Friday 24th June 2016

Fitch Downgrades Nigeria to ‘B+’, with Stable Outlook FX market reporting revised as naira rises again to N281.67/$1 Obinna Chima Fitch Ratings has downgraded Nigeria’s long-term foreign currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘B+’ from ‘BB-’ as

well as the country’s long-term local currency IDR to ‘BB-’ from ‘BB’.

But the global rating agency, in a statement yesterday, assigned a stable outlook to

the country. The issuers rating on Nigeria’s senior unsecured foreign-currency bonds was also downgraded to ‘B+’ from ‘BB-’.

Nigeria’s Country Ceiling

was also revised downwards to ‘B+’ from ‘BB-’ and its ShortTerm Foreign-Currency IDR affirmed at ‘B’.

The agency, with dual head offices in New York and

London, pointed out that the downgrade of Nigeria’s IDRs, among others, was because its fiscal and external vulnerability had worsened due to a sharp fall in oil revenue and fiscal

and monetary adjustments that were slow to take shape and insufficient to mitigate the impact of low global oil Continued on page 9

Revealed: 10 Lawmakers on US Trip were Interrogated by State Dept over Sex Scandal...

Page 10

Friday 24 June, 2016 Vol 21. No 7729. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

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FG, Senate Face-off Deepens Divisions Among APC Senators Unity Forum backs Buhari, Like Mind Senators challenge them to test his popularity AGF shuns invitation by Judiciary C’ttee, says he acted on IG’s recommendation Tobi Soniyi and Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The cold war among senators on the platform of the All

Progressives Congress (APC) resurfaced yesterday, when the two factions of APC caucus in the Senate disagreed on the recent actions taken by

the Muhammadu Buhari administration, especially the decision to prosecute Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy Ike Ekweremadu

over allegations of forgery of the Senate rules.

A press conference spearheaded by members of Unity Forum with the intent

to condemn the withdrawal of support for President Buhari by their Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterparts and reiterate their backing for the

president, was boycotted by Senators of Like Mind.

Only 16 of the 58 APC Continued on page 8

Nigerian Army to Investigate Allegation of Coup d’Etat Plot

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Nigerian Army has said that it will launch an investigation into those behind the report that the military was planning to overthrow the civilian administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Reacting strongly to a story attributed to Niger Delta militants on the alleged plot by the military to overthrow the administration, the Nigerian Army said yesterday that “its attention has been drawn to another campaign of calumny and distraction by a faceless criminal gang of economic saboteurs that hide under the aegis of Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force (JNDLF) alleging that some officers of the Nigerian Army approached them for support to overthrow our duly elected present

democratic government”.

The army spokesman, Continued on page 8

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Soldiers, Policemen in Gun Battle over Rice for IDPs… Page 10

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (centre), being welcomed by the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside (left), and the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi (right), to the launch of the Standard Operating Procedures and Port Service Support Portal, held in Abuja… yesterday godwin omoigui

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FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY

PAGE EIGHT FG, SENATE FACE-OFF DEEPENS DIVISIONS AMONG APC SENATORS senators who are all members of the Unity Forum attended the briefing.

But in a swift reaction to the briefing, some members from the camp of Senators of Like Mind challenged their counterparts in the Unity Forum to come up with a vote of confidence motion on Buhari as an expression of their support.

According to them, their colleagues should test Buhari’s popularity among senators on the floor of the Senate through a confidence vote and see if the vote would be passed.

They also expressed their disappointment over Buhari’s recent actions especially the recent forgery charges brought against Saraki and Ekweremadu.

THISDAY further learnt yesterday that some Like Mind Senators threatened to dump the party if alleged attempts by the presidency to muzzle the National Assembly, especially the Senate, continues.

However, in their briefing, members of the Forum, which includes the sole Labour Party (LP) senator in the chamber, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, threw their weight behind the programmes and policies of the Buhari administration.

They said the decision of their counterparts in the PDP to announce the withdrawal of their support for Buhari’s government was done in bad faith, describing the move as purely partisan.

Briefing journalists on behalf of the group, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, described as untrue the PDP senators’ claim that the pursuit of the ongoing war against corruption by the federal government was in violation of the rule of law.

According to him, the administration has neither arrested nor imprisoned anyone unjustly, pointing to the alleged diversion of funds meant for the war against the insurgency by the last administration, and challenged the PDP senators to rise above partisanship.

“Members of the Joint Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party senators in the Senate are stoutly behind the policies and programmes of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

“Our support is aimed

at actualising the promised desired change that Nigerians voted for last year.

“We are shocked at the totally partisan reaction of our colleagues from the minority party (PDP), to the on-going investigations and recovery of public funds meant for the prosecution of the war against the insurgency.

“Contrary to the assertions of our PDP colleagues, the investigation is not a partisan war against a particular political party. It is no longer news that there was a wanton diversion of public funds meant for fighting the insurgency to fund campaigns of PDP. “Members of the PDP were the sole and iniquitous beneficiaries of this diversion.

Seeking to recover diverted public funds is neither dictatorial nor against the rule of law.

“In all the actions, programmes and policies of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC federal government, no PDP member has been unjustly arrested or imprisoned on mere allegations.

“On the contrary, we are regaled daily with news of millions and billions of naira of public funds traced to accounts of individuals, some of whom have accepted to return such diverted public funds.

“As law abiding and patriotic citizens, we cherish the rule of law and the separation of powers among the different arms of government. Political interference based on partisan considerations must be eschewed.

“Members of the joint caucus of the APC and Labour Party will always give their best in support of the only president Nigeria has. We plead with our PDP colleagues to rise above partisan inclinations so that together, we all can bring to fruition the positive changes that our people seek and deserve,” Adeyeye said.

The position of the Forum senators, however, was in contrast to the statement issued by the Senate spokesman, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, on Sunday, which accused the administration of gross violation of the rule of law.

The position was also in contrast to the motion moved on Tuesday by Senator Dino

Melaye (Kogi West), stating that Buhari wanted to cripple democracy by his dictatorial and desperate acts.

AGF is a No Show However, the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, shunned the invitation extended to him by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to appear before it yesterday to explain the reason behind his decision to charge Saraki, Ekweremadu and two others to court over alleged forgery.

The Senate had mandated the committee to summon Malami on Tuesday to explain why he took the action.

But in apparent indifference to the invitation and perceived lack of faith in the current Senate, Malami did not show up yesterday.

Despite his refusal to honour the invitation of the committee, Malami said yesterday that he exercised the powers conferred on him when he filed a twocount charge of forgery and conspiracy to commit forgery against Saraki, Ekweremadu and two others.

In a statement issued yesterday by his media aide, Mr. Salihu Isah, the AGF said that he acted on the recommendation sent to him by the just retired Inspector General of Police (IG) Solomon Arase.

While calling on the senators to prepare for their trial, he accused the leadership of the Senate of whipping up sentiments and also rejected the allegation that filing the charges amounted to abuse of the principle of separation of powers.

The minister said his office was empowered under Section 174(1) of the constitution and vested with the power to undertake and initiate criminal proceedings in any court of law in Nigeria.

He also faulted the argument of the Senate that what transpired was an amendment of the rules and not forgery.

He said: “Forgery of the Senate Standing Rules cannot be described as the internal business of the National Assembly that is exclusively only in its purview.

“The Attorney General of the Federation cannot

therefore be faulted for his decision to initiate legal actions against the accused for alleged forgery after a thorough police investigation of the issue whether there was an amendment of the Senate Standing Rules in 2015 or not.”

The statement read: “By virtue of this power as the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, he has simply initiated criminal proceedings for forgery against the affected principal officers in the Senate for altering the Senate Standing Rules in the Federal High Court.

“It is worthy to note here that the action of the Attorney General of the Federation can stand the test of any law since he did not act on a vacuum.

“He acted based on a recommendation by the Inspector General of Police (IG) who having fully satisfied the investigative procedure arising from the petition sent to the Nigerian Police by some aggrieved members of the Red Chambers of the National Assembly alleging that the affected officers altered the rules of the Senate for Dr. Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu to emerge leaders of the Eighth Senate of the National Assembly.

“And under the 1999 Constitution, only the Attorney General of the Federation has the powers to institute criminal proceedings.

“For the benefit of doubt, as stated above, there was a petition bordering on allegations of forgery against the defendants, the petition was investigated by the police and the police recommended the case for prosecution.

“At this point, the question is how the initiation of criminal proceedings against Dr. Bukola Saraki, Ike Ekweremadu, Salisu Maikasuwa and Bernard Efeturi violated the principle of separation of powers as contained in the constitution?

“The action of the Attorney General of the Federation cannot obviously be said to be a coup against the National Assembly as the Senate has claimed.”

The minister said that by preferring the charges, the accused persons were entitled to a fair hearing under the law while the prosecution was obligated to prove its case against them beyond reasonable doubt.

Malami maintained that he

had not violated any known law in the land.

“Or is the Senate suggesting that its principal officers, members and staff of the National Assembly are above the law or enjoys the same immunity as do the nation’s president and governors?” he asked rather rhetorically.

The minister said that the case of Adesanya vs Senate, which was cited by the Senate to back its argument that filing the charges breached the principle of separation of power, did not support the senators’ case.

The statement further read: “Our attention has been drawn to a press statement by the Senate and signed by Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Affairs and dated June 19, 2016 titled, ‘Forgery Case, An Unconstitutional Violation of Principles of Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances’, and published in some national dailies and social media platforms and wish to respond as follows, that: “The position of the Senate alleging that the move to arraign the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa and Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Bernard Efeturi before the court last Monday (20th June, 2016 to be precise) for forgery initiated by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice portends danger and indeed, a coup against the legislature with a view to cause a leadership change in the National Assembly is quite unfortunate.

“That the Senate went on to describe it as wanton abuse of judicial processes and insinuating that the action of the Attorney General of the Federation who is the Chief Law Officer of the country is an interference in the legislature by the executive arm on the affairs of the Red Chambers of the National Assembly; and therefore a violation of the principles of separation of powers as enshrined in the Constitution is also regrettable.

“These allegations are totally untrue and baseless.

We are not unaware of the doctrine of separation of powers. And it is not in doubt that each arm of government

is constitutionally vested with distinct powers. Looking critically at the doctrine of the separation of powers, it is a practice that exists on a tripod viz, the executive, legislature and judiciary with clearly distinctive functions and responsibilities as captured under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“So, by virtue of this, we are committed to the rule of law and will thus keep to the tenets of the rule of law as enshrined in a constitutional democracy like ours.”

to justice,” the army pledged.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) also dismissed the report claiming that the military was planning to overthrow the administration.

Its spokesman, BrigadierGeneral Rabe Abubakar, in a statement yesterday, said the “report to say the least is not only baseless and misleading but the dream of those who do not wish the nation well”.

He said the story, which was attributed to some Niger Delta militants, was concocted to achieve cheap publicity, and complete propaganda and diversionary.

He stated: “The entire Nigerian Armed Forces therefore distances itself from this story as it is not only mischievous and baseless but with the intention of heating up the polity and causing

public apprehension.

“The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin, wishes to assure our highly respected political leaders and all Nigerians that the military will continue to be apolitical and will do everything possible to defend and deepen our democratic governance which is the best, acceptable and legitimate form of government the world over.

“The DHQ restates its total subordination to civil authority and upholding the supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and will continue to defend all democratic structures and will never yield to blackmail and distractions from fifth columnist.”

Abubakar said that the unfounded story should be discountenanced in its entirety.

He assured the public that in dealing with the security challenges across the country, the military would continue to remain focused and deploy every available resources to reposition the Nigerian Armed Forces to carry out their constitutional roles.

Abubakar added that a new commander for Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta had been appointed.

The new commander, he said, is Rear Admiral Joseph Osa Okojie, who until his appointment, was the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, Lagos.

His appointment is with immediate effect.

Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta was recently scrapped and replaced with Operation Delta Safe, Abubakar recalled.

Stringent Bail Terms Meanwhile, some lawmakers have expressed concern over the possibility of the court imposing stringent bail conditions on Saraki and Ekweremadu when they are arraigned on Monday, June 27.

A source in the National Assembly alleged yesterday that the Ministry of Justice plans to put pressure on the trial judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Abuja High Court, to impose stringent conditions on the accused persons.

The lawmaker, who preferred not to be named, said that the two men, being number three and five respectively in the national hierarchy, ordinarily should be granted bail on personal recognition.

He said: “The plan, however, is to ensure they are presented with conditions which they cannot meet immediately. The conditions will be such that they will struggle with them for some days before they wriggle out of the court’s dragnet.

“The case has political undertones and the ministry will not allow them to ride roughshod over it or enjoy a free ride. They will have to struggle for some time before they can get any concession from the court.”

Already the trial judge has ordered that the accused persons be served with the charges by pasting the notice of the summons on the notice board of the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

However, preparatory to Saraki and Ekweremadu’s arraignment on Monday, the National Assembly yesterday stated that it would be going on a three-week Ramadan recess. It will resume on July 12.

NIGERIAN ARMY TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATION OF COUP D’ETAT PLOT Col. Sani Usman, said in a statement that the story was “baseless and most unfortunate”, adding that the allegation exists in the warped minds of the originators of such a weighty allegation.

Usman added: “The report is not true and the Nigerian Army hereby distances itself from this weighty allegation.

“We also see this speculation as a dangerous distraction to our effort in fighting the insurgency and other criminal elements in the country.”

The Nigerian Army, he said, would like to send a strong and an unequivocal warning to those speculating about a coup by the Nigerian Army against the government to desist forthwith.

Usman further stated that the army is a product of democracy and a focused

professional institution and would have nothing to do with such abominable and heinous crimes.

He said: “We wish to state further that the Nigerian Army is the greatest beneficiary of democracy and therefore cannot ever contemplate any anti-democratic misadventure, certainly not under the command of the present Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai.

“Rather, we see this type of dangerous speculation as a declaration of war to destabilise the present government by these unscrupulous elements.”

Usman assured the public that the army was investigating those behind what he described as “dangerous insinuations” in order to unravel the real

motive behind it.

He also restated the unalloyed loyalty of the Nigerian Army to the President and Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We would also like to reaffirm our unconditional support and obedience to civil authority,” the army added.

The army spokesman further assured Nigerians that the Nigerian Army and its personnel would never be involved in such a terrible misadventure.

“We wish to further add that no matter how long it takes, we would track and find out those behind these insinuations and bring them

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

NEWS

I’m Being Prosecuted for Old Grievances, Dasuki Cries out Senator Iroegbu in Abuja Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has told a federal high court in Abuja that he is being punished by some persons at the highest level of power in the country for perceived grievances they had held against him while in active military service many years ago.

Dasuki, who did not name any particular person, said the punishment being meted out to him was unfortunate having being borne out of mere vendetta.

In an emotionally laden submission, while reacting to the government's request for his secret trial, Dasuki, who spoke through his counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), told the court that he had rested his case in God for the ultimate judgment.

“It is crystal clear that the defendant (Dasuki) is being punished by the powers that

be for the perceived offences committed long before… we leave them to the Almighty God for his ultimate judgment,” he said.

Dasuki had been arraigned before three different high courts for various allegations and was granted bail but was rearrested in December last year by the federal government and has since been held incommunicado.

At the resumed trial yesterday, the federal government approached the court seeking a secret trial for Dasuki who is facing charges of unlawful possession of firearms, money laundering and breach of trust.

In the fresh motion argued by the prosecuting counsel, Chief Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN), government prayed the court to allow witnesses give evidence behind the screen to be provided by the court.

He held that the request hinged on the fact that Dasuki, as a former top security chief, has

Dasuki large loyalists across the country who might jeopardise the trial if done in the open.

He further submitted that Dasuki had in the recent past held the highest security office in the country and has loyalists in security circles whose loyalty has been transferred to personality and whose actions might be inimical

to prosecution witnesses some of whom are still in the service.

Okpeseyi cited the case of the government witness who was involved in a serious accident, resulting in multiple fractures and injuries, but added that inasmuch as he was not inferring that Dasuki had a hand in the accident, it heightened the need for the court to protect the witnesses.

He further submitted that in the highest military office where Dasuki had last served, loyalty came first, second and was the last rule, and because of the peculiar nature of loyalty some persons have for him within the military and beyond, those to give evidence in the trial were at one time or the other, staff of the defendant.

He stressed that since the witnesses are those of the court, whose primary duty was to assist the court arrive at a just conclusion, the issue of security

must be viewed with serious concern.

He urged Justice Adeniyi Ademola to screen the witnesses from the public in the interest of justice, and to protect them, their families and career.

But counsel to Dasuki vehemently opposed the request for the secret trial of the former NSA. Daudu argued that it would breach the principle of fair trial, adding that contrary to the position of the government, Dasuki could not be a threat to the witnesses as he had been in the custody of the federal government since December last year.

Daudu held the view that an open trial was the minimum requirement in a criminal trial and as such, any attempt to opt for a secret trial in the instant case, which was not a capital offence, would run contrary to Section 36 of the

1999 Constitution on fail trials.

The defence counsel therefore asked the court to discountenance the claim made by the prosecution on the issue of loyalty in military circles, stressing that such claims were speculative and not backed up by fact.

On the accident of the witness, Daudu told the court that the accident could not have been caused by Dasuki, who had been in the government custody for almost a year.

He said that the alleged accident had no bearing with the request for a secret trial.

He therefore urged the court to dismiss the application for a secret trial, as such would trample on the rights of the defendant to a fair trial.

Justice Ademola after taking the argument of both parties, fixed ruling and continuation of the trial for September 13, 14 and 15.

New Zealand Rules out Ransom for Citizen Abducted in C’River Australia working with Nigerian authorities to secure release of its nationals Some arrests have been made, says state security chief

Bassey Inyang in Calabar with agency report

The New Zealand Prime Minister John Key yesterday ruled out paying a ransom as a long-held government standing for a New Zealander abducted a day earlier by gunmen in Cross River State.

He said at a press conference in Wellington that there was no chance of the government paying a ransom for the release of New Zealander being held hostage in Nigeria, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported yesterday.

Key said the compromise would only put a bounty on the head of any New Zealander working in a volatile region and make the situation worse.

The contractors, comprising three Australians, a South African, a New Zealander and

two Nigerians working for an Australian mining company MacMahon, a contractor of the cement major LafargeHolcim, early Wednesday morning were abducted when about 30 gunmen attacked their convoy and killed their driver.

The convoy was travelling under police escort when the attack unfolded, Nigerian police commissioner Jimoh Ozi-Obeh told Australian media, but the gunmen managed to escape. The kidnappers fled on a boat waiting on a beach near the bridge.

Key said it’s likely the kidnapping was randomly motivated rather than an act of a terrorist organisation.

“The kidnappers are yet to contact police or make any request.”

Also speaking on the abduction, Australian Prime

Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the Australian High Commissioner in Nigeria was at the scene, but New Zealand has no diplomatic mission in the country limiting its capacity to coordinate the rescue.

He said the Australian mining company MacMahon, has been working with the Nigerian government to resolve the situation, just as New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs was receiving updates on the situation.

Turnbull also said the identity of the kidnappers who abducted his countrymen in Akpabuyo, Cross River State was still unknown.

“We don’t know at this stage the identity of the kidnappers and families in Australia are notified, of course,” Turnbull said yesterday, interrupting campaigning for a general election

next week.

“It is a very serious kidnapping, a very serious criminal assault,” he said.

According to Reuters, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop didn’t say if the attack was thought to be terrorism-related and said Australian authorities were working with the Nigerian government to confirm details.

“We are working very closely with the police, security and other agencies in Cross River,” she said.

MacMahon, the company whose staff were kidnapped, confirmed the incident after halting trade on its shares, saying those kidnapped included the five Westerners and two local staff, while a local employee had been killed.

“We are working to ensure the safe return of all the men involved and are in communication with

their families,” the company said.

MacMahon has two projects in Nigeria, including the Calabar cement quarry in Mfamosing, near where the attack took place.

However, the South African Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) in Pretoria said it had not been informed officially of any South African kidnapped‚ but was aware of reports of an attack on an international company’s employees, the Johannesburgbased Business Day reported.

Dirco spokesperson Nelson Kgwete said the department was not officially contacted about the incident.

“We have not been officially contacted by the ambassador in Nigeria of any kidnapping.

All that we have heard so far is from media reports like everyone else‚” Kgwete said.

Meanwhile, the Cross River State Security Adviser, Mr. Jude Ngaji, said yesterday in Calabar, the state capital, that some arrests had been made in relation to the kidnapping of the contract staff of Lafarge on Wednesday.

However, he did not disclose the identity of those that had been arrested or the number of persons.

He also assured the public that all the kidnapped persons would soon regain their freedom, but again did not confirm if any contact had been made with the kidnappers.

Ngaji said the security of all residents in the state, whether foreign or Nigerian was very important to the state government.

As a fallout of the incident, the state government summoned an emergency security council meeting yesterday.

denominated fiscal revenue in naira terms. However, the positive effects of naira devaluation will take some time to fully materialise and, in the meantime, Nigeria will be vulnerable to a number of downside risks.

“Fitch expects the current account deficit to widen to 3.3 per cent of GDP in 2016, from 2.6 per cent in 2015 and compared with the median of ‘BB’ rated peers at two per cent.

“Increased external borrowing will reduce Nigeria’s position as a small net external creditor, although this will remain stronger than the ‘B’ range median.

“The authorities’ move to liberalise fuel prices has allowed more supply to come to market, but together with FX restrictions it has led to a rise in inflation to 15.6 per cent in May. “Inflationary pressures from the depreciation of the naira will be partly balanced by improved foreign currency access which should reduce supply constraints.

Fitch forecasts inflation to end the year at lower than 12 per cent.

“Our base case for Nigerian banks is that regulatory total capital ratios will not decline significantly due to the effective devaluation.

“Any impact will be offset by still strong profitability and high levels of internal capital generation. The new FX regime crucially also provides access to US dollars for the banks to meet demand and their internal and external obligations.

“Political risks include the insurgency by Boko Haram and ethnic and sectarian tensions in the Niger Delta and Biafra regions.”

Commenting on the rating

by Fitch, Managing Director/ Chief Economist, Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, in a note to THISDAY yesterday described the rating action as a catch-up with the ratings already assigned to Nigeria by the other rating agencies, saying any market impact was likely to be blunted.

According to her, of much more relevance was Nigeria’s recent move to currency flexibility, adding that although the new FX regime was still being tested, over time – if sustained - it was expected to be positive for Nigeria’s credit rating.

“A more flexible FX regime should relieve the pressure on growth, with the real economy no longer needing to bear the full burden of adjustment to the oil price shock.

“Although this is not immediately evident at the outset, currency flexibility should also mean that Nigeria’s FX reserves are eventually better protected, and that access to external financing is enhanced.

“Both are important factors that will allow Nigeria to adjust more favourably to weaker oil prices.

“Meaningfully, the adjustment in the FX rate should provide an immediate boost to fiscal revenue.

Both oil revenue and customs

receipts should see an immediate uplift, helping to offset partially the impact of more subdued oil output.

“In our view, the key threat to Nigeria’s creditworthiness at the moment would be a reversal of any of the key reforms – especially the transparency effort and the adoption of currency flexibility.

“The risk of a prolonged shortfall in oil production related to Niger Delta militancy is also significant, although over time sustained structural reforms might lessen its overall impact,” she added.

Meanwhile, the FMDQ yesterday announced a revision of the NIFEX methodology and publication standard. The decision would become effective today.

The FMDQ in a notice on its website announced “the revision of the NIFEX methodology and publication in line with the principles for the financial benchmarks of the International Organisation of Securities Commission (IOSCO), effective June 24, 2016”.

During currency trading, the naira gained N1.13 or 0.4 per cent to close at N281.67 to a dollar yesterday, stronger than the N282.80 on Wednesday.

Also, as a result of the move by the central bank to strengthen liquidity in the market, the overnight tenor of the Nigeria Interbank Offered Rate (NIBOR) dropped to 34.42 per cent yesterday, from 68.50 per cent on Wednesday.

FITCH DOWNGRADES NIGERIA TO 'B+', WITH STABLE OUTLOOK prices.

It hinged its decision to the renewed insurgency in the Niger Delta in the first half of 2016, which has lowered oil production, magnifying pressures on export revenues and limiting the inflow of hard currency.

Fitch also forecast that Nigeria’s general government fiscal deficit was expected to grow to 4.2 per cent in 2016, after averaging 1.5 per cent between 2011-2015, before beginning to narrow in 2017.

“The government has adopted a fiscal adjustment strategy centred on raising non-oil revenue and has made some progress in raising tax revenue by improving revenue collection and improving the control over revenue raised by government departments and state-owned enterprises.

“Despite expected increases in non-oil revenue, the agency expects overall general government revenue to drop to just 5.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), from an average of 12 per cent in 2011-2015.

“On the expenditure side, Nigeria has also cut fuel subsidies and adopted a number of public financial management reforms that have contained the growth of current expenditure, including the move to a Treasury Single Account and the implementation of information systems that have reduced the number of ghost workers.

“Nigeria’s low level of general government debt, forecast to be 14 per cent of GDP in 2016, is

well below the ‘B’ median of 53 per cent and a rating strength.

However, the fall in general government revenue represents a risk to the country’s debt profile.

“Fitch estimates general government debt/revenue will rise to 259 per cent in 2016 from 181 per cent in 2015, higher than the 223 per cent median for ‘B’ rated peers.

“At end-2015, only 19 per cent of central government debt was denominated in foreign currency.

Nevertheless, depreciation of the naira will increase the debt and debt service burden.

“A weak policy response to falling external revenues has led to an increase in external vulnerabilities, slower GDP growth and a widening of the current account deficit,” it added.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently commenced trading on the inter-bank foreign exchange market under a revised set of guidelines paving the path for a floating exchange rate.

Commenting on this, Fitch held the view that the new regime would not be fully flexible, as it would still involve a parallel market as importers of 41 items are excluded from the inter-bank market.

This would continue to hinder growth, capital inflows and investment, in Fitch’s view.

It added: “The delayed change in exchange rate policy casts some uncertainty over the authorities’ commitment to a more flexible system. The CBN’s previous

exchange rate policy of managing demand for hard currency and restricting access to dollar auctions at the official FX rate resulted in a significant shortage in dollar liquidity.

“Fitch expects that some continued intervention in the FX market will reduce international reserves, which were below $27 billion before the new market began trading compared with $34 billion at end-2014.

“Fitch expects reserves to fall to 3.4 months cover of current external payments by end-2016.

Fitch forecasts GDP growth to fall to 1.5 per cent in 2016, down from 2.7 per cent in the previous year, after GDP contracted by 0.4 per cent year-on-year in first quarter of 2016, stemming partly from low hard currency liquidity.

“Second quarter 2016 is likely to experience a further contraction, as the resurgence of violence in the Niger Delta has brought oil production levels down to around 1.5 million barrels per day (mbpd) in May, from approximately 2.1 mbpd in January.

“Nigeria's ‘B+’ IDRs also reflect the following key rating drivers: In the medium to long term, the move to a more flexible exchange rate mechanism, if implemented effectively, is likely to be supportive of economic growth and economic rebalancing in the face of the drop in oil revenues.

“The accompanying depreciation of the naira will also increase foreign currency

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY

11

NEWS

PDP Crisis: Makarfi Sent Fulani Herdsmen after Us, Alleges Sheriff We monitored Edo PDP primary, Says INEC Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The ousted National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has accused the Chairman of the party’s National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, of sponsoring Fulani herdsmen to evict him and his loyalists out of the national secretariat.

Sheriff, while inaugurating his group’s version of the governorship election primaries committee for Edo State yesterday in Abuja, insisted that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not monitor the Makarfi primary. “ INEC is a creation of law and is created to monitor political parties. We are told officially that INEC did not send anybody to monitor the election,” he said.

However, contrary to claims by Sheriff that INEC’s personnel did not monitor last Monday’s Edo State governorship primary conducted by the Makarfi-led caretaker committee, the commission confirmed that it indeed sent its staff to witness the exercise.

The INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, who spoke to journalists on telephone yesterday said the commission was duly represented at the PDP’s governorship primaries state.

“I am not aware of claims by anyone to the contrary, but all I can say is that INEC’s staff witnessed the PDP governorship and they are in the process of submitting their report.

Also, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, confirmed to journalists that the commission was represented at the primaries which saw the emergence of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the candidate of the PDP. On why he decided not to operate from the party office, Sheriff said the move was to allow for

police investigations into the attack by the Fulani herdsmen.

“The National Secretary narrowly escaped being attacked by Fulani herdsmen.

Makarfi sent Fulani herdsmen to the secretariat but thank God, they narrowly escaped death,” he said.

Sheriff explained that during the meeting, the former InspectorGeneral of Police, Solomon Arase, held with him and Makarfi, it was agreed that the national secretariat should be shutdown and protected by the Police IG pending the investigations.

He also said that both parties in the conflict were asked to nominate four persons each to go into peace talks, but that he has insisted that Makarfi should first submit his own list to his office before the talks can begin.

“At the meeting, Arase advised that since nobody could take away the fact that I am still the national chairman, why don’t you allow us to conclude our investigations to find out who is behind the attack by the herdsmen, and I obliged. As soon as police conclude investigation, the secretariat shall be opened and I will operate from there.

“What we try to do is to always be on the side of the law, and today we are inaugurating our governorship primary for Edo State.

I am waiting for Makarfi to bring his names, I am still the chairman. Yes, the former IG told us to nominate members and I told him when you are ready you call me,” he said.

On the state of the party, particularly on the financial state of the party, Sheriff who denied that he was serving out Bamanga Tukur’s tenure, said only he and the National Treasurer were presently the authorised signatories to the party’s account, adding that his group is in control of the finances of the party at the moment.

“If they like, they can go and open a caretaker account,”

he said.

Sheriff also responded to the allegation by the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, that he (Sheriff) is nursing an ambition to run for the presidency and that he had been promising governors that he would make them running-mate come 2019.

“I heard that Ayo Fayose said that I want to be president, I never told anybody I want to be president or I want to run for president, or promised somebody to be my running mate. I don’t want to join issues with somebody like Fayose.

“For me personally, I am ashamed of the institution of governorship, and the way and manner Fayose conducts himself. I honestly don’t want to join issues with

him because the institution of governorship is a very serious business. There is a level one should conduct himself. So I have no issue to join with Fayose. Any other governor can say something and I can understand. But for Fayose, he is free to say anything. I’m sure most people are aware of what is happening in the country about him.

Speaking on the efforts by his group to hold parallel governorship primaries in Edo State, Sheriff said that as at Thursday, N30 million had been paid to the party account by three aspirants.

“INEC sent us guideline yesterday and based on the timetable, July 3rd is the deadline for submission of party’s candidate to the commission and we

determined to meet it. Three persons has bought forms for the PDP primary and there is only one PDP headed by Ali Modu Sheriff,” he said.

He explained that out of the 11 NWC whose tenure has not expired, nine are with him.

Speaking further on the crisis rocking the party and prospects of peace, Sheriff said the Makarfi-led caretaker committee is illegal and cannot stand.

He said that a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled yesterday that Makarfi cannot submit any candidate’s name to INEC. “Any person who thinks any contraption can work is deceiving himself. We are moving to Wadata House immediately after investigation by the police. Primary will

be transmitted alive.

According the list of the committee read out by Sheriff, the group’s governorship primaries committee will be headed by Senator Hope Uzodinam while Chief Makunjolua, the Deputy Vice Chairman (south west) is to head the screening committee.

Sheriff said that the party’s NWC will meet next Monday to consider nomination from the South to replace Prince Uche Secondus whom he said had voluntarily resigned from office.

While responding, Uzodinma said: “We have been challenged by this assignment and we will not disappointment. We will bring candidate who will win the election, PDP is going to take Edo from APC.

STOCK MARKET GURUS

L-R: Ex-President, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Alhaji Aaliko Dangote; CEO, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema; President, NSE, Mr. Aigboje AigImoukhuede; and Council Secretary, Mrs.Mojisola Adeola, at the 55th annual general meeting (AGM) of NSE in Lagos... yesterday DAn UkAnA

Osinbajo: PIB will Not Solve All Problems in Oil Industry Tobi Soniyi in Abuja The Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, has warned that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), when passed into law, will not cure all the ills afflicting the oil sector. Osinbajo, who spoke last Wednesday’s night in Abuja at the opening ceremony/dinner of the 10th annual business law conference organised by the section on Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said there were more pressing problems in the oil and gas industry. The vice president was responding to issues raised by the NBA’s President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN).

Allegeh had in his welcome address delivered before the vice president’s speech, noted that the non-passage of the PIB by the National Assembly in

the last 14 years, had stalled developments in the sector.

Responding, Osinbajo said some of the problems with the oil industry were not necessarily legislative issues but the nature and structure of the nation’s joint ventures as well as the fairness or otherwise of the agreements between the joint venture partners.

According to him, nonpassage of the bill is only one of the many other pressing issues affecting the industry.

The vice president noted that there were some pressing issues in the oil industry which the PIB would not resolve.

He said: “What seems to be the problem for us today, really is more of how our joint ventures are structured, especially our cash core deficit and how to address those cash core deficit. “However

you choose to write the PIB, it must still be the case that you must find a way of resolving questions around who pays for our own portion of the joint venture.

“Over time, we have some how found a way of not paying, so there is a huge backlog.

“But aside that, there is a question around Production Sharing Contracts and whether those PSCs should be framed the way they are. And these are not necessarily legislative issues. “They are more issues around agreements and how agreements are drawn up or and whether the agreements are fair or not fair.

“I think for us really, the major problems today revolve around the questions how the agreements we have entered into are wrong entered; how those joint ventures are wrong;

how those PSCs are wrong and what we need to be doing moving forward.”

Osinbajo agreed that the PIB needed serious attention, but that the issues of how agreements could be made to be fair to partners in the joint venture was more important.

He said: ”There are so many questions. But frankly, the questions are not so much questions around the PIB and resolving PIB, I think the major issues are around how agreements look, how you want to structure the agreements and the fidelity to those agreements, to me, possibly more important and more pressing. But of course, the PIB, as we have said, is a very important legislation and we must pay attention to, especially because we need to resolve the fiscal issue.”

Alegeh, in his speech, called

for a quick passage of the bill to improve the performance of the sector.

According to him, many other countries had copied the Nigerian draft PIB and had since passed it.

He said: “For the last 14 years, we have been battling to pass the PIB which if passed will enhance the fortune of this country. Let us tackle it frontally and deliver a law that will make Nigeria work.

“Other countries have come here and they have taken our draft PIB, they have passed it and the keep reforming it.

“There is a thinking that once we pass the PIB it will be stuck. I don’t believe that.

PIB should be like any other law. It requires continuous amendment.

“By July, we will present our own understanding of what

the PIB should look like.”

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who was represented by another Justice of Nigeria, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, said legal reforms must be set in motion to address the nation’s problems.

He called on lawyers to act as agents of changes and be ready to fulfill their calling in helping the nation to confront many of its current challenges.

Chairman of the SBL, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, and Chairman of the 10th SBL Conference Planning Committee, Mr. Babatunde Ajibade (SAN), also called for right policies to bring the nation out of its current economic crisis.

The event which will come to an end today (Friday) has the theme: ‘Law reform and economic development’.

10

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Soldiers, Policemen in Gun Battle over Rice for IDPs Michael Ougbode in Maiduguri Soldiers and policemen yesterday sized themselves up at the Borno State Government House in Maiduguri in a clash over rice meant for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Since last Monday, IDPs camp residents who chose to stay away from special camps but are resident within Maiduguri have daily thronged the state Government House to collect bags of rice on distribution.

This has caused untold hardship on the town as it

N’Assembly Passes NDDC Budget Omololu Ogunmade and Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The National Assembly yesterday passed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) 2016 budget.

In the Senate, the budget was following the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta presented by its chairman, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi.

In passing the budget, the Senate reduced the initial budget of N260 billion earlier presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to N241.1 billion, thus implying a total of N18.950 billion reduction.

The breakdown of the budget includes N212.2 billion for development projects; N1.3 billion as internal capital expenditure; N9.980 billion overhead expenditure and N17.560 billion personnel expenditure. Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday embarked on a three-week Sallah break and consequently adjourned plenary to July 12.

In the House of Representatives, the budget was approved by the lawmakers following adoption of the report of the Committee on NDDC, headed

by Hon. Nicholas Mutu.

Ahead of its consideration by the lawmakers, the Chairman of the Committee, Mutu, and the Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Leo Ogor, were observed going round the chambers talking with some of the members of the committee.

Mutu had been accused by some of the members, at the budget hearing last Tuesday, of influencing the citing of

more than half of the NDDC’s projects, to Bomadi/Patani constituency, and that of Ogor’s Isoko federal constituency .

The members, including Hon. Solomon Ahwinahwi (Delta PDP), had insisted that the budget would not be passed for its lopsidedness.

The acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Mrs. Ibim Semenetari, had however explained to the aggrieved lawmakers that most of the projects were still ongoing from the time of the last administration.

At plenary, Ogor held tete-a-tete with Ahwinahwi and Hon. Daniel Reyeneiju (Delta PDP) while Mutu sat nearby in what seemed likely to be attempt to placate the lawmakers.

Despite their insistence that the budget would not be passed, the lawmakers did not raise any objection to the adoption of the report.

Meanwhile, the House has urged the government to carry out a full investigation of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Senator Bala A. Mohammed; the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Adamu Ismaila, and the Coordinator, Abuja Infrastructure Investment Center (AIIC), Mr Faruk Sani, to ascertain their culpability or otherwise in the abuse of Financial Regulations, Due Process Procedures, and ICRC regulations with regard to the Land Swap Programme during the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Police Confirm Attack on Shell Facility in Imo The police have confirmed an attack on a facility belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) at Awarra, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Andrew Enwerem, told journalists in Owerri that the police received report of the attack in the early hours of yesterday.

Enwerem could not disclose the extent of damage done to the facility or the group that carried out the attack.

The spokesman for SPDC said “the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), Mr Precious Okolobo,

which runs through Awara, Imo State at the Assa-Rumuekpe line, has been shut for repairs since June 8, following a leak at Okolo launch, Bonny in Rivers State.

“We are investigating the reported incident at Awara’’, he said.

A source in Awarra community told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the incident occurred at about 5.30a.m.

He said the explosion created a huge flame at the site and could not confirm if there was loss of life.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

has led to traffic gridlock and inhuman treatment of over 10,000 IDPs who joined the queue as early as 7a.m. daily.

About half of them have been returning home daily without rice even after withstanding the harsh weather condition and harsher treatment from the security officials.

But in the frustration, the situation hit boiling point yesterday morning when they were tear gassed during the face-off between soldiers and policemen who were alleged to wanted share of their largesse.

According to eyewitnesses, the soldiers tried to force their way into the Deputy Governor’s Office, the place designated for the distribution so as to get their vehicles filled with bags of rice.

This was said to have been resisted by the anti-riot policemen, and this infuriated the soldiers who engaged the policemen. The soldiers were said to have fired several warning shot to indicate their determination to get their will obeyed.

The policemen also showed they were prepared for the raging battle as they equally shoot severally and release canisters of teargas which made the IDPs to take to their heels.

At the end of the exchange, many IDPs were left injured as were forced to scampered for safety. It was also gathered that a policeman was shot in the leg in the gun battle.

It took the intervention of the commander of counterinsurgency operation in the

North-east (Operation Lafiya Dole), Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor, for the furious soldiers to withdraw from the battle which resonated which caused pandimonioum in the town as if it was invaded by alien forces. It was gathered that Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor, the most senior military officer in the troubled town and the state Commissioner of Police, Aminchi Baraya, subsequently visited the injured policeman at the hospital, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital where he was taken to for treatment.

The police and the army in a joint statement later revealed that the situation had been brought under control.

In the statement signed by the Garrison Commander of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army,

Col. Solomon Ikumapayi and the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Baraya, read: “There was an unfortunate fracas between a soldier and a policeman around the office of the deputy governor over a disagreement which led to the unfortunate shooting of a policeman on his foot.

“The policeman is responding to treatment and has been visited by General Irabor and Baraya, both of whom went together to sympathise with the policeman.”

The statement further revealed that the distribution was moved to the government house when thugs overpowered the committee saddled with the responsibility of getting them rice to the IDPs.

SANITY RETURNS TO KOGI ASSEMBLY

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello (third left), flanked by members of the state House of Assembly at the Government House, Lokoja, after a peace meeting with both factions of the assembly…yesterday

Revealed: 10 Lawmakers on USTrip were Interrogated

by State Dept over Sex Scandal House proceeds on two-week recess Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The 10 lawmakers who attended International Visitors Leadership Programme in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, were interrogated by officials of the US State Department over allegations of sexual misconduct against three of their colleagues.

Hon. Mark Gbillah, Hon. Samuel Ikon and Hon. Garba Gololo were accused of soliciting for sex during the trip.

THISDAY gathered from reliable sources that the lawmakers were interrogated in April 2016 before they returned to Nigeria.

Some other lawmakers on the trip included the Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs,

Hon. Jonathan Gaza Gbewfi; the Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Rita Orji; Hon. Ayo Omidiran, Hon. Nkole Ndukwe and Hon. Danburam Abubakar.

This therefore negates any claims by the lawmakers that the allegations were brought to their attention when they returned to Nigeria.

Reliable sources also told THISDAY that the State Department is in possession of more than just ‘verbal evidence’ against the three men.

The House spokesperson, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, however told THISDAY that he was not aware that lawmakers were interrogated while in the US.

US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, in a letter to Speaker Yakubu Dogara, had alleged that Gololo grabbed the housekeeper who was cleaning his hotel room and solicited for sex from her while Gbillah and Ikon allegedly asked hotel parking attendants to assist them to solicit prostitutes.

The accused lawmakers have denied the allegations and have threatened legal action to clear their names.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, said the committee is still working to sort the modalities for the investigative hearing which would be public.

The committee, in collaboration with the Committee on Foreign Affairs, is saddled with the responsibility of investigating the allegations against Gololo, Gbillah and Ikon.

It is expected to liaise with the US Embassy in Abuja to examine any evidences against the men, that would buttress the allegations for which their visas have already been revoked.

Ossai said the committee had not made the decision on when to commence the hearing.

Meanwhile the House has commenced on a two-week recess for the Ramadan. It would reconvene on July 12, 2016.

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY

12

NEWS

Falana, a Disgrace to the Bar, Says Fayose NANS slams gov over non-payment of salaries Olakiitan Victor in Ado Ekiti The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has described the Lagos fiery lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, as a disgrace to the legal profession over the statement he allegedly made that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has the power to freeze the governor’s account in spite of the immunity he enjoys.

In statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, Fayose described the human rights activist as a “mischievous lawyer,” who is always out to defend any position that satisfies his alleged self-serving interests.

He said: “Falana is only deceiving the EFCC on Fayose’s matter because of his ambition to contest the Ekiti State governorship election in 2018, thinking that he can achieve what he used the EFCC to achieve against Fayose in 2006 ten years after.”

Fayose said it was shameful that a lawyer of Falana’s standing could say that EFCC was

empowered to freeze Nigerians’ bank accounts and secure court orders later.

The governor’s spokesperson said further: “The court order is a condition precedent before a bank account can be frozen and Section 34 of the EFCC Act is very clear on this. It is unambiguous.

It presupposes that EFCC cannot freeze the bank account of any Nigerian, no matter the status, without first obtaining a court order and making same available to the bank manager.

“This position was also expressed by Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday when he ordered the EFCC to pay N12.5 million damages to the son of former Governor Murtala Nyako, Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, for the unlawful freezing of his account and illegal detention.

“It is therefore strange that a SAN could tell Nigerians that EFCC can carry out an action first and obtain a court order to justify the action later.

“If I may ask, was Falana called to the bar before he at-

tended law school and passed his bar exams? Was Falana’s LLB certificate given to him before he got admission to the university? Was Falana’s Barrister at Law (BL) certificate issued to him before he attended the law school? Was Falana’s birth certificate issued before he was born? Was Falana’s marriage certificate issued before he got married? Has Falana ever travelled to UK or USA and obtained a visa later? Can I, because I can now quote some laws begin to practice as a lawyer and go to university to study law later?” he demanded to know.

Making allusion to how Falana has tactically been supporting the opposition, Fayose said: “For instance, over 10 Ekiti indigenes were murdered during the APC

government of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Falana kept silent.

He also kept silent when the future of Ekiti State was being mortgaged to frivolous loans and deductions from workers salary were not being remitted.

It also made no meaning to Falana that democratically-elected local government chairmen and councillors were sacked and council election was not conducted throughout the four years of APC government in Ekiti State.

“Instead of hiding under human rights activism to perpetrate evil against Ekiti and its people as he has always done, Falana should be bold enough to declare his governorship ambition, which is not hidden and let’s see how far he can go this time around.

“Like we have maintained,

this is 2016 and 2006 that Falana and his criminal collaborators used EFCC to remove governors, Fayose whose impeachment was later declared illegal by the Supreme Court.”

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ekiti State chapter, yesterday embarked on a protest against the failure of Fayose to pay the salaries owed workers in Ekiti State.

The protesters who carried placards described Fayose as not been sincere and concerned about the plight of the striking workers.

Speaking with journalists, president of NANS Ekiti chapter, Comrade Shina Awopeju, lamented the strike had brought setback to the education sector in the state.

He said several school pupils have been staying at home for the past four weeks and students who were writing exams before the commencement of the strike are now being made to stop their exams as the strike continues.

Some of the placards read: “He who works deserved to be paid,” “Workers are dying of hunger,” “NANS say no to taxation of school pupils in Ekiti,” among others.

They were chanting several songs calling on governor Fayose to pay salaries of workers as many of them are experiencing serious hardship Civil servants in Ekiti State are being owned five months salaries and other entitlements.

As a result, civil servants in Ekiti embarked on an indefinite strike to push their demands.

NCC Seeks House’s Cooperation in Telecom Regulations Emma Okonji Following the recent reduction in MTN fine to N33 billion, coupled with the reaction of the members of the House of Representatives who had kicked against the reduction, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has called for more cooperation and understanding of members of the House of Representatives, on regulatory functions of the commission.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who made the call during an oversight visit of the members of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Communications, yesterday in Abuja, stressed the need for striking a balance in satisfying diverse stakeholders in the industry the Commission regulates.

“We will still use this opportunity to seek your cooperation and understanding of delicate balance existing between the functions of regulators, and its many publics and stakeholders, including the legislature,” Danbatta said.

According to him, “These stakeholders have diverse but very important interest, which the regulator must satisfy. In the course of achieving an effective regulation for the benefit of all and in creating an enabling environment for growth, issues and challenges are bound to arise.”

The NCC boss also told members of the committee that the Commission had recently won a European Award for Best Practices, in addition to emerging African Regulator of the Year at regional level.

Responding, Chairman of

the Committee, Hon. Shaheed Fijabi, who said they were at the headquarters of the NCC to exercise their oversight duty, also commended the strides of Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) in the country. The USPF is the platform through which NCC drives telecoms investments and development in the country, especially in rural communities of the country.

Earlier, the Director Public Affairs of the commission, Mr. Tony Ojobo, who said the commission had always enjoyed fruitful relationship with the committee, commended its members for the very matured way they have handled its affairs.

Citing several pleas from MTN and business implications over the N1.04 trillion fine, which the NCC slammed on MTN in October last year for its refusal to deactivate 5.2 million unregistered and improperly registered SIM cards on the MTN network, the NCC, in collaboration with the federal government, initially reduced the fine by 25 per cent to N780 billion and later further reduced it to N33 billion. But both reductions did not go down well with the members of the House of Representatives, who had insisted that MTN must pay the full value of the N1.04 trillion fine. The House of Representatives had even gone to the extent of summoning the NCC and the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, to explain their roles in the two reductions of the MTN fine. The summon was before the House Committee on Communications visited NCC yesterday as part of its oversight functions.

WORTHY ALUMNI

L-R: Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah; Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonaya Onu; and former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, during the dinner and fundraising in support of Government College, Umuahia, in Abuja... yesterday

Adeosun Pleads with Finance Ministry Workers to Understand Prevailing Economic Situation Ndubuisi Francis on Abuja The Federal Ministry of Finance has urged protesting workers demanding the payment of N.1.2 billion Special Overtime Allowance (SOT) to be patient and understand the prevailing economic situation facing the country. For three consecutive days, workers drawn from the ministry, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and those of the Office of the Director General, Budget (Ministry of Budget and National Planning) had barricaded the Finance Ministry headquarters in Abuja demanding to be paid N1.2 billion SOT, considered illegal by the ministry.

However, the Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, was compelled to address the protesting workers on Wednesday and followed up with a meeting with their leaders, which appeared to have temporarily assuaged their grievances.

A statements issued yesterday by the ministry said the minister

appealed to the workers to be patient and appreciate the prevailing economic situation in the country. According to the statement, Adeosun, who had at Wednesday’s meeting listened to the workers’ requests, confirmed that contractual obligations are being met by the government and promised that all genuine complaints and administrative issues will be promptly reviewed.

“However, the N1.2 billion Special Overtime (SOT) payment being demanded by workers, which had been discontinued since 2014, is neither in the 2016 budget of the Federal Ministry of Finance nor the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) from where the funds to cover the allowance had hitherto been sourced. “The payment of SOT was stopped by the previous administration on the grounds that it was not listed in any extant government Circular, Financial Regulations or the Public Service Rules.

“She therefore urged the workers to be patient and

understand the current challenges facing the Nigerian economy.

“The minister was at pains to point out that many people across the country were struggling to find work and that the priority for the government had to be getting the whole economy back on its feet,”the statement added.

The minister’s clarifications, the statement stressed, “came on the heels of inaccurate reports in the media that the Ministry of Finance had promised to pay the N1.2 billion Special Overtime allowance being demanded by the workers.” In response to the protest on Monday, the ministry had through its Director of Information Alhaji Salisu Na’Inna Dambata, said: “The protests have no justifiable grounds. The payment of what the protesting staff called SOT was stopped by the last administration in 2014 on the grounds that it was not listed in any extant government Circular, Financial Regulations or the Public Service Rules.

“The management wishes to state as follows: The payment of

what the protesting staff called SOT, was stopped by the last administration in 2014 on the ground that it was not listed in any extant government circular, Financial Regulations or the Public Service Rules; • The sum of N1.2 billion computed by the staff union for payment could not have been budgeted for in 2016 in the first place, not only because of the paucity of funds, but also the fact that the SOT allowance was not part of the remuneration in the federal public service; and • The Federal Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Budget Office of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning do not individually or collectively owe any of their personnel their salaries. “In view of the foregone, the management of the Federal Ministry of Finance wishes to categorically state that the protests have no justifiable grounds,”the statement concluded.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Senate Tells FG to Move N50bn Paid by MTN to TSA Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

The Senate yesterday told the federal government to move the initial N50 billion part payment of the fine imposed on MTN by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) from the Central Bank of Nigeria‘s (CBN) recovery account to NCC treasury single account (TSA). The Senate also mandated its committee on communications to adequately probe the handling of the fine imposed on MTN from N780 billion to N330 billion.

NCC had in October, 2015, imposed a fine of N1.04 trillion on MTN over its decision to keep over five million unregistered subscribers in its network last year in violation of NCC Act. However, after sustained pressure from MTN and external forces, NCC reduced the fine to N780 billion before finally reviewing it downward to N330 billion a fortnight ago.

The committee had at the weekend sent out letters summoning all stakeholders to the reduction deal to a meeting in the National

Assembly yesterday but the meeting did not hold.

Instead, the committee chairman, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, moved a motion, drawing the attention of the Senate to the perceived lopsided arrangements which led to the reduction.

The Senate therefore tasked the committee to investigate whether the reduction was in accordance with the regulation of the NCC rules governing fines and penalties.

Specifically, Senate President Bukola Saraki, officially directed the committee to invite all relevant stakeholders including the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Malam Abubakar Malami; Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris; Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu; Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele; Executive Vice Chairman of ) and Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Rub Shuter and all parties involved in the negotiations to explain the raison d’etre for the reduction.

In his motion, Nnaji who

Kogi Assembly Resolved

frowned at the manner of the handling of the fine, said NCC as the regulator of the communications industry had been imposing fines on erring telecom operators since inception and proceeds from the redemption of such fines had always been lodged in the commission’s designated account.

He said Sections 19 and 20 of the NCC Act on registration of telephone subscribers regulation 2011 do not empower the commission or another entity or government officials to reduce any fine so imposed.

According to him, the Senate regretted that this fine was unilaterally reduced from N780 billion without the input of the

Ministry of Communications and NCC which he said constituted a flagrant breach of the regulation and an attempt to whittle down the authority of the commission.

His words: “The Senate further regrets that through some negotiation process excluding the ministry and the commission but championed by the minister of justice and attorney general of the federation, MTN was requested to pay a some of N50 billion as a gesture of good faith towards the settlement of the fine.

“Mr. President, the Senate recalls that the attendant confusion created by the claim and counter claim over the veracity of the payment of

the said N50 billion by MTN and the domiciliation of the money in a CBN recovery account, as if the money in question was a stolen fund, prompted the Committee on Communications to embark on a fact finding meeting of all stakeholders involved on March 10, 2016.

“These included the attorney-general of the federation, accountant general of the federation, minister for communications, governor of Central Bank of Nigeria of Nigeria, Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, and the Managing Director of MTN Nigeria Limited. “The Senate regrets to discover by the admission of the accountant-

general of the federation at the meeting that the said N50 billion was actually lodged in a CBN recovery account on the instruction of the accountant general of the federation.

“The Senate further regrets to discover through a document available to the committee that MTN had already made a proposal of final payment of N300 billion as at the time of the meeting in March which led the committee to conclude that there was a secret agreement between MTN, the attorneygeneral of the federation and the accountant general of the federation to admit the N50 billion as the commencement of the execution of a final agreement of N300 billion.

Crisis

Bello denies spending N750m to celebrate his birthday Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The lingering crisis rocking members of Kogi State House of Assembly over leadership tussles may have been resolved.

The crisis started sometime in November last year, creating two factions among the assembly members namely G15 being led by the embattled Speaker, Hon. Momoh Jimoh Lawal, while the other one is G5 led by factional Speaker, Hon. Imam Umar.

The crisis which almost engulfed the state, saw the intervention of the National Assembly as committee was set up to look into the crisis.

In an effort to resolve the crisis, the House of Representative made a resolution ordering the takeover of the legislative functions of the assembly and sealing of the assembly complex.

Yesterday, a 10- man reconciliation committee headed by Mr. John Nihi, in a closed- door meeting with all the warring factions of the state assembly including the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello; his deputy, Mr. Simon Achuba, and other top government officials brokered peace between them.

Nihi, while speaking to journalists shortly after the closed-door meeting, said the crisis had degenerated to the level that the good image of the state was being battered, saying since no elders deemed it fit to reconcile the warring factions, the youths have stepped in to do the reconciliation.

He said they were

happy that all the warring factions were ready to work together for the progress of the state, adding that by today, all issues would have been resolved. The governor, while speaking with journalists, said he still believed that there was no crisis in the assembly, adding that there was bound to be some misunderstanding but expressed satisfaction that the members have decided to forget their differences and come together.

He noted that they are all brothers and that what was happening was between two brothers, stressing that it has been a very wonderful deliberation.

“Like I said earlier, Kogi State has never been in crisis because in any home, there is bound to be misunderstanding.

The assembly members have reached agreement to set aside their differences and continue the business of legislation,” he said.

The spokeman of the G15, Hon Mathew Kolawole, who spoke shortly after the reconciliation meeting, said the two factions have agreed on some template for the total reconciliation of the crisis, adding that there was nothing that was permanent.

“The governor has spoken to us as his people and we the assembly members have agreed on certain templates and I am very sure by tomorrow (today), we will finish with our differences and the peace we have been looking for will return to the assembly.”

SPOTLIGHT ON CHANGE

L-R: Fromer Lagos State Deputy Governor and representative of Senator Bola Tinubu, Mr. Femi Pedro; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Chairman of the occasion, Chief Olusegun Osoba; Keynote Speaker, Dr. Doyin Abiola; Author of the book: ‘Cascade of Change’ and state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; during the public presentation of the book in Lagos...yesterday

AMCON Takes over Silverbird Galleria, Others Silverbird Group will outlast takeover, says Murray-Bruce Obinna Chima The Federal High Court in yesterday granted an interim injunction against Silverbird Productions Limited, Silverbird Showtime Limited, Silverbird Galleria Limited and Senator Ben MurrayBruce, Guy Murray-Bruce, Roy Murray-Bruce and Janthan Murray-Bruce on the application of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

Following the order, the corporation which is empowered to acquire non-performing loan assets of Nigerian banks at fair values and then put them to economic use in a profitable manner immediately took control of all the companies.

Stern-looking law enforcement agents barricaded all properties belonging to the senator, known for his Commonsense advocacy against the Buhari administration.

A statement from the corporation revealed that

AMCON had appointed M.A Banire (SAN) as the receiver to the companies.

It stated that Justice C.M.A. Olatoregun, the presiding judge, while granting the order on the application of counsel to AMCON, restrained Senator Ben Murray-Bruce and other obligors that owe AMCON over N10billion from challenging, interfering with or otherwise obstructing or frustrating the Receiver (M.A Banire SAN) appointed by AMCON over the fixed and floating assets of the listed companies belonging to the Murray-Bruce family.

The Senator who would not repay the huge debt owed AMCON has been in protracted negotiations.

Contrary to news making the rounds since the takeover, AMCON explained that it did not shut down the concerned companies.

It stated: “We appointed a Receiver that took over the companies in the early hours of Thursday June 23, 2016

as ordered by the Federal High Court and the Receiver would be responsible for the companies on behalf of AMCON going forward.”

The court order affects the mortgaged asset located at Central Area, Cadastral Zone, AOO Plot No. 1161, Abuja, the mortgaged asset at Abonnema Wharf Road and Abali Park in Port Harcourt, Rivers State as well as the mortgaged asset at 133 Ahmadu Bello Way, Lagos where the Silverbird Galleria is located. The Court also ordered the Inspector General of Police, Assistant Inspectors General of Police, and the Commissioner of Police in charge of Lagos State, its Deputy and all other Police Officers under them to assist M.A Banire SAN, the Receiver and the Bailiffs of the Federal High Court in the enforcement of the orders of the Court.

Presently, 400 obligors of AMCON account for more than N4.5 trillion, which is

approximately 80 per cent of the total outstanding loan balance of the corporation’s over twelve thousand accounts with obligors that have become recalcitrant over time despite obvious efforts of the corporation.

To deal with the situation however, AMCON recently increased the tempo of its recovery activities using firmer negotiation strategies as well as utilising the special enforcement powers vested by the AMCON Act to compel some of its recalcitrant debtors especially those that are politically exposed and business heavyweights to repay their debts.

Meanwhile, has described the confiscation of three of his companies by AMCON, as a tough time which the Silverbird Group will outlast.

Reacting few hours after the news broke, Bruce explained on his Twitter handle @ benmurraybruce, that: “I have been on an international flight and have only just landed.

14

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

COMMENT

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

SCRAPPING POST- UTME TESTS It is a decision well taken, argues Kingsley Bulus

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ducation Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu, gladdened the hearts of thousands of Nigerian students and parents while also ridding the nation’s tertiary education sector of a seemingly entrenched exploitative anomaly when he recently debunked the rationale for post-UTME screening by universities and effectively scrapped the policy. “As far as I am concerned, the nation has confidence in what JAMB is doing, the universities should not be holding another examination and if the universities have any complaints against JAMB, let them bring it and then we address it,” the minister declared with finality.

This corrective decision which reflects the consensus of views among educationists could not have come at a better time and is a strong indication of the minister’s commitment to leaving a legacy of positive change in the education sector.

The policy of post-UTME examinations by universities has actually been abused so much by universities since its introduction in 2004 that its retention by government had for long been a disservice to the student-victims of the policy and blight on the tertiary education sector. It is curious that previous educationist-ministers of education were unable to detect such a flaw in the admission process into our universities, let alone taking corrective measures. It is evident that the retention of the policy beyond its usefulness must have been at the behest of certain vested interests with ulterior motives yet influential in the administration of the nation’s education policies. Apparently, it takes a minister from outside the education cabal to show the red card and uphold the national interest.

Recall that the post-UTME policy was mooted in 2004 by the National University Commission and vice- chancellors as a strategy for ensuring that admission seekers attain minimum cognitive competence in the subjects relevant to their discipline and to test their competence in written and oral English, critical thinking and ability to present ideas in a logical sequence. They hinged their proposal on the notion that JAMB’s UTME fell short of these desirable goals.

By the time the policy was eventually approved after serious contention it was conditional on a maximum charge of N1, 000 for candidates while the universities were required to use other test methods not employed

by JAMB in screening the candidates, specifically oral interview and essays.

Alas, a few years after the commencement of post-

THE POLICY OF POST-UTME EXAMINATIONS

BY UNIVERSITIES HAS ACTUALLY BEEN ABUSED SO MUCH BY UNIVERSITIES SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION IN 2004 THAT ITS RETENTION

BY GOVERNMENT HAD FOR LONG BEEN A DISSERVICE TO THE STUDENT-VICTIMS AND BLIGHT ON THE TERTIARY EDUCATION SECTOR

UTME policy the universities stopped abiding by the approved policy and resorted to “self help” by conducting the same tests as JAMB, charging exorbitant fees above the approved limit and abandoning oral interviews and essay screening as the money-making mania overtook the university administrators who invited more than thrice their admission capacity for the post-UTME screening. Meanwhile, this shift to imposing unnecessary examinations spread into the senior secondary schools as teachers introduced various tests and examinations such that they spent more time dishing out hand-outs for sale to hapless students and coaching classes for a fee.

Against this background the courage and firmness with which Malam Adamu must have taken up the nuisance of post-UTME looms large and underscores the essence of patriotism and uprightness as best motivations for good governance and public service.

The clear cut logic in the minister’s explanation for scrapping post-UTME shows that there was really no justifiable reason for retaining post-UTME, particularly after it had been deliberately derailed from its lawful objectives. It can also be deduced that JAMB as an institution must have been rendered helpless and irrelevant in its area of jurisdiction by the postUTME cabal all these years despite engaging in a dubious duplication of JAMB-style UTME screening.

The minister’s decisive intervention in ending the post-UTME scam has also brought tremendous relief to parents and students alike from the psychological trauma of going through an additional period of uncertainty of admission even after JAMB success not to mention the economic torture of coughing out a plethora of fees and levies mischievously tied to all sorts of examinations and tests arbitrarily imposed.

Malam Adamu can therefore be described as a minister who is not only conversant with the challenges impeding progress in the education sector but also having the courage of his conviction to right the wrongs bedevilling the sector. A positive change agent could not be better defined and he deserves all the support of the hitherto silenced but patriotic educationists and academics in the country as he strives to move our education sector in the right direction.

Bulus wrote from Kafanchan

HALL OF SHAME

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Ofem Uket argues that Recep Erdogan, Turkish president, must be restrained from his wild ways

urkish President Mr. Recep Erdogan has been in the news for the wrong reason for some time now. His name and that of his son have popped up several times because of their alleged involvement in arms deal and illegal trade in oil with terrorists groups.

Only a few days back the Russian deputy defence minister, Anatoly Antonov, at a major briefing on the findings of sponsorship of Islamic State in Moscow declared that 120 tonnes of ammunition and 250 vehicles were delivered to Islamic State and AL-Nusra militants from the Turkish territory. The Russian deputy minister further disclosed that Turkey is involved in a large scale illegal arms smuggling campaign, stressing that a whole team of bandits and Turkish elite are carrying out illicit trade in oil and arms. “According to our data, the top political leadership of the country- President Erdogan and his family- is involved in this criminal business,” he said. ‘Turkey shot down the Russian jet because it is defeating Islamic State and therefore interfering with Erdogan’s lucrative trade”.

Turkey and Russia have been involved in state and regional crises arising from disagreements over terrorists’ occupation of lucrative regions in Turkey which has affected commerce and economic trade of Russia with other neighboring countries.

Turkish President Reccep Erdogan

claimed that Putin was one of the key buyers in Syria’s illegal oil trade while Russian authorities revealed satellite images showing three major oil smuggling routes to and from Turkey. The Islamic State in Turkey controlled a major oil regions and its exploration is carried out by the terrorists groups, enjoying the patronage of prominent power brokers in Turkey.

The political and economic situation in Turkey in recent times have clearly shown that the country is undergoing crises and conflicts occasioned by the fact that after 13 years of President Erdogan’s reign, he is insisting on holding on to power despite stiff opposition from the majority of the Turkish people.

There are condemnations from within and internationally, urging Erdogan to step down but he had instead restructured and weakened the judiciary, strengthened the military against the civil authorities, the police and relevant security agencies to do his bidding and ensure his wishes for tenure elongation in office were carried out.

He has established and strengthened illegal institutions and organisations to his advantage and at the expense of the citizens who voted him into office.

President Erdogan has upped its attack on the opposition through a divide and rule system and tougher sanctions on any liberal group around and within Turkey that is seen to be on the side of the truth.

Lucrative areas and regions where oil exploration are carried out in Turkey are controlled by the terrorists groups and the Islamic State as major players in the oil and gas industry and are determining to a large extent the revenue accruing to the government of Turkey in terms of taxation.

Erdogan has been accused of negotiating business deals with the terrorist’s organisations, just as he and the government of Turkey have labelled the Islamic Scholar Fethular Gulen and his movement as terrorists fighting his administration. Fethular is an Islamic scholar from Turkey on self exile in the United States; he is interested in promoting and developing the education, health and social sectors of the economy in Turkey and around the World.

He was a strong supporter of the present administration until lately when President Erdogan resolved to pursue oppressive agenda that is anti-citizens, and capable of destroying the country’s image abroad.

Over time the regime of Erdogan has branded the Islamic scholar as the enemy of Turkey because of his stands against government policies that are not people oriented and dehumanising to Turkish citizens and foreigners.

There are daily attacks by terrorist groups in Turkey. Though government claimed it has fought theses militants to a standstill, juicy states and oil regions are still being controlled by the terrorist

groups. The trade routes in oil and arms have been identified by Russian and Turkish forces but they are not allowed to enforce effective operations or launch offences against those involved in the business, considering the links to the head of government in Turkey.

Turkey in recent times has strained its international relations caused by the constant attacks of innocent citizens.

Millions of Turkish origins are said to have fled the country, while privately owned media organisations have been shut down.

In-spite of all these negative developments around the leadership of the country, the president has constantly been in touch with his counterparts in Europe and in the African continent to seek legitimacy of his government.

Erdogan does not believe that his administration is not doing well; rather he has accused statesmen of being responsible for the stiff opposition from citizens who have at different times protested against the injustices and degradation of human lives.

The presidency of Erdogan is imperial. He is trying to set aside the country’s constitution and functions as an emperor. His attempts to amend the constitution to make it a tool for oppressive rule have failed repeatedly.

President Erdogan authoritarian streak must be stopped.

Uket wrote from Abuja

15

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

EDITORIAL WHERE ARE THE‘GHOST’WORKERS?

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The authorities should fish out and prosecute the culprits to have any hope of routing the crime

arly in February this year, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, told the nation that the federal government had yanked off 23,000 “ghosts” from its wage bill. A month later, his Ministry of Finance counterpart, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, announced that another 11,000 of such “workers” were being investigated. The February exercise, Mohammed said, would save the nation N2.29 billion in from the monthly wage bill. That is at the federal level.

In the last one year, virtually all the governors in the 36 states of the federation have since announced wholesale investigations into their huge salary bills that have left them with little or no funds for capital expenditure.

With unpaid salaries running into months in about 27 states, many of the governors have also claimed to have unearthed thousands of “ghosts” posing as workers and drawing billions of naira as salaries from the treasuries of their states.

Without a doubt, the phenomenon of “ghost” workers eating deep into the revenues of the nation is worrisome.

If the federal governGIVEN THE HUMONGOUS ment now saves N2.29 AMOUNT INVOLVED IN billion monthly and THIS OBVIOUS HEIST, AND still expects to save ITS EXTREMELY HARMFUL more when its wage IMPACT ON THE NATIONAL list is finally cleaned ECONOMY, THERE IS NO up, the loss to these OTHER TIME THAN NOW rampaging “ghosts” in TO STOP THIS MINDLESS the last one year alone HAEMORRHAGING OF THE must be baffling. But TREASURY the pertinent question remains: how come not one of these powerful “ghosts”, who evidently operate bank accounts with which they steal public funds, has ever been apprehended let alone brought to justice?

It is indeed noteworthy that there is no administration, at least since we reverted to democratic rule in 1999, that has not alleged the contamination of its wage bill by these “ghost” workers. To eradicate the problem, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua administration enforced

Letters to the Editor

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T H I S DAY

EDITOR IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU DEPUTY EDITORS BOlAJI ADEBIYI, JOsEph UshIGIAlE 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

the biometric based Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, which was aimed at cleaning up the wage bill and ensuring that only genuine workers in its employment had access to its payroll. And as part of the efforts to achieve greater efficiency and transparency in government financial transactions, the administration also introduced the electronic transaction system whereby cash transactions were eliminated.

By the time President Goodluck Jonathan fully implemented these measures, his Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, told the nation in July 2013 that the federal government had saved N153 billion. Of this, a whopping N119 billion, according to her, was from the elimination of 46,000 “ghosts” from the wage list.

However, the bigger issue is why, in spite of all these fraud preventative measures, do we still continue to have these “ghosts” on our payroll at all levels of government?

It is simply because there is no force of sanction capable of deterring the fraudsters who have been milking the common till. If 46,000 “ghosts” were found on the federal government’s payroll in 2013 and no single arrest was reported, why would criminals not want to persist in this nefarious activity? Even President Muhammadu Buhari, whose administration has been waging no other war than anti-corruption, has taken all of one year to fish out another 23,000 “ghosts”. Meanwhile, and like in the past, there has been neither a report of an arrest made nor the prosecution of offenders contemplated.

Given the humongous amount involved in this obvious heist, and its extremely harmful impact on the national economy, there is no other time than now to stop this mindless haemorrhaging of the treasury by these fraudsters who should ordinarily not be too difficult to identify if the government is serious about apprehending them.

We, therefore, call on the federal government to lead the way by dealing squarely with this malady of the invasion of the wage bill by those who abuse public trust but are let off quite easily in the name of “ghosts”. A first step would be to identify the perpetrators, arrest and prosecute them. Then it should plug the loopholes that have made this heinous crime very lucrative in spite of the billions of naira spent on biometric systems.

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.

ORLANDO MASSACRE AND DONALD TRUMP

few days back, Democratic hopeful in the coming American Presidential Elections, Hillary Clinton, declared her main challenger, Donald Trump as someone who is “temperamentally unfit” to serve as commander- in- chief. Hillary further argued that his candidacy poses a threat to the nation’s security and could even lead to a global economic crisis.

For those who might be thinking that Hillary was merely making a political statement, Mr. Trump’s response to the Orlando massacre which occurred in the early hours of June 12 at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, where at least 50 people were gunned down by a deranged 29-year-old American-born Muslim, rather validated Hillary’s claim. The Orlando incident has since been described as the deadliest mass shooting in American history and the worst terrorist attack since 9/11.

It is strange that while the whole world rose to condemn the act, Mr. Trump preferred to capitalise on the event for political gains. In the aftermath of the deadliest shooting, Mr Trump tweeted that he was right about radical Islamic terrorism, warning “it’s only going to get worse”. It will be recalled that the Republican presumptive contender has recommended a temporary ban on Muslims to the United States as a way of combating the threat of terrorism. Many commentators have since described Trump’s position as “hateful and awful”. How on earth would a man aspiring to lead the greatest nation on earth come up with such tactless statement at a time the whole nation and, indeed the whole world, was mourning?

I have been following the American political scene keenly since

Hillary and Trump began their quest for political ascendancy. And frankly, Trump’s careless remarks after the Orlando massacre merely go to authenticate the fears of many concerning his presidential credential.

His model of jumping on the bandwagon of anything that he feels will advance his candidacy and if that means sowing more fear and paranoia and playing into a kind of racist populist strain is fundamentally unbecoming of a man aspiring to lead the most sophisticated democracy in the world.

It is rather callous and essentially inconsiderate of Mr. Trump to come up with his opportunistic blabbing at about the same time as police began counting bodies in the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, steeling themselves to ignore the constantly ringing mobile telephones of the dead, as loved-ones desperately sought news. At about the same time Mr. Trump took to twitter to report that he was being praised for his foresight in having said that radical Islamists pose a threat to the West.

While commenting further on the subject, Trump in his usual garrulous nature piercingly condemned both President Obama and Hillary Clinton, for not using the words “radical Islam” when they condemned the Orlando massacre. Trump called on Obama to resign over his choice of words and added: “If Hillary Clinton, after this attack, still cannot say the two words ‘radical Islam’ she should get out of this race for the presidency.”

It instructive to state that throughout the early moments of the gory Orlando debacle, Mr. Trump did not reach out in sympathy with the dead, injured and their loved ones. All he saw was an opportunity to hit at his political enemies, secure more sympathy from an already angry citizenry and make his journey to the White House simpler. He

was in such a haste to score cheap political point that he goofed on the citizenship of the insane assailant. It took a reminder from the more politically suave Hillary that the murderer was an American, bred and raised in the United States for Mr. Trump and his supporters to realise that they have made yet another costly goof.

There are several ways to explain the horrible response of Mr. Trump to the Orlando massacre. One is that Trump is desperate for power. The second is that he lacks proper grasp of legislative issues surrounding sales of guns in his own country. It is on record that Republicans in Congress have moved to block Democratic proposals to block gun sales to people on federal no-fly lists for those suspected of terror links, citing the rights of those who may be on such lists by mistake. It is not yet known whether the Orlando killer was on any such list.

Mr. Trump was unsurprisingly more interested in the ‘Muslim hate’ theory than bringing attention to the cause of easy availability of powerful guns. Without a doubt, in deliberately choosing not to appreciate any proposition of restraining the availability of powerful guns that make it possibly to kill a lot of people rapidly, Trump is rejecting a practical policy that has been successfully tried in places such as Australia, Japan and Britain.

Tragically, Mr Trump is not just waving aside a gun control policy that has been proven to be successful in other climes; he wants Americans to elect him president in order to try a fuzzy safety policy hinged on closing the country to dangerous Muslims, a policy that has been tried with success by specifically no country on earth.

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

16

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Ramadan and the Making of Our Moral Fiber

Mariam Murphy, Al-Jumuah/ IslamiCity

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amadan is here, and as we move through this blessed month there are many goals we’ve planned to reach. Each person is unique and will have individual goals, but here are five aspects of worship that we ought to work on this Ramadan.

QURAN: Ramadan is the best time to reconnect with the Quran. The best advice I have been given is to remember to stay consistent with one’s recitation and in pondering over the verses of the Quran.

Try to set a minimum amount of Quran that you would like to read every day. In this way, you will ensure that every day of Ramadan will be filled with Quran. A good way to reach your goal is by setting aside time after each salah to read the specific portion of the Quran that you planned to read for the day. But we do not want to fall into the habit of reading the Quran without understanding the beauty within it.

Integrating the meaning and the background will help us understand the reasons why the Quran is a Book of Guidance.

SALAH: There are many ways we can work on improving our Divine connection through salah. The first and most important is that we strive to pray all five obligatory prayers on time. By doing so, you will strengthen your connection with your Creator in the way He loves. The next way to improve our concentration in salah is by praying the Sunnah prayers before and afterward.

The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, told us that “whoever prays twelve rak ‘ahs of prayer voluntarily in a day and night, Allah will build him a house in Paradise.”

Not only do you receive great reward for these extra prayers, but it also helps a person prepare for the fard, or obligatory, salah. This is especially important when it comes to the Sunnah before Salat Al-Fajr, as people are more likely to miss it out of tiredness or lateness. In a hadidi narrated

by Aisha, May Allah be pleased with her, and reported in the compilation of Muslim, the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: “The two rak’ahs before the Dawn (Fajr) prayer are better than this world and all it contains.” After the Sunnah prayers, we can focus on the nawafil prayers, such as Salat Ad-Duha, which is two rakahs that can be performed anytime from about a half hour after Fajr until 15 minutes before Duhr salah. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: “In the morning, charity is due on every joint of the body of everyone of you. Every utterance of Allah’s glorification (i.e., saying Subhan’Allah) is an act of charity, and every utterance of His Praise (i.e., saying Al-hamdulillah) is an act of charity, and every utterance of declaration of His greatness (i.e., saying Allahu Akbar, or saying La ilaha illa Allah) is an act of charity; and enjoining ma ‘ruf (good) is an act of charity, and forbidding munkar (evil) is an act of charity, and two rak ‘ahs of the Duha salah which one performs in the forenoon is equal to all this (in reward).

(Muslim)” Whatever portion of salah you would like to improve, all salah is a divinely ordained connection to Allah, Exalted and Most High.

DU’A: The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: “The essence of worship is du’a”. Through this hadith we learn that not only does Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, want us to make du’a, but also that there is a reward for those who do. “There is no person who asks Allah, subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, for anything expect that Allah gives it to him, or keeps away from him a similar evil, as long as he does not ask for something evil or for breaking the ties of kinship. At this point a man said to the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam: “In that case, we will ask for plenty!” and the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, responded: “Allah is more plentiful.” One of the most recommended

times to make du‘a is during the last third of the night, which in Ramadan encompassed suhoor time. Another time that is recommended to make du‘a is during salah, especially in sujood. If you can, pray two rak’ahs before Fajr and make sure to make du‘a during sujood. During the month of Ramadan, one of the best times that we are reminded of is the du’a before the fasting person breaks his or her fast. The best ways to remember things that you wanted to make du‘a for is by writing them down as soon as you think of them during the day. So when it comes to these recommended times for du ‘a, you will be able to use it effectively.

CHARACTER: This aspect of selfimprovement receives less focus than most others, but it does not mean that it holds any less importance. In a hadith narrated by Abu Dawud, the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, guaranteed a house in the upper part of Paradise for a man who has good character. This relates to us the importance of upright character in the individual as well as the society. To inculcate good habits in the month of Ramadan is to integrate them into one’s personality.

FAMILY: One of the best ways to focus on improving our character is by interacting with our family. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: “Allah created the creations, and when He finished with His creations, the rahm, that is, the womb said: “(O Allah) at this place I seek refuge with You from all those who sever me (i.e. sever the ties of lath and kin). Allah said: “Yes, and will you not be pleased that I will keep good relations with the one who will keep good relations with you, and I will sever the relation with the one who will sever the relations with you.” The womb said: ‘Yes, O my Lord.’ Allah said: ‘Then that is for you.’” Maintaining ties with one’s family is one of the most important foundations of society. As Muslims, we should all make an effort to reconnect with our family, especially during the month of Ramadan. Set goals and share them as a family and even if each member has different goals they can all help each other. Make time to have iftar with your family and share your day’s experiences together. Ramadan helps us remember the true meaning of a meal as sustenance from God, and spending time with family.

How to Keep On Track Sometimes it’s hard to keep the momentum of your deeds going. Here are four ways that can help.

MAKE DU’A: Constantly make du ‘a to Allah, subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, to make things easy for you and that you act out of sincerity. Allah tells us in the Quran: “Make du‘a to Me. I will respond to you” JOURNAL: There may be days during Ramadan when we feel as though we have not reached any of our goals. That is why it is so important to write down and focus on what you have done during the month to look back at when you need an extra boost to keep going.

FRIEND HELP: Friends, especially in these times, are among our biggest influences when it comes to how we spend our time. This is why it is important to always surround oneself with friends who will help us reach our goals.

REINFORCEMENT: If you notice that you are reaching the goals you set, don’t forget to reward yourself. This can be something simple as going out for ice cream after iftar and tarawih. By looking forward to a special treat, whatever wholesome thing it might be, this will help you get through the day.

In the end, goals are meant to help you draw nearer to Allah, glorified and exalted.

The best of goals, therefore, are those acts of belief that can be done consistently and be continued throughout the year. Whatever good goals you set, may you reach them with great success.

17

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY FOCUS

FG’s Chaotic Interference in Senate Matters The suit filed recently by the federal government, alleging forgery in the election of the Senate President Bukola Saraki and other principal officers of the senate is crossing the line in the separation of powers, writes Segun James

A

pparently in need of something controversially engaging to keep him in the news for a while, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, last week filed a suit, accusing the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and two others of forging the 2015 Senate Standing Rules used in electing Saraki and Ekweremadu to office. This is coming over a year after the election had taken place.

Although days after the elections, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (APC-Kaduna North) had petitioned the Inspector General of Police, alleging that the Standing Rules used for the exercise was forged. He accused four officials of conspiracy and demanded criminal investigation of the matter. Mr. Hunkuyi is the secretary of the Unity Forum, a group of APC Senators opposed to the emergence of Saraki, preferring his opponent, Senator Ahmed Lawan instead.

Immediately, the police launched an investigation and submitted a detailed report to Malami.

The case, with reference number, CR/219/16, was filed on June 10, 2015 at the Federal High Court, Abuja and assigned to Justice Yusuf Haliru.

The case borders on two-count charge, including offence of conspiracy punishable under Section 97 (1) of the Penal Code Law; and offence of forgery with “fraudulent intent” punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law. But the sudden interest of the executive arm in a matter that is purely of the legislative concern has since raised suspicion especially against the backdrop of insinuations that it was another avenue to rattle the Senate President and further threaten his seat. Besides, it may have further exposed the fact that the executive clandestinely interfered with the exposed its clandestine involvement in the election of the National Assembly leadership. What however confirmed these fears was the Police letter to the senate leadership, which had requested to meet with the leaders of the 7th Senate of which Saraki was not a part. Indeed, the suit by Malami deliberately replaced a former Senate President, David Mark with Saraki, obviosuly to bring in the incumbent Senate President.

On the contrary, the letter from the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, signed by AIG James Caulcrick, dated June 7, 2016, and titled: “Letter of Invitation…Re: Forgeries/Fraudulent Use of Senate Standing Order/Rules 2015 (As Amended) By the 8th Senate”, had requested to see seven members of the leadership of the 7th senate in this order: Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Majority Leader of the Senate, Clerk of the National Assembly, Clerk of the Senate as well as Chairman and Secretary, Business and Rules Committee.

An extract from the Police letter reads: “I refer to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police’s letter no. CR:3000/X/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.185/98 dated 1st July, 2015, requesting the under-listed officials of the 7th senate to report to the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department for the purpose of conducting investigation on the above matter.” The under-listed in this extract are those earlier identified.

Clearly addressed to the 7th Senate, which was stated twice in the letter, who therefore does not know that the Senate President in the 7th Senate was David Mark? Curiously, in adjusting the new plan to accommodate their intention, four out of the initial seven principal officers, with Saraki now replacing Mark have been charged with allegation of forgery.

How that is now Saraki’s business is what the federal government is yet to address in this latest onslaught to install the senate leadership of

Malami...how not to try the judiciary

choice. The selected four for the forgery charge are the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Clerk of the National Assembly and Clerk of the Senate, with only Saraki being the new person on the list.

In another extract which shows again that the mention of the 7th senate was not in error, the police wrote: “As at the time of writing this letter, none of the officials in the above 7th senate list honoured the invitation to respond to the allegations, except the Clerks of the National Assembly and that of the Senate,” urging them afresh to report to their office on the 9th of June, 2016, two days after the letter was dispatched.

Against the backdrop of the above, the intent in the police letter is not only clear from inception;

Date and time has been set for the epic battle as the nation as well as the rest of the world watches from Monday, another trial of her judiciary. One thing is certain though. With the latest engagement defined more by politics of will, ego, domination, blackmail and harassment of one arm by another, the drifting of the camaraderie expected between both arms in collective interest is surely going to be visited on the already tottering governance of the country

its position too is purely professional and handled as such. But how the name of a former senate president was swapped or assumed to be, is the missing link in the latest war launched by the executive against the legislature.

But the Senate had since responded. Setting the record straight, the Senate through its Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, started by warning the executive not to take its maturity for weakness and asked it to steer clear of its business. In a statement titled: Forgery Case, an Unconstitutional Violation of Principles of Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, alleged attempts by the executive arm to undermine the principles of checks and balances.

“After reading in the national newspapers and online platforms of the planned charges of forgery and conspiracy preferred against the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, immediate past Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa and the Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Ben Efeturi and reviewing the circumstances leading to the filing of these charges, we are compelled to alert the good people of Nigeria and the international community that our democracy is in danger and that the attempt by the Executive Arm of the federal government to muzzle the legislature and criminalise legislative processes in order to cause leadership change in the National Assembly is a return to the era of impunity and lack of respect for due process, which we all fought to abolish.

“We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to please call his Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, to order. The Senate of the Federal Republic voted freely to elect its leadership into office and continuing attempts to change that leadership through the wanton abuse of judicial processes cannot stand in the eyes of the world.

“It is clear that the Attorney General and party leaders behind this action either lack the understanding of the underlining principles of constitutional democracy, the concept of Separation of Powers, checks and balances and parliamentary convention or they just simply

do not care if the present democracy in the country survives or collapses in their blinded determination to get Saraki and Ekweremadu by all means necessary, including abuse of office and sacking the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The Nigerian people have enough economic hardship at this time requiring the full attention and cooperation of the three arms of government, instead of these attempts to distract and politicise governance. We are in a state of economic emergency such that what the National Assembly needs at this time are executive bills and proposals aimed at resolving the crises of unemployment, currency depreciation, inflation, crime and insecurity.

“What the National Assembly needs now are executive bills to build and strengthen institutions to earn revenues, fight corruption and eliminate waste. Instead, we are getting hostile actions aimed at destabilising the National Assembly, distracting Senators from their oversight functions and ensuring good and accountable governance.”

The Senate further contended that “We must make it clear here to the individuals in the Executive arm and party leadership behind these plots not to mistake the maturity and hand of co-operation being extended to the Presidency by the legislature as a sign of weakness. The National Assembly bent backwards to accommodate various infractions and inefficiencies in pursuit of inter-arms co-operation and national interest. We did not follow up the various infractions because we believe there are bigger issues, which the government has to attend to in order to ensure that every Nigerian has food on his table and lives comfortably in a secure environment. We know that the country is actually in a state of economic emergency and all hands must be on deck.

“This latest plot is directed at forcing a change of leadership in the Senate or, in the extreme case, ground the Red Chamber of the National Assembly. Or how does one interpret a move in which the two presiding officers are being set up to be remanded in Kuje Prison or incapacitated from sitting at plenary through a day-to-day trial on a matter that is purely an internal affair of the Senate.

“This, obviously, is a dangerous case of violation of the independence of the legislature, undue and unnecessary interference in the internal affairs of the Senate and blatant abuse of the judicial process. The matter now being criminalised was brought to the plenary of the Senate in session, over a year ago. And because it had no support, it was overruled and roundly defeated in chambers. To now take a matter that was resolved on the floor of the Senate to the police and then make it form the subject of a criminal prosecution of freely elected legislators beats all imagination of free thinking men all over the world.

“The implication is that any matter that fails on the floor of the National Assembly will now be taken to the Police, thereby endangering every Senator and House member. This current move clearly runs contrary to the Doctrine of Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances which are fundamental to the successful operation of the Presidential System of government. It runs counter to the principle outlined by the Supreme Court in the Adesanya Vs Senate case, where it was held that nobody should seek to use the courts to achieve what he or she has failed to push through on the floor of the National Assembly,” the Senate said.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

18

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

FOR THE RECORD

I left Benue Better than I Met It Benue State is today in a better shape than I met it, writes Gabriel Suswam

M

y attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and published in some national dailies, where he alleged that I had “equipped” the youths in the state with arms to perpetrate violence during my tenure in office as governor of the state. The statement quotes Governor Ortom as alleging that his administration has recovered over 600 assorted weapons, which I had given to the youths from over 800 of them, who surrendered during the Amnesty Programme, and that I and my cohorts believed in violence and could take everything by force.

I like to state here clearly that nothing could be further from the truth than these unfortunate remarks from Ortom, which clearly bear the stamp of his well-known trade mark of leveling all manner of allegations against me, since his assumption of office, no matter how bizarre, absurd and preposterous such allegations might be. But, by now, I am aware it has become obvious to the people of Benue State and even beyond that throwing accusations at me has not only become a favourite pastime of Governor Ortom, it is also a cardinal lynch-pin of his administration’s policy drive.

However, this mindset and approach of my successor, Governor Ortom, is lacking in veracity and wisdom, considering that the people of the state are neither blind nor are they deaf that they cannot see and hear well enough to know if the governor is telling the truth in his endless accusations against me, or merely trying to create a smoke-screen to divert the attention of the people from his own activities and performance so far in office.

Is it really true that as Governor of Benue State, I, Gabriel Suswam, did arm youths in the state with dangerous weapons and encouraged them to perpetrate violence and commit crimes, as Ortom is accusing me? It is on record that I am not a violent person and I abhor violence in whatever guise, which Ortom knows.

A retrospective look at my political trajectory is very clear that no violent activity was perpetrated or could be traced to me unlike the records of my accusers and traducers as their kinsmen can attest to. Were security a sector one could score hundred per cent I would have scored that as governor, but that is a record that is globally being sought for.

On assumption of office as governor in 2007, I had moved decisively to turn around the state of insecurity, which pervaded the state as a fallout from politically motivated violence, which wreaked havoc on some parts of the state, particularly in Kwande, Tarka and GwerEast Local Government areas, resulting from failed local council elections in those areas, where an indeterminate number of persons were killed and many others maimed for life.

In co-operation with the Nigeria Police and the Army, rapid response security units were set up in the state, such as ‘Operation Zenda’ and the ‘Red Scarf’ which my administration funded properly with the attendant result that throughout the eight years of my reign as governor, Benue State enjoyed the status of the most peaceful and secured state within the much troubled North-Central region of the country, a ‘peace and safety haven’ which witnessed rapid influx of people fleeing violence and unrest from other states in the country.

I also initiated the setting up of crossborder security outfits with neighboring states to curb the menace of inter-state criminal elements, particularly Nasarawa State, which though was under the rule

For Governor Ortom to seek to extend his endless and rather shallow blame game against me to the issues of security in the state, which flies in the face of reason and truth is an unfortunate and sad reflection of his lack of appreciation of the weight and responsibilities of the office of governor, and this is further suggestive of a basic lack of capacity on his part for such high office

Suswam...setting the record straight

of a governor from a different political party (CPC), co-operated with me to achieve results, which till date, no security operation in any part of the country has equaled the positive results from that exercise.

Regrettably, now that both Nasarawa and Benue States are in one political party – the ruling APC – such co-operation is not there. I will not be surprised if today, Ortom blames me for the present lack of co-operation and attendant poor result.

I can, today, proudly flaunt as one of the achievements of my tenure in office the fact that Makurdi during that period earned the distinction of becoming the second fastest growing city in the whole of the West African sub-region of the African continent, but before my tenure, Makurdi was never on any global radar for positive reasons.

It should also be noted that when Fulani herdsmen and their militia descended on parts of the state visiting death and destruction on whole villages and communities, with a carefully thought out framework and strategy, my administration was able to curb the menace and the peace and security status of the state and its socio-economic stability and equilibrium were not adversely affected.

Such a feat was possible through a wide-embracing process of consultations and integration of stakeholders of the Benue project, most of whom were top-rated security experts and technocrats, under a number of technical committees, such as the Gen. (Rtd) John Atom Kperaled committee, and also the involvement of a Civilian Task Force drawn from the locals that seamlessly complemented the efforts of security agencies, and together, we were able to harness effectively internal peace and security architecture.

I like to reiterate here that the issue of the peace and security of any state is too weighty and sensitive a matter to be thrown to the pedestrian walkway of petty politics, where the major considerations are rather dangerously trivial and only capable of undermining the deeper foundations of the prosperity and wellbeing of that state.

For Governor Ortom to seek to extend his endless and rather shallow blame game against me to the issues of security in the state, which flies in the face of

reason and truth is an unfortunate and sad reflection of his lack of appreciation of the weight and responsibilities of the office of governor, and this is further suggestive of a basic lack of capacity on his part for such high office.

To buttress his apparent lack of preparedness for the task of being governor, Ortom even had no idea of the basic procedure for structuring his so-called Amnesty Programme, which he so loves to flaunt now, and it took the urgings of elder statesman, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, for the governor to realise that he needed to put in place an Amnesty Committee, and this was well after the programme was purported to have gotten underway.

What this strongly suggests is a lack of consultation and wide enough involvement of Benue sons and daughters, who are knowledgeable in such matters and who could bring their weight of expertise and experience to bear on such a programme for the peace, security and overall good of the state.

Unfortunately, but predictably, Ortom’s Amnesty Programme today is the sham and failure that it is, with top officials of his administration being accused of involvement in crimes under the guise of the purported programme. For the very first time in the history of this state, a governor’s top security Aide has been assassinated and the accused culprits are members of the governor’s kitchen cabinet, yet he is apparently incapable of reining in his appointees.

The implication here is that Governor Ortom, as the supposed Chief Security Officer of the state, is not in control of the security apparatus of the state, and does not, therefore, have the authority over certain individuals and vested interests, and this reflects a bigger security menace than could be imagined in a modern society which is presumed to be operating on the principles of rule of law and order.

Is it Gabriel Suswam, who is responsible for all of these? The answer is obvious to all.

As governor, I did my best possible within the limits of resources available to me to ensure the security of the lives and property of citizens of Benue State, and to guarantee for them, an atmosphere of peace within which to pursue their endeavours. I did not arm any individual or

groups with weapons of any sort neither did I encourage violence or criminality in any form, both in my private and official capacity.

There is no record or proof anywhere to buttress these allegations of Governor Ortom that I did arm criminals with dangerous weapons. My regret now is that the honour, respect and clout my administration restored on the Benue man has been thrown to the gutters.

This is clearly yet another of the governor’s wild and baseless accusations against me, and the intention is yet all the more glaring, that he is desperately in need of something to divert the attention of the world away from non-performance and the serial scandals rocking his administration, from assassinations within his kitchen cabinet to, according to ICPC, embezzlement of workers’ salaries and loans, to lately, indictment of his regime by anti-corruption agencies, and the arrest and detention of government functionaries and his cohorts by the EFCC on charges of fraud.

Governor Ortom is evidently having the worst of times as the leader of a failing administration, one which is being daily exposed in the eyes of the world for its fraudulent character. He is, therefore, a desperate drowning man clutching at straws in the form of those unfounded allegations against me.

But I urge the governor to pull himself together and go back to basics. Being governor entails much more than just riding about in motorcades blowing sirens.

It demands clear-headedness and an open mind targeted more towards the larger goal of the pursuit of the good of the majority of the people. No governor can succeed in office by being a mere stooge and a willing pawn in the hand of some god-father, who has no ambition in life other than to lord it over fickle-minded people and imagine himself a mini-god.

I left Benue State in a much better state of peace and security than I met it, and it is my advice to Governor Ortom to strive with all the resources at his disposal to improve on my legacy. This is the only way government will always derive its legitimacy – to improve on the existing standards at any given point in time, and by so doing ensure the continual progress and development of society.

On a last note, performance is needed to endear you to the people; blame-game can only buy you time. Once more, Ortom, roll up your sleeves and go to work.

- Suswam is the immediate past governor of Benue State

19

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

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Quick Takes Bi-Courtney Appoints New CEO

STRETEGISING FOR AIR SAFETY

L-R: Director, Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Joyce Nkemakolam; the Chairman, Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Ltd; Mr. Lawrence Fubara-Anga, President/Chief Executive Officer, Bristow Group, Mr. Jonathan Baliff; Managing Director, Bristow Nigeria and Interim Regional Director, Africa, Capt. Akin Oni, and Capt. Alex Oshomah at the launch of the Bristow Helicopters Rescue and Recovery Service (RRS) in Lagos ... recently

High Cost of Aviation Fuel Set to Impede Flight Operations Some Nigerian airlines have said if the price of aviation fuel continues to stay at the present average price of N140 per litre in the next two weeks they would stop operation and ground their fleet.

The airlines told THISDAY that the market has depleted by about 50percent from last year, pointing out thst further increase in fares to reflect the high price of aviation fuel may reduce passenger traffic to less than 40 percent.

This means that the load factor would be drastically reduced and every flight would operate at a loss and cumulatively the airlines would lose huge sums that could eventually result in

AVIATION grounding their operations with huge debts.

Although the aviation fuel market is deregulated, the airlines are seeking government’s intervention, insisting government must and stop this slide as they accused oil marketers of insincerity in the pricing of the product, known as Jet A1.

One of the operators told THISDAY that the increase in the price of aviation fuel started in the first week of June, 2016 and the product that was selling for N115 per litre rose to between N139 to N142 per

litre, depending on the city the airline is buying the product.

The operator said that most airlines are disinclined to increasing prices but realistically, without increase in prices inevitably the airlines would be recording huge losses.

“The way out is not increasing prices because if you increase prices you price yourself out of the market. The number of people who travel by air has drastically reduced and most of them cannot afford an increase in fares. Besides, some airlines would want to hold back fare increase to capture the passengers that would shun the high fares in other airlines,” he said.

But a senior executive of another Nigerian carrier who spoke to THISDAY on Wednesday said the increase in fares has become inevitable because that is the way the airline could ensure operation; otherwise it would ground its service.

“We don’t really know how to manage this. We are yet to take decision in the management but we have to increase price; although we have not yet decided to do so. I will speak to other airlines to know their thinking about this. If we don’t increase price we operate at a loss.

“It is surprising that after they Continued on page 20

Nigeria, Ghana to Partner on Mutual ICT Programmes Dele Ogbodo in Abuja The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria’s Information and Technology (IT) clearing house and its Ghanaian counterpart, the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), have agreed to collaborate on common grounds as it affects both countries’ IT sector.

A statement signed by Mrs. Hadiza Umar, on behalf of the acting DG of NITDA, Mr. Vincent Olatunji, which was made available to media in Abuja, said the two agencies met over the weekend in Accra, Ghana to assess mutual areas of interest and how they

ICT can leverage on ICT to better improve the economic potentials of these countries.

Olatunji said both countries are to work on agreeable terms to define the nature and scope of the partnership to cover among others: human capital development, ICT startups and entrepreneurship schemes, local content, cyber security and smart city.

He said: “The areas of cooperation will also cover mutual support for each countries IT related events or such public sector led IT events designed to draw investments and developments to the two countries.

“The need for us as neighbours and as developing countries to identify common goals and common strategies’ within the sub-region to approach issues as relating to IT is both important and desirous now so as to raise the economic fortunes of our two countries.”

The statement quoted the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of NITA, Mr. George Atta-Boatang, as saying: “We welcome a partnership with Nigeria and see it as exigent to actualising our own mandate as a counterpart IT agency in Ghana. We consider partnership as an essential element of growth and look to maximising this partnership.

According to Atta-Boatang,

NITA was established in 2008 as an IT projects-based public service institution and has so far championed internet diffusion in Ghana as well as provide the framework for data warehousing for both public and private institutions in Ghana.

The CEO said NITA is currently working to commission the 10, 000 seats BPO/Outsourcing centre in Accra, touted to be the largest in West Africa as Ghana prepares to be a major hub for BPO/Outsourcing in West Africa.

While admitting that NITA is relatively young compared to the NITDA, he said NITA will draw on some inspiring input Continued on page 20

Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2), Lagos, has announced the appointment of Captain Jari O. Williams as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).A statement from the company said the management sought to consolidate the company’s sterling achievements and reposition as a worldclass template, even as the federal government gears up to concession four major Nigerian airports.

BASL said it plans to leverage on over 10 years’ experience as the pioneering operator of the country’s first, highly successful, Build, Operate and Transfer concession, as it sets the pace of new development in the industry.

“The new CEO’s appointment also aligns with the vision of BASL’s Chairman Dr. Wale Babalakin, to continuously infuse cerebral thinking into the development and administration of critical infrastructure within and outside the shores of Nigeria in order to ensure the highest level of safety, efficiency and excellence in service delivery and asset management,” the company said. Williams succeeds Mr. Christophe Penninck, who contributed immensely to the growth of BASL in the emergence of MMA2 as the number one airport terminal in Nigeria. Capt. Williams is an FAA/ICAO certified Airline Transport Pilot who has flown over 10,000 flight hours both locally and internationally in addition to various type ratings on airplanes. He has a Diploma in Civil Engineering and has attended a series of professional Aviation courses, including: airport certification and infrastructure standard, safety management system and Airport and flight operations quality and audit processes.

NDLEA, Others in Walk Against Drugs

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has led other stakeholders in a sensitisation road walk against drug abuse and trafficking.The walk was part of activities marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which would hold on June 26. The Director General of the NDLEA, Mrs. Roli Bode-George, who led other stakeholders during the walk in Lagos said that it was aimed at creating awareness on the dangers of substance abuse. “The Agency seeks to increase the level of awareness concerning drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

There are people who have drug abuse challenges but do not know how to get solutions. Many are dying daily while others are confined to psychiatric hospitals. The NDLEA want to assist members of the public to live a healthy drug-free lifestyle through public enlightenment” she stated.The theme for the commemoration of the World Drug Day is Listen First. Handbills with different messages such as Harken to The Cry of Your Child, Listen First Nigeria, Your Child Must Not Be The Next, among others were distributed to members of the public during the walk.

The Director General added that parents can help save a life from illicit drug use today if only they can listen more and seek help for children before and when they get hooked on illicit drugs.

Angola Foreign Reserves Decline

Angola is running short of foreign reserves to pay for imports because its national oil firm has not contributed to state coffers since January, Reuters quoted President Jose Eduardo dos Santos to have said.Remittances from Sonangol, which is now run by the president’s daughter Isabel, represented 60 percent of total government revenues, but the firm halted payments after the price of oil fell, dos Santos said on Wednesday.

“Our country lives upon imports, practically. Imports for food, for raw materials to national manufactures, for industry, agriculture, construction, for payments to expats and foreign workers,” Dos Santos said after meeting cabinet ministers.

“The players in the industry are known; their challenges are also known. I am trying and working hard to drive this through government for government to understand them.

Minister of State for Aviationa

Senator Hadi Sirika

20

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD HIGH COST OF AVIATION FUEL SET TO IMPEDE FLIGHT OPERATIONS said subsidy has been removed, the product price went up again. One understands that the product is important and I know what is happening to Naira in the exchange market but this is getting too much.

Everything is going up, maintenance, training, everything.

People should gird their loins because they should be ready to pay more to travel; not only by air but also by other means,” the official said.

At the best of times domestic airlines and charter operators demand over two million litres of aviation fuel daily.

Although the product is deregulated but THISDAY learnt that the marketers operate as a cartel and instead of them importing the product so that every market would sell its own product, which would create competition and make the product available, they usually assign one marketer or two to import for a period.

This makes the supply inadequate and unable to meet the demand, which makes the prices to soar, but because the product is imported it is subjected to the high exchange rate and demurrage and other expenses are incurred to bring the product to the airports.

NIGERIA, GHANA TO PARTNER ON MUTUAL ICT PROGRAMMES from the NITDA in marshalling its own current structure as a policy driven IT agency from its original orientation as a project driven one. Both establishments further considered a working relationship as a partnership that should thicken and inspire IT-led collaborations with other West African countries within the framework of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). “We share a common IT destiny,” said the NITDA’s boss while elaborating on NITDA’s effort to strengthen the value of IT within Nigeria’s public and private organisations.

“The NITDA has invested massively in human capital in Nigeria to build an army of IT savvies. In addition to expanding the boundaries of internet usage across countries.

NEWS

Ministry, Firm to Partner on Hydro Power Devt Alex Enumah in Abuja

As part of efforts towards improving electricity generation and supply in the country, Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, has said that the ministry is willing to partner North South Power Company Limited in the development of existing dams for power generation.

Suleiman stated when the board members of the North South Power Company Ltd, led by its Chairman, Mallam Ibrahim Aliyu paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

In a statement released to journalists in Abuja, the minister described the partnership as a good development and a demonstration that Nigeria now has competent hands in handling such issues, which were hitherto left in the hands of foreigners.

The statement, which was signed by the Director (Information & Public Relations), Margaret Umoh also revealed that the ministry is considering to also partner the private sector in the development of the new and existing infrastructure for the development of small hydro power schemes.

It further added that the ministry in partnership with the Ministry of Power has set up a Steering Committee on how well the ministry can concession the small hydro power schemes for adequate power generation. The Committee, according to the minister would come up with

regulations and information that would attract would-be investors in the sector.

Responding, the Chairman of the company, Mallam Ibrahim Aliyu said that the partnership with the ministry would be achieved by building the powerhouse and installing the electro-mechanical

components to generate power from some of the dams they have identified.

He said, some of the assets of the ministry identified for used to increase the power generation of the country include the 30megawatt Gurara 1 Hydropower plant in Kaduna, 10mw Tiga dam Hydro Power

plant in Kano, 10mw Oyan dam Hydro Power plant in Ogun, 8mw Challawa dam Hydro Power plant in Kano and 6mw Ikere dam Hydro Power plant in Oyo state.

He added that the company would raise money from their projects to explore viable opportunities in those identified

areas without calling on government for financing, adding, that under the joint venture, the ministry and the North South Power Company Ltd will jointly develop the projects and share revenues accruing from the sale of electricity in the proportion of each party’s contribution.

BRAINSTORMING ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

L-R: Director Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Tony Ojobo; Commission Secretary, Barr. Felix Adeoye; Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta; Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu and Prof. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN) at the Telecom Corporate Governance Forum hosted by the NCC in Lagos…recently

Kano Disco Decries Incessant Poor Electricity Allocation Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Kano Electricity Distribution Plc (KEDCO) has expressed concern over continuous poor power allocation to its network from the National Control Center (NCC) Oshogbo. The company has also condemned the meagre load allocation for customers in its franchise area by the Area Control Center (ACC) Kumbotso in Kano.

The company’s spokesperson, Mohammed Kandi said in a statement made available to THISDAY in Kano on Wednesday that “the abysmal energy allocation to Kano DiSco in recent times is impacting negatively not only on our revenue generation but our desire to maintain customer intimacy in business.”

Kandi, who said that the company could no longer

understand why it is always asked to maintain the lowermost energy from the scanty allocation given to it, however, noted that such was not in the best interest of the company to have its customers experience days of constant power outages.

He said: “The past few months have been very challenging for our company, especially in terms of the total

blackout that our customers have been facing, as well as the difficulty our staff encounter during collections.

“Power allocation to Kano these past few weeks has been horrible with an average of 40MW; while the company received insignificant power supply of 48MW as at 8:55am, 45MW at 7:16am and 4:50am from the ACC yesterday, the allocation from the NCC was

50MW as at 8:55, 114MW and 80MW at 7:16am and 4:50am respectively,” Kandi explained.

KEDCO spokesman also informed that the company requires an average of 600MW daily to satisfy the electricity needs of customers in its coverage area of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, adding that, Kano DiSco has the technical capacity to absorb 800MW in its network.

BEDC Signs Load Shedding Pact with Military Cantonment, Akure Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku 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 (Maritime)

Against the backdrop of the dwindling low power generation to the national grid and the debts owned electricity distribution companies, Benin Electricity Distribution Plc. (BEDC) and the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian army, Owena Cantonment, in Akure, Ondo State have agreed on a regimental load shedding and energy saving programme to reduce cost of electricity and ensure efficient energy allocation.

The agreement, according to a statement signed by BEDC Chief Corporate Services Officer, Mrs. Kunbi Labiyi, was reached on Monday by Brigadier General Charles

Ofoche, Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade and Chief State Head, Ondo/Ekiti States for BEDC, Mr. Ernest Edgar.

In recent times, generation has dropped to 1,500 megawatts nationwide, making it difficult for BEDC to increase supply to operational areas given its allocation of nine (9) per cent, even as the drop in power generation has affected BEDC’s ability to circulate power to customers despite its installed capacity.According to the terms of the agreement, there will be relocation and improvement of electricity network for efficient power supply; installation of three feeder pillars with breakers; training of officers

and men of the brigade on operation and management of equipment installed in the cantonment.

With the agreement signing, the cantonment would be able to reduce and efficiently manage power consumption from 160,000KW to a monthly minimum of 50,000KW , with a view to save cost for the Nigerian Army from a monthly average bill of N6million expended on electricity bills to just N2.5million.

Speaking during the Distribution Power Commissioning ceremony, Brigadier General Ofoche said the programme was borne out of the need to efficiently manage resources in

the Barrack which is in sync with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision of having a Professionally Responsive Army in the discharge of its constitutional duties. He also said that this was a good example of Civilian-Military Relationship, adding that the “Army would honour and adhere to the regimental load shedding until when the power situation improves and the authorities are able to reasonably defat the electricity bills.

He emphasised that the army was a functional one and that power supply was critical to the successful operations of various units, saying that proper and timely allocation

of electricity was paramount for an efficient Army.

In his own remarks, BEDC’s Chief State Head, Mr. Ernest Edgar lauded the commander for his visionary leadership on the mutually beneficial programme that “will reduce Army’s cost of electricity, save energy for other customers in Akure and also reduce BEDC’s AT&C losses due to huge unpaid debts of the cantonment”.

Edgar said the programme was first of its kind in the country and urged other military agencies ministries, departments and agencies to emulate such partnership with distribution companies (Discos).

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AIR WATCH

Singapore Academy Trains Safety Inspectors in Nigeria Chinedu Eze In a bid to save its lean resources, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has played host to the pilot edition of Safety Oversight Inspectors Course (Aerodrome) in Lagos, Nigeria.

Hitherto the regulatory body usually sends its personnel to attend this course and others overseas but in response to the present economic crunch, NCAA decided to host the training in the country.

“This Aerodrome course hitherto offered in Singapore Civil Aviation Academy was

taken to diaspora for the very first time in its existence. The first offshore location for the course away from Singapore was at the NCAA Conference Facility, Lagos, Nigeria,” explained NCAA spokesman, Sam Adurogboye in a statement.

He noted that in cognizance of the importance of the course to global aviation safety, 40 participants from 15 African countries were in attendance for this maiden edition.

“Nigeria provided the highest number of participants.

There were 13 persons from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and three from the

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

“In addition, 14 other countries were similarly in attendance. They were Burkina- Faso, Cameroon, Niger Republic, Congo, Mali, Cote de voire, Togo, Senegal, Chad, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Gambia and Sierra Leone,” he disclosed.

The five-day course was organised by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the training has as its focus vital areas of Aerodrome Oversight functions.

Why Accra-Lagos Route is Fading Fast

Aero Explains Role in Exposing Suspected Child Kidnapper Aero Contractors has revealed how its check in staff that reported a child kidnapper who boarded the airline’s flight at the Murtala Muhammed Domestic Airport (MMA2), Lagos on Tuesday.

A middle-aged female passenger, billed to travel to Port Harcourt carried two-week old infant suspected not to be her child by her conduct and was forced to lactate the baby, which she could not do, prompting security operatives to arrest her with the baby.

Informed source from the airline explained that during check in of Flight NG313, the woman approached the check in officer, Diane Babalola to inquire whether she could travel with the two weeks old baby.

She subsequently purchased a ticket to Port Harcourt (NG313) on PNR AQ2G30 for herself Adedokun/ Rebecca Toyin and her supposed infant Adedokun Rebecca Iretonmiwa (female).

She was in a haste to go to the boarding lounge when a NAHCO baggage handler saw her and directed her back to the counter to check in as her conduct had raised eyebrows.

During security questioning,

her body language made the Aero staff suspicious, as the check-in officer Seyi Oguntoyan accused her of not being the biological mother of the infant.

Also, the counter supervisor, Ngozi Eze insisted that the woman should breastfeed the baby to calm her because she was so uncomfortable and hysterical; but when the woman reluctantly tried to feed the baby, it was discovered that she was not lactating.

“It was at this juncture that the attention of the security was drawn and the woman was arrested and kept in custody of the Bi-courtney Airport Police Station.

THISDAY learnt that when she was interrogated, the woman gave different contradicting statements but established the fact that the baby was not hers.

She claimed that she adopted the baby through her sister, a nurse, who is based in Port Harcourt at the sum of N600, 000.00.

She said she was going back to Port Harcourt because the baby took ill and needed medical attention. She referred them to a man whom she claimed

was her husband but the man when contacted by the police officers denied knowing her.

“Meanwhile, while at the Police Station, the baby started vomiting and hiccupping, we (Duty officer Ifeoma and an the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority official) took the baby to the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) clinic where the baby was cleaned up, administered drugs to and dressed in warmed clothes.

One of the Aero officials, Diane Babalola (a lactating mother) volunteered to breastfeed the baby and she was well fed. “The baby is currently in the custody of the BASL clinic awaiting other decisions from Aero and Bi-Courtney,” airline official told THISDAY. The Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Captain Fola Akinkiotu commended the security alertness of the team in the airport.

“This is a commendable effort by our airport staff and we are proud of their commitment to duty. We have a high safety and security heritage, and we are determined to keep that record,” he said.

NAMA’s Aircraft e-Clearance Gets more Buy-in from Kano, PH Stakeholders In a bid to get more appreciation and understanding of the newly deployed Aircraft e-Clearance Solution, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has taken the demonstration of the software application to more stakeholders.

The agency said this time it was the turn of Kano and Port Harcourt stakeholders and explained that the Kano event which took place Green Desert Palm Hotel, Kano attracted representatives of airlines, service providers, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Directorate of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Police, aviation agencies etc.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Deputy General Manager, Aircraft Clearance Office, Mr. Patrick Nebe recalled that apart from its inherent vulnerability to manipulations

detrimental to national security, the old system of manually granting aircraft clearances was fraught with other challenges such as unnecessary bureaucracy leading to loss of valuable time, stressing that the urgency with which some flights operate necessitated a quicker system of processing flight clearances for them.

Nebe also explained that the Aircraft e-Clearance Solution has inbuilt security and tracking device which helps users to keep track of their request for flight permit as well as the general aircraft movement within the nation’s airports.

Kano event was particularly instructive as it attracted one of the largest crowd of mostly enthusiastic stakeholders who lauded the agency for the initiative.

The Port Harcourt dem-

onstration afforded NAMA the opportunity to assure stakeholders that the nation’s airspace remains one of the safest on the continent of Africa for air navigation. Speaking while declaring open the demonstration of Aircraft e-Clearance User Acceptance Test Module to National Air Defence Corp, Security Agencies and other stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the Ag. Managing Director of NAMA, Emma Anasi noted that the agency in the recent past has deployed sophisticated technology and navigational infrastructure intended to enhance efficiency in its operations as well as safety of air travel in the country, stressing that the deployment of Aircraft e-Clearance Solution was another innovation by NAMA to automate its operations.

T

he load factor for airlines on the popular Accra-Lagos route has diminished. Some of the airlines are reconsidering the route. Without official announcement, some have started withdrawing their service through unexpected cancellations. Four Nigerian airlines and one Ghanaian airline have shown consistency on the route; now that consistency is slipping.

In the last 10 years, many Nigerians have seen Ghana as investment destination. This took a notch higher in the last six years as Nigerian economy grew and became the largest in Africa, Nigerians became attracted by Ghana’s good political atmosphere and business climate and started investing hugely in the fellow West African nation.

This multiplied the movement between the two countries and made Accra-Lagos route one of the most lucrative routes in the West Coast.

This was enhanced somewhat by homogeneous language, political and cultural affinity that Ghana became an extension of Nigeria in many ways; yet politically it remained more stable.

The major reason why traffic has diminished on that route is Nigeria’s economic downturn.

Since last year when Nigeria’s economy took ill in response to the low oil price, which started in 2014, investment had since lost its velocity and naturally it has affected business between the two countries.

The problem was exacerbated by the prolonged dilemma over the devaluation of Naira, which lasted almost a year that saw the Naira plummet in value and became pariah in bureau de change boxes in Ghana’s capital Accra; to the extent that the currency, which used to command so much respect was shunned by all and sundry. About three years ago, one could spend the Naira at the eateries and other business centres at the Accra airport.

THISDAY learnt from one of the operators on Tuesday that the major reason why some airlines might have decided to cut down or stop their operations to Ghana from Nigeria is because of the expenses, which you must pay in dollars.

These include charges and other expenses.

“If you are making enough sales in the foreign currency you will be able to pay for these charges but in a situation whereby you don’t earn enough foreign currency to pay for these charges you will be forced to subsidise the route from your earnings elsewhere and it will be difficult, knowing the current exchange rate,” the source told THISDAY. Industry analyst told THISDAY that the problem is really the Nigerian economy and expressed optimism that the traffic between

the two countries would eventually peak, but for now some airlines could withdraw their service, while others could reduce their frequencies.

“Some will have to review their flights. They can even pull out and later come back. After all, Iberia some time ago pulled out of Nigeria and later came back before the recent exit. But the route will continue to be an important one for the two countries,” the analyst said.

Travel expert, Ikechi Uko who literally lives in Nigeria and Ghana has explored the factors responsible for the low passenger traffic on the Accra-Lagos route. He recently narrated how a passenger booked a Business Class ticket on one Nigerian airline from Accra to Lagos and when he turned up at the airport on Sunday morning he found out the flight has been cancelled and nobody informed him about the cancellation.

“He had to buy an Arik ticket for $315 to get back home to Lagos. That probably was a sign of things to come. Today (last week) it would have been worse as an economy ticket from Lagos to Accra is between $200 and $300 depending on whose exchange rate you are using. The bottom has finally fallen out of the once lucrative Lagos Accra market. As Arik and Aero are now the only regular Nigerian Carriers on the route complemented by the dogged but surely growing Ghanaian carrier Africa World Airlines (AWA).

Uko noted that even Arik and Aero have scaled down operations to once a day in some instances and the use of a smaller aircraft.

“Medview and Dana the other Nigerian carriers on the route have become somewhat epileptic. The biggest winner on this route is turning out to be the Ghanaian carrier AWA. It had applied right equipment, an Embraer 45 and changed schedules many times to find the right spot and timing. It established smart schedule integrity for its evening flight always leaving almost on time. Now with the Forex crisis in Nigeria and AWA price stability it is only disadvantage, which was the fact that most Nigerians don’t like small planes has turned into an advantage as Aero now uses a Dash-8 and Arik sometimes a CRJ all small crafts. Arik because of its multiple connections and network is also surviving added to its new lower pricing as compared to Aero,” Uko said.

The travel expert attributed the now unprofitable route to the oversupply of passenger seats and noted that the airlines were initially carried away by the frenzy of the huge market on the route.

Now that the traffic has ebbed, the airlines inevitably would have to make adjustments.

He said there is over supply now with about 1500 seats.

But many industry experts strongly believe that the lucrative Accra-Lagos route would bounce back.

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Nigerian Airport as Investment Haven The federal government’s plan to concession airport facilities, has elicited interest from global airport managing companies which see Nigeria as an investment haven, writes Chinedu Eze Since the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator HadiSirika made public, government’s intension to concession the four major airports in Nigeria, interested investors have started jostling for investments in the aviation sector despite the fact thatthe authorities have not released further information on the proposed programme.

Shortly after the aviation stakeholders’ meeting where Sirika disclosed federal government’s plan to concession the airports, a major airport management company in Turkey, TAV Airports Holding visited Nigeria and inspected the MurtalaMuhammed International Airport, Lagos, after which it indicated interest in bidding for the airport.

Besides TAV, some indigenous investors are already getting ready to invest in the airports.

But how ready is government to kick off the programme?

According to industry experts, the first step government should take in the concession programme is to carry out pre-concession feasibility study to know the actual value of the airports that would be concessioned. Also, the government should ensure the concessioning bill is presented to the National Assembly for legislation and enactment into law.

The Framework Industry consultant and CEO of BelujaneKonsult, Chris Aligbereasons that the government should go to the National Assembly to develop a framework for the concessioning, which would be enacted into law. The framework, according to him, will state how the investment should be protected and how the investor can repatriate his investment; if it is a foreign company, the equity shareholding, which could be as high as 75 per cent for airport concession because the investor is coming to develop the airport facilities.

The framework will also determine the period of concession, level of equity participation, utilisation of local manpower and all these would be enacted into law.

“That will be the fundamental framework for concessioning; every other things that will be done must genuflect to the framework,” Aligbe said.

Private Sector Funding Looking at the management of the airports over the years and why there has been so much decay until recently as well as the apparent reality that government presently cannot invest hugely in airport development, former General Manager, Business Development of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and presently the Head of Aviation, Orlean Invest Africa Limited, Nuhu Imam Adam said with concise policy on concession and well guided concession of airport facilities, government would no more be bordered by funding of airport infrastructure; it would now have to contend with other social services like provision of health, education and others. At the same time, the airports would have efficient facilities; they would become customer oriented and also yield revenue to government.

Nuhu said the economic situation in Nigeria and the challenges before government have made it inevitable that government should divest some responsibilities that could be handled by the private sector in a win-win situation in the aviation industry, noting that engaging the private sector has become the vogue in the world.

He said government adopting concession that will encourage private participation has become inevitable and indispensable because over the years, government seemed to have exhausted all possibilities to effectively manage and grow the airports. Nuhu noted that despite the continued growth of passenger traffic over the years, the airports were not being expanded to accommodate the passenger growth because there was no consistent programme or policy enunciated to capture such progress in aviation development in the country.

He said therefore that concession of four

Nuhu

major airports, including the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, the NnamdiAzikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Port Harcourt International Airport and Aminu Kano International Airport which would belong to the first phase of the federal government’s plan for aviation sector development is a welcome course correction on the right path of change.

However the government must not delay further on policy framework for the concession.

Efficiency Nuhu said concession would drive efficiency because the investors would strive to ensure they run sustainable business geared towards profitability while at the same time providing efficient service and meeting government’s specified targets. He added that the private sector has the ability to introduce operational effectiveness and improve financial performance, skills that could be lacking in government driven enterprise. According to Nuhu, airport managers all over the world have the potential to improve airport amenities; thereby increasing non-regulated revenues.

He observed that one of the major challenges faced by FAAN aside the undue political pressure and interference was the failure of the management over the years to plug revenue leakages and the personnel lacking the intrinsic drive to explore novel and innovative ways to generate revenue through non-aeronautical sources. He said that when concessioned, the companies that would take over the airports would plug revenue leakages in the airport’s services by implementing systems that track data and measure each service line by a unique set of key performance indicators, with each service line having its own actors responsible for a failure to meet key performance indicators.

Nuhu said Nigeria is largely import dependent so the airports serve as a gateway to markets, and typically return earning from charges imposed on cargo movement.

“In cases of perishable exports, such as agricultural produce, airports equipped with cargo handling facilities profit off the growth in agriculture from its host state, thus a concessionaire of such an airport in a country experiencing increased investment in agriculture is sure to enjoy a unique position that may thrive even as currency pressure on its local legal tender rises,

Sirika

since exports under such conditions are cheaper in the global marketplace. The diversification of Nigeria economy into non-oil export is an opportunity to invest in airports,” he said.

He also observed that a typical airport concessionaire has access to numerous tax benefits since it provides a key social service, which is crucial for economic development.

Thus, the concessionaire may request for tax benefits in order to free up more capital for growth, expansion and development during the period of the concession.

Obsolete Facilities One of the major challenges airlines in Nigeria face is obsolete airport facilities. The government has failed to provide the funds or judiciously utilised available funds to continuously update the airport infrastructure. The idea of concession or private, public partnership (PPP) has been muted for a long time but government lacked the courage to embark on the programme until the experimental action with the concession of Lagos airport domestic terminal to Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited that built and is managing the terminal.

It is the view of many industry observers that the experiment with MAA2 has shown the success of PPP but if government intends to permanently have the private sector to invest in airport development, it must have a legal framework, legislation and policy that subsist succeeding administrations and not tailored to suit the whims of a government that berthed it.

Airline operators have asserted severally that they constantly face constraints in their daily services to passengers. These include poor and slow facilitation in terms of inadequate facilities that may not enable one airline to board passengers in two or three aircraft at the same time; the inability of two or more airlines to move their passengers to the airside at any of the busy airports simultaneously; lack of avio bridges, inadequate personnel for security checks and so on.

It is also expected that after the first four major airports have been concessioned, government would also give out the rest for concession and the concessionaires would explore both aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue sources and these would lead to maximum utilisation of these airports which inevitably

would become busier and attract more users and more travellers. Expectedly, this would lead to creation of more jobs and more business opportunities.

State Owned Airports It is also expected that the airports built by state government would either be abandoned or be given out to private investors who would create businesses in them. Many of those airports are grossly underutilised, which goes to confirm that many of the governors that built the airports at huge cost at the expense of other social amenities that would benefit the generality of the people, did so for the parochial interest of the elite and for the boost of their ego. They remain a flagrant misplacement of priorities.

Speaking about the concession of airports and the fate of state owned airports, the Managing Director of Medview Airline, AlhajiMuneerBankole said: “We are in support of it. That is the way to go because government may not be able to provide the funds that will improve airport facilities and modernise them so that they would be like any other international airports elsewhere.

This will enable government to deploy its funds to other essential needs like education, hospitals and others.

“Most airports in the world are privatised.

They want to privatise the major airports first because that is where the money is, so that the investors will be encouraged to invest in other airports after the major ones. Most of the governors who built airports did not think deeply before embarking on the projects. They should have consulted with the airlines. They should have considered the viability of such airports before embarking on building them.

They should have partnered with us before starting the projects.

“What the government would probably be looking at is how to generate revenue. Government is looking for where money is coming in. Look at this airport terminal (MMA2), it is good facility and it is making money. It was built by a private organisation.”

Many stakeholders are of the view that government must not develop cold feet but launch the air transport sector into a new firmament with PPP, where the private sector would take up the challenge of providing modern airport facilities.

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Air Safety in Nigeria and IATA’s Unalloyed Support The International Air Transport Association has helped Nigeria map out strategies to secure her airspace and curb the series of accidents that have bedeviled her aviation industry, Chinedu Eze writes The major drive to end air crashes in Nigeria was ignited by the tragic accidents of 2005 and 2006 when the country and the world became fixated by avoidable bloodletting in the air, which many wished would never happen again.

The Sosoliso Flight 1145 in Port Harcourt on December 10, 2005 with 108 fatalities who were largely children, ADC Airlines Flight 53 in Abuja where prominent Nigerians died on October 29, 2006 with 97 fatalities out of 110 on board and the Bellview Airlines Flight 210 on October 22, 2005, where all 117 souls on board were lost at Lisa, Ogun state of Nigeria.

These tragedies left so much pain in the hearts of Nigerians and cast Nigeria’s airspace as one of the most dangerous in Africa, as the continent has the uncomplimentary record as the most accident-prone in the world.

The desire to correct these anomalies prompted the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to pick interest in Nigeria.

But there is something in Nigeria that may only be found in few African countries. Nigeria has a population of compulsive travellers.

It has the record of the highest number of indigenous travellers, which is a rarity in the continent. Although less than one percent of Nigerians travel by air, the country passenger traffic in 2015 rose to 15million and there are indications that this could double in no distant time as the economy improves and enhances the citizens’ purchasing power. So there was need to end the frequent accidents in the country.

As a veritable market, the mega carriers from Europe, Middle East and recently from the US could not stay away from Nigeria despite its unsafe airspace then.

Improving Airspace Safety The federal government took certain actions that showed it was committed to end the incessant crashes in Nigeria after the 2006 air crashes, by providing for the first time Doppler Weather Radar to check low level wind sheer, which was said to be partly responsible for the Sosoliso crash. Also, it took measures aimed at improving the runways by installing the airfield lighting and others.

But the major milestone gained at that time was making the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) autonomous. It was however when the Dana Air Flight 992 crashed on June 3, 2012 with about 155 fatalities, including 153 souls onboard and two on ground that NCAA was aroused to take a critical decision of making it compulsory that Nigerian airlines must become IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certified before they would be allowed to continue to operate. But this was not just the decision of Nigeria; it was the decision of African states that met shortly in Abuja after the Dana Air crash. Although the deadline given for the compulsory certification has not been met, IATA has guided Nigerian airlines to meet IOSA condition and improve their operational safety. Also, NCAA has incorporated IOSA as compulsory for Nigerian airlines, which they must obtain at certain stage before they could be allowed to continue to operate. IATA is supporting every commercial Nigerian airline to go through the IOSA programme and it has shown both financial and technical commitment

Under the leadership of ICAO, with input from industry, a global tracking standard has been established. And our capabilities may grow more robust in the near future as spacebased technologies mature

Tyler

to ensure this objective is actualised.

IOSA Programme The IOSA programme is an internationally recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline. All IATA members are IOSA registered and must remain registered to maintain IATA membership.

The benefits of the IOSA programme include quality audit programme under stewardship of IATA; continuous updating of standards to reflect regulatory revisions and best practices; elimination of audit redundancy; reducing costs and audit resource requirements; accredited audit organisations with formally trained and qualified auditors; accredited training organisations with auditor training courses and structured audit methodology, standardised checklists.

IATA said the total accident rate for IOSA carriers between 2011 and 2015 was 3.3 times lower than the rate for non-IOSA operators.

As such, IOSA has become a global standard, recognised well beyond IATA membership. As of March 2015, 145 (36%) of the 405 airlines on the IOSA registry were non-IATA. IATA’s Support In a recent IATA Day held in Abuja, the IATA Area Manager, South West Africa, Dr. Samson Fatokun said that IATA has been supporting Nigerian airlines to improve on safety in their operations.

“To break it down to the Nigerian scene, IATA has been supporting the strengthening of safety in Nigeria. We have taken some airlines, most of the domestic airlines through the IOSA preparatory programme, where each one of them had workshops, funded entirely by IATA and these include First Nation, Medview Airline, Allied Air and Air Peace presently. They have all gone through IOSA preparatory programme and this is a programme that was offered by IATA to help them and it goes straight into helping them to do well at IOSA audit and also improve their level of safety,” Fatokun said.

Before now, Arik Air and Aero had obtained their IOSA certification and Arik had gone through the audit severally. The objective however, is that every airline operating in

Nigeria should be IOSA certified.

Fatokun said: “IATA did not stop only on the operators, five of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority safety inspectors went through series of training organised by IATA so that the regulator should be strengthened in terms of safety oversight. That is what IATA has done in the market; since the past two years we have been rolling that programme to improve safety in Nigeria.

“We did not only stop at safety, we also improved on security. The main focus today is safety and security. We have had series of workshops that we engaged the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the operators on improving security in Nigeria and there were about four workshops that we organised in the past two years. So IATA has really invested in improving safety in Nigeria through the operators and the agencies.”

In his major speech at the just concluded IATA annual general meeting and exhibition held in Dublin, Ireland earlier this month, the out-going Director-General and CEO of IATA, Tony Tyler said that the IATA Operational Safety Audit used by over 400 airlines worldwide now include continuous compliance monitoring, adding that to maintain trust, the quality and integrity of IOSA’s audit standards and processes are constantly reviewed.

“IOSA proves that global standards can drive important safety improvements in Africa. The fatal accident rate for sub-Saharan carriers on the IOSA registry now aligns with the global average. The Abuja Declaration aims to achieve world-class safety in Africa. The continent’s governments must keep their commitments to make IOSA mandatory and implement fully the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and recommended practices.”

Aircraft Tracking Few years ago, the NCAA mulled about aircraft tracking, after the disappearance of Beechcraft 1900 owned by Kings Air on its way to Bebi Airstrip in March 2008. It was later discovered to have crashed in the hills in Cross River state. The NCAA wanted to put the system whereby every aircraft flying out

of Nigeria is tracked and monitored from take off to its destination. In the event there was any incident or accident, the aircraft would easily be located with the tracking equipment.

Tyler said aircraft tracking came to the fore in 2014 with the loss of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

“Under the leadership of ICAO, with input from industry, a global tracking standard has been established. And our capabilities may grow more robust in the near future as space-based technologies mature,” Tyler said.

The last major accident in Nigeria was in 2013 and since then there has not been any major accident in the country. It is hoped that as Nigerian airlines strive to meet international safety standard through IATA support; that government through NCAA would ensure that domestic carriers keep stringently to the dictates of the IOSA programme, so that Nigeria will maintain the clean slate of no accidents henceforth.

Safety and Infrastructure Tyler said safety is number one priority.

He said there has been huge progress made on safety in Africa but there is need for more improvement. “This is required by governments, civil aviation authorities and bodies that control civil aviation to be more forceful to ensure the adequacy of airlines in meeting their certification process. We at IATA we have IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and we have 30 members and Allied Air joined us last week or so. We are happy to see that governments are pushing for airlines to meet IOSA certification, according to Abuja Declaration; that AOCs must be given to airlines that passed IOSA audit. We are doing our own share but it depends on governments to enforce the rules themselves.

We have seen countries around the world that did not allow airlines to fly but we will continue to strive to ensure these nations comply.

It is important to know that aviation remains the safest means of transport but we must continue to be careful because one accident is always more than we can handle. That is why we work very hard to make sure that safety issues remain the number one priority.”

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Bankole: Govt Should Enhance Capacity of Nigerian Carriers Managing Director of Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole has called on the federal government to support Nigerian airlines to grow and increase capacity. He spoke to Chinedu Eze. Excerpts: What is the history of this aircraft that just returned from major checks?

You know this is our first baby that we bought at the commencement of our operation, so we took much interest in the aircraft and when it was due for this C-Check we decided to spend money on it. The challenges are enormous because at the time of sending the aircraft for maintenance, there was no forex. So the maintenance was supposed to take six weeks maximum, but it took three months. We had to source the money locally from the parallel market and the money was not available, but we give glory to God that we finally brought the baby (aircraft) home. We did a total clean up of the equipment. Everything you are seeing on the aircraft is new. We now used the opportunity to remember our partner, First Bank of Nigeria Plc. The bank has been our strong backbone over the past years. They worked tirelessly with us; that is why we remembered them by recognizing the bank on the aircraft.

This year marks the 10th year we have operated on Hajj and we are expecting that in the next one month we are going to deliver a Boeing B747 for Medview and we are also expecting another Boeing B777 to be delivered as back up to the B747 for the Hajj. These are the things we are celebrating.

We now have six aircraft in our fleet. I made a trip to Boeing Company in Seattle. I just came back. I was a special guest to Boeing.

They are putting two Boeing B737-800 in their production for Medview. They were interested in us because of our long patronage to Boeing aircraft and they want to know what they would do for us. They even offered us a Boeing B777, which I went to inspect. So, with God on our side we only pray that our government will quickly improve the economy because airline is a driving force for the economy.

The air transport industry is a catalyst to the economy because it moves people and goods at a very fast rate from one destination to another and it is the means of transport for the critical segment of the population who propel the economy and decision makers who churn out the policies that determine the nation’s economic growth.

The capacity of this aircraft is 116 passengers.

It came all the way from Estonia and stopped at Tunisia from where it transited to Nigeria without any incident.

Some of the Nigerian airlines that sent their aircraft for maintenance have not been able to bring them back home because of the high cost of dollar in relation to cheap Naira. How were you able to do it?

The word is determination. We are sincerely committed to bringing back the aircraft after the checks because we needed to get things going.

We paid a lot for it. We changed dollars at N370.

That is very painful. We had to source for the money from different local areas, from partners and friends and at the end we succeeded in bringing the aircraft home.

Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) is demanding more dollars from the federal government?

I was there at the meeting. From the interaction we had with the Minister of State for Aviation, he means well for the industry. He is a wonderful person. He has seen it that he has to carry everybody along. He has done wonderfully well.

He had to leave everything he was doing to go with us to Nigeria Customs Service where we cleared the issue of Customs duty on aircraft and aircraft parts. We met with the Comptroller General of Customs; we also had to meet with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and also the Minister of Finance. That shows he is committed to improving the industry, so we want to thank him for that.

Over the years the foreign airlines are doing business in Nigeria but they do not invest anything here.

They cannot be moving all their money like that; they must have to invest something here. I operate in Saudi Arabia; I have investment so I employ the indigenes there. So the foreign airlines that have been operating here and profiting from here should invest in the country

Nigerians home from London. This will help them for the summer and in the December we do the same. Also our Jeddah route is doing very well. We are doing the Umura and we are doing three flights a week. We are also doing charter. We have charter in Sokoto and Gombe.

Bankole

I think the best he can do for us is to tell Mr. President the importance of this industry; this is the driving force of the economy, without aviation the economy is grounded. Without airlines you cannot travel anywhere.

Back to this foreign exchange issue, there seem to be competition between the foreign airlines and the Nigerian airlines, which allege that preferential treatment is being given to foreign airlines. What is your take on this?

Over the years the foreign airlines are doing business in Nigeria but they do not invest anything here. They cannot be moving all their money like that; they must have to invest something here. I operate in Saudi Arabia; I have investment so I employ the indigenes there. So the foreign airlines that have been operating here and profiting from here should invest in the country. They should create window for employment. Nigeria has been nice to them. Government gave them over $200 million while Nigerian airlines are groaning. But we are not complaining for now; we just want a level playing field.

But the lesson for government this time is that it should know that it is important it enhances the capacity of Nigerian carriers. If it does that it will create more jobs for the people. By sup-

porting the domestic airlines you create more jobs, earn more money from the airlines and boost ancillary services, which will further create more jobs and pay their taxes to government.

So the right thing to do by government is to support the domestic airlines to grow.

The foreign airlines have threatened that they may stop operations to Nigeria. Do you feel they can do that?

I will tell you not to be afraid of that because none is leaving the country; except those that have not been doing well. Nigeria is one of their major markets worldwide. I can tell you Emirates is not thinking of leaving Nigeria.

Not all of them are threatening to leave and if anyone leaves it will create market for those that stay. Those that are not marketing very well can crack jokes that they are leaving.

Are you adding more aircraft in your fleet soon?

We are also expecting a new aircraft by next month. We are starting West Coast and you know, our Lagos-London route is doing very well. Throughout July and August we have no seats available. They have all been sold out.

I have been discussing with my partners on how to deploy Boeing B747 in late July to bring

With the progress you are making how do you see your operations in the next five years?

We have a passion for this job. We have been in this business for 34 years. We sleep aviation; we dream aviation and we know the job. What we are looking at in future is precisely Dubai and New York. We are holding on strongly in London with the big boys; we are also holding on strongly in Jeddah and very soon we start operation to West Coast. We can compete effectively with the big boys in London because the people who are flying are Nigerians, not the foreigners, so the taste of the pudding is in the eating. We provide our customershome made food on-board our flights.

What is your view about government’s plan to concession the major airports in the country?

We are in support of it. That is the way to go because government may not be able to provide the funds that will improve airport facilities and modernise them so that they would be like any other international airports elsewhere. This will enable government to deploy its funds to other essential needs like education, hospitals and others. Most airports in the world are privatised. They want to privatise the major airports because that is where the money is, so that the investors will be encouraged to invest in other airports after the major ones. Most of the governors who built airports did not think deeply before embarking on the projects. They should have consulted with the airlines. They should have considered the viability of such airports before embarking on building them.

They should have partnered with us before starting the projects.

What the government would probably be looking at is how to generate revenue. Government is looking for where money is coming in. Look at this airport terminal (MMA2), it is good facility and it is making money. It was built by a private organisation.

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

Navy Launches Equipment to Protect Territorial Waterways Nosa Alekhuogie The Nigerian Navy has launched equipment that can help protect the nation’s water ways from criminal activities.

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, disclosed this during the inauguration of a project tagged: “Falcon Eye” at the Navy Headquarters in Abuja recently.

Ibas said the equipment was procured to assist the

naval personnel see beyond the horizon, adding the Falcon Eye (Over the Horizon Maritime Surveillance from Detection to Interception), was a capacity enhancer.According to him, cost of patrols was reduced and allowed accurate ways of going about maritime surveillance.

“When you have troops patrolling without focus, we can sit back at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja and identify some vessels of interests

and investigate them.

This way, our operations become easier, more efficient and very effective,” he said.

The Naval said, when completed, everything will be easier for the naval personnel to carry out their tasks effectively.

The Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who was also present at the ceremony, said the project was a positive

and welcome development.

He noted that the new equipment would assist the Navy in keeping an eye on the nation’s maritime domain.

Peterside said: “It will make Navy to be more aware of the activities going on in maritime domain. “ It is indeed a wonderful development. I am quite impressed with what I saw today, I am also in touch with my Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) counterparts, and we

agree that the equipment is strategic to our plans.”

He further explained that the equipment would also provide Nigerian Navy sufficient advantage to see, tackle piracy and other criminal activities within the nation’s water ways.

“The equipment will help in the area of detection of criminal activities, interception of criminals and record keeping,” Peterside added.

The National Security Adviser

(NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), who inaugurated the project, commended Navy for coming out with such a brilliant idea.

Monguno urged the Nigerian Navy to continue with the good work in the interest of the nation’s water ways.

The NSA, however, expressed confidence that the project would go a long way in reducing all forms of criminal activities in the nation’s water ways.

NIMASA Moves to Automate Payment Processes Nosa Alekhuogie The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has revealed its plans to automate its payment collection processes to bring about greater efficiency and curb revenue leakages.

The Director General of the agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, made this known when he hosted representatives of major shipping companies operating in Nigeria under the aegis of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN) in his office recently.

Peterside said that the payment system was being reviewed to ensure efficiency.

He assured the delegation that NIMASA would institute more transparent ways of calculating the three per cent levy charged on all inbound and outbound cargoes.

“We are automating our payment platform in line with our strategic growth plan to ensure greater efficiency in the payment process. The new process will be integrated with similar platforms of sister agencies in order to correctly ascertain levies chargeable per freight and eliminate the bottlenecks currently being experienced,’’ he said.

Peterside reiterated NIMSA’s commitment to the elimination of piracy and other criminal activities on the waterways was unwavering.

The DG also told the delegation that the federal government through the office of the National Security Adviser will soon launch a high capacity satellite system which will assist the military in dealing with maritime crimes.

Peterside also urged the shipping companies to support the NIMASA’s capacity building programme by providing sea time experience for cadets sponsored under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).Representatives of the shipping companies, who had earlier raised the issue of maritime security and payment procedures, also commended the DG for his commitment in dealing with the issues raised.

The association expressed its commitment to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.

The association promised to support the capacity building initiatives of NIMASA by providing the requisite sea time experience for the NSDP cadets.

UNVEILING NEW FACILITIES

L-R: Regional Manager West, Oyenike Shobowale; the acting co-crdinating officer, Ahmadu Fidi Ahmadu; and General Manager Health and Safety Management, Nigeria Ports Authority, Mr. Lawrence Oladele Alabi, cutting tape during the unveiling of newly acquire Truck and facilities by Africa Circle Pollution Management Ltd in Lagos...recently

Customs Beats NAGAFF to Win Maritime Cup The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has defeated the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) to win the 2016 edition of the annual Ships & Ports Maritime Cup Competition which held recently.

Customs defeated NAGAFF 9 - 6 after penalty shootout to lift the coveted trophy for a record fourth time.

Customs scored the opening goal in the 2nd minute through Abubakar Mikael but the NAGAFF boys replied in the second half through Sunday Adeyemi. At the end of 90 minutes action packed game, Customs prevailed via 9-8 penalty shootout.

The match had the supporters of both sides on edge while it lasted.

Customs has won the coveted trophy three times in the past while NAGAFF has won it once.

Customs qualified for the final on Thursday by defeating Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) 2-0 in a hotly contested semi-final match at the NPA Sports Ground, while NAGAFF secured its ticket in the final by defeating Nigerian Navy 6-0.

Customs and NAGAFF were the winner and runner-up of Group B, which also had Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited (ABTL) and Micura Stevedoring Services.

Customs topped the group with nine points after winning all its three matches against NAGAFF (1-0), Micura (2-0) and ABTL (7-0) to advance to the semi-final.

Nigeria Customs Reaches Out to Border Community Nosa Alekhuogie with Agency Report The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hammed Ali (rtd.) recently paid a courtesy visit to Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbade, the Ashade Agunloye the fourth ruler of Yewaland, Ilaro, Ogun State, in a move to end the lingering dispute between border communities and the service.

The CGC, who was represented by Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) and the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’, Mr. Charles Edike, said he is disappointed by the continuous clashes between the host community and officers of the Service resulting in the loss of invaluable lives by both parties.

He said the notion that officers of the Service and other security agencies operating at the border are enemies of host communities is incorrect.

Ali said the mission of NCS at the border is to prevent the influx of contrabands and then to ensure that the requisite duty is paid for all imports.

He said: “The CGC feels that the incessant clash is a waste of human lives both on the side of the host communities and the Service. We do not need to waste lives. Lives are precious and only the Almighty God gives lives. Members of host communities see Customs and other security agencies as their enemies. That we have come to deny them of their birth right.

They feel because they are at the border communities, they

are supposed to be trading in the border. Yes, we agree that you are the border community and you are supposed to trade from the border but, government in its wisdom has said that certain items cannot come into the country.”

According to him, there are two categories of the prohibition. One, Prohibition trade, the other one is Absolute prohibition. Prohibition trade means those items can come in but not for trade, then absolute prohibition means those items, not even one, not even a piece should come in.

Government made that law.

Those items that are supposed to come in, government has also said people have to pay duty on them. Various items have different classification and

different tariffs. And so, when you bring in an item, we will look at the tariff, classify it and then tell you what percentage the duty to pay is. But, most people in the border do not believe that there should be anything like a law to stop them from bringing in whatever they want to bring. These laws exist and that is why we were sent there,” he said.

The ACG implored Oba Olugbade to persuade his subjects and members of the community to shun smuggling as it would only have negative consequences on the community and the nation as a whole.

He noted that infant industries are strangulated by the activities of contrabandists which also pose a huge security risk to the nation.

Ali urged the people to indulge in legitimate trade as tax on imported items is also invariably used for the development of the society.

In his response, Olugbade appreciated the efforts of the current administration at reaching out to his community stating that the visit was the first of its kind.

He acknowledged the contributions of the Service as the second revenue earner for the nation after oil, and emphasised the need for periodic interactions between the Service and border communities in order to keep them abreast with government policies and to further advance the cause of government.

He said the forum is necessary for disseminating

information since a number of indigenes lacked education and had limited access to the media for information put out

by NCS. He further remarked on the need for strategic community relations and canvassed for the recruitment of qualified indigenes of host communities into the Service.

Olugbade decried the level of neglect and underdevelopment in border communities and called on the Service to engage in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that will help alleviate the problems of the area. He also suggested that government reconsiders the restriction placed on all food items especially rice since that access to food is the next most important struggle for the poor after water.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

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BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Reschuffling Nigeria’s Energy Mix: the Coal Power Alternative Dan Ashiekaa Nigeria is a country of contrasts – varied and amusing at the same time. When in 2008 Candidate Obama campaigned on the theme of energy independence, there was a loud and frightening silence while the campaign lasted and thereafter. In fact, Nigeria went to sleep even though America has traditionally been Nigeria’s biggest buyer of crude. No deliberate policy was thought through on how to deal with the expected drop in sale of our crude to the USA. The numbers were to later prove staggering and with that, the toll on the economy.

According to Citigroup’s global commodities research unit, the United States of America (USA) oil and gas production was evolving so rapidly—and demand was dropping so quickly—that in just five years the U.S. could no longer need to buy oil from any source but Canada. Canada, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Venezuela, and Nigeria had consistently been five of America’s largest crude oil suppliers, although their rankings vary year on year. Predictably and expectedly, U.S. purchases of crude oil in 2011 increased from Canada and Saudi Arabia and declined from Mexico, Venezuela, and Nigeria, according to final trade data from EIA’s (Energy Information Administration) February 2012 Company Level Imports report. So from being the biggest importer of oil, the US was going to be, in a matter of years, a net exporter.

A similar scenario has continued to dog the power sector. And the silence this time is louder still! Routinely, Nigeria’s power assets, especially pipelines hauling gas to gas turbines, are vandalised compounding the already pathetic electricity situation in the country. Of course Nigeria depends largely on gas as fuel for her electricity.

The facts speak for themselves.

Currently, Nigeria has a power generation mix made up of roughly 70% gas and 30% hydro creating an overdependence on gas as a source of power. A combination of serial pipeline vandalism, inadequate gas infrastructure and more installed generation capacity than can be adequately supported by available feed gas makes a stronger case for diversification of the energy mix away from, and/or in addition to, gas.

Using Coal as fuel for power plants going forward, provides a triple-A advantage (Affordability, Abundance and Assortment)viz; it is a cheaper source of electricity overall; its abundance locally effectively mitigates the fuel supply risk factor that has dogged gas as a source of fuel for power plants in the country and it meets the diversification criteria.

World-wide coal power generation statistics comparison provide an even more compelling case for Nigeria to diversify her energy mix.

For instance, according to the World Coal Institute Report for 2009, Germany generates 42% of its electricity from coal. Coal is the single largest source of electricity for the United States at about 50%. According to the Report, India generated 147’000MW of electricity as at Report date and 69% of that was from coal. Greece and China respectively generated 52% and 80% of their electricity from coal while South Africa at 93% and Poland at 92% are the undisputed leaders of countries generating power from coal.

As of today, there is not a single coal-fired power plant in operation in Nigeria. The old Oji River Power Station which used to run on coal has been dismantled now. This is despite the fact that the Federal Government of Nigeria has committed to diversifying her energy mix with a 30% target contribution from coal. Need we over flog the imperative to change the narrative by introducing coal into Nigeria’s energy mix?

I know environmentalists will talk of carbon emission, ozone layer depletion and cleanliness of the energy source. But using the Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) Technology which is a clean coal technology that meets the World Bank Sulfur Oxides (SOx) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emission standards with significantly reduced pollution

Minister of Solid Minerals Development , Kayode Fayemi

will take care of that.

Some little glimmer of hope though! As of 4th March 2016, Black Rhino, the African arm of America’s Blackstone Energy Partners and Dangote Group of Companies, announced a decision to jointly invest up to $10 billion in energy infrastructure projects in Kano State and in East and South West of Nigeria.

The projects are with particular emphasis on renewable energy, power transmission and building of pipelines including a 1000MW Coal-Fired Power Plant (CFPP)and 100MW solar energy project in Kano State. According to BusinessDay of 6th March 2016, MuhammaduSanusi II, emir of Kano, who is the chairman of Black Rhino Group, disclosed that his Group, Black Rhino, and Dangote Industries would each contribute $5 billion for the construction of a coal power plant and a solar energy project in Kano, as well as gas pipeline project from AkwaIbom to the South West, where Dangote Industries are concentrated. We hope this initiative will extend to the huge coal deposits in Owukpa in Benue State and Itobe in Kogi State.

Also in April 2016 during an interview granted by the Hon Minister of Power, Works and Housing, BabatundeFashola, SAN, he made so many interesting comments that gave hope and direction to the issuesaround the power sector.

Two points stood out for me – the need to define a clear Energy Mix Policy for Nigeria and encouragement of local Nigerian investors who hitherto were reluctant to invest in our local economy. Rethinking or re-imagining Nigeria’s energy mix has obvious advantages.

Apart from locating similar fuel sources within the same belt for ease of power evacu-

ation as espoused by the Minister, there are others. Coal, for instance, does not need the laying of hundreds of kilometers of pipelines and so is less susceptible to incessant vandalism plus coal is not found around the Niger Delta where militancy has become the new normal, to name just a few.

On the support to local investors, the FGN must do more than pay lip service because the challenges are myriad. For instance, the prescription of a 30% equity and 70% debt contribution for green field power projects by both the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission(NERC)and Power and Aviation Intervention Fund (PAIF) as funding structure is stiff. For instance, for a 1200MW Coal Fired Power Plant (CFPP), that I am aware of, being executed by a local investor and estimated to cost US$3.2b broken into two tranches of 600MW each i.e. US1.6b per tranche, the local investor is expected to provide equity of US$480m (i.e. 30%) and then borrow US$1.12b(i.e. 70%). By all standards, US$480m is huge for any Nigerian business.

This is compounded by the fact that Nigerian banks do not have long term funds to finance the highly capital intensive power projects.

Government can do a number of things to provide needed intervention: seriously consider reducing the equity requirement to 10% or lower; provide support by way of quasi-equity of about 20% through a PPP-type arrangement which the power company can buy back at a future date; consider alternative funding sources like channeling about half or more of the estimated Pension Fund assets of over N5.2trillion as of December 2015 i.e. over N2.5trillion to the power sector; allocate a dedicated crude production quota to be

applied solely for power project similar to the dedicated local refining allocation of 445’000bb/d.

In addition, the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trader, NBET, was created with a view to enhancing investor confidence. But with no financial track record, nobalance sheet and no tangible assets compared to its planned liability, it raises a huge concern for banks who might want to consider a fixed or floating charge on the assets for purposes of extending credit. One way Government can empower NBET is to extend a Sovereign Guarantee to NBET covering its Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for green field projects on a short to medium term basis (3-5years) from the operational date of the plants. The World Bank Partial Risk Guarantee is another window that needs to be activated to support the sector. These measures will enable the Bulk Trader access requisite credit locally and internationally to carry out its role.

The power sector in Nigeria is on life support and requires emergency response. So no amount of attention dedicated to it will be misplaced as it is foundational to driving our economic growth. The Power Minister is ‘making the right noises’ and hopefully, as the action man that he is known to be, we expect he will translate these ‘right noises’ to verifiable results to help jump-start the economy.

-Ashiekaa, PMP, a Chartered Accountant, Lawyer and member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation is the President/CEO of World Energy Consult currently consulting for Governments and National Oil Companies

WEEKEND WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

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AMAA OF SURPRISES ACTING EDITOR CHARLES AJUNWA / charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

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24.06.2016

AMAA of Surprises Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State recently played host to celebrities, high society personalities, business leaders, film makers and allied professionals from Africa and around the world at the 2016 African Movie Academy Awards, a prestigious PanAfrican awards designed to celebrate and recognise achievements in the motion picture industry. Mary Ekah writes that the event was jam-packed with pleasant surprises The just concluded 2016 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), has once again proved to be a remarkable event that rewards and encourages African originality as it had continued to attest to the fact that it is the only filmic event that seeks out and brings to wider attention the continent’s unique and distinctive filmmaking talents.

This year’s edition, the 12th in its series, which held at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre in the city of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had a number of surprises as some expectations turned out in the contrary while other events completely shocked the audience.

First, it was feared that the Garden City would not be conducive enough for a world event like AMAA to hold, bearing in mind the recent activities of militants in the Niger Delta. The reverse was however the case as Port Harcourt was as peaceful and safe as ever, while the event lasted just like the Governor, Nyesom Wike had promised to make the guests have a good and exciting experience while the event lasted.

This year’s event hosted by Governor Wike also had in attendance the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, wife of Rivers State governor, Justice Eberechi Wike, members of the House of Representatives like Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Rivers State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Tonye Briggs Oniyide and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Michael Ejiohuo, among other dignitaries.

Other Nollywood stars at the event included Pete Edochie, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Chiwatalagu, Charles Aworum, Saidi Balogun, Segun Arinze, Eniola Badmus, Kanayo Kanayo, Ikem Owoh, Omoni Oboli, O C Okeje, Uti Nwachukwu and Doris Simeon among others.

At this year’s AMAA, Africa's biggest movie industry, Nollywood led, winning 10 of the 24 categories as four of the industry’s veterans were honoured with the AMAA Lifetime Awards.

Endowed with the prestigious honours were Chief Olu Jacobs and his wife, Joke Silva. Others that made the list were Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) star of the now rested New Masquerade, Tony Akposhore a.k.a Zakky for their immense contributions to the growth of the African film industry.

It was a night of surprises, particularly to these long-standing actors who were appreciated for their immense contributions to the growth of the Nigerian film industry and the African film industry in general.

Veteran actors, Joke Silva and her husband Olu Jacobs were called to the stage to give awards but it turned out that they were called to be given an award to their surprise and that of the audience.

The highpoint of the night was the presentation of awards to the winners. However, one award that got every one in the hall emotional was the AMAA Lifetime Achievement Awards, which brought about more surprises as the outburst by awardees of this very special award got the auditorium erupted in excitement.

Joke Silva who was emotionally shaken could not hold back her tears for being honoured, as she burst out in tears. “I was only invited to grace this occasion. I thought I should come since it sounded as if Peace really needs my support and presence. This was not on my mind. But I thank you all for considering me proper for this honour. On behalf of my husband, I say, thank you”, she said.

Joke Silva and Olu Jacobs were presented their awards by former Senate President, Senator David Mark and Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim.

RMD whose award was presented to him by veteran actor, Pete Edochie and the First Lady of Rivers State, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom Wike, just like Joke Silva, almost betrayed emotions while making his speech. RMD’s moving speech was enduring. While he spoke in between

Founder AMAA, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe with members of Jury

Star of the now rested New Masquerade, Tony Akposhore a.k.a Zakky

The Osigwes with the Wikes

withheld tears, he paid a glowing tribute to late movie producer, Amaka Igwe before dedicating the award to the kids on the streets of Warri and Nigeria in general.

Another shocking outburst, which also moved everyone in the hall was that of Joe Brown Ubaka whose film, ‘Missing God’ won the Ousmane Sembene award for Best film in African Language.

Ubaka, who immediately he was announced winner of the award, screamed from amidst the audience as he journeyed to the stage to get his award, said, “Thank Goodluck Jonathan for empowering Nollywood.”

For him, winning the Sembene Ousmane Best African Language Film is a great honour and gloriously amazing.

“This is the greatest blessing I’ve received as a filmmaker because of the name tagged to the Award “Sembene Ousmane” the father of African Cinