Wednesday 1st June 2016

Buhari to CBN: No Objection to Flexible Exchange Rate Nigeria's Foreign Trade Declines to N2.72tn from N3.51tn Bolaji Adebiyi, with agency report, James Emejo in Abuja, David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Faced with an economy nearing recession and inflation at the highest in almost six years, President Muhammadu Buhari

has backed down on his refusal to allow the naira to weaken.

The President, according to Bloomberg, has given the Central Bank of Nigeria the

go-ahead to introduce a more flexible exchange-rate system even as he remains against a devaluation of the naira.

The foreign news agency

quoted the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, “The president is opposed to devaluing the naira, he

has said so repeatedly…but he has given them (CBN) the leeway to introduce what he has called ‘flexibility in managing the currency’s value.”

Senate Slams Fashola over Poor Power Supply… Page 8

The President had said in his Democracy Day speech on Sunday that he supported a stable currency, though he would keep “a close look at how recent measures affect the Continued on page 8

Wednesday 1 June, 2016 Vol 21. No 7706. Price: N250

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We Acted in Self Defence over Biafra Day Killings, Says Military Igbo leaders meet Buhari Catholic Bishops protest IG directs police to disarm activists Dele Ogbodo, Senator Iroegbu, Paul Obi, Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Charles Onyekamuo in Awka The Nigeria Army yesterday gave reasons for the killing of some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), saying the security forces acted in self-defence when their intervention to restore law and order was resisted by the agitators.

The military alleged that the protests were designed by the sponsors to mar the Democracy Day celebrations held nationwide on Sunday.

The Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Col. Hamza Gambo, stated this while giving an account on what transpired.

He said the incident that led to the drafting of soldiers to quell the violent protests left about five members of IPOB/ MASSOB dead, while several Continued on page 10

HOW DO YOU RATE BUHARI’S MINISTERS? SEE THISDAY MINISTERIAL DASHBOARD ON PAGES 53 – 57

A BOOST TO POWER SUPPLY

L-R: US Ambassador, James Entswintle, Country Director, USAID, Mr. Harvey Michael, and Chairman, Board of Directors, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Mr. Charles Momoh, after the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between EKEDC and USAID/Tetra Tech in Abuja… recently

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Senate Slams Fashola over Poor Power Supply Govt plans staggered sale of 10 NIPP plants Chineme Okafor and Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Joint Senate Committee on Power, Employment, Labour and Productivity yesterday lamented the deplorable state of power supply in the country and told the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, to live up to his responsibility.

The committee’s rebuke of Fashola coincided with THISDAY's findings yesterday that the federal, state and local governments, owners of the 10 NIPP plants, have decided to stagger their sale to private entities.

Lamenting the state of power supply in the country, the Senate committee accused Fashola of defending what it perceived as an unjustifiable increase in electricity tariff, lashing him for unnecessarily defending, pampering and protecting the power firms.

The committee expressed its anger at a public hearing it organised on the hike in electricity tariff in the country. Fashola was

accompanied to the hearing by the acting Chairman, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Anthony Akah.

The minister, who had argued that adequate consultations were carried out among stakeholders in the power sector before the new tariff was fixed, asked those expecting the federal government to reverse the 45 per cent increase in electricity tariff to perish the thought.

According to him, doing so would be counter-productive.

He said it was too early to judge the effectiveness of the privatisation of the nation's power sector, which was done only in 2013 by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He asked the Senate to study the report of the House of Representatives, which he said had earlier carried out a similar public hearing, noting that the report would give the Senate a comprehensive knowledge of events, which led to the hike in electricity tariff.

He defended the 45 per cent

tariff increase done by NERC, regretting, however, that the destruction of pipelines in Niger Delta region by some militants had continued to frustrate efforts to improve power supply.

He said: "Let me say again with all relevancies and for the purpose of those who will benefit from this public hearing that today there is no (Power Holding Company of Nigeria) PHCN anymore. And we must migrate because we have moved on from it. As a minister, I inherited a power sector where government interests had been illegally sold and therefore, I don't control how power is distributed.

I don’t control how power is generated as was possible to do in the past.

"They are now largely private businesses except those where government now has some minority shares and so, government is now a minority shareholder in businesses where there are majority shareholders and we can only exercise collaborative pressure to get things done, but things must be done now on a commercial

basis."

Fashola said in the past, it was easy for government managing the distribution access to say “give power to the people; don't collect money”. But he said this was no longer possible because government had become a minority shareholder in the business.

"Government's control is limited and it is largely exercising regulatory activities through the NERC, which sets the tariff. So, my interventions here would be largely to express why I support what NERC has done and to help amplify my understanding of it,” the minister said.

According to him, “The distribution companies (DISCOS) were making it very clear to us that if we did not give them the market reflective tariff, it meant that government would have to carry the continuing cost that accumulated in the region of about a trillion naira.

"We are not insensitive to Nigerians owing to their challenges. We are looking for the best way to solve what

BUHARI TO CBN: NO OBJECTION TO FLEXIBLE EXCHANGE RATE naira and the economy.”

Buhari’s media aide’s comments, which came days after the Central Bank of Nigeria said it planned to introduce a more flexible exchange-rate regime, cleared traders guess on whether the President supported the bank’s plan.

Bloomberg quoted a money manager at Aberdeen Asset Management Plc, which sold all its Nigerian government debt in response to currency controls, Kevin Daly, as saying, “The authorities are acknowledging they need to do something.

“They realize this policy is doomed. The question now is how you implement it and how you save face.”

Nigeria has held the naira at 197-199 per dollar since March 2015, even as other oil exporters from Russia to Colombia and Malaysia let their currencies drop amid the slump in crude prices since mid-2014. Foreign reserves dwindled as the central bank of Africa’s largest oil producer defended the peg, while foreign investors, fearing a devaluation, sold Nigerian stocks and bonds.

Three-month non-deliverable naira forwards have weakened about 35 naira to 283 per dollar since the central bank announced its change of direction, suggesting traders anticipate the currency may trade near that level in the event of a devaluation.

The Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had said on May 24 that policy makers were considering a two-tier currency system, with the naira trading nearer a market-related level in the interbank market while the central bank would continue to allocate dollars to strategic industries at a fixed rate, adding that the new system would be implemented shortly.

The Head of Research at Sterling Capital Markets Limited, Sewa Wusu, has, however, criticised Buhari’s positions as contradictory.

“How do you say you don’t believe in devaluation if that is what will create a fair price or bring about a market-determined

rate?” Wusu told Bloomberg by phone from Lagos. “The government should come out clearly and say what it wants,” he said.

Nigeria's Foreign Trade Declines in First Quarter Nigeria's total merchandise trade continued its downward trajectory, falling to N2.72 trillion in the first quarter of the year (Q1 2016), representing a 22.6 per cent decline or N793.5 billion compared to N3.51 trillion in the previous quarter. Foreign trade was recorded at N4.02 trillion in Q3 2014.

According to the Foreign Trade Statistics for First Quarter, which was released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday, falling exports as well as sharp decline in imports caused a negative trade balance within the period.

It said the steep decline in exports brought the country’s trade balance down to a negative value of -N184.1 billion, or N548.7 billion less than what obtained in the preceding quarter.

According to the NBS, the country's crude oil component of total trade decreased by N716.7 billion or 46.6 per cent against the level recorded in Q4 2015.

The value of exports totalled N1.26 trillion in Q1, representing a decrease of N671.1 billion or 34.6 per cent over the N2.07 trillion recorded in the preceding quarter.

Year-on-year, exports dropped

by N1.39 trillion or 52.3 per cent against the export value recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2015.

The country's export trade was still dominated by crude oil exports, which accounted for 64.7 per cent or about N821.9 billion of total domestic exports.

According to the statistical agency, quarter-on-quarter exports fell 34.6 per cent and 52.3 per cent year-on-year while imports dropped 7.8 per cent and 15.8 per cent.

On the other hand, import trade stood at N1.45 trillion, representing

7.8 per cent drop from the N1.57 trillion recorded in the previous quarter and a further decrease of 273.7 billion or 15.8 per cent year-on-year.

India, Spain and the Netherlands are Nigeria's major trade partners respectively in Q1 while China, India and the USA constituted major sources of the country's imports.

Meanwhile, the federal government has said it hopes to achieve the 3.7 per cent projected general growth outlook for the African continent through enhancing global competitiveness of locally made products.

The Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelama, said this at the one-day sensitisation workshop yesterday.

Enelama who was represented by a director in the ministry, Adesola Olusola, said the 25 per cent subsidy on standardisation was targeted at ensuring that the economy is diversified through the export of globally competitive finished products as set by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

“The decision of SON to embark on the 25 per cent subsidy programme is particularly auspicious given the current concerns on the need to make Nigerian products competitive in the domestic and export markets, a veritable strategy for the federal government to achieve the diversification of the national income base.

“At the heart of this effort are the twin issues of standard and quality of our locally manufactured goods and services, inadequate attention to them over the years has been a major challenge to their competitiveness and the country’s ability to achieve the projected 3.7 per cent growth outlook for the African continent in 2016,” he said.

Enelama called on manufacturers to freely and voluntarily key into the project and urged Nigerians to generously patronise certified made-in-Nigeria products to further empower the people economically and create jobs.

On their parts, some indigenous manufacturers lauded the SON for enhancing the minimum standard of Nigerian products through effective monitoring.

Head Marketing, Research and Development of Chikason Industries, Mr. Amechi Chukwu, said making local products attain global standards would enhance the employment generation of indigenous industries.

Chukwu who said the company currently had no fewer than 2,449 employees in Nigeria alone, urged the Federal Government to ease the cost of doing business in the country.

Also speaking, Mr. Jude Ike, Head, Marketing of Tummy Tummy Foods Industries, said the 25 per cent subsidy on standardisation if implemented would go a long way to help entrepreneurs stay in business.

Ike who described the attitude of Nigerians to consuming quality local goods as satisfactory, bemoaned the high cost of production especially due to poor supply.

He said the Tummy Tummy brand remained committed to minimum industrial standards as set by SON and urged the Federal Government to ease the access to forex to enable local firms procure standard raw materials that were sourced abroad.

Earlier in his speech, the Acting Director General of SON, Mr. Paul Angya, said the organisation would continue to protect Nigerian consumers from fake and substandard products.

Angya said the subsidy scheme was aimed at enhancing the viability Nigeria-made products and enable firms conform to standards.

Declaring the event open, Gov Willie Obiano called for the building of a standard test laboratory in Anambra as it had a thriving industrial sector.

Obiano who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof.

Solo Chukwulobelu, lauded the SON for its pro-activeness and promised to continue collaborating with the agency.

has become an over 60 year’s problem since 1950 when Electricity Company of Nigeria was first created.”

Fashola said one of the reasons why tariff had to go up was that a major component, a significant number of the nation’s power plant depended on gas, adding that there were only three hydro out of about 26 power plants.

"We were heavily dependent on gas, people were exporting gas because gas was selling outside the country at $4 and it was selling for domestic use at $1. Government reviewed that price to a total of $3," he said.

In his submission, Akah said NERC painstakingly engaged power firms and as well as carried out wide and extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders before fixing the new tariff.

He listed those consulted to include the organised labour involving the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), which has persistently called for the reversal of the tariff, disclosing that labour did not raise any formal objection in writing before or after the increase.

But the representatives of labour at the public hearing, Messrs Chris Okonkwo of TUC and Joe Ajaero of NLC, insisted that power supply was better off before the tariff hike than now as they viewed the increase as exploitative.

Meanwhile, THISDAY learnt that the 10 gas power stations built under the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Plc might be sold in bits.

The paper yesterday exclusively gathered from top government sources who are aware of the new development that barring any last minute changes in advanced discussions on how to salvage the almost messy privatisation of the plants, a staggered sales strategy has been picked as the most viable option to conclude the process.

The sources explained in Abuja that by this, the owners — federal, state and local governments — had agreed to now sell the plants to the already preferred bidders one after the other.

They noted that any of the plants that is ready and its preferred bidders that are also ready to continue with the suspended negotiations would now be allowed to be sold independently instead of waiting for a collective conclusion of the transaction as it was the case before.

THISDAY was however told by the sources that the office of the Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo had been busy with key stakeholders to push forward the transactions and that the result of the engagement was the option of staggered privatisation.

It was also learnt that some of the preferred bidders are quite comfortable with the new strategy and had expressed their willingness to go on with it.

The new approach, they further explained, would now allow the transaction team comprising the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), NDPHC and CPCS Transcom International Limited

– the transaction advisors — to pick a plant and solely conclude its privatisation, thus sidestepping the former strategy of collective sale of the 10.

It was further learnt that in line with the discussions on this, the Calabar and Geregu stations have been pencilled down as the first two on which this strategy will be tried out.

The choice of the two plants, they said, was based on their level of operation, having reportedly been completed and in the case of Geregu, already generating power to the national grid.

According to them, the strategy will subsequently be used to privatise other plants that are ready or will be ready.

The government’s privatisation of the 10 power plants had been suspended for reasons relating to poor or lack of gas supply to some of them, amongst others, and for which their preferred bidders have held on to, thereby withholding the completion of their payments for the plants.

On November 8, 2013, the NDPHC and BPE received 66 proposals for the 10 generation plants which have over 5,000 megawatts (MW) installed production capacity.

The financial bids for the plants were then opened on March 7, 2014, and preferred and reserve bidders were determined afterwards.

However, the transaction had not gone beyond that stage when the preferred bidders alleged that the government raised some issues that were not part of what government promised them upon their entry into the transaction.

Some of the preferred bidders for the plant include AITEO Consortium, which bidded $902,000,000 for Alaoji; EMA Consortium, which put in $580,000,000 for Benin station and $625,000,000 for Calabar plant; Dozzy Integrated Power Limited with its $415,075,000 for Egbema; and KDI Energy Resources with $340,000,000 for Gbarain.

Others are Yellowstone Electric Power Limited with $613,111,113 for Geregu; Daniel Power Consortium has $531,777,777 for Ogorode; ENL Consortium Limited put in $751,240,000 for Olorunsogo; Shayobe International Limited Consortium has $318,710,840 for Omoku and Omotosho Electric Power, which tabled $659,999,000 for Omotosho power plant.

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN TRANSCORP 0.14 1.66 ETRANZACT 0.45 5.46 UPL 0.22 4.64 CONTINENTAL 0.05 1.15 LEARNAFRICA 0.03 0.79 TOP LOSERS NGN NGN ZENITHBANK 1.60 14.98 ETI 1.73 16.32 FBNHOLDINGS 0.41 3.95 LAFARGEAFRICA 6.44 76.57 UBA 0.29 4.75 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦784.66 Volume: 335.057 million shares Value: N3.146 billion Deals: 4,301 As at 31/05/16 See details on Page 52

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T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY JUNE 1, 2016

Driving regional growth by harnessing strengths Fatai Folarin takes the helm as CEO of Deloitte Nigeria and West Africa Regional Leader

His primary emphasis will remain on ensuring that Deloitte clients, both present and future, benefit from the Africa firm’s ability to combine the value offered to clients through Deloitte’s strong focus on key business trends, its ability to solve the most complex business challenges and its access to both local and global skills and talent. This ensures that clients receive the advisory, audit, tax, consulting and business expertise that has made Deloitte a sought after partner in the region, and indeed across the globe.

Key trends that will continue to be harnessed for clients across the West Africa region will be:

Embedding purpose Deloitte’s commitment to its clients, people, and stakeholders, as with everything it does, is grounded in its purpose - to make an impact that matters. Purpose is therefore at the core of its approach to business, whether it is based in Nigeria, Ghana, or the other regions in which it operates across the continent. An embedded purpose is integral to the delivery of value-added services to clients, as it keeps Deloitte’s focus on identifying challenges, issues and most importantly, opportunities for its clients, its employees and the broader societies from which the firm draws its strength.

A focus on quality Quality is achieved through harnessing and integrating high levels of expertise across a number of sectors, cutting-edge technologies and ensuring that clients have access to bespoke services designed to help them achieve their objectives.

At Deloitte, achieving quality results for clients means constant engagement with government and regulators and acting as a facilitator that builds trust between all role players in the economy.

Differentiation through technology Change is the only constant in business today.

Keeping abreast of developments means ensuring that business has access to the new technologies that set the pace in a rapidly-changing world.

“Fatai’s impressive history of leadership and experience as an advisor to multinational clients wishing to establish themselves in West Africa, makes him the ideal person to make a significant contribution to helping our clients meet the complex challenges within the region.

I have no doubt that he will have a positive, enduring impact on Deloitte in West Africa. The beneficiaries of his leadership and knowledge will be all Deloitte’s stakeholders, our people, clients and regulators in this vital and growing region. I look forward to working closely with him as he moves forward in his new role.”

- Lwazi Bam, Deloitte Africa CEO

“I am honoured to be entrusted with the leadership role of CEO for Deloitte in West Africa. The region is entering an exciting time and, in an environment of constant change, it will be my responsibility to see that the requirements and expectations of Deloitte’s clients and regulators are met.

Making sure that we achieve what is required by our stakeholders will mean having a strong internal focus. This will make sure that Deloitte’s offerings keep pace with changes in the market and that our clients receive the most meaningful, tailored advice possible.

This will apply to all consulting, risk advisory and corporate finance services we provide our clients and is part of our commitment to creating strong partnerships with them.”

- Fatai Folarin, CEO of Deloitte Nigeria and West Africa Regional Leader

Africa is the focus of world attention; it is a continent enjoying its rightful status as a place of growth and international investment. In West Africa, the development and future of the region as an economic powerhouse is reflected in the new leaders that are emerging across all sectors, ready to play their part in helping to write a new chapter in the region’s success story.

Amongst the firms strategically placed to help strengthen and expand business in Nigeria and other key West African markets is Deloitte. Leading them into an exciting future will be Fatai Folarin, the newly appointed CEO for Deloitte Nigeria and West Africa Regional Leader.

Bringing together more than 26-years in the advertising and financial advisory fields, and combining this with a reputation as being one of the foremost tax consultant professionals in West Africa, Fatai is accustomed to meeting the challenges presented by the region, as he has advised and created strong working partnerships with leading international, regional and Nigeriabased companies. Along the way, he has earned the respect of colleagues and clients alike for his leadership style and commitment to professional standards.

Although he steps into a new role on June 1, 2016, he will not be starting afresh. He will be stepping into the post from his present position as Deputy CEO of Deloitte Nigeria, a position he held since December 2015, retaining the continuity and focus that is essential to this key position.

To Deloitte clients, this means a strong, experienced hand at the helm. They will also have uninterrupted access to his expertise on tax matters as he will retain his role as Deloitte’s Tax Leader for the West African practice.

Deloitte not only offers distinctive audit and tax advice but also professional services such as corporate finance, risk advisory services, consulting as well as business process services that help companies realise the benefits of efficiencies and automation, leading in fields that will become the business tools of tomorrow. Some of the technologies that engage some of Deloitte’s brightest minds are cognitive technologies, analytics, the cloud, digital developments, the cyber world and securing clients against the growing global threat of cyber-crime.

Inspiring the brightest minds Recruiting and retaining exceptional talent requires making an investment in people that appeals not only to their heads, but also their hearts.

At Deloitte this involves creating an environment where people can grow careers by taking advantage of development opportunities, mentorship and the mobility offered by an international network. Combining these elements with those that appeal to the heart and allowing people to become part of a team, explore opportunities and innovate creates a workplace where being ‘the best you can be’ is achievable.

It is this approach that will help build future generations of Deloitte leaders wherever the firm has a presence.

Delivery By consistently delivering business solutions based on combining African and global capabilities, Deloitte builds partnerships that rely on collaboration and intimate knowledge of local clients and their needs.

To Lwazi Bam, Deloitte Africa CEO, the appointment of Fatai Folarin means building a stronger, more agile Deloitte in West Africa.

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WEDNESDAY juNE 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

PAGE TEN

Soldier, Policemen Fight in Banking Hall Bassey Inyang in Calabar There was pandemonium yesterday inside the banking hall of a popular bank, located at Calabar Road, in the heart of Calabar, the Cross River State capital, following a fight that pitted a soldier against four riot policemen.

The incident occurred at about 11 am, causing confusion among the numerous customers who had gone to the bank to transact business.

The fight forced many customers to flee from the bank when, a policeman discharged a canister of tear-gas inside the banking hall filled with customers.

As some armed soldiers

and armed policemen arrived, obviously on the invitation of their feuding colleagues, customers ran helter-skelter to avoid being caught in a possible crossfire.

The immediate cause of the fight between the lone soldier and the four policemen could not be ascertained, but a handful of men and staff of the bank intervened and stopped the fight.

When the fisticuffs ended, the soldier and some of the policemen had sustained injuries while the soldier’s uniform was torn.

The policemen, who were seething with anger, left the banking hall and waited outside while the soldier remained inside

the hall.

Before long, some armed riot policemen and regular policemen drove-in in pickup trucks to the bank and demanded to see the soldier who was still holed up inside.

However, while the policemen were busy demanding to reach the soldier, a detachment of soldiers also arrived the bank in trucks; a development that led to sporadic shooting into the air, and scampering for safety by passers-by and onlookers.

But after wise counsel by the superior officers in both camps prevailed, some of the policemen and soldiers entered the banking hall to settle the rift.

Police IG, Solomon Arase

WE ACTED IN SELF DEFENCE OVER BIAFRA DAY KILLINGS, SAYS MILITARY others were injured on both sides.

But the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) said the killings could not be justified no matter the provocation.

Also in an apparent show of concern, a delegation of Igbo leaders met with President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The delegation was led by former president of the Senate, Ken Nnamani, under the aegis of the Southeast Group for Change.

Although no statement was made after the meeting, it was believed that last Monday’s killings was the focus of meeting.

The delegation included former Senators Ifeanyi Ararume and Osita Izunaso; former House of Representatives member, Sharon Ikeazor; former Executive Vice-Charman of Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Ernest Ndukwe. Others were the All Progressives (APC) National Vice-Chairman (South-east), Hon. Emma Eneukwu; member of the APC Board of Trustees, Chief Austin Edeze; Dr. Uzoma Obiyo; and Chris Akomas.

"Instructively, troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army as the lead agency of the security agencies had to invoke the extant Rules of Engagement (ROE) to resort to self-defence, protection of the strategic Niger Bridge, prevent re-enforcement of the pro Biafran members apparently surging ahead from the far side of the strategic Niger Bridge at Onitsha,’’ Gambo stated.

Gambo, who said the protests were orchestrated to mar the Democracy Day celebrations and had to be put down because the protesters were endangering the peace of Onitsha and the lives of the people in the area, explained that all efforts to disperse the crowd were

abortive.

"In the aftermath of the fire fight that ensued, many of our troops sustained varying degree of injuries.

The injured troops are currently receiving treatment at our medical centre. Similarly, five members of MASSOB/ IPOB were killed, eight wounded while nine were arrested for due legal actions," he said.

The Army spokesman explained that the security agencies, including detachments of the Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), were compelled to intervene to put down the protest, adding that the protests had created panic among the populace, in consonance with constitutional provisions of aid to civil authority where and when such occasion demands.

"The overarching imperative to ensure a reign of peace, security and stability in this circumstance was most starring,’’ he said.

Gambo further claimed that the members of MASSOB/IPOB, who had earlier assembled at a school location on Ataa Road near Saint Edmunds’ Catholic Parish Maryland NkporAgu in Anambra State, resorted to fierce attacks against the intervening security agencies who were carrying out their legitimate mandate.

The nature of these attacks, he disclosed, involved brazen employment of various types of fire arms and all sorts of crude weapons, volatile cocktail such as acid and dynamites.

Gambo, however, assured the people of Anambra State of the military's professional commitment to the protection of lives and property and indeed across its entire area of

responsibility in tandem with the recent directive of President Muhammadu Buhari.

But the CBCN expressed concern over the killing of IPOB, MASSOB members and the current siege in the Niger Delta region following the bombings of oil installations in the region.

The CBCN President and Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Kaigama, said the crises in the two regions portend great danger and bad omen towards the unity of Nigeria as an entity with a common identity.

According to Kaigama, “It is not very good news for us. I just returned from Germany. Everywhere I went, I was asked about what the problem was with Nigeria? We are still struggling with Boko Haram, now we are talking about Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and IPOB, the solution is not to intensify the crises.”

Asked if the federal government policies towards the two regions might have engineered the current agitations, Kaigama said: “I don’t know what criteria they used in appointment or allocation of projects, when you are marginalised, short changed, the culture of dialogue is the best way to go, I’m not sure when we are going to dispense with these regional agitations.

“If a leader comes from the south, others will make his government difficult, when somebody from the north comes to power, others will target his government.

It is so sad. Where is the rational behaviour in that? No matter how shortchanged, no matter how marginalised you are, violence and resorting to crisis is not the best solution.”

On the application of force by the government, the CBCN president advised the National Assembly to rise up to its

responsibility of defending the people.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Caritas International, an arm of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Rev. Fr. Evaristus Bassey, advised the federal government not to approach the dispute with military option.

“Why are we having these crises? It is because of the structure of the country. We still need to look at the structure of the country and see how we can address some of these challenges,” he said.

According to him, “It was very disappointing for President Buhari to say that he will discard the National Conference report to the archive. He has not even read it; I see it as careless. There are fundamental things we should sit down and address.”

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IG), Solomon Arase, yesterday directed the assistant inspectors general of police and the commissioners of police in the affected areas to disarm members of the group immediately.

In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Assistant Commissioner of Police Kolawole Olabisi, the IG was quoted as accusing members of the IPOB of premeditated attacks on police officers engaged in peaceful operations in both zones.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, has directed the Assistant Inspectors General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in the affected area to disarm members of the group operating with firearms immediately,” it stated.

It added that: “The IGP noted that the targeted attacks on police personnel, who have been performing their statutory functions in the most professional

and civil manner since the latest resurgence disorder, portrays the IPOB activists who are orchestrating the insurrection as having crossed the threshold in their misguided attempt to test the common will of the nation.”

In its reaction yesterday, the Anambra State government said it did not issue a shoot-on-sight order to the security forces.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communication Strategy, Mr. Tony Nnaecheta, said at a press conference in Awka that though the peaceful demonstration by the Biafra agitators was hijacked by hoodlums, it did not order anybody to shoot at the protesters.

“The state government is not blaming anybody who is demonstrating peacefully but the miscreants who infiltrated the procession.

But even at that, the state government didn’t order anybody to shoot at the protesters,” he said.

He said that within 24 hours of the incident, the state government had empanelled a team of its officials to ascertain what transpired between the agitators and the security personnel, adding that preliminary reports available to government showed that majority of the protesters were not from the state and that no church was burnt in Nkpor.

“Our investigation confirmed that many of the young men who came to participate in the procession arrived from outside the state.

Some came from Delta, Abia, Cross River, Ebonyi, Imo and Enugu States,” Nnaecheta said.

Also speaking on the crisis yesterday, the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekwerenmadu advised security agencies to handle various unrests in the country with caution to avert persistent and unnecessary waste of

innocent lives.

Ekweremadu, who gave the advice while raising a point of order on the confrontation between security agents and proBiafran protesters in the South-east and South-south on Monday, said the brutal attacks against civilians who were staging peaceful protest were misplaced.

According to him, the protests by members of MASSOB, which were followed by the onslaughts of security agents in Delta and Anambra States on Monday ought to have been handled with extreme caution as he lamented the uncivil approach of the agents to the matter.

He said: "I will like to use this opportunity under Order 43 to say that the security agencies must apply caution in trying to quell disturbances. We have had so much of blood bath in this country under different circumstances and we cannot continue to lose young men and women because the future of this country belongs to them.

"It is important that this Senate rises to condemn any act of killings in any part of this country especially the one that concerns the major part of our future which remains the youth. We are now in a democracy and people should be entitled to speak their minds to assemble under responsible circumstances.

Security agencies must also be responsible in dealing with those circumstances to ensure that lives are not lost unnecessarily.”

In his reaction, Senate President Bukola Saraki described the bloody encounter as unfortunate, pointing out that prompt action needed to be taken to address the issue raised

by Ekweremadu.

"But I think that the point he has raised must all draw our attentionto see what necessary action will be taken in order to address this matter," he said.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

11

NEWS

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

We Won’t Back down, Militants Tell FG Navy arrrests five suspects for bombing NNPC pipelines

Tobi Soniyi, Damilola Oyedele in Abuja, Sylvester Idowu in Warri and Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa Meanwhile, militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers, said yesterday that in spite of the federal government’s deployment of fighter jets and the military in Delta State, it would not relent in its violent attacks on critical oil installations in the region.

The group, which said the heavy presence of the military would not stop them from their planned action that would shock the whole world, noted that Gbaramatu, now under military siege, was just one kingdom out the several Ijaw kingdoms spread across seven states.

The group, in a statement signed by its Spokesman, Brig-Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, said emphatically, “it is not our business what goes on in Gbaramatu Kingdom but our concern is the innocent children, women and aged people whom the Nigerian military has chased away from their homes now taking refuge in the forest”.

It alleged that some people (names withheld) benefitting from contracts for pipeline surveillance were behind the military invasion of Gbaramatu Kingdom in the guise of looking for the Niger Delta Avengers.

It queried: “The question is, why the innocent people of Gbaramatu, why the innocent pregnant women, why unleash terror on the aged people of Gbaramatu? Must you waste all these innocent blood just to secure the pipeline surveillance job?”

The militant group berated the International Community and the United Nations for looking the other way while the military occupied the kingdom.

The NDA also took a swipe on Tompolo for accepting the treatment being meted on his people wondering whether he would still refer to them as criminals.

The railings of the militants provided the opportunity for the Nigerian Army of not wanting to embrace dialogue yesterday.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who was represented

by Brig.-Gen. J. Hamakim, at the

‘State of the Nation Conference’, organised by the Nigerian Bar Association in Abuja yesterday said the Army had not ruled out dialogue with the group Speaking on the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers in the oil rich region, Hamakim said that dialogue with the group was not yet a realistic option.

He was responding to a submission that government should explore dialogue with the Niger Delta militants instead of applying force that could further worsen the nation’s oil production in the region.

Hamakim, said in his response, that there was no sign that the Niger Delta Avengers’ members were ready for dialogue.

He said: “I quite agree that dialogue is very important. But where it is not too obvious that the adversary is ready to come out and talk, you can also force such a person.

“I think that is what the Nigeria Army is trying to do.

Yes, we don’t know the group’s leader, for now; that is the only option, possibly we have to bring the people out to know who you can dialogue with.”

He said the activities of the group were affecting oil production as the nation’s production had recently further plummeted to 1.1 million barrels per day.

He debunked the allegation that soldiers who were involved in the operations in Gbaramatu were killing innocent residents and raped women.

“We have done our investigation and nothing like that is happening,” he said.

He also said the demonstrations

by Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) leading to a clash between the protesters and security forces in Onitsha on Monday, were not peaceful.

Hamakim said: “Remember that lives were lost, policemen were killed, some were thrown overboard and the military has rules of engagement.

“The question is how peaceful is the peaceful demonstration. How peaceful was the demonstration at that time? If it was that peaceful, how come we lost security agencies.

Diplomatic Passport: Immigration CG Orders Arrest of Ex-govs, Senators The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, has ordered the arrest of illegal holders of diplomatic passports.

Babandede directed officers on duty at various airports to be on the look out for former ministers, governors, diplomats, National Assembly members, who are still in possession of the document.

NIS boss according to The Cable, gave the order while speaking with senior officers of the service in Abuja yesterday.

“Charges will be pressed against unauthorised holders of such documents because such persons are no longer in the

eligibility list and are, therefore, in contravention of Section 10 of the Extant Immigration Act, 2015,” he said.

“I am hereby directing that unauthorised holders of such passports be arrested at the airports and other points of entry/departure.

Efforts will be made to trace such unauthorised holders in their given addresses.”

His order followed the September 2015 directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to the service to retrieve diplomatic passports from former public office holders.

He added since the directive was issued 158 diplomatic passports had been retrieved.

“The rule of engagement is that if you feel threatened, you have the mandate to respond. What we can say is, that was not at all a demonstration that you can say was peaceful.”

He regretted that other security agencies in the country had been “overwhelmed”, a situation which he said had necessitated the Army to move “from the last line of defence to the first line of defence”.

In a related development, the Flag Officer Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, Commodore Mohammed Garba, said last night that five suspects had been arrested in connection with the bombings of NNPC crude pipelines in Batan community in Warri South West Local Government.

Briefing journalists at the NNS Delta, Warri, Commodore Garba disclosed that two of the suspects have been moved to another military location.

He said another three were arrested while siphing crude oil from an oil well head close to the

bombed Batan community where the NNPC crude lines were bombed in Batan community.

Commodore Garba denied intimidation of innocent people in the search for members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) in both Delta and Bayelsa States.

He said the operations were in line with international best practices noting that the “enemies of the state are resorting to propaganda to win sympathy.

The naval boss explained that the deployment of fighter jets and gun ships were to aide the Joint Military operations going on in the region.

But spokesman of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, has accused President Muhammadu of not having a grasp of the issues in the Niger Delta. ‘’He’s in power , but he cannot grasp the issues in the Niger Delta.

He was in the military, but he was mostly about capturing, molesting and gaining ground for the government. But in a democratic

government it’s not like that. ‘’He’s still saying he’s going after this and that. He can go after criminal elements but a situation where you make people less human, doesn’t make sense,’’ the Ijaw chief said.

He added: “He (Buhari) should change his approach of ‘I will kill you, I will destroy you’. The avengers have a bad approach, but what is pushing them is beyond the knowledge of the president. ‘’A holistic approach is needed, the amnesty programme is just scratching the problem. The problem of molestation, deprivation, hunger and telling the people that they are not good enough to be educated. Stopping work at the maritime school is saying the same thing’’, he said.

In another development, some lawmakers from the Niger Delta have warned the military against compounding the crisis in the region.

Reacting yesterday to the invasion of Gbaramatu community

in Delta State by the heavily armed soldiers, who claimed to be looking for members of the Niger Delta Avengers, a new militant group who had recently claimed responsibility on the attacks of oil facilities, Hon. Daniel Reyeneiju, representing Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State, said deployment of troops and aerial bombardment to the region was a wrong move and may aggravate the situation.

Speaking with THISDAY, the lawmaker said the same hard approach had been deployed in the region before, and only served to aggravate the militancy.

Reyeneiju recalled that at the height of militancy at the inception of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Administration, oil production dropped from 2.2 million bpd to 800,000.

“We must have institutional memory, and be able to examine how the issues were resolved then,” he said.

A VISITTOTHE PRESIDENT

L-R: Senator Ifeanyi Araraume; National Vice Chairman (South-east) All Progressives Congress (APC) , Hon. Emma Eneukwu; former Senate President , Senator Ken Nnamani ; President Muhammadu Buhari ; and the Chief of Staff to the President , Alhaji Abba Kyari , during the visit of the group of SoutheastforChange tothePresidentialVilla,Abuja...yesterday GodwinOmoigui

House Passes Amendments to CCB Act, Removes Presidential Oversight Damilola Oyedele in Abuja

The House of Representatives, in a bold move, has passed 10 amendments to the Act establishing and guiding the operations of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Code of Tribunal (CCT).

A major amendment removes oversight including disciplinary powers over the CCB from the hands of the president of the country, and vests it in the National Assembly.

Another amendment disempowers the CCB from immediately referring a matter to the CCT without giving an accused official a chance to explain any breaches.

The Senate was forced to drop proceedings into proposed amendment of the CCB Act,

owing to pressure caused by the ongoing trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at the CCT on allegations of false declaration of assets.

The House yesterday passed an amendment to Section 3 which has generated controversy in the trial of Saraki, particularly Section 3 (d) which stipulates that the bureau shall “receive complaints about non-compliance with or breach of this Act, and where the Bureau considers it necessary to do so, shall refer such complaints to the CCT...”

In making an addition to Section 3 by adding paragraph “e”, the amendment provides a chance for public officials to defend allegations of breach, before reference to the CCT. The additional paragraph read:

“Upon complaint(s) of any breach or where it appears to the bureau that there is a breach of the provision or this Act, the person concerned shall be given particulars of such non compliance or breaches to explain before any reference to the tribunal.”

Section 4 (2) of the Act which empowers the President to provide rules and regulations for the Bureau was amended to vest such powers in the National Assembly.

An amendment to Section 18 (2) also disempowers the president from conferring additional powers as may appear necessary to the Bureau to “enable it to discharge more effectively the functions conferred upon it under this Act.” The amendment vested the powers in Section 18 (2) in the National Assembly and added

an additional paragraph 18 (3) which makes failure to comply with sub section 2, a misconduct.

The principal Act of Section 1 (4) which allows the Chairman of the CCB and any member to vacate office upon attainment of the age of 70 was also deleted.

The House in amending Section 24 (2) removed the power of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to institute prosecutions for the offences under the CCB Act, and replaced the office with ‘private legal practitioner.’

The amendment allows the Chairman and members to serve a term of five years subject to renewal for one further term only.

The bill has to go through third reading and concurrence from the Senate before transmission to the president to be signed into law.

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WEDNESDAY JUNE 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Atiku: Nigeria Needs Urgent Restructuring, Says Atiku Buhari’s administration not learning from past FG should hands off NNPC

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said what Nigeria requires most at present is the kick-starting of the process of restructuring of the federation.

He said a close observation of the present administration’s policies, especially on the issue of the Niger Delta militancy and power sector crisis, there was little or no lesson learnt.

While acknowledging that the country’s economy is in a bad shape, Atiku said he strongly believed that the government would get the economy right, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari has tried to handle two out of five areas which he has promised Nigerians.

Speaking yesterday at the launch of a book, ‘We Are Biafrans,’ in Abuja, Atiku said he remained opposed to the retention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as a publicmanaged entity just as he believes that the federal government was pursuing is fruitless endeavour trying to stabilise power generation in the country without finding lasting peace in the troubled Niger Delta region.

Atiku who went down memory lane to recount his experiences in government, said the increasing wave if agitations across the country calls “for a restructuring and renewal of our federation to make it less centralised, less suffocating and less dictatorial in the affairs of our country’s constituent units and localities.

“As some of you may know, I have for a long time advocated the need to restructure our federation.

Our current structure and the practices it has encouraged have

been a major impediment to the economic and political development of our country.

“When I was invited to chair this occasion, I immediately understood that the title of the book is a metaphor for the legitimate feelings of marginalisation by diverse segments of Nigerians that cut across the country. Agitations by many right-thinking Nigerians call for a restructuring and renewal of our federation to make it less centralised, less suffocating and less dictatorial in the affairs of our country’s constituent units and localities.

“In short, it has not served Nigeria well, and at the risk of reproach, it has not served my part of the country, the North, well. The call for restructuring is even more relevant today in light of the governance and economic challenges facing us and the rising tide of agitations, some militant and violent, require a reset in our relationships as a united nation,” he said.

He added that the call for restructuring of the nation had become even more necessary today with several agitations and militancy across the country.

The former vice-president said the desire for one united Nigeria should not be taken for granted that every Nigerian is contented with the current structure of the federation or that they do not clamour for something different.

According to him, “among the most devastating impact of our long dependence on oil resource is the corruption that has eaten into our fabric.

“The economy is really in bad shape and I want to believe that

Buhari Appeals to National Assembly to Pass Money Laundering, NDDC, FCT, Other Bills Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

Appropriation Act was assented to with the schedule( the details).”

The president said the dinner was President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday night appealed to held first to mark 2016 Democracy the National Assembly to, as a Day and to further appreciate the matter of urgency, consider and National Assembly leadership, pass five bills presently before it. membership and management Buhari made the appeal while for the great work they had done.

He restated the commitment of speaking at a dinner he hosted in honour of the National Assembly his administration to observing the members at the old Banquet Hall principles of separation of powers.

He said: “Thus far, we in the of the State House, Abuja.

He listed the bills to include executives have restricted ourselves the Federal Capital Territory to our constitutional role.”

While promising that the (FCT) Appropriation bill, Money Laundering (Prevention and executive will not interfere with Prohibition) bill, Mutual Legal the function of the legislature and Assistant in Criminal Matters bill, the judiciary, he urged them to also Statutory Budget of the Niger Delta operate within the confines of their Development Commission (NDDC), constitutional roles.

Earlier, the Senate President, Dr Bill for Acts for domestication of agreements for avoidance of double Bukola Saraki, had congratulated taxation between Nigeria and the administration for its first year South Korea, Spain, and Sweden even as he noted that it was not an easy task for the country to go respectively.

The president observed that both through seventeen uninterrupted the FCT and the NDDC could not years of democracy.

According to him, the spirit of execute their statutory mandates unless their budgets were approved the gathering was to take Nigeria’s democracy further. by the National Assembly.

Other dignitaries who attended Buhari thanked the lawmakers for their painstaking efforts that led the dinner included Speaker of the to the passage of the 2016 Budget. House of Representatives, Yakubu He said: “It is on record that Dogara, former Vice President, this is one rare occasion where the Atiku Abubakar.

the government is trying to get the economy right, adding that President Buhari has tried to handle two out of five areas which he promised Nigerians”.

Atiku, while expressing support for the establishment of state police, insisted that a stop put to the practice of enthroning indigeneship above citizenship and settlers and land owners syndrome in the country as it would not only help to quicken the country’s disintegration.

On the issue of marginalisation and the agitations for Biafra, he said though the initial reasons for creating states was based on the viability and cultural linkages but that later, state creation became an action that is taken at the whims and caprices of the then military rulers.

Atiku spoke on the present handling of problem of militancy in the Niger Delta, advising that the approach the should both a stick and carrot one.

He said that during their own administration, they prepared a master plan for dealing with the issue which was later distorted by political exigencies.

During his campaign for presidency, he proffered initiatives on how to handle the matter, including the creation of Ministry of Niger Delta which late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua implemented.

However Atiku said the master plan behind the setting up of the ministry was not properly implemented, adding that the ministry should have been located in the Niger Delta region where

it’s impact could felt more.

On the issue of the power sector challenges, Atiku said the sector is very tricky and should be handled with care.

He recalled the differences he had with the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo, whom he accused of antagonising him for his stand on the issue of privatisation of the NNPC. He said if he was in charge of government, with the fall in the price of oil in the international market, he would have sold at least 10 per cent of the NNPC which would provide over $20 billion to help massive infrastructural development even in the Niger Delta.

“We are still not there with power on gas and we will never get there unless you solve the problem of the

Niger Delta. We will not be able to solve our power generation problem relying of use gas turbines without peace in the Niger Delta. If my boss, Obasanjo had agreed with in 2003, by establishing captive power stations, we would have been self sufficient in power generation by now. I did not agree with that government policy in the power sector and there is nothing presently that happened to make me change my position”.

On the herdsmen/farmers clashes and its attendant disharmony across the land, Atiku said: “Again here we come back to the same economic challenges that are facing the country. We also have leadership that is not prepared to learn from the past and the leadership that is not prepared to lead.”

THANK YOU VISIT

L-R: Executive Director, Dangote Group, Halima Aliko Dangote; Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima; President/CE, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Board Member, Dangote Foundation, Mrs. Erelu Angela Adebayo; CEO, Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, during the governor’s courtesy visit to Dangote Group’s Corporate Office in Lagos....yesterday

Barkindo May Emerge OPEC Secretary General June 2 Cartel’s oil output falls from near-record on Nigeria outages Ejiofor Alike with agency reports The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is likely to choose a former Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mohammed Barkindo, as the next Secretary-General of the producer group, three sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters yesterday.

This is coming as OPEC’s oil output fell in May from near a record high, a Reuters survey found on Tuesday, as attacks on Nigeria’s oil industry and other outages outweighed increases in Iran and Gulf members.

OPEC has been looking for a replacement for Libya’s Abdullah al-Badri, who was elected acting secretary-general in December until the end of July after serving full terms.

Barkindo led the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation from 2009 to 2010.

OPEC oil ministers meet on Thursday in Vienna and the consensus of all members - which in the past has sometimes been elusive - is required for the appointment of a new secretary-general.

Nigeria had nominated Mohammed Barkindo, as her official candidate for the cartel’s scribe.

Barkindo had previously served in OPEC as assistant Secretary-General and cut a name as veteran climate negotiator.

He attended Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria. He is also the Wali of Adamawa.

In a related development, the cartel’s oil output fell in May from near a record high, a Reuters survey found yesterday, as attacks on Nigeria’s oil industry and other outages outweighed increases in Iran and Gulf members.

A rise in supply from Saudi Arabia plus Iran suggests the group’s top producers remain

focused on market share, following the failure of an initiative in April, between OPEC and non-OPEC producers to support prices by freezing output.

With OPEC meeting in Vienna on Thursday, outages are effectively achieving the supply restraint on which producers could not agree.

Those disruptions are supporting oil prices , which are close to 2016 highs, and the rally has reduced the urgency of any new attempt at deliberate supply curtailment.

“There is a tiny chance of a bullish surprise but as things stand right now, the odds are the continuation of OPEC’s market-share policy,” said David Hufton, of oil brokers PVM. Supply from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries fell to 32.52 million barrels per day (bpd) this month, from 32.64 million bpd in April, according to the survey, based on shipping data and information from sources at oil companies, OPEC and consultants.

OPEC output had surged since the group abandoned in 2014 its historic role of cutting supply to prop up prices, in a shift led by Saudi Arabia. There are more indications, however, that some producers are struggling to maintain supply.

May’s biggest decline occurred in Nigeria due to militant attacks on the country’s oil industry. The disruption has pushed output to its lowest in more than 20 years.

Libyan output declined further due to a blockage of shipments from the port of Hariga. Loading difficulties and other problems made a further dent in Venezuela’s supply, sources in the survey said.

Iraq, the fastest source of OPEC production growth in 2015, also pumped less as power outages limited southern exports, which in April were at a near-record.

Of the countries boosting output, Iran managed a further increase after the lifting of Western sanctions in January.

