt on Free Education

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State chapter, yesterday called on the state government to review the ongoing free education programme to make it sustainable. The state Chairman of NLC, Etim Ukpong, who made the call during the celebration of the 2016 May Day at Uyo Township stadium, said free education in the state appeared unsustainable as head teachers were made to bear the costs of providing most teaching aids for the pupils. “There is the need to redefine the sponsorship of the free and compulsory education policy. For almost five school terms, heads of public schools have been running schools without subvention.

“For the free and compulsory education to be meaningful, many things have to be done.

One of them is to employ teachers,” he said.

The state labour leader lamented the suffering some of the teachers who were employed since 2013 without salaries were passing through.

Ukpong who doubles as the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teacher (NUT), tasked the state Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, to intervene and settle the teachers’ salaries Ukpong therefore appealed to the governor to do everything possible, and as he “squeezed” money to construct roads, he should also do same to pay all outstanding arrears of promotion, gratuity and pension owed workers in the state.

Also speaking, the state Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Akamba Awah, urged the governor to constitute the Civil Service Board as a matter of urgency. According to Awah, the board became necessary because of its importance of interviewing, promoting and disciplining of civil servants.

Addressing the workers, the governor said his administration would continue to work hard to uplift the welfare of workers in the state, and called on workers to be diligent and promote ethical responsibility in the service.

ICPC Confirmed It Never Indicted Osun, Aregbesola Tells Labour The Governor of Osun State, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday informed the huge crowd of workers in the state who gathered to celebrate the 2016 International Workers’ Day that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed to the state through a letter that it never indicted the state on the disbursement of the bailout loan.

Aregbesola noted that contrary to insinuations by opposition group that his government diverted the bailout funds, the ICPC had written him to clarify that it has in no way indicted the state.

This was just as the governor announced the naming of a major road at the state capital, Orita Olaiya/Itan Olookan, as Workers Drive in recognition of what he described as the perseverance of the workers in the face of challenging financial situation.

He hinted that the ICPC boss stated that the essence of his letter was to clarify the report which was done last year to douse the unsubstantiated allegations of misapplication of the funds.

The media world was awash last two weeks ago over allegation of misapplication of the bailout loan by some states which obtained the loans.

The governor added that according to the letter written to him, ICPC has said there was no evidence indicating that the funds distributed as at then, had been applied to any other matter apart from salaries in the state.

Labour: We Are Ready for Positive Action, Confrontation with Plateau Govt The Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC) Plateau State Chapter, Comrade Dinatu Assani, said the union was ready for positive action and confrontation with the state government to pay the workers for the outstanding workers’ arrears and other benefits.

Assani said: “We are ready for action and confrontation with government until our demands are met. We are not ready for negotiation again about salaries.

We are not coming to negotiate or bargaining for salaries again because enough is enough. National security should take note of that.”

Also, the state Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade, Jibrin Bancir, who was booed by the workers for being a sell out, said it was part of leadership to endure the people of the congress whatever they feel. He was not allowed to speak to the congress.

In his contribution on behalf of Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Comrade, Steve Aluko Daniel, who is also the Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), said unemployment of the youths was unacceptable, adding that enough is enough.

Daniel added that any government wishing to come back will be expected to show it’s performance and nothing else, “We will not mind taking the stance we took to fight the military to a standstill.”

In his remarks, the Plateau State Governor, Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, represented by the Head of Service, Mr. Izam Azi, said: “The economic realities confronting us have called for diversification of our revenue base beyond the over dependence on oil. Our agriculture, tourism and solid mineral sectors have now become the pride of our economic revival.”

He added that “since workers are the engine room of growth and development of all economies in a well-organised setting, government cannot afford to leave the workforce behind in her quest for this economic revival.”

Workers’ Welfare Still My Priority, Says Umahi The Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. David Umahi, yesterday reassured workers in the state that his administration was still committed to their welfare, stressing that he would fulfil all his promises made to them during his election.

The governor who stated this during the Workers Day celebration in Abakaliki, also assured the workers that the state government would look into some of the concerns raised by the Organised Labour in the state.

Umahi, who was represented by his deputy, Dr kelechi Igwe, urged the workers not to lose faith in the government as their welfare still remained a priority.

Earlier, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ikechukwu Nwafor, who read the NLC and Trade Union Congress Joint address, expressed dismay that Umahi was not doing anything to improve their welfare despite the overwhelming support he enjoyed from them in realiSing his governorship ambition.

With the theme, “The Working Class and Quest for Socio-Economic Revival”, the Organised Labour noted that the theme was apt as they needed urgent socio-economic revival from the state government.

“Your Excellency, recall that the with the overwhelming support of the Civil/Public Servants of Ebonyi, you were promoted from Deputy Governor to Executive Governor in May 2015. Since then, we have been looking forward to our members’ deserved promotions which fell due in January,2015 but to no avail,” Nwafor said.

They workers therefore demanded the immediate release of the 2015 promotion results and urged that sincere efforts should commence for the 2016 promotion exercise.

They described as unacceptable the situation where Chairman and the members of state Civil Service Commission seem not to know their responsibility and functions and expectations of workers and maintained that any top public servant who sleeps on his or her duties shall be opposed with an organised protest.

They accused the governor of sacking the workers of the defunct Ebonyi State Environment Protection Agency barely 13 days after in a state-wide broadcast assuring that workers will not be disengaged.

The workers called on the governor to call back the sacked workers of the defunct Ebonyi State Environment Protection Agency and reinstate them into state workforce.

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Oshiomhole Increases Workers’ Minimum Wage to N25,000 Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday announced the increment of the National Minimum Wage from N18,000 to N25,000 with immediate effect, for employees in the state public service.

He also promised prompt payment of outstanding arrears of salary to the staff of local government councils in the state.

Oshiomhole who made the announcement yesterday at the grand finale of activities to mark the 2016 Workers’ Day, said plans had also been concluded to pay staff of Egor Local Government Area who were being owned 13 months arrears of salary, within the next two weeks.

Explaining why the council was omitted from the bailout to local government councils in 2015, he gave the assurance that the Edo Government had been meeting with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and that within the next two weeks, the funds would be released and staff of the council would be paid in full.

He also explained the reason behind the non -appointment of caretaker committees for the 18 local government councils in the state, after the end of the tenure of the immediate-past local government chairmen.

According to him, “rather than appoint caretaker committees for the councils and pay them because they are politicians, we directed the Heads of Personnel Management in the councils to hold forth, so that those monies would be used to run the councils and pay salaries,’’ he said.

The governor said even if the price of oil goes to zero per cent, Edo workers would get their salary alerts before the end of every month.

He promised that he would not use his office to put hardship on any of his workers.

Earlier, the state Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Orhue Marshall, appealed to government to enlist workers in the state in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

According to him, this would enable them to have access to quick and cheap medical facilities, like their colleagues in the federal public service.

Ikpeazu Commits to Workers’ Welfare, Demands High Productivity Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu yesterday assured the state workforce that he had not changed his position on the need to pay their salaries promptly, saying that he was making concerted effort to improve on their working environment and welfare, including emoluments, pensions and gratuities.

He gave the reassuring words while addressing workers at the ceremony to mark this year’s May Day held at the ground of Ibeku High School amidst the harsh economic condition in the country.

But Ikpeazu was quick to remind the workers that they have a lot to do to assist government to cater for their welfare by giving their best, noting that they must key into the ongoing war against ghost worker syndrome, pensions reform and the public finance restructuring exercise embarked upon by his administration.

He said the policies aimed at reforming the system adopted by his administration since inception were for the good of the workforce as “endemic ills prevent the authentic workers from getting what is due for them and also retard the progress of the public service.”

Ikpeazu told the workers that there was no way they could be absolved from blame in contributing to the problem facing them, saying that if they were doing the right things government should hire a consultant to check the ghost worker syndrome.

He said corruption in the system has become so pervasive that even though the pension funds were managed by workers, yet pensioners were still having problem accessing their pensions after retirement.

Earlier in his address the chairman of the state council of the NLC, Comrade Obi Igwe, made passionate appeal to the governor to clear the arrears of salaries of workers in the state to cushion the harsh economic realities.

He said the governor should not renege on his promise to pay Abia workers their salaries regularly and commend him for the judicious use of the bail out fund.

However the NLC chairman pointed out that the issue of implementing CONHESS and CONMESS in local government areas, Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) Health Management

SOLIDARITY FOREVER

L-R: Delta State Deputy Governor, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa; state Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Jonathan Jemirugbe; and state Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Lawson Efenudu, during the 2016 May Day celebration in Asaba....yesterday Board (HMB) and social welfare officers has remained unresolved.

Ugwuanyi, Enugu Workers Hold Rapport on Welfare

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State yesterday announced that his administration would address the issue of adjustment salary chart for the state workforce as soon as the ongoing biometric data exercise in the state is concluded.

Ugwuanyi, who made the promise yesterday during the 2016 workers day rally at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu also stated that the state government had set up a committee to examine the issue of consolidated health salary structure for its health workers.

Also on the occasion, the leadership of the organised labour in the state commended the governor for his worker-friendly posture, especially his first major gesture of paying 30 per cent equity for the cost of 100 housing units for junior workers while also commending him for the massive infrastructure development projects going on in parts of the state.

On the Public Private Partnership in the health sector, Ugwuanyi, explained that government is determining how best to implement it under the prevailing economic climate in the country.

He told the teeming number of workers from all sectors in the that gathered at the venue of the rally that his government will continue to work in the partnership with the organized labour in order to foster cordial relation between the government and the workers.

In their separate addresses, the state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Virginus Nwobodo, and his trade union counterpart, Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe, commended the state government for its efforts in the provision of infrastructural facilities less than a year in office.

They praised the governor for his prompt actions in handling issues surrounding the recent attack on Nimbo community that has been generating global reactions urging security outfits in the state to live up to expectation in line with the enormous support provided them by the state government so as to forestall further attacks by herdsmen on their host communities.

Ondo Workers Mark Day with Fasting, Prayers Unlike previous occassion when drums were rolled out to celebrate Workers’ Day, workers in Ondo State yesterday marked the day with fasting and prayers in a church.

The service held at the Holy Order of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church located at Ijoka area of Akure, was attended mainly by the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The service witnessed prayer session for

the recovery of the nation’s economy which they believed would have multiplier effect on the economy of the state. The leadership of the NLC and TUC had earlier asked all workers to stay in their homes and embark on fasting and prayers.

The state Chairman of the State Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Sunday Adeleye, said the prevailing economic situation in the country has called for prayers, adding that the workers unions in the state decided to seek the face of God before taking any decision. He said this year’s edition of workers day does not call for celebration unlike before.

Adeleye disclosed that the joint executive members of the union in the state would meet during the week to deliberate on the next line of action.

Speaking on the governors’ call for fiscal restructuring, the JNC chairman said this might not put an end to the challenges of irregular and non-payment of workers’ salaries unless the state governors are prudent in their spending.

Also speaking, the state Chairman of the TUC, Soladoye Ekundaye, said the union would continue to protect the interest of workers in the state by ensuring prompt payment of workers salary.

“We have been enduring, although we understand the situation, notwithstanding, the Bible says the labourer deserves his wage. So after the May Day celebration, we will meet, we have waited for this long, with the promise that the state government would do whatever it could within its power to pay

by Friday but they were unable to pay,” he said.

Ekiti Workers Resort to Prayers over Outstanding Salaries Workers in Ekiti State yesterday held a low key celebration to mark the 2016 Workers’ Day because of the four months salaries owed them by the state government as well as the six doctors who died in a motor accident along Kaduna road last month.

The workers, who wore mournful and gloomy look at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti, venue of the event, offered prayers for the rejuvenation of the country’s nose-diving economy to enhance prompt payment of salaries and other benefits.

They also mourned the six doctors and members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) who died recently, praying to God to grant the families the fortitude to bear the monumental loss.

In an address presented by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), they asked the state Governor, Ayodele Fayose, to review the state workers’ wage bill which currently stands at N2.6billion, saying the measure became imperative because the same figure was proclaimed byex-Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration.

NLC Chairman, Ade Adesanmi, in the speech, urged Fayose to pay the workers their gross salaries rather than net, adding that this is the best way the

plight of the workers can be alleviated in view of the encumbrances in the payment of salaries due to economic downturn.

Prayers were held for the workers by Pastor Olu Eyebiokin of the Christ Apostolic Church, Agbala Itura, Ado Ekiti and the Chief Imam of the state university, Prof Adesina Abdu-Raheem Fayose, represented by the Head of Service, Dr. Olugbenga Faseluka, commended the workers in the country for their resilience in the face of biting economic situation, but expressed the hope that the future holds better prospect for the employers and the employees.

The governor noted that the prevailing economic situation must also not be allowed to cause disharmony between the organised labour and the government.

“To my great workers in Ekiti State, I appreciate you. During our first term in office, you know we used to pay salaries before the 25th of every month. When I came back into office in October 2014 and met the poor financial situation our state was plunged into by our predecessors, we still made the effort at being alive to our responsibilities by ensuring regular payment of workers’ salary and other entitlements until even when two months allocations from Abuja became grossly insufficient to pay a month salary,” he said.

Lagos May Day Celebration Ends in Fiasco

Workers in Lagos State booed and heckled the Head of Service Lagos State, Mrs Olabowade Ademola and successfully stopped her from delivering the 2016 Workers Day solidarity message on behalf of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

The situation at Onikan Stadium venue of the event which was denegerating into chaos led to cancellation of the traditional March past by the different affiliate unions under the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.

Amidst protest shouts of protests, a team of policemen and officials of the state government led Adebola to the podium to deliver the governor’s address, but her voice was drowned in a din of noise created by the protesting workers.

Following the chaotic situation, the May Day celebration ended abruptly as the workers were instructed by their leaders to return home.

Speaking before the fiasco on the theme for May Day 2016, ‘The Working Class and the Quest for Socio-economic Revival’, Chairman of the NLC in Lagos State, Mr. Idowu Adelakun said the issue of socio-economic revival is now on the front burner of public discourse due to the sheer number of Nigerians who wallow in abject poverty with obvious deprivation and lack of access to social amenities He further said the unfulfilled daily life expectation of an average Nigerian shows that our ruling political elites have not only disappointed Nigerians but also not learnt from history.

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Atiku Seeks Better Deal for Workers

The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has proposed a fairer deal for Nigerian workers in order to reduce the frequency of strikes in the country, which he said takes a heavy toll on the economy.

Abubakar also urged Nigerian workers not to lose faith in the ability of the nation under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to surmount these odds.

In his May Day message to Nigerian workers, the former Vice President noted that notwithstanding the huge challenges the country and its people are facing, it will take the support of everyone working in tandem with the Buhari administration to lift the economy out of the doldrums.

“President Buhari alone cannot turnaround the fortunes of the country. It requires everyone - elected and appointed officials, the legislature and the judiciary, the public and private sectors and ordinary Nigerians - working together in faith and commitment to bring about the desired change.”

Atiku Abubakar noted that President Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade when combined with curbing wastages and profligacy will free muchneeded resources to jumpstart the economy by investing in infrastructure and high jobs yielding sectors especially agriculture as proposed by the government.

In a statement issued by his Media Office in Abuja, Atiku reminded the workers that the envisaged better deal for them is intrinsically tied to increased productivity.

“With dwindling revenue from oil, it has become imperative for us to bake a bigger cake that will be big enough for all partakers. To achieve this, we need to be more creative as a government and more productive as a people.”

The former vice president also observed that improved conditions of service for workers would help to reduce corruption and fraud among employees.

However, Atiku said it is impossible to convince workers to make sacrifices while the public office holders live a life that is inconsistent with the economic realities of Nigeria.

“We all need to make sacrifices in line with the realities of the time. It is not enough to ask workers to make sacrifices while public office holders are ostensibly immune from it. Such a situation promotes industrial disharmony”

Cleric Decries Governing without Budget in Nigeria

As Nigerians joined workers all over the world to celebrate May Day, otherwise known as Workers’ Day, a Catholic cleric, Rev. Father John Konyeke Asaba decried the non-signing of Nigeria’s 2016 budget into law.

Delivering a sermon yesterday at the Catholic Church of the Ascension, Asaba, Delta State, Fr. Konyeke pointed out that the non-signing of the budget was affecting workers in Nigeria negatively at both he said formal and non-formal sectors.

Specifically, the workers have been put in chains practically by the reason of the non-signing of the country’s annual budget almost midway into the year, the cleric asserted.

Konyeke queried, “How can the workers be free if by first day of May the budget has not been passed; what will the workers be celebrating?

Even in our national anthem, it was clearly stated that ‘the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain.....”

He stressed that it was “not right to play politics with the economy of the nation”, saying the Senate President has not had relief from law since his assumption of office while people were not sure of the situation of things in the country as some workers were being owed salaries for months in most states of the federation.

Noting that most Nigerian were demoralized because they cannot survive on their monthly pay, Fr Konyeke noted, “Today, workers will simply say ‘what are we celebrating? What have our employers done to better our lives when we cannot pay the school fees of our children?’

“There are workers who are not interested in embezzling money, but is their pay for the work they do ok? Many are suffering despite their belief that there is dignity in labour. If you love your neighbour as yourself, you will have regards for workers, you will have respect for the petrol attendants, the rice sellers, including your gardener.”

This is coming on the heels of the charge by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to the workers in Delta State to brace up to the realities thrown up by

SUFFERING AND SMILING?

Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, acknowledging cheers from workers during the May Day commemoration at the Osogbo City Stadium ...yesterday the current economic downturn in the country, even as he admitted helplessness regarding over six months unpaid salaries of local government workers.

Niger NLC Now to Draw Battle Line with State Government

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Niger State has said it is now ready to battle the state government unless the administration of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello improved on its performance.

Labour said in Minna yesterday at the events to mark this years’s workers day held at the 123 football field that the one year grace it gave the government to get itself together had lapsed as such the administration should be ready for a showdown with its workforce.

NLC chairman in the state, Comrade Yahaya Idris Ndako, who dropped the warning, said one of the first demand of labour is stoppage of the staff verification exercise started over six months ago.

Ndako said the consultant handling the job had shown incompetence and had also made many workers to suffer as a result of their inability to get their salaries in the last three months.

Ndako advised the governor not to assent to the amended Contributory Pension Scheme law because it would not serve the interest of pensioners.

The labour leader also charged the state government to as a matter of urgency re- introduced the payment of leave grant, implement CONHESS for local government Nurses, Animal Health and Social Welfare workers as well give vehicle loans to civil servants.

The state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello said the ongoing verification was not in anyway aimed at witch hunting anybody but to actually know the numbers of the workforce in the state.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello in an address to the ceremony defended the staff verification exercise saying it is meant to eliminate ghost workers so as to save money for the execution of meaningful development projects in the state.

Benue Govt Blames FG, Oil Price for Nonpayment of Salaries

The inability of the Benue State government to meet workers wage bill has been blamed on the shortfall in revenue accruing to the state from the federation account and the lack of will by the federal government to reimburse states that rehabilitated some federal roads.

This was disclosed by the Deputy Governor of the state, Engineer Benson Abounu, who also revealed that state governors had requested from the federal government a grace of eighteen months for them to begin to repay the loans granted to

them by the federal government which was turned down in favour of only a grace period of the month of March.

“The state government is not insensitive to the plight and yearning of the workers but is working hard to improve on their welfare, but due to lack of funds, we are having these problems.”

Meanwhile, earlier in his speech, the State Labour Chairman, Comrade Godwin Anya, disclosed that workers in the state had not been paid for over four months even as the Independent, Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) recently indicted the state government of diverting the bailout fund meant for workers salaries.

He appealed that a full report of the Bailout Committee headed by the Deputy Governor, whose office was indicted of double payment of N37 million from the Bailout fund, be made public, adding that workers who are yet to be paid are paid without further delay.

Anya accused the government of reneging on an agreement with labour when it promised that it will use two federal allocations to pay one month salary.

“Unfortunately, this pledge has not been sustained by government as the gap of unpaid salary has continued to widen,” he decried.

The NLC chair therefore called on government to clear all salary arrears owed workers without further delay, maintaining that as representatives and opinion leaders, they have the capacity to swing the pendulum of the peoples’ thinking against them.

The occasion was low key as workers continued to lament over they hardship been encountered by their members.

Okowa Urges Workers to Adjust to Economic Realities As Nigerian workers trooped out yesterday at their different state capitals to mark this year’s Workers Day, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has said that with the dwindling revenue from the Federation Accounts, there was the need for workers to adjust to the present economic realities.

Addressing a crowd of workers in Asaba who came out under the aegis of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Governor Okowa took time to tackle all the issues raised by the union leaders and called for understanding in line with the current economic situation of the country.

“It is pertinent to note that most misunderstanding between government and workers stem mainly from breakdown in communication, which can often be resolved through dialogue and in this regard, I commend the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, including their affiliate unions in the State, for the sustained understanding and co-operation,” the Governor said.

“I need to remind all of us of the need to come to terms with the reality of our situation, especially

of the dwindling federal revenue allocation.” He emphasised.

While stating that the financial realities has called for prudent management of funds, Governor Okowa asserted, “we should appreciate the fact that our obvious falling finances notwithstanding, this administration has done much in the areas of provision of qualitative education, effective healthcare service, urban renewal and roads construction among others; it is my hope and expectation that government will continue to enjoy the goodwill of workers in the steady march towards the achievement of our sustainable development objectives.”

Don’t Bail Aregbesola out, CSO Tells Buhari

An Osun State-based Civil Society Organisation (CSO) under the auspices of Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS) has urged President Muhamadu Buhari not to bailout the state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, on the payment of backlogs of salaries, unless Aregbesola come clean on the judicious use of the N35billion bailout funds earlier given to the state for the payment of backlogs of salaries and pension due to workers and retirees respectively.

Advising the federal government under the watch of President Buhari to stop worrying over the inability of Aregbesola to pay the backlogs of salary and pension arrears in the state, CSCEOS insisted that Aregbesola diverted the large sum of bailout funds to his government’s abandoned roads project where he would collect kick-back from the contractors.

They however declared that huge loans had already been collected on some of these projects which were yet to see the light of the day, adding “but now, turning the same projects to the conduit pipe where the meagre resources of the state had been siphoned to the private pursue of Aregbesola, his son, Kabiru and their co-travelers is unfortunate” It advised Buhari to take over the payment of salaries and pension due to workers and retirees in the state, alleging that if any fund is released to Aregbesola for the payment of backlog of six(6) to seven (7) month salaries and pension due to workers and retirees in the state, Aregbesola would divert it like he did the bailout funds.

Meanwhile, the group condemned the Jacobs Adekomi-led Osun State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for colluding with Aregbesola to mortgage the workers’ welfare for personal and selfish aggrandisement.

The group urged the workers in the state to use this period to request from Aregbesola what happened to their salaries deductions to Pension Contributory Scheme, bank loans and Cooperative Societies fund, advising the foremost Labour Leader, Hassan Sunmonu, to resign voluntarily as Chairman from the stage-managed Osun States’ Revenue Allocation Committee before Aregbesola drags his hard earned name into the mud for selfish interest.

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Obasanjo, IITA, WFP, Others Partner to End Hunger in Nigeria by 2030 Crusoe Osagie Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, at the weekend joined the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the World Food Programme (WFP) and several others to call for a multi-stakeholder collaboration to end the scourge of hunger in Nigeria in fulfillment of the second item of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Around 50 per cent of Nigerians still live on below $1.25 a day predisposing them to chronic hunger.

The former president through the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), IITA and WFP, gathered

stakeholders last Friday in Ibadan to actually draw up the roadmap to effectively lead the nation out of hunger by the year 2030.

The collaboration which has been termed “The Nigeria Zero Hunger Strategy meeting” attracted the likes of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Abdulahi Adamu; The Chairman of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), Mr. Sani Dangote; former Minister of States for Defence, Mrs Obada; Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, and the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Oyewole.

Others present at the meeting

were representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Africa Development Bank, the United States Agency for international Development (USAID), UNICEF and Vice Chancellors of Universities along with several government and civil society organisations.

Obasanjo, who convened the meeting, said the task of attaining the SDGs could not be left for the government alone; neither could it be left for the civil society nor the private sector.

“It is going to take the collective effort of each and every citizen of this great nation and our partners. It will require our collective change of mindset to

at first identify the opportunities that abound,” he said.

The former president commended the efforts of the international community towards fighting hunger and poverty, citing efforts and gains made under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Although the MDGs might not have achieved all its targets, Obasanjo said that the SDGs presented Nigeria another unique opportunity to drive its development agenda and end hunger.

The former president said that Nigeria’s continued import of food was unacceptable and requested that efforts be made

to address the import bill.

The Representative of the World Food Programme, Stanlake Samkanga explained that unlike the MDGs, which were driven by the United Nations, the SDGs would be driven by members of state.

According to him, the SDGs would be achieved by countries themselves, and the WFP/UN ‘s role is to support countries in achieving these goals.

“WFP’s role is to be a catalyst in a country –owned process,” he added.

On the sidelines, IITA Director General, Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, commended the Nigerian people for their willingness to drive the initiative.

He said IITA would provide

the necessary support for Nigeria to achieve its target within the framework of the Zero Hunger initiative.

Dr Chiji Ojukwu, a Director with the African Development Bank (AfDB), expressed the commitment of the bank to initiatives that would help Africa to feed itself. He said that the Bank was ready to work with Nigerian authorities in the Nigeria Zero Hunger process, through the commodity value-chain to end hunger and poverty.

About 50 key participants from government, ministries, development organisations, international entities, and public and private sectors attended the strategic meeting.

Finally, Kogi Gets First Tranche of N50bn Bailout from CBN Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The much-talked about bailout to Kogi State has finally been approved as the state is expected to collect N20 billion as the first tranche this week out of N50 billion approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, made this known yesterday during this year’s May Day celebration which took place at the Township Stadium, Lokoja.

He said: “The reality we met on ground at the CBN was that the previous application made on behalf of the state by the last administration was fraught with irregularities and shoddily done.

In a word, it was so badly done it could never be approved. We had to start from the scratch “We are glad to announce that our efforts have paid off. This week, we received approval to draw down on the first tranche of our bailout funds from the federal government. This will amount to about N20billion.

We will draw down on the balance of about N30billion as we meet the milestones for implementation of the first tranche as set by the CBN.” He noted that the money is for salaries and emoluments of the workers, adding that by the time the state government fully disburses the bailout funds, disputes over outstanding emoluments would be over.

Speaking further, the governor pointed out that all sorts of tricks were devised by the previous administrations to short-change the state worker, stressing that the worst was of course the scourge of ghost-workers.

“Thousands of non-existent ‘workers’ paid from the state coffers thus bringing it under undue strain and leaving the real workers either totally unpaid or only receiving meagre percentages of their wages.

“I was a former federal civil servant. I was never owed salaries during my time in service. When we came into office, the workers were already on strike for at least six weeks.

They were fed up with the then PDP government kleptomania,

lack of transparency and disastrous policies.

“It hurt me that a so-called government could receive all the federal allocations due to it and still finds the heart to leave workers unpaid. I decided that my administration will be different,” he noted.

He said the state government was also been inundated with allegations of collusion between some labour executives and the past administrations in cheating the very workers they represent through corrupt practices.

“We will of course investigate it and anyone found culpable will have a date with the anticorruption agencies. We are cooking something nice for Kogi people, I know the kitchen is getting hot but I promise you there will be no sacred cows. Let those who cannot stand the heat get out of the kitchen!” he warned.

Bello posited that he remains committed to improving the lot of workers by eliminating every scheme in the system designed to exploit and cheat them saying that the ghost-worker syndrome is an evil as his administration was committed to eradicating forever.

He therefore called on the members and leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Kogi State University chapter, to call off their ongoing strike and let the students go on with their education on schedule.

The governor promised them, and indeed all workers in the state that there was now some lights at the end of the tunnel.

Bello, who donated two buses to the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Onu Edoka, and Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Ojo Ranti, assured the workers in the state of his commitment to the welfare of the workers.

Earlier, the state Chairman of NLC, Onu Edoka, while delivering his speech, urged all workers in the state to remain calm and give their full support to the congress, as they are keenly watching the ongoing screening exercise by the state government and see their action.

HAPPY DEDICATION

Wife of Rivers State Governor, Justice Suzzette Eberechi Nyesom-Wike (left), with Dr. and Mrs. Chika Chuku, during the dedication of their baby, Igdendi Raina Chika Chuku, at the St Mark’s Anglican Church, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt...yesterday

2018: I will Defeat APC with Minimal Efforts, Fayose Boats Olakiitan Victor in Ado Ekiti Contrary to insinuations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that Governor Ayodele Fayose’s popularity has plummeted and that the opposition will capture Ekiti State in 2018, the governor has again boasted that he will defeat his traducers with minimal efforts.

Fayose said he does not need to engage in propaganda about his performance in office to convince the people that he has done well, but that his work will surely speak for him.

The governor was quoted from an exclusive interview he granted a Yoruba newspaper, ‘Gudugudu Meje’ in Ado-Ekiti over the last Friday project, and was quoted as saying, “the people of the state were keeping records of every leader that has come to govern them and would never fall for cheap propaganda and blackmail from any quarter.”

According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu

Adelusi , the governor noted that because of the political sophistication of the Ekiti people, any elected public office holder not living up to the expectation of the people is always rejected at the poll.

He advised his political antagonists to look at the history of elections in the state and they would see that Ekiti people always rejected political pretenders once their antics have been discovered.

“Our fathers have a saying that you know a lazy man’s farm by the way he keeps it.

Nobody can hoodwink Ekiti people. They know what they want and who they want. I will never jump into the wagon of those whose stock in trade is propaganda. When they came into office through the back door, we all saw how they messed up the whole place.

“The person they took over from didn’t borrow a kobo, even when he wanted to take a bond of N5 billion from the capital market, they frustrated it. They came into office, enjoyed a period

of huge statutory allocation and even excess crude money being shared. And for instance, in the month of June 2014, they got N4.4 billion as monthly allocation.

“In spite of all these, they still borrowed N25 billion from the capital market and billions of naira in commercial loans. They also diverted over N800 million UBEC fund and yet there was nothing to show for all the funds. Not done yet, they thought the back door through which they came to office was still open and they attempted another back door entry, but unfortunately for them, the door has been securely locked.

“People are aware of their tricks and Ekiti people are now telling them that once beaten twice shy.

Let them go and enter the internet, sleep inside radio and television stations, their propaganda has failed woefully.

“I appreciate the workers and the good people of Ekiti State who know we have brought transparency to governance and who also appreciate our efforts at

making life better for us all. They know how much comes to the purse of the government and they know that it is with prudent management of resources that we are doing all the projects we are doing.

“Apart from Ado-Ekiti where we have done roads, built a women development centre and where we are building a flyover and a modern market, we have not forgotten other places. Road projects are being executed in Ikere, ise, Ikole, Awo-Epe-Ijero, Iworoko-Iluomoba and many others. We have dualised the road in Afao, resuscitated water supply to Aramoko and many more.

“I will advise my opponents to wait till the election in 2018 and see what will happen. They were trounced 16-0 the other time, come 2018, they will even fail more woefully,” he said.

Fayose then enjoined the people of the state to continue to support his government, saying he would also not let them down.

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LASG: 240,000 Vehicles on Lagos Roads Not Certified Report puts Nigeria’s fatality rate at 33.7%

Gboyega Akinsanmi The Lagos State Government at the weekend lamented the increasing number of rickety vehicles on the state roads, noting that of the 1.2 million vehicles in the state, 240,000 “are not road worthy.”

The state government also cited a recent report that put the rate of fatality on Nigerian roads at 33.7 per cent per 100,000 population,

thus making it the highest on the continent.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Ekundayo Mobereola, disclosed this at a news conference he addressed at the state secretariat, Alausa to mark the 2016 bi-annual safety week.

Mobereola addressed the conference alongside Special Adviser on Transportation, Hon. Olarenwaju Elegushi, the

Elumelu: Transcorp Ready to Revive Moribund Gas Fields The Chairman, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp), Mr. Tony Elumelu, has said the company is ready to take over and revive some moribund gas fields in the Niger Delta region.

Elumelu made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of Transcorp’s 10th Annual General Meeting in Calabar.

He said the company had commenced discussion with NNPC in this regard.

According to him, the project aims to realise the company’s objective of improving the country’s economy while also making profit.

“We are not relenting. We are in discussion with NNPC to see whether we can take over and run the idle gas plants. We have the capacity to do this.

“Our thinking is that instead of having these moribund gas fields in the Niger Delta lie idle, let some power generating companies that have the resources such as Transcorp Power, take them over.

“We can revamp them, produce gas and use it to improve our power generation and get the country realise its present target of 10,000 megawatts of

electricity,’’ he said.

Elumelu said Transcorp Power was poised to improve access to electricity in the country and ensure that small and medium scale industries had the capacity to produce more and boost the economy.

“Power generation and consumption is a problem in Nigeria today and if we can improve electricity generation, that will help to check the shortfall and boost the economy.”

The chairman noted that the poor performance in the power sector had affected Transcorp’s operations.

According to him, the company needs no fewer than 300 megawatts of electricity daily.

On the company’s performance in 2015, Elumelu said that while the company’s earnings declined marginally, it recorded growth in profit and maintained a strong asset base.

“Our total asset is growing at 19 per cent. It grew from N170.8 billion to N202. 9 billion.

“Gross earnings declined marginally by one per cent to N40.8 billion as against N41.3 billion in 2014.

“But the group’s operating profit grew from N13.6 billion in 2014 to N15.03 billion in 2015, a 10 per cent growth,” he said.

Rivers is Entering a Season of Celebrations, Says Wike’s Wife The wife of the Governor of Rivers State, Justice Suzzette Eberechi Nyesom-Wike, has declared that the state is entering into a season of multiple celebrations as the state government will sustain the flow of pro-people projects.

Addressing Christian faithful at the St Mark’s Anglican Church, Elelenwo during the child dedication of Dr and Mrs Chika Chuku yesterday, Justice Nyesom-Wike said she was confident that Governor Wike would never stop his positive development strides.

She said: “I know the man I am married to. He is a determined and focused man.

God will never let him down.

He will continue to deliver in line with the promises he made to the people.”

The wife of the governor called on the people to continue to pray for the governor for

God’s grace to further the development feats attained by the administration.

She said: “If it was not for your prayers, I don’t know where we would have been.

Rivers State is the diamond of Nigeria with people doing all manner of things to take control of the state.

“It has pleased God for my husband to lead Rivers State at this point. I know he will live up to the expectations of the people.”

Member of the House of Representatives representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, Kingsley Chinda assured the people of Elelenwo that Wike will complete the dualisation of the road in the area.

The dedication of the child of Mr. and Mrs Chika Chuku was attended by federal and state lawmakers and top officials of the Rivers State Government.

ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Oluseyi Whenu and Chief Executive of Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Abdul-Hafiz Toriola, among others.

At the conference, the commissioner highlighted the state government’s effort at ensuring security include rehabilitating the roads, improving drivers’ competence, insisting on monitoring of vehicles and promoting attitudinal change among the road users, especially, the drivers.

Of the 45,037 vehicles apprehended in 2015, Mobereola pointed out that 8,012, which constituted 20 per cent, “were not road worthy. This was extended

to about 240,000, out of 1.2 million vehicles apprehended in the period under review.”

He lamented that that along with South Africa, Nigeria “has the highest number of fatality rates in Africa. A study shows that Nigeria and South Africa have the highest fatality rates of 33.7 per cent and 31.9 per cent per 100,000 population respectively in Africa.

“It is in this wise that we say safety is not just a government thing. Rather, it is for all citizens.

When you maintain a vehicle, you are guaranteeing a life. There are no economic arguments for allowing rickety vehicles just simply because we cannot place premium on any

life.”

He pointed out that there “are several health challenges created by emissions from rickety vehicles.

They are all respiratory in nature, thus affecting our lungs. Long hours of delay on the roads also affect health. The atmosphere is heating up and carbon emissions contribute greatly to it.”

He therefore assured that the state government “is determined to operate and regulate transportation to ensure safety. We have promoted new initiatives to ensure a public transportation system that will encourage people to leave their vehicles at home and use our public transport.”

The commissioner hinted that

government has embarked on the following: One, expansion of vehicle inspection services (VIS) zones across all the local government; computerization of road worthiness certificate; embarking on public advocacy; proper and strict enforcement of road traffic law and strict compliance with driver’s license procedure.

“The week will hold from May 2 to May 8. We will engage with motorists at motor parks, companies with large pool of vehicles, schools and religious houses. Our focus will be to bring people to the realisation that there is need to maintain their vehicles and save lives and properties.”

LETTHE LITTLE ONES OME TO ME

Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi (middle); with two choristers, Joy (right) and Peace, after the burial service for Sir Mike Nkwonta, at the Emmanuel Anglican Church, Enugu-Ukwu, Enugu State...weekend.

Anambra Central Senatorial Poll: NGO Petitions NJC against Justice Chikere The fight for the Anambra Central senatorial election between the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, and a former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has taken a new turn with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) petitioning the National Judicial Council (NJC) against Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court in Abuja for ruling that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) be represented in the election.

The NGO demanded the NJC to investigate Justice Chikere so as to restore public confidence in the judiciary.

In the petition dated May 1 and addressed to the NJC Chairman, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who is Nigeria’s Chief Justice, the group described as worrisome Justice Chikere’s order to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on March 1 that the PDP be included in the election which was scheduled to hold on March 5 even after its

candidate in the original election, Ekwunife “had been disqualified and she had left the party.”

The ruling disrupted the election meant to find a successor to Mrs. Uche Ekwunife who had last December 7 been ordered by the Court of Appeal to vacate her Senate seat as representative of Anambra Central on the PDP platform because she did not participate in the primaries leading to the emergence of the party’s candidate in last year’s general elections.

Ekwunife was to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) last January 8 and unsuccessfully sought its ticket to enable her to return to the Senate.

In the petition to the NJC signed by Uzor Isichei, a Lagosbased lawyer, the Campaign for Judicial Integrity argued that it was patently wrong for Justice Chikere to insist on the PDP’s participation in the rerun election because the law forbids any political party from presenting a fresh candidate unless its

candidate in the original election is dead, citing legal provisions as well as pronouncements by both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal over the years.

The NGO regretted that Justice Chikere ignored the Supreme Court’s decision in the 2009 case between the Labour Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Court of Appeal ruling in the matter between Tunde Isiaq and Okanlawon Soniyi where the appellate court said: “Where there is a nullification of an election base on qualifications, all candidates that participated in the general election excluding the candidate judged not qualified can participate in the rerun election”.

The organisation also wondered why Chikere’s Federal High Court in Abuja chose to entertain the case for the inclusion of the PDP in the rerun election when the matter could have been handled by the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State, or any other state in the South-east geopolitical zone, even though

it said that it recognized that all “Federal High Courts are treated as one in Nigeria.”

“In the eyes of the ordinary Nigerian,” noted the NGO, “Justice Chikere merely lent her judicial power to elements in society bent on scuttling a scheduled election.

“It is worrisome that a High Court judge would for whatever reason give a ruling on a matter in complete neglect and disregard of the position of the law as already stated by courts superior to hers in hierarchy”.

The group said as a result of Chikere’s action, the people of Anambra Central would be without a representative in the Senate for long.

INEC had since appealed against Justice Chikere’s judgment.

Though the PDP is yet to adopt a candidate in the election, posters of Obi have long flooded the streets of Awka and other parts of Anambra Central.

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Buratai: Zaria Clash with Shiites Wasn’t Premeditated Says fallen heroes of war against terror will not be forgotten

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has stated that the clash the military had with the members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) in December 2015, that led to the death of several people was not premeditated.

Buratai also promised that officers and men of the Nigerian Army who paid the supreme sacrifice in the course of prosecuting the ongoing Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency (CT COIN) operation in parts of the North -east, will never be forgotten.

He made this clarification at the weekend when he received the Executive Secretary of the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd), who led the management of the

centre to pay him a courtesy visit in his office.

Speaking on the tragic altercation with Shiites group in Zaria, the COAS maintained the Army’s position that there was nothing like premeditated murder of some of the sect’s members as alleged by such groups as Amnesty International.

He said: “How can anybody accuse a responsible armed agency of government of murder? On the contrary, the people were attacking the soldiers with petroleum bomb and other weapons.

“In actual fact, not all of them knew how to handle Molotov they were trying to use against the army and it back fired on them.”

In another development, Buratai stated that the troops of the Nigerian Army are gallant patriots who have the interest of the corporate existence and integrity of the Nigerian state

at heart.

He said the officers and soldiers have sworn to do anything and everything possible, including laying down their lives, in order to the defend the country and must be given due recognition.

He said: “The army will henceforth ensure that gallant soldiers who die in action are given a publicised befitting burial with full military honours.

“In fact, even if it means conducting it in arrears, we will ensure that our fallen heroes are given befitting national burials.

Aside from that, we have also ensured that immediate family members of our fallen officers and soldiers receive prompt payment of all their entitlements and other welfare supports.”

While noting that the Nigerian troops are engaged in various

operations across the country in line with its constitutional responsibility, the army chief charged every patriotic Nigerian citizen to do whatever he or she can do to ensure the safety and progress of the country.

Earlier, Anas commended the Nigerian Army for its unwavering commitment to the defence of the country from external aggression and internal insurrection.

“We have noted significant successes in the fight against terror since you mounted the saddle of leadership of this great army and we are happy to say that you have acquitted yourself creditably so far,” he said.

He also commended public relations and information management of the army noting that it has been very vibrant.

Airtel Inaugurates Service Centre in Lagos One of the leading telecommunications service providers, Airtel Nigeria, has inaugurated the new flagship service centre in Lagos.

The service centre located at 47, Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, has dedicated areas for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) such as Samsung, Tecno, Huawei and Iphone, while offering services for high value customers on the network.

“Also, there is play area for kids

to have fun while their parents are being attended to,” it was learnt.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi, who inaugurated the centre, commended the telecommunications giant for its innovativeness and excellence in delivering quality service to their customers, adding that: “As a foremost telecommunications company, I urge the management of Airtel to keep up this momentum,” the commissioner stated.

UNODC Director in Nigeria, to Back Fight against Corruption, Terrorism, Others Bennett Oghifo The Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Yury Fedotov, will arrive in Nigeria this week on a two-day official mission in furtherance of the long-standing partnership between UNODC and the nation in the areas of anti-corruption, terrorism prevention and drug control.

The UNODC has been working in these areas using a balanced health-focused approach; strengthened criminal justice sector and the rule of law in Nigeria and in the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) sub-region as a whole.

A statement yesterday signed

by Sylvester Atere of the UNODC in Nigeria, said Fedotov would hold high-level meetings with top government officials and strategic ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) of the Government of Nigeria as well as with the president of ECOWAS. Nigeria and UNODC enjoy cordial relationship since almost three decades. Nigeria has ratified the three UN Conventions on Drugs, 15 out of the 19 international legal instruments on terrorism, in addition to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) and the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) which are all UN Conventions that are under the global mandate of UNODC.

UNODC works with some 50 government partners in Nigeria, at federal and state level as well as with civil society organisations in the implementation of the Conventions.

Nigeria is one of UNODC’s priority countries, with a large and comprehensive portfolio in the areas of anti-corruption, the response to drugs and related organized crime, justice sector reform, anti-human trafficking/ migrant smuggling and counter terrorism. The programme is funded by the European Union in the amount of about USD 100 million and constitutes UNODC’s largest technical assistance portfolio in Africa and the third world wide.

Other international partners of UNODC in Nigeria are Germany, Japan and Switzerland.

Among the major landmark technical support UNODC has provided in Nigeria is the support to the development, drafting and reviewing of new laws. These include the recently enacted Administration of Justice Act; Extradition Act (Modification) Order, 2014; as well as new legislation against human trafficking and migrant smuggling, in line with the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its protocols. Presently, UNODC is also assisting Nigeria’s efforts in updating its piracy/maritime crimes law and in reinforcing the criminal justice response to these crimes.

FIFTY HEARTY CHEERS

L-R:Husbandofthecelebrant,Prof.YemiAkinseye-George;celebrant,Olaide;andSeniorSpecialAssistanttothePresidentonNationalAssemblyMatters (Senate),SenatorItaEnang,atthe50thbirthdaythanksgivingserviceofMrs.Akinseye-GrorgeinAbuja....yesterday GodwinOmoigui

FG Launches Digital Switchover in Jos,Targets Abuja, Lagos Stakeholders nurse apprehension over status of signal distributor Adebiyi Adedapo in Abuja The federal government at the weekend launched the pilot scheme of switch over from analogue to digital broadcasting in Jos, Plateau State, signalling the commencement of a nationwide digitisation process.

To this end, the government would commence the distribution of 200,000 free set-up boxes to households within the Jos metropolis and neighbouring communities, while other users will have to purchase a set-up box at the rate of N 1,500 each.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, while performing the epoch function, noted that it was important for states and local government throughout the country to support the process by investing in the purchase of set-up boxes.

Mohammed said the next phase of switch over would be conducted in Abuja and Lagos.

According to the minister, about 30 million subscribers are being targeted across the country, which suggest one of the biggest television market in the world.

“We call on the local and

state governments to help us by buying the boxes - which the federal government has highly subsidised for their citizens. The federal government is also giving out, free of charge, the 200,000 boxes for this pilot phase. And the Plateau State Government has agreed to buy 300,000 boxes for their citizens. We are targeting 30 million viewers across the country, which will make Nigeria the biggest Free television market in the world.

Congratulations to everyone who has been part of this epoch-making process,” he said.

While reeling out the benefits of digital broadcasting, the minister said, with the pilot scheme, subscribers within the Jos metropolis and its environs will have access to 15 free television channels with good quality picture images.

“Compared to yesterday when the average Jos person can only watch five television channels at best, he can now watch 15 television channels, local and international news as well as local and foreign entertainment.

Through the information service, he can also get news about government activities without going

on the Internet. While watching a particular channel, he can also know the other programmes available on that channel, using the EPG, or Electronic Programme Guide.”

He also said the government had directed Set Top Box manufacturers to ensure local production of the boxes, after importing the first set of boxes. This according to the minister will create massive employment for Nigerians, at the same time ensure the transfer of technology.

“In terms of the economy, all licensed Set Top Box manufacturers have been mandated to establish manufacturing companies in Nigeria to produce the boxes locally, after importing the first set of boxes. This will create massive employment and also ensure the transfer of technology for our people. Also, due to availability of many channels, there will be an astronomical increase in the need for content, and this will fire the creative ability of our youths.”

Meanwhile, some experts in the broadcast sector have expressed reservations about possibility of achieving a successful switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting by the June

2017 deadline stipulated by the ECOWAS countries.

A director in the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) who confided in THISDAY, said it would be difficult to meet the 2017 deadline, giving the level of preparedness by signal distributors.

According to the director, one of the licenced signal distributors, Pinnacle Commissions is not involved practically in the digitisation process, due to an alleged bridge of white paper agreement.

Pinnacle Communications had dragged the federal government, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to court over the alleged bridge of white paper agreement, as the later licensed another company, MTS Nigeria Limited, a signal aggregator.

“The situation is not clear, it is very unlikely that Nigeria will meet the June 2017 deadline. As we speak, Pinnacle has not made any arrangement towards the success, and the truth must be told, DSO is not possible without Pinnacle, “ he said.

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Two Killed, Many Injured, Cars Torched in Bayelsa APC, PDP Clash Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa Yet to fully recover from the carnage that characterised the last governorship election in the

state a few months ago, another bloody clash between supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) at the weekend

EFCC Probe of PDP Funds Not Persecution, Says Alkali Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Former Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, has endorsed the ongoing investigation into the past administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the campaign funds of the Jonathan/Sambo 2015 Presidential Campaign Organisation (PCO).

The former President Jonathan’s aid said as far he is concerned there was no form of interferance from any quarters in the investigation and trials being conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement issued yesterday by the politician, he urged all those complaining about the way the anticorruption crusade was being prosecuted to allow the security agencies to carry out their functions without hindrance.

“I am constrained to react to the continuous media reports in recent times concerning the ongoing investigation into the past administration of the PDP and the campaign funds of the Jonathan/Sambo 2015 PCO. “All this while, I have resisted the urge and temptation to join issues with the sponsors and

writers of these stories, hoping that in good time, they will know the truth. However, it has become imperative at this stage, to urge writers of those stories to allow the security agencies who are made up of highly competent and well trained professionsls to handle the investigations diligently.

“My resolve to keep silent since these issues were first reported in the papers was mainly because of my fair understanding and respect of the system, having served my country in various capacities over the years.

“The issues under investigation are within the powers of the relevant agencies charged with the constitutional responsibility to do so and I believe that the agencies have been doing their work without any interference by anyone.

I therefore have absolute confidence in the ability and capacities of the men and women who are saddled with the task of cleansing the system to do their work in line with their mandate.

“In my view it is time we move away from the dramatisation of serious issues and focus our attention and energy towards consolidating on the gains of democracy in our country, “ he said.

left two persons dead and many injured in Bayelsa State.

During the violence which took place in Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area of the state, THISDAY learnt that many vehicles were burnt while dangerous weapons were freely used.

Many of the injured were said to have been rushed to Gloryland hospital, Yenagoa, where they are currently in the Intensive Care Unit, battling for their lives.

Statements made by politicians during a wake in honour of a popular indigene of the area, who had just died, allegedly triggered the carnage that effectively ended the ceremony.

Trouble reportedly started when some PDP supporters led by the newly appointed Caretaker Chairman, Mr. Walter Kuroekigha, started chanting his party slogans which allegedly provoked the

APC members at the ceremony.

Attempts to make the PDP chief halt the sloganeering, it was gathered, led to confusion as the party’s supporters also tried to stop the APC loyalists, thereby resulting in a bloody clash.

In the violence that ensued, two persons were reportedly hacked to death with cutlasses, while many others sustained various degrees of injuries in the area which became notorious for clashes and attendant heavy shootings during last January’s rescheduled governorship poll.

An APC stalwart in the community, Melford Esinte, who expressed disgust over the bloody clash, called on security agencies to protect the lives and property of the people in the area to avoid further escalation of the mayhem due to reprisal attacks.

He noted that the anger caused by the clash may not have simmered, and called on the government to make sure that there was adequate surveillance to make sure that the situation was brought under immediate control.

In its reaction, the state government noted that whoever carried out the attacks for whatever reason would not be absolved of the blame, noting that such violence was unacceptable.

While calling on residents of the area to embrace peace, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, who responded on behalf of the government, condemned the renewed violence in the area.

“We condemn in strong terms the gruesome attack on members of the PDP or any citizen by the APC which has led to the death of one person and we say this is one attack too many.

‘’As I speak to you, innocent Nigerians (Bayelsans) lie critically at the Glory Land Hospital in Yenagoa fighting for their lives,’’ Obuebite said.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Asinim Butswat Asinim, confirmed that there was a clash in Nembe, but said there was no official report that somebody died in the incident.

He said two vehicles and two motorcycles were burnt in the melee, adding that a detachment of policemen had been deployed in the area to avert any further violence.

Butswat promised that the police were restoring normalcy in the troubled community and asked residents of the area to go about their normal duties as the security agencies were capable of handling the situation.

Calls made to the factional spokesman of the APC in Bayelsa, Fortune Panebi, were neither answered nor returned.

FG Promises Speedy Intervention in Textile Industry The federal government has restated its commitment to address the myriad of challenges besetting the nation’s textile industry in shortest time.

The Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Investment, Hajia Aishat Abubakar, gave this word during a facility tour to Lucky Fibres limited, makers of Noble Rug and Carpet in Lagos .

Receiving the Minister, Senior Human Resources Manager, Lucky Fibres Limited, Mrs Kemi Ajibade, lamented the slow pace of development in the sector as a result of unfavourable government policies and infrastructure deficit.

According to her,activities in the company have been at low ebb as a result of epileptic Power, limited raw materials occasioned by foreign exchange restrictions , hence, under utilization of equipment.

She equally pointed that illegal activities of smuggler is rubbing off negatively on the firm’s turn over. “an average Nigerian cannot identify quality products, but will prefer to go for what is cheap in the market even if it does not serve for a long time.

“We urge Government to assist us in addressing the

activities of smuggling. If you visit Alaba Market, you will see different kinds of sub standard carpets and rugs being displayed for sales”,she pleaded.

Ajibade who solicited urgent interventions of government in the industry also pleaded with the government to patronise the firm.

According to her, “the textile sector has the capacity to absorb more workers than any other sector in the economy.We need government’s patronage to boost our capacity.As at today, the company has 2500 direct and indirect staff in its payroll, if we are able to operate in full capacity, we will be able to engage more hands and reduce unemployment in the country. “ The Minister expressed satisfaction with the sophisticated equipment and quality products of the company.

While appreciating the company for promoting the federal government, “Made in Nigeria “ initiative, she urged players in the sector to be patients with the government, adding that ,the administration is considering a holistic approach to tackle the highlighted challenges so as not to leave any stone unturned.

AWARD FOR HARDWORK

President, International Institute for Petroleum and Energy Law Practice (IIPELP), Mr. Niyi Ayoola-Daniels (right), with Director General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs. Dupe Atoki. during an NBA award presentation ceremony to Atoki, in Abuja...recently

WHO Cautions FG against Outbreak of Polio State govts won’t relent effort, says Ambode Gboyega Akinsanmi The World Health Organisation (WHO) at the weekend disclosed that Nigeria was yet to be certified free from the Polio virus and could record fresh cases any moment if proper measures were not taken.

This warning came barely one year after the WHO announced that polio was no longer endemic in Nigeria, thus leaving Pakistan and Afghanistan as the remaining countries where the virus was still endemic.

The organisation’s National Surveillance Officer, Dr. Clement Nwaeke, issued the warning at the launching and official presentation of the anti-polio

animated movie/comic book’ authored by Mr. Olugbenga Kuye held in Lagos.

Nwaeke said the solution for Nigeria to maintain its current status and achieve more “is for the central government and states to intensify their sensitisation campaign on the need for residents to immunise their children against the virus.”

The WHO official warned that the removal of the country’s name from the endemic list “does not translate to being free from the virus completely.

Nigeria can record another case of polio.”

“Nigeria is at a critical stage now. Everyone must work to ensure that the country does

not record another case before July 2017. If this happens, the country will be certified Polio free,” the WHO official added.

He explained that the removal of the country from the list became necessary following unreported case since 2014 when the last case was reported in Kaduna State.

Also speaking, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, assured the WHO official that the state governors would not relent in ensuring that the country does not record another polio case in the country.

Ambode, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of

Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs. Nike Oduwole, added that materials have been distributed to ensure that residents of Lagos were aware of the dangers caused by the disease.

Speaking on the reason for the project, Kuye observed that the challenges confronting the country in the fight against polio was language barrier, saying Nigerians prefers being taught in their local dialect to English.

But Senator Gbenga Ashafa representing Lagos East senatorial district said since the country achieved Ebola Free certification, it would not relent in attaining polio-free status.

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Oil Drilling to Start Year End in Chad Basin, Says Kachikwu Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, yesterday disclosed that Nigeria would start oil drilling activities in the Chad Basin by the last quarter of 2016.

Kachikwu in a statement from the Group General Manager, Public Affairs of the NNPC, Mallam Garuba Deen Muhammad, in Abuja, stated that seismic data acquisition activities had progressed reasonably before it was interrupted by insurgency in the North.

He said the federal government and the NNPC were committed to exploring oil and gas in the inland basins especially the Chad Basin and Benue Trough, adding that they have an unwavering commitment to the project.

According to him, the NNPC through its Frontier Exploration Services and Renewable Energy Division (FESRED) had progressed reasonably with seismic acquisition activities in the Chad Basin frontier area up until insurgency necessitated the suspension of operation there.

He said eight phases out of the planned 12-phase project to cover 3,550 square kilometres (sqkm) have been acquired by the date of suspension of operation on November 24, 2014.

“A total of 1, 962sqkm has been acquired and processed, interpretation is currently on-going at about 90 per cent completion, and drilling activities will commence by the last quarter of 2016,” said Kachikwu.

He further explained that the seismic activities were carried out with due regard to environmental protection and in accordance with international standards and best practices and was being handled by the Integrated Data Services Limited which is a subsidiary of the NNPC, and BGP, a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

Kachikwu noted that the purpose for oil exploration in the Chad Basin is to increase Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves, add value to the hydrocarbon potentials of the Nigerian inland basin, provide investment opportunities, boost the economy as well as create millions of new jobs.

“The decision to diversify our business portfolio is about all of us and about the future of our dear country, the vision is clear, and we are determined not to fail,” Kachikwu stated.

He thus invited the private sector and venture capitalists across the globe to partner with NNPC in planned Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to profitably harness the enormous energy resources in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has uncovered a suspected illegal facility used for the storage of petroleum products in Giri area of Abuja.

The discovery was made at the weekend, when a team of PPPRA officials, led by its Head of Corporate Services, Lanre Oladele, went on a monitoring exercise to check marketers compliance with

Legislative Aides’ Election Produces Two Executive Chairmen Damilola Oyedele in Abuja Elections for the executive officers of the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum (NASSLAF) have produced two sets of executive officers led by two chairmen, a clear indication that the factional crises rocking the association is far from over.

The elections, which were held by the different factions produced Mr. Samuel Melaye, who was the former Chairman and Mr. John Udeh.

Interestingly, elections of both men which held on Wednesday and Thursday last week, were observed by bureaucrats of the National Assembly.

The Deputy Director, Personnel and Head of Unit on Legislative Matters, Mr. Tahir Muhammed Sani, observed elections for the Melaye led faction, while Deputy Director, N’Assembly Service Commission, Mr. Effiong Omoni, observed the Udeh-led faction.

In March this year, Melaye who is younger brother to Senator Dino Melaye, had been appointed by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, as Chairman of a seven-man caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the forum for three months before organising elections.

A faction, however in a communique signed by its

Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee, Mr. Lawson Oviasogie, on March 28, claimed to have removed Melaye.

The faction said its action was based on Article 14 (iii) and (iv) which stipulates that the CNA shall direct the conduct of election of the Central Working Committee and Executive Committee within six months of the inauguration of a new legislature.

Both factions however went ahead to conduct elections last week.

Melaye, following his emergence as factional Chairman, said the forum would be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to enhance its engagement with the management of the National Assembly management regarding its members welfare and conditions of service.

Insisting he is the legitimate chairman of the forum, Melaye, who is legislative aide to his brother, pledged to unite members.

Udeh, also following his election Thursday insisted his emergence is legitimate as he was elected in a credible process.

As both elections were observed

by National Assembly officials, it remains unclear which faction would be duly recognised by the management.

The Director of Information, Mr. Ishaku Dibal, did not respond to a text message on the development.

government’s regulations on petrol sales in Abuja and environ.

Oladele said the unauthorised facility, owned by Sunmart Progress Nigeria Limited may have been converted to an illegal fuel dump, as various units of 51,000 litre capacity underground tanks were found at a location which appeared to be a truck repair park.

Although the tanks were empty at the time of the inspection, Oladele explained that it was illegal to store petroleum products, especially petrol, in large quantity outside of an approved petrol station.

The team declared the usage of the park as storage dump by the company was illegal

as it does not have licence to store products outside its filling station located about a hundred metres away and warned that sanctions would be decided on the company after their report is submitted to Kachikwu who is also the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.

At Northbridge Energy located in Kwali, the team discovered that two trucks of 45,000 litres each of petrol were parked although the station was deserted and not selling products, even as attempt to locate the owners of the station was unsuccessful.

The PPPRA team also inspected

the sale of products in other filling stations along Gwagwalada/Lokoja Expressway, Asokoro extension and Area 11 parts of the city.

Oladele however told journalists that the agency was satisfied with marketers’ level of compliance to regulations and pricing and assured consumers that the minister has put in place measures to ensure that adequate supply of petrol is sustained.

He said the agency would continue to monitor the progress being made in clearing out queues for petrol at filling stations.

“The minister established an inter-agency monitoring team which includes all the agencies

under the Ministry of Petroleum Resources including the DPR, NNPC, PPPRA and all other sister agencies.

“We have gone beyond Abuja to neighbouring states to see what obtains there. We have comprehensive report which we are going to turn in to government on what we actually saw and how the situation could be improved.

“So far, things have improved, we will make effort to sustain all of these. The minister has gone ahead to ensure that all agencies under the ministry are put on the alert such that what we have witnessed within the last one month does not repeat itself,” he said.

SUPPORTING OUR ALMA MATER

Principal, Federal Government College, Warri, Mr. Abiodun Fabiyi (right); receiving the keys and documents of a new bus from member, Old Students Association of the school, Mr. Pakribo Darego, during the Set of 1988’s, donation of a brand new 18-seater bus to the school in Warri...weekend.

Ambode: Lagos is Africa’s True Capital of Arts, Entertainment As Tinubu, Akiolu, Osoba, Duke, Jermaine Jackson, others grace jazz concert Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, said at the weekend that Lagos is gradually emerging as the true capital of arts and entertainment in Africa, just as his administration is working, hard to equally transform the State to the tourism hub of the continent.

The governor who spoke at the Lagos International Jazz Concert held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja to commemorate the 2016 International Jazz Day which attracted dignitaries as well as local and international jazz artistes, said the event was part of efforts to join the rest of the world, particularly the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to celebrate the day.

He said a similar evening of jazz was hosted by President Barack Obama at the White House on Friday as Washington DC was this year’s jazz capital of the world, adding that the concert was therefore his administration’s effort to show that Lagos is in tune with the

world.

He said April 30 has since 2011 been designated as the International Jazz Day and that Lagos being the Centre of Excellence was using the platform to promote arts and entertainment.

He said: “This musical show is a continuation of our promise to Lagosians that we will use tourism, hospitality, entertainment and the arts as well as sports to create jobs and opportunities for our people and to position Lagos State as a destination with rich entertainment content.

“We also want to use today’s event to identify with every musician here today, from far and near and to use their God-given talents and creativity to announce to the world that Lagos is the true capital of arts and entertainment in Africa and that Lagos is in tune with the rest of the world.”

The governor said the Light Up Lagos Project and huge investment in its security machinery which has brought down crime rate by

65 per cent was part of efforts by his administration to create a 24-hour economy and the template of a city that does not sleep and with government that does not slumber either.

He said the Lagos Jazz concert took its cue from the success of One Lagos Fiesta, held on the eve of New Year’s Day, noting that there were at least four different jazz concerts across Lagos on Friday evening with artistes from all over the world, including several Grammy award-winners who performed.

“I’m happy to inform you that all of them are here tonight, united through music in the centre of excellence which best represents the concept of unity in diversity and borderless brotherhood. It is perhaps the first time that we’d be witnessing this type of bonding and creative energy on a single stage in Nigeria.

I believe this show of brotherliness and synergy is in sync with the values being promoted by UNESCO through the International

Jazz Day,” he said.

Ambode expressed optimism that next year’s concert which will herald the Lagos @ 50 celebrations, coming up May 27, 2017, would have successfully placed the state as a destination of choice and one deserving of the Jazz Capital City appellation.

Among dignitaries who graced the concert include former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Chief Femi Adeniyi Williams, Justice of Supreme Court, George Oguntade, among others.

Artistes who lit the stage with scintillating jazz performances included former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, award winning Afrobeat musician, Lagbaja, veteran jazz diva, Yinka Davies, Jimi Solanke, Dare Art Alade, two time Grammy award winner, Lekan Babalola, Grammy award winner, Kirk Whalum and other local and foreign jazz artistes.

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Attack Not Targeted on Deputy Gov, Says Edo APC LG Chairman Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Alhaji Abubakar Umoru Akokia, yesterday attributed the attack on the state Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu, as the handiwork of hoodlum.

Odubu was allegedly attacked while on his campaign tour at Etsako West council area where he went to address party delegates at the weekend.

Meanwhile, the state Chairman of the APC, Anslem Ojezua, has appealed to the state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, to unearth those behind the attack on the deputy governor, saying “only a serious investigation will help unearth the mystery and if those involved in the attack are APC members they will be dealt with.”

Akokia who narrated the journalist in Benin City yesterday, said deputy governor came to visit us. Before he came there were hoodlums everywhere. I even asked them to leave, that the deputy governor only came to address delegates. But they said no they are his supporters. So I left them.”

According to him, “When the deputy governor came, I took him inside our, office, the crowd was chanting ‘you don win,’ ‘you don win,’ we were trying to calm them down but nobody heard us. That was when tension started. I called for open prayers and we did that, while we were doing all these inside, we were head songs outside.

But hoodlums were now shooting seriously, fortunately no life was lost. But three or four persons sustained injuries.”

Asked to clarify the rumour that people were asked not to come and received the deputy governor, he asserted that “ it is not true. The deputy governor came with large crowd and that was why we are now confused about where the shooting came from. His people were all outside. One of our delegates were even shot.

“The state chairman told all of us that we should receive all

aspirants, we should give then equal treatment. The truth is that we don’t support aspirants coming with thugs or large number of people because that was what happened.

But I allowed him because he is the second citizen of this state. But we tried to avoid some of these things. All the people who came there were supporters of the deputy governor and that is why we are all confused.

“They were shouting his praises.

He came with a lot of security men and the Area Commander brought more men too. It is not true that he was targeted to be killed. I escorted him out and inside. When the hoodlums were making that noise, he was with me so how will they say the bullet was targeted at him. This shooting happened outside but we were inside. No body planned to kill the deputy governor.

“Today as we are talking, we told him to go to the other three local government areas, Akoko Edo and the two Owans. He should reduce the number of people in his entourage, because the cars I saw him with yesterday was more than 20 including boys, so that is the issue,” he stated.

Reacting also, APC state chairman, Ojezua said he was shocked by the report emanating from Etsako West concerning the deputy, noting that is not typical of the party.

To him, “This is the first time I am seeing this violence being exhibited. I am worried. This is the time when aspirants need to understand that this is supposed to be a brotherly contest, a family affair of the APC to pick a candidate that will fly the flag of our party, and our hope is that when the process springs up a candidate, all other aspirants are expected to line up behind him and work for the success of the party.

“But with this kind of attitude, the polity is unduly heated up, I am very worried with what I read in the newspapers, people throwing stones and mud to one another. I join the call on security agencies to get to the root of this matter so that the culprits are identified and dealt with if they are members of

Crisis Trails Anambra PDP Ward Congresses Charles Onyekamuo in Awka Crisis has trailed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ward congresses conducted in Anambra State at the weekend.

At the party secretariat in Awka, the state capital yesterday, the state Chairman of the party, Chief Ejike Oguebegom, alleged that there was no ward congress election in the 326 electoral wards in the state.

This he said was because the congress committee chairman appointed by the national office of the party for the state, Mr. Ladi Edun, sabotaged the exercise.

Edun’s Committee, he said, was supposed to come and liaise with the state executive committee of the party, according to section 2(a) of the congress election to provide the venue and security for the election, he added that even when four of the eleven member committee came, the chairman was no where to be seen. This he said

prompted a petition by 21 members of the state.

This he said, at a press conference in Awka yesterday, prompted a petition by 21 members of the state executive to the Chairman of PDP ward congress Appeal panel asking for a fresh ward congress in the state. The petition was signed

by Ejike Oguebego, and Chuks Okoye, chairman and Secretary of Anambra state chapter of PDP respectively. Section 2(a) of the guideline for the congress which the committee allegedly breached provides that: “The congresses and National convention planning committees shall liaise with the appropriate executive committee in the states to provide the venue and security for their respective congress and national convention.”

This provision, Oguebego said, was never complied with and that there was no ward congress in the state

our party.

“I have asked the chairman of Etsako West to furnish us with detail of what transpired. I am joining everybody to call on the police to investigate this matter and deal severely with the culprits. I will appeal to our aspirants and their followers that they have to understand the spirit of this exercise. It is not a do or die affairs the aspirants must talk to their supporters. This is the time that people must assume responsibility on what comes out of their mouth.”

In similar development, Director of Strategic Research and Planning of the Odubu Campaign Organisation, Samson Osagie, who spoke un-

behalf of the group, enumerated instances where a number of persons considered to be loyal to the governorship ambition of the deputy governor were illegally suspended and removed from office adding that ‘This to us is the height of naked display of power of cruelty, animosity, intolerance and man inhumanity to man.”

He said five persons, including a Department of State Services (DSS) officer and escort policeman attached to the deputy governor, were severely injured during the attack on Odubu who went on a meet-the-delegate tour to the three local government areas of Etsako West, Central and East

According to Osagie, also a former House of Representative member, Orhionmwom/Unhumuwode federal constituency upon investigation, the organisation has been able to identified three persons who masterminded the attack and urged the security agencies to immediately unearth them and their pay masters He posited that as ardent and firm believer in the tenets of democracy, Odubu would continue to market himself to the delegates of the APC with a view to getting them to nominate him a the standard bearer of the party and therefore called on the deputy governor’s supporters across the state not to be

deterred by these happenings as the determination to pursue the Odubu for governor project has only been rekindled by the incident Nevertheless, the police high command in Benin City has vowed not leave any stone unturned into the investigation leading to the attack on Odubu The state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, who gave the assurance at the Odubu campaign secretariat, said the incident could have been avoided.

He said the command was working on a lead that would help the police unravel those behind the dastardly attacked on the deputy governor.

COMRADES ON PARADE

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government branch, Atanda Bello; Acting President, NULGE, Lagos State chapter, Michael Afolabi Ajose; Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Fouad Oki; and NULGE Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government branch, Tope Lawal, during 2016 Workers’ Day celebration at Onikan Stadium, Lagos...yesterday

Education: Nigerians Must Complement Efforts of Government, Says Oberabor FGC Warri old students donate bus to school Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba In apparent response to the lamentations by the alumni association during the school’s golden jubilee in February, Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State, set of 1988 at the weekend donated a brand new 18-seater bus to the school as part of its contribution to development of the school.

The Chairman of Parents Teacher Association (PTA) of Federal Government College, Warri, Dr. Mike Oberabor, urged more Nigerians to complement the efforts of the government to save the country’s education sector from further decay and boost excellence among students.

Specifically, he called on individuals and groups to support infrastructural development efforts in schools and colleges across the country.

According to Oberabor, “We want more class sets to donate materials and cash to the school. Things have changed, the government is unable to take care of all the responsibilities in this school. It behoves on us as individuals and as old students, parents, to contribute to what the

government has to offer, in order to make this place conducive and produced students who can compete favourably with their counterparts all over the world.”

He said it would be the second time a class set was making such substantial donation to the school in Warri.

The National Secretary of the alumni association, Mr. Ayodele Oke, while thanking the set for the donation, promised that the association would give the school a facelift by next year.

Receiving the keys of the vehicle from the donors on behalf of the school, the Principal of the school, Mr. Abiodun Fabiyi, expressed delight that the set of 1988 returned to their alma mater with a donation of a bus.

He said the donation would go a long in spurring “the younger generation of the school to keep the flag flaying,” adding that the gesture would remain one of its kind in the history of FGC Warri.

“It is not what you have that determines what you can give”, the school principal said and called on other old students to take a queue from what the set of 1988 had done by contributing their quota to the

school’s development,” he stated.

Fabiyi had earlier lamented the decay of infrastructure in the school and called on all old students from the school to always look for ways to give the school a face-lift.

“When I was first transferred to this school, I wept when I saw the level of decay of infrastructure in the school. In order to bring the school back to its old glory I started a public and private partnership, which has enabled us to renovate some of the dilapidated buildings in the school,” he observed.

He also urged Nigerians to stand up for their rights by confronting those he called the “organised minority leading the disorganised majority in the country.”

Speaking with journalists during the presentation, Mr. Austin Egbemhonkhaye, who led the Class of 1988 Set, noted that it took them about two years to be able to raise the funds with which the body purchased the bus due of their limited resources.

He said the bus was “part of the priority needs listed by the school three years ago” as well as the need to provide conducive learning environment for students of the school.

“The school has done a lot for us over the years and we have decided to give back to the school.”

“This is a small token, this is just one of the many things we are planning to do for the school.

This is just the beginning because we are going to do more. We are very happy with the way the school has received us and this will spur us to do more,” Egbemhonkhaye said.

Nevertheless, outgoing head boy of the college, Digbori Oghenetega, described the donation as an encouragement to the students.

“It gives us hope and inspiration that someday we will be successful and do such for our school,” he said.

Dignitaries at the occasion were Mrs. U. Okafor of Unity School Division, Federal Ministry of Education as well as Messrs. Austin Egbemhonkhaye, FemiAkinseloyin,RomanusOnwujuba, Pakribo Darego, Patricia Okerenta, Dorcas Ayeni (members of Set 1988) and vice-principals of the school.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of the keys and documents of the bus to the principal of the school, Mr Abiodun Fabiyi

by Mr Pakribo Darego , on behalf of the Set of 1988, FGCW alumni association.

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monDAY, mAY 2, 2016 • T H I S D AY

MONDAYSPORTS Iheanacho’s Brace Not Enough to Save City

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Duro Ikhazuagbe Despite scoring two goals yesterday Kelechi Iheanacho and his fellow Manchester City teammates watched with disbelief as Southampton inspired by Sadio Mane ran riot, whipping them 4-2.

The 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup winner header in first in the 44th minute to pull a goal back for City after the Saints went up 2-0.

Shane Long struck at the near post in the 25th before Mane doubled the lead from 10 yards three minutes later. It was Mane’s first goal of his hat-trick of the bitter evening for the visitors from Etihad.

Mane pounced twice more to complete his hat-trick and ensure

that the three points were intact.

He reacted quickly as Jose Fonte’s header came off the crossbar for his second goal and converted Dusan Tadic’s pass to complete the hat-trick of the evening.

By the Iheanacho found the top-right corner late on in the 78th minute match was all but over.

It was the 19-year-old forward’s seventh Premier League goal in five starts.

The only little blemish on a great day in the office for the Nigeria star was when he was dispossessed of the ball for the home team to go ahead and get their fourth goal.

Iheanacho is making his debut in the Premier League this season after he came through from the City youth team.

The victory ensures Southampton - two points adrift of sixth-place West Ham with two games remaining - can still qualify for next season’s Europa League.

City remain fourth - three points behind third-placed Arsenal, who have played a game more, and four ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United, who drew against leaders Leicester at Old Trafford.

Manuel Pellegrini’s team still have a comfortable cushion over their city rivals, but face a defining week, with the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid on Wednesday followed by a tussle with Arsenal in the league four days later.

Yobo Honoured on Everton Return Former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, was a guest of honour as his former club, Everton, took on Bournemouth in a Barclays Premier League game on Saturday.

Yobo was presented to the fans at half time and received a stadium wide ovation from all present.

“It was a humbling and emotional moment for me,” said

Yobo, who spent a decade at the Premier League club, which he joined from French side Olympic Marseille.

Everton has endured a torrid season, with fans booing the team and calling for manager Roberto Martinez to be fired. But they still took a time out to give a former servant a welcome worth remembering.

The visit to Everton was part

of Yobo’s preparation for his testimonial game scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt on May 27.

Yobo chalked up 100 caps for the Super Eagles before calling it quit after the last World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

Several of his former Everton teammates have been listed to make appearance at the testimonial tagged the Yobo Centennial Game.

Tricky Dominican Republic Test for Gifted Cole Kunle Adewale World Boxing Federation Junior Middle Weight champion, Gifted Cole Chiori, will tonight take on Jorge Burgos from Dominican Republic in a 10 round non-title fight.

Cole, whose record stands at 10-0 in a telephone chat with THISDAY from his base in the United States before jetting to Dominican Republic said he was not intimidated by his opponent, promising to come out victorious at the end of the bout.

“With the kind of rigorous training I have gone through, I should be able to stop him before the end of round five. I’m not underrating my opponent or being over confident, but my coach and I had perfected the strategy to stop him early after watching some tapes of Burgos previous fights,” the Ajegunle-born boxer noted.

Cole said the fight would also serve as part of his preparation for his title defence later this year.

“Burgos is a tested boxer and a worthy opponent any day and could be very tricky, therefore it would help in my preparation for my title defence later this year,” he said Cole defeated German

opponent, Tom Reiche, to retain his Junior Middle Weight World Boxing Federation title after the referee stopped the fight in the

fourth round after too much torture from the Nigerian.

Tonight’s fight is billed for the city of Santiago Rodriguez.

Iheanacho scored a brace in Man City’s 4-2 defeat… yesterday

Amusan Sets World 100m Hurdles Junior Record Okagbare jumps dismal 6.21m in season opener

University of Texas in El Paso sprint hurdler, Amusan Tobiloba at the weekend in El Paso, Texas, USA returned Nigeria to the top of a track and field event by smashing the world junior record in the 100m hurdles.

She ran 12.83 seconds, one hundreth of a second faster than the 12.84 ran by Cuba’s Aliuska Lopez on July 16,1987 to become the only Nigerian with a world best after Uduak Ekah lost her indoor 60m world junior best of 7.09 seconds she set on March 7,1999 inside the Green Dome in Maebashi, Japan to Poland’s Ewa Swoboda who ran 7.07 seconds last February in Torun, Poland.

“It was a really nice race and my plan was just to get out of the blocks,” Amusan said. “When I first looked at the scoreboard and it said 13.3 (seconds) I was very mad, but then when the official results popped up and said 12.83 I screamed YES!!!

“It is really a privilege to run

sub 13 and it is great to see my goal come true that I have been training for over the past year,” stressed the hurdler online from her base in America.

Amusan didn’t end her phenomenal day in the 100m hurdles alone, she turned around a little than two hours later and clocked the fastest 200m dash time in Conference USA. She crossed the finish line in 23.24 for gold.

“I know I have good speed and know that I am capable of running a sub-23 second 200m dash, but a 23.2 is not a bad start,” noted Amusan who ran her first 200m dash in over two and a half years.

Amusan is now the fifth Nigerian to break the 13m barrier in the 100m hurdles after Gloria Alozie (12.44),Angela Atiede, Toyin Augustus (12.85) America-born Lindsey Lindley (12.97).

At the 107th Drake Relays in

Amusan… sets new 100m hurdles record Des Moines, Iowa, USA Blessing Okagbare opened her long jump campaign for the season with a disappointing 6.21m leap.

The event was won by

Lorraine Ugen of Britain who jumped a wind-aided 6.82m while former world champion, Britney Resse of the USA came second with a legal 6.74m leap.

In California, still in the USA, Toyin Augustus continued her impressive performance in her comeback bid by running 13.65 seconds in the 100m hurdles.

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

MONDAYSPORTS

NPFL: Giwa a Game Away from Expulsion Giwa FC failed to turn up in Ilorin on Sunday for their Nigeria league match against Wikki Tourists and they could now be just a game away from being expelled from the league.

Wikki thus conducted a walkover Giwa when it was clear they will not honour the game and there was no representation from them as to why they stayed away.

Jos club Giwa has been banished to Ilorin after their home game against Enugu Rangers was abandoned due to crowd trouble.

According to the framework and rules of the NPFL for the 2015/16 season, Article 13.27 clearly stipulated the consequence of missing consecutive matches without acceptable reasons to the organisers.

It reads: “If a club fails to honour two consecutive matches without an acceptable reason to LMC such a club shall be expelled from the League and its matches played and unplayed match shall be cancelled.”

And this sanction would also apply should Giwa fail to honour three cumulative matches in the season.

Article 13.28 stated: “If a Club fails to honour three matches cumulatively within the League season without an acceptable reason to the LMC such a club shall be expelled from the League and

its matches played and unplayed match shall be cancelled.”

Meanwhile, Nigeria league leaders Enugu Rangers were brought down to earth yesterday when they fell 3-1 at Rivers United in continuation of the championship.

It was their third loss of the campaign.

Rangers closest rivals Abia Warriors and FC IfeanyiUbah canceled themselves out with a goalless draw in Nnewi.

Second-placed Warriors now have 24 points, three points behind Rangers, while IfeanyiUbah are on 23 points.

Bernard Ovoke gave hosts Rivers United the lead from the penalty spot in the 17thminute after Chigozie Ihunda was brought down inside the box.

They doubled their advantage four minutes later through Christian Weli.

Former Bayelsa United striker Ovoke, who incidentally trained with Rangers in the close season with a view to signing a contract, completed his brace on the stroke of half time.

Rangers pulled a goal back in the 47th minute, when Gabriel Olalekan turned the ball into his own net for an own goal.

Both teams had chances to score later on in the game, but they failed to do so.

Kano Pillars shocked Sunshine Stars in Akure… yesterday

Pillars Give Sunshine Shock Treatment in Akure

Warri Peace Marathon to Hold May 28

Fred Edoreh

Preparations are in top gear for the maiden Warri Peace Marathon billed for May 28 in Warri Delta State According to organisers of the event, the 10km race is opened to local athletes and keep fit enthusiasts in Delta and environs.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has permitted the race, while the Delta State government has pledged moral and financial support for a successful outing in the first edition.

Race Promoter, Joyce Bozimo, said at the weekend that plans

The players, technical crew and fans of Sunshine Stars of Akure were left to wonder what hit them as Kano Pillars stylishly ambushed them on home ground to cart away all three points in the match day 14 encounter of the Nigeria Professional Football League, yesterday evening.

Hero and player of the day, Adamu Mohammed, came in as substitute for Omo Johnson in the 80th minute and did the MATCH DAY 14 Ikorodu FC 3-1 Heartland MFM FC 3-0 Akwa Utd Sunshine 0-1 Kanob Pillars Shooting 2-2 Plateau Utd Rivers Utd 3-1 Rangers Nasarawa 2-0 W’Wolves IfeanyiUbah 0-0 Abia Warr Enyimba 2-2 Lobi Tornadoes 1-0 Elkanemi *Wikki walks over Giwa

STANDINGS

Team P Rangers 14 Kano Pillars 13 Abia Warriors 13 Ifeanyiubah 14 Lobi Stars 14 Rivers Utd 14 MFM FC 14 Wikki 12 W’Wolves 13 Akwa Utd 14 Heartland 14 Nasarawa 14 Plateau Utd 14 Sunshine 14 Tornadoes 14 El-Kanemi 14 3SC 14 Enyimba 10 Giwa FC 13 Ikorodu Utd 14

W 8 7 6 7 6 7 6 5 5 5 5 6 5 4 5 5 5 4 4 2

D 3 3 6 2 4 1 4 4 4 3 3 0 3 5 2 1 1 2 2 3

damage two minutes afterwards when he drove to the extreme corner of the far post in a goal mouth tussle that left Sunshine goalkeeper Ezenwa blinded. The entire stadium was shocked to silence as they gazed at the eventual possibility of a home lose.

Pillars almost double the margin in the 89th minute when Prince Aggrey received a through pass in the box with Ezenwa at his mercy but he chose not to pull the trigger, preferring instead to cut back to place the ball on his right foot and he was dispossessed on the process.

Sunshine’s desperate charge back to remedy situation came to no avail as Dayo Ojo opened all salvo firing at close range in the 83rd, 84th and 88th minutes but Pillars keeper, Yusuf Mohammed kept producing stunning saves.

Mohammed would perhaps be the most stumbling block for Sunshine as he had also produced several such saves in the first half

L 3 3 1 5 4 6 4 3 4 6 6 8 6 5 7 8 8 4 7 9

GF 21 21 15 15 17 18 17 15 7 17 11 14 16 16 16 14 15 10 11 9

GA 15 12 8 13 13 15 15 6 9 16 13 18 21 13 17 19 23 10 17 22

GD 6 9 7 2 4 3 2 9 -2 1 -2 -4 -5 3 -1 -5 -8 0 -6 -13

Pts 27 24 24 23 22 22 22 19 19 18 18 18 18 17 17 16 16 14 14 9

to nullify the huge chances that Sunshine Stars created.

The encounter was opened with Sunshine’s Samad Quadri breaking in twice in the early minutes but Yusuf rushed out on those occasions to stop his shots just as Dayo Ojo’s 25th minute strike was blocked by the defense line.

Sunday Abe attempted two brilliant free kicks in the first half but one found the side net while Yusuf Mohammed parried the other for a corner kick. Lanky defender, Stephen Eze, also showed up for several corner kicks but his closes in the 27th minute was also block off to the corner.

Sunshine got close to drawing the first blood in the 70th minute as hard working substitute Dele Olorundare ran into a cross and nodded powerfully but his effort was returned by the bar.

It was a game in which Pillars demonstrated great tactical depth, keeping the pace under control, ensuring good presence in the midfield and measuring their movements on the attack while Sunshine kept probing and getting no answers.

Sunshine Team Manager, Solomon Ogbeide, said both teams exhibited the best of football but his players got punished for not taking their chances.

“It is often so in football that when you play well and do not convert the chances you create you get punished. That is what happened in this game. It is not as if Pillars did not play well to deserve their victory but my boys failed to take the so many chances they created. It was also a bit of hard luck especially if you consider the header by Dele Olorundare which hit the bar. I had thought the ball was already in.”

were at advanced stage to make the marathon a success.

“Things are shaping up for the event and we are looking forward to a good outing on May 28.

“The major reason for the marathon is to propagate peaceful coexistence among the tribes and communities that make up Delta State. We also want to reassure the youths that there is much more to life and healthy living instead of taking to crime and violent conducts,” said Mrs Bozimo.

She disclosed that the Delta

State government is keying into the event as part of its SMART agenda to move the state towards sustainable development and progress.

“We have a lot talented youths in the state and sports are one of the avenues the government is looking at as a vehicle to help build capacity for the youths.

“The government is also committed to peaceful coexistence in the state. So we are working together with the Delta Sports Commission to deliver a memorable marathon,” concludes the race promoter.

‘Completed Sports-city Swimming Pool to be Part of Buhari’s One-year Anniversary Celebration’ Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has said that the rehabilitated Olympic-size swimming pool at the National Stadium in Lagos will be part of the achievements in sports to mark President Muhammadu Buhari’s one year in office.

The minister gave the indication on a recent inspection visit of the facility on which he ordered resumption of rehabilitation immediately on assumption of office.

Satisfied with the progress of works he commended the contractor, Mr Joseph Odebeatu, the managing director of Jonac Engineering Services, for his commitment and requested him to tidy up whatever is left within two weeks so that a date could be fixed for the commissioning.

“I am indeed overwhelmed by the level of work. We can safely say the swimming pool has been completed. All that is left is just final touches for us

to commission the project for Nigerians to begin to use it.

The contractor has lived up to expectation and has defended his integrity. He may not have made monetary profit but money cannot buy the name he has made here,” Dalung enthused.

“In maximum two weeks, we should be through with the issue of the swimming pool so that it can be part of our celebration of one year in office.”

The minister stressed that the contractor has justified the reason for delaying the project before he (Dalung) came into office.

“His reason for the delay in the job before I came in has been justified. There were no funds for him to make progress. Even when we restarted, we hadn’t money to give him but there was the commitment that if you start we will try and provide funds and he indeed went out of his way to show commitment,” observed Dalung.

On the use and maintenance of the pool, the minister indicated that it will not be business as usual as it was in the past.

“This pool has been left unattended for the almost 20 years. We have not completed it for it to be returned speedily to status quo ante. We must ensure that this facility is put to maximum use. It must be well managed, kept neat and maintained. Anybody that is found culpable with regards to the maintenance of the facility should is to face stiff sanction.

The minister also ordered that similar rehabilitation work should be commenced on the children’s section of the pool to avail kids opportunities to learn and train.

“The children pool should also be completed for children to learn and train in swimming.

We must not deny children the opportunity of expressing their talent,” concludes the minister.

62

monDAY, mAY 2, 2016 • T H I S D AY

MONDAYSPORTS

South-south’s Champion of Champions Tourney Debuts Duro Ikhazuagbe As part of measures to fortify teams from the South-south geopolitical zone of the country as well as create a pool of fresh football talents for the country, winners of FA Cups of the six states have been listed to take part in a Champion of Champions Tournament scheduled to hold in Benin.

Already, Edo State Football Association and its sponsor, FROT Group, have concluded talks on the tournament.

States expected to feature in the eight-team tournament include Edo, Delta, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom. The runner up of the Edo FA final and Insurance FC of Benin City are to make up the list of teams for the tournament that has N1million as prize money with N500,000 for the second placed team.

Speaking in Lagos at the weekend, Chairman, Edo FA,

Frank Ilaboya, revealed that the success recorded during the state’s FA Cup final sponsored

by FROT Group prompted the decision to organise the Champion of Champions competition for teams from the South-south zone.

“The South South Champion of Champions, which will hold in the middle of May, will help the teams from the zone to test their might against the possible opposition they will meet during the national championship. It is also part of our efforts to revive the Edo State football culture.

“Our vision is to keep Edo State busy at all times and also give the budding talents in our state the avenue to express themselves.”

Ilaboya disclosed that the competition would involve national team coaches at all levels, adding that at the end of the competition they will keep a database of all the players who featured in the competition.

He added: “We will play in

two centres, which is the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium and the University of Benin sports centre with eight teams including Edo FA Cup runners up and the Insurance of Benin.

“We have already discussed with the FA chairmen of the states and they have agreed to be part of it. We have also informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), who arte the custodians of the game in the country and they are in support of it.”

While also throwing light on the tournament, President of FROT Group, Frank Momoh, said his company plans to help grow football in the country because it is the biggest galvaniser of the youths of the country, adding that many Nigerians can make their living through football.

“The Edo FA Cup was the pilot project we used to know the nitty-gritty of football sponsorship.

Because of its success, we decided to take it a little notch higher.

“We were able to see some diamonds that need polishing and so we decided to bring all the FA Cup winners of the South-south states to the Champion of Champions Tournament.

“The Champion of Champions winner will get N1 million, while the second placed team will get N500, 000. All the teams will get appearance fees. The competition will be in a knockout format, with final holding at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

Momoh is anticipating that other zones of the country will key into this tournament by also creating platforms to keep their youths busy.

“I hope all the other zones will borrow a leaf from this initiative and start their own competition so that we can have a national championship in the future,” concludes the FROT Group president.

Frank Momoh, Chairman, FROT Group

Organisers Restate Commitment to Host World-class Okpekpe Race Organisers of the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race have restated their readiness to organise a bigger and better event on Saturday, May 7 in Okpekpe in Edo State.

Race Director, Zakari Amodu, observed at the weekend that the first and only IAAF Bronze Label race in Nigeria will live up to its billing as one of the prestigious road races in the world.

“Everything is set for a good race,” begins Amodu.

“The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) have set requirements for us to follow as a bronze label event and I can tell you we have met all the requirements and have even moved several steps higher,” he continued.

“What we are waiting for is just for the race day to be here so that we can put into practice all we have been doing in terms of keeping to the requirements.

“We have met the requirement

concerning the number of elite athletes that must be present for a bronze label event. In fact, we have met the requirement for a gold label event which, considered alongside other requirements which we have also met will facilitate our upgrade into a silver label event,” he further said and revealed they have met other conditions like insurance cover for the athletes, the equality of the prize money, doping controls and other requirements outlined by the IAAF. “The IAAF requested that we subscribe to a third party liability insurance policy to cover the risks for which the race organisation may be held liable, including any accident which might occur to athletes and officials and this we have done with Linkage Assurance.

“The international body also requested that prize money offered to competitors, including bonuses

Igweh Emerges IBB Golf Club Captain Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Okechukwu Igweh was at the weekend elected the new captain of IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

Igweh, proprietor of Bolingo Hotel, secured 256 votes at the club’s Annual General Meeting to defeat Commodore Nathus who had 76 votes.

The single- digit handicapper will now lead a new Executive Committee for one year, effectively succeeding Hamid Abbo, whose term elapsed last month.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sunday I. Ameh, was elected the Vice Captain following his victory by huge margin over

Geoff Onyejegbu.

Tola Atoyebi won a keenly contested race with Abel Abia- Bassey for the post of Club Secretary.

Mrs Lami Ahmed emerged the Lady Captain after she beat Mrs Grace Ihonvbere with a difference of 26 votes. Ahmed had previously served the lady section as Assistant Handicap Secretary and Vice Captain.

Chris Shaiyen and Clement Chinaka were elected unopposed as Social Secretary and Course Officer respectively.

Okezie Ogali was reelected for the second time in three years as the Competition Secretary.

Yusuf Modibbo is the new Treasurer.

for times achieved shall be equal for all competitors regardless of their nationality or gender – in other words prize money for places should be equal for men and women and for nationals of the host country and athletes of other nationalities. This we have also done where the prize money for the first eight finishers are the same for men and women,” Amodu explained and added that drinking/sponging and refreshment stations will be adequately staffed by competent personnel and that water and refreshments shall be provided free of charge for all participants on the course and at the finish area.

“The whole course from Apana Road to Okpekpe will be closed to vehicular traffic, with the exclusion of official vehicles, for the duration of the event. The start will be traffic-free until the last runner has started and the finish will be traffic free until the last runner finishes.

On doping we have appointed one of Nigeria’s foremost sports medicine practitioners, Dr Akinwunmi Amao to be our chief anti-doping officer and everything needed to ensure a dope-free race have been provided,” said Amodu who

World-class road runners are expected in Okpekpe this weekend for the fourth edition of the 10km road race explained that athletes are always scared when they know the man heading the antidoping unit is a no-nonsense and honest.

“That’s what we have in Dr

Amao. We have also provided a doping station at the finish area for the race. You can see that we are very ready for Saturday,” concludes Amodu.

The Okpekpe International

10km Road Race is organised

by Pamodzi Sports Marketing, a leader in sports marketing, sponsorship, hospitality and rights acquisition business with operations in Nigeria.

Managing Partner, Aluko & Oyebode, Mr Gbenga Oyebode, presenting the 2016 Bankole Olumide Aluko Lawyers League trophy to Stanley Imhanruor, captain of Falana & Falana in Lagos… recently

63

T H I S D AY • MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016

MONDAYSPORTS LEAGUES OF THE WORLD

EPL: Martial Delays Leicester’s Coronation Party Leicester City yesterday moved to within two points of the English Premier League title after holding Manchester United to a draw at Old Trafford - and will clinch it today if Tottenham fails to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Foxes recovered well from a shaky start, during which they went behind after eight minutes when Anthony Martial drilled home a nearpost finish from Antonio Valencia’s cross.

Claudio Ranieri’s side demonstrated the strength of purpose that has become their trademark this season when captain Wes Morgan outmuscled United’s defenders to head the equaliser past David de Gea nine minutes later.

Both sides had penalty appeals turned down when United’s Marcos Rojo blocked off Riyad Mahrez and when Leicester’s Danny Drinkwater was sent off late on after receiving a second yellow card for dragging back Memphis Depay, with referee Michael Oliver ruling it was right on the edge of the area.

Leicester’s supporters celebrated long and loud after the final whistle but this was a blow to United’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions

League as they now stand four points behind fourth-placed Manchester City with only three games left.

Leicester City did not quite complete the formalities of the greatest story the Premier League has ever told - but it surely will not be long before they can officially celebrate this spectacular triumph.

Thousands of visiting fans stayed behind well after the final whistle at Old Trafford in a demonstration of sheer elation as this dream journey towards a first top-flight crown reaches its conclusion.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal gave his counterpart Ranieri a warm, almost congratulatory, greeting at the final whistle, while those home fans still inside the stadium rose to applaud Leicester’s players as they made their way to the dressing room.

It was another sign of the wave of goodwill that has accompanied Ranieri and his players on this momentous journey.

The scenery now shifts to Stamford Bridge this night, where the title will be Leicester’s if Spurs do not beat Chelsea.

And even if they do, a victory at home to Everton will seal the deal next Saturday.

Serie A: Milan Held, Juve Celebrates Title in Turin Mario Balotelli missed a penalty as AC Milan, jeered off the field after a dismal first half, drew 3-3 with lowly Frosinone in Serie A yesterday while Palermo’s late survival bid continued with a 2-0 win over Sampdoria.

Juventus, who clinched a fifth successive Serie A title last Monday, refused to let up and notched their 25th win in 26 league games by beating lowly Carpi 2-0.

Carpi, in their debut season in Serie A, stayed 17th, one place above the relegation zone, with 35 points and are only ahead of Palermo on goal difference, with the two teams tied on their head-to-head record.

Frosinone, who like Carpi are playing in the top flight for the first time, are four points adrift of safety in 19th and, with two games left, look set to go straight back to Serie B. Milan’s season has gone from bad to worse since they fired coach Sinisa Mihajlovic three weeks ago and reached a new low when they lost to bottom-of-the-table Verona on Monday.

It looked even worse at halftime at San Siro as Frosinone led 2-0 with goals from Luca Paganini and Oliver Kragl but Milan, under interim

coach Christian Brocchi, hit back after the break with the help of two penalties awarded for handball.

Balotelli squandered the first at the start of the half when his effort was saved by Francesco Bardi but Jeremy Menez made no mistake in the second minute of stoppage time to rescue a point for the hosts.

In between, Carlos Bacca pulled one back for Milan in the 50th minute, Federico Dionisi made it 3-1 for Frosinone after a blunder by Milan defender Alex five minutes later and Luca Antonelli replied for Milan with a bicycle kick.

There was also time for Balotelli, who has had a dreadful season, to smash a shot against the bar with the last kick of the game.

Milan dropped to seventh below Sassuolo who beat Verona 1-0.

Palermo, who have had a chaotic season with eight coaching changes, overcame a subdued Sampdoria after Franco Vazquez scored in the first half and Nenad Krsticic turned the ball into his own net with five minutes left.

Juventus midfielder Hernanes, with his first goal for the club, and Simone Zaza scored in each half to increase Carpi’s relegation worries. Juventus have 88 points from 36 games, 15 clear of Napoli who host Atalanta this evening.

Leicester City’s captain Wes Morgan (left) celebrating the equaliser with a teammate at Old Trafford… yesterday

EPL

Team P Leicester 36 Tottenham 35 Arsenal 36 Man City 36 Man Utd 35 West Ham 35 Sot’ampton 36 Liverpool 35 Stoke City 36 Chelsea 34 Everton 35 Watford 35 Swansea 36 West Brom 36 Bournemouth 36 Cry’ Palace 36 Newcastle 36 Sunderland 35 Norwich 35 Aston Villa 36

BUNDESLIGA

Team P Bayern Mun 32 Dortmund 32 Leverkusen 32 Mo’ngladbach 32 Hertha BSC 32 Schalke 04 32 Mainz 05 32 FC Koln 32 Ingolstadt 04 32 Wolfsburg 32 Hamburger 32 Augsburg 32 Hoffenheim 32 Darmstadt 98 32 Stuttgart 31 Frankfurt 32 Werder Bre 31 Hannover 96 32

W 22 19 19 19 17 15 16 15 13 12 10 12 11 10 11 10 8 7 8 3

D 11 12 10 7 9 14 9 10 9 11 14 8 10 11 8 9 9 11 7 7

L 3 4 7 10 9 6 11 10 14 11 11 15 15 15 17 17 19 17 20 26

GF 64 65 59 68 43 60 53 59 38 53 55 36 37 32 43 36 39 40 35 27

GA 34 26 34 38 31 43 39 48 52 46 49 42 50 46 63 46 64 58 61 72

GD 30 39 25 30 12 17 14 11 -14 7 6 -6 -13 -14 -20 -10 -25 -18 -26 -45

Pts 77 69 67 64 60 59 57 55 48 47 44 44 43 41 41 39 33 32 31 16

W 26 24 17 15 14 14 13 10 10 10 10 9 9 8 9 8 8 6

D 4 5 6 4 7 6 7 11 10 9 8 10 10 11 6 9 7 4

L 2 3 9 13 11 12 12 11 12 13 14 13 13 13 16 15 16 22

GF 75 80 52 63 41 46 43 36 30 43 37 40 38 36 46 33 43 29

GA 15 31 36 49 40 47 41 40 37 48 44 48 49 50 63 51 63 59

GD 60 49 16 14 1 -1 2 -4 -7 -5 -7 -8 -11 -14 -17 -18 -20 -30

Pts 82 77 57 49 49 48 46 41 40 39 38 37 37 35 33 33 31 22

LA LIGA

Team P Barcelona 36 Atletico 36 Real Madrid 36 Villarreal 35 Athletic Club 36 Celta Vigo 36 Sevilla 36 Valencia 35 Las Palmas 36 Malaga 35 Eibar 36 Sociedad 36 Real Betis 36 Espanyol 36 Deportivo 36 Granada CF 36 Rayo 36 Sporting Gijon 36 Getafe 36 Levante 35

SERIE A

Team Juventus Napoli Roma Inter Fiorentina Sassuolo Milan Chievo Lazio Torino Genoa Empoli Atalanta Bologna Sampdoria Udinese Carpi Palermo Frosinone Verona

P 36 35 35 35 36 36 36 36 35 36 35 36 35 36 36 36 36 36 36 36

W 27 27 26 17 17 16 14 11 12 10 11 11 10 11 7 9 8 9 9 7

D 4 4 6 10 7 9 10 11 7 12 9 9 11 7 18 9 11 8 8 8

L 5 5 4 8 12 11 12 13 17 13 16 16 15 18 11 18 17 19 19 20

GF 104 60 105 42 55 50 49 44 44 31 46 42 31 36 43 42 48 37 35 33

GA 29 16 32 31 44 57 43 42 49 32 56 47 50 67 59 65 70 61 64 63

GD 75 44 73 11 11 -7 6 2 -5 -1 -10 -5 -19 -31 -16 -23 -22 -24 -29 -30

Pts 85 85 84 61 58 57 52 44 43 42 42 42 41 40 39 36 35 35 35 29

W 28 22 20 19 17 14 14 13 13 12 12 11 10 11 10 10 8 9 8 4

D 4 7 11 7 9 13 12 10 9 9 7 10 11 8 10 8 11 8 7 13

L 4 6 4 9 10 9 10 13 13 15 16 15 14 17 16 18 17 19 21 19

GF 69 72 74 47 56 45 47 43 45 50 39 37 37 33 48 33 34 35 35 30

GA 18 30 38 32 40 39 40 42 47 51 43 46 43 44 53 57 53 63 71 59

GD 51 42 36 15 16 6 7 1 -2 -1 -4 -9 -6 -11 -5 -24 -19 -28 -36 -29

Pts 88 73 71 64 60 55 54 49 48 45 43 43 41 41 40 38 35 35 31 25

TR

Monday May 2, 2016

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE NLC to Osun Govt

“Osun State Government designed another means of sacking some workers from the tertiary institutions owned by the state over a mere petition and plan is ongoing to reduce staff strength at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo because doctors embarked on a strike while demanding their rights.” – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun State criticising the state government for the way its workers are treated especially the payment of half salaries since July 2015.

CHIDIAMUTA GUEST COLUMNIST

A

Beyond Nomadic Terror

mobile version of the growing national terror culture has wandered onto centre stage. Itinerant herdsmen that have been part of our ancient cattle rearing and transport culture have actively joined the competition for pre-eminence in violence with Boko Haram, Niger Delta militants, sundry gunmen, transactional kidnappers and the rest.

The supposed herdsmen are killing people on an industrial scale, burning people’s houses in their route communities, razing whole communities and spreading hate and instability even in places that had hosted them for decades.

President Muhammadu Buhari, initially reticent about naming the scourge, has finally done the obvious and necessary, more than six months behind sensible expectation. He has directed the security establishment to do what they are established and paid to do: rein in the marauding herdsmen and sundry mobile terror squads, find and arrest culprits and prosecute those responsible for so much death, devastation and growing insecurity. While we wait for the outcome of this presidential directive, we need to expand our understanding of why suddenly traditional escorts of meat cattle have become bearers of death and destruction across the nation.

To simply content ourselves with referring to these mindless butchers as ‘herdsmen’ is to taint an ancient and legitimate occupation with a bad name. Furthermore, to limit their ethnic source to ‘Fulani’ is again to assign this criminal brigandage an ethnic badge and use that badge to profile one of Nigeria’s proud nationalities. Both approaches are manifestations of the lazy and simplistic Nigerian approach to discourse and governance. Simply put, these murderers are not made so because they are either Fulani or happen to be engaged in cattle herding.

Those who are familiar with the beginnings of the Darfur crisis in Sudan would understand the role played by the Janjaweed militia, a mobile killer squad in the escalation of the Sudanese crisis. These squads were armed and mobilised by powerful political interests to carry out relentless attacks on settlements of non-Arab Sudanese in the Darfur province. These raids and attacks were at first sporadic until they became systematic. The raids had common characteristics with the unfolding herdsmen scourge here: they were carried out by squads that seemed well armed and carefully trained. They killed people in large numbers, razed whole villages and never stopped to hold territory. Like all terrorists, they were only content in the chilling aftermath of their onslaught. Most important from a national security point of view, the Sudanese security forces knew and aided these operations!

There are other disturbing security-related chatters in the Nigerian situation. Somehow, the militarisation of the herdsmen has coincided with the routing of Boko Haram by the Nigerian military in the North-east. Also this militarisation, most will admit, was not always a feature of the herdsmen culture in the country. Is there then a possibility that Boko Haram may have infiltrated and is arming and using selected groups of herdsmen to penetrate and strike Nigeria at unexpected vulnerable points? The other day, the Guards Brigade in Abuja arrested a truck load of well armed herdsmen. Arms that have sometimes been recovered from or been deployed by the militant herdsmen include AK-47s, and high impact pistols. In a few cases, unconfirmed reports indicate the deployment of Rocket Propelled Grenades in demolishing houses in communities in places like Agatu in Benue State. The choice of target communities does not quite seem so random and should concern our security experts. Why attack communities in places where the likelihood of bloody reprisals is high (the South-east?) and could spark off genocidal waves? Are these herdsmen reading a map of the

Buhari country in their exploits for some reason?

More disturbing, there is a gruesome intentionality about some of the recent attacks, an indication that these supposed herdsmen set out with a more pointed definition of mission objectives than the mere escort of livestock would warrant. There are more questions: who and what defines their mission objectives? Who pays for the sophisticated weapons they bear and use? Who trains them in the use of assault rifles and possibly Rocket Propelled Grenade launchers?

The quest for solutions must be comprehensive and go beyond the mere arrest of a few criminals.

On the face of it, there is criminality, which needs to be apprehended and severely punished through the appropriate machineries of law enforcement and the judicial process. There is also national security, which needs to apply greater analytical intelligence to understand the changed nature of the behaviour of our herdsmen.

We need to trace the source of their arms, their contacts, sponsors, their money trail and unlock their cell phones to decipher who they call, who they email etc. This dimension is made imperative by our experience with Boko Haram. Under the nose of our security establishment, a vicious army of terrorists was raised. They trained huge numbers in camps on weapon handling and IED making, acquired dangerous weapons, vehicles and developed an intricate logistical capacity. They even affiliated with Al Qaeda and now ISIS. We are yet to get over that tragic and shameful security failure.

But by far the more demanding task is to seriously seek ways of solving permanently the sociological, cultural and economic issues at stake in the whole national phenomenon of nomadic cattle rearing. Nigeria is not the only country that has had to confront this problem. The state of Israel inherited a similar situation with Bedouin desert Arabs when Israel was established.

These groups had settlements and migrated from one location to the other with their livestock. They were an insular culture onto themselves and sought to keep the territories where they settled or through which they migrated their livestock. But their pattern of livelihood did not guarantee them full citizenship rights in education, property ownership, modernisation and even optimum agricultural productivity. They also tended to disturb the peace in clashes with the new settlers and even the authorities.

Israel dealt with the matter as a challenge of modernisation of agricultural production and the spread of the benefits of citizenship to all irrespective of pre-existing ethnic or cultural peculiarities. The government applied a combination of settlement modernisation and integration, affirmative action in education, agricultural credit and modernisation of animal farming techniques. There were programmes of deliberate empowerment of the Bedouin communities to

a point where they have become hardly distinguishable in terms of standards of life and enlightenment from the rest of Israeli society. They still have their cultural identity but as full Israeli citizens. The rest is history.

Against this background, then, some of the solutions that Nigerian authorities have conceived are either lazy or downright foolish. To delineate grazing zones or national pasture land by legislation is a lazy stunt replete with future conflicts. To seek to re-decorate the existing ancient culture of migratory grazing as a government public relations gambit is foolish and even fraudulent. On the contrary, we need to interrogate a culture that condemns a segment of our citizenry to earning a living only by escorting cattle on foot from the hills of Adamawa to the rain forests of Ondo, Abia, Rivers or Imo. We need to rise above a tradition that insists that these Nigerians can only realise their potentials as citizens in perpetual homelessness. The nomadic Fulani have no address, no homes they can call their own, no property rights, no sense of place and owned space. Strictly speaking, these citizens are always on the move and therefore have no enforceable citizenship rights or binding obligations. And the federal government has over the years consecrated this homelessness into a credo by introducing nomadic education, building nomadic schools and instituting other silly palliatives that have stigmatised the Fulani and brought the nation to the present sorry pass.

For the avoidance of doubt, there is no relationship between productive cattle farming and the ancient nomadism we are encouraging. In fact, the nomadic phase in human history belongs to a very early stage in the development of human civilisation and society.

Most societies have since left that behind. Even Nigeria has largely turned its back on antiquated cultures but only clings to some aspects when it is politically convenient. Those who are in the process of legislating in favour of a continuation of nomadic

cattle rearing in Abuja are clutching sophisticated smart phones, drive state of the art cars and live in homes with touch screen TVs and Hollywood type gadgetry. But they conveniently want to consign millions of our countrymen into a pre-Medieval mode of agricultural production that imprisons them in congenital poverty.

Nomadism and the violence it is breeding in Nigeria have nothing to do with cattle farming. Otherwise the nations with the largest cattle inventory and which produce most of the world’s meat stock would have the most nomads. According FAO figures of world cattle inventory, the top six countries are Brazil (212 million), India (190 million), China (114 million), United States (90 million), Ethiopia (54 million) and Argentina (51 million). Nigeria has only 20 million heads of mostly disease riddled, emaciated cattle and ranks 14th in the global inventory, accounting for a miserable 1.36% of the global number. Has anyone heard of Indian, Chinese or American nomads killing people and burning houses?

Our challenge is therefore one of modernisation of cattle production as a sub set of our overall agricultural production strategy. Happily, President Buhari has relentlessly harped on agriculture as focal to his change agenda. Let us then insist that within the next 24 months, it will become criminal to be found roaming Nigeria with cattle. In return, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should dedicate funds to encourage settled cattle farming through the establishment of ranches and large-scale cattle farms. The northern states should in fact compete as to who achieves 100% settled cattle farming fastest in return for a federal grant. I guess the settled cattle farms should boast of modern amenities and would create massive employment opportunities both for former herdsmen and an army of other Nigerians.

• Dr. Amuta is Chairman of Wilson & Weizmann Associates Ltd., Lagos

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