T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY JUNE 1, 2016

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY JUNE 1, 2016

COMMENT

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

OBAMA’S BATHROOM MADNESS

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President Obama’s bathroom directive is a violation of the constitutional right to privacy, argues Sonnie Ekwowusi

resident Barack Obama has done it again. This time he has issued a directive that any male or female student in the United States can use any male or female bathroom/locker room he or she prefers irrespective of their biological sex. In other words, any male student who considers himself a female irrespective of his biological sex can easily walk into a female bathroom and and take a shower. Conversely, any female student who considers herself a male irrespective of her biological sex can now freely walk into a male bathroom and shower together with the boys there. Prior to acting as aforesaid, the student is not obliged to present a specific medical diagnosis or medical evidence that he or she has undergone a transgender surgery. All that is sufficient is for the student to “believe” that he or she is a male or a female irrespective of his or her biological sex.

Following the directive, The U.S Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has recently ordered a certain female school in United States to allow a male student who dresses like a girl to shower together with female students of the school. In the recent case of G.G V Gloucester County School Board, the court held that schools must allow biologically female students who identify themselves as males to use male restrooms. As I write this, the “male toilet” and “female toilet” labels in public schools and some public institutions in some states in the United States are being pulled down and replaced with the label, “Gender neutral restroom”.

Male students who claim they are now females are allowed to undress before female students and shower together with the female students. Schools which fail to comply are threatened with law suits by the Obama administration. While some U.S courts hold that there is a constitutional right not to be seen when undressed by members of the opposite sex, other courts hold otherwise.

This is our new world, a new world foisted by Obama. Isn’t simply madness? Isn’t an insult to human civilisation? Obama, you will remember, converted the White House into the rainbow House. For the first time in the history of America, the rainbow flag was hoisted in the White House. As if that was not enough, Obama converted the month of June as the Gay Pride month. The United States, under Obama, has become a major exporter of gay practices especially to developing countries. Under Obama, the American Supreme Court ruled that a man can “marry” a man and a woman can “marry” a woman. Obama approved sexual intercourse between American soldiers and their horses at the war fronts (bestiality).

Now the same Obama has directed that any male or female student can enter any bathroom and shower together. “There is no room in our schools for discrimination of any kind, including discrimination against transgender students on the basis of their sex,” Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement accompanying the Obama directive. North Carolina was the first to enact a law that male and female should use the public toilets that correspond to their biological sex. But on Monday, May 9, 2016, the U.S. Attorney General, Lynch, and the Justice Department sued the

WHY WORRY ABOUT OBAMA’S BATHROOM MADNESS? TO URGE THE NIGERIAN AUTHORITIES TO BE ON GUARD AGAINST SUCH MADNESS

state of North Carolina for legislating that men’s rooms were for men and women’s rooms were for women. Now, North Carolina has filed a counter suit.

It is amazing to see how the Obama administration has distorted and deconstructed the word, “discrimination”. Any mad man or woman exhibiting a strange behaviour can now claim that he or she is being “discriminated against”. A morally-bankrupt old man (with the leg of a man and the face of a woman) who should be kept in the zoo for disfiguring his biological sex is going about complaining that he is being “discriminated against” on ground of his preferred sexual identity.

There is no doubt that Obama’s bathroom directive contradicts common sense. The Obama administration cannot blur the difference between a male and a female. That is why the birth certificate of any baby born in the United States always indicates whether the baby is male or female. There is all-male American basketball team. There is also all-female American basketball team.

Most public documents always contain portions that require one to indicate whether one is a male or female. When a male student strips himself naked at a female hostel, he is charged to court for indecency. But when the same male student identifies himself as a transgendered female and strips himself naked at a female hostel, he is protected under Obama’s transgender law. Isn’t this a big paradox?

More importantly, Obama’s bathroom directive is a violation of the constitutional right to privacy. The right to privacy rooted in the Fourth Amendment in the American Constitution and enshrined in the constitutions of most countries in the world guarantees the privacy of citizens, their homes, their bathrooms, their lockers, their toilets, their conversations, etc. Therefore every unjustifiable intrusion by the government upon the privacy of the citizens, whatever the means employed is deemed to a violation of the right to privacy. If the rule of law still reigns supreme in America, then Obama’s directive is unconstitutional and null and void.

Why worry about Obama’s bathroom madness? To urge the Nigerian authorities to be on guard against such madness. It is wrong to assume that Nigeria is somehow immune from the bad things happening abroad. But the wrong signals indicate that Nigeria is not immune at all. Amid the weakness of regulatory agencies and institutions, Nigeria is a dumping ground for all sorts. Under the strong negative influence of the prevailing western Cultural Revolution, secondary school and universities curricula are being corrupted in Nigeria. Wrong gender theories are now being taught in our universities. Bills on twisted gender ideologies are being sponsored in both the National Assembly and the States’ Assembly. There are gay clubs across Nigeria. Most young Nigerians exposed to the social media do not see anything wrong with being gay or gay marriage.

Therefore, we need a new generation to make a clear and compelling case for the liberating ideals and principles that should govern our being together and thus guarantee the future. A democracy without future is a dead democracy.

THE NIGERIAN ANTITRUST BILL (2)

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ection 39 (1) of the bill proposes the establishment of “the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal” under the act. This will create a scenario in which the commission becomes a judge in its own case – a body that invests itself with the power to determine when a crime has been committed, investigate the crime, arraign the accused before its tribunal, rule on the case and determine the guilt and punishment for the convict or otherwise by the tribunal which is virtually an extension of its operations. This provision violates the principle of checks and balances. I suggest its removal from the bill.

If the commission believes it has a good case against any individual of business, it should take it for determination before a court of competent jurisdiction, a neutral judicial body beyond its control, which its tribunal is not likely to be.

Section 72 proposes that, “for the purpose of delineating the relevant market under this Act, the criteria that shall be taken into account include: (a) the geographical boundaries that identify groups of sellers and buyers of goods or services within which competition is likely to be restrained.” Since competition laws are basically meant to realise the principles of an open market, we cannot have an open market, genuinely speaking, side by side with such “geographical boundaries” whose delineation is made undesirable by the possibility of its being attended by arbitrariness. I think this section should rather provide for “geographical

Ikeogu Oke argues the bill is ensnared by faulty provisions

boundaries” that encompass the entire country and possibly extends to other ECOWAS countries with potential for trading with ours in accordance with the relevant treaties.

Section 73.2(e) proposes that, “(2) for the purpose of assessing market dominance, account shall be taken in particular of… (e) legal or factual barriers to market entry by other undertakings.” “Factual barriers” is a vague construct open to all manner of interpretations.

I suggest that it be clarified or expunged from the bill.

Section 73.2 (g) provides that, “(2) For the purpose of assessing market dominance, account shall be taken in particular of … (g) its or their ability to shift supply or demand to other goods or services.” The “ability” that this clause refers to can only be determined subjectively, and so it creates an arbitrary factor that makes it undesirable to retain in the bill. I suggest its removal therefrom.

There is, in section 73.3, the provision that “An undertaking shall not be treated as abusing a dominant position if its conduct (a) contributes to the improvement of production or distribution of goods or services or the promotion of technological or economic progress, while allowing consumers a fair share of the resulting benefit.” This provision creates a vague and exploitable basis for granting exemptions, since any undertaking can claim and seek to prove that its conduct conforms to its stipulations. I suggest its removal from the bill and its replacement with clearly defined procedures for requesting for exemptions or

guidance from the commission.

Section 83 (1) provides that “Any person or body corporate may make a request for a monopoly investigation to the Commission.”

To guard against the possibility of businesses making such requests frivolously or maliciously against their rivals, or similar forms of abuse, this provision should be accompanied by a clause that such requests be supported by a sworn affidavit confirming the content to be true and correct in accordance with the oaths’ act. Also, there should be a fine for any individual or business found to have made a false of frivolous allegation against another, and clear-cut procedures for receiving petitions and treating them to determine whether or not to open an investigation. Furthermore, preliminary investigations may be structured so as not to be detrimental to the interests of businesses until it is determined on the strength of the evidence of culpability that there is need for a full investigation. There should also be a compensation for any business found to have been the object of a false allegation by the entity responsible for the false allegation. This will serve as a deterrent to others likely to engage in a similar conduct.

Section 89 contains a provision that, “For the purpose of regulating and facilitating competition only, the President may, from time to time, by order published in the Federal Gazette, declare that the prices for goods or services specified in the order shall be controlled in accordance with the provisions of this Act.” With this provision the destinies of businesses

risk being put under the thumb of presidential caprice. Besides, such price control is antithetical to the very idea competition or an open market which the commission is meant to promote. Under the act, prices of commodities should be determined by market forces and the discretion of respective businesses some of which, for strategic reasons, may decide to sell at prices other than the prevailing ones. I suggest that this provision be expunged from the bill.

Section 105 provides that, “Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law but subject to Supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in all matters relating to competition and consumer protection, the provisions of this Act shall override the provisions of any other law [and] grants the FCCP Act supremacy over all other legislation (except the Constitution).” This poses the threat of legal and jurisdictional friction with other agencies and hints at the immodesty of an act which, on coming into existence, appropriates for itself a superior position to other existing and anticipated laws except the constitution.

To forestall such friction and the systemic problems that may result from it, I suggest its removal from the bill.

If the commission must play its designated role effectively, it must not be built on a weak legal foundation as suggested by these defective provisions.

Oke, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja

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T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016

EDITORIAL THE ABUSE OF EXPATRIATE QUOTA

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It is time to check the abuses as many companies are undermining the country’s economy

he federal government recently announced that it was looking into the abuse of expatriate quota by many companies, especially in the oil and gas sector. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige made the announcement after a meeting with the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria as well as some contractors in the oil and gas sector. He said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration will “check the abuse of the nation’s immigration/labour laws” while pledging that “the displacement of qualified Nigerians by foreigners will soon be a thing of the past.”

This is heartwarming because local capacities that exist and which hold prospective job opportunities for thousands of Nigerians are arbitrarily and unlawfully filled up with expatriates by some firms in the oil and gas sector. The concern is not just that Nigerians are denied the available opportunities in these areas, but many companies THE SUBSISTING ABUSE actually exceed their OF EXPATRIATE QUOTA legitimate quota. The SHOULD BE VIEWED AS abuses range from A SERIOUS ECONOMIC the deployment of CRIME AND TREATED AS unqualified personnel SUCH BY THE RELEVANT to the re-designation AUTHORITIES of individuals in a manner not consistent with their training and skills in order to give them undeserved positions.

However, heartwarming as the idea of such intervention may seem, we believe that the net should be spread much farther and deeper. The abuse, misuse and misapplication of expatriate quota are the norms in almost all sectors of the Nigerian economy by many of the foreign companies operating on our shores.

There are repeatedly reported cases of companies in the food and beverages industry engaging technicians and paying them as engineers. This is in addition to placing them over their professional superiors as

Letters to the Editor

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supervisors and bosses, simply because the latter are Nigerians.

Much more rampant are cases of foreign firms that bring in all categories of personnel, from cleaners, drivers to specialised skills, in the name of using the expatriate quota. Meanwhile, the law provides for skills and capacities that may be difficult to source locally or which may actually not be available in the country. The abuses are rampant yet the practice has not attracted enough attention from labour and trade unions to become a major industrial relations issue, perhaps because of the fixation with fighting only government policies.

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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 NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

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

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, MBAYILAN ANDOAKA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE 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 TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

hat the critical stakeholders must not forget is that the nation faces a frightening youth bulge at the moment. This is in addition to graduate unemployment, a prevailing national economic downturn that is not helped by the global economic environment.

These are not the times for abuses that impact directly and visibly on the nation`s ability to deal with routine matters of human capital deployment for national development. This is unacceptable even in the best of times, but moreso at such a period as this in the life of the nation.

The relationship between unemployment, crime, social tension and national development is such that anything that detracts from the ability of the nation to keep the citizens gainfully employed should be treated as economic sabotage. In this regard, the subsisting abuse of expatriate quota should be viewed as a serious economic crime and treated as such by the relevant authorities.

While the federal government must go beyond the oil and gas sector in dealing with this issue, we urge further that the authorities also make public details of what categories of skills are not covered by the expatriate quota, what constitutes abuse of such expatriate quota and the long and short term penalties that may apply in cases of default. These measures will spread awareness about the abuse and also help in curbing it.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

AKINWUNMI AMBODE: ONEYEAR AFTER

he Akinwunmi Ambode administration in Lagos State celebrated its first year anniversary, May 29.

Without a doubt, the administration has positively impacted on the lives of Lagosians through its numerous innovative and people-oriented programmes.

The light-up Lagos project, conceived to light up major highways and streets in the Lagos metropolis with the ultimate goal of boosting commercial activities, security, and improving the citizenry’s standard of living as well as boost the aesthetics of the city state, is one of such impactful projects.

Thus far, some of the areas that have been lit include Maryland to Mile 12, Oworonshonki to Kara through Alapere, 7up Toll Gate and Berger, Martins Street/Ereko, Brook Street, Lagos Island, Olowookere street, Alimosho; Old Ota road, Alimosho; Cemetery road, Badagry; Ligali Ayorinde, Victoria island; Babatunde Anjous, Eti-Osa; Itire road, Surulere; Bode Thomas, Surulere among numerous others. The ultimate target of the project is the development of a Lagos that is safe and secure, that operates a 24/7 economy.

In a mega city of Lagos status, access to public transportation is of great necessity. Hence, the Ambode administration recently launched over 400 air-conditioned buses on the ever busy Ikorodu road from Ikorodu roundabout to CMS. Also, in order to improve road transportation, the administration came up with “Operation Fix all Potholes” through which over 350 were improved across the state. This is aside major works on the recently launched Ago Palace way, Ejigbo-Ikotun road, Moshalasi-Ayobo road, ACME road, among others.

In an attempt to creatively tackle unemployment, the N25 billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF) was established to address the problem and promote wealth creation through entrepreneurial development. Former chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, heads the board of the fund.

Also, in order to create a conducive environment that will further stimulate wealth creation among Lagos residents, the state government recently domesticated the federal government’s policy on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Similarly, the Ambode administration recently inaugurated the state council on MSMEs for proper coordination of the MSMEs in the state. The council would identify MSMEs operating in the state to help enhance their productivity and enable them to serve as the bedrock for the economic development of the state.

To attract the needed investment that will enhance prosperity in the state, the administration intervened in public security by donating security equipment worth N4.7b to the State Police Command. The administration was to later present 140 brand new Ford Ranger Pick-Ups and 335 power bikes fitted with communication gadgets, helmets, bullet proof vests and other kits at a cost of N1.85 billion. The equipment, which was launched by the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, will be distributed among the 107 police stations and 13 police area commands in Lagos State. Other beneficiaries include the Nigeria Customs, Immigration Services, the Nigeria Army, Air force, Navy, DSS, AIG Zone Two, Civil Defence, Federal Road Safety Corps, LASTMA, NDLEA, Lagos State Task Force and

the Nigeria Prison Services.

Towards boosting the internally generated revenue (IGR) base of the state, the state government has widened its tax net to include more groups and individuals. It has started the process of overhauling the informal sector with a view to ensuring voluntary compliance by all tax payers. Towards this end, three categories of tax payers, namely market men/women, artisans, micro, small and medium scale enterprises and domestic staff had been classified in the sector. They are expected to remit one per cent of what their earnings to government’s coffers.

With a view to enhancing tourism development in the state the “One Lagos Fiesta” was organised to hold concurrently in the five major divisions of the state. The Apapa Amusement Park was equally renovated to offer Lagosians an opportunity for leisure, recreation and entertainment. Sports development was also given a boost through the ‘Lagos City Marathon’ which attracted over 50,000 spectators, the Nestle Milo Secondary Schools’ Basketball and the annual Governor’s Cup (Lawn Tennis).

In the area of administration of justice, the state government inaugurated mobile courts to summarily try traffic as well as environmental offenders and mete out immediate punishments to those convicted. This is also a way to decongest the courts and not add to inconclusive cases that have been in courts for years. Similarly, the ‘Revised Laws of Lagos State’ was recently launched in order to make them accessible to the general public.

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

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MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

THE NEWSMAKER

Resolving the PDP Standoff

The sooner the Peoples Democratic Party puts its house in order the better, writes Adams Abonu

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ot long ago in the political history of Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) bestrode the Nigerian political space like a colossus.

Beclouded by the spoils of power, some of its leaders boasted that the the party would remain in power for another near-century, oblivious of the disenchantment within its ranks and the utter neglect of the people – the base of its stupendous power.

Then the bubble burst and the once “largest political party in Africa” became a shadow of its former self.

The once ruling party was never immune to crises; it survived several divisions within but came out stronger after the “family affairs” are swept under the carpet, then came the era of impunity and disregard for party principles heralded by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, a former national chairman, which led to the defection of five governors from its folds.

With the 2015 general election closed by, the defection of the PDP governors with a sizeable number of members from both chambers of the National Assembly and their teeming supporters became arguably the undoing of the party in the election. What followed was a calamitous outing which saw the party not only losing the presidency but also losing more than fifteen states hitherto under its control.

While the party might have lost in the past elections, finding it grooves back had proved a herculean task for its leaders. There have been all sorts of claims from several quarters since Adamu Muazu, a former governor of Bauchi State, who superintended the disastrous election threw in the towel mid last year.

Uche Secondus, an erstwhile deputy chairman of the party had been at the helms of affairs until an Abuja High Court declared in January that Muazu’s replacement must come from the North Eastern geopolitical zone. This paved the way for Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State with a maverick wand, to step in as acting National Chairman pending a proper national convention of the party that would usher in a new NWC. Senator Sheriff’s aspirations to steer the party towards subsequent electoral victory had been at the heart of the current crises that have besieged the party. While many PDP stalwarts see in Sheriff a political juggernaut capable of spearheading the needed revival of a dithering party, this does not resonate with a section within the party who sees the (former) national chairman as “a political baggage that must be handled cautiously.”

As the days to the May 21 National Convention loomed, many of the party’s governors galvanised around Sheriff, a support that became mainstream within the party. All the noble calculations of those advocating for Sheriff were encumbered by the resistance of a group made up mostly former ministers, who served in successive PDP-led federal governments.

“We cannot have a man like Modu Sheriff as our national chairman and expect to be taken serious by Nigerians. This is not a matter of politics but common sense which Nigerians expects of us. Some of us would reconsider our membership of the party if (Senator) Sheriff is made to continue as national chairman.

We have moral integrity to protect and our overall interest is that PDP should take back its rightful place,” Professor AB Nwosu, a former minister had said of Sheriff.

The turnout of events at the Port Harcourt National Convention was an anti-climax of sort. The entire PDP governors staged a political coup on Senator Sheriff forcing him

Sheriff...fighting to stay on

to quit, while Sheriff, in an apparent move to save the situation abruptly “suspended” the convention, in volte face obedience to “three court injunctions against holding elections into several positions within the NWC.” The convention went ahead and produced a precedent “Interim National Committee led by

As the differences within the folds of the major opposition party manifested, Nigerians have continued to express concerns about how the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could go unchallenged in their ‘clueless”administration of national affairs. But the need to place the issues at the roots of the disagreement and possible avenues towards reparation of interests becomes more crucial and forms a basis of this intervention

Makarfi...choice of the Port Harcourt convention.jpg

former Kaduna State Governor, Muhammadu Makarfi. A parallel convention of members opposed to Sheriff’s leadership held their convention in Abuja simultaneously, producing Senator Ibrahim Mantu, a former Deputy Senate President as “Caretaker Committee” Chairman for an “interim period of 90 days.” There are a lot of concerns about the emergence of these committees in what some members described as “alien to the party’s constitutions.”

Being the major opposition to a ruling party widely perceived as bereft of clues on how to meet the expectations of Nigerians, the crisis of confidence seeking to tear the umbrella apart in the PDP is unbecoming of the party.

From the differences in the perception of the continuity of Senator Sherriff-led National Working Committee (NWC) to the unexpected belligerence of otherwise respectable party elders, THISDAY checks indicated that resolving the ominous logjam as the party turned an important national convention to a show of shame is in the best interest of Nigeria’s democracy.

As the differences within the folds of the major opposition party manifested, Nigerians have continued to express concerns about how the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could go unchallenged in their ‘clueless” administration of national affairs. But the need to place the issues at the roots of the disagreement and possible avenues towards reparation of interests becomes more crucial and forms a basis of this intervention.

When the Professor Jerry Gana-led PDP Concerned Stakeholders met last Tuesday to renounce the Sheriff-led NWC, the hornet’s nest was stirred and the immediate consequence was a rift in a party in need of unity. A need arises for both sides of the divides within

the party to come together and harmonise their positions.

Among the sizeable elders with genuine intentions still in PDP, there exists former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido – a party faithful, who is the only remaining founding father of the party expected to put his voice of reason in such auspicious moment in the life of the party.

Lamido’s political sagacity and his penchant for building bridges across political divides must come in handy if PDP is to hit the road to glory. Once, when a major disagreement emerged in the party as to the appropriateness or otherwise of then President Jonathan to fly the presidential flag of the party, Lamido’s voice of caution reverberated to the point that he was vilified.

His strength of conviction is what the opposition party needs now that harmony of purpose is needed to get the giant back on track.

A party stalwart, who was recently elected into the North West Zonal Exco of the party, Alhaji Babandi Ibrahim, told THISDAY that “our party is in need of revival and we must put aside all differences to ensure that we achieve our objectives.

“What’s happening today in PDP is differences in interest, but there is every possibility of a resolution in earnest and this is in the best interest of the party. We are looking up to leaders of the party like Sule Lamido to call all sides to agreement and we expect party faithful to listen to the voice of reason.”

While many political analysts are of the consensus that a party in a bid to reassert itself cannot afford the ongoing crisis, PDP leaders should rally around Sule Lamido and make him a brand to lead people to the party.

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DEMOCRACYDAYWATCH

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

Ambode: Rising from the Rubble From a rather wobbly start, the Lagos State Governor, Mr.AkinwunmiAmbode is now on track, writes Shola Oyeyipo

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ne year in the saddle as the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has not only finally taken off from where former governor and Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola handed over, he is doing so at a speed that has seen his administration achieve so much within its first year in office.

Though as most other states, the administration faced challenges at the early stage such as upsurge in violent armed robbery attacks and the return of chaotic traffic conditions, Governor Ambode, who must have evaluated the situation to understand that governing a state as Lagos was not a 100-metres sprint and that the administration needed to implement carefully thought-out and well-coordinated policies targeted at actualising his campaign promises was quick to arresting the situation.

During his inaugural speech, Ambode assured the people of Lagos that his administration would be committed to the State Development Plan (2012-2025) which entails social development and security, infrastructural development, economic development and sustainable environment, all of which are succinctly captured in a tripod of security, job opportunities and infrastructure.

The second day after his swearing-in, precisely on Saturday, May 30, the governor convened a meeting with Permanent Secretaries in the civil service to share his vision to reposition the civil service to be more efficient and service-oriented organisation, which will involve streamlining some ministries, departments and agencies to cut cost of governance, as well as creation of new offices to cater for the emerging needs of the people in the next four years with them.

Thus, to achieve efficiency and at the same time cut cost of governance, Governor Ambode realigned the Ministry of Rural Development, Parastatals Monitoring Office as well as Political and Legislative Powers Bureau. He also announced the establishment of the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment (Lagos Global), Office of Civic Engagement as well Ministry of Wealth Creation.

He scrapped the Office of the Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue, Debt Management Office and merged the office of Works and Office of Infrastructure; Office of Drainage Services and Office of Environmental Service.

Not oblivious of the importance of security to Lagosians and businesses, Ambode immediately addressed the issue of insecurity by rebranding the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Nigerian Police, and immediately donated equipment worth N4.765bn to Lagos police.

According to the Minister of Interior, Lt. General Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), the Lagos State initiative is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria and a sign of seriousness about the premium the state government under Ambode places on the security of lives and property of residents.

Some of the items donated included 100 four-door salon cars, 55 Ford Ranger pick-ups, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser pick-ups, 15 BMW power bikes, 100 power bikes, Isuzu trucks, three helicopters, two gun boats, 15 Armoured Personnel Carriers (ACPC), revolving lights, siren and public address system, vehicular radio communicators, security gadgets including bullet proof vests, drones, helmets, handcuffs, uniforms, kits and improved insurance and death benefit schemes for officers and so on.

The government further donated 48 patrol vans, 385 walkie-talkies, 11 base and repeater stations, 1,150 Uniforms, 570 handcuffs, 1,150 belts, berets and boots to boost the operation of the Neighbourhood Watchers so as to complement the police in keeping all the communities free from crimes.

The investment paid off because since the loads of equipment were given out, the spate of robberies have reduced drastically. Not only that, it has also aided in recovering vehicles stolen at gun point and in securing lives and property of residents in the state.

To ensure that the fight against crime is taken to another level, the government has embarked

Ambode...out to make good his promises

on criminal justice reform and plans are currently underway to establish the first ever high-powered DNA Forensic Laboratory in Nigeria, which will take off within the next six to twelve months.

The laboratory, which would be called the Lagos State DNA Forensics Centre (LSDFC), when fully operational would fulfill an unmet need for DNA profiling which is a unique forensic technique that is now being used all over the world. Earlier this month, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with ITSI Biosciences LCC for the commencement of the establishment of the Centre.

Also, as part of security, Ambode’s ‘Light up Lagos’ project inaugurated to fulfill the promise of lighting up every nook and cranny of the state has resulted in major highways in Lagos being lit up, improving driving experience for motorists at night and at the same time reducing criminal activities at night.

As at today, there are street lights from Berger to Lekki, Third Mainland Bridge, Iyana Ipaja, Ikorodu to Lagos Island, the entire Ikeja axis, Victoria Island, Ikoyi and many other parts of the state.

In April, the governor commissioned a 36km stretch of street lights from Ile-Zik to Sango

In what many consider a major step towards addressing the problem of transportation in Lagos, Ambode recently announced plans by his administration to embark on the construction of the fourth Mainland Bridge.

It has already signed the MoU with investors to kick-start the project. If government achieves this feat, it would have earned its place in the history books of not just Lagos, but Nigeria

Toll Gate, while the entire stretch of Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road has also been lit up. Ambode has also affirmed that the project will extend to other areas of the state in due course.

A total number of 49 transformers were donated to communities that were hitherto in total darkness and they are now fully lit up, while 67 communities in Ibeju-Lekki starting from Eleko to Ode-Omi that had been in total darkness for five years were connected to the National Grid. 34 communities in Badagry are also expected to be connected to the National Grid

by September of this year. What’s more, Ambode already approved new 500KVA transformers for three communities in Palmgroove Estate, Ijegun and Alapere areas after merely reading about their plight on the pages of newspapers.

With what is on the ground, Ambode has shown a desire for drastic improvement in the area of road rehabilitation and reconstruction. Within a few days in office, he had reassured the people that his administration would rehabilitate the roads that were completely deplorable. Some of the roads where Ambode’s administration has intervened include the completion of Ago Palace Way, Capitol Road, Ajasa Command Road, Ejigbo Ikotun Road, Okota Road, Isolo, Metal Box Road, Ogba, Daleko Road, Mushin, Brown Street and Oshodi, among others.

Most of these roads were not captured in the 2015 fiscal year, and some federal roads were also rehabilitated including Lagos Abeokuta and Lagos Badagry Expressway. At the last count, over 500 roads have been rehabilitated while another 189 have been earmarked for the next phase.

At the beginning of 2016, Ambode in fulfillment of one of his campaign promises to ensure rehabilitation of inner roads, approved the construction of two roads each across the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) totaling 114 roads. A six-month time frame was given for the completion of the road projects which is expected to elapse by the end of June.

The ongoing construction of flyover bridges in Abule Egba junction and Ajah round about, two of the state’s high-density traffic zones approved by the state executive council is another laudable project being commended by residence of these areas.

Just as government is investing in massive road rehabilitation across the state, it is also boosting public transportation with the injection

of 434 new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses for the Ikorodu corridor during the commissioning of the Mile 12-Ikorodu BRT extension project.

There was also a re-launch of the Blue Line Rail Project by the governor. The project, when completed would see over 500,000 passengers conveyed daily between Marina and Okokomaiko.

In what many consider a major step towards addressing the problem of transportation in Lagos, Ambode recently announced plans by his administration to embark on the construction of the fourth Mainland Bridge. It has already signed the MoU with investors to kick-start the project. If government achieves this feat, it would have earned its place in the history books of not just Lagos, but Nigeria. The project, which would be built under a Public Private Partnership initiative, will run from Ajah to Ikorodu to Isawo and berth at Ojodu, Ikeja back to the Ibadan expressway.

In the health sector, Ambode has commissioned 20 Mobile Care Units Ambulances and 26 Transport Ambulances expected to be deployed across the various General Hospitals and 24 hour primary healthcare centres in the state. He also approved the purchase of generators and x-ray machines to all general hospitals in the state to provide 24 hour power supply.

In the first few months of his administration, Ambode was also able to resolve outstanding issues relating to welfare of doctors, thereby improving healthcare delivery in the state and stabilising the sector for effective performance. He also approved the recruitment of more paramedic staff and special medical coordinators to ensure 24 hours service to the citizenry and he has also announced a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative for the construction of a Medical Park in Ikoyi area of the state, at a cost of N49billion.

The project has already been awarded to MEDIPARK International Limited Consortium which comprises of MEDIPARK International Limited, Cleveland Clinics Ohio, USA; St. Barnabas Healthcare System, New Jersey; and American Hospital Management Company, Washington DC and it is expected to be completed within 20 months from when the project takes off.

The educational sector has not been left out as well. In a move to permanently resolve the protracted crisis at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ambode came up with an Executive Bill proposing a five-year single tenure for the institution’s Vice Chancellor and signed same into law after passage by the House of Assembly.

The new law pegs the retirement age for professors at 70 years and makes the institution a residential campus. Top of the efforts towards ensuring lasting peace in the state’s higher institution of learning was the appointment and inauguration of Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun as the eighth substantive Vice Chancellor and he has since been functioning in that capacity.

At the primary school level, Ambode has approved the recruitment of 1300 qualified teachers to teach in the public primary schools across the state and he earmarked over N1billion for the renovation and supply of furniture and education materials across all secondary schools in the state.

With the eventual launch of the N25bn Employment Trust Fund, Ambode is working to drastically transform employment creation in the state, especially by providing soft loans with very little interest to entrepreneurs. He showed his commitment to the initiative, when he signed the Bill into law after passage by the Lagos State House of Assembly, and also appointed seasoned and respected professionals to manage the fund. In February, he inaugurated the Board to manage the fund with a charge to them to ensure that Lagosians, who need the fund benefit from it.

While his administration works to ensure food security by entering into a deal with the Kebbi State government for the development of commodity value chain rice production, make Lagos a hub of entertainment in Africa and ultimately attract investment, Ambode is seen to be building on the blueprint put in place by former Governor Bola Tinubu, built upon

by Mr. Fashola amidst high expectations from Lagosians, who don’t settle for less.

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Ikpeazu: Fantastically on Course!

The Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has a lot to show for his first year in office. Shola Oyeyipo writes

L

ong before the first year anniversary of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State in office, the state government has been blazing the trail as one of the proactive governments working to make noticeable impacts and within a short time of assuming office.

For instance, during the first 100 days countdown, the government had so much to show. Even where some states had live televised elaborate celebrations to commemorate the date, Ikpeazu did something very instructive.

He chose not celebrate his 100 days in office the conventional way.

Though some could have felt it was because he had nothing to showcase, the governor’s inclination was that there were several achievements to celebrate, considering that the people had lacked some essential needs and the confidence reposed in him to turn around the fortunes of the state for better as quickly as possible must not be abused. Thus, the time was yet to come for celebrations.

For him, therefore, instead of expending scarce resources on celebration when it could be used for other tangible things, he marked his 100 days in office at no special cost to the state by inspecting the projects he commenced and those inherited and continued and that was informative in enumerating what his government had achieved within the time frame and what the administration has been working on.

From Monday, September 21, 2015 to Wednesday, September 23, 2015, Ikpeazu went from Nneato in Umunneochi LGA, Abia North senatorial district to Ibeme in Obingwa LGA, Abia South, and Abia Central, which was practically covering the length and breadth of the state – though a very tedious exercise, it was equally an opportunity to see how funds allotted to projects were being spent.

Some of the projects the governor inspected in Abia North included the Imo Dimkpa Bridge, Nneato; the Obolo-Eziama-Osisinkita road also in Nneato and an erosion site at Isuochi Model Secondary School, Isuochi, all in Umunneochi LGA. At Ohafia LGA, he inspected the ongoing Abiriba Ring road and the Okon-Aku Bridge at Okon-Aku Ohafia. At Arochukwu LGA, he inspected the Ndi-Oji, Ndi-Okereke-Ozu-Abam Road and the BendeIdima Abam Road which are both alternative roads to Arochukwu to avoid the perennially impassable Ohafia-Arochukwu Federal road.

The following day, in Abia South senatorial district, he inaugurated the Ibeme Electricity project in what was the first time electricity would get to the community. At old UmuahiaAba road popularly known as Ururuka road, he inspected failed portions of the road under reconstruction and later at Ukaegbu and Umuola roads, Kamalu road, Udeagbala road, ENUC road, Oomne Drive and Aba-Owerri road.

He saw ongoing projects.

On the last day of the tour, at Abia Central senatorial district, Ikpeazu kicked off the Umuojima road in Osisioma LGA, inaugurated the Awom-Ukwu, Umusokoro Ikwuano Electricity Project, inspected roads within Umuahia metropolis and finally inaugurated the electricity project from Ohiya in Umuahia South LGA to Ntigha in Isialangwa North LGA. As at that time, going by the summary of all on-going road projects in the state, some of which had been completed. They include Ukaegbu, Umuocham, Mcc/Umuojima, Udeagbala, Ehere, Faulks by Samek, Umuola, Kamalu, Oomne, Umule, Ururuka, NtighaMbawsi to Ururuka (Phase 2), Old Express, Echefu , Enuc, 6no Roads (Jubilee, Ehi, Ube, Hospital, Adazi, Azikiwe from Asa to East), Owerri road, Mosque and Aba-Owerri Road.

Others are Agbama Housing Estate Ring road, five roads at low cost Housing Estate, asphalt overlay of Kaduna street, Abam street, Awolowo road, Niger road, Umuwaya road, 3 roads at Ogurube Layout (ICC road, JAAC road, Ring road) and Dozie way (IBB layout).

In the Abia North Senatorial Zone, Abiriba ring

The developmental strides of the current Abia State leadership have been promising. The government has concluded most of the projects it promised the people and is seen to be sustaining efforts at completing even the on-going ones.

The belief is that if the governor continues this way, dedicate more effort to quickly fixing the system and intensify efforts at targeting the poor locals in the remote communities, his achievements would be phenomenal

Ikpeazu...sustaining the good start

road, Bende-Idima-Abam road, Eke-EziamaObuzo-Ngodo road, Imo Ndimkpa Bridge, Nneato, and Okon-Aku Bridge, Ohafia.

Aside all these, the government had reactivated the Umuahia Regional Water works, while pipe-borne water now works in Umuahia; comprehensive drainage and storm-water channel desilting; the Education for Employment (E4E) scheme, which seeks to reactivate Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET); the reactivation of street lights in major cities in Abia State and a directive that every new road being constructed in Abia State must come with street lights and several other projects and policies directly programmed to improve the living standards of the people.

Also, worthy of note is the bill he sent to the Abia State House of Assembly for the setting up of an Abia State Investment Promotion

Agency and the appointment of a Special Adviser on Public Private Partnership and Investment Promotion (PPP/IP), who is to set up a one-stop investment centre (OSIC) in Abia State to facilitate easy processes on investment inflow into Abia State as a way to open up the state for investment, employ more people and end poverty.

With the Office of Aba Urban Renewal set up to transform Aba from its current neglected condition to a city that would boast basic modern amenities, Ikpeazu has been restoring sanity to the city and as part of the administration’s effort to empower youths through agriculture, 40 youths selected from across the state have been sent to the Songhai Farm in Porto-Novo, Benin Republic for comprehensive training in agricultural value-chain. These youths will return to train other youths on how to engage in commercial agriculture,

where there are no white-collar jobs.

The developmental strides of the current Abia State leadership have been promising.

The government has concluded most of the projects it promised the people and is seen to be sustaining efforts at completing even the on-going ones. The belief is that if the governor continues this way, dedicate more effort to quickly fixing the system and intensify efforts at targeting the poor locals in the remote communities, his achievements would be phenomenal.

However, going by the ranking of the youth wing of the apex Igbo organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ikpeazu is the overall best performing newly elected governor in Igboland.

Mazi Okemiri Alex, who chaired the screening committee of the poll, which assessed all the first term governors of the old eastern and Southern region ahead of the democracy day celebration, including Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) and Ikpeazu, commended all of them for delivering the dividends of democracy to their people since their assumption of office in the last one year.

Friends and foes are however waiting to see how he hopes to supervise his 101.4b 2016 Abia State appropriation, which he tagged: ‘Budget of Restoration through Enterprise.’ At the kick-off of the budget, Ikpeazu assured the people that it was designed to create a state in which enterprise and hard work would be a parameter for which the citizenry are graded.

He hopes to cut cost and discourage those sabotaging government’s efforts towards development, hence he promised efficiency, accountability and prudent management of available resources, so that more would be achieved in infrastructural development. But the governor would need to make good, the targeted of N2bn monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to meet up with the state’s financial responsibilities amidst the dwindling federal allocation.

To this end, he would have to activate all the revenue generating laws that have been passed by the Abia State House of Assembly such as the Abia security fund law, the Abia advertissng and signage law, the public, private partnership initiative law, Abia Quary and Dredging site law and others, to ensure that taxable Abians are brought into the tax net by the Board of Internal Revenue to help in realising the budget target.

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY,JUNE 1, 2016

DEMOCRACYDAYWATCH

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

Emmanuel: The Road to Rare Accomplishments From Godswill Akpabio’s uncommon transformation to Udom Emmanuel’s unequalled accomplishments, the Akwa Ibom State story is changing for the better, writes Segun James

T

he challenges that strewn his path before and after his election were enough to throw him off balance. From the challenge of governance to the litigations over the legitimacy of his mandate, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, like most governors, had an interestingly rough start. But he kept his eyes on the ball and would not give in to cheap distractions especially that it comes with the job.

“If you think you don’t want to be distracted or can’t answer all manners of names, don’t come out to serve. The terrain allows for that,” Emmanuel once said at an interactive session with some select media in Lagos. Although straight from the banking hall, there is no gainsaying the fact that the governor appears prepared for the job. He understands the issues and with his impressive intellect and exposure, is able to sell them. He enjoys being taken on but on the intellectual burner.

His grasp of issues, policies and intricate rudiments of governance are today is selling points. In truth, his predecessor, Godswill Akpabio might have laid the foundation for a rather smooth take-off, it becomes an entirely different ball game the moment power changes hands and not only did this reality dawn on Emmanuel early, he also picked up immediately knowing full well that excuses would not improve his scorecard at the end of the day.

Twelve months in the saddle, Emmanuel is already writing his own name with a choice pen in the sand of time. With contemporaneous developments of the different and critical sectors of the state, the Akwa Ibom story can only get better. The technical committee set up for the realization of the key projects like the Ibom Deep Seaport, Agriculture and Food Sufficiency as well as Foreign Direct Investments, amongst others is evidently up to task with manifest results.

Major roads construction and dualisation, including the fly-over at Ikot Oku Ikono junction, upgrade of infrastructure, urban remodeling and renewal projects, commercial agricultural schemes such as the Cocoa production scheme, Agro-allied economic enhancement programmes as well as the implementation of different capacity building programmes for the workers, the youths and the women in the state form the basis for celebrating his one year in office.

These, coupled with free and compulsory education policy, free health care service for pregnant women, children between 0-5 years and the aged as well as the numerous welfare packages for the people, including the less privileged living with disabilities as well as victims of natural disasters, are some of the sectoral accomplishments of the governor so far.

The consolidation of infrastructure as well as expansion is yet another cardinal objective of the Emmanuel administration. With a budgetary allocation of N65.42 Billion in the 2015 state appropriation and N91.8 Billion in 2016, infrastructure development and the construction of roads, bridges and drainages have remained at the centre stage of the administration. This is because government considers them key drivers of industrialisation as Investors and tourists are best attracted to destinations, where adequate infrastructure is put in place.

Emmanuel assumed office with the vision to ensure a clean and healthy environment. His policy thrust on Environment and Mineral Resources is targeted at pollution control and waste management, flood and erosion control, forest reserves conservation, mineral resources development and sustained awareness campaign on good public attitude towards environmental protection. The manifestation of this vision is evident in the beautiful scenery the state adorns.

A key necessity of people is shelter and Emmanuel is fast tackling the housing needs

Emmanuel...changing the story

of the people of the state. In keeping with the recommendation of the white paper by the ‘Presidential committee on Urban Development and Housing,” the governor has ensured access to decent, safe and healthy housing facility and house ownership as well

Evidently, the challenges ahead are going to be tougher, but the good news is that they are not impossible with the present administration.

Emmanuel has not only begun to walk the talk within one year of assuming office, he has proven to have the capacity to take Akwa Ibom further.

No doubt, a good start, the governor too knows that excuses for a declining performance would not be entertained

as map out a well-planned urbanisation for the state, proving again that government is committed to providing quality housing and urban renewal services as well as decent and affordable accommodation to the teeming populace.

In the area of Agriculture and Food sufficiency, which government considers critical to the wellbeing and socio-economic transformation of the people, the state Agriculture already engages over 70 per cent of the state’s population with the capacity to catapult the state from consumption – oriented economy to a market – driven economy. With the dwindling fortunes of petroleum globally, it becomes imperative to diversify into massive agricultural for increased food production.

Emmanuel knows it is impossible to underplay the role of power in driving his vision hence his investment in that sector. Thus, in his quest to make Akwa Ibom State an industrial hub in the gulf of Guinea, Governor Emmanuel has been tackling power generation in the state to boost commercial and domestic activities.

The governor, in his bid not to leave anything out, has also identified some matters as technical. Therefore, for effective handling of technical matters as they are marked, involving massive and capital intensive projects, the idea is to work in liaison with various project ministries/ agencies to evaluate, monitor, control and verify the projects to ensure adherence to due process towards achieving cost effectiveness and compliance with global standard.

To boost investment, commerce and industry, Emmanuel had declared at the inception of his government that “Our commitment to industrialisation is irrevocable. We know that through industrialisation we shall rewrite the Akwa Ibom story in employment and wealth creation”.

That declaration is largely believed to have manifested in the pace of events and the magnitude of developments that are connected to the industrialisation sub-sector of the Akwa Ibom economy. Beginning from clear policy articulation to the array of project consolidation as well as result bearing indices, there is no denying the fact the last 12 months have been remarkable for the government and her people.

Tourism is globally considered as the fastest growing source of revenue generating machinery, second only to oil, which unfortunately is fast losing its place with the current crash in the prices of petroleum globally. Realising this, Emmanuel had on assumption of office drawn a development blueprint targeted at the development of culture and tourism for wealth creation, youth empowerment, socio-economic transformation and direct foreign investment.

And in order to fully actualise the blueprint, government has evolved policies and programmes targeted at providing the enabling environment for the attainment of the goal.

This is to ensure adequate exposure of the abundant natural endowments and potential of the state to global searchlight in attracting national and international patronage.

Emmanuel does not underplay the role of labour and effective civil service in the success of any government or organization, to the extent of their harmonious relationship. The governor has therefore put in place manpower development and capacity building programmes to ensure a sustained cordial working relationship between the state government and labour for a smooth running of government machinery.

Apart from diversifying into agriculture as alternative revenue generating means, the governor has further charted a pragmatic approach with a view to turning around the fortunes of the state. As a result, government has put in place modalities to establish, maintain and ensure continuous improvement of machineries for sourcing, collation, accounting and utilizing of public funds.

Emmanuel is also sensitive to gender issues, which is fast gaining momentum in the development plans of government as encapsulated in the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs of the United Nations. This is in fact domesticated in Emmanuel’s 5-Point Agenda as his government has continued to put in place policies and undertake programmes for the enhancement of the welfare of women, children and the vulnerable members of the society.

Another fascinating thing about the government of the day in Akwa Ibom is its idea of rural development. The rural development master plan of the administration is to attain a far-reaching transformation of the state’s rural space and unflinching belief in equitable transformation as an index for economic development. The master plan systematically presents a holistic rural development thrust which targets credible data of rural infrastructure to reflect trajectories for intervention, extension of electricity to all communities and provision of potable water to rural dwellers to check the prevalence of water borne disease, amongst others.

Evidently, the challenges ahead are going to be tougher, but the good news is that they are not impossible with the present administration. Emmanuel has not only begun to walk the talk within one year of assuming office, he has proven to have the capacity to take Akwa Ibom further. No doubt, a good start, the governor too knows that excuses for a declining performance would not be entertained. He can only go further.

20

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Child Rape Cases Surge in Bayelsa Emmanuel Addeh writes on the rising cases of child rape in Bayelsa State and its attendant consequences

A rape victim

S

he throws up her hands, almost in resignation over the fate that had just befallen her three-year-old daughter. “I have left them for God,” she mutters.

Head slightly lowered; as if ashamed she was failing in her responsibility of ensuring that the burden of continuing the rape case, now with the police, solely rests on her somewhat thin shoulders.

“The police have asked that I should fund the expenses for going to the scene of crime to take pictures and handle other things that need to be done.

“They are asking for N10, 000, which I do not have now”, she says, cleaning off the dregs of tears that had flowed just below her eyelashes.

Her three-year-old daughter, Janet, (not real name) a victim of her so-called ‘uncle’s animal instincts, scared of every sound around her, wound her arms around the trunk of Iniye Ebipade, her mother, innately revelling in the temporary protection the woman offered.

“She came home from school a few days ago and was looking really uncomfortable.

She was walking unsteadily. When I asked her what was wrong with her, she started crying”, Janet’s mother, said, intermittently interspersing her English with pidgin, a lingo mostly popular in the Niger Delta.

It was a chance meeting in a local bar in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, where

she was overheard discussing the defilement of her toddler with one of the attendants in hushed tones.

With unease written all over her face, it took her time to feel comfortable enough to discuss what had just befallen her little angel when she was approached for an interview.

Gently turning down all entreaties to have

An 18-year-old girl who couldn’t take the shame of being stigmatised for life, committed suicide after being raped by a gang of three at Amarata in Yenagoa Local Government Area.She reportedly swallowed a poisonous substance known as Sniper and was later found groaning in pains and rushed to Glory Land Hospital, where she died

her picture taken, perhaps because of the stigma associated with victims’ families rather than that of the suspects, Ebipade, a single mother, says when she first noticed the change in the way the child walked, she thought the little girl probably fell while playing with her friends in school.

She continued, “my daughter started crying. The more I tried to ask what had happened, the more her crying increased.”

According to the woman, when the baby eventually calmed down, she started narrating how her ‘uncle’, her class teacher, whose name she gave as Friday John, had violated her.

“She started pointing to her private area. I immediately pulled the cloth and the pants she was wearing. All I saw was what looked like some dry whitish substance all over her private part.

“I didn’t even realise she had been defiled until I tried washing off the substance did I know that what I was cleaning off was semen. It took a while before the entire thing came out, then I went to report to the police who later arrested the teacher”, she said.

“He (John, the teacher) has been arrested, but meeting the condition the police gave me for continuing the case has become a big problem.” Her father left me after I delivered her. I know they might soon release the boy. But I don’t have the money”, she repeated.

“We took her to the hospital and they did a scan of her abdomen and said there was water in her abdomen. I don’t know what the doctors mean, but I am very afraid. She was supposed to be admitted, but there’s no money for admission in the hospital”, she noted, looking dejected.

This is not the first, not even the 10th case of child rape that has been reported in the state in the last few months, but as to be expected, many of the cases remain unreported for several reasons, mainly cultural.

Just recently, the people of Immringi, in Ogbia local council of the state were shocked to hear of an incestuous relationship between a man, Bamekpa, and his 12-year-old daughter.

For a period spanning a year, Bamekpa repeatedly defiled the young girl, who was 11 at the time. To make matters worse, the girl got pregnant and to cap it all, the father aborted the four-month-old pregnancy.

As expected for a girl that young, who was operated on by a quack, her health deteriorated. Relatives accused Bamekpa of having earlier slept with his biological sisters and his cousin’s daughter who he allegedly forced to commit abortion five times.

Distressed, the young girl sought help from her uncle, one David Apigi, following her deteriorating health condition as a result of complications from the abortion.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

FEATURES

Dickson...recently signed into law a new Child Rights Bill

She had started bleeding seriously while the father took her to the same doctor who then took her to other places for help.

“There was nobody to help me. He kept doing it despite my efforts to stop him.

It was a painful and violent experience. I ran away from home because there was a time I bled so much from my private part.

“When I became pregnant and he heard about it, he handed me over to a lady doctor who took me through an unsuccessful process of abortion. I have been suffering series of health issues since after the abortion”, the young lady told newsmen.

In another horrific incident, two teenage girls between the ages of 15 and 16 years of age were violently raped to death by a gang of young men in separate areas of the Bayelsa State capital.

The 15-year-old girl was reportedly defiled by a gang of boys at an uncompleted building along the D.S.P Alamieyeseigha expressway.

In a ridiculous settlement move, one of the suspect’s parents was said to have offered the victim N1,000 and a rubber of rice to close the case.

In a separate case just before that, an 18-year-old girl who couldn’t take the shame of being stigmatised for life, committed suicide after being raped by a gang of three at Amarata in Yenagoa Local Government Area.

She reportedly swallowed a poisonous substance known as Sniper and was later found groaning in pains and rushed to GloryL and Hospital, where she died.

Chinedu Eze, alias Chiboy, a 40-year-old suspected paedophile was also recently accused of the serial rape of a nine-year-old girl around Akenfa part of the state.

The victim, a Primary four pupil was said to have complained of severe abdominal pains and later admitted to have been raped many times by the man who always lured her with N100 each time.

In the same manner, a 40-year-old man, the State Coordinator of Child Protection Network, CPN, Mrs. Mariam Kombo-Ezeh, recently revealed, raped a four-year-old girl to death in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Two other cases of child abuse, which occurred in the state, including the death of a seven-year-old girl of complications from HIV/AIDS after being raped and infected by a man, and another 13-year-old girl gang-raped in Yenagoa, the state capital, were listed by the NGO during the event.

The revelation came just as residents of

Akenfa, area of Yenagoa apprehended a 35-year-old man for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl in the neighbourhood.

The angry residents who reportedly caught the man in the act, descended on the suspect, beat him up and called the Police. The victim’s shout for help attracted sympathisers who came to her rescue.

In Otuoke, a university community, in Ogbia Local Government, members of the community woke up to hear reports that a 36-year-old man raped an 18-year-old teenage girl to death.

He was later arrested by operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who saw him attempting to throw the remains of the girl into a nearby bush.

Several other cases, too many to mention, abound, even as four persons suspected to be cultists not long ago, raped an 18-year-old girl along the Gwegwe area of Yenagoa.

The victim was attacked while returning from a visit to a friend in the area, gagged and dragged into a lonely building in the area. One Godfrey Igbare, who was identified as being one of the rapists, was later apprehended.

Not surprisingly, the growing trend has

Four persons suspected to be cultists not long ago, raped an 18-year-old girl along the Gwegwe area of Yenagoa.

The victim was attacked while returning from a visit to a friend in the area, gagged and dragged into a lonely building in the area.

One Godfrey Igbare, who was identified as being one of the rapists, was later apprehended

IG Solomon Arase...should step up the prosecution of rapists

attracted the attention of academics in the area who have taken time to research the growing phenomenon.

Quite disturbing were findings in a long report on child molestation in the state, carried out by Chika Duru, Ovuirororie Ederian and Felix Akinbami of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, Bayelsa State, published in the Global Advanced Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Science.

In the research paper titled, ‘Child sexual abuse: a review of cases presenting at the out-patient clinic of a tertiary health centre in Bayelsa State’, the trio noted that sexual abuse remains a silent crime which occurs in different settings and cuts across varying social classes in the state.

Due to the stigma associated with it, the academics noted, the victims rarely disclosed the act thus leading to underreporting of cases, with even fewer victims eventually presenting for medical care.

Working with a sample of 33 (32 females, 1 male), abused children, presenting in the hospital, the lecturers reported that the perpetrators were mostly males, 96.7 per cent, with those known to the abused children constituting 66.7 per cent.

According to them, the mode of sexual abuse in the majority peaking at 87.9 per cent of cases was genital-genital contact, with victims presenting with vaginal bleeding, vaginal/perineal pain, vaginal discharge and changes in behaviour.

The scholars advocated increased public awareness, accessibility to child social services and training of healthcare workers on appropriate management of such cases.

They listed the short and long term adverse health effects of the abuse as transmission of HIV and other STDs, somatic and visceral injury, unwanted pregnancy, obstructed labour, vesico-vaginal and rectovaginal fistulas.

According to them, consequences associated with the growing trend could be high risk behaviours such as prostitution, multiple sexual partners, substance abuse, delinquency in later life, feelings of vulnerability, shame, guilt, fear, poor self-esteem and depression.

With the ages of the children in question ranging from 1 year 10 months to 15 years, those of the perpetrators, were from 13 to 70 years.

“The sexual abuse was discovered after parents/care givers noted the presence of the symptoms in 9 (27.3%) children, 6 (18.1%)

children disclosed the abuse to their parents, 2(6.1%) were caught in the act while 1 (3.0%) was discovered to be pregnant.

“In 7(21.2%) children, the sexual abuse was an incidental finding during investigations for other symptoms such as constipation and changes in behaviour”, the report noted.

“One of the children, a 15-year-old female, presented with features of post-abortal sepsis”, while many perpetrators were neighbours, uncles, family friends, classmates, step brothers, cousins, teachers and strangers in some cases”, said the research paper.

The defilements, the teachers noted, usually took place in the children’s houses, perpetrators’ houses, in the bushes, uncompleted building and behind houses in a shared compound and classrooms.

The act was reported to be forceful in 21.2 per cent of the cases where it was associated with strangling, gagging or use of herbal concoctions to sedate the child while in the rest it was associated with various forms of coercion such as bribery with gifts and money, the report said.

However, the police in the state noted that they were winning the war against child molestation which has become rampant in area.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat told THISDAY that special departments have been set up at all levels of the force to specifically handle cases affecting women and children.

“We have the juvenile women centre which is attending to such issues, especially sex-related offences. We have also charged many cases to court while several others are under investigation”, Butswat said.

He added, “there’s a juvenile unit under the CID, even at the Divisional level, they handle such cases. So, we have recorded various successes and working even harder to minimise the cases of child molestation”, he assured.

Governor Seriake Dickson had a couple of weeks ago, also expressed delight that the new Child Rights Bill he signed into law would offer protection for children in the state.

He stated that anyone caught violating the rights of children would be prosecuted according to the provisions of the law and expressed the hope that with the law, the rate of child abuse would be minimised.

But as concerned citizens wait for a more concerted effort at curbing the ugly trend, many are also looking forward to the day the new law would catch it’s first culprit.

22

IMAGES

R-L: Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; his wife, Nkechi; Deputy Governor Ude Oko Chukwu; and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Matins Azubike, at a church service to mark the Democracy Day at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, in Umuahia...recently

L-R: Eniretide Oshunmakinde, Oreoluwa Lawal, Regional Manager (West Africa), Emirates Airline, Manoj Nair, Sunmisola Orija and Omodesire Popoola at the Emirates Children’s Day celebration, in Lagos... recently

L-R: Director, Customers Service, Etisalat Nigeria, Plato Syrimis; Etisalat Customers, Hauwa Maureen Lazzari; and Ibrahim Idris; Director Network, Abdul Adegbuyi; and the Director, Brands & Experience, Elvis Ogiemwanye, during the Etisalat customers forum, in Abuja...recently

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016

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

L-R: Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Chairman, Dangote Foundation, Mr. Aliko Dangote; and the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Lola Akande, at the launch of Dangote Foundation micro grants to beneficiaries across the state, at Ikeja, Lagos...recently

L-R: Consultant Periodontology, Department of Preventive Dentistry, LUTH and Lead Researcher, Prof.

Kofoworola Savage; President, Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Olabode Ijarogbe; and the Managing Director, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumers Plc, Mr. Thandalam Dayanand, during the presentation of a report on the Nigerian Survey on Non-Carious Cervical Lesion and Dentine, at the Sensodyne dental seminar, in Lagos...recently

Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and his wife, Olori Wuraola, celebrating the 2016 World Children’s Day in his palace Ile-Ife, Osun State...recently dan ukana

L-R: Divisional Head, Public Sector, Heritage Bank, Moji Oladun; Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Head of Collections, Heritage Bank, Olufemi Soneye; and Chief of Staff to the governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, during a courtesy visit and presentation of e-Collections product of the bank to the governor, in Osogbo...recently

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD NIBOR PRIME 1-MONTH

R A T E S

A S

LOAN

4.4583% 9.1071%

3-MONTH 3-MONTH

11.0102% 12.3790%

NITTY 1-MONTH 2-MONTH 3-MONTH

A T

Group Business Editor Chika Amanze-Nwachuku Email chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157

M A Y 2 0 , 6.9949% 7.2368% 8.0819%

1-MONTH 9-MONTH 12-MONTH

2 0 1 6

9.2061% 9.5872% 10.5042%

EXCHANGE RATE N197/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Power:StandardCharteredPartnersUSAID

Standard Chartered stated that it has continued to deliver on its commitment to bridge Africa’s power gap by facilitating, coordinating and arranging transactions, which boost the capacity of national power grids and access to electricity across Africa.

In this latest milestone transaction, Standard Chartered has partnered the US Government, through USAID, to deliver a term loan worth $60 million to Zambia’s Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO), making this one of the largest facilities that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has delivered within President Obama’s ‘Power Africa’ partnership since the campaign’s launch in 2013.

The loan will finance capital expenditure tor ZESCO’s Lusaka Transmission and Distribution Rehabilitation Project (LTDRP) as well as provide bridge financing to facilitate new connections to the grid.

“Part of ZESCO’s strategic plan is to improve the quality of electricity and enhance connections to the national grid,” ZESCO’s Managing Director, Victor Mundende said.

“USAID and Standard Chartered’s support has already delivered more than 15,000 new power connections. Furthermore, some of the funds provided will be used for other scheduled power system upgrades, contributing to new and existing connections to homes and businesses across the country. ZESCO remains committed to meeting its aspirations of electrifying 60 per cent of Zambia by 2030.”

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE

L-R: Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, Rahul Colaco; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh and CEO of FrieslandCampina, Mr. Roelof Joosten, during the Minister’s visit to Royal FrieslandCampina, The Netherlands … recently

Report: Anaemic Infrastructure Nigeria’s Greatest Challenge Obinna Chima Despite the numerous challenges facing Nigeria presently, the country’s weak state of infrastructure has been identified as its greatest challenge.

A report revealed that only 56 per cent of Nigerians have access to electricity, well below the average of 80 per cent for three comparison groups.

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) stated this in a report titled: “Unlocking Nigeria’s Potential – The Path to Well-being,” made available to THISDAY. The report was

ECONOMY jointly authored by Luis Gravito, Miguel Pita, Jaime Ruiz-Cabrero, and Wiebe Boer.

It noted that power outages are widespread in the country, stating that three-quarters of companies reported that the lack of reliable energy was a major constraint to their businesses.

According to the report, the country’s road network is also weak, with 0.21 kilometres of roads per square kilometre, compared with an average of 0.33 for the three comparison groups.

“Only about 30 per cent of

the population has access to improved sanitation facilities (those that meet certain hygiene standards), and just 64 per cent has access to drinkable water (compared with an average of 88% for the three groups).

These major infrastructure gaps create health challenges and limit job creation and economic diversification,” it added.

Studies showed that Nigeria would need to invest about $3 trillion in infrastructure over the next 30 years, or roughly $100 billion a year. That is equal to nearly 20 per cent of current Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually.

To this end, the BCG report recommended five actions for addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure crisis.

Firstly, it called for the creation of a central body that is empowered to oversee the life cycle of infrastructure investments. The infrastructure effort, it stated must start with the creation of a central governing body with representatives from multiple stakeholders, including state and federal government. This body should appoint an executive group to manage infrastructure projects Continued on page 24

FG May Raise Tax Revenue to 18% in Next Fiscal Year Eromosele Abiodun The federal government plans to increase Nigeria’s tax revenue from the current value of seven per cent to 18 per cent by the next fiscal year, Director General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr. Abraham Nwankwo has said.

Nwankwo who stated this in a chat with journalists in Lagos stressed that Nigeria, as the biggest economy in Africa should also boast of the biggest revenue from public tax.

Pointing out that Nigeria needs effective tax administration to achieve the feat, he said the minimum tax revenue collected by countries in Nigeria’s pear group is 18 per cent while Nigeria only earns seven per cent tax revenue.

ECONOMY On the contrary, he said developed or industrialised countries realised as much as 27 per cent of public tax revenue.

He stated that Nigeria can double its public tax revenue if every Nigerian and corporate organisations pays their tax as required by law adding that this will make Nigeria’s debt sustainable.

Nwankwo said: “If we achieve 18 per cent of tax revenue Nigeria will be able to meet most of its obligations.

Stakeholders must do what they can to support the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to achieve this. In the past, Nigeria depended solely on crude oil revenue but indications now

showed that Nigeria should to traditional ways of funding its obligations.”

The DMO, he added, is committed to making sure that Nigeria raise money to fund the 2016 budget deficit from appropriate sources and through appropriate mix during the fiscal year to make sure that capital projects are funded.

Contrary to fears in some quarters that the country has over borrowed, the DMO boss stressed that the Nigerian debt level was highly sustainable, noting that the nation still had a lot of idle potential, which the administration is striving to harness for effective growth of the economy.

Nwankwo disclosed that Nigeria’s debt to GDP ratio is 13 per cent, its peer group

has 56 per cent.

“So in that essence, our debt is still very sustainable. In this respect, I am encouraging all Nigerians to continue to make sure that they pay their taxes fully as and when due because our tax revenue to GDP ratio is relatively low compared to countries in our peer group,” he said.

He said full payment of taxes by individuals and corporate bodies would enhance debt and overall economic sustainability of the country.

Speaking on the economic recession, which he said was caused mainly by unfavourable structural change in the fall of oil prices globally, Nwankwo said the Nigerian government Continued on page 24

Africa Oil Week Holds in Cape Town

Global Pacific & Partners with the ITE Group will host the 23rd Annual Africa Oil Week/Africa Upstream 2016 Conference from 31st October-4th November 2016.

The event would hold at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa.

A statement announcing the forthcoming event, said it would highlights Africa’s upstream world with insights, debate and discourse from governments, national oil companies, licensing agencies and leading corporate players shaping the continent’s vast hydrocarbon future, providing extensive high-level senior executive networking for securing new venture possibilities and finance/investment opportunities.

“For over two decades, and with a track record of over 200 events held in and on Africa’s oil and gas game, Global Pacific & Partners’ Africa Oil Week (held with ITE Group) is widely recognised for forging corporate/state relationships across Africa and worldwide, and driving direct/foreign investment into or inside Africa’s multiple upstream landscapes.

“As numerous top-level executives in the global industry have oft-noted, the Africa Oil Week/Africa Upstream Conference stands apart from all other events as the leading meeting in or on Africa, and sits at the top of the global oil-gas calendar,” it added.

Ecobank Institutes Essay Competition

Ecobank Nigeria Limited has opened its annual national essay competition for children as part of activities to engender financial literacy among the young people.The topic for the easy competition is “The need to imbibe the culture of savings at an early age”.

Prizes to be won include Laptops, Educational Tabs and several consolation prizes. The Ecobank National Essay competition is for children with the Ecobank MyFirst Account between the ages eight to 12 in category one and ages nine to 14 in category two.

Head Consumer Banking, Korede Demola-Adeniyi, who announced the competition in Lagos said Ecobank instituted the competition as a measure to be part of the process to push the frontiers of academic excellence among the young ones in society.

She said it was part of Ecobank ‘s strategies to embark on financial literacy initiatives to create the necessary awareness on savings culture among the youths. She reiterated that there was the dire need for children and youths in the country to imbibe the habit of savings in the financial institutions.

It is sad that most of the workers in the local councils are idle and fraudulent. In fact, we found out that one staff was collecting salaries in four various local government areas

Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Tambuwal

n

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BUSINESSWORLD REPORT: ANAEMIC INFRASTRUCTURE NIGERIA’S GREATEST CHALLENGE throughout their life cycle.

Secondly, the report urged the federal government to identify ten high-priorities, high-impact projects.

“The governing body should select ten landmark infrastructure projects that can be executed rapidly in order to generate early wins. The projects should offer a measurable short-term economic boost and long-term positive spill over effects, and, if possible, they should be geographically dispersed,” it added.

Thirdly, it stressed the need to conduct an international road show to line up private funding and establish publicprivate partnerships.

“The executive group should take an aggressive role in building connections with private investors. This includes developing a list of potential investors, such as sovereign funds, development finance institutions, and institutional investors. The government should organise a road show to brief investors on the projects.

Deals should include some level of sovereign guarantee so that the risk-return tradeoff for investors is adequate but not overly generous,” the report stated.

FG MAY RAISE TAX REVENUE TO 18% IN NEXT FISCAL YEAR was addressing the challenge through diversified, self-sustaining growth in agriculture and agro processing, solid minerals, manufacturing and information communication technology (ICT).

According to him, in the medium to long term, debt sustainability in Nigeria hinges on the overall sustainability of the economy, and the overall economic sustainability hinges on diversifying the economy in a sustainable manner.

“That is what the government is doing in agriculture, solid minerals, ICT and manufacturing. And to do that, we need a strong infrastructure base and that is why government is spending what it is borrowing on capital projects,” Nwankwo said.

NEWS

Equities Market Loses N1.7tn in One Year under Buhari Goddy Egene

As the nation celebrates the first anniversary of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the Nigerian equities market has lost N1.733 trillion THISDAY checks have shown.

Buhari was sworn in on May 29, 2015 and stakeholders have been assessing the performance of his government one year after.

A look at the performance of the equities market in the last one year, shows that its capitalisation has dipped by N1.733 trillion.

The value of equities market fell from N11.659 trillion to N9.926 billion, which is 17 per cent.

Market operators said the decline in the value of stocks is a reflection of the general downturn in the economy since Buhari took over.

Analysts said the market was affected by the adverse economic climate characterised by declining oil prices, rising inflation, declining capacity utilisation and job losses in the manufacturing sector, uncertainties around devaluation of the naira and the delay to the 2016 budget.

The market only rebounded this month with most of recovery made last week after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) decided to adopt a flexible foreign exchange rate policy.

But for the recovery of 648 billion last week, the market would have lost about N2.376

trillion in the first year of this administration.

The uncertainty around the exchange rate has been a major concern to investor, especially foreign investors. However, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) last week decided to adopt a flexible exchange rate will strengthen performance of the equities market.

According to analysts at

Afrinvest (W.A) Limited, the move by the MPC to address the currency market crisis was a step in the right direction.

“While we await the “modus operandi” of the new FX regime, we maintain that flexible exchange rate policy will go a long way in addressing the current spread between the official/interbank and the parallel market rate.

We expect this move to help improve FX supply constraints as foreign investor sentiments improve towards Nigeria as an investment case,” they said.

They noted that foreign portfolio investors and foreign direct investors who have been staying on the side-line would find their way into the system on the back of foreign investor confidence receiving a boost

as the interbank market is reinstated as the official platform for market determined exchange rate. “We also believe sentiments for equities market, which had anticipated a currency adjustment move, had been elevated as investors await the “come back” of foreign investors who had earlier exited the market on the back of rigid foreign exchange regime,” they said.

SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION

L-R: Group Head, E-business, Unity Bank Plc, Benedict Anyalenkeya; the Baale of Okun-Mopo Land, Eti-osa, Lagos, Alhaji Akinlade Sakin; Head, Credit Administration, Unity Bank Plc, Patricia Ahynanya; Principal of Okun Ajah Community Senior High School, Mrs. Deborah Onaeko, during the presentation of instructional materials donated to the school by Unity Bank to mark the 2016 Children’s Day celebration…recently

Unemployment: NDE Seeks Creation of National Employment Endowment Fund Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has canvassed for the creation of National Employment Endowment Fund NEEF) through an Act of the National Assembly in order to extend its mileage of service in its resolve to tackle the problem of unemployment in the country.

It said an established Grant Sourcing Unit (GSU) has been set up with the aim of seeking for alternative way of funding aside from government.

The acting Director General of the agency, Mr. Kunle Obayan disclosed this at a media parley in Abuja, where he stressed that some intevention programmes embarked upon by the previous administration, which he said were parallel efforts to what

NDE is doing, took funds and focus away from the agency, thus, making it unable for the agency to set up those trained.

According to him, “talking about government programmes that have actually taken funds away from NDE, I will call them a parallel efforts that are doing the same thing that NDE is doing are, like SURE-P, YouWin, Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS). GIS is a variant of NDE programme called Graduate Attachment Programme (GAP).

They even borrow from us staff working with them to put the programme together in the Ministry of Finance. SURE-P is also riding on our backbone throughout the States; it’s the staff of NDE in the Special Public Works Department that are making it work.”

He affirmed that the previ-

ous administration took funds and focus from NDE, which he described as very unfortunate, stressing that NDE is the apex agency in this country to generate employment training, skills acquisition, and enterprise creation.

Obayan however expressed optimism that the present administration is senstive and focus to tackling youths unemployment, adding that government has programme in place, as well as social investment programmes with funds to take care of the poorest of the poor. He noted that, “they have recognised this structure that NDE has throughout the country. NDE is very well positioned in this administration, and we hope to have impact on various youths. We have come up with creative programme

for the youths. It is the kind of emergency that we have now in terms of unemployment and NDE is equal to the task.”

The acting DG stated: “it is true that funds were diverted from the agency, we train but we don’t have the ability to settle. So far in our conversation with the presidency especially in the social investment plan that they have, we have made it clear that training without empowerment leads nowhere.

“We have some proactive measures by the Grant Sourcing Unit we just created where we can source fund from donourslocal and foreign to enable us extend the mileage of our service delivery, where funds will come from other sources rather than government source.

Obayan revealed: “We pushin for legislative intervention,

we are talking to the National Assembly in terms of structuring or establishing a National Employment Endowment Fund, such that we can tap into this fund. They can create it by levies, custom duties, tariffs from so many other taxes that will aggregate into a fund, and that fund we can tap into for such thing as empowerment for these young men and women.”

He stressed that the agency has developed a job exchange portal, where the job seekers and the employers would meet; adding, “this is where they would pick all those poeple that they want for interviews and the ones they want to give jobs. NDE will now be the only agency that will be a clearing house such that if any vacancy is out there they must be reported to NDE first.”

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 (AgricBusiness)

IPMAN, Star Petroleum Sign Five-year Petrol Supply Deal Ejiofor Alike The recent partial deregulation of the downstream sector by the federal government is beginning to take a positive effect as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has expanded its mode of service delivery of petroleum products across the nation.

The association recently signed a five-year throughput and trading agreement with Star Synergy Petroleum Services Limited.

The agreement includes storage and supply of petrol,

diesel, kerosene and Aviation fuel across Nigeria.

The new agreement will boost IPMAN’s over 2,500 gas stations in the length and breadth of Nigeria and as a direct move to play a major role in the deregulation of the sector by the Federal Government of Nigeria, according to the Managing Director of Star Synergy Petroleum Services, Mr. Babatunde Babalola.

“The arrangement between IPMAN and Star Petroleum is coming at a time the Nigerian government is doing all in its power to make petroleum

products available in good quantity to all Nigerians and as such we must play our role positively to enhance the government gesture.

“Though the recent increase in pump price of petroleum products especially PMS otherwise known as Petrol came at a time the nation economy is going through one of its worst moment since nationhood but with the assurance from the President Muhamadu Buhari led Federal Government Nigerians would soon smile. “IPMAN as a responsible body is doing all in its ability to make supply

of the products easier for the reach of all Nigerians through it’s over 2,500 outlets and anything that would make such work is worth its while.

“We are happy to be playing some role in contributing to the storage and supply of the products which is the recent agreement entered into with the leadership of IPMAN, Babalola added. The IPMAN and Star Synergy Petroleum Services agreement takes immediate effect.

IPMAN had offered to partner the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on importation of petrol, follow-

ing a recent declaration by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu that the burden of importation was weighing heavily on the corporation.

National Secretary of IPMAN, Danladi Pazali had told THISDAY that the association was capable of ending the perennial scarcity of petrol if the NNPC was willing to engage with the association and its plans.

Pasali said IPMAN with its large membership base could help end product scarcity if the government curbs the unhealthy bureaucracy in the management of the downstream sector.

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EQUITIES WATCH

Nascon Allied Industries Consolidates GoddyEgene writes that diversification and financial discipline have helped Nascon Allied Industries Plc to consolidate on its impressive performance despite the challenging environment

“We remain optimistic for the future of our business. Our product lines remain a huge value driver for us as we play in categories that are life-necessities for average Nigerian and for which significant supply gaps continue to exist in the market. This situation enhanced by our renewed focus on capacity building, operational efficiency, financial discipline and aggressive trade along with consumer marketing across our active categories will position Nascon Allied Industries Plc now more than ever to access and achieve sustainable growth in the future.”

The above are the words of assurance by the Managing Director of Nascon Allied Industries Plc to shareholders of the company during the annual general meeting (AGM) held recently. These words have been validated by an impressive financial performance for the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2016.

While the company recorded a growth of 11 per cent in profit after tax (PAT) for the 2015 financial year, the Q1 performance showed a better faster growth with 36 per cent PAT growth.

Corporate background Nascon was established as a salt refinery at Ijoko, Ogun Sate in 1973 as a joint venture between the federal Government of Nigeria and Atlantic Salt & Chemical Incorporated of Los Angeles, California, United States, due to an identified need for self-sufficiency in the production of salt, an essential commodity.

The company was privatised in 1991 and got listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in 1992. Dangote Salt Limited (DSL) bought majority shares in the company in 2007 and it became a member of the Dangote Industries Plc group.

Nascon is engaged in the refining and marketing of salt of different grades including kitchen, table and industrial salt. It also engages in the production and refining of seasoning, tomato paste and vegetable oil. The company has a combined production capacity for salt of 567,000 metric tonnes (MT) from plants located in Lagos and Port Harcourt, Rivers State. It boasts of 65 per cent market share in the salt market.

Nascon entered into the production of tomato paste in response to an identified supply gap within the Nigerian market. It inaugurated its tomatoes plant in Q3, 2015. Before then it had entered the seasoning market and inaugurated

its product Dan-Q in Q2 2015, which is a brand of seasoning, producing two distinct flavours.

The company also generates revenue from its freight business.

First quarter performance Despite the challenging operating environment, Nascon posted an impressive performance for the Q1 ended March 31, 2016 on an impressive note. It recoded revenue of N4.46 billion, up by 55.2 per cent from N2.87 billion in 2015.

Gross profit rose by 68.5 per cent from N920 million to N1.55 billion. Profit before tax (PBT) and PAT grew by 36 per cent from N695.91 million to N953.26 million and N473.22 million to N648.22 million respectively.

Analysts at FSDH Merchant Bank research said the company’s strategy to diversify product lines, push more volumes, increase prices and market share led to the huge improvement in revenue. Despite the growth in top line, the foreign exchange restriction policy which led to the temporary suspension of operations in its vegetable oil and tomato paste businesses impacted on company’s profit margin. The company’s cost of sales increased by 48.98 per cent to N2.91 billion in Q1 2016 from N1.95 billion in Q1 2015. Its cost of sales as a percentage of T/O decreased to 65.26 per cent from 68 per cent as at Q1 2015.

“This means that the company was able to pass on the increase in cost of production to customers and still grow sales. The administrative, selling and distribution expenses increased by 97.05 per cent to N599.90 million. These expenses as a percentage of turnover increased to 13.45 per cent in Q1 2016 from 10.60 per cent in Q1 2015. This increase was due to increase in company costs required to drive volumes especially in its new product line and increased costs associated with the refurbishment of worn-down trucks,” FSDH said.

The significant increase of 946 per cent in selling and distribution costs resulted in lower margins compared with the corresponding period of 2015. Gross profit margin improved from 32 per cent in Q1 2015 to 34.74 per cent in Q1 2016.

“This showed that the company was able to manage its cost of sales more effectively.

However the company’s earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margin dropped from 24.22 per cent in Q1 2015 to 21.32 per cent in Q1 2016. The PBT margin in Q1 2016 decreased over the Q1 2015. The PBT margin decreased

to 21.37 per cent in Q1 2016 from 24.22 per cent as at Q1 2015. The PAT margin currently stands at 14.53 per cent in Q1 2016, down from 16.47 per cent in the corresponding period of 2015,” analysts said.

Full year 2015 performance In 2015 the company posted a turnover of N16.18 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015, which showed 43.8 per cent increase above N11.25 billion in 2014. The PBT grew to N3.02 billion in 2015, from N2.86 billion in 2014, while PAT stood at N11.82 billion, up from N7.46 billion in 2014. There was a decline in the company’s profit margins in 2015, compared with 2014. This was a reflection of the macroeconomic challenges within the country prompting the rise in operating costs. The increase in the company’s cost of sales significantly impacted the ability of its revenue to trickle down, as direct material costs grew substantially between 2014 and 2015.

Gross profit margin declined from 33.65 per cent in 2014 to 26.94 per cent in 2015 and is at a four-year low. Also the company’s EBIT margin dropped from 25.12 per cent in 2014 to 18.72 in 2015.

The PBT Margin in 2015 decreased over the 2014. The PBT margin decreased to 18.65 per cent in 2015 from 25.39 per cent in 2014. The PAT margin stood at 13.02 per cent in FY 2015, down from 16.60 per cent in the corresponding period of 2014.

“The decline in the company’s profit margins in FY 2015, compared with FY 2014 reflects the difficult macroeconomic challenges faced within the country,” analysts said.

The company rewarded shareholders with a dividend of N1.46 billion that translated to 55 kobo per share. Immediate past Chairman of the Nascon, Alhaji AlikoDangote, said the dividend was an improvement on the 50 kobo or N1.32 paid the previous year.

According to him, for the 2015 financial year, turnover grew by 43 per cent to N16.2 billion, while profit after tax rose 11 per cent to N2.1 billion.

“The overall financial stability continued to remain strong with N2.5 billion of cash and its equivalents as reserves. We achieved this by becoming more customer focused, managing our costs and improving our efficiencies,” he said. Dangote resigned as the chairman of the company at the AGM.

New chairman Mrs. Yemisi Ayeni is the new chairman of Nascon. Ayeni is the immediate past Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administration Limited, a position she held for 10 years. She was recently appointed a non-executive director on the board of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited. A graduate of Accounting and Business Finance from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, she is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. In her address to the shareholders, Ayeni said it was an honour to succeed Dangote. According to her, Dangote’s passionate and dedicated leadership has re-positioned Nascon as not just undisputed market leader in salt refining and distribution but also a producer of other food-related products.

Ayeni said going forward, the company would continue to invest appropriately in existing and new products lines to achieve its strategy of growing revenues within the context of improved profit margins and enhanced shareholder returns.

“We will ensure we conclude ongoing plant upgrades that will enhance the efficiency of the production lines and guarantee consistently high product standards,” Ayeni said.

Performance forecast Considering some favourable factors including large and increasing market size, favourable federal government policy, leverage on existing distribution network, positive brand image, relationship with numerous subsidiaries and related companies, increased volume and prices and diversification into other products, FSDH has made a robust forecast for the company’s future performance.

According to the analysts, looking at the company’s medium and long-term outlook, they are of the opinion that the impact of the factors would be higher on both the revenue and the profitability of the company.

“We therefore estimate a turnover of N21.87 billion, N30.22 billion, N43.27 billion, N59.37 billion and N80.85 billion for the periods ending December 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020,” they said. The analysts projected PBT of N3.45 billion, N5.35 billion, N7.92 billion, N10.89 billion and N14.84 billion and PAT of N2.33 billion, N3.61 billion, N5.35 billion, N7.35 billion, and N10.03 billion for the respective years.

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ANALYSIS

Imperatives of the Anti-trust Law Eromosele Abiodun reasons that if the Anti-trust bill currently before the National Assembly is signed into law, it will not only infuse a level playing field, but will also enhance predictability and certainty in the market place, thereby simulating entrepreneurship and economic growth

Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara

On July 5, 2013, the European Union fined Microsoft $732 million for failing to respect an anti-trust settlement with regulators. The company was accused of failing to include the ballot system in certain products starting in May 2011, affecting more than 15 million European users. The lapse came to light after rival companies reported its absence.

Something similar to this happened on August 1, 2007, when British Airways was fined £270 million in a dual action by the United Kingdom and United State competition authorities, after admitting price fixing on fuel surcharges on its long-haul flights. The US Department of Justice imposed a penalty of $300 million (£148 million) on the group, after a £121.5 million fine was levied on the airline by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). At the time, the OFT fine was the biggest-ever penalty imposed on a company for infringements of competition law.

The airline had admitted that, between August 2004 and January 2006, it colluded with Virgin Atlantic over the surcharges added to ticket prices in response to rising oil prices.

During that period, the extra charges soared from £5 to £60 a ticket on long-haul return flights. That opened the way for passengers who believe they have been ripped off by BA to launch civil claims against the airline.

Nigeria Lost Out While the American and the British authorities were able to get BA and Virgin Atlantic to pay for their wrong doing, Nigeria failed to do so. Why? Relying on the American example, the Nigerian authorities had imposed a fine of £280 million on BA and Virgin Atlantic for the same offence. However, the two firms refused to pay the fine stating that they have not breached Nigerian laws.

The firms successfully argued their case and got away with it because there was no anticompetition law in Nigeria at the time-there is still no such law today. Previous efforts made by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and other interested parties to get the Competition Bill passed into law did not succeed.

All that may change soon because there is

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun

already an anti-trust bill before the National Assembly. A public hearing on the bill has already been held in Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power. It is called the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill, 2015. If the bill is passed, the Consumer Protection Act will be repealed.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) will be established. The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) will be set up and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) will be abolished. The aim of the bill, THISDAY findings revealed, is to, “prohibit restrictive business practices which prevent, restrict or distort competition or constitute an abuse of a dominant position of market power in Nigeria.”

Nigeria needs it Nigeria needs anti-trust law because it promotes and protects competition. As widely believed, the laws are not intended to punish big companies merely on account of their size, or to serve as surrogate “consumer protection” laws. Most importantly, they have never been anti-market or anti-business in their underlying conception or in their implementation. On the contrary, the anti-trust laws are intended to promote market economics and healthy competition in every market, while checking the abuses that sometimes arise in different markets.

The idea behind these laws, experts said, is that in every market there should be robust competition.

“If in each market there are many sellers busily competing against one another to sell a particular kind of product or service to paying customers, no one seller will be able to take unfair advantage of the buyers, but rather each seller will be obliged to offer its good or service on attractive terms, and each seller will be responsive and efficient in its dealings with buyers, who otherwise will simply turn to another, better seller. In other words, vigorous competition in any given market keeps the sellers honest, forcing them to strive continually both to improve their goods and services and to offer them on favourable terms.

“Customers benefit from this competition.

Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah

Poorly run companies are run out of business, as they deserve to be. The better run companies and the most honest ones too, tend to prosper.

Society as a whole will benefit. This is nothing other than the glory of marketplace economics working properly and rewarding each of us for our efforts, our talent, and our perseverance.

The antitrust laws exist to help marketplace economics to work better,” said an analyst, who did not want his name in print.

The anti-trust laws, he said, exist not to help populist business-bashers dismantle successful, prosperous companies, even the most dominant global monopolies of the era.

Rather, he said: ’’These laws are meant to redress or temper the fundamental flaw that seems inherent to unbridled competition.’’

“A word of explanation is in order. Competition is the best market system for human beings, so the theory goes, because each of us goes to market to do selfish bidding for ourselves and our families. We will produce the best goods and services, doing so at the best prices, only because if we fail to do so our customers will abandon us and buy from another; and when we ourselves buy goods or services, we will look to the seller who can provide them on the most favourable terms, taking into account considerations of quality, price, and delivery, etc.

“Thus antitrust laws promote market economics and are never to be confused with anti-market economics. Antitrust laws do not punish big businesses merely because they are big and successful. Success rather is the proper reward to those who labour well or who provide excellent goods and services to their customers. This is what motivates us in the first place to do well. Success must be encouraged, not envied or resented, much less punished by government confiscation (that is taxation and redistributive policies), “he stated.

Coalition wants bill passed Meanwhile, a private sector coalition; comprising the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and other business membership organisations, have called for the immediate passage of the Competition Bill currently before the national assembly.

The coalition stated this when they paid a courtesy visit to the Corporate Head Office of THISDAY Newspaper Group in Apapa, Lagos.

The leader of the coalition, Leonard Ugboaja stated that a country like Nigeria that is transiting from public sector domination to a private sector driven one, needs such law to stop abuses.

The bill, he stated, will among other things, promote job creation and attract foreign and local investors to invest in the country.

According to him, “Competition policy sets out the broad vision of measures aimed at promoting and regulating competition in the economy. Competition is good for every economy and is mainly the logic behind private sector led market economic model. In an economy like Nigeria that is transiting from public sector domination to a private sector driven one, competition does not just happen. There must be some policy measures to promote competition. Such measures include privatisation of state owned enterprises, deregulation of otherwise regulated monopolies and progressive liberalisation of trade.”

He added: “Competition policy sets out the goal of promoting competition in the economy. It can be contained in a distinct policy document or runs through several sector specific policy documents. Broadly speaking, competition policy runs through such policy areas as trade and industrial policy, investment policy, privatisation and deregulation policy, consumer protection policy. Competition law sets out the rules that regulate that regulate the operation of commercial entities within the economy so as to ensure that virtues of competition are not impeded.”

Nigeria, he added, has gone through the first stages of enthroning a competition culture but stopped the journey half way.

This, he stated, has caused all manner of distortions in different sectors of the economy adding that this is why the private sector needs to advocate for the necessary regulatory framework to ensure that competition is promoted and properly regulated in the different sectors of the nation’s economy.

He said: “Competition law and policy is about applying rules to make sure businesses and companies compete fairly with each other and that while markets work fairly well much of

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ANALYSIS

Source: Economic Associate

the time, effective competition is not automatic, and can be harmed by inappropriate government policies and legislation, and by the anti-competitive conduct of firms. Competition facilitates greater equality of opportunity by breaking down the barriers to fair competition that often help to protect incumbent elites.

“Competition also encourages enterprise and efficiency, creates a wider choice for consumers and helps reduce prices and improve quality.

And like in all market economies, the Nigerian economy needs competition law and policy to ensure a proper functioning of the market in the interest of consumers and businesses.

As a key ingredient for an inclusive growth, Nigeria requires a robust competition law to regulate the market to ensure a win-win for both consumers and producers in the country.”

Economic benefits One of the many benefits of the law, he said, would be low prices for all, more choices, innovation and better quality.

“The simplest way for a company to gain a high market share is to offer a better price. In a competitive market, prices are pushed down.

Not only is this good for consumers - when more people can afford to buy products, it encourages businesses to produce and boost the economy in general. Competition also encourages businesses to improve the quality of goods and services they sell – attract more customers and expand market share. Quality can mean various things: products that last longer or work better, better after-sales or technical support or friendlier and better service.

“In a competitive market, businesses will try to make their products different from the rest.

This results in greater choice – so consumers can select the product that offers the right balance between price and quality. To deliver this choice, and produce better products, businesses need to be innovative – in their product concepts, design, production techniques, services etc. Better competitors in global markets: Competition within Nigeria helps make Nigerian companies stronger and help hold their own against global competitors,” he said.

Competition policy, he said, sets out the goal of promoting competition in the economy adding that, “It can be contained in a distinct policy document or runs through several sector specific policy documents. Broadly speaking, competition policy runs through such policy areas as trade and industrial policy, investment policy, privatization and deregulation policy, consumer protection policy among others.”

He added: “Competition law sets out the

rules that regulate the operation of commercial entities within the economy so as to ensure that virtues of competition are not impeded.

A competition law would usually include the following broad category of provisions: Prohibition of agreements or contracts between or among firms aimed at restricting or eliminating competition, prohibition of abuse of dominant position or market power (using a dominant position to unfairly restrict or eliminate competition especially from smaller players) and regulation of mergers and acquisitions (to ensure that competition in the relevant market in not eliminated by the merging of two or more firms).”

Scrutiny of competition He said specific practices that come under the scrutiny of competition law include: Price fixing by a dominant firm or by a number of firms in concert, allocation of markets along geographical or product lines, refusal to deal with a particular supplier or distributor collusive tendering or bid rigging, forming and operating cartels or using other antics to keep new entrants away from the market, resale price maintenance and refusal to grant a potential competitor access to shared or network facility.”

Nigeria, he stated, had gone through the first stages of enthroning a competition culture (privatisation, deregulation, liberalisation) but stopped the journey half way.

He added: “This has caused all manner of distortions in different sectors of the economy.

That is why the private sector (demand-side of reform) needs to advocate for the necessary regulatory framework (Policy, Law and Enforcement Institution) to ensure that competition is promoted and properly regulated in the different sectors of the economy.

“The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Policy is government’s response to addressing anti-competitive concerns and consumer rights issues in the Nigerian economy.

The document spells out the focus of the policy goals, the legal and institutional framework for promoting competition in Nigeria.”

Ugboaja had at a press briefing on the need for early passage of the Competition Bill in Nigeria early this month,solicited for cooperation and partnership in creating the required awareness on the proposed Bill so that the National Assembly will pass this Bill in good time and help the nation derive the enormous benefits of having the Competition Bill in place.

“Certainly, doing business in Nigeria in these financially harrowing and uncertain times is no

mean task and since this bill will among other things, promote job creation and attract foreign and local investors to invest in the country; it is, therefore, imperative that this Bill should be given priority attention by the lawmakers.

Although the Bill has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives, it does not give any room for cheers as some previous attempts to pass this Bill even surpassed this stage before it was ‘abandoned’, so to speak.

“It would be recalled that Nigeria began the process of instituting a competition regime over 16 years ago with. A draft policy was produced by the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) and two separate Bills were drafted by BPE and the then Ministry of commerce and Industry. However, none of these saw the light of day. Successive administrations and sessions of the National Assembly have taken steps to enact a competition law but the effort was never seen to completion. The immediate past administration drafted a Policy Document and a Bill on Competition and Consumer Protection.

“While the Policy Document was never presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for consideration, the Bill was approved by FEC and transmitted to the National Assembly for enactment. However, the Bill could not make any progress in the 7th National Assembly as it was transmitted just three months before the elections. At the moment, about four Bills on the subject have been sponsored by different concerned Lawmakers in both Chambers of the National Assembly as private Member Bills. Moreover, the National Assembly has identified this Bill as one of the priority Bills for passage,” he said.

Matching words with action Ugbaja urged the lawmakers to match words with action and give Nigeria a competition law before the end of this year. ’’We also call on the federal government to revisit the draft competition and consumer protection policy document and approve it as a matter of urgency. It is this policy that sets out the goal of promoting competition in the economy.

We further call on the federal government to mainstream competition in broader areas of economic development such as trade and industrial policy, investment policy, privatisation and deregulation policy, etc.

With the ongoing reforms in the economy and the privatisation and liberalisation programmes that have been pursued over the past few years, he said it is important that these programmes are supported with the appropriate regulatory

measures and laws to ensure that they deliver real benefits to the citizens.’’

One of such measures, he noted, is the adoption of a competition regime, “It is important to note that if Nigeria, which has committed itself to market liberalisation, through privatisation and deregulation of various sectors of the economy, does not have a competition law, it may unwittingly end up creating new economic dangers. Indeed these are already manifesting in some sectors and industries.

“When vital sectors of the economy are deregulated, replacing government monopolies with private players who are not constrained by social interests and whose overriding drive is profit, there is nothing to prevent the new undertakings from engaging in cartel and abusive behaviour such as price fixing, market division, and excessive pricing. Yet, in what would appear to be a bitter irony, in the absence of a competition law, such practices would not be illegal, no matter how much they hurt the economy and the consumers.

“The point is that poorly planned and executed liberalisation may be worse than no liberalisation at all, since it ends up creating distortions in the market. It is therefore certain that any market liberalisationprogramme like Nigeria’s that is designed in such a way as to lack an essential component like a legal regime to regulate competition in the market would be fundamentally flawed.”

The bill, he added, also proposes to subsume the existing CPC into the proposed CCPC, with enhanced capacity to implement the competition law and a more refined and comprehensive consumer protection law enacted as part of the Bill.

The Bill, Ugboaja stressed, has clearly spelt out the powers of the proposed Commission and how such powers would be exercised.

“As part of the activities to ensure that the Competition Bill is passed by the lawmakers within the next few months, NECA and other key business membership organisations in Nigeria have lined up other advocacy programmes in Lagos and Abuja.

The programmes include a national conference and courtesy call on the Speaker of the House of Representatives in June in Abuja, media tour and roadwork in Lagos. Today, we have chosen to appeal to the National Assembly to urgently work on this Bill and pass it without further delay. With your support, this Bill will certainly be passed for the good of all Nigerians,” he stressed.

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Between Buhari’s ‘Change’ and Nigeria’s Weakening Economy

Just as the huge optimism that trailed the election of President Muhammadu Buhari a year ago continues to wane, Nigeria’s major economic indicators have also headed south since he was sworn-in, writes Obinna Chima Economic indicators always have huge impact on markets. They are always there, staring you in the face. Indeed, these set of economic data are like signs along the road. They give direction to investors and to a large extend influence the amount of capital a country can attract. Policy makers would always showcase these data when they are positive, but would keep mum on them if they are not favourable to them.

Unfortunately, just as the huge optimism that trailed the election of President Muhammadu Buhari a year ago has continued to dwindle, Nigeria’s major economic indicators have also weakened since May 29, 2015, when he was sworn-in.

The decline in major macroeconomic indicators in the country between May 29, 2015 and May this year show that Nigeria’s economy has fallen into a double dip slowdown. There are also concerns that the economy might slide into a recession if the situation persists.

For instance, the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which recorded growth of 2.57 per cent at the end of the second quarter 2015 fell to a historic low of -0.36 per cent at the end of the first quarter. Also, power supply which was at about 3,900mw a year ago, fell to about 3,144 at the end of May 2016, just as inflation climbed to 13.72 per cent at the end of April 2016, from the nine per cent it was as at May 2015. Also, under president Buhari’s watch in the last one year, the external reserves has plummeted by $3,088 billion, from $29.595 billion as at May 28, 2015, to $26.507 billion as at May 23 this year.

In terms of exchange rate, although the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) firmly held the official exchange rate at N197 to a dollar, the level of gyration recorded on the parallel market has been unprecedented. The naira has depreciated by 57 per cent on the parallel market in the past one year, from N220 to a dollar last May, to about N345 to a dollar.

In the same vein, with the exit of foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) as a result of concerns about the country’s forex policy, as well as the inability of the government in the past one year to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs), the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) market capitalisation which was at N11.659 trillion as at May 28, 2015, fell by 15 per cent to N9.926 trillion as at May 27 2016. This is just as the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds dropped by 28 per cent from N388 billion as at May 2015, when the president was sworn-in, to N281 billion at the end of May this year.

In addition, the CBN’s monetary policy rate (MPR) decreased by one per cent to 12 per cent, from 13 per cent as at May last year, while the benchmark Brent crude price fell from $64 per barrel as at May last year, to $47 per barrel at the end of May this year. The price of petrol has also risen in the past one year from N86 per litre to N145 per litre.

With unemployment rate currently at 12.1 per cent as well as the inflationary pressure which saw the country’s CPI up to 13.72 per cent in April, the country’s misery index is currently at 25.8 per cent.

President Buhari

A recent report by the Financial Derivatives Company Limited had ranked Nigeria as the sixth most miserable states in the world.

Misery index is a measure of economic well-being for a specified economy, computed by taking the sum of the unemployment rate and the inflation rate for a given period. An increasing index means a worsening economic climate for the economy, and vice versa. A recent survey had placed Venezuela top spot on the 2015 misery index. The report had also shown that Venezuela was closely followed

by Argentina, South Africa, Greece, Ukraine, in that other.

Effect of Policy Delays Clearly, the delay by the president in making appointments after he assumed office as well as the delay in taking critical policy decisions severely affected investor confidence in the economic. This greatly contributed to the deterioration of the country’s economic indicators. The cost of the vacuum created by the absence of an economic team several months after the president was sworn-in was huge on the economy. As result of that, a lot of turns and twist were seen in the economic space as there was no clear direction. This, even saw the central bank, in its bid to fill the vacuum created, taking up some of the responsibilities that ought to have been handled by the fiscal authorities. In addition, there was also delay in taking a decision about adjusting the pump price of petrol; despite advice even before he was sworn-in, that he should deregulate the sector.

No doubt, some of the challenges that faced the

Economic Indicator

May 2015

May 2016

1

Power

3,900mw

3,144

2

External Reserves

$29.595bn (May 28th)

$26.507 (May 23rd)

3

Exchange Rate -­‐ Official

N197/$1

N197/$1

-­‐Parallel Mkt

N220/$1

N345/$1

4

NSE Market Capitalisation

N11.659tn (May 28th)

N9.926tn (May 27)

5

FAAC

N388bn

N281bn

6

MPR

13%

12%

7

Brent Crude

$64 per barrel

$47 per barrel

8

Petrol Price

N86 per litre

N145 per litre

Source: NBS, CBN, THISDAY

economy in the past on year are exogenous, like the issue of falling price of crude oil. Nonetheless, the country has made a lot of progress in its fight against terrorism in the north-eastern part of the country, even though the resurgence of the Niger Delta militants as well as cases of kidnapping call for concerns. In terms of the anti-corruption, the president needs to do more to convince a lot of Nigerians that he is not deploying the security agencies to fight only his perceived political enemies.

For the anti-corruption fight to be successful, there is need to make it difficult for corrupt people to walk away free. We also need to eliminate the avenues for corruption in our system which corrupt people exploit to achieve their nefarious acts.

The president has also been commended for the courage in enforcing the Treasury Single Account (TSA). The TSA is an efficient cash management tool that the government can use for effective management of its finances, banking and cash position. Prior to the implementation of the TSA what used to obtain was that different agencies of government would have different balance, some may be positive and others negative.

2016 Budget as Game Changer To analysts at Afrinvest West Africa Limited, the burden on government remains the need to rejuvenate the Nigerian economy, which has suffered from the declining global oil prices, poor governance structure, sub-optimal fiscal crisis and monetary policy actions.

“However, many view the implementation of the 2016 budget as a catalyst for reflating the

economy and resetting it on a growth pedestal.

To hasten infrastructural development and reflate the economy, the Buhari-led administration sought to employ a new approach to budget formation and implementation.

“Nonetheless, the structure of the 2016 budget is a significant deviation from the previous years as the anticipated revenue was less tilted towards oil receipts (21.2%) and more skewed towards tax revenue as well as intensified efforts to reduce leakages across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“Whilst we hold the view that the 2016 budget has the potentials to reflate the economy if properly implemented, the required funding of the budget for optimal performance could be a drag. We note that the specific provisions for capital spending will boost infrastructure projects and investments while the recurrent expenditure would have a multiplier effect on private consumption expenditure component of the GDP. “We see the recent liberalisation of the downstream petroleum sector and the interbank foreign exchange market as a seeming synergy of fiscal-monetary policy synchronisation,” Afrinvest analysts stated.

To the Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. BismarkRewane, the contraction of economic activity has its genesis in a misaligned exchange rate, a consequence of sharply lower oil prices as well as the deteriorating terms of trade. This, he said was compounded by chronic shortages of inputs of power, fuel and forex.

Rewane also listed other factors that have curtailed growth of the Nigerian economy to include price control contradictions in the downstream petroleum sector, chronic underinvestment in the power sector, strategic acts of economic sabotage by vested interest groups aided by collusion with insiders and policy making collaborators.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) also pointed out that the absence of well structured, broad-based and synergised economic blueprint with clearly stated goals, plans, policies and strategies to drive the economy was largely responsible for the current economic challenges and policy ambiguity the nation is undergoing.

“Economic policy space remains unclear. Policy conception is faulty, hence, policy coordination and implementation suffer serious setback. There is, therefore, urgent need for central policy strategy with detailed and well-designed policy direction.

This is critical to effective and efficient coordination and implementation of policy.

“While the policy goal of eliminating corruption is laudable, the need for concerted effort on the side of the government with respect to policy, legal and regulatory environments in order to boost private sector participation is highly desirable,” the Director-General of the LCCI, Mr. Muda Yusuf stated.

He noted that inflation record was worsening, adding that policy attention should be focused on monthly developments in general price level.

“We also noted the negative trends in the general macroeconomic outlook such as GDP, interest rate, fiscal deficit (debt profile) and FDI and their consequences on business and the economy as a whole.

“Given the critical role of adequate electricity supply to the development of nations, the abysmal situation of energy infrastructure (electricity, petrol and natural gas) in the country is of great concern.

For instance, the current state of electricity generation, transmission and distribution calls for serious attention.

“The damning situation of electricity supply is traceable to epileptic performance of most key power plants in the country and the security challenge in the Niger Delta region. Hence, there is need for government to get it right with respect to energy infrastructure and power/electricity situation in the country,” he added.

On her part, the LCCI President, Mrs. Nike Akande, called for sacrifice on the part of everybody in country, just as among other things, she called for an acceleration of public private partnership programmes to support the government in the provision of infrastructure.

29

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

A Forgettable Year for Equities Unfavourable economy policies, delay in signing of 2016 budget and the energy crisis resulted in the poor performance of the stock market during the first year of President Muhammadu Buhari, writes GoddyEgene The Nigerian stock market has performed poorly in the first one year of President Muhammadu Buhari, which is a reflection of the general economic situation. When President Buhari was announced winner of the 2015 Presidential Elections on March 31, 2015, the market recorded gains in 10 straight days. However, after his swearing on May 29, the market began to decline as investors remained in the dark about the economic policies of the government.

Also, many investors exited the market due to poor corporate earnings, and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s forex policies. Consequently, the market has suffered a decline of 16 per cent within one year of Buhari’s administration. The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index, which stood at 34,310.37 on eve of May 29, 2015 fell to 28, 902.25 one year after.

While Buhari raised the hopes of Nigerians during his campaigns, a blurry fiscal direction, declining oil prices, policy reversal by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), foreign exchange restriction, all contributed to keep many investors watching the market without investing, hence, the poor performance in the first year of the government.

NSE’s Optimism Having recorded a negative growth of 17.4 per cent in 2015, the NSE had expected that market would improve this year. The Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema had said that with greater clarity on policy direction, they anticipated the return of investors, who had remained on the sidelines throughout 2015.

“This return is predicated upon return of investor confidence as a result of: effective implementation and communication of the government’s economic blueprint; credibility in monetary policy stance; relative stability in the macro economy (oil price stability above benchmark targets, increase in tax collection to gross domestic product among others) and improved security,” he said.

Speaking on the focus of the NSE in 2016, Onyema said the exchange would focus on executing its strategy in order to continue to provide a credible platform for financing the economy.

“To this end, we intend to intensify engagement efforts with the federal government. We have also prioritised three initiatives for 2016 aimed at achieving the exchange’s three strategic objectives of increasing the number of new listings across five asset classes, increasing order flow in the five asset classes operating a fair and orderly market based on just and equitable principles,” Onyema added.

The NSE CEO said the current state of the market creates both challenges and opportunities for investors.

“We believe that taking a portfolio approach to investing provides the best risk adjusted alternative for participating in the capital market. As such, we want to ensure that the NSE provides a repertoire of products that will allow investors to create well diversified portfolios of uncorrelated asset classes,” he said.

The expectations of the NSE were not met throughout the first quarter (Q1) as the market remained under pressure of weak demand for stocks from both domestic and foreign investors and poor corporate earnings for 2015 financial year.

Exit of foreign investors In recent times the market has been dominated by foreign investors and with successful completion of the elections and swearing in of Buhari, it was expected more foreign investors would be attracted to the market. However, forex restriction and exchange rate volatility affected the participation of foreign investors, leading to the exit of investors.

For in instance, equities transactions figures released by the NSE for the month of January and February in 2016 showed that foreign portfolio investors (FPI) decreased. While total transactions on the bourse increased from N84.10 billion in N117.27 billion, FPI fell 51.57 per cent to 36.48 per cent of the transactions.

Besides, monthly foreign outflows outpaced inflows, which was consistent with the same period in 2015. Foreign outflows increased by

Trading floor

20.79 per cent from N26.36 billion in January 2016 to N31.84 billion while foreign inflows decreased by 35.68 per cent from N17.01 billion in January 2016 to N10.94 billion in February 2016.

While the total domestic transaction increased by 82.89 per cent from January to February 2016, retail investors are reducing. The institutional investors composition of the domestic market increased by 75.05 per cent from N21.85 billion in January to N38.25 billion in February while the retail composition increased by 91.95 per cent from N18.88 billion in January to N36.24 billion in February 2016.

In all, retail investors still account for 47 per cent, while institutional investors account for 53 per cent. Out of the N115.22 billion domestic transactions, institutional investors account for N60.10 billion, while N55.12 billion.

Poor financial results Normally impressive financial performances of companies influence investors’ patronage of stock market. When companies post improved results and declare higher dividends, more investors get attracted. However, since the current government took over, the hostile operating environment has negatively affected performances of most listed companies with leading financial institutions reporting massive decline in bottom lines.

Banks such as FCMB Group, FBN Holdings Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated and Skye Bank Plc sent profit warnings. Also Courtville Business Solutions Plc, Computer Warehouse Group Plc dampened investors’ enthusiasm with poor results.

Investors’ reactions to the profit warnings by banks led to the sector recording the highest decline in Q1. The NSE Banking Index went down by 19.25 per cent in the quarter.

The banks attributed their poor states to the challenging business environment, which they believed stemmed from poor economic strategies of the Buhari’s administration.

For instance the Managing Director of FCMB Group Plc, Peter Obaseki, had said the lower earnings resulted from spike in impairments particularly in the energy sector and the significant reduction in trade finance-related revenues due to foreign exchange illiquidity.

The Group Managing Director/CEO, First City Monument Bank Limited, a key subsidiary of FCMB Group Plc, Mr. LadiBalogun, said: “The commercial and retail banking arm of the group saw a significant drop in profitability for the full year to N6.5 billion PBT, following the impairments from two significant defaulting obligors reported in our Q3 audited results. The full year’s performance was also adversely affected by a 44

per cent drop in foreign exchange income and a 12 per cent drop in net interest income, largely caused by foreign exchange policy and impact of cash reserve requirement ratios till Q4.”

On its part, FBN Holdings said: “The reduction in earnings is as a result of the recognition of impairment charges on some specific accounts resulting from a reassessment of the loan portfolio within our commercial banking business. This reassessment was driven by the challenging macro environment coupled with fiscal and monetary headwinds, which have resulted in marked reduction in domestic output. This is a prudent measure being taken while the bank has commenced active remedial action on the specific impaired accounts,” the bank said.

In the case of Diamond Bank, the continuing deterioration in Nigeria’s macro-economic conditions resulted in the bank recognising higher than expected impairment charges on loans made to the energy and commercial business sectors.

Similarly, ETI said the macroeconomic challenges faced by most African economies, lower crude oil prices, depreciating currencies, monetary and fiscal bottlenecks, due to global developments, negatively impacted revenue growth.

“Thus, revenue growth for 2015 will be below our target guidance. Higher impairment losses on loans were recognised in the last quarter of 2015 across its loan portfolio. Key actions have been implemented to strengthen our credit risk management processes. As a result, our revised growth targets communicated during our third quarter 2015 analysts and investor conference call for deposits and loans will not be achieved.

We also expect our efficiency and asset quality metrics to be worse than targets. Based on the aforementioned, we expect our full year 2015 profit in US dollar terms to be lower than the nine-months to 2015 reported profit,” ETI said.

The lull in the oil industry and real estate sector of the nation’s economy impacted negatively on the operations of Skye Bank Plc. Consequently, the bank reported decline in profit for the financial year ended December 31, 2015.

In a profit warning notification to the capital market community, Skye Bank Plc attributed the expected decline in performance to recognition of increased impairment on loans to sectors severely affected by the prevailing economic headwinds which are yet to abate, especially the lull in oil & gas and real estate sectors.

“While this cautious approach has been adopted, we have designed and commenced appropriate remedial processes to salvage the affected assets as soon as possible. Full details of the Group’s financial performance will be disclosed after regulatory approvals of the financial statements.

We remain committed to our focus on supporting the growth of the retail and small and medium scale enterprise (SME) sectors amongst others,” the bank said.

Analysts’ comments The Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said that the banking sector can only be as healthy as the economy itself, noting that the economy was going through turbulence, therefore banking sector would also feel the impact of the turbulence.

“Some banks have reported some very good numbers. But if you distill those numbers, you will find a lot of extra-ordinary items. So, if you take out the extraordinary items, you will find out that, that industry is becoming less attractive and more cannibalistic. Therefore, in the near future, we expect some further turbulence, weaker performance, head count rationalisation and restructuring to take place.

“Again, like I said, you cannot be older than your father. If the economy is in trouble, the banking system would also be in trouble.

But the truth is that because the banks are adequately capitalised, they have enough buffers to withstand the shocks. “ Looking at the performance of the market, the CEO of Quest Advisory Services Limited, Mr. Bayo Rotimi said it was affected by the adverse economic climate characterised by declining oil prices, rising inflation, declining capacity utilisation and job losses in the manufacturing sector, uncertainties around devaluation of the naira and the delays to the 2016 budget.

“These have led to weak corporate earnings by listed companies which, in turn, translated to declining stock prices and market capitalisation. In order to stem this downward spiral, I strongly recommend that the federal government urgently signs off on the 2016 budget, announces a detailed economic blueprint; fully deregulates the downstream segment of the petroleum industry; encourages import substitution initiatives and allows for a market determined value of the Naira. This would lead to a reflation of the economy through the commencement of the critical revamp of our dilapidated infrastructure and lay the foundation for an economic resurgence,” Rotimi said.

However, it is believed that following the signing of the 2016 budget and change in the forex policy, the economy will witness a positive turn and thus affect the market as well. The market rose significantly last week as the investors reacted positively the flexible forex policy, a development that is expected to be sustained in the near term.

30

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Emefiele

Fashola

Succour for Electricity-starved Nigerians ObinnaChima examines the expected impact of the fourth batch of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilisation Facility that was recently disbursed to electricity distribution and generation companies and other service providers in the power value chain As part of efforts to address the electricity crisis in Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently disbursed a total of N55,456,161,481 from its Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilisation Facility (NEMSF) to firms in the power. A breakdown of the amount showed that while all the distribution companies got N8,670,234,863.76; the generating companies – N35,834,536,939; gas suppliers N10,491,710,788.66; all the service providers in the power value chain were given a total of N459,678,889.55. The amount was the fourth batch from the N213 billion stabilisation that was designed by the central bank as part of development finance intervention in the economy.

It was believed that the epileptic power situation contributed to the drop in the level of production of goods and services in the country. Electric power supply is generally recognised as the most important commodity for national development. With power, people are empowered to work from the domestic level and the cottage industries, through the smallscale and medium industries to employment in the large-scale manufacturing complexes.

According to reports, gas supplies to the drastic reduction in gas supply to the generating companies due to pipeline vandalism contributed to significant drop in power supply. Another reasons attributed to the drop in power supply was the bad transmission in the country as well as huge debt owed the power investors.

The Electricity Stabilisation Facility The CBN had in collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ministry of Power and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on the NEMSF. The N213 billion facility was launched in 2014.

The central bank had said the facility would kick-start the electricity market in order to ensure that the power sector delivers tangible improvements in power supply for the benefit of all Nigerians.

Under the partnership with banks, the central bank provided the facility to address shortfalls in power sector revenues caused by needed adjustments in electricity tariff basic gas debt and in the process reset the economics of the power sector. The funds were also mapped

out to settle legacy gas debts and shortfalls in revenue for operators to boost power supply.

Meristem Wealth Management Limited is the administrator of the CBN-NEMSF. In his review, the Managing Director of Meristem, Mr. Wole Abegunde explained that prior to the introduction of the facility, the Nigeria electricity industry was perceived to be not bankable by capital providers.

“This intervention has three objectives: Resolving debt overhang within the industry, bring about a contract-based market and to facilitate tangible short-term improvement in power. A stringent requirement of the facility is that all beneficiaries must utilise the amount received on projects that would enhance their performance.

“As administrator of the fund, we have continued to monitor utilisation and conducted site visitations to see equipment purchased with the facility,” he added.

The facility has a tenure of 10 years.

The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele had said the challenge faced by power sector reforms could be linked to unattractive pricing of domestic gas and legacy debts that were inhibiting investment in gas supply and infrastructure. Also, affecting the sector was difficulties across the value chain in addressing capacity issues primarily due to a shortfall in revenues.

Boost for Power Supply Speaking during the signing of the agreement for the disbursement of the fourth batch of the fund and presentation of cheques to the power sector investors in Lagos recently, Emefiele, said it marked a major milestone in the effort of the Bank in collaboration with the federal government to achieve a contract based electricity market.

This, according to him would activate Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Traders (NBET) and signal activation of industry contracts for power generation.

Emefiele added: “By the end of today, total disbursements to the Discos will be N49.73 billion (91.7%); gencos N54.29 billion (62.5%), gas companies N15.73 billion (36.9%) and service providers N0.46 billion (1.7%). With today’s

event, the total disbursements under the initiative will be N120.2 billion, representing (57%) of the total amount earmarked.”

He explained that the CBN-NEMSF was initiated as part of the commitment it reached with stakeholders to address debts owed by generating companies to gas suppliers.

The first disbursement was effected on February 12, 2015 to industry participants.

One year into the programme, the sum of N64billion or 30 per cent of the facility was disbursed to 18 participants.

The companies committed to using the funds to upgrade/refurbish their equipment and acquire new ones so as to improve service delivery. The facility was given at 10 per cent interest rate and repayment has commenced.

“Our review of the fund utilisation and reports of impact by beneficiaries revealed that the intervention resulted in the restoration of a total of 905MW of power into the grid as a result of facility turn around maintenance, contribution of over 25 of the annual capital expenditure budget for the sector.

“Specific reports from Generating Companies revealed that there was execution of capacity recovery programmes in three hydro power stations as follows: Intake under water repair project, overhaul of Unit four and compliant metering/supplementary protection at shiroro dam; overhaul of 2G6 at Jebba Hydro and rehabilitation of 3units at kainji Dam under permitted utilisations of the facility. A total of 300MW capacity increase was reported as a result of fund utilization towards rehabilitation of both plants.

“The Intervention has also enabled the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to provide bank guarantees to Nigerian Electricity Bulk Trader, purchase of over 171,071 units of meters comprising both maximum demand and single phase meters; for instance Kano, Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC) alone acquired 62,021energy meters with the facility within the period. Rehabilitation of over 332kms of 11KV lines and 130km of 0.45KV lines; 70,310 No 500 KVA transformers procurement and construction of 34 new distribution substations and acquisition of one mobile injection substation under confirmed permitted utilisation by the initiative,” Emefiele said.

Although the situation the power sector finds itself presently is not the desire of every Nigerian, Emefiele expressed optimism that as stakeholders continue to clear the hurdles in the sector, progress would be made.

He said the facility was also to encourage new investments into the sector. He urged the Discos to improve the penetration of metres in the country, which according to him would help improve their revenue.

Also, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, said there was need for all stakeholders in the power sector to continue to work as a team to end perennial supply in the country.

Fashola expressed optimism that the challenge faced in the power sector would be resolved.

“One of the problems we are having is gas.

Some people have developed a mindset to continue to vandalise gas pipelines. Let me say it very clearly that it doesn’t help this country, it does not help their communities and it doesn’t help their people.

“Breaking oil pipelines increases pollution. So, let us be very clear about it. This is at a time that the federal government has embarked on a clear clean -up programme. This is perhaps the most inclusive programme and we must all support it. Whatever the grievances are, breaking up pipelines doesn’t add to the solution. Breaking up pipelines also means the government earns less revenues, which means less revenues to states and local government,” Fashola added.

But he pointed out that the solution to the challenge should be to deepen the country’s energy mix with more of hydro power.

“We are also working with the solar providers to enable them come quickly to the market.

This provides an opportunity to members of the public to understand that although the ray of the sun comes to us cheap, the equipment that enables us to harness it to power is not free. But we are working hard to bring down the cost of solar power.

“But let me again reiterate that there are problems in the sector and one of it is financial stability. But the collaboration we have seen is the type that we need to stabilise the system. I am confident that this problem can be solved if everybody plays its part,” the minister added.

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016

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BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Rwanda: A Shining Example of Good Governance

Obinna Chima who was in Kigali, Rwanda recently, writes that the East-African country is an example of good governance that should be emulated

Kagame

As Patrick, a Nigerian journalist was about to board an aircraft back to Lagos after the coverage of World Economic Forum on Africa, he decided to give out the Rwandan currency he had with him. He however became surprised when none of the Rwanda airport officials accepted the money from him.

“They all refused to collect the money saying that people around would view it as a bribe. Although I tried to convince those I spoke to that it is a gift because I won’t be able to convert it when I get to Lagos, the still rejected the money. This is completely different from what we see in Lagos where the airport officials are the ones begging you for cash,” Patrick who expressed disbelief said.

The experience of Patrick is truly the picture of the new Rwanda. One country that is regularly praised as a shining example of good governance, on a continent not generally known for it, is Rwanda.

The East African country currently is the fourth least corrupt country in Africa and 44th globally according to the latest Corruption Perception Index (CPI). The report showed an improvement in Rwanda’s percentage score from 49 to 54 per cent. The CPI, which covers 168 countries around the world, tackles public perceptions for corruption in the public sector.

In addition, Rwanda’s performance in the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ rankings in recent years has been exemplary, drawing attention from international observers and investors alike. In the overall performance, Rwanda is still the best performing country in the East African region as well as third easiest place to do business in Africa.

The leap in governance achieved by the country with a population of about 12 mil-

Bankole

lion, has been attributed to the policies of its president, Paul Kagame.

Kagame, a soft-spoken former soldier, assumed power in 2000 and since then has overseen one of Africa’s most compelling stories of economic growth. Since the turn of the millennium, Rwanda’s Gross Domestic Product growth has averaged more than seven per cent per year. It had hit 11.2 per cent in 2008, until the effects of the global economic downturn began to impact on the country, curtailing growth to 6.9 per cent in 2015.

Rwanda is a small, land-locked economy in the middle. It lost about one million people and millions of others were displaced and impoverished by genocide in 1994. Rwanda has no upstream oil industry or refinery activities.

On the downstream side, it imports all of its commercial energy in the form of refined petroleum products from Kenya and Tanzania.

Speaking in a recent interview, the president narrated how his leadership style contributed to the improved governance in the country: “I started with being together and unified.

The country had historically been divided and divisive politics contributed to the tragedy of 1994. So I was trying to bring people’s attention to the importance of being together as a nation, even if there is diversity in our society.

“We are different, we may think differently, but at the end of the day, we have to bring our energies together for the common good instead of breaking our nation apart. We’ve learned lessons from the genocide.

“Second, I mentioned the importance of accountability. We won’t achieve unity and progress unless, in the exercise of our freedoms, we are able to think about the interests of

others and not just think about ourselves.

There comes a point when every one of us has to be responsible and accountable to each other.

“We have to hold ourselves accountable so that we don’t end up hurting somebody else.

This originates from our own history where division was the order of the day and people had been told to hurt each other. People started seeing other people as different, and not only different, but they thought they should get rid of them.

“Accountability was important and was lacking at the time. That’s why I talked about accountability, so that everyone has a sense of responsibility, whether they are leaders or citizens. Number three was about thinking big. We came out of that tragedy 21 years ago and have come a long way to arrive at where we are today, which gives you the sense that nothing is impossible if people set their minds to do something that is good for them. Nothing is impossible to achieve.”

Speaking at the recently concluded WEF on Africa, the Rwandan president called on African not to still be playing catch-up even when the fifth revolution is around the corner.

Kagame called for “a continent free of pity and apprehension, a place of opportunity and partnership.”

The transformative power of technology lies at the core of the vision of a Fourth Industrial Revolution, as articulated by the Founder and Executive Chairman of the WEF, Klaus Schwab, Kagame said.

However, it should be understood that technology is not a “magic bullet” in itself,

but a tool for wisely tackling the challenges faced by Africa.

On a practical level, digital solutions in financial markets need to be significantly scaled up, said Kagame. Efficient, reliable and stable capital markets are the key to providing access to funding for growth, and ICT makes such markets viable. At the same time, he added, development and growth are about more than machines – Africa’s people are an enormous resource – and can be achieved through “good politics and accountability.”

Also speaking in one of the sessions, former Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, said the leadership qualities displayed by the Rwandan government should be embraced by Africa’s policy makers and leaders. Bankole was at WEF to share his views and experience in the informal, collaborative environment the WEF provides.

He said WEF’s recognition that political figures, business leaders and citizens all have a role to play in continuing Africa’s development is embodied in his broad and deep experience.

Speaking to THISDAY, the Chief Executive Officer of P&R Forex Bureau Limited, Mr. Aloys Ngoga said: “The economy is stable, even though the drop in commodity prices has affected the volume of inflow of foreign currency into the country. Dollar is scarce to get. It is now more difficult to get dollars from banks.

“That has also affected business across every sector. It is a general problem across the sub-region. But I must commend the president and his team. They are doing all they can to support businesses despite the challenge posed by the drop in commodity prices.”

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BUSINESSWORLD

INSURANCE

Knocks, Kudos for Buhari at One Mixed reactions have continued to trail President Muhammadu Buhari’s first year in office. Whereas some insurance operators have commended his regime’s recognition of the industry’s potential, others have condemned his government over what they described as regulatory high handedness. EbereNwoji reports The insurance industry is one of the sectors of the economy that has placed high hopes on the ability of the present administration led

by Muhammadu Buhari to bring a major turn around in its fortunes especially in its current effort to contribute significantly to the nation’s economic growth.

Indeed, the industry operators are optimistic that many things left undone by past administrations in the effort to reposition the insurance industry as alternative contributor to the nation’s economic growth in the presence of continued decline in the price of oil, would be accomplished by the Buhari’s administration.

As the regime clocked one year on Monday, industry operators and stake holders have paused to count their gains from the administration.

In assessing the performance of the industry during this one year period, operators said it has been a mixture of bitterness and sweetness in their business experience.

According to some of the operators spoken to, sweetness, in the sense that the administration recognise the sector as part of financial services sector that has the ability to contribute meaningfully to the current struggle for turnaround in the economy.

In this regard, the operators noted that the present administration has accorded high recognition to the industry in that it has shown interest in driving insurance to the fore front of the financial services sector in Nigeria.

Bitterness, in the sense that many operators both brokers and underwriters groan under what they described as high handedness of regulators supervising their operations as well as major shrink in premium generation as a result of tough times experienced by Nigerians within the one year period of the regime.

They expressed the regret that a lot of premiums are lost in transit due to non enforcement of compulsory insurances by government while late implementation of first annual budget packaged by the administration had placed both corporate and individual citizens of the country in such tight financial position that they hardly consider insurance patronage.

On the positive side, the immediate past Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel had in the early days of Buhari’s administration, noted that the regime is very sensitive to the fact that insurance is key to building a virile economy and had for the first time in the history of the country, called for the contributions of the industry to its transition committee.

Describing this as first in history for the industry from the federal government, Daniel said the future holds a lot for the insurance industry under Buhari’s administration, A critical assessment of the industry’s performance during this one year period reveals that the industry has within the period shown signs of market discipline, which stakeholders have been yearning for among operators in their business conduct.

For instance, within this period, some insurance companies were sanctioned; boards of directors replaced with interim managers while warning memos were issued to some errant firms.

Also, a critical screening of operators in their various trade groups was conducted especially insurance brokers where the regulator has vowed to seperate the wheat from the chaff.

For instance, in December last year, NAICOM had published names of 108 insurance brokers operating without genuine licences.

This year, it has published names of 300 brokers who were certified fit for operation.

Though this caused uproar in the industry, Kari said it was for the overall good of the industry.

Also, within the period, NAICOM had vowed to implement to the last the recommendations and guidelines stipulated by the world bank on supervision of insurance institutions.

The commission had within this one year period, commenced the full implement of the

Kari

Risk Based Supervision model.

Before the implementation of the model, the commission had informed the operators that in exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 49 of the insurance act of 1997, it has released what it termed Market Conduct and Business Practice Guidelines for all insurance institutions in Nigeria.

The commission, also released another document tagged: ‘Prudential Guidelines for Insurers and Reinsurers’ in Nigeria.

Brandishing to the insurers the 78 page market conduct and Business guidelines for insurers at a forum in Abuja, Deputy Commissioner for Insurance, Finance and Admin, Mr. George Onakhene said the document contained frame work for fair policies and procedures, effective claims management, trade practices and fair treatment of customers.

According to him, it also contained operations, pricing, commissions and associated returns as well as foreign facultative reinsurance placements for reinsurance brokers. The 62 page prudential guidelines for insurers and reinsurers the deputy commissioner added, sets out the minimum prudential standards for underwriting reinsurance, investments, reserving , outsourcing among other activities required from insurance institutions with a frame work for the establishment of policies and procedures for internal controls.

Onakhene urged the insurers to endeavor to put their house in order to survive in the face of the guidelines.

Also within the period, there have been signs of implementation of professionalism and values among operators by the regulator.

There have been crusades on this by the past administrations in the commission, but in the

last one year, there appear to be pronounced zeal for practical implementation of professionalism and sound ethical conduct by the regulator.

Kari, had within the period under review, called for what he described as professional re-awakening and embracing of professionalism and core values among insurance industry practitioners in order to correct wrong perception on insurance by Nigerians.

According to him, the re-awakening effort among insurers has become necessary to ensure that only trained personnel are allowed to practice insurance in Nigeria.

“You will agree with me that insurance services are being rendered by persons and bodies without adequate training, we must embrace professionalism as core value in our industry insisting that to achieve this, the industry must train all persons that carry its flag to consumers.

“Insurance practitioners and professionals should be seen to uphold the tenets of the profession both in their words and actions. It is not enough for the Institute to breed and certify insurance professionals only, but must also ensure that they are regularly updated through training and retraining to enable them measure up with current global trends,” he insisted.

Also in the last one year, the operators in their various trade groups had witnessed a lot of screening, sanctions and threats of license withdrawals, to the extent that some have raised allegations of unnecessary witch hunting and vindictiveness against the regulator.

The most painful to them was the recent release of names of 300 insurance brokers by the regulator as those fit for operation in the market. The brokers under the aegis of Nigerian

Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) argued that by releasing the list to the public without note that screening was still going and that more brokers would be certified fit for operation in due course, the regulator had created wrong impression that no operator outside the 300 brokers released is fits for operation.

They expressed worry that this had posed a big threat to their businesses and had reduced clients’ confidence on them.

But Kari, during his recent visit to the corporate head quarters of THISDAY in Lagos, had forewarned that publishing of list of 108 Insurance brokers done by his office in December last year was just the beginning and that more were coming until he gets rid of all the bad eggs in the industry.

“Recently, precisely towards the end of last year, we did a review of licenced operators especially intermediaries and your paper was among those that published the list of 108 insurance brokers with lapsed licences. That caused an uproar, not from consumers but from those class of intermediaries, who feel that we have deprieved them of their means of livelihood.

They argued that we have caused unemployment; they argued that we are unjust, but the interest of the public we protect is more important than their complaints. Because we found out that all those companies that we published, we did not cancel any licence. They are operating without genuine licence from us so we only alerted the public not to do business with them because they don’t have genuine licence. And that caused a panic but since then, if you see the level of attempt to comply with appropriate licensing procedure, you will be surprised.

“But that is not the issue, we are checking our records to identify more that will go out of practice because it is those rotten ones that cause problem and create the bad publicity and bad name for the industry and there will be more to be published no matter their level of complaints. All those complaining, when they do in their own name and they have specific cases we look at them , if they have merit, we listen to them but most of them don’t operate with their names. They operate with silly names because they know they have no legal licence”.

They will rather stop defrauding people,” Kari stated.

NAICOM has said that with effect from June this year, it will ensure that all insurance policies issued in Nigeria is assigned identification numbers. The commission said this will be made possible through the use of its much awaited portal system, which will be in use from June.

The portal system is an electronic gadget designed for effective supervision and monitoring of the industry operators’ activities.

Director, Research Strategy and Information Technology of NAICOM Adamu Balanti, said with the portal system, the commission, will not only achieve effective monitoring and supervision of the operating firms’ activities, but would showcase to Nigerians every insurance policy written and the names of companies that insured them.

Ballanti said that currently, the commission, is sensitising the industry on the use of the portal.

“Before June, we will roll out the portal and when operational, it will capture every single insurance policy issued in Nigeria to ensure that every policy you pick has identification number to be issued by NAICOM”, he said.

It is expected that the unique policy identification system of the commission will solve problem of identifying the particular insurance firm that insured a particular business especially when there is risk and need for payment of claims.

These efforts, no doubt, were made to reposition the industry during the current regime.

But in spite of these, the operators said there are a lot of expectations yet to be realised from the administration.

Continued on page 33

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INSURANCE

Pension Fund Investment: FG Bows to Pressure on Relaxation of Investment Rules Ebere Nwoji with Agency report Investors and stakeholders in Nigeria’s investment climate pushing for relaxation of rules on pension fund investment now has a glimpse of hope as the federal government said it has got plans to cautiously relax the rules guiding Contributory pension funds(CPS) investments to pave way for its investments in some investors’ choice areas.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun was quoted by a report monitored on Channels Television as saying that the federal government though will be cautious in investing the over N6trillion pension funds, has decided to relax some of the rules guiding pension funds investment.

According to the report, Adeosun said this when she

appeared before the House of Representatives as part of the ongoing sectoral debate on diversification of the Nigerian economy.

“A lot has been said about the pension money. We have 6trillion and people treat it as if it’s just available for the taking. This is people’s future savings, so we have to be very cautious about how we release pension money into investment.

“The first thing we have to do is to relax the rules cautiously and with many safeguards so we don’t lose pensioners’ money and cause a problem in the future.

“Definitely we are going to put things in place such as the infrastructure bond that we are releasing that will encourage pension funds to invest but invest safely,” she said.

Within the past few years, investment of N5.32 trillion funds accruing from the

contributory Pension Scheme has remained one issue that has generated questions and arguments between the public and operators of the pension sub sector.

While members of the public assumes that the money is idle in accounts of either the industry regulator, the National Pension Commission( PenCom) or the Pension Fund Administrators therefore wants it released for infrastructural development, PenCom and the fund managers had insisted that laws guiding investment of the funds must be followed to the later.

By its design, the contributed funds are paid into the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) of contributors who registered with any of the licenced Pension Fund Managers. The pension fund custodians are the ones who invest the funds in line

with stipulations of investment guidelines issued by PenCom, which is the industry regulator.

According to PenCom, by the dictate of the Act that established the scheme, among these managers, no one has the right or access to the money not even PenCom and none of them can arbitrarily take decision on where the fund should be invested or not irrespective of the need for change of such decision.

But despite these securities, the Nigerian public still doubts the safety of the funds and profitability of the various portfolios into which the funds have been invested.

But determined to obey the law, PenCom Director General Mrs. Chinelo Anohu- Amazu had insisted that investment of the pension funds should be restricted to the portfolios

stipulated by the law with the result that today, over 60 percent of the fund is invested in federal government bond while the remaining is invested in other portfolios stipulated by the law.

She advised investors with good investment ideas who are interested in the pension fund to study the guidelines on pension fund investment and ensure their investment ideas meet the criteria stipulated by law before approaching the Recently, Chairman, Pension Funds Operators of Nigeria (PenOp), Mr. Eguarekhide Longe had advised federal government to develop attractive infrastructural bonds that would guarantee the safety of pension fund, which investment experts and government have been eyeing for infrastructural development.

The Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) said at present in the country, there is no attractive bond that can guarantee the safety of pension fund if invested in infrastructural development.

The administrators who spoke at a media retreat organised in Lagos said in the face of the dwindled income of government occasioned by fall in oil price, they are ready to assist the Federal government to finance its infrastructural projects through the N5.32 trillion pension assets, but insisted that this will be possible if government develops attractive infrastructure bonds that will guarantee the safety of the fund.

They also said the laws guiding pension fund investment must be followed to the later in the choice of investment portfolio for the fund.

Consolidated Hallmark Declares Dividend Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, at its 21st annual general meeting, held in Lagos recently, announced 3 kobo dividend per share for its shareholders.

With this, the company approved a total of N180 million dividend for its shareholders nationwide, out of the N535,811,078 profit it made in its business outing for the 2015 financial year.

Outgoing chairman of the company, Dr. Obi Ralph Ekezie, who disclosed this in his valedictory statement to the shareholders at the meeting said: “We have now passed on the baton successfully to a new team of capable hands who we believe will successfully take your company to greater heights, it is my pleasure to inform you again dear shareholders that from

the profit of N545,811,078, a dividend of three kobo per share is being proposed for approval at this meeting.”

According to him, the company had earlier paid an interim dividend of N120 million for the half year ended 2015 results.

Ekezie, said Consolidated Hallmark Insurance is one of the few insurance firms in the country that have continued to pay dividend on yearly basis despite the prevailing harsh economic environment.

“Your company has been one of the regular dividend paying insurers in the industry, having made payments four times N300,000,000)prior to this meeting ( in 2009: 2008 Account, N180 million in 2011: 2010 Account, N120 million in 2012: 2011 Account and N180 million in 2013:2012

PROMO DRAW

L-R: Manager, KPMG, Kenneth Ukanwa; Head, Consumer & Privilege Banking, Diamond Bank, Aishah Ahmad; and State Coordinator, National Lottery Regulatory Council (NLRC), Fashanmi Omotayo, at the DiamondXtra Season 8 draw in Ibadan ... recently

KNOCKS, KUDOS FOR BUHARI AT ONE According to the operators, they are yet to realise their dream of having all airline operators insure every aircraft that flies in Nigeria , although recently in a chat with THISDAY in his office, the Public Relations Manager of the Nigerian Civilian Aviation Authority (NCAA) Mr. Fan Ndubuoke had said that all aircraft that fly in Nigeria have insurance cover. Bu the insurers observed that some airline operators hardly buy insurance for their aircraft and some when they buy, prefer to patronise foreign insurers rather than indigenous insurers, there by going against the local content law of the federal government.

Against this backdrop, the operators have appealed to the Buhari’s administration to cover up the gap. Making the appeal, immediate past President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance brokers, Mr. Ayodapo Shoderu urged the administration to ensure that henceforth, no airline operates without adequate insurance cover especially from a registered indigenous insurer.

“They should also ensure that no airline operator is allowed to operate without adequate insurance cover. Adequate insurance will guarantee that in case of any unfortunate incident, the bereaved families will have something to fall back on. On our part as insurance brokers, we have taken our awareness campaign to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON). We have had meeting with the representative of

the Association and a further meeting is to be rescheduled for a later date, not only with AON, but also other professional bodies in the aviation industry, to ensure that the mechanism of risk taking provided by law is strictly adhered, to avoid double tragedy for the families of victims,” Shoderu stated.

He however called on government to also throw its federal might behind the entrenchment of insurance policies not only in aviation industry but all other sectors especially in the area of enforcing compulsory insurances.

“There are almost six compulsory insurance policies that have been highlighted by our regulator; we need government support and backing to enforce them. It is of common knowledge that incumbent administration will not tolerate corruption of any sort, I like to say that avoidance of compulsory insurances is high level of corruption, therefore, it must be included in the ongoing fight against corruption,” Shoderu said.

It is on record that five years after the launch of the various compulsory insurances in the country, enforcement has remained a major problem. Against this backdrop the operators had hoped that the present administration would see to enforcement of the compulsory insurance but this has not come to be as the compulsory insurances are still not enforced.

Also, the operators said they are yet to see change in government recognition of insur-

ance especially with regard to insurance of its properties.

Over the years, the insurers had accused government of paying lip service to the industry grumbling that insurance is the only sector that government hardly patronises.

Managing Director of Nem Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart, speaking in this regard complained that up to the present time, the government does not believe in insurance and does not contribute to its development. He said as a result, the Nigerian insurance industry has continued to suffer stunted growth. He also pointed out non enforcement of compulsory insurances as opportunity, which government denied the industry.

“If you look at what obtains in other parts of the world where there are compulsory insurances and government creates an enabling environment where it ensures that people comply, they enforce the laws. In Nigeria, enforcement is the problem and without enforcement, premiums are lost to fake insurance. Don’t be surprised that a lot of people still carry fake insurance certificate of non-existing companies like Lion of Africa, victory, ACEN, vigilant insurance, etc. and it is because there is no enforcement and nobody bothers to look at that area. So you will discover that a lot of money is being lost and until government comes in to actually enforce these laws, we will continue to lose money. For instance, look at the area of group

life, government has tried to an extent by saying that you must have your group life certificate to do a lot of things as a company. They are enforcing it through PenCom. If government can do this in the area of motor insurance, building under erection and other products, it is going to bring a lot of income for the industry and the Nigerian economy”, he stated.

The operators also said the present administration should ensure timely implementation of annual budget, adding that it stimulates the performance of the economy and that of insurance in particular. President of NCRIB), Mr. Kayode Okunoren, recently urged the federal government to commence the implementation of the year’s budget without further delay.

Okunoren, who made the call at the April edition of the Members’ Evening of the council, held in Lagos, noted that it was disheartening that at the expiration of the fifth month of the year, government has not started the implementation of the budget.

He said implementation of the budget, would provide succour to the current obvious sufferings of Nigerians. “Similarly, the appeal has to go to government to immediately commence the implementation of the 2016 national budget, which would definitely succour Nigerians.

In overall, the operators said what they have experienced in the first one year of Buhari’s administration are signs of good days ahead for the industry.

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BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

As Sirika Unfolds Vision for Nigerian Aviation

Yakubu Dati

Senator Hadi Sirika, the Honourable Minister of State, Aviation has unfolded the vision and strategies of the President Mohammad Buhari administration for achieving a quantum leap forward for the Nigerian Aviation industry. First, he made it clear that Aviation” is pivotal to the growth of key economic sectors, certainly not limited to travel and tourism. Agriculture production and distribution, rural development, trade and commerce, manufacturing, oil and other non-oil sectors.”

In what could be termed a comprehensive mission, Sirika had quite some surprises and a handful of seemingly simple solutions to longstanding problems and issues. One surprise: Government plans to concession four major airports to the private sector. The Minister believes that by bringing in the private sector, the country can achieve better infrastructural development and improve the efficiency of service delivery at these airports. The airports in question are the international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.

And it’s also the month of May, 2016, which makes it one year since this administration came on board, it was an opportunity for stock taking.

Sirika said that some of the challenges facing the country’s airports were that of obsolete equipment and dilapidated infrastructure; obsolete equipment and inadequate capacity. These challenges, according to him, are expected to be addressed by the newly initiated concession programme, the much awaited completion of five new, world class, ultra-modern airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt later this year.

On the focus, the Minister said that “ the present administration is focussing on issues that will rapidly develop the aviation industry within the shortest possible time.” These issues, include aviation safety and security, infrastructural development, the establishment of a national carrier, lack of a world class aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul,(MRO) facility in the country.

Others are: How to quickly develop our air cargo capacity in order to participate actively in multi-billion dollars global agro-allied export trade. The restructuring of the country’s aviation agencies and the setting up of an aerospace University in the country.

In his usually forthright manner, Sirika states the administration’s position on all of these tough issues, perhaps, leaving no one in doubt about the policy direction of the Buhari administration as regards the aviation industry. On safety and security at our airports, the minister was of the view that government’s response should include the development of a new security strategy framework in partnership with international security organisations, the determined implementation of a certification programme for all our airports and a comprehensive security threat and vulnerability assessment of our airports. The Minister of state recently inaugurated a technical committee with the mandate to look into security at the country’s airports.

On the vexed issue of a national carrier, Sirika was emphatic that the administration will establish a national carrier because of the benefits that the country would derive from it, especially from the various Bilateral and Multilateral air services agreements signed by the government with other countries, worldwide.

It would also help stem current capital flight due to foreign airlines exploiting the current absence of a Nigerian national carrier.

He said however, that the carrier will be floated on the stock exchange and listed whereby Nigerians can buy its shares and own it. Furthermore, to realise this laudable goal, he said that

Sirika

government would engage the services of a transaction adviser “to develop an appropriate business model and framework to establish a national carrier using a public/private partnership concept.”

When in place, the national carrier would be expected to form alliances and joint ventures with other carriers, in order to increase its reach and routes, Sirika said.

There is also the issue of national prestige and national pride when talking about a national carrier, as some smaller African countries such as Ethiopia proudly fly their countries colours on their national carriers, many of which have become successful ventures, the Minister said.

On the appalling lack of a world class aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul, (MRO)l facility in West and Central Africa, the Aviation helmsman challenges Nigerian investors to key into the bountiful opportunity. He said that the current administration was determined to create an enabling environment that would provide an impetus to willing investors.

He hoped that such investors could go beyond only MRO but actually initiate the local manufacturing of light aircraft spare

parts in the country, which would help save foreign exchange and create more jobs for Nigerians in-country.

The issue of air cargo facilities ties with the country’s hopes of generating more foreign exchange from agricultural produce and other non-oil exports. As the Minister noted the country is current losing a lot in potential income from export of perishable agricultural produce including fresh flowers and vegetable as a result of the absence of adequate air cargo facilities. Apart from generating forex, it has far reaching socio- economic impact as it will improve farmers’ income significantly and help stem rural to urban migration. Government is therefore working hard to meet this challenge, with several of the required facilities under construction in strategic areas round the country, Sirika noted.

The country’s target is to get 40 per cent of the market for agro-allied and perishable agric produce export coming from Africa to global markets, he said.

A thoroughbred and experienced air pilot himself, the minister noted, howbeit sadly, that many well trained professional aviators, especially pilots are unemployed.

Whereas, on the other hand, their foreign counterparts are having a field day in the country working for foreign airlines operating in the country. Not mincing words, the minister said that government would henceforth vigorously enforce expatriate quotas for staffing of foreign airlines operating in the country, so that foreigners do not continue to take jobs meant for Nigerians. And review the policy on validation of foreign licenses (no aviator left behind policy.)

The Minister said that it is a policy of the All Progressives Congress, APC administration to set up an Aviation Development Bank, which he said, will offer Nigerian aviation entrepreneurs long term, low interest loans in single digits to help finance their airline businesses. This, accordingly, will boost the growth of the industry and help create stability.

Other salient industry issues which the Minister addressed are that of the supply and pricing of Aviation Jet A-one fuel, sourcing of foreign exchange by airlines for their operations and aircraft leasing.

On Jet A-1, Sirika said government has made arrangements to start local production of the fuel which is currently 100 per cent imported.

Discussions are also in top gear with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to ease forex supply shortfall to airlines, especially foreign airlines because they operate and pay for several services in foreign exchange whereas, tickets are sold in naira locally, putting airlines at a disadvantage.

Sirika said that the administration will continue with the current policy of granting duty waivers on imported aircraft and spare parts, so as to support the industry. Further, government is well aware of financing difficulties faced by Nigerian airlines in the leasing of aircraft.

They have limited access to capital even then at high interest rates of about 27 per cent currently. They are also faced with inadequate numbers of aircraft, while they have high debt profiles. The Minister said that the government intends to set up an aircraft leasing company to assist these Nigerian airlines, to have better access to leased aircraft for their operations.

Then, it was time to highlight some achievements of the Ministry of Transportation in the area of aviation, since last May(2015).The Minister noted with pride that Nigeria passed the recent ICAO security audit of the country’s airports with flying colours at a score of 96 per cent. The aviation industry similarly passed the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit of the country, reflecting the enormous hardwork and expertise of Nigerian aviation authorities.

The Buhari administration has been able to provide bomb containment vessels at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano and at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

The administration has also installed solar-powered field lighting systems at 10 airports round the country including Port Harcourt , Sokoto, Akure and Enugu. In addition, Air traffic control tower operations at the Malam Aminu Kano Airport have been automated, allowing for more efficient services.

The Minister of State rounded off by promising that the Nigerian aviation industry would soon have a master plan in place, which he said will be integrated into the National Integrated Infrastructure Masterplan, NIIMP. He said that the development of Nigerian aviation is “a joint responsibility of the public and private sectors.”

Above all, Sirika is confident that the Nigerian aviation industry” can become profitable, self-sustaining and beneficial to all stakeholders,” with our concerted efforts and cooperation.

•Dati, spokesman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, wrote from Lagos

35

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

FrieslandCampina, Ministry of Agriculture Sign Pacts on Food security, Dairy Devt FrieslandCampina of the Netherlands and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have signed several pacts to roll out new dairy programmes designed to safeguard food and nutrient security in Nigeria.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh and the CEO, FrisandCampina, Mr. Roelof Joosten, signed a Farmer2Farmer agreement during the minister’s two-day working tour of the Dutch company’s facilities that ended May 27, 2016.

According to the Corporate Affairs Director, FrieslandCampinaWAMCO, Ore Famurewa , “with the Farmer2Farmer programme, FrieslandCampina aims at deploying member dairy farmers to train and advise local dairy farmers on feedingand watering of cattle, calf-rearing, milking hygiene and practice, milking machine maintenance, hoof care, housing and barn design.” To ensure training for undergraduates in Nigerian tertiary Institutions for FCWAMCO’s ongoing Dairy Development Programme(DDP)in Nigeria, the Managing Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, Mr. Rahul Colacoand Dr. Martin C. Th. Scholten, Member, Board of Directors of Wageningen University and Research Centre, signed an expression of interest for academic and technical support.

During the Minister’s visit, FrieslandCampina announced its decision to invest N3 billion

in its dairy development small holder dairy farmer programme in Nigeria. To step up its current activities, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and FrieslandCampina WAMCO also agreed to renew their MoU on the company’s dairy development programme in June 2016.

FrieslandCampina WAMCO intends to provide support to aFMARD subsidiary, Milcopal in Kaduna, under the terms of the revised MoU. While in the Netherlands, the minister and his team visited FrieslandCampina and the Dairy Campus in Leeuwarden, FrieslandCampina Innovation and Research Centre in Wageningen and the Vollering FamilyFarm.

In his remarks, Ogbeh commended FrieslandCampina for taking the lead in dairy development in Nigeria. According to him, this is one of the most important visits for the ministry and his team is going back more reinforced to ensure dairy development succeeds. He further said the partnership between FrieslandCampina WAMCO and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is indeed a promising one, as there is complete concurrence of plans and actions.

“We will support pasture development; building of Paddocks as we intend to ensure the Fulani cattle herders settle down. Over 60,000 hectares of land are already available in 8 States and more are still coming.

NEWS

NGO Donates N2.5m, Food Items to Returning IDPs in Borno Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja A non governmental organisation (NGO), the Peace, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Initiative (PRRI) has donated N2.5 million, food items worth N5 million and improved seeds and crops worth N2.5 million to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) that recently returned to their various communities to help kick start their lives again.

According to a statement issued in Abuja by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Sam Ode, the gesture was meant to assist the returning IDPs whose communities have been liberated from the Boko Haram terrorists, who had unleashed mayhem on the people of North-east

for years.

He added that the team is moving to some pilot areas that approached the NGO with some special requests to provide them with seeds, food items and cash support to aid their people resettlement.

Ode stressed that the task of helping the IDPs to return back to their various communities became necessary after the NGO took an assessment tour of selected communities in the North-east that were once occupied by Boko Haram terrorists.

He however confirmed that the Nigerian military have carried out a total recovery of the area and it now suitable for human habitation, though

requiring urgent government efforts for meaningful life to take off.

Speaking on behalf of Borno State government, the Executive Chairman of SEMA, Satomi Ahmed thanked the PPRI team for the gesture, while also calling on other wellmeaning Nigerians and spirited individuals to support the IDPs to return back to their homes.

He commended the NGO for its timely, transparent and laudable Initiatives to give back to the IDPs in a manner that has not been witnessed since the inception of interventions for the people.

However, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai El-kanemi maintained that the

Nigerian authorities have helped to push out members of Boko Haram out of his domain in less than one year of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He added that the insurgents in the first place are non indigenes of Borno State, who came to earn a living as a result of the magnanimous and hospitable nature of his subjects with a history of about 1300 years.

El-Kanemi therefore promised to provide the enabling environment for the organisation to to enable it carry out her humanitarian activities which according to him is the first of its kind since his domain was visited by the ugly activities of Boko Haram.

Fidelity Bank Renovates FOR CAPITAL MARKET DEVT L-R: Group Managing Director, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi; Past Registrer-General, Corporate Affairs Commission Classrooms at Police & Chairman, PEARL Awards Nigeria, Alhaji U.F. Abdullahi and President, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede at the 12th Annual PEARL Awards Public Lecture for Capital Market Development in Lagos …recently Abiodun Ajala Children School Fidelity Bank Plc’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, the Fidelity Helping Hand Programme (FHHP) has renovated a set of classrooms at the Police Children School, Obalende, Lagos.

The bank said the initiative was part of its contribution to the development of education in Nigeria.

The set of classrooms were inaugurated as part of the bank’s celebration to mark this year’s Children Day. Speaking at the event which took place in Lagos, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo said the renovation of the building was carried out by the bank’s security personnel across the country.

According to Okonkwo, each of the security contributed N500, adding that the total amount realised was then matched by funds from the bank.

Okonkwo added: “What we are here to do today is to commission a classroom block that Fidelity Bank Helping Hand Programme renovated, furnished and fully equipped.

The building was dilapidated but the FHHP renovated and equipped it. What we do under the FHHP is to encourage our staffs to participate in CSR

wherever we do business.

“So, the staffs in different locations identify laudable projects, voluntarily contribute money and then the bank funds the balance. We have been doing this all across the country, but today’s programme is special because it is holding on May 27, which is Children’s Day. “This initiative of renovation the Police Children School was driven by the security men at Fidelity Bank across the country.

These security men, in keeping with our CSR strategy, tasked themselves and contributed N500 each to raise money for this renovation. Of course, in line with our policy, the bank then added the balance to help renovate this structure we are here to commission today.”

He added: “When I looked at the building, I noticed that the two other wings are still looking a bit out of place. So, we immediately undertook to complete those ones. The school has an information technology lab. Like you all know, the children are the future and technology is the future. But they have a problem powering the lab. So, under this programme, we further committed today to provide generator to these children so that they can use the laboratory effectively.”

Unity Bank Donates Materials to Lagos School As part of activities marking the 2016 Children’s Day celebration, Unity Bank has donated instructional materials to Okun Ajah Community Senior High School in a bid to support facility upgrade in the school.

The school located on the shoreline of Eti-Osa L.G.A of Lagos State. According to a statement, the intervention was in line with Unity Bank’s CSR philosophy of advancing the interests of communities, particularly those at the bottom of the pyramid.

The items donated included internet facility for the Schools ICT centre, multi-functional photocopying machine to enhance the efficiency of the School’s administration as well as sets of books for the school library.

The three areas of intervention, the statement added, were carefully selected not only to create direct impact on students of the school but also, those children that would be enrolled into the school in future. The initiative, according to the bank was also aimed at equipping the public school, such that, the

poor and financially challenged in our communities are able to access quality but affordable education.

An Executive Director, Dahiru Chadi, who presented the items on behalf of Unity Bank Plc, said the gesture was in response to the call by the government on corporate organisations to contribute to the development of institutions as part of their corporate social responsibility.

“This presentation is to celebrate the Children’s Day and give value to educational development in our communities”, he said.

The three areas of intervention selected, according to Unity Bank, are to ensure that more students from all classes are able to access the critical materials they need to upscale their performance. Over 400 books on different subjects were part of the items donated.

“With these facilities, the school can boast of being on equal footing with other top grade secondary schools in the state”, an overwhelmed Principal of Okun Ajah High Community School, Mrs. Deborah Onaeko has said.

Halogen Security CEO Bags Award The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Halogen Security Company Limited, Mr. Wale Olaoye, has been conferred with the “Outstanding Leadership and Professional Civil Security Award” by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

The award, according to the students’ body, was in recognition of Olaoye’s contributions to the development of students/ youths and the improvement of security practices in Nigeria and also for his visionary leadership in society.

Speaking during the presentation of the award recently, a statement quoted the Chairman of NANS, Lagos Chapter, Comrade Sanusi Suleiman, to have described Olaoye as, “an astute leader, a role model and a philanthropist who has continued to inspire youths to realise their dreams and aspirations.”

He recalled several instances where the Halogen Security CEO had identified with and shared his knowledge with students, impacting on them not just his leadership and business

acumen and skills but also his over 20 years’ experience and knowledge in the Risk Management spacesecurities industry.

“Olaoye is a personality of repute that needs to always be celebrated. We are proud to identify with him and look forward to having him in our Hall of Fame soon,” Suleiman added.

In his response, Olaoye expressed immense gratitude to NANS for the award.

According to him, “this honour, by no less a body such as NANS, is a rare privilege.

We appreciate the association for recognising the entire Halogen Security Company Limited team and we assure you of our continued support to the youths”.

The Halogen Security CEO used the occasion to restate the company’s commitment to providing cutting edge asset management and security solutions across all levels of the society by leveraging on its robust and modern technological facilities and highly professional personnel.

36

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY,JUNE 1, 2016

EDUCATION LASU Best Graduand: How My Father’s Accident almost Marred my Studies Despite his father’s accident that almost marred his academics in 2012, Mr. MichaelAderibigbe Arowosegbe showed that tenacity pays even in the face of daunting challenges as he recently emerged the overall best graduating student of the institution with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.86. Funmi Ogundare reports

L-R :The Vice chancellor, Lagos State University, Prof. Lanre Fagbohun, overall best graduating student of the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mr. Michael Arowosegbe, and the Bursar, Mr. Adetayo Hassan during the 20th convocation ceremonies of LASU held recently

It was celebration all the way at the 20th convocation ceremony of Lagos State University (LASU) recently as Mr. Michael Aderibigbe Arowosegbe, 24, of the Department of Biochemistry was called out to receive his prize for emerging the overall best graduating student. He got two other awards: best in the faculty and dean prize valued at N100,000 each.

Arowosegbe, who made a first class, outshined the over 17,000 candidates the institution produced in the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 academic sessions.

Seven other graduating students also obtained first class.

In his valedictory speech, the third child in a family of five, held guests spellbound with the story of his tortuous journey that almost marred his academics. He said: “Many of my friends and colleagues never knew that he worked as a contract staff, attached to the campus marshal. I witnessed a students’ protest while in 100 level, where he was stoned, I could not cry. As if that was not enough, another incident occurred on November 9, 2012, which changed his life to this day. He had an accident on a bike, while on duty here on campus, where he hit his head and some portion of his back against the university gate.

“He could not move any of his limbs initially, some even thought that was the end of him and that it might affect my academics because there was no succour from the appropriate authorities, but glory to God, he is recuperating and I am already a graduate.”

Arowosegbe, who said he drew strength from what his father, Mr. Ajibade has been through in life, said he chose Biochemistry in LASU to fulfil all righteousness and please his father. “I reluctantly chose LASU as my second choice in the 2011 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination

(UTME) and I almost ignored the post-UTME that year because I had already written that of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, where I scored 278. So I thought with that score, together with a UTME score of 287, I was on my way to study Medicine and Surgery, but look at where the choice I made has brought me today.”

He advised fellow graduands to know that, “in uncertainties lie opportunities and you need to enhance the future by setting great examples and becoming a source of motivation to those who will follow your footstep. Do not be discouraged, believe in God and in yourself and never let the fear of striking out hold you back. Sometimes, taking the road less travelled may lead to an unusual breakthrough, which would create a new path for others to follow, never stop learning new things, always harness the splendour of positive thoughts.”

While commending the university authority for its tireless efforts to make the institution a pride of the world with the assistance of the state government, he said, “this is not the end of the road, great exploits await us as we sail into a world of endless possibilities to ensure that we build a great nation where even the ones yet unborn will beat their chest and say, ‘I am proudly Nigerian. LASU graduates please be good ambassadors of this great institution wherever you find yourselves.”

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olarenwaju Fagbohun, congratulated the graduands, saying, “as you leave our campus, honours in hand, always remember that you are still part of our community and very much connected to us.

You are about to join our burgeoning group of LASU alumni, people with whom you can connect, share experiences and challenges, and

gain knowledge that can further inspire you as future leaders. The Lagos State University is here for you. We are proud of our alumni and eagerly look forward to celebrating their accomplishments.

Earlier in his convocation lecture, a Professor of Comparative Literature and Director, African Studies Institute, University of Georgia, Akinloye Ojo, called on the government to formulate a policy that would ensure that African languages do not go into extinction.

In his lecture titled, ‘Empowering African Languages for Socio-cultural and Economic Development in the 21st Century: A Case for our Languages at Home and Abroad’, he expressed concern that some languages are threatened in Africa because they are not documented, adding, “which means hardly is it possible to be used in modern or European-based educational systems.

“When languages are not used by their speakers, they become gradually moribund, which means the only speakers will be adults. The first risk a language suffers is when children do not speak it and so some of our children made the choice, not because they do not like or economic reasons but to speak other languages because they do not speak it.”

He added that in Southern Africa, many indigenous languages in the rural areas are highly threatened because the bigger languages are expanding. “The European languages are also exerting influence so the competition is very high.

These indigenous languages are not rewarding economically so families chose to use that. You also found out that because of the way government approach language policy, they make bold statement in documentation but implementation becomes a problem so people notice that this

seems to be the preferred languages, you can get economic reward, advancement in life and jobs and everything so you move towards that language.”

Ojo said a language that is not documented and very well used becomes a candidate for endangerment over times. “We have to increase our efforts in documenting African languages.

Where I teach, I tell my students, you don’t have to wait for a big project, if you know how to write 10 things in one language that you speak and the language is not written down, document it and if you know how to say people’s names, document it.

“We do know that there is resurrection, the languages that are already documented like Yoruba for instance, has very robust writing system, we have to empower it by making it useful in all domains. It is not enough to read Yoruba but to read and write science, philosophy, among others in Yoruba.”

Speaking at the conferment of higher degrees and fourth installation of the chancellor of the institution, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said he saw the need to focus on LASU to bring its unending crisis to a halt, adding, “today good reasoning has prevailed over the crisis.”

The visitor disclosed that students will soon begin to live on campus to guard against vices, adding that his administration would place priority on graduates of the institution for work placement with its ‘Ready Set Work’ initiative.

He thanked the governing council for its vision saying, “our vision is to have an institution that will be job creators rather than job seekers. The mission of the state government is to make LASU first in research and innovations.

37

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY,JUNE 1, 2016

EDUCATION

‘Sokoto Requires 9,000 Teachers to Meet Standards’ Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto Findings by a committee set up by the Sokoto State Government had revealed that the state requires additional 9,000 teachers to meet the global standard of 1:40 teacher-pupil ratio in its primary schools.

Presenting an interim report to Governor Aminu Tambuwal in Sokoto, the Chairman of the Technical Committee on State of Emergency in Education in the state, Prof. Risqua Shehu,

said 11,863 more primary school classrooms are required to de-congest the existing ones in order to create a condusive atmosphere for learning.

He said with a total of 1,193,760 pupils enrolled at basic education level for the 2015/2016 academic session, the teacher-pupil ratio in the state currently stands at 1:66.

Shehu pointed out that though a large percentage of teachers possess high qualifications in primary schools, over 60 per cent of

them do not have the required certification to teach at the basic education level, while about 60 per cent of teachers in junior secondary schools teach in urban areas, leaving rural areas under-staffed.

He disclosed that there exist more teachers in arts and social sciences than sciences, English Language and Mathematics.

“Not more than five per cent have recommended computer studies and technical trade textbooks. Again, only 11 per cent of the students have relevant

textbooks in Mathematics, while less than 15 per cent of them have mathematical items such as graph boards, protractors, compasses and geometrical materials (solid figures).

“Out of the 39 technical/ commercial trades identified by the federal government as contained in the 2013 NPE, only nine are being offered in the state’s senior secondary schools.”

Shehu said as a way out of the problem, government

should embark on the recruitment of more teachers with emphasis on female teachers who would serve as role models, especially in rural areas.

For the 2015/2016 academic session, he recommended the recruitment of 800 female teachers, followed by 1,200 in the 2016/2017 academic session while 1,500 should be recruited in the 2017/2018 academic session.

He also urged the government to embark on massive computer literacy programme

for all senior secondary three (SS3) students before they sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination in April 2017.

Responding, Tambuwal said the need to revive the education sector necessitated the setting up of the committee, adding that everything possible would be done to reverse the negative trend.

“We have huge problem in this sector and we are determined to overcome them within a reasonable timeframe.”

Cornerstone Insurance Takes Health/Safety Awareness to Schools Uchechukwu Nnaike As part of efforts to equip teachers and students with the basic knowledge to tackle medical emergencies and to ensure safety in schools, Cornerstone Insurance has recently launched its corporate social responsibility initiatives ‘Safe Routes to School’ and ‘Basic Life Support (BLS) and Basic First Aid Training.’

The Safe Routes to School involves the provision of safety infrastructure along accidentprone school routes and the establishment of safety clubs in schools where students are taught preventive basic safety tips with the support of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), while the BLS and Basic First Aid Training is aimed at equipping students and teachers with basic life support and first aid techniques for emergencies such as unconsciousness, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), choking while eating, among others.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative at Fountain Heights Secondary School, Surulere, Lagos, the Head, Brand Management, Cornerstone, Mr. Ademola Mafikuyomi, said the company decided to save the lives of children because they are like the most helpless in the society and are mostly at risk as a result of their youthful exuberance.

He said the safe routes to school is about creating a haven from home to school; sensitise the students and rouse their consciousness with respect to safety. He added that the aim is to protect the future. “Our future is embedded in the children so if we don’t train them now to save their lives, then our future is mortgaged.”

Mafikuyomi said the company intends to reach out to schools in the six education districts in state by the end of the year, adding there would be books and other printed materials that the students could make reference to so as to sustain the knowledge they have received and to enable them imbibe the right attitude.

The Director, Golden Hour Medics Limited, Dr. Ugochukwu Echendu, who delivered the BLS and basic first aid training, taught the students through

demonstrations and audio visuals, how to give CPR to unconscious adults and children, including infants; what to do during choking while eating, sudden seizures, ingestion of poisonous or toxic substances, dislocation and fractures, bleeding from cuts and stabs, animal bites and stings, drowning, among others.

Speaking with THISDAY, Echendu every disclosed that people die every day in Nigeria as a result of medical emergencies and children die in schools for the same reason and since there is no record of such occurrences, they are overlooked.

Hence he said the company tries to encourage as many parents, teachers and students as possible to be trained so that they can manage medical emergencies when they happen because they don’t give any warning sign before occurring.

He stressed that it is important for everyone to know how to give first aid to someone that is unconscious and not breathing because something must be within five to eight minutes otherwise the person’s brain will go into irreversible damage. “The essence of the training is to equip everyone both teachers and students to keep the person alive in case of emergency till they get to the hospital.”

He said the firm has trained a couple of schools in Lagos State; the Federal Fire Service; bank staff on medical emergencies, and has embarked on series of sensitisation progammes in rural areas.

Responding, the Vice-Principal of the school, Mrs. Nneka Osisiogu, thanked the company for the opportunity provided for the staff and students to acquire such knowledge, and expressed delight that the school was the pilot school for the initiative, Though the staff and students have attended series of trainings in the past, she said the recent training involved all the students and teachers, including non-teaching staff.

“This training will go a long way in the lives of the students because no matter the profession the students are pursuing, this is a training that everyone requires in the school and the society.”

EWPOWRING GIRLS ON IT

L-R:Thewinner,AppDevelopment,MsPeaceAgboola,winner,quizcompetition, MsChideraOnyekurubothofClemmyHighSchoolandManaging Director,Vodacom Business Nigeria, Mr Lanre Kolade (middle) during a one-day Information and CommunicationTechnology feld trip toVodacom facility... recently

Anwuka Charges Students to Embrace Anti-corruption War Paul Obi in Abuja As the country joined the rest of the world to commemorate Children’s Day, the Minister of State for Education, Prof.

Anthony Anwukah, has charged Nigerian students to embrace and support President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in its fight against corruption.

Speaking during the launch of the anti-corruption initiative at the Federal Government College, Kwali, Abuja, recently, Anwukah, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Mr. Tony Akuneme, tasked the students to reach out to their parents and teachers about the monster

called corruption which is the major reason why schools’ libraries and laboratories are empty.

The founder of the nongovernmental organisation, which initiated the project, Youth, Health and Social Reforms (YOHESOR), Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, explained that the outfit is a reform-based organisation to rejuvenate the social factors in the country.

Arodiogbu said the project is about a reform of the value project, believing that if youths who form the major part of the population are better informed and better structured, the issue of corruption will be easier to handle.

“We know that all over the world, corruption is a major issue especially for Nigeria. We see corruption as a systemic thing; an endemic thing and the best people that can address it are the youths. All over the world, the responsibility has been handed over to the younger generation to build a better future for themselves.”

He added that “the project was developed as far back as 2009, but there has not been an enabling environment to showcase it but because of the determination of this present administration to tackle corruption, the organisation decided to pilot it now.”

He contended that though Buhari has a good approach to

punishing offenders, the fight is only one aspect as it does not eradicate the systemic and endemic nature of corruption in Nigeria if he does not build a strong social engineering to address the mindset of people to do the right thing and avoid corrupt practices.

“The programme which is targeting about six unity schools in the six geo-political zones, is mainly to redirect the minds of the growing population.”

The Principal of FGC, Kwali, Mrs. Ogochi Ufoegbune, commended the minister for considering the school among the initial six unity colleges for the pilot programme in the six geopolitical zones.

LASG Partners Google to Train 50,000 Students Peace Obi The Lagos State Government in collaboration with Fortune 500 internet technology giant, Google, recently, launched an empowerment programme to train 50,000 students of Lagos State tertiary institutions in digital skills over a period of 90 days.

Speaking at the launch of the programme, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, said the training programme primarily designed for students from the state-owned tertiary institutions which includes Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State

Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Epe, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, is also opened to other interested members of the public.

Describing the digital skill training as a significant push by the state ministry of education to up-skill the next generation with IT required for productivity in an increasingly technology-driven 21st century, he said: “we are trying to position our students to function in the 21st century. We will be training 50,000 students.

We are confident that if we give Lagosians the skills to compete, they will do wonderful things.”

Bank-Olemoh who said the initiative was borne out of research and statistics that prove that by learning and improving digital skills, one can improve their chances of becoming employed or starting their own business, adding that it is a new pathway in education, employment and empowerment.

Outlining the model for the programme’s execution, the SA hinted that the free-of-charge training will kick-off with a training workshop for 500 students who had already enrolled in a Ready.Set.Work - a larger initiative by Lagos State to equip final year students in the state

institutions with entrepreneurial and employability skills.

Speaking further on the collaboration with Google, the SA said, “we are excited to be collaborating with one of the biggest companies in the world to empower students in Lagos State with digital skills and prepare them for the future of work.”

The Country Manager, Google Nigeria, Mrs. Juliet EhimuanChiazor, said the training will cover basic digital skills such as online marketing, social media, how to do business online, among others, and that registration for the training is open on a designated website www.digifyafrica.com.

38

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY,JUNE 1, 2016

EDUCATION

‘Bring Back Our Girls’…For God Sake!

WELCOME ON BOARD

Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed (left) assisted by the Rector, International Aviation College, Ilorin, Captain Abdulmumini Karim (right) decorating a member House of Representatives, representing Asa and Ilorin West Federal Constituency, Hon. Razak Atunwa as Executive Private Pilot License, (EPPL) at International Aviation College, Ilorin...Friday

LAWMA Sensitises Students on Proper Waste Management Uchechukwu Nnaike

To ensure a clean and health environment in schools and the society, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has advised students to seek ways of turning waste to wealth by re-using and recycling them.

Speaking during a Children’s Day programme with the theme, ‘Recycling: A Secured Future for Our Children’, organised by the agency recently, the Executive Chairman, Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejokun advised schools to provide various bins to sort their wastes into categories.

“We should endeavour to handle our wastes properly in public places such schools and others. If we separate these wastes from the beginning, it will make it easier for us to recycle. Let us look at ways of recycling to wealth our wastes such as sachet water packs, pet plastics bottles, cartoons and aluminum

cans, among others.”

According to him, recycling of wastes serves better purpose in the sense that it creates employment and invariably wealth. “This is one way we can help create more jobs that will lead to a more secured Nigeria for our children.”

In his remarks, the Chairman, House Committee on the Environment, Mr. Saka Fafunmi, said the state is re-strategising its waste management focus to ensure a cleaner Lagos. He explained that the state government downsised street sweepers in order to weed out the indolent among them.

“The state government is planning to improve on their activities by changing some of the old hands who are not performing and replacing them with those who have the zeal to do the job.”

He said that with an envisaged increase in the state’s population in the near future, this is the right time to

cultivate the culture of waste handling.

He urged the children to be ambassadors of change that would impact on their immediate environment and the larger society. “Today, what you consider to be waste could be a great source of wealth to some people as well as materials to many companies. I want you to go home and advise your parents against throwing wastes indiscriminately, especially in public and restricted places. I also want you to go home with a strong conviction that you want to be agents of change that will make a difference in your immediate community.”

Other speakers harped on the need for students to be ambassadors of recycling since most of the materials that block drainages are usually recyclable wastes.

The event featured the exhibition of materials such as chair, table mat, broom, table, and other items that students produced from waste materials.

‘Turn to Books for Knowledge, Secret to Greatness’ Peace Obi The Principal, Loral International Day Secondary School, FESTAC Town, Lagos, Mr. Uzoukwu Benjamin, has advised Nigerian students to devote more time to reading and shun activities that add little or no value to their lives.

Addressing students during the Children’s Day celebration organised by the school management for its primary and secondary school students, he urged them to be focused and make appropriate use of their time by doing the right thing at the right time.

“Be focused, reading culture is going down, so read more because knowledge and secrets are hidden in books. And if you don’t read you won’t be able to widen your knowledge. The truth is that for any child to be well equipped to face challenges of life, that child must find time to read.”

On the importance of the celebration to every child, Benjamin said it is a day set aside to celebrate children, show them love, and give them a sense of belonging.

He said Children’s Day should not only be spent having fun, but should be a

day to make a child realise the need to get his/her bearings right.

In her remarks, the Headmistress of the primary section, Mrs. Cecilia Elendu, urged children to always show good morals, believe in themselves and remain committed to their studies.

She encouraged the children to feel free and enjoy the day’s celebration, saying: “Today’s event is organised by the management to help you enjoy your childhood and make you have fun memories of a day like this. As you all know, all over the world, children are celebrated today and as a way of showing you how much we care about you, about your future, and as part of our commitment to nurturing a complete child. Today’s programme is loaded with learning but fun-filled activities that will leave you happier than you came.”

While urging those participating in one competition or the other to show spirit of sportsmanship, she said everyone is a winner and that if they do not win today, that they can win some other time.

The social prefect, Master Ebuka Dim, who also served as the master of celebration, told THISDAY that most students look forward to Children’s Day every year. He

said being a day that children are celebrated globally, it gives them the opportunity to socialise and have fun, adding that it also provides an opportunity for those who are talented in the area of entertainment to showcase their ability.

“Like today, we had dancers and even three students who came together as a team to make a presentation of their song, written and sang by the team.

So, while we are having fun, talents are discovered.

Stressing the need for students to find time to relax and refresh their brains, Dim said “all of our time should not go to academics, students should learn to take some break, relax and refresh their brains for better performance and that is one the things Children’s Day offers.”

With a line-up of activities such as dancing competition, fastest finger beauty pageant, among others, students also showcased their talents in different classes of music. The climax of the event was the crowning of a primary four pupil, Miss Nmesoma Umerah as the Miss Children’s Day, while Master Chimdalu Ifediba was crowned Master Children’s Day.

Adolescence is fraught with a lot of challenges for girls.

My own teen years were quite traumatic. I lost my mum at twelve-and-a-half years of age and had no surrogate mother figure to turn to; to answer the many questions that teenage girls have. All around us daily, there are gaps in the lives of budding girls, we could bridge. But, do we care enough at all?

The process of rapid physical changes in adolescence begins around the age of 11 years for girls. With these body changes come periods of restlessness and moodiness.

Both teen boys and teen girls begin to think differently and seek close relationships of non-family members. They are becoming more independent, therefore they are eager to try out new things.

On sexual matters, the physical changes happening to teenagers’ bodies may either push them into shyness and embarrassment on the one hand, or into boldness and even defiance on the other. Consequently, some teens can’t wait to explore their own bodies and would brag about their newly discovered sexual abilities and experiences.

Quite often, if a girl’s first sexual intercourse occurs during her adolescent years, especially if by a much older man, that experience is likely to be a coercive or forced sexual experience. Amina Ali Nkeki, the adolescent secondary school girl, kidnapped alongside 276 other Chibok girls in 2014, knows this only too well. Deep in the forest of Sambisa, Amina, was sexually violated and today at 19, she carries a baby born to one of her abductors.

Amina’s experience is a clear demonstration of power, control and terrorism. Notwithstanding, similar exploitative and conniving sexual relationships do exist. Many young girls are daily violated by uncles, benefactors, relations and stand at risk of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. It is a known fact that teenage girls are less likely to use contraceptives. Therefore, let’s look out for our school-age girls. We must bring back our girls.

Omoru writes from the UK

Jibowu Junior School Wins Concept Nova Debate A team of debaters from Jibowu Junior High School, Lagos has emerged winner in the Concept Nova Debate for secondary schools with a total of 23.8 points.

The winning team defeated the team from Wesley Junior Girls Secondary School, 22.6 points; Herbert Macauley Junior High School, 21.1 points and Onike Girls Junior High School, 19.1 points who were first, second and third runners-up respectively.

Eight teams debated the topic ‘Technology: Reducing the Quality of Human Interaction’ in the first round after which the four teams that advanced to the second round were given a new topic ‘Mobile Devices Should be Banned in All Schools’. They were judged based on choice of words, stage presence, tenses, pronunciation, among others.

Speaking at the event recently, the Executive Director of the company, Mr. Chukwuma Ochonogor, said as a company with a strong societal outlook, it not only looks to the success of the organisation, but the success of the society is important.

“The most successful aspect is in the education of our young ones because they are the future leaders and the ones that will propel us and they are the ones that will take care of us so we are supposed to ensure that the people that will inherit the earth and planet and take it to the

next level are properly groomed and educated so education of the youths is a big focus for the organisation.”

On the choice of students in junior secondary schools for the debate, he said such students are in their formative years because that is when they are growing from being almost children to forming an opinion about life.

“From the quality of interactions that were submitted, these are young children that have a good appreciation of the environment.”

He said the winning team will get a year scholarship in their current school in addition to the prizes they received at the end of the competition, while the school will decide what project it will like the company to fund.

A teacher from the winning school, Mrs. Arise Morenike, who was visibly elated, said she was happy because it took her about three days to prepare the students for the debate and they emerged winner.

“We got the topic last month and I started training junior secondary two (JS2) students, but they were not serious so few days to the competition I took the JS1 students and told them that I have faith in them and that they can do it and this is their first experience. I built the trust in them and they practiced for just three days.

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EDUCATION

Experts Canvass Education for Global Security Funmi Ogundare Stakeholders from the academia and security operatives recently converged on the Faculty of Education Hall of the Lagos State University (LASU) for their fourth international conference with the theme, ‘Education for Global Security’, designed to offer fresh platforms for effective networking and ensure a peaceful coexistent that will engender meaningful development.

Speaking at the event, the Dean of the faculty, Prof.

Ayodeji Badejo, said the theme is crucial and topical considering the terrible experiences of insurgency, kidnapping, armed robbery, youth brigandage, among others in the country, as well as some other West African countries witnessing a fresh taste of terrorism.

“Of greater concern is the

involvement of and deliberate attack against innocent school aged children. The case of the kidnapped school girls in Borno State in April 2014 will ever be fresh in our individual and collective memories.”

Considering the trend of global security challenges, she said the centrality of education not only as a tool for socioeconomic stability, but also as a weapon for generating reliable and lasting security management system has never been in doubt. “In-depth research efforts with logical reasoning stand as arsenal through which man controls his environment.

Scholars must never fail.”

The Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Idiat Adebule, who declared the conference open, said for education to achieve global security, its purpose should be to provide for the fullest possible development of

each learner for living morally, creatively and productively in the society.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Shina Odeyemi, she said: “If Nigeria for instance is to experience sustainable development, especially in the areas of economic growth and productivity, as well as general human security, we must pay close attention to providing and encouraging quality education among our citizens.”

The Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi, expressed concern that the world is at a crossroad as to how to tackle global security, adding that the topic is contemporary and apt, as it would help confront the challenges bedeviling the society.

In his lead paper titled,

‘Technical and Vocational Education as the Ultimate Issue in National Security’, the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Educational Board (LASTVEB), Mr. Olawumi Gasper, stressed that the restive energy deposits in youths must be converted to productive and profitable ventures to reduce crime rate and improve the economy through active learning and development. He regretted that insecurity in the country has retarded socio-economic development in various ways including social dislocation and population displacement, social tensions and new pattern of settlements which encourages Muslins/Christians or members of an ethnic group moving to Muslim/Christian dominated enclaves.

“Insecurity heightens citizenship question which encourages hostility between indigenes and settlers. There is dislocation and disruption of family and communal life, as well as a general atmosphere of mistrust, fear, anxiety and frenzy.”

On technical and vocational education, he expressed concern that over one million foreign/ immigrant workers are in the construction company in Nigeria which has brought about huge shortage of jobs that were meant for youths to keep their idle hands busy. “Year 2011 study revealed that unskilled manpower in the construction industry costs the country about a trillion naira (N 900 billion) in capital flight from foreign skilled workers.

“One million skilled workers receiving N3,000 a day for 300

days is N900 billion. If 50 per cent of this amount is remitted by these foreign workers, we then have the sum of N450 billion taken away from the economy. This means over one million Nigerian youths that should have been gainfully employed are displaced fuelling a high level of insecurity in the polity.”

While stressing the need to grow the informal sector through up-skilling, re-skilling and exposure of practitioners to modern best practices by addressing acquisition of skills in rapidly emerging technologies strengthened by entrepreneurship training, Gasper said, “the population of poor youths without viable economic opportunity is increasing, as is their frustration.”

e-Learning Will Reduce Mass Failure, Says Expert An educational technology/ solution and affiliate service firm, Teslys Integrated Concept Limited, has explained how electronic learning solutions would improve students’ overall performance and reduce mass failure in public examinations.

The principal official of the company, Moshood Adetela, said teaching in public and private schools in the country could be improved by integrating technology in the learning process, adding that the new technologies would create a new learning experience for students, improve concentration and participation, as well as produce higher performance in assessment.

Adetela said the presence of new technologies has made teaching easier for teachers and enabled them to become more creative in lesson delivery. According to him, with increased interaction of students in the feedback mechanism of everyday lesson through questions and answers that is built on 100 per cent class participation, no student is left behind in class activities.

“Educators are able to gauge the impact of understanding among students for every lesson delivered thereby encouraging a repeat of lessons that do not meet the critical mass that is set by each school.”

He said the innovative educational products would be displayed at this year’s Total School Support Seminar and Exhibition (TOSSE), scheduled for June 2 and 3 in Lagos.

The eighth edition of the exhibition, which will dwell on the theme, ‘Creating Successful Partnerships in Education’, will expose many schools in Lagos and Ogun States to new technologies provided by educational support firms.

Some of the services include: full multimedia ICT resource centre, multimedia classroom, upgraded 3D science laboratories, legal educational research, as well as company/enterprise registration and search, VSAT/ wireless and CUG, IP PBX, schools/educational feasibility

studies, admin solution/software, classroom management solution, review of systems and processes for better efficiency.

Others are corporate governance compliance review in the education sector, educational exhibition, tablets/laptops for teachers and students, integration into the Telsys portal to gain access to premium educational contents, full maintenance support, preparation of school/staff manual or handbook, training and re-training teachers and ICT administrators.

Adetela said 12 schools have already deployed the Telsys smart school advantage programme, with several others indicating their interest to key into the new learning platform.

He however stated that the smart school platform is not for all schools, as schools must meet critical infrastructure before the deployment of the electronic solution.

“Telsys has equally developed valuable competencies across the open source educational support solution spectrum through which its e-learning delivery process is anchored on to provide schools with the necessary skills for their teachers to become competent in teleeducation delivery process.

“The objective is to bridge the gap between educational outputs and the labour market demands through appropriate and relevant technological support with effective schools management tools.”

The Principal Partner, Edumark, Yinka Ogunde, who organises the annual seminar and exhibition, said the programme started eight years ago with a desire to support educational institutions and provide an opportunity for exhibitors to access innovative products and services. She said this year’s edition has been designed to bring together not only school owners and suppliers but also, parents, students and government bodies and all stakeholders in the sector.

CELEBRATING ART

The Principal of Whitesands School, Lekki, Dr. Lorenzo David (fourth left), with other guests during the presentation of ‘The SAIL’, a literary/art publication of its students…recently

Australian NGO Partners Abia to Update Teachers’ Skills Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia Primary school teachers in Abia State were afforded the opportunity to update their knowledge during the recently concluded training programme conducted by experts from Australia.

The four-day programme, which was packaged by Precious Kids Education Empowerment (PKEE), a non-governmental organisation based in Australia, attracted teachers from the three senatorial zones of the state.

The President of PKEE, Mrs. Vivian Peters, told journalists

in Umuahia that the NGO has made it a point of duty to retrain primary school teachers in the state, upgrade their skills and keep them alert on the security of children under their care.

“We are very concerned about the security of the kids,” she said, adding that the teachers were taken through all the necessary areas that they would require to protect children while in schools. She said the training was tailored to the education needs of Abia State and anchored on five subjects: classroom management, teacher-student relationship, first

aid and security alert, adding that the inclusion of security alert in the training package was particularly relevant and timely given the rising wave of insecurity actress the country.

According to Peters, a total of 120 teachers including the education secretaries “carefully selected” from the three senatorial zones were trained at a selected centre in each of the zones.

A member of the team of education experts from Australia, Alnoor Dawood, said they use interactive methodology for the training “so that we can instruct people how to teach students in a more interesting, engaging

ways so that the students can learn better.”

Another member of the team, Sahera Sumar, said the team used a lot of experiential methodology, which involved putting teachers through the experiences that they can create for the students themselves.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mr. Kelechukwu Nwosu, said the training marked “a historic day in the life of Abia children where the governor has brought the best to give knowledge and quality assurance in the classrooms.

Edo to Spend Additional N3bn on Schools Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has announced that the state government will spend N3 billion to build more schools in the state this year, insisting that every Edo child must attend quality schools.

Speaking at this year’s International Children’s Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Oshiomhole said the state had in the past seven-and-a-half years

devoted resources to rebuild public schools to make them attractive and conducive for teaching and learning.

He promised that the government would “continue to build more schools. Before the end of this year, between now and December, Edo State Government will spend another N3 billion to build more primary schools. I believe that our security and the security of our nation demand that we do not spare any effort in providing you the opportunity you need for quality education.

“We will continue to make investments in constructing modern primary schools, modern secondary schools so that you have an enabling environment to be taught by teachers who are well paid. President Buhari says I should congratulate you on this day. He is doing everything possible to ensure that the Nigerian child has quality education, to ensure that all those things that affect Nigerian children, the government is doing everything possible to ensure that those practices like violence against children are dealt with firmly.

“You are also aware that the federal government is working to introduce one meal a day feeding for our school children. We have a president that is totally committed to ensuring that the rights of the Nigeria child are upheld.”

Oshiomhole added: “We in Edo State will sustain what we have already started. I am sure you are happy when you enter the ‘Comrade Bus’. We will sustain the free bus ride because for us the Edo child deserves the very best. I ask you to continue to take your studies very seriously.

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CITYSTRINGS

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

Kaduna Battles Violators of Traffic and Environmental Laws Worried by the outright disregards for traffic and environmental laws, the Kaduna State government recently set up an agency to entrench sanity and ensure the safety of residents. John Shiklam writes

Governor El-Rufai inspecting officials of KASTELEA during their induction

F

or residents of the Northern City of Kaduna, the establishment of the Kaduna State Traffic and Environmental Law Enforcement Agency (KASTELEA) came as a big relief considering the reckless and outright disregards to traffic rules by many road users, especially motorists.

Worse is the manner in which animals, especially cows are seen along major roads in some parts of the metropolis, thereby causing serious traffic hazards and congestion.

With the induction of 2,503 marshals of the agency by Governor Nasir el-Rufai, the stage is set to put a stop to the lawlessness that has become an acceptable norm within the metropolis and other cities in the state.

Many residents who spoke to THISDAY on the establishment of the agency, applauded Governor el-Rufai for having the political will to establish the organisation, saying that it will bring about sanity among road users and ensure safety on city roads.

The bill establishing the agency was passed by the Kaduna State House of Assembly in 2014.

Fashioned along the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), KASTELEA is empowered by law to, among others, direct and control traffic on public roads and high

ways in the state in order to decongest them.

The law also empowers the agency to impound vehicles that are not properly parked along public roads and highways in the state as well as remove vehicles that cause traffic hold up.

The agency is also charged with the responsibility of educating and enlightening road users and members of the public on the proper use of roads as well as to enhance and designate bus stops and bus terminals.

The agency prescribes fines and sanctions against driving without license, driving by persons below the age of 18, driving unlicensed vehicle, disobeying traffic signs and traffic

With the induction of 2,503 marshals of the agency by Governor Nasir el-Rufai, the stage is set to put a stop to the lawlessness that has become an acceptable norm within the metropolis and other cities in the state

lights, driving under the influence of alcohol, riding motor cycle without crash helmet, driving vehicle with non functional lamps, exceeding prescribed speed limit, among others.

KASTELEA is also charged with the responsibility of impounding vehicles that are not properly parked along public roads and highways; to designate the route to be followed by vehicles generally or vehicles of the class which they belong a particular category of road; to control noise which constitutes nuisance, stop stray and wandering animals among several others.

Various fines are prescribed for violating the rules and regulations ranging from N1,000 to N200,000.

The General Manger of the Agency, Col. Abdulkadir Zubairu (rtd) at the induction of the marshals, urged citizens of the state to embrace the current wind of change and obey traffic rules.

He said the 2,503 marshals comprising young men and women were given rigorous training to carry out their functions.

Addressing the marshals at a colourful ceremony at the Murtala Square, Governor el-Rufai called on residents of the state to support the agency to ensure a decent, disciplined and law abiding society.

"When we took the decision to reorganise KASTELEA, our objective was to secure a

properly-grounded agency with personnel who owed their employment to clear procedures, and with the requisite training to deliver the expected services.

"Today’s event confirms that, by and large, these goals have been attained. I want to use this opportunity to salute the Board and Management of KASTELEA for the work they have done in training these young men and women," the governor said.

According to him, KASTELEA has a major role in upholding public order in Kaduna State, stressing that its marshals will be on major roads, enforcing compliance with traffic rules and conducting checks to ensure that all vehicles plying the roads are properly licensed and are road-worthy.

The governor said KASTELEA officers had been trained to be firm, and to conduct their duties with courtesy and politeness, adding that the tactics of the ruffian are not necessary for law enforcement.

"As we demonstrated when we disbanded the old VIO (Vehicle Inspection Officer) and withdrew their operatives from the roads, this government is of the firm belief that no public agency or its officials can be allowed to interpret their role as an exercise in oppression.

"Government work should not provide a cover for uncouth conduct. Rather, KASTELEA

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CITYSTRINGS

Newly recruited officials of KASTELEA

L-R: Governor El-Rufai and his deputy, Mr. Barnabas Bala Bantex, during the induction of KASTELEA officials at Murtala Square, Kaduna

Governor El-Rufai dressed in KASTELEA uniform

Operational vehicles, motorcycles and other equipment for the agency

To succeed in its new role, KASTELEA will require the support of the public. All residents of Kaduna State have a common interest in seeing that our roads are safe, that the vehicles which ply these roads are licensed, road-worthy and are driven by persons properly certified to do so

will seek and sustain the informed consent of citizens with enlightenment campaigns, transparent rules and their impartial enforcement.

"To succeed in its new role, KASTELEA will require the support of the public. All residents of Kaduna State have a common interest in seeing that our roads are safe, that the vehicles which ply these roads are licensed, road-worthy and are driven by persons properly certified to do so," he said.

El-Rufai warned that the traffic bottlenecks caused by illegal parking, and the safety risks caused by people who jump traffic lights will not be condoned.

"We can all agree that it is not a constitutional right for anyone to constitute a nuisance on public roads, or to imperil the safe use of the road by other citizens.

"When a person is deemed to be in violation of traffic rules, KASTELEA officials will issue documents specifying the fine, but they cannot collect it.

"All fines are payable only by electronic means or through cash payments to accounts specified by the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), the only agency permitted to collect revenues due to the state government.

"Let it be clear that KASTELEA is set up to promote public safety. That is the priority.

Fines and other penalties are merely sanctions designed to encourage lawful behavior," he said.

The governor noted that officials of the agency had been recruited and trained to serve the public, saying that government expects them to live up to the standards of their training, and to be efficient, dedicated

and fair in their conducts.

"Do not permit yourself to even be tempted by, much less succumb, to the disease of the uniform, a condition in which wearing an authorised piece of fabric gives the wearer an illusion of omnipotence. You are not God. You are not even masters. You are public servants, and you must discharge the role with dignity and unwavering politeness," the governor warned.

The governor said further that the agency has spent time recruiting young people and training them for the assignment and urged the first set of 2,503 brand new officers to make KASTELEA an agency the entire state can be proud of.

"I urge members of the public to fully support KASTELEA as it gets to work for the good of our state," the governor appealed.

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T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY JUNE 1, 2016

His Excellency

PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO,GCON,SAN VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA Special Guest of Honour

RT. HON. YAKUBU DOGARA SPEAKER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Chief Host

SENATOR (DR.) BUKOLA SARAKI PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE Chief Host

MR. AIGBOJE AIG-IMUOKHUEDE, CON

DR. ALIKO DANGOTE, GCON

PRESIDENT NATIONAL COUNCIL, THE NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

PRESIDENT DANGOTE GROUP Chairman Of The Occasion

MR. MOUNIR GWARZO

Director General Securities & Exchange Commission

MR. OSCAR ONYEMA Chief Executive Ofcer The Nigerian Stock Exchange

SEC NIGERIA

SECURITY AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, NIGERIA

Co–Chairman Of The Occasion

DR. CHINELO ANOHU-AMAZU Director General National Pension Commission

MR. TONY ELUMELU, CON Chairman, Heirs Holdings

MRS. ELIZABETH UWAIFO Partner, Radix Legal & Consulting (UK)

MR. ANDREW ROBERTS Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills (UK)

MRS. BRIDGET UKO Group Manager Investments London Borough of Ealing (UK)

DR. BISMARCK REWANE Chief Executive Ofcer Financial Derivatives Co. Ltd.

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INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Ivory Coast’s Former First Lady Goes on Trial for War Crimes Ivory Coast’s former first lady, Simone Gbagbo, went on trial yesterday after being accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes for her alleged role in a 2011 civil war.

The court case at home came after the government rejected her extradition to international court in The Hague.

Her husband, ex-president Laurent Gbagbo, is already before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges linked to the brief conflict, which was sparked by his refusal to accept defeat to Alassane Ouattara in a run-off election in late 2010.

Around 3,000 people died in the violence.

Flanked by policemen, Simone Gbagbo, a key figure in her husband’s regime, greeted several dozen cheering supporters gathered at the entrance of the court in the commercial capital Abidjan with waves and smiles.

The prosecution alleges she was part of an inner circle of her husband’s key backers that planned violence against Ouattara’s supporters as a means of maintaining Gbagbo in power.

The trial opens just a day after Chad’s president Hissene Habre was convicted by a special tribunal in Senegal for ordering the killing and torture of thousands of political opponents during his eight-year rule.

The success of that trial is likely to bolster African leaders, who have grown increasingly hostile towards the ICC and have called for the continent to take justice into its own hands.

Having emerged as the victor of both the polls and the war, Ouattara, now president, has refused to honour an ICC warrant for Simone, claiming that the Ivorian justice system is now capable of judging her.

In an earlier trial, she was

convicted in March 2015 of offences against the state and given 20 years in prison, a sentence that was upheld on appeal this month.

However, despite the conviction, rights campaigners and

observers criticised the trial for failing to provide evidence linking her and other political leaders to violence by their supporters.

Human rights groups including the International Federation for Human Rights,

which was representing victims in the domestic case against Simone Gbagbo, announced this week that it was withdrawing its participation in the war crimes trial.

They claimed the prosecu-

tion’s investigation had been rushed in order to respond to the ICC warrant and the trial would not give victims a full picture of the Gbagbo administration’s orchestration of the post-election violence.

Italy Arrests 16 Suspected Boat Migrant Traffickers Italian police have arrested 16 people suspected of trafficking migrants across the Mediterranean from Libya after a week in which thousands were rescued and hundreds drowned trying to make the journey.

As Europe’s worst migration crisis since World War Two continues, more than 2,500 people are thought to have died this year after being packed into rickety boats by traffickers.

Police in Catania, Sicily, said in a statement yesterday that they had detained 16 men who were rescued in international waters along with hundreds of migrants and brought to the port city on May 28.

On arrival, testimony from the migrants helped police to identify a Gambian man believed to have captained one of the boats from Libya and 15 others who had brought fuel, looked after the engine and supervised the migrants during the journey.

The suspects arrived in Catania with more than 860 others who had been rescued in five different

operations, police told a news conference.

Most of the migrants who arrive in Italy looking for a better life in Europe come from sub-Saharan Africa via Libya, where criminal gangs have taken advantage of the breakdown of order to set up a lucrative trafficking business.

The migrants arriving in Catania said they had been taken to a site near the western Libyan cities of Sabratha and Zuwarah, where they stayed for up to 45 days while the traffickers kept watch over them and fed them once a day.

They were then charged the equivalent of 500-1,000 euros ($557-$1,115) for the journey. None of the migrants were given life jackets, but all the suspected traffickers wore them.

Police suspect the group had contacts in Sicily to help organize the next phase of the migrants’ journey.

Most people who come to southern Italy want to head to stronger economies in northern Europe where they expect more opportunities.

Syria: 23 Killed in Russian Air Strikes At least 23 people were killed in Russian air strikes overnight in the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, the heaviest bombardment there since a cessation of hostilities was agreed in February, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The Observatory said the air strikes targeted a number of positions in the city, one of them next to a hospital. Seven children were among the dead, Observatory Director Rami Abdulrahman said. The toll was likely to rise.

Rescue workers in Idlib worked through the night searching for casualties, finding some survivors including a child under the rubble of destroyed buildings, the Civil Defense in Idlib said on its Facebook page.

Idlib city and the province by the same name is a stronghold of rebel groups including the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front.

The Russian air force deployed to Syria last year to support President Bashar al-Assad in the war with rebels seeking to end his rule.

EMPOWERMENT DISCOURSE

Public Affairs Officer Dehab Ghebreab, opening the GIST workshop at the United States Consulate General Lagos…yesterday

Netanyahu Turns to Arab Peace Plan to Face New Challenges Benjamin Netanyahu has turned to a 14-year-old Arab peace plan in trying to project a softer image internationally for a new governing coalition in Israel widely seen as more hardline toward Palestinian statehood.

In what some political commentators and opposition politicians called spin but a spokesman for Netanyahu dubbed“an important development”, the right-wing prime minister said on Monday that the 2002 Saudi peace initiative had “positive elements”, although some revisions would have to be made.

He drew new attention to Arab countries’ past offer of normal relations with Israel, in return for a full withdrawal from occupied territory, at a time when he is trying

to counter a French push for an international conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Netanyahu’s partial embrace of the Arab plan comes after far-right politician Avigdor Lieberman was sworn in as defense minister in a broadened coalition on Monday, an appointment that has raised concern at home and abroad.

Israel fears it could face strong world pressure for concessions toward the Palestinians once foreign ministers, including U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, convene in Paris on June 3 in preparation for a full conference in the autumn.

“The Europeans are gathering ammunition, the danger is real.

(Netanyahu) is bracing for all this with a regional initiative that has

cost him only words for now,” political commentator Ben Caspit, a frequent critic of the Israeli leader, wrote in the Maariv newspaper.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry accused Netanyahu of playing a “public relations game”. But Nickolay Mladenov, the U.N.’s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, welcomed the Israeli leader’s comments.

“This can help advance negotiations on achieving a two-state solution,”said Mladenov, who also referred to a public promise last week by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of warmer ties with Israel if it accepted efforts to resume peace talks with the Palestinians.

Lieberman, who also spoke in English on Monday with an

international audience in mind, said he concurred with Netanyahu’s comments on the regional peace proposal. There was no immediate response from Arab countries.

A spokesman for the prime minister declined to discuss what changes Israel might seek in the initiative, which speaks of a “just solution” for Palestinian refugees but whose terms were softened in 2013 to include possible land swaps between Israel and the Palestinians.

Zeev Elkin, a minister in Netanyahu’s cabinet, said on Israel Radio that any division of Jerusalem under the plan - Israel captured the eastern part of the city in the 1967 conflict - is“certainly not acceptable”.

Attempted North Korean Missile Launch Fails again North Korea attempted to fire a missile from its east coast yesterday but the launch appears to have failed again, South Korean officials said, in what would be the latest in a string of unsuccessful ballistic missile tests by the isolated country.

The launch attempt took place at around 5:20 a.m.

Seoul time (4.20 p.m. ET), said the officials, who asked not to be identified. They did not elaborate.

Tension in Northeast Asia has been high since North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in January and followed that with a satellite launch and test launches of various missiles.

Japan put its military alert on Monday for a possible North Korean missile launch. “North Korea shows no sign of abandoning the development of nuclear missiles and so we will continue to work closely with the U.S. and South Korea in response and maintain a close watch,” Japanese Minister of Defence Gen Nakatani told a media briefing.

North Korea appeared to have attempted to launch an intermediate-range Musudan missile, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency said.

North Korea attempted three test launches of the Musudan in April, all of which failed, U.S. and

South Korean officials have said.

Yonhap quoted a South Korean government source as saying the missile was likely to have exploded at about the time it lifted off from a mobile launcher.

China, North Korea’s only major ally, called for the cessation of any action that would exacerbate tension.

“The situation on the peninsula remains complex and sensitive,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a briefing when asked about the launch.

“We think that all sides should avoid any actions that further worsen tensions.”

China has been angered

by North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests and signed up to tough U.N. sanctions against its reclusive neighbor in March.

North Korean state media did not mention any missile launch.

The North’s flurry of weapons technology tests this year came in the run-up to the first congress in 36 years of its ruling Workers’ Party early this month, where young leader Kim Jong Un consolidated his control.

Yesterday’s launch therefore appears to have been its first missile test since then, and experts said it was unusual to test-fire a missile so soon after a failure.

49

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

Iraqi Soldiers Pause at Southern Edge of Falluja as IS Fights Back Islamic State militants fought back vigorously overnight and parried an onslaught by the Iraqi army on a southern district of the city of Falluja, the group’s bastion near Baghdad, officers said yesterday.

An aid official warned of a “human catastrophe” unfolding in the city, with residents unable to escape.

Soldiers from the elite Rapid Response Team stopped their advance overnight about 500 meters (yards) from the al-Shuhada district, the southeastern part of city’s main built-up area, an army commander and a police officer said.

“Our forces came under heavy fire, they are well dug in trenches and tunnels,’’ said the commander speaking in Camp Tariq, the rear army base south of Falluja, 50 km (30 miles) west of Baghdad.

A staff member of Falluja’s main hospital said they received reports of 32 civilians killed on Monday.

Medical sources had reported that the death toll in the city stood at about 50, 30 civilians and 20 militants, during the first

week the offensive which started on May 23.

Falluja has been under siege for more than six months.

Foreign aid organization are not present in the city, but are providing help to those who manage to exit and reach refugee camps.

The latest offensive is causing alarm among these organizations as more than 50,000 civilians remain trapped with limited access to water, food and health care.

“A human catastrophe is unfolding in Fallujah. Families are caught in the crossfire with no safe way out,” said Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, one of the organizations helping families displaced form the city.

“For nine days we have heard of only one single family managing to escape from inside the town,’’ he said in a statement. `Warring parties must guarantee civilians safe exit now, before it’s too late and more lives are lost.”

Falluja is the secondlargest Iraqi city still under control of the militants, after Mosul, their de facto

capital in the north that had a pre-war population of about 2 million.

Prime Minister Haider alAbadi announced the assault on Falluja on May 22 after a spate of bombings that killed more than 150 people in one week in Baghdad, the worst death toll so far this year. A series of bombings claimed by Islamic State also hit Baghdad on Monday, killing over 20 people.

Falluja has been a bastion of the Sunni insurgency that fought both the U.S. occupation of Iraq and the Shi’ite-led Baghdad government that took over after the fall of dictator Saddam Hussein, a Sunni, in 2003.

It would be the third major city in Iraq recaptured by the government after Saddam’s home town Tikrit and Ramadi, the capital of Iraq’s vast western Anbar province.

Falluja is also in Anbar, located between Ramadi and Baghdad. Capturing it would give the government control of the major population centers of the E u p h r a t e s R i v e r v a l l ey west of the capital for the first time in more than two years.

th

em

e

Date: June 16th, 2016 Time: 8:00 am Venue: Eko Hotels & Suites, VI, Lagos NG

S p e a k e r s

Ibukun Awosika

Temitope Oshikoya

Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria Plc

CEO/Chief Economic Strategist Nextnomics

Raphael Afaedor

Bukky George

Founder/CEO HealthPlus & CasaBella

CEO, Supermart.ng CO-founder, Jumia

Nnamdi Ezeigbo

Adenike Ogunlesi

Samuel Ejeh

Deola Sagoe

Founder/CEO SLOT Nigeria

Founder & CEO Grocery Bazaar Limited

Founder & CRO Ruff 'n' Tumble

Founder/CEO Deola

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC DISPLAY EXERCISE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) OF THE PROPOSED TOMARO INTEGRATED INDUSTRIAL PARK PROJECT AT TOMARO ISLAND, AMUWO ODOFIN LGA, LAGOS STATE BY INTEGRATED OIL & GAS LIMITED

Brief Project Description: The proposed project will involve the construction and installation of grid zoning of industrial and other business layouts, hotel resort, office complex, service road, sweeping of access water channels around the park to provide easy movement opportunities, material and cargo handling facilities and units, modern utility services including telecommunication, potable water, centralized waste collection and disposal etc.

Duration of Display: DATE: 1st June -29th June, 2016.

Account: Bervidson International Limited Account Number: 101 899 2839

N100,000

Sponsorship, Exhibition, Adverts Opportunities Available HIGHLIGHTS

• Lagos State Ministry of Environment, State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State.

• Federal Ministry of Environment, Conservation (Green) Building, Plot 444 Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Maitama, Abuja, FCT.

Joseph Ebata

President, Bervidson Group The Convener

UBA

INVESTMENT FEE:

• Apapa Local Government Area Headquarters, Lagos State.

• Federal Ministry of Environment, Environment House (Brown) Building, Central Business District, Abuja, FCT.

Charles Imuzeze

MD/Chief Executive Officer Gr8 Measures Media Network Conference Moderator

Bank Details

The Display Centres are:

Federal Ministry of Environment Office, Games Village, Surulere, Lagos State.

President BOSS Group

COO Insight Communication

In accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act Cap E12 LFN 2004, which makes it mandatory for proponents of all new major development activities to carry out Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for their proposed projects, the Federal Ministry of Environment hereby announces a Twenty-One (21) Working Days Public Notice for information and comments on the Draft EIA Report submitted by Integrated Oil & Gas Limited.

•

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Feyi Olubodun

The Plenaries Surviving & Growing in Uncertain & Challenging Economic Time Growing through the Learning Curve

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Sponsors:

Security Partner: TIME: 8:00am - 4:00pm Daily.

ALL COMMENTS RECEIVED SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE HONOURABLE MINISTER, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMET ON OR BEFORE 13TH JULY, 2016.

Convened by:

SIGNED PERMANENT SECRETARY For: Honourable Minister

www.retailleadersconference.com +234 1 291 7328, +234 803 343 4776,

50

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 , 2016

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Elumelu: Nigeria Remains Africa’s Top Investment Destination Obinna Chima The Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu has urged members of the French business community to always see Nigeria as their first choice investment destination in Africa.

Elumelu, who is the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc stated this in a speech he delivered as a guest speaker at the first ‘Colloque Nigeria,’ a colloquium on doing business and investment in Nigeria, which was organised by the French Senate at the exquisite Palais de Luxembourg in Paris.

Speaking at the conference, the Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation said like every part of the world, investors in Nigeria and Africa are faced with a myriad of challenges, adding that amidst these challenges, no other destinations provided more opportunities and return on investment as do Nigeria and Africa.

“Nigeria remains a very viable, attractive and important investment and export destination for

French companies. As a matter of fact, I would argue that now is a good time to come and invest in Nigeria, because it is an investor’s market. The fundamentals of the Nigerian economy remain strong,” he said.

According to Elumelu, some of the trends supporting long - term growth in Nigeria are the increased use of technology by the Nigerian population, high consumerism, young demographic and increasing urbanisation. Whilst encouraging French businesses to come and discover Nigeria, he advised the would - be investors to find the right partner that would help them navigate the environment and stated that they need be committed to invest in Nigeria for the long haul.

“Nigeria has always been a unique country. We are not only the most populous country on the continent of Africa, we are amongst the best educated and most-travelled people in Africa. We Nigerians

are well known for our positive outlook and can-do spirit.

Even more importantly, we have a strong culture and spirit of entrepreneurship.

“The smart investor knows that this is the time to enter our market because the fundamentals of the Nigerian economy remain strong, and where others perceive risk and challenge, the glass is actually half full rather than half empty,” Elumelu said.

He asserted that despite the current challenges faced by Nigeria, occasioned by the sharp drop in commodity prices, the country still offers one of the highest returns on investment on the continent.

Citing the example of what UBA has been able to achieve in Nigeria, Elumelu said the pan-African bank has operated profitably in Nigeria for the past 70 years and in the last decade, increased its footprint into 18 other countries in Africa as it set up business offices in Paris, New York and London.

Sterling Bank, Leap Africa to Empower Entrepreneurs Nume Ekeghe As part of its contribution to support entrepreneurs, Sterling Bank in partnership with Leap Africa, a non-governmental organisation would empower entrepreneurs at the 11th edition of the CEOs Forum through capacity building.

The forum is aimed at discussing how small businesses can attract funding for sustainable growth.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos yesterday, the Executive Director, Finance and Strategy, Sterling Bank, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, reiterated the importance of SMEs to a growing economy, adding

that sterling was committed to driving this growth through capacity building.

He also said one of the reasons why most entrepreneurs are not able to get funding to grow their businesses was because of inadequate documentation.

He added: “What we have been doing is focusing on training entrepreneurs to understand the value of documenting what they do. For me, taking this approach of bringing different funding options to the table and hopefully by the end of this event they would be able to see the step by step process to which they would approach.”

He commended Leap Africa for taking the initiative of

enlightening entrepreneurs on how to attract funds and investors.

On her part, Executive Director, LEAP Africa, Mrs. Iyadunni Olubode, said: “We realised that a lot of entrepreneurs we interact with, are looking for opportunities to grow and expand their business. And if any business is to be sustainable, it needs to be infused with capital from time to time.

“So we are bringing together, a team of experts, a team of entrepreneurs who themselves have been able to expand their businesses to come and share the wealth of their knowledge with the audience. They would share their experiences, failures

Jaiz Bank Posts N794.2m Profit, Appoints New MD James Emejo in Abuja Jaiz Bank Plc yesterday declared a profit after tax (PAT) of N794.2 million the for 2015 financial year, representing an increase of 576 percent when compared with N126.8 million recorded in the previous year.

Chairman, Jaiz Bank, Alhaji Umaru Abdul Mutallab said the performance demonstrated continued growth and operational efficiency as the bank’s finance income also grew by 47 percent to N4 billion from N2.72 billion in 2014.

Speaking in Abuja at the

bank’s fourth annual general meeting (AGM), he said the bank’s total assets closed at N52.6 billion compared to N44 billion the previous year.

He said customer deposit base further closed at N38.7 billion for the 2015 financial year with current account and customers’ investment account deposits showing strong growth of 43 percent and 39 percent, and valued at N15.5 billion and N23.2 billion respectively.

He said: “In the next five years, I see this bank (Insha Allah) in every nook and cranny of this country and

other sub-Saharan African countries. In sub-Saharan West Africa, there’s still the big problem of paucity of banking services. The small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) do not have adequate access to financial services. So this bank wants to champion the funding of small and medium scale enterprises.”

Also, outgoing Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Mahe Abubakar said the bank had provided financing worth N25.39 billion to 1,507 customers in 2015 from 1,076 customer in 2014.

Wema Bank Renews Promise on Financial Literacy Raheem Akingbolu Wema Bank Plc has identified the need to promote financial literacy among parents and children in the country. The management of the bank stated this during this year’s Children’s Day celebration when the bank hosted pupils from Taadel Primary School and Maryland Covent School in Lagos.

Speaking during the visit, the

Head of Retail Banking, Wema Bank Plc, Dotun Ifebogun, said there was need to create more awareness on the relevance of financial literacy to the Nigerian child and the citizens at large.

Addressing the need for the event that brought the children on excursion to the bank, he said: “What we want for the children is not just to hear about banking but to also feel it by getting them acquainted with key banking operations. For

instance, taking them through how the ATM works, how fund from their parents moves through the banking system among others.”

He added that with the high level of exposure among school children today, it is good for them to have better knowledge of finance and financial operations. “Financial literacy should not be taken for granted among children and even the adults,” he said

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2016 Broad Money (M2)

20,470,436.00

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,040,817.68

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,441,365.03

---- Demand Deposits

7,599,452.65

-- Quasi Money

11,429,618.32

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,551,714.27

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,918,721.73

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

22,664,815.74

---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,782,578.01

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

4,991,246.39

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-1,208,668.38

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

18,882,237.73

--Other Assets Net

-7,746,094.02

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,758,634.07

--Currency in Circulation

1,811,090.48

--Banks Reserves

3,947,543.59 • 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

N13.0544

N13.4480

ARM Discovery Fund

N288.2515

N296.9425

ARM Ethical Fund

N22.5268

N23.2060

ARM Money Market Fund

13.1030 (Yield % ) • Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT MONDAY 30, MAY 2016 The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $44.80 a barrel on Monday, compared with $44.76 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Minas (Indonesia), 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), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

51

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY juNE 1, 2016

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

31-May16

27-May-16

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

01 Dangote Cement Plc

167.01

175.13

-4.64%

2,845,935,141,709.05

10.64

16.46

6.07

4.57%

4.63

02 Nigerian Brew. Plc.

135.00

142.00

-4.93%

1,070,428,619,880.00

5.37

26.45

4.08

2.54%

6.61

03 Nestle Nigeria Plc.

784.66

784.66

0.00%

621,965,654,694.32

29.95

26.20

4.11

3.70%

16.36

04 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.

19.53

20.61

-5.24%

574,790,930,244.72

3.38

6.10

2.65

8.59%

1.47

05 Zenith Bank Plc

14.98

16.58

-9.65%

470,319,476,914.28

3.37

4.93

1.20

10.86%

0.88

06 Lafarge Africa Plc.

76.57

83.01

-7.76%

348,768,831,591.70

5.93

14.00

1.41

3.61%

2.15

07 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

16.32

18.05

-9.58%

299,464,675,828.80

1.39

12.96

0.64

3.43%

0.89

08 Forte Oil Plc.

195.90

206.21

-5.00%

255,156,048,077.70

4.45

46.36

2.16

1.67%

5.80

09 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd.

360.00

360.00

0.00%

199,191,712,680.00

23.48

15.33

1.76

4.42%

0.71

10 United Bank for Africa Plc

4.75

5.04

-5.75%

172,327,750,029.50

1.64

3.07

0.58

11.90%

0.55

11 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

16.81

17.71

-5.08%

168,100,000,000.00

2.04

8.70

1.50

0.56%

1.58

12 Access Bank Plc.

5.67

5.96

-4.87%

164,021,599,147.77

2.28

2.62

0.51

9.23%

0.47

13 Guinness Nig Plc

104.32

109.81

-5.00%

157,094,255,772.16

0.78

141.09

3.32

0.00%

3.70

14 FBN Holdings Plc

3.95

4.36

-9.40%

141,786,406,528.40

0.42

7.28

0.31

3.44%

0.27

32.01

32.00

0.03%

121,103,312,962.50

0.32

101.53

2.04

0.16%

15.13

16 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc.

138.50

138.50

0.00%

88,721,765,275.50

11.12

12.45

1.14

1.59%

3.70

17 P Z Cussons Nigeria Plc.

21.66

21.66

0.00%

86,000,532,794.70

1.10

19.74

1.19

6.00%

2.04

18 Oando Plc

7.13

7.50

-4.93%

85,806,832,714.22

0.50

15.00

0.16

10.00%

0.57

19 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

7.00

7.18

-2.51%

84,000,000,000.00

0.96

7.47

0.85

6.96%

1.48

20 International Breweries Plc.

19.85

19.85

0.00%

65,390,848,208.00

0.64

31.06

3.54

1.26%

5.43

166.25

166.25

0.00%

59,948,962,307.50

13.51

12.30

0.93

4.33%

3.90

45.00

45.00

0.00%

59,400,000,000.00

1.85

24.34

0.44

3.33%

2.45

170.00

170.00

0.00%

57,718,712,290.00

11.92

14.26

0.28

8.24%

3.55

24 Flour Mills Nig. Plc.

21.45

22.52

-4.75%

56,289,887,661.15

1.84

12.23

0.18

8.88%

0.58

25 Diamond Bank Plc

2.24

2.35

-4.68%

51,879,271,288.32

0.24

9.62

0.25

0.00%

0.25

26 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

1.31

1.37

-4.38%

50,724,506,626.75

0.05

26.11

1.30

0.00%

0.61

27 Sterling Bank Plc.

1.70

1.70

0.00%

48,943,710,814.20

0.36

4.76

0.44

5.29%

0.51

28 Fidelity Bank Plc

1.33

1.40

-5.00%

38,520,238,970.36

0.48

2.92

0.28

11.43%

0.22

29 U A C N Plc.

19.86

20.90

-4.98%

38,148,366,725.82

2.70

7.74

0.55

4.78%

0.54

30 Presco Plc

36.50

36.50

0.00%

36,500,000,000.00

3.28

11.13

3.21

0.27%

1.63

1.71

1.71

0.00%

33,862,635,435.51

0.24

7.11

0.22

5.85%

0.21

16.85

16.85

0.00%

31,647,704,374.00

3.21

5.25

0.94

7.72%

3.06

0.78

0.80

-2.50%

30,088,083,543.18

0.06

13.26

0.67

0.00%

0.67

34 Cap Plc

40.00

40.00

0.00%

28,000,000,000.00

2.49

16.10

3.97

2.88%

18.42

35 Okomu Oil Palm Plc.

29.02

29.02

0.00%

27,682,468,200.00

2.76

10.52

2.84

0.34%

2.29

36 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc.

21.00

20.50

2.44%

25,113,406,248.00

0.81

25.78

0.81

1.44%

1.89

37 Mansard Insurance Plc

2.21

2.32

-4.74%

23,205,000,000.00

0.16

14.66

1.47

2.16%

1.40

38 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

8.36

8.40

-0.48%

22,149,304,840.08

0.79

10.57

1.38

6.55%

3.14

39 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.60

3.61

-0.28%

21,174,711,102.00

0.71

5.06

0.71

3.88%

0.81

40 Skye Bank Plc

1.31

1.32

-0.76%

18,183,194,847.10

0.85

1.55

0.13

22.73%

0.13

41 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.77

1.86

-4.84%

14,036,449,854.66

0.14

13.17

0.30

8.60%

0.69

42 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.15

1.10

4.55%

11,928,655,958.80

0.21

5.32

0.58

10.91%

0.73

43 Unity Bank Plc

0.94

0.93

1.08%

10,987,977,665.48

0.54

1.71

0.17

0.00%

0.13

44 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

7.90

7.90

0.00%

9,927,754,351.40

0.96

8.27

0.76

1.27%

0.98

45 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

5.39

5.39

0.00%

8,754,539,062.50

0.33

16.28

1.03

3.71%

1.44

46 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

4.02

4.22

-4.74%

6,909,374,979.90

1.81

2.33

0.65

16.59%

0.22

47 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,126.00

0.10

5.16

0.94

6.00%

0.45

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

0.81

-4.94%

5,336,257,449.60

0.28

2.93

0.17

6.17%

0.58

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

2.05

2.12

-3.30%

3,075,000,000.00

0.50

4.27

0.39

2.36%

0.50

15 Unilever Nigeria Plc.

21 Mobil Oil Nig Plc. 22 Julius Berger Nig. Plc. 23 Total Nigeria Plc.

31 FCMB Group Plc. 32 Cadbury Nigeria Plc. 33 Wema Bank Plc.

TOTAL

8,862,866,804,977.63

TOTAL MARKET CAP

9,500,897,098,944.70

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

93.28%

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion) Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Open Close 27-May-16 31-May-16

Change %

28,902.25 9.93

27,663.16 9.50

-4.29% -4.29%

119.25 9.29

113.83 8.86

-4.55% -4.55%

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open Close Change 27-May-16 31-May-16 %

Continental Reinsurance Plc Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc. Unity Bank Plc Unilever Nigeria Plc. 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc.

1.10 20.50

1.15 21.00

4.55% 2.44%

0.93 32.00 138.50

0.94 32.01 138.50

1.08% 0.03% 0.00%

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change 27-May-16 31-May-16 %

Zenith Bank Plc Ecobank Transnational Incorporated FBN Holdings Plc Lafarge Africa Plc. United Bank for Africa Plc

16.58 18.05

14.98 -9.65% 16.32 -9.58%

4.36 83.01 5.04

3.95 -9.40% 76.57 -7.76% 4.75 -5.75%

Trading week starts on a bearish note as ASI sheds 4.29% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Tuesday, May 31, 2016 ended on bearish note as the market closed red due to profit taking activities. This was further highlighted by negative performances from all the NSE Sub sectors; Banking, Consumer Goods, Insurance and Oil & Gas Trading activities decreased in volume as 335.06 million shares worth N3.15 billion in 4,301 deals exchanged hands today. This indicates a decrease from the 621.45 million shares worth N2.81 billion in 5,802 deals carried out on Friday. Topping in volume terms was FBN Holdings Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc, while ETI Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed negative with a 4.29% (-1,239.09) decrease to close at 27,663.16 from 28,902.25 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization depreciated in tandem to N9.50 trillion from N9.93 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index followed suit with a decrease of 4.55% to close at 113.83 from 119.25 recorded the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N8.86 trillion from N9.29 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 9 stocks gained on the bourse today while 39 stocks declined, leaving 60 stocks unchanged.

Continental Reinsurance Plc emerged the toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 4.55% to close at N1.15 per share. It was followed

by GSK Plc with a gain of 2.44% to close at N20.50 per share. Others on the gainers list include; Unity Bank Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc and 7-Up Bottling Company Plc while on the decliners’ list Zenith Bank Plc led with a loss of 9.65% to close at N14.98 per share. Again, it was followed

by ETI Plc with a loss of 9.58% to close at N16.32 per share.

Others on the losers list include; FBN Holdings Plc, Lafarge Africa Pl and United Bank for Africa 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

52

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 , 2016

MARKET NEWS

Cadbury Recommends 65kobo Dividend Despite 46% Fall in Profit Goddy Egene and Eromosele Abiodun Cadbury Nigeria Plc yesterday recommended a gross dividend of N1.221 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015. The dividend, which translates to 65 kobo per share was recommended despite a fall of 46 per cent in the bottom-line.

The details of the audited results made available yesterday

showed that Cadbury recorded a revenue of N27.825 billion, which is nine per cent lower than the N30.519 billion. Cost of sales fell from N22.135 billion, from N18.894 billion.

Gross profit stood at N8.930 billion, up from N8.384 billion.

Selling expenses grew from N4.878 billion to N5.621 billion, while administrative expenses jumped from N1.489 billion to N1.909 billion. Consequently,

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

profit before tax fell by 34 per cent from N2.381 billion to N1.572 billion, while profit after tax fell by 46 per cent from N2.137 billion to N1.153 billion.

In spite of the lower profit, the directors recommended a dividend of N1.221 billion, which is 65 kobo per share.

Meanwhile, the positive trend in the Nigerian equities market was reversed yesterday as the Nigerian

N I G E R I A N QUANTITY TRADED

Stock Exchange (NSE) AllShare Index dipped by 4.3 per cent to close at 27,671.08.

Market capitalisation sheds N425 billion to close at N9.5 trillion.

Market analysts attributed the return of the bears to profit taking and investors’ reaction to uncertainty surrounding the foreign exchange policy, which was not mentioned in the President Muhammadu

STO C K

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Buhari’s speech on Democracy Day. After hitting a year high of 28,902.25 last Friday on the back of the decision of the government to adopt flexible foreign exchange policy, lack of details has created an uncertainty, which made the benchmark to fall yesterday. The decline has sent the year-to-date decline back to negative region.

The bears were influenced by market bellwethers such as Zenith Bank Plc (9.7 per cent decline) Nigerian Breweries Plc (4.9 per cent) and Dangote Cement Plc(4.6 per cent).

All the sectoral indices trended southwards led by the NSE Banking Index, which fell by 6.6 per cent on the back of losses by Zenith Bank Plc (9.7 per cent) and Guaranty Trust Bank (5.2 per cent).

E XC H A N G E

MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

DAILY STOCK MARKET REPORT

Daily Summary as of 22/02/2016 Printed 22/02/2016 14:36:10.010

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC

6 6 12

30.00 34.00

12,629 11,640 24,269

374,530.15 421,345.20 795,875.35

19 19 31

1.25

1,078,511 1,078,511 1,102,780

1,358,964.30 1,358,964.30 2,154,839.65

5 68 13 86 86

0.77 1.13 20.47

33,500 6,740,423 65,995 6,839,918 6,839,918

25,070.00 7,635,453.96 1,344,425.15 9,004,949.11 9,004,949.11

13 13

41.50

31,970 31,970

1,409,214.78 1,409,214.78

5 5 18

5.20

28,901 28,901 60,871

154,716.48 154,716.48 1,563,931.26

6 24 7 98 135

2.85 118.85 20.00 99.00

190,900 53,000 15,200 429,541 688,641

528,079.00 6,201,924.95 293,757.00 42,728,789.84 49,752,550.79

9 9

168.50

166,476 166,476

28,285,937.95 28,285,937.95

54 38 6 12 1 29 140

5.61 19.00 1.37 6.86 6.65 1.27

2,120,306 314,421 40,000 119,863 433 3,285,739,119 3,288,334,142

11,610,520.13 5,953,792.96 55,716.00 842,442.48 2,736.56 4,074,348,894.07 4,092,814,102.20

11 54 65

17.86 700.00

18,825 98,360 117,185

329,518.50 68,567,962.00 68,897,480.50

11 11

4.46

99,050 99,050

420,455.00 420,455.00

13 21 34 394

21.90 28.00

36,887 133,117 170,004 3,289,575,498

820,034.75 3,737,067.92 4,557,102.67 4,244,727,629.11

82 51 21 25 200 41 16 147 11 15 67 676

4.10 1.49 15.60 1.21 16.70 1.07 1.76 2.95 5.30 0.63 0.98

3,962,506 2,163,396 278,470 790,900 4,847,312 1,969,858 1,204,932 8,586,418 39,752 501,617 5,920,564 30,265,725

16,210,255.82 3,314,106.88 4,136,459.40 958,864.34 80,963,793.44 2,115,552.11 2,087,767.85 25,302,954.71 205,645.40 316,018.71 5,813,502.17 141,424,920.83

14 8 2 3 7 10 1 1 46

0.80 0.90 0.50 0.50 2.06 0.76 0.50 0.50

200,107 276,500 5,004,000 1,000,000 351,540 327,285 37,708,135 10 44,867,577

160,838.67 251,350.00 2,502,000.00 500,000.00 720,728.80 245,325.31 18,854,067.50 5.00 23,234,315.28

1 1

1.08

4,760 4,760

4,950.40 4,950.40

31 7 105 7 20 170 893

2.46 4.00 0.85 14.15 1.31

1,149,464 27,041 31,257,120 38,035 708,255 33,179,915 108,317,977

2,830,722.84 104,002.06 26,613,309.20 537,985.34 931,556.31 31,017,575.75 195,681,762.26

27

2.69

614,065

1,572,223.05

GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC Printing/Publishing Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals SERVICES Totals EQTY Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals ASeM Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals PREMIUM Board Totals Equity Activity Totals

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32 4 6 69 69

25.33 0.94 0.69

551,998 16,020 597,000 1,779,083 1,779,083

13,903,164.18 15,299.40 412,110.00 15,902,796.63 15,902,796.63

1 1 1

1.69

500 500 500

805.00 805.00 805.00

16 9 4 6 10 31 76

24.00 9.30 35.78 8.62 3.36 80.50

110,727 40,229 26,700 142,300 299,900 14,373,223 14,993,079

2,707,053.97 362,501.29 992,680.00 1,227,076.00 966,480.00 1,157,057,077.16 1,163,312,868.42

6 6

1.51

134,500 134,500

204,240.00 204,240.00

5 5 87

50.00

24,529 24,529 15,152,108

1,165,135.50 1,165,135.50 1,164,682,243.92

2 2

0.50

24,262 24,262

12,131.00 12,131.00

90 90

3.47

3,827,573 3,827,573

13,288,632.05 13,288,632.05

21 7 8 21 7 64

18.34 1.84 342.00 150.00 145.00

81,125 100,300 20,300 16,295 13,699 231,719

1,505,034.50 182,832.00 6,595,470.00 2,396,080.60 1,959,692.96 12,639,110.06

33 33 189

318.00

389,934 389,934 4,473,488

124,037,602.56 124,037,602.56 149,977,475.67

1 1

0.50

941 941

470.50 470.50

5 5

3.80

32,870 32,870

127,756.40 127,756.40

13 13

0.89

624,500 624,500

538,430.00 538,430.00

1 22 23

2.29 4.00

4,588 251,094 255,682

10,001.84 1,001,583.80 1,011,585.64

1 1 43 1,811

1.68

10,000 10,000 923,993 3,428,226,216

16,000.00 16,000.00 1,694,242.54 5,785,390,675.15

2 2 2 2

1.21

270,464 270,464 270,464 270,464

327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44

306 306

11.45

13,929,679 13,929,679

159,605,439.23 159,605,439.23

278 278 584

3.74

10,438,552 10,438,552 24,368,231

39,515,087.18 39,515,087.18 199,120,526.41

35 35 35 619 2,432

139.83

38,770 38,770 38,770 24,407,001 3,452,903,681

5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 204,425,192.41 5,990,143,129.00

2 2 2 2 2 10 10 10

2,330.00 2.33 6.02 11.09 18.07

3,000 20 20 20 15 3,075 3,075 3,075

6,986,000.00 46.70 120.20 221.80 270.65 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA BANKING ETF VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals ETF Board Totals ETP Activity Totals

A S P E C I A L R E P O RT

STREET LIGHTS STREET VIEWS A six-month ministerial dashboard

Though the ministers in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government have only been in office for six months, the THISDAY Editorial Board elected to draw up a ministerial dashboard based on their accomplishments and challenges in the hope that it serves as feedback mechanism on what the people of Nigeria expect from them

54

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

MINISTERIAL DASHBOARD

A SPECIAL REPORT

STREET LIGHT INDICATOR Clear vision, promising start Good vision, slow start Work in progress, no clear results Non-starter, go back to drawing board

Babatunde Fashola (and Mustapha Shehuri) Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola, the minister and Mustapha Shehuri, his deputy, have largely struggled to improve the fortunes of the sectors since they

assumed office.

While targets for the power sector have been set by the government at 10,000 megawatts (MW) by 2018 through ‘incremental, stable and uninterrupted’ power policy, current realities in power generation, transmission and distribution have remained unconvincing of government’s commitment to improve the country’s power systems.

Generation has largely dropped, sometimes to as low as 1,500MW, due to shortage in gas supply to power stations, resulting in frequent blackouts nationwide.

The minister, however, succeeded in resolving a lingering disagreement that would now allow Geometric Aba Power to generate and supply power to the ring-fenced Aba and Ariaria business metropolis. This, according to stakeholders, could rekindle the confidence of investors in government’s commitment to contract sanctity in the country’s power sector. In the works and housing sectors, the ministers have literally done nothing significant other than their recent move to settle outstanding debts owed road contractors. They, however, said they were committed to continue and complete road projects inherited from the immediate past government.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • Despite privatisation, power generation was low at some 3,000-3,500MW due to gas shortages; distribution companies were unable to meet the metering needs of consumers and had done next to nothing in the area of distribution infrastructure upgrade; and the transmission grid still lacked the capacity to wheel out more than 4,000MW of electricity • Nigerian roads were in dire need of repairs and work had stopped on the major expressways nationwide • The housing deficit estimated at 17m had not been addressed and access to cheap mortgages were non-existent What Nigerians want: • Electricity 24 hours a day, good roads network and access to affordable housing What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • Clear power road map, clear housing plan • Road projects hampered by budget but needs clarity on PPPs and concessions Street light, Street view:

Ibe Kachikwu Petroleum Resources Kachikwu, also the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has made attempts to restructure the state’s oil firm and break it into profit-making centres, but his efforts were also dented by prolonged shortages of petrol nationwide.

The scarcity pushed the government to adopt a new product

pricing policy it referred to as “price modulation”. In the face of dollar shortages, this was eventually jettisoned, when the government allowed marketers to freely import petrol and sell at a pump price not above N145 per litre.

Also, he has pushed to cut the frequent losses made by NNPC’s subsidiaries in their operations, and publish the corporation’s monthly operations and financial reports.

This, he said, was aimed at opening the books of NNPC for public scrutiny.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • NNPC and its subsidiaries were a cesspit of corruption and inefficiency • The oil and gas sector was shrouded in secrecy and opacity • Crude oil theft was at its peak while vandalism of gas pipelines hampered the supply of gas to power stations and industries • The PIB was not passed in the National Assembly and the refineries not producing • Fuel imports continued unabated while the subsidy obligations continued to rise • No Final Investment Decisions on Brass LNG and Trains 7 and 8 of NLNG What Nigerians want: • Improved performance, efficiency and an end to leakages in NNPC • Greater transparency and accountability that is supported by the audited accounts of NNPC every year • Functioning refineries that are privatised and an end to fuel imports • Resuscitation and passage of the PIB for better fiscal terms • New oil bid rounds from which the government can generate revenue • Concession of the petroleum product pipelines and depot network What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • Reviving comatose NNPC from near death to ground zero • Better transparency in publication of monthly results of NNPC, but audited reports would provide more clarity • Kudos for bold action on deregulation • Bedevilled by lack of PIB, pipeline vandalism and absence of new investments • Revived refineries, but lack of clarity on gas-to-power plan Street light, Street view:

Udoma Udo Udoma (and Zainab Ahmed) Budget and National Planning After the hiccups that characterised the passage of 2016 budget, Udoma and his deputy, Zainab Ahmed, are now saddled with the task of implementing the biggest budget in the history of Nigeria.

Similarly, the Zero-based Budgeting System (ZBB) has been introduced, a marked departure from the envelop system previously in practice for many years with its attendant flaws. A help desk has also been set up to help ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) get acquainted with this new system.

To ensure the effective implementation of the 2016 budget, the ministry is now fully strengthening its monitoring and evaluation framework to enable it effectively monitor compliance with the objectives of the budget and to achieve all the goals of the budget.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • Envelop-based budgeting was still place

• Office of the Budget of the Federation was still populated with civil servants more interested in budgetary manipulation What Nigerians want: • Improvement in the budgeting process and early transmission of the MTEF/FSP and succeeding budgets to the National Assembly • An end to budget padding and inconsistencies • Improved budget monitoring at the implementation stage What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • Despite a shambolic start to the 2016 budget by the Budget Office of the Federation, Udoma skillfully stabilised the budget and ready to go • Civil servants in the Budget Office were shown the exit for tampering with the budget Street light, Street view:

Kemi Adeosun Finance Since assuming office, one of the priority areas of Adeosun is how to ensure an efficient application of resources.

Consequently, she created the Efficiency Unit (E-UNIT) in the ministry to eliminate leakages in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.

Determined to cut the cost of governance, she has introduced a benchmark on how public funds are spent and has also channelled her energy into ensuring that the Continuous Audit Task Team of the federal government audits the accounts of all MDAs, including the military and paramilitary, which payrolls are currently being audited and are billed to be migrated into the automated systems including the Integrated Personnel and Payment Information System (IPPIS) and Government Financial Management Information System (GFMIS).

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • Partial implementation/enforcement of the Treasury Single Account • High cost of running government and a rising public sector wage bill • Domestic and foreign borrowing were under check, but the fuel subsidy bill remained unchecked • Levies on luxury goods were introduced but never enforced What Nigerians want: • A leaner, more efficient and fiscally prudent public sector • Complete elimination of ghost workers • An expanded tax base and improved management of government revenue What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • Adeosun has shown promise in fiscal prudence and financial efficiency in the face of dwindling resources • Yet to provide clarity on external borrowing plan and fiscal policy direction • The minister has remained hesitant about raising VAT, but has made a good effort at expanding the tax base and compelling tax evaders to pay up • Worth watching is Adeosun’s effort to increase non-oil revenue in order to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on crude oil earnings Street light, Street view:

Uguru Usani (and Claudius Daramola) Niger Delta Affairs The minister has deployed most of his time analysing the problems bedevilling the region without taking any concrete steps to deal with the issues.

Consequently, the issue of unemployment, youth restiveness and the general underdevelopment of the region have remained largely unattended to in the last six months.

With the 338km East-West Road abandoned and the resurgence of militancy in the region, it is evident that Usani and his deputy, Claudius Daramola, need to buckle up.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • Unemployment and the slow pace of development of the Niger Delta still made it attractive for criminals to engage in oil theft and the establishment of illegal refineries • The East-West Road remained a mirage What Nigerians want: • A vision and plan for the development of the Niger Delta • Completion of the East-West Road and construction of new highways and bridges for ease of movement in the region • Skills acquisition and employment programmes for the gainful employment of youths in the Niger Delta • Better engagement of the communities and leaders in the region that would end the destruction of oil and gas

55

T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016

MINISTERIAL DASHBOARD

A SPECIAL rEPort infrastructure What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • No clear vision, no clear solution, no infrastructure plan • Rising militancy and restiveness across the Niger Delta Street light, Street view:

Muhammad Dan-Ali Defence Since assuming office, Dan-Ali has played largely a ceremonial role at the defence sector as not much has neither been heard nor seen from him. Under his watch, however, the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-east have been given a bloody nose. He is also known to have an excellent working relationship with the service chiefs. But the threat to the nation’s internal security by bandits, including Fulani herdsmen and militants in the Niger Delta would need to engage more of his attention in the coming months as the internal security agencies appear less capable of handling the situation.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • Boko Haram still occupied large swathes of territory in the Northeast and the death toll from the insurgency was rising • Suicide bombings were frequent in all states in the Northeast, while Plateau, Kano and Kaduna States were also not immune to suicide bombers • The military high command was suspected of diverting funds meant to fight the insurgency in the Northeast • Chibok schoolgirls and thousand of women and children were missing in the Northeast • Internally displaced persons had taken over the Maiduguri metropolis and thousands more were dispersed in Adamawa, Yobe, Edo, Abuja and neighbouring Cameroun What Nigerians want: • An end to the insurgency in the Northeast • The return of the Chibok girls and thousands of women and children held hostage by Boko Haram • Marauding herdsmen kept under check and restricted to cattle ranches • Nipping the Niger Delta insurgency in the bud What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • Inspite of the minister, the military high command has significantly pushed back Boko Haram, for which credit must go to the Commander-in-Chief • But major challenges now building up with herdsmen, with a theatre of conflict being opened up in the Niger Delta Street light, Street view:

Okechukwu Enelemah (and Aisha Abubakar) Trade and Investment Enelemah and his deputy, Aisha Abubakar, have made remarkable efforts to consolidate on the progress made by the Jonathan’s administration in directing foreign investments into Nigeria. The most significant of the inflow is the $6 billion worth of investments that Chinese and Nigerian business men committed to during Buhari’s visit to China earlier in the year. Also in the kitty is the $150 million investment by Indorama Petrochemicals in a fertiliser export plant, now completed for the local and export markets.

With a capacity for 2,300 metric tonnes of Ammonia and 4,000 metric tonnes of granulated urea per day, Indorama is expected to create 1,500 direct and indirect jobs for the economy and it represents yet another milestone for the ministry.

His ministry has also strengthened its relations with the private sector to develop internationally acclaimed industrial zones for export, these include, Ladol Free Zone, Snake Island Integrated Free Zone and Ogun Guangdong Free Zone. He has facilitated a comprehensive review of policies that adversely impede ease of doing business in the country. The president is expected to announce the reviewed policies and inaugurate a council that monitors their implementation. Specifically, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has begun the process of deploying a new application that will help speed up registration of businesses and decentralise its operations nationwide.

Under his watch, a new sugar company – Oyo State Sugarcane Processors Limited in Iseyin — is scheduled to start production before the end of the year, while six new companies have already started auto-assembly operations in the country. They are Honda, Tata, Coscharis Auto, Kewalram Charai, Perfections, and Aston motors. An additional five auto companies, including Century (Toyota), Higer, Leventis, Beiben and Tilad are looking to start before the end of the year.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • A National Industrial Policy and Automotive Policy had been unveiled • Backward integration programmes for the cement and sugar

industries were in full gear • Enabling environment was attracting investors into other sectors other than oil and gas What Nigerians want: • Implementation of the impressive policies inherited from the previous administration • More import substitution and backward integration programmes to encourage investment in other sectors of the economy • Enforcement and continuity of contracts What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • No clear policy on trade, import substitution and investment to increase FDI • Good talk on creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive Street light, Street view:

Solomon Dalung Sports and Youth Development Sport has experienced contrasting fortunes under Dalung. The Golden Eaglets brought fame to the country when they won an historic fifth FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile last year at the expense of Mali. The victory put a gloss on Nigeria’s record as the world’s most successful nation in the age grade category.

The U23 followed in the same path, when they won the Africa U23 Nations Cup in Senegal by beating Egypt.

Also last year, Nigeria shattered the myth when the men’s national basketball team, The Tigers, secured an historic Afro basket triumph in Tunisia after they beat Senegal. The victory handed Nigeria automatic qualification for the basketball event at the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. It will also make it the second time Nigeria will be playing in Olympic basketball event, having achieved similar feat in London four years ago.

But these are isolated achievements as sport has stalled like a rudderless ship under Dalung’s watch. First, Nigeria failed to qualify for the second successive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments after Egypt edged out the Super Eagles from the event billed for Gabon next year. He has also failed to reverse the factional crisis at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with both Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa claiming to be the president of the football federation.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • There was no coherent policy for the administration of sports, especially football • Squabbles and the divisions in the administration of football remained unresolved • Mismanagement and paucity of funds resulted in Nigeria’s underperformance in major sporting events • No plan to gainfully engage youths and create employment opportunities for them What Nigerians want: • Government and private sector funding for sports development in the country • Transparency and end of graft in sports administration • A better and visionary NFF • Youth and entrepreneurship programmes What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • Sports, especially football, is far worse off than Dalong met it • Clueless and no plan drawn up for youth development Street light, Street view:

Lai Mohammed Information and Culture Many have accused Mohammed of failing to draw a line between politics and governance as he has spent most of his precious time blaming the past administration for the visible inability of the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to roll back the sliding economy.

Although his job is to manage information about government policies, Mohammed has sometimes been caught napping, with the public seeing him as a propagandist rather than an informer, being confused by conflicting information disseminated about key government policies, including the recent upward review of petrol price.

The minister would need to harmonise the several information management units of the government to ensure that Nigerians have clear and reliable information about the programmes and policy of the Buhari administration.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • Nigeria had missed the deadline for the digital switchover twice • All the agencies under the information ministry, except the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), were underperforming

• Whereas the culture and tourism ministry had not been merged with information, the sector was still failing to contribute significantly to GDP What Nigerians want: • Policies and an enabling environment to attract investments in hospitality and tourism sector • Merger of the NBC with Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for enhanced licensing and administration of frequency spectrums in the country • Efficiency and transparency in the production and distribution of the set up boxes • Full restructuring and commercialisation of NTA, NAN, FRCN and VON to profitable entities What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • Active minister in information management, but yet to shed his campaign mode and focus on governance • Promising start but a lot needs to be done in culture and tourism • More work would also be required in turning around the agencies under his ministry Street light, Street view:

Isaac Adewole (and Osagie Ehanire) Health Adewole and his deputy, Dr Osagie Ehanire, have made some good strides since they assumed duties six months ago.

To expand the scope of the Universal Health Coverage, the minister initiated a plan to build 10,000 health clinics across the 774 local councils across the country. They have also effectively checkmated the spread of Lassa Fever.

But in recent times, the ministry has been exposed by foreign global donors as a cesspool of graft. The indictment of Nigeria by Global Fund and GAVI, two Geneva-based global institutions, would compel Nigeria to cleanse its dirty and corrupt books.

Adewole is, however, a good fit for the Health ministry.

He understands the sector, he is tactful and dynamic, but would need to avoid overt meddlesomeness, which his intervention in the Medical and Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) suggests.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • Threat of doctors’ strike • Underfunded and ill-equipped hospitals and clinics • Capital flight through medical tourism • Prevalence of malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS leading to early deaths • Infant and maternal mortality was still high while life expectancy was low at 52.43 for men and 53.10 for women What Nigerians want: • Concerted strategy to tackle malaria, tuberculosis, infant and maternal mortality • Improved funding for primary and tertiary health institutions nationwide • Improved conditions of service and welfare for doctors • Disease control programmes and improvement in the management of HIV/AIDS cases in the country • Construction of world class medical facilities to reduce medical tourism What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • Health sector is in dire need of a clear vision and strategic plan for primary and healthcare institutions, as that is still missing • Minister yet to address the graft in his ministry Street light, Street view:

Adamu Adamu (and Anthony Anwukah) Education Adamu appears to be struggling to shrug off the mixed feelings that greeted Buhari’s preference for him as the substantive minister over his deputy, Anthony Anwukah, a professor of education.

The ministry has subsequently been on the slow lane as many issues adversely affecting education in the country have remained unresolved. Many of the electioneering promises by Buhari, including employment of 5,000 teachers are yet to be fulfilled. Meanwhile, there are subtle threats to the stability of the university system as lecturers being owed salaries are threatening to down tools even as the Non-Academic Staff Union is preparing to resist a planned reduction of non-academic staff in Nigerian universities.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • Falling education standards across primary, secondary and university education • Threats of strike by university lecturers • Absence of training for teachers and lecturers across board

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MINISTERIAL DASHBOARD • Absence of research in Nigerian universities • Broken down school infrastructure and facilities • Capital flight through education tourism • A humongous education ministry with the largest number of the agencies in the public sector all falling over themselves • Graft and inefficiency in the sector What Nigerians want: • Improved education standards through a Strategic Master Plan that addresses the needs and restructuring of the sector • More funding for education • Better educated and trained teachers and lecturers • Better conditions of service and welfare for teachers and lecturers • A trimmed education ministry and consolidation of its several parastatals What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • The right sound bites from the minister, but no results yet • He bungled the sack and appointment of university vice chancellors Street light, Street view:

Chris Ngige Labour and Employment Although Ngige has weathered the storm of the first dispute between labour and government over the upward review of petrol price, more potential crisis lay ahead of him.

With negotiations ongoing over the appropriate price of petrol and workers’ demand for an upward review of minimum wage, Ngige has his plate full and his competence as a manager of government-labour relations would soon be tested. So far his handling of the protest against petrol price increase, showed him as being abreast of the dynamics of labour relations. Meanwhile, the minister needs to also begin to tell Nigerians his strategy for implementing some key policies his ministry has been saddled with.

These include creation of employment for the army of unemployed, recruitment of 5,000 teachers and provision of unemployment benefits for the jobless.

Where we were on May 29, 2015 • Rising unemployment • Restive labour unions in the education and healthcare sectors • Non-payment of salaries by several states of the federation What Nigerians want • An enabling environment and strategies for job creation and employment opportunities • Improved working conditions and welfare for workers • Payment of salaries as and when due • Improved negotiations with labour to avert strikes What the minister has done or is doing to get there • Under Ngige, unemployment has remained high and is rising • But he managed the NLC fuel strike effectively and broke the back of labour • Needs to do a lot more work on job creation • His negotiations skills on the demands for a review of the national minimum wage will be put to the test Street light, Street view:

Ogbonnaya Onu Science and Technology Onu has refocused the ministry on its mandate of applying science technology and innovation to drive economic growth, making several trips to China, Indonesia and Korea where MoUs have been signed between those countries and Nigeria. Since assumption of duty as minister, he has aligned the ministry’s 17 parastatals and agencies with Nigerian universities and industries.

According to him, researches developed by the ministry should no longer be left on the shelves or libraries, saying no nation ever developed without the application of science and technology. He has devoted 6 per cent of the ministry’s appropriation to research and development.

As part of his linkage programmes, FIIRO, one of the ministry’s agencies, is collaborating with NASCO in Jos for the production of vitamin enriched biscuits for both the Nigerian army and school children, which will form part of its school feeding programme. Also, another agency, the National Chemical Institute for Chemical Technology, has developed a home grown solution to the ravaging tomato’s pest tuta absoluta, otherwise known as tomato ‘Ebola.’

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • Nigeria was technologically backward and reliant on technology transfers What Nigerians want: • Technological advancement through research and development, innovation and reverse engineering • Reward and recognition for technological breakthroughs

A SPECIAL REPORT What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • Good talk, no results yet Street light, Street view:

Hadi Sirika Aviation Rated as a round peg in a round hole, having being a stakeholder in the aviation sector, Sirika was expected to turn aviation around. However, faced with the challenge of paucity of funds and high level of deterioration of airport infrastructure, the minister is turning to private players and investors to play prominent roles in lifting the airports out of their present decayed state.

A financial transaction committee has been set up for the establishment of the national carrier to compete with others, including British Airways, Emirate and Ethiopian airlines.

Nigeria, rated as a viable aviation hub in West and Central Africa, is said to have market potential of 600 million people.

With the plan to concession the nation’s 22 airports, the ongoing infrastructure upgrade of four modern airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja Port Harcourt and Kano being handled by the Chinese is expected to be completed before the end of the year. However, Sirika still has his head in the clouds on the establishment of a national carrier, a project which has very little hope of seeing the light of day.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • Air safety still left a lot to be desired • Domestic airlines were in dire straits and bogged down by debt • Airport upgrade and expansion had been abandoned • Airport infrastructure was substandard • Graft and inefficiency in the aviation sector What Nigerians want: • Safer and secure skies • Consolidation in the aviation sector for improved funding and economies of scale • Completion of airport projects • Upgrade of airport infrastructure to world class standards • Concession of the airports What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • The right sound bites from the minister, but no results yet • He would do better by shelving his grandiose plan for a national carrier Street light, Street view:

Abubakar Malami Attorney General and Minister of Justice So far, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has yet to prove cynics wrong that he would not run the ministry the way it was under the previous regime. Although, he started very well by meeting with the ministry’s staff and listened to their grievances, there is little evidence to prove that he is addressing the major challenges brought to his attention.

Similarly, his attempt to lead negotiations on behalf of the federal government on the N780 billion fine imposed on MTN Nigeria Limited has been stalled, leaving Nigerians wondering if the telecommunications giant has been let off the hook.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • Widespread corruption in country • Non-prosecution of thousands of prison suspects awaiting trial What Nigerians want: • Speedy prosecution of suspects • Creation of special courts to speedily try corruption cases • Diligent prosecution of corruption cases • Institutions reforms to check graft What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • In line with the anti-corruption mantra of the administration, Malami, unlike his predecessors, has not tampered with or obstructed investigations by the anticorruption agencies Street light, Street view:

Rotimi Amaechi Transportation Amaechi has been preoccupied with the completion of the rail tracks linking the North, West and South-east of the country. Also on the block is the 186km KadunaAbuja rail track, which is billed for inauguration by

Buhari before the end of the year.

Beyond completing projects started by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, he has committed to building a University of Transportation, where Nigerians in the rail sector would acquire skills for the production of spare parts that would be needed when all the regions get connected with rail tracks.

Recently, Amaechi held a series of meetings with stakeholders to map out an efficient road sector master plan, even as he plans to harness the advantages of the maritime sector, which he believes could rake in substantial foreign exchange for the country.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • Railway rehabilitation and expansion was at its infancy with a few functional rail lines • Key railway projects had been stalled due to lack of counterpart funding • Port services were still bogged by bottlenecks and tollgates set up by a plethora of agencies at the seaports What Nigerians want: • Functional railways crisscrossing the country and enhancing the movement of goods and commuters • Counterpart funding to speed up the construction of new rail projects • Elimination of tollgates and graft at the seaports What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • The right sound bites from the minister, but no results yet • Distracted by Rivers politics Street light, Street view:

Abdulrahman Dambazzau Interior The rising internal security challenges in the country may have tasked Dambazzau’s famed intellect, as the defeat of the terrorist Boko Harm sect on the North-eastern flank of the country yields ground to a new threat: the marauding Fulani herdsmen, who maim and kill farmers in a bid to grab grazing land for their cattle. In the Niger Delta, militancy is on the upsurge, threatening the security of crude oil and gas pipelines used for exports and domestic consumption.

Dambazzau as minister of interior supervises the police and the civil defence, both organisations are primarily responsible for internal security. He would, therefore, need to work with other ministries, including defence and the office of the National Security Adviser to deal with the worsening internal security situation.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • Rising crime wave, especially kidnapping • Prisons bursting at the seams • Low moral of officers and men in the police force • Officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) unable to police the country’s borders What Nigerians want: • Safer and secure cities, towns and villages • Construction of more prisons and their decongestion • Reform of the police force and improved welfare for the police • Reform of the NIS What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • Good plan for the police and immigration, but weak response to herdsmen and cattle rustling Street light, Street view:

Audu Ogbeh (and Heineken Lokpobiri) Agriculture Ogbeh, the experienced farmer and politician, has been very articulate about the challenges of the sector and the way forward to making the country self-sufficient in food production.

With Heineken Lokpobiri, his deputy, constantly by his side, Ogbeh has spoken eloquently about the need for government to encourage commercial farming by adequately funding the sector and providing improved seedlings and farming inputs to the small scale farmers.

It is, however, yet to be seen how he, in concrete terms, intends to take the agriculture sector forward.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • The emphasis on improving agriculture output for food security started with the last administration • Enhanced distribution of fertilizer and elimination of middlemen in the supply chain What Nigerians want: • Food security and job creation through farming activities • Single digit loans and micro-credit schemes for farmers • Import substitution strategies that would reduce food imports and conserve foreign exchange What the minister has done or is doing to get there:

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MINISTERIAL DASHBOARD

A SPECIAL rEPort • Has transformed the Sokoto/Kebbi axis to a massive rice growing belt • Moving towards import substitution • But a lot more needs to be done in other states and other cash crops in terms of policy and execution Street light, Street view:

Adebayo Shittu Communication Technology Shittu’s promise to make the telecommunications sector the country’s cash cow has been hampered by lack of broadband infrastructure.

The deficiency of broadband, which has 10 per cent penetration is negatively impacting on the telecommunication services as both the major and small operators are said to be delivering services below optimal level.

Of great interest to many Nigerians is the N780 billion fine slammed on MTN, by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), for the violation of the SIM card mandatory registration regulations. While MTN and government have agreed to settle out of court, only N50 billion has so far been paid while further negotiations on the fine have been stalled.

However, the minister’s moves to acquire two more satellites to complement the NIGCOMSAT 1R is seen as a step in the right direction. Another cheering news from the sector is the provision of an IOT services by NIGCOMSAT Limited to Belarus for the next 15 years. The country will earn substantial foreign exchange from this deal.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • Nigeria had achieved a teledensity of 75 per cent but was still lagging behind in broadband penetration • The telecommunications sector’s contribution to GDP had risen to 11 per cent What Nigerians want: • Improved and cheaper access to broadband • Improved regulatory oversight of the telecoms operators • Enforcement of standards and quality of service What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • Shittu more than anything else has focused on the N780 billion fine imposed on MTN Nigeria Limited by NCC • He had made very little effort to improve access to broadband Street light, Street view:

Muhammed Musa Bello Federal Capital Territory Unlike his predecessors, Bello has been a quiet operator. He faced enormous task of repositioning the Federal Capital Territory to be one of the 20 most developed cities in the world. As pointers, part of his task is to improve the territory’s environment, transportation, waste management and development of the satellite towns in view of population upsurge. Not much improvement has been noticed though except that recently he dissolved the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) to rid the territory of filth, street beggars, street hawkers and all other environmental problems. The moved was to help the AEPB recover debt to the tune of N9.8 billion.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • The Abuja metropolis witnessed growth that was rivaled only by Lagos • But its suburbs remained unplanned and lacked basic amenities • Also the street hawkers, which Nasir el-Rufai got rid of as FCT minister, had resurfaced What Nigerians want: • Deployment of infrastructure and amenities in Abuja’s suburbs and shantytowns • A drop in the crime wave • A clean and secure city • A good transportation network and befitting airport What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • Good talk, no results yet Street light, Street view:

Kayode Fayemi Solid Minerals Easily one of the sharpest minds in the Buhari administration, Fayemi has methodically approached his brief. He says given the prostrate state of the economy, the nation needs

to diversify its revenue base in order to achieve sustainable growth. For him, the solid minerals sector offers sustainable alternative to oil if only it could be properly organised.

Subsequently, the minister has inaugurated a 17-man committee to develop a 24-month short-term plan, 10-year mid-term plan, and 25-year long term plan for the solid minerals industry. The committee is chaired by Prof.

Ibrahim Garba and co-chaired by Prof. Siyan Malomo.

Hopefully, the committee’s report and recommendations would give the federal government direction in the sector that has remained a potential cash cow of the nation for years.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • Other than limestone and, to a lesser extent, stone quarries, Nigeria’s vast mineral resources remained untapped • Illegal mining activities also deprived the government from revenue • Moribund steel pants in Ajaokuta and Aladja What Nigerians want: • A concerted and diligent march towards the exploration and exploitation of the country’s vast mineral resources • Mining of coal for coal powered stations as an alternative to thermal energy • Privatisation of the Ajaokuta steel plant to serious investors with deep pockets to turn it around What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • Clear vision and plan, but a lot needs to be done on execution • Mapping of the country’s mineral resources and a plan for the re-award of licences to serious investors Street light, Street view:

Geoffrey Onyema (and Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim) Foreign Affairs Believing that the country’s foreign policy has to be informed by its basic domestic policy objectives, Onyema has skilfully narrowed the scope of his office to getting foreign countries relevant to the realisation of the success of the Buhari administration’s priorities programmes, Security, Economy and Corruption.

He has, therefore, arranged several bilateral discussions and visits between President Buhari and the relevant foreign heads of states, including US President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping of China.

Although the visits have come under severe criticisms by Nigerians, Onyema has been quick to defend them as a necessity to help Nigeria resolve some of its security and economic challenges. For instance, he said the visits to Benin, Chad and Niger were to seek collaboration in tackling the insurgency which was a global issue and was ravaging the North-east region of Nigeria.

Similarly, he said, in the face of falling oil price, the president also emphasised the need to diversify into Agriculture, Solid Minerals Mining. And to woo direct foreign investors into those sectors, the president visited Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya and South Africa where he signed agreements and MoUs. Where we were on May 29, 2015: • An incoherent foreign policy • Relations were strained with some of Nigeria’s closest allies such as the United States • Nigeria’s inability to stem the Boko Haram insurgency and free the Chibok girls got the past administration a lot of bad international press What Nigerians want: • A coherent foreign policy that seeks to protect the interest of Nigeria and its citizens first • A rebranded image for Nigeria What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • A lot of travel and good talk, but no results yet Street light, Street view:

Amina Mohammed Environment Mohammed, who came to her job with vast experience as a senior presidential aide on the Millennium Development Goals (MDAs), upon assuming office identified the major challenges of her ministry as taking key climate action and protecting the environment. Consequently, she has taken steps to facilitate the clean-up of the Niger Delta, especially the Ogoni land using her influence with the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP. The minister has also worked and got approval for Nigeria

by UNEP to trade with other countries in all endangered plants and animal species.

Where we were on May 29, 2015:

• Gas flaring and environmental degradation of the Niger Delta remained unaddressed • Desert encroachment was also ignored • Refusal disposal and treatment of non-biodegradable waste remained a problem and threat to the environment What Nigerians want: • A clean and green environment • End of water, land and air pollution What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • Clean-up of Ogoniland and plan to limit usage of nonbiodegradable cellophane bags, wraps and plastics • But needs action on gas flares, climate change and desert encroachment Street light, Street view:

Aisha Alhassan Women Affairs When Alhassan assumed duty last November, she pledged to revamp the National Gender Policy so as to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerian women.

She spoke specifically about empowering rural women, whom she said made up 70 per cent of the rural population.

But six months on, the minister who has the responsibility of mainstreaming opportunities for women and the girlchild has not been vocal enough in this regard as the only legal instrument for achieving this, the Gender Equality Bill, pending before the National Assembly suffered a fatal blow early in the year as it was killed in the Senate.

She was not known to have actively supported the bill neither has anything been heard from her about the missing Chibok girls.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • Violence against women and children remained on the rise • Non-domestication of the Child Rights Act in many states of the federation • Lip service was paid to the education of the girl-child What Nigerians want: • Micro-credit schemes for female farmers and small businesses run by women • Domestications of the Child Rights Act in every state of the federation and its enforcement • Equal opportunities for women through the reintroduction and passage of the Gender Equality Bill by the National Assembly • Education for the girl-child • End of forced and early marriages What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • No coherent policy that could be attributed to the minister Street light, Street view:

Suleiman Adamu Water Resources Adamu, an engineer, met a daunting task of providing water for about 54 million Nigerians who do not have access to potable water. Also calling for his attention were dozens of abandoned dams and irrigation projects spread across the several river basins in the country.

The minister, however, thought it was better for him to approach his job by ascertaining the precise depth of the problem, hence he commissioned the updating of the water needs of Nigerians.

To his credit, the updates of the national database on water supply and sanitation for all states in Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory is now at an advanced stage even as he targets increasing the irrigable land in the country from 70,000ha to 500,000ha in the next 15 years.

Adamu is also working on a new nationwide water and sanitation programme that would be partly private-sector driven, that would create job opportunities for the youths who would be trained on water and sanitation-based enterprises.

Where we were on May 29, 2015: • 54 million Nigerians lacked access to portable water and clean sanitation • Dozens of abandoned dams and irrigation projects What Nigerians want: • Access to clean water • Resuscitation of dams and irrigation projects for enhanced farming activities What the minister has done or is doing to get there: • Work has reached an advanced stage on a new nationwide water sanitation programme, but execution on increasing access to portable water remains to be seen Street light, Street view:

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NEWSEXTRA

Establishment of National Shipping Line Underway, Says Amaechi The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has said the federal government is marshalling out ways of encouraging the establishment of a national shipping line to ensure maximum exploitation of the potential in the maritime industry.

Amaechi also said the federal government is making efforts at improving business in the country’s maritime sector especially in the areas of establishing a deep sea port for modern mega ships as well as the establishment of dry ports such as the Kaduna inland dry port among others.

Amaechi spoke in a keynote address he delivered at the 14th maritime seminar for judges organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), a parastatal under his ministry, in collaboration with

the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

According to the minister, “The present administration is looking into ways of encouraging the establishment of a national shipping line to ensure maximum exploitation of the potentials in our maritime sector.

“The federal government is doing a lot towards improving on the ease of doing business in Nigeria especially in the maritime sector. The federal government effort towards trade facilitation includes modernisation of transport infrastructure such as establishment of deep sea ports to attract the patronage of our seaports by modern mega ships and the establishment of dry ports such as the Kaduna inland dry port and others all over the country to decongest the seaports and facilitate expeditious evacuation of cargo from

Police Withdraw from PDP Headquarters, BoT to Meet Staff Today

the seaports among others,” he said.

While also suggesting that maritime laws should be made compulsory courses in tertiary institutions, Amaechi called on the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to consider the creation of a maritime or admiralty division in the federal high court to specially handle maritime cases.

Also, considering the crucial role of the maritime sector in the development of the economy, Amaechi said: “May I remind you of the need for capacity building in the maritime industry. It is of general knowledge that most of our maritime trade is carried by foreign ship owners, thereby limiting the economic benefits accruable to the nation such as creation of jobs, freight and insurance earnings.”

Amaechi said the maritime seminar would equip the judges and justices of superior courts of record as well as relevant stakeholders in the maritime industry.

In his own address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman Board of Governors of the NJI,

Justice Mahmud Mohammed, said the seminar contributed immensely to deepening the synergy between the judiciary and the maritime sector.

“The Nigerian judiciary stands ready to deepen this synergy as part of its wider reform efforts that will reposition our judiciary for better justice delivery and retain our place as one of the best judicial institutions in the world.

“In furtherance of its drive to ensure a quick dispensation of justice, the Nigerian judiciary remains similarly committed to the use of a multi-track, multimodal justice delivery system that will include a more robust adoption of alternative dispute resolutions as a veritable medium of settling dispute,” he said.

“It is important for us to ensure that this seminar continues to provide a platform for introducing new concepts and refreshing our minds on novel areas of law that govern shipping international trade and

admiralty matters,” he said.

Also in his own remarks, the chairman of the occasion and former Head of State Chief Ernest Shonekan, commended the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the NJI for a healthy collaboration towards nation building. “I therefore commend the Nigerian Shippers Council and NJI for collaborating to organise this seminar which is an invaluable capacity building programme for those in the bench and the bar who by the demand of their profession must continue to update themselves on many areas of human endeavor particularly as they relate to the legal profession.”

“I will like to urge the NSC and the NJI to redouble their efforts to ensure the continuity of this seminar. So apart from its usefulness to the stakeholders, this international seminar also serves as a way of domesticating some of the international conventions and rules that are governing international trade in the

maritime sector. Every effort must be made to sustain it,” he said.

Earlier, President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice Mr. Taiwao Abidoku, described as a welcome development for the organisers of the seminar to encourage the training of judges and legal practitioners in the field of maritime.

“I am happy to note that efforts are being made by organisers of this seminar to encourage the training of our judges and legal practitioners in the important field of maritime law”.

“As we are all aware, the maritime sector constitutes the live wire of global trade and commerce in addition to its historical and current role in facilitating human interaction among communities, regions and continents. In view of this fundamental role, we must therefore continue to develop the requisite human capacity to take advantage of opportunities in the sector,” he said.

Party can’t field candidates for polls, says PMP Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Nigerian Police has withdrawn its men from the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

As an indication that peace and understanding are gradually returning to the once-ridden opposition party, security men who had been deployed since the last one week, ysterday dismantled the blockade mounted on the entry points to the PDP secretariat.

Meanwhile, as a sign of its leading role in the ongoing reconciliation efforts, the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), yesterday gave notice that it would meet with the staff of the party today.

The Secretary of the BoT, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, who was said to have given the notice of the meeting with staff, however did not provide details of the agenda of the meeting.

The meeting with party staff is seen as a prelude to the formal resumption of office by the caretaker committee headed by former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makafi and Secretary, Senator Ben Obi. Maduekwe who drove into the secretariat at about noon to signal the formal re-opening of the party for business met with some few senior staff of the party before passing his message on the scheduled meeting for today.

Following the instructions by the BoT, the Head of Publicity Division, PDP, Mrs. Xhinwe Nnorom, issued a statement stating that the party had reopened its secretariat.

The statement read: Please be informed that the PDP National Secretariat re- opens today being Tuesday, May 31, 2016 for members of establishment staff only.

“The BoT Secretary, Maduekwe, will be addressing members of staff at 1p.m. today

in the NEC Hall.”

Meanwhile, the current state of affairs in the PDP has been attacked by a former party man and leader of the yet-to-be registered organisation, People’s Mega Party (PMP), Chief Perry Opara.

Opara said yesterday that by appointing the caretaker committee headed by former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, the PDP may have lost its qualification to field candidate in an election until the situation is rectified.

Speaking while formally unveiling the national headquarters of PMP in Abuja, Opara said there are present moves by mega-rich politicians from the PDP to hijack the party.

According to Opara, after the initial outing of the party in Abuja about three ago, some rich politicians have been approaching the party leaders with tempting offers to take over the party.

He declared that the party is not for sale to anyone as the vision behind the formation of the party is to have a platform that young Nigerians can use to contest elective offices in future.

The PMP leader also declared that some members of the PDP; Labour Party (LP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) had already defected to the new party.

“Five days ago, a group of PDP members came here to say they are defecting to the PMP. PDP Professionals Forum have also declare for the PMP while some aggrieved members of the PDP stakeholders forum in Abuja also defected to the PMP.” Opara stressed that one of the major attractions of the new party was its policy of bottom-top approach that gives ownership of the party to the people at the lowest level.

BECAUSE WE ARE INVOLVED

L-R: Former Vice President and Chairman of the occasion, Atiku Abubakar: Author of the book, Chido Onumah; and Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, at the public presentationof‘WeareallBiafrans’ at ShehuYar’AduaCentre,Abuja....yesterday

INEC to Conclude All Re-run Elections By July 31 Unveils roadmap for re-run polls in Rivers, Imo, Kogi Fixes Ondo, Edo CVR for June 22 Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rolled out conditions and processes that will lead to the eventual conduct of suspended re-run elections in four states-Rivers, Imo, Kogi and Kano.

The processes include assessment of the current security situation, possible legal impediments and general preparedness for the election, meeting with all political parties in Abuja, obtaining undertaking from parties,candidates and their supporters for peaceful elections and meeting of the Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security and RECs final report on security readiness for the election.

In a statement issued and signed by the Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole OsazeUzzi, the commission reiterated commitment to concluding the suspended elections in Rivers, Imo, Kogi and Kano States which were disrupted by violence not later than July 31, 2016.

It said the conduct of the re-run will still be dependent when necessary consultations and activities leading to the elections were concluded timeously and that conditions were conducive enough for the conduct of the elections.

The commission said that in spite of this commitment, it would not return to conduct elections or hesitate to further postpone or discontinue the suspended

elections in any area where there was imminent threat to lives or to peace or security, especially where such threats were likely to lead to breakdown of law and order.

The commission which issued a road map for the resolution of the crisis and violence which led to the suspension of the elections in the affected areas, said it would fix the dates for the elections following consultations with political parties and candidates.

Meanwhile, INEC has scheduled the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise for Edo and Ondo States from Wednesday, June 22 to Sunday, June 26.

According to the commission’s Decision Extract issued on May

26 and signed by the Director, Commission’s Secretariat, Ishaku A. Gali, the commission has also scheduled Monday, June 27, 2016 as the conclusion of claims and objectives.

The CVR exercise is to precede the two governorship elections for Edo and Ondo, scheduled for Saturday, September 10 and Saturday, November 26, 2016 respectively.

The commission is to give notice of the Edo governorship election tomorrow.

Section 30(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides that the commission shall give the notice of a governorship election not later than 90 days before the election.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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NEWSEXTRA

N’Assembly Committee Issues Bench Warrant against Seven Oil Companies Amount involved in $260m NAPIMS contract remain unclear Omololu Ogunmade and Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The Joint National Assembly Committee on Niger Delta yesterday issued a bench warrant against seven oil companies operating in Niger Delta over their decision to shun the committee’s invitation to defend alleged non-remittance of statutory funds to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The seven companies are Continental Oil and Gas Limited; Conoil Oil Producing Limited; Niger Delta Petroleum Resources; Allied Energy Plc; Sheba Petroleum Exploration and Production/Express Petroleum; E& P Panocean Oil Corporation and Atlas Petroleum Development Coy. The committee also accused the management of NDDC of failing to keep accurate financial records on remittances made to it by oil companies. It said the development had robbed the commission of funds meant to execute notable projects in the region.

The accusation against the commission followed the revelations by some oil companies which had said they made several efforts to access the management of NDDC to no avail with the intention to reconcile their accounts and also settle the necessary outstanding.

In its submission, Oriental Energy Resources disclosed how it made several efforts to meet with the management of NDDC since December 2015 to reconcile its

accounts with the commission to no avail as it disclosed how it had been chasing the commission with $1 million in the past six months.

The company’s Chief Technical Adviser, Mr. Goni Sheikh, recalled that his company paid $18 million to the commission in 2014, regretting how the commission had failed to schedule a meeting with the company despite several letters sent to its management for the purpose of remitting $1 million.

“As at December 2015, we had $1million to pay to NDDC. We have written several letters to the commission for us to meet and reconcile our account, but we have not received any reply. We plead with the committee to talk to the NDDC for us to fulfill our obligation. We know what the law says,” Sheikh said Responding, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, lamented the non-challant attitude of NDDC management, saying whereas the commission was failing in its responsibility, it continued to point accusing fingers at other companies.

He said the submissions of the companies only showed that the NDDC was satisfied with what it had, noting “there is a procedural lapses in NDDC. The regulations, the procedure they are adopting in that office will be a matter between us and them.”

He also disclosed that the process of carrying out a forensic audit of

the commission had started, noting that there were discrepancies in the financial accounts presented to the committee by the commission.

Nwaoboshi was echoed by a member of the committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Imo East, who viewed the perceived non-challant attitude of the NDDC as the height of ineptitude as he wondered how companies could be begging the NDDC to collect money in region that is in dire need of development.

Meanwhile, as the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and Public Procurement opened investigations into an alleged $260 million contract illegally awarded by the National Petroleum Investments Management Services (NAPIMS) for ExxonMobil’s Usan Deep Water Project, the exact amount involved in the project remains unclear.

Despite submissions by invited parties at the hearing yesterday, the lawmakers could not ascertain the exact amount involved in the contracts, which allegedly did not follow do process.

The Managing Director of

Tilone Sub-Sea, Mr. Stanford Tassie, accused NAPIMS, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of illegally terminating a logistics contract awarded to his firm.

The contract, he explained was approved by President Goodluck Jonathan, for a duration of five years, with provision for renewal.

NAPIMS, he alleged, awarded same contract to another firm, GMT Energy Resources. He cited an advertorial on January 15, 2016 where NNPC had allegedly admitted that the contract to GMT was illegal, and that GMT vessel replaced Tilone vessel which handled logistics for ExxonMobil (ESSO) during the drilling process.

ESSO General Manager (Procurement), Mr. Rotimi Olubeko accused Tassie of deliberating misleading the committee as a $260 million contract is not in anyway connected to Tilone.

He added that there is in fact no contract of $260 million.

GMT, he said, is not involved

in the Usan Deep water Project as alleged by Tilone.

He added that the contract with Tilone expired in January 2015 after the Usan project was completed six months ahead of schedule.

“The Tilone contract expired, it was not terminated. The program was concluding and there was no need for, anymore, for contracting the vessel,” Olubeko said and added that the company was notified about the intention not to renew in line with the terms of the contract.

The Usan field, he added, is already active and produces about 150,000 barrels of crude daily.

The Group General Manager of NAPIMS, Mr. Dafe Fejebor, corroborated the explanation made by ESSO and noted that the Usan project are not anywhere near $260 million.

“I am also at a loss as to how he came about $260 million. The Era contract is $76 million, can’t say the exact amount of Usan, but it is nowhere near $260 million,” he said.

The Chairman of the Committee on Public procurement, Hon.

Oluwole Oke, noted that the issue of $260 million was unclear in the presentations of all parties involved including Tilone.

The Chairman for Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Hon. Victor Nwokolo directed NAPIMS and ESSO to stay action on all matters involving the contracts until resolution by the committee.

Meanwhile, NAPIMS GGM, Fejebor, his presentation also told the joint committee that the agency’s debts to International Oil Companies (IOCs) is about $7 billion. “in the last five years things really started going bad and we are really trying our very best to get them resolved off line. In short we are at a cross road because when we approached the IOCs they simply told us that except we operate a base case budget before they can continue with us,” he explained.

“And from my understanding of business, a case base budget is doing business without growth and we have to resort to cut cost on services to survive but some guys providing us services totally refused,” Fejebor added

Adesina: How I Have Managed ‘Brand Buhari’ in One Year Chineme Okafor inAbuja The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media andPublicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, yesterday said the reticence and thriftiness of his principal are some of the the challenges he has had to deal with as the president’s image maker in the last one year.

He, however, said these were enviable personal characters of the president that have made his job exciting.

Adesina said this when he delivered a lecture yesterday at the monthly meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Abuja chapter that dealing with the thoughts and feelings of a good number of Nigerians who were not convinced with the Buhari brand prior to and after the 2015 general election was also part of the tasks he has dealt with in his one year of publicising the president.

He stated that a large number of people who did not vote for Buhari in the last election are still in the pre-election mood and had refused to accept the reality that the election had been won and lost.

According to him, this number of people have also refused to accept that Buhari was no longer a military tyrant as he was said to be in the 1980s but now a democrat who would follow democratic tenets to rule the country.

He said despite the refusal of some Nigerians to accept the president and his change mantra, he was steadily accepted and appreciated across the globe, adding that 23 heads of state had sort audience with him at the last September 2015 General Meeting of the United Nations in New York but he was only able to see seven.

While playing up his alleged character of discipline and incorruptibility, he explained that it was the president’s forthrightness that made him sidestep a remark made by British Prime Minister, David Cameron that Nigeria was ‘fantastically corrupt’.

He noted that despite the fact that a large number of Nigerians are not corrupt, the volume of corruption in the country is high, hence, the president’s choice to ignore Cameron.

Adesina explained that though the reticence of the president is a major challenge in managing him, it had made his media team develop ingenious means of managing him.

He identified other characteristics of ‘Brand Buhari’ to include the president’s toughness,discipline,integrity,transparency, incorruptibility and modesty.

Hesaidsomeofthestrategiesadopted

by Buhari’s media team included informing the public consistently on the ideals and programmes of the president; expanding information; educating the public about him and also defending the brand.

ONE NIGERIA

President Muhammadu Buhari (left), in a handshake with the National Organising Secretary, All Progresives Congress (APC), Senator Osita Izunaso, after a meeting of the South -east leaders witht the President at the Aso Rock Villa....yesterday

Asset Declaration: Lack of Quorum Stalls Hearing of Saraki’s Appeal Challenging CCT’s Jurisdiction Tobi Soniyi in Abuja The appeal filed by the Senate President, Dr. Bulola Saraki, to stop his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) could not go on at the Court of Appeal yesterday because the appellate court could not form the constitutionally required quorum to hear the appeal.

The appeal was scheduled to be heard yesterday but only three justices sat as against five justices required by law.

Following the development, the Presiding Justice, Moore Adumein adjourned further hearing to Thursday, June 2, 2016.

Counsel to all the parties were in court: Kanu Agabi (SAN) for the senate president while Mr. Rotimi Jacobs appeared for the federal government.

In the appeal, Saraki is challenging the jurisdiction of the Justice Danladi Umar-led tribunal to try him on the 16-count criminal charge, preferred against him by the federal government.

The charge borders on alleged false/anticipatory declaration of assets, money laundering, operation of foreign accounts while in office as the governor of Kwara State and allegation that he collected salaries as a governor, four years after his

tenure had elapsed.

Saraki wants the appellate court to set aside a ruling the tribunal delivered against him on March 24.

In the said ruling, the tribunal held that it had the requisite jurisdiction to hear and determine the case against him.

The two-man panel tribunal equally declined to stay further hearing on the matter to await the outcome of the appeal.

Meanwhile, the federal government through its lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, also filed a cross-appeal against the ruling of the tribunal.

The federal government is contending that the tribunal

failed to make findings on its argument that Saraki’s motion constituted a gross abuse of judicial process. It was the position of the government that since the issue of jurisdiction was earlier decided by the Supreme Court on February 5, following an appeal by the defendant, the tribunal ought not have entertained another application on the same issue.

At the last hearing, the matter was adjourned by the appellate court to enable Saraki’s lawyer study FG’s response to the appeal. Agabi, had prayed the court for 14 days adjournment to enable him study the process as he claimed he was just served on him by the federal government.

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NEWSEXTRA

FG Sacks Guardian of Escaped Chibok Girls in US, Hands Girls to Embassy The federal government has taken over the care of the girls currently studying in the United States, who escaped from Boko Haram captivity after being abducted from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, on April 14, 2014, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has said.

“Following a meeting held on May 25, between parents of the escaped Chibok girls studying in America and officials of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in charge of the Chibok Girls Desk specially set up by President Muhammadu Buhari, the federal government, including its representatives and agents, is now in charge of the girls.

The parents signed declaration forms authorising the ministry to take over guardianship of their daughters,” the ministry said via a

statement by Temitope Bamgboye, the Director of Social Welfare at the ministry.

According to Premium Times, Bamgboye said yesterday: “Any previous guardianship arrangement has thus been revoked.”

The statement added: “This information has been transmitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is to ensure that this is effected through the Nigerian Embassy in DC. The same will also be communicated to the US State Department through the US Embassy in Nigeria.

“The plan is that the girls remain in the US to pursue further education and to graduate, uninterrupted, in a safe and nurturing environment and away from the public glare, which was supposed to be the plan in the first place.

“The girls’ suffering at the hands of their Boko Haram captors is painful enough and they must at all costs be protected from any further ordeals.

“The federal government would

also like to caution parents to exercise care and caution when signing away to any individual or group, the rights of guardianship to their children. They must be sure that they know exactly

who the person or group is, and that they fully understand their intentions for their children.”

Emmanuel Ogebe, a US-based human rights lawyer, had in 2014 taken 10 of the escaped girls to the

US to continue their education.

He had been raising funds to care for them.

It remains unclear why the government decided to take over the custody of the girls from him.

Bayelsa Allocation Dips after Militants’Attacks Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa Revenue accruing to Bayelsa State from the federal government’s monthly allocation has declined considerably, following the upsurge in the destruction of oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta region.

The state Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (rtd), who decried the activities of militants in the state yesterday, complained that the situation has worsened an already critical case due to a fall in the international oil price.

Speaking during the monthly media transparency briefing in Yenagoa, the governor appealed to youths in the state and the entire Niger Delta region to desist from the act of destroying oil installations.

He noted that the effect of the destruction, especially the blowing up of the Nembe Creek 1, 2, 3 and Trans-Niger facility was devastating to the ecology and the state’s finances.

“A lot of destruction has happened; therefore we are not expecting any improvement due to

the current situation in the Niger Delta.

“The future is not that bright even if indicators point towards that direction. Already, the Trans Niger trunk line and Nembe Creek 1, 2and 3, trunk line located in Bayelsa state which links the Bonny Terminal have been affected.

“We are appealing to our brothers and sisters that in addition to the ecology, the damage is quite devastating to us as a state,” the deputy governor said.

He declared that after all statutory deductions for the month of March, just a balance of N1. 38billion was what the state had to work with.

But the deputy governor promised that in spite of the huge shortfall, the state government would honour its commitment to pay 50 per cent salaries to civil servants in the state.

Present during the briefing were the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG) Serena DokuboSpiff, Head of Service, Dr Peter Singabele, Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Duate Iyabi and members of the State Executive Council.

Evelyn Nwapa Passes on Lady Evelyn Nwapa, the motherin law of the pioneer Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Ernest Nwapa, has passed away.

She died peacefully on April 16, 2016 in East Stroudsburg Pennsylvania, USA and her remains will be buried in Oguta, Imo State on Friday June 3, 2016.

Evelyn was born to the late Hon. Chief Francis O. Mbadiwe and late Mrs. Cecilia Nwaeze Ugboaja Mbadiwe on May 20, 1937 both of Arondizuogu in Imo State. She had her Primary School Education at Mary Slessor College, Arochukwu and her secondary school education at Iheme Memorial Secondary School, Arondizuogu.

From there she proceeded to University College Hospital Ibadan (UCHI) to pursue a career in nursing; which she

completed in Eastern District Hospital, Glasgow Scotland in 1962 with the State Certified Midwife Certificate (SCM).

She returned to Nigeria to join the Eastern Region of Nigeria Ministry of Health as a Staff Nurse Midwife and finally rose to the post of Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) in the Imo State Government Health Management Board (HMB) in 1992 and retired from service (1993).

She got married to Chief C. I. Nwapa of Oguta, Imo State on April 27,1963 and they have six children including Mrs. Adobi Nwapa, General Manager, Zenith Bank, who is also the wife of Dr. Ernest Nwapa.

On December 29, 2015, Chief and Lady Nwapa celebrated their golden jubilee wedding anniversary after 52 years of a very fulfilled, successful and productive married life.

THANKS FOR THE GOOD JOB

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (left), receiving 2013 Audit Report of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) from its Executive Secretary, Mr. Waziri Adio, when the NEITI boss visited the Senate President in Abuja ....yesterday.

Dangote Hosts Borno Governor over Support for IDPs, Reconstruction Crusoe Osagie The President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, yesterday hosted the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, in Lagos with their discussion focusing on rehabilitation of internally displaced persons and reconstruction work in the areas of education and healthcare.

The Dangote Foundation, which is a charity wing of the Dangote Group funded by the richest African was the platform of the two-hour meeting held at the Dangote corporate headquarters in Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The meeting had in attendance the three senators from Borno, Senate Majority Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, Senators Abubakar Kyari and Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai, as well as some members of the House of Representatives from Shettima’s delegation, while the

Dangote Group had the Executive Director, Dangote Group, Halima Aliko-Dangote; Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou and Mrs. Erelu Angela Adebayo, a member of the Foundation’s board.

During the meeting, the Dangote team gave updates on delivery of food items for internally displaced persons in Borno during the Ramadan, which is aimed at fulfilling a pledge made by Dangote when he visited Maiduguri three weeks ago.

Dangote promised that trucks of food items were already on their way to Borno, adding that they also decided to increase the number of trucks.

Dangote also said he was having another meeting with r Shettima to draw an action plan for specific interventions in reconstructions centred on schools and hospitals.

The richest African also promised to attract some International support for Borno State.

Shettima had earlier said his mission was to thank Dangote and members of his team for their generosity towards Borno State, especially recalling a figure of N2 billion donated by Dangote to Borno State during the billionaire’s visit to Maiduguri.

“You are an extremely lucky creature of God, sir, because it is one thing for one to have fortunes and it is entirely another thing for one’s fortunes to benefit his kinsmen, his country men and humanity.

“In our dear Kano, your state of origin, you have made and you are still making monumental impacts on the lives of our brothers and sisters in Kano. Here in Lagos, you are doing the same thing and so it is across the country.

“For us in Borno, we are usually

full of emotions whenever your name is mentioned. Only Allah knows the depth of our gratitude to you, no amount of words can describe what we think and make of you. I want to start by first of all registering the eternal gratitude of government and all sons and daughters of Borno State for your empathy, for your love and for your unprecedented generosity.

“We are here to thank you and to pray that Allah increases you in health and wealth, bless your entire family and business empire. Sir, for you to have come to our aide meant you knew the challenges we faced and the ones ahead of us. It will amount to show of ingratitude for us to make any request from you.

We want to use this opportunity to call on other wealthy Nigerians to emulate your spirit” Shettima said at the opening of the meeting,” Shettima said.

AI: Shell Can’t Rely on FG to Clean up Ogoni Ahead of the federal government’s clean up of Ogoniland, Amnesty International has asked Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to accept responsibility for continuous oil and environment pollution in the Niger Delta.

In a statement issued yesterday, the human rights organization according to The Cable, said massive pollution from Shell’s oil facilities, including at least 130 oil spills from in 2015, have caused havoc in the environment, leading to several emergencies.

“Scores of oil spills from Shell operations in the Niger Delta have yet to be properly cleaned up, and even sites the multi-national company claims to have cleaned remain polluted. To make matters worse, there were at least 130 oil spills from Shell operations in 2015,” said Joe Westby, business and human rights campaigner at Amnesty International.

“The Niger Delta is one of the most oil-polluted places in the world. That is because companies like Shell are failing to prevent or clean up spills

years, sometimes decades, after they happen. Shell cannot rely on the Nigerian government to clean up its dirty work for it.”

Amnesty said it was a tragedy that Shell’s activities caused thousand of Niger-Deltans their livelihood yet the company continues to shift blame, “lie about fictitious clean-ups”, instead of accepting responsibility despite evidences showing its “grave guilt” in the environmental pollution of the region.

“Whatever their cause, Nigerian law still says that the company

which operates the pipeline has to clean up. That is something Shell has failed to do for decades,” Westby said.

“The start of the clean-up is a much-needed, long-awaited step for people who have lived with polluted waters and farmlands for decades. They have a right to be skeptical, they have seen clean-ups promised and people paid to do the work in the past, only for little improvements to be delivered. This time the rhetoric must translate into action on the ground.”

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CRIME&PUNISHMENT

Court Upholds Seven Years Jail Term for Producers of My Pikin Davidson Iriekpen

The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal has again upheld the judgment of a Federal High Court in Lagos, which sentenced two employees of Barewa Pharmaceutical Company Limited to seven years imprisonment each for selling a killer teething syrup - “My Pikin.”

Justice Okechukwu Okeke of a Federal High Court in Lagos had on May 17, 2013 sentenced Adeyemo Abiodun and Ebele Eromosele for selling the syrup known as “My Pikin.’’

The appellate court in its unanimous decision delivered yesterday by Justice C. E. Iyozoba held that the complaint of the

appellants was without merit, adding that “throughout the gamut of the trial, the appellants never denied that they were the manufacturers of the contaminated drug-” My Pikin” teething syrup.

The appellate court had in 2013 delivered a similar judgment on the appeal but the Supreme Court, faulted the judgment on the grounds that it was determined on an abandoned notice and grounds of appeal.

The apex court in its verdict delivered by Justice Bode RhodesVivour then ordered that the appeal be remitted to the Court of Appeal, Lagos for it to hear the appeals on the “valid notice/grounds of appeal” filed on July 3, 2013.

So, delivering judgment

yesterday, Justice Iyozoba affirmed the conviction and held that samples of the contaminated drug were tested in laboratory and that the process was clear and smooth.

Justice Iyozoba held that there was no need for additional scientific evidence being requested by the appellants.

“The drug in question is manufactured alone by the appellants. No other pharmaceutical company produced the drug. So, any of the product in Nigeria is manufactured by

the appellants.

“There was no contradictory evidence as both the appellants and respondent confirmed that the contaminated drug, was manufactured by the appellants,” the court held.

Other justices on the panel were; Justice Y. Nimpar and Justice J.Y Tukur.

The court however held that the lower court was wrong when it convicted the appellants on the offence of conspiracy, adding that the prosecution did not establish any evidence showing

that the appellants conspired to manufacture and distribute contaminated drugs.

Consequently, the court set-aside their conviction on conspiracy but added that it would not have any effect of the seven years sentence since the jail term will run concurrently.

The court stated that the issue of sentencing is at the discretion of the trial judge as long as it’s done judicially and judiciously.

The court also set aside the order of the lower court winding up

the company and the order of forfeiture of assets to the federal government.

The court held that Section 118(b) of the miscellaneous offences Act did not empowered the trial judge to wind-up the company and order forfeiture of its assets.

The court further held that what the trial judge ought to have done was to order forfeiture of the contaminated drugs and not the company.

However, the court imposed N1 million fine against the appellants.

Police Track, Arrest Four Malaysian Bound Serial Stowaways Chiemelie Ezeobi The Maritime Police Command of the Nigerian Police , yesterday said it tracked and successfully arrested four serial stowaways who had smuggled into a Malaysian-bound cargo vessel without proper documentation.

Following a tip off from the Amphibious Ambush Squad of the Marine Command led by the Officer-in-charge of Marine Command, Ben Ogungbure, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Maritime Police Command, Muhammed Katsina, began to track their movement.

The tracking paid off as the suspects were arrested and during preliminary interrogation.

It was discovered that the suspects had in the last travelled to Brazil, South Africa and some even Canada before they were

deported.

While the trio of 24-year-old Ahmed Azeez, 33-year-old Tunde Yagba and 33-year-old Ajose Kehinde, were paraded at the Marine Police Command, Lagos, the fourth suspect, 25-year-old Adewale Sunday was hospitalised following an ulcer wound.

Speaking with journalists, Katsina said the arrests were a positive fallout of the Basic Marine Operation Course (BMOC) 39 of its officers undertook at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Quorra.

The BMOC was a joint collaboration which saw the police undertake trainings in counter maritime crimes like pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and was targeted at developing capacity for marine and riverine operations for personnel of the police marine wing.

Taraba Assembly Prescribes 28 Years Jail Term for Thuggery,Violent Attacks Wole Ayodele in Jalingo In a bid to stem the tide of killings and incessant violent attacks in several parts of the state, particularly

by Fulani herdsmen and other ethnic militias, the Taraba State House of Assembly has prescribed 28 years imprisonment for acts of thuggery and violent attacks in the state.

The bill, which is currently before the assembly, seeks to criminalise any form of thuggery or attacks by individuals or groups leading to death, injuries or displacement of victims of such attacks.

Briefing journalists on the activities of the assembly in its first legislative year of the current assembly, Speaker of the House, Hon Abel Peter Diah, said the assembly is committed to doing everything possible to ensure peace in every part of the state.

The Speaker, who noted that though there are bound to be problems between herdsmen and farmers, however stated that it was imperative for every group in the state to learn to tolerate each other and resolve their differences

within the ambit of the law without resorting to violence.

According to him, “The Assembly, as the last hope of the common man is determined to do everything possible to stem the tide of killings in any part of the state. We were at Gashaka when people were attacked and gruesomely murdered while some women were raped and defiled. It was a gory experience that must not be tolerated in any guise.”

Diah however appealed to the judiciary to rise up to the occasion whenever the bill is eventually passed into law by ensuring that culprits are made to face the full wrath of the law saying the cooperation and understanding of the judiciary is critical to the quest to the state is rid of all criminal and violent elements.

He further confirmed that the assembly received a petition alleging massive seizure of land belonging to returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) by the Lamdo of Gassol in Gassol Local Government Area of the state, Alhaji Idi Ciroma and his chiefs.

TO FACE THE LAW

R-L: Three men trafficking themselves, Tunde Yagba; Hammed Azeez; and Kehinde Ajosin, who sneaked into Malaysia ship from Snake Island, Lagos, being paraded in Lagos...yesterday Kolawole Alli

Lagos Records 4, 035 Cases of DomesticViolence, Child Abuse Gboyega Akinsanmi

The Lagos State Government yesterday said it recorded 4,035 cases of rape, child abuse, sexual abuse, assaults, defilement and divorce and among others.

As a step to reverse the trend of domestic violence in the state, the state government said it had concluded plans to sign into law the state safeguard and child protection policy aimed at protecting child rights.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, disclosed this at a news conference he addressed at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa.

Kazeem addressed the news conference alongside the Coordinator of the state Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi and the Co-founder of Mirabel Centre, Mrs. Itoro Eze-Anaba, among others.

Speaking on the activities of the state Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, the attorney-general lamented that the statistics showed steady increase in report of rape and other domestic violence cases in the state.

In the one last year, Kazeem said the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) “handled

4,035 cases ranging from rape, child abuse, child’s custody and maintenance, sexual assault and abuse, defilement, divorce and matrimonial issues.

“In 2014, Office of Public Offenders (OPD) handled 437 cases on child custody and maintenance, while in 2015, it handled over 1, 078 cases. While the number of divorce dropped slightly, the statistics however, showed that more women are opting out for child custody and maintenance of their children.

“Similarly, in 2014, OPD provided alternative dispute resolution in marital issues for 291 persons while in 2015, 746 persons petitioned the office in respect of marital issues.”

Kazeem stated that the victims received free counseling and medical services at the Mirabel centre at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja.

According to him, in the year under review, the centre provided service to 750 cases ranging from rape, attempted rape and sexual assaults, defilements and battery.

He disclosed that the increase in number forced the government to commission DSVRT to embark on research to detect the reason for the increase, interviewing the perpetrators.

46 Armed Robbers, 16 Cultists, Four Rapists, Others Arrested in Lagos Chiemelie Ezeobi The Lagos State Police Command yesterday said it had over the course of one month arrested 46 armed robbery suspects, 16 cultists, four rapists, among perpetrators of various crimes in the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, made this disclosure at a press briefing held at the command headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos.

He said: “From April 4, 2016 to May 5, 2016, the following arrests and recoveries were made in the following areas. For armed robbery, gangsterism/cultism, death of armed robbers and recovered arms, the figures include 46, 16, 3 and 13 respectively.

“Others include recovered ammunition, vehicles, raid of criminal hideouts, seized motorcycles and rape cases were 93, 38, 271,78 and 2 respectively.

On the case of defilement, he said: “One Kingsley Okeke was arrested for defiling a 10-year-old girl on May 23.

“In another development, one Morif Mohammed , allegedly defiled a seven-year-old girl at Ikorodu.

The victims are traumatised and are being medically attended to

at Mirabel Medical Centre, Ikeja.

“Two armed robbers-cum-rapists named Richard Orji and Desmond Pedro who stabbed, raped and robbed their victim of assorted valuables were also arrested while trying to dispose off their loot.”

For car snatching, Owoseni said they arrested a 10-man car snatching syndicate and recovered nine exotic cars.

The suspects were identified as Adeyemi Oluwasidi, Ladejobi Islaumon, Olufunmilayo Olowoago, Hammed Tijani, Idowu Samuel, Ayuba Saka, Omotayo Ayoola, Azeez Adeniyi, Yemi Olunlana and Akintoye Olufemi The CP said discrete investigations led to the recovery of nine exotic vehicles from them including one Nissan Almera, Toyota Corrolla, Two Peugeot 406, four Toyota Camry.

Speaking on the arrest of armed robbers and the recovery of their guns and ammunition, he said one Blessing Ireghe was arrested by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Habour Road, Apapa, and handed over to the police.

Owoseni said some of the things recovered from him were an AK47 rifle and 60 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

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NEWSEXTRA

Workers Shut down Health Ministry, Raise the Alarm over Corruption, Misconduct Tackles perm sec EFCC grills ministry officials over embezzlement of public funds Paul Obi in Abuja

There was pandemonium yesterday at the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Secretariat, Abuja as workers in the ministry shut down the ministry, preventing the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole and other officials from gaining access to the building for over an hour.

The protesters also tackled the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Amina Shamaki, whom they accused of corruption, highhandedness and gross misconduct since assuming office in the ministry.

The workers who laid siege on the ministry and hunted for

Shamaki, refused to listen to several pleas by the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, to calm down.

It was later learnt that Shamaki was whiskered away by gun-toting security personnel who had accompanied her to the office earlier yesterday morning.

The workers who had been in loggerhead with Shamaki, further shut down power supply, switched off the elevators, calling for the redeployment of the Permanent Secretary from the ministry by the Head of Service of the Federation.

The workers had three weeks ago protested to the Head of Service, accusing Shamaki of corruption

Ayade Directs Immediate Employment of 30 Lawyers Bassey Inyang in Calabar The Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has directed that 30 lawyers should be employed immediately into the state judiciary to boost the manpower needs of the state Ministry of Justice.

Ayade gave the directive at a ceremony where he inauguration the e-library for the state ministry of justice at its headquarters in Calabar.

According to Ayade, the employment of additional law officers would enhance the work of the ministry and ensure prompt delivery of service to the people.

Ayade said despite the workload the ministry’s law officers and its staff were saddled with, he was impressed with their high level of response to litigations involving the state within and outside.

“For the Chief Justice of the Federation to confess that he was impressed to see the number one lawyer of the state going to court himself is quite exemplary and I really commend the Attorney General for the leadership he has shown since his assumption of office,” Ayade said.

Ayade tasked staff of the ministry

of justice to make judicious use of the e-library, which he said has been equipped with modern facilities and gadgets to keep them abreast with current trends in the legal profession for maximal benefit of the state.

In his remarks, the state AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Joseph Abang, commended the governor for providing e-library for the ministry.

Abang said the e-library would assist the law officers in the effective discharge of their duties.

However, the commissioner appealed to the governor to also establish e-libraries in the ministries zonal offices located in Akamkpa, Ikom and Ogoja Local Government Areas.

The commissioner also appealed to Ayade to attend to some other needs of the ministry.

Giving details of the plot, Akinmade said a meeting held recently outside the state where a group tagged: ‘Project Team’ was formed out of which a committee was also carved out with a mandate to ensure everything is done to stir the peace being enjoyed in Ondo PDP and destabilise it.

Mobile Sales Week: Jumia to Offer Customers Good Deals One of Africa’s largest online shopping store Jumia, has extended its goodwill to Nigerians as it is set to offer customers a week of mouth-watering deals at the Jumia Mobile Week Reloaded which began yesterday and ends on June 6, the event which is tagged: ‘Jumia Mobile Week Reloaded” is being supported

by MTN and AXA Mansard.

According to a statement signed and issued by the group, the event is aimed at bringing together the biggest international mobile brands such as Samsung, Lenovo, Infinix, Tecno, and InnJoo in order to make premium mobile phones available to Nigerians at the highest value for their money.

The statement also noted that as part of activities for the week long sales, there would also be daily flash sales for as low as 45% on Tecno Y6, InnJoo Fire 2 and InnJoo Halo for the sum of N13,800, N16,600 and N13,100.

It added that the Lenovo A2010 and Infinix Zero 3 would have their

prices crashed to N11,300 and Infinix Zero 3 N61,400 between the hours 12p.m – 1p.m, adding that flash sales would be always on a limited quantity with a first come first served policy.

The statement further noted: “Nigeria’s leading underwriting firm, AXA Mansard will be providing customers with an opportunity to indemnify any phone purchased during the Mobile week sales for a meager premium to cover damages to screen and as result of liquid.

“All MTN customers have an impeccable opportunity to appease their insatiable thirst for data by taking advantage of the N1,000 for 3GB data plan valid for a month.”

The Head of Communications, Bertille Guitton, said it was an opportunity to partner the A-list brands to give their customers value for their money, stressing those customers in Lagos can expect their mobile phones to be delivered within 48hours.

and incompetency and demanding that she be deployed out of the Ministry.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation immediately swung into action by setting up a committee to investigate the workers’ allegations, while calling for calm.

Later, the HOS assured the workers that the Perm Sec was entitled to security guards as Directors General and that there was nothing wrong with the presence of security personnel in the ministry. Asked if the committee earlier set up to resolve the crisis has concluded its job, Oyo-Ita stated that the committee set up by her office was still working and a report would be made available in the coming weeks.

Chairman of the workers union, Hassan Habba, narrated how the Permanent Secretary was alleged to have connived with some directors in the ministry to institute a legal action against the ministry in order to carry out her ulterior motives.

The workers also accused her of incompetence and overbearing

tendencies. They alleged that Shamaki had stunted promotions in the Directorate Cadre of the ministry, and had gone ahead to enlist her children in official trips reserved only for ministry officials.

Habba said: “the Ministry of Health is burning,” alleging that Shamaki had awarded “contract over N100 million without following due process by making payment within 48 hours before closure of capital account May 31, 2016; personalizing government affairs by including members of her family in official trips; abusing government policies; most corrupt Permanent Secretary in Buhari’s cabinet and the conversion of government properties to personal use.”

The workers also expressed shock over the unusual payment of the sum of N5000 as ‘welfare money’ to each person’s amount last week, a move, they alleged was aimed to bribe them.

The workers noted: “The Ministry of Health is now the Ministry of Hazards and Corruption. The ministry has the highest corrupt officers who visit

EFCC every month for questioning.

Shamaki is not competent enough to be permanent secretary because she is aiding retired Directors who take government to court after serving 10 years.”

When approached to comment on the allegation, the permanent secretary told journalists that, “As a civil servant, I don’t talk to the press.

Put your question in writing and the Ministry will reply officially. It is the same thing. I don’t speak to the press. It is against civil service rules.”

All efforts to speak with the minister, Prof. Adewole were not fruitful. Director of Press, Mrs Boade Akinola could not be reached for comments, she also did not return calls put across to her.

Meanwhile, as workers were protesting, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) was grilling some officials of the health ministry over alleged embezzlement of Global Funds meant for HIV/ AIDS programmes in the country and the misappropriation of Ebola funds under the last administration.

Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria

Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC) Prof Abdulsalami Nasidi, and the Director, Finance and Account of the ministry, Anthony Hassan were believed to have been grilled by the EFCC Tuesday.

In a letter dated May 23, top officials of the ministry were invited by the EFCC to appear before the commission over alleged criminal conspiracy, embezzlement, abuse of office, diversion of public funds and money laundering.

Other officials of the ministry under the Department of Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Health Planning, Research and Statistic/ Millennium Development Goals, Head of Lassa Fever Project/Avian Influenza Programme are expected to appear before the commission within the week.

THISDAY also gathered that the EFCC may also extend the invitation to former ministers of health and information, permanent secretaries and directors who were in charged during the last administration and superintended over the disbursement of the Ebola Funds.

PUTTING HEADS TOGETHER

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (right), and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh (left), shortly before the ministers spoke on the sectoral input of their ministries to the implementation of Nigeria’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), at the ministerial breakfast meeting organised by the Ministry of Environment with the theme, ‘Momentum for Change: Taking Action on Climate Change,’ in Abuja...yesterday

CAN Presidency: NEC Opts for Fresh Face Indications have emerged that members of the National Executive Committee of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have resolved to give the body a fresh facelift at its forthcoming presidential election.

The presidential election of the apex Christian body holds on June 15 in Abuja with over 109 NEC members expected to choose the next president of the body.

The two candidates are Professor Joseph Otubu of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) and Rev Supo Ayokunle of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN).

Ayokunle is current vice president of the body accused of bias in the 2015 general election.

It was learnt that NEC members have decided it is better to give CAN a fresh beginning with someone

that is not part of the current administration at the helms of affairs.

This thinking, according to findings, is to regain the lost credibility of the body before the watching public.

Ayokunle, who won the shadow electoral college votes 8-2, according to NEC members would still be perceived as an extension of the current administration.

A NEC member, who spoke in confidence last night, said: “If Ayokunle emerges, it will appear we endorse everything the current administration did.

“We have to give the body a fresh face to convince many skeptics that we are serious with house-cleaning.”

Besides, it was learnt that NEC members are disposed to giving OAIC the opportunity to lead the organisation for the first time to

dispel the notion that CAN belongs only to Orthodox, established churches.

The CCN bloc led the body through Dr SundayMbang of Methodist Church and Archbishop Peter Akinola of the Anglican Communion.

The Catholic Secretariat also led CAN through Olubunmi Cardinal Okogie and Cardinal John Onaiyekan.

Only the OAIC and ECWA\ TEKAN blocs have not produced a leader for the 40-year-old organisation.

Another NEC member said last night: “Equity and fairness are Christian qualities. We have to prove these at the forthcoming election by allowing those who have never been there to have a sense of belonging too.

“CAN belongs to all churches and denominations. A situation where some consider themselves as the power brokers and decision makers will polarise us.”

It was further alleged that Ayokunle reneged on an internal arrangement to continue as vice president to give room for a consensus candidate.

A consensus candidate, some NEC members said, will avoid the rancour and ill-feeling of elections as well as convince others of Christian unity.

The President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), reportedly told the current leadership he was willing to continue his role as vice president but turned around to start campaigning less than 24 hours later.

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WEDNESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

I N T E R N AT I O N A L F R I E N D LY

Iheanacho, Ighalo Goals Give S’Eagles Win over Luxembourg Super Eagles of Nigeria secured its second straight win yesterday with 3-1 scoreline a against Luxembourg in an international friendly played at the Stade Josy Barthel in Luxembourg City.

Returning to the starting line up for the first time since 2013, Brown Ideye opened scoring for the Nigerians before Kelechi Iheanacho scored his second in as many games and substitute Odion Ighalo put the encounter beyond the hosts.

Vincent Thill’s late goal was scant consolation for the hosts who struggled to match their more established opponents.

Coach Salisu Yusuf named six changes to the side that narrowly defeated Mali in Rouen last week as he brought on Ideye in place of Ighalo, goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi for Carl Ikeme and Kenneth Omeruo for Leon Balogun.

Super Eagles dominated proceedings with as much as 72 per cent of possession in the first half where they were rewarded with Ideye’s goal on 36 minutes as the striker pounced early after goalkeeper Anthony Moris had punched out Ogenyi

Onazi’s shot from outside the box.

This came after key misses from Alex Iwobi and Aminu Umar who started in place of Moses Simon.

Both Iwobi and Umar made way early at the restart for Michael Babatunde and Simon as coach Luc Holtz also sent on Thill in place of Florian Bohnert.

The Super Eagles consolidated their lead on 69 minutes when Simon turned provider for Iheanacho to convert a simple tap in after Moris had been left stranded.

Yusuf made further changes as he brought on Gbenga Arokoyo for William Troost-Ekong in defence, Wilfried Ndidi and Raheem Lawal for Ogenyi Onazi and Shehu Abdullahi in midfield.

The hosts did not give up and would notch a goal on 90 minutes when Thill found the Nigerian defence open and shot past Akpeyi to wild celebrations on the field and in the bleacher stands.

Any hope of a final flourish by the hosts was dashed when Iheanacho created an opportunity for Ighalo to make it 3-1 in added-on time.

Wike Appoints Yobo Senior Special Assistant on Sports Dev Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has appointed Former Super Eagles Captain, JosephYobo, as Senior Special Assistant on Sports Development to the governor.

The governor also appointed Mr Chibuzor Aholu as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Financial Matters.

A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media Simeon Nwakaudu, yesterday said both appointments take immediate effect.

Last Friday, Yobo held his international testimonial match at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, an event that was listed as part of programs to celebrate one year anniversary of the administration of Wike.

The match brought international football stars, journalists, administrators and enthusiasts together in Port Harcourt to celebrate the peace, security and development of Rivers State.

Some of the stars at the Yobo Testimonial International Match include Samuel Etoo, Austin Jay jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah, Ahmed Musa, Efe Ambrose, Vincent Enyeama, Ike Shorunmu, Augustine Eguavoen, Joel Obi and Coach Amodu Shu’aibu.

Former Manchester United Manager, David Moyes, Emmanuel Emenike, Danny Shittu and Club Proprietor, Ifeanyi Ubah were also on ground to celebrateYobo during the testimonial match hosted by the Rivers State Government.

US Warns on Possible Terror Attacks at Euro 2016 The United States warned its citizens yesterday that this summer’s Euro 2016 soccer tournament and related events across France and Europe will present“potential targets for terrorists.”

The month-long European Championship finals start in Paris on June 10, drawing the best international teams from the continent and hundreds of thousands of fans.

“Euro Cup stadiums, fan zones, and unaffiliated entertainment venues broadcasting the tournaments in France and across Europe represent potential targets for terrorists,”the State Department said.

The warning was contained in an update to its long-standing warning to US travelers to beware extremist attacks on transport and public gatherings in Europe.

“We are alerting US citizens to the risk of potential terrorist attacks throughout Europe, targeting

major events, tourist sites, restaurants, commercial centers and transportation,”it said.

“The large number of tourists visiting Europe in the summer months will present greater targets for terrorists planning attacks in public locations, especially at large events.”

The French government has ruled out cancelling the prestigious tournament, which is expected to draw two million fans to cities across the country.

To strengthen security at Euro 2016, France has extended a state of emergency put in place after attacks last November on a concert hall, cafes, police and a football crowd.

Last month, French domestic intelligence chief Patrick Calvar told lawmakers that France is “clearly targeted” by the Islamic State group.

L-R: Cycologists Lere Odusote, Dan Ugwuoke, Takeshi Hasegawa and Lucien Kancel at the Lagos Criterium race held at Eko Atlantic City… weekend

Cycology Club Paints Lagos Red with Maiden Criterium Ugo Aliogo It was indeed a fun filled race day on Lagos Island on Monday as top echelon in the corporate world and assemblage of professional cyclists participated in the maiden Lagos Criterium race by Cycology riding club.

The event was held at Eko Atlantic project grounds on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island with ace broadcaster, Dan Foster as the compere. The contest was in four categories namely male professionals, female profesionals, male veterans (nonprofessionals) and female veterans (non-professionals). After several hours of high-intensity cycling race held over a course that is closed to all foot and vehicular traffic, it was Nelson Bassey of Team Rivers that won the men professional race and bagged a cash prize of N200,000

while Henry Chibuzor and Innocent Emmanuel all followed in that order.

The female professional race was won by Rita Agwu of Team Rivers and Tombrapa Agrikpa and Caroline Dung both followed in same order.

Participants go around the course several times, with the winner being the first to complete the required number of laps. It is a fast-paced, exciting competition with riders constantly attacking and counter-attacking.

Cycology Riding Club is a premier recreational cycling club in Nigeria, established in 2011 by eight founding members. It was established to promote cycling both as a healthy lifestyle choice and as a sport.

The Club have about 180 members from over 20 countries including South Africa; Austria; Ghana and Japan. Over the last five

years, it has become a recognizable group on the roads of Lagos on Saturday mornings.

Members are high-level private and public sector executives and business owners, both male and female, who all love the sport of cycling and are keen to encourage more people to take up this healthy lifestyle.

As a club, members have ridden in many parts of the world – riding in neighboring Ghana, as well as at the Cape Argus Tour in Cape Town, South Africa. Some of our members just finished taking part in the Gran Fondo in New York this weekend while others are off to Wales next week.

A lot of these events were started by local cycling clubs like Cycology to bring the joy of cycling to more people.

“Having been exposed to these international cycling events, we

believed that we could equally establish a professional cycling event in Nigeria which would support our homegrown professional cyclists to continue to excel. This desire led us to approach Lagos State late last year to put together the first Lagos Criterium,” Captain, Cycology Riding Club, Ladipo Soetan explained yesterday..

The event was supported by a host of other key partners including: Eko Atlantic, Etisalat, DSTV, SuperSport, Access Bank, PHD Media, Eterna Plc, Cocoon Homes, Homebase Mortgages, Ovaltine, LTC-JWT,Valmont Water, Vitamin Water, Chicken Republic, Fig Health Stores, U-Loc Storage Central, Ebony Life Tv, Beat FM, City FM, Classic FM, Vantage Sports, Cycle Hub Plus, Pathcare, Bridge Clinic, Bey Clinic, Strategic Education Advisory Services and IL Bagno.

Egbin Power Plant Drubs Transcorp Soccer Team 3-0 Godbless Eduviere

Egbin Power Plant in Ikorodu, Lagos translated its position as one of Nigeria’s reliable power generating firms drubbing its Ughelli counterpart 3-0 in an inter-plant football match it hosted recently.

Two goals from Habib Mohammed in the 22nd

and 33rd minute gave the Egbin Power Strike Force the much needed confidence in the first half.

Alli Hammed’s solo effort in the second half resulted in the third goal to complete the rout of the visitors from Delta who had boasted at the pre-match of their ability to upset Egbin.

Coach of the Egbin, Aghahowa Julius said, “I am very happy that we won. I feel great and this is just the beginning and very optimistic that greater things are on the way.

While Transcorp team captain, Mark Etiebet, obviously found the defeat a bitter pill to swallow as he blamed the

defeat to fatigue because the team arrived late for the match.

“This is our first defeat in the series and it was quite unfortunate that we arrived for the match late and tired to face a more determined Egbin lads. All the same, we gave a good account of ourselves and hoping for a better result next time,” he recalled.

AC C E S S B A N K - U N I C E F C H A R I T Y P O LO

Rubicon Battles Kashton as Final Week Begins The final week of the 2016 Access Bank-UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament will gallop-off today with Rubicon and Kashton setting the ball rolling for the Access Bank Cup as the‘big boys’take the stage.

Already, Argentine stars Manuel Crespo and Julio Nowillo Astrada, both of who are seven goalers, arrived from Buenos Aires on Monday.

They will be featuring alongside Lawal Mohammed (0) and Adamu Atta (+3) for the Access Bank/Fifth Chukker team in the Charity Shield which will start with the match between Keffi Ponys and MRS tomorrow.

Diego White(+6)and Santiago Cernadas (+6) are also in town for what promises to be an exciting galloping explosion. Both

Argentines will be featuring for Keffi Ponys alongside Babangida Hassan (+3) and Hon. Ahmed Wadada (0).

South African duo of Leroux Hendrix (+5) and Tom De Bruin (+7) are not left out as they will be in action for MRS who are completed by Bashir Dantata (+3) and Idris Badamasi (+3).

The Rubicon is formed by Hadi

Sirika (0), Malik Badamasi (+3), Idris Badamasi (+3) and Jamilu Mohammed (+3). Kashton will have Sherif Shagaya (-1), Lawal Mohammed (0), Johan Du Ploy (+3) and Manuel Crespo (+7) while Lagos side, Caverton-Sao Polo is made by Seyi Oyinlola (0), Rotimi Makanjuola (+1), Diego White (+6) and Abdulrahman Mohammed (+3).

Wednesday June 1, 2016

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Ajie to Buhari “Rather than personally speaking on the matter and providing specific details as promised, Mr. Buhari only said he had directed the Ministry of Information to periodically publish details on the assets recovered so far.”

– A human rights lawyer, Ms. Carol Ajie, accusing President Muhammadu Buhari in his Democracy Day speech of failing to address many critical national issues, especially his failure to publish the recovered loot and name of looters.

OLASUPOSHASORE GUEST COLUMNIST

The Prince of Hope: Ademola Adeniji-Adele (1956- 2016)

T

he posters were pasted all over Lagos Island, holding suspense only to the uninformed yet, confirmation to political insiders. On the blue background were the bold white letters ‘Prince of Hope’ every tree, every board, every wall space and just about any open surface was plastered with the words ‘Prince of Hope’. It had started.

The campaign evolved for all to learn that Prince Ademola Adeniji Adele was running for Chairman of Lagos Island Local government council.

The year was 1989 and the candidate for Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government cruised to a resounding victory. As chairman or ‘papa’ as he was also to be fondly known, he captured the imagination of the entire state with his common touch politics and easy communication with people of all walks of life. As chairman he pioneered the setting up of the Lagos Island Foundation for Education (LIFE), the resuscitation of the Lagos Municipal Transport Service (known to most by its acronym, “LMTS”), and the Sura market development.

Ademola was the 12th child but third son of the Eleko Musendiq Adeniji Adele II. The Oba Adele II also known as ‘Ologbon d’ori eja mu, Omo Buraimoh’ the era in which he grew up in part is often recalled by historians as the height of the prestige, respect and authority of the modern day ‘monarchy’ in Lagos.

The Oba was a brilliant scholar winning a 1927 Gold medal prize for best novel written by a native West African.

As the Action Group led clamour ‘Lagos belongs to the West’ grew in the (1930’s), the late Oba and others are on record for resisting the clamour to make Lagos a part of the Western Region administration. “Gedegbe ni Eko wa!” meaning ‘Lagos is independent’ was their war cry. This position was controversial in the face of Action Group popularity. Being opposed to the party in government in the west was a position the Oba stood firmly for and it was significant for its ‘independent Lagos’ mantra without which, there may not have been the sub-national Lagos State that we have today.

“Gedegbe ni Eko wa !” - The significance of this is all the more poignant as we gear up to celebrate Lagos State at 50 years- to celebrate its culture and historical origins first as a kingdom and then the first Crown Colony that later was the smallest in the amalgamated troika to create Nigeria in 1914.

Adeniji Adele had large foot steps to follow in opposition politics.

The Prince did not have to wait long. When presidential election was held on 12th June, 1993, it was clear to all to see that Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had defeated Alhaji Bashir Tofa, the candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC). After indeterminate suspense and manoeuvrings, the election was eventually annulled by military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and political

Adeniji-Adele impasse then ensued Ademola was not the only member of the SDP to throw himself into the milieu but he was one of the most steadfast and most committed.

Nigerian politics has probably never known any more determined opposition in its history and Ademola was a leading force of this movement.

Later on, when the Lagos State SDP suffered a two-way split leaving Dapo Sarunmi as the head of a depleted force, the groundswell of progressives remained in the rump SDP under a caucus known as “Primrose”, under the leadership of Dr Wahab Dosunmu and then Senator Bola Tinubu joined by Prince Adele, Senator Rasheed Shitta Bey, Alhaji Kola Oseni and others.

When the time came for Bashorun Abiola to make his presidential declaration as the one year anniversary of the election drew close, a close knit trio was tasked with the logistics of the president-elect’s ultimate declaration, Dosunmu, Adele and Omotilewa Aro-Lambo. The closelyguarded logistics and MKO’s appearance at Epetedo, Lagos Island for the historic event was the responsibility of Dosunmu and Adele. And so on the 11th of June 1994, with Adele standing defiantly at his side MKO made the following declaration: “...People of Nigeria these are challenging times in the history of our continent Africa and we in Nigeria must not be left behind. Our struggle is the same as that waged by the people of South Africa which has been successfully concluded..we in Nigeria are also fighting to replace minority rule.. They talk of treason but haven’t they heard of the Rivonia treason trial in South Africa ?

Did those treason trials halt the march of history? People of Nigeria our time is now...”

For his heroic role in NADECO and the June 12 movement he was ‘rewarded’ with unlawful arrest by the military dictators; he was slammed into detention at the age of 38 from 1994 - 1996. His treatment and incarceration in detention was later to cause grave damage to his health from which some say he never fully recovered.

As we all know, the Abacha regime that followed the annulment of the June 12 elections commenced the ‘five fingers of a leprous hand party politics’.

Many people were sceptical but Adeniji-

Adele couldn’t stay on the sidelines; he joined the governorship race as the candidate of the defunct Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM). It was never consummated till the military government gave in to civil democracy in 1999.

An insatiable politicker, who was acutely aware that politics is a calling, and not a profession for job seekers. By 1999, Adeniji-Adele was with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), becoming the running mate to Chief Dapo Sarunmi for governorship.

We now know too well that the successful ticket for governorship that year was the Senator Tinubu/BucknorAkerele under the banner of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

Adeni-Adele had been a brilliant scholar at the famed CMS Grammar school, Bariga, Lagos, where he scored a distinction aggregate at the school certificate examinations. He later went on to earn a First Class degree from the equally prestigious University of Ife, Ile-Ife. He was both academically gifted and astute, so much so that he knew when to quit the reactionary politics of the PDP. When the ‘hand writing’ was clear he knew it was time for Adele to return to the progressive politics of his birth.

It couldn’t have taken then Governor Tinubu long to convince him then to join the Action Congress (AC) and to play his prominent part in the election of the emerging candidacy of Babatunde Fashola (SAN) as Governor of Lagos State in 2007. The party soundly defeated

the Jimi Agbaje candidacy of the PDP. It was no surprise that Adeniji-Adele was chosen as Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Social Development in the Fashola administration between 2007 and 2011. He was an effective and influential member of that cabinet where he set new standards in sports administration.

Even when majority in the All Progressives Congress (APC) galvanised towards success at the polls many didn’t always agree with his actions or positions particularly during the lead up to the 2015 elections, certainly one of his more questionable decisions.

Adeniji -Adele was a heartfelt ‘Lagos Islander’ and kept many issues affecting Isale-Eko close to his heart. His brand of populism was value-based. He was Mogaji Adini of Lagos Central mosque and patron to many Muslim societies all of which he was very proud of.

He struggled recently with his health, no doubt a legacy of his ill treatment in the gulags of Nigerian military politics.

He travelled on more than one occasion to India to attend to his health until he succumbed at the very premature age of 60 years.

Till the last he lived modestly rightly not acquiring great wealth from public office, and importantly he remained a great son of Lagos and Nigeria, a champion of democracy and a master of politics.

He is survived by his wives and children who, with many Lagosians and other Nigerians, will miss him sorely.

• Shasore (SAN), a historian and former Attorney General of Lagos State, writes from Lagos

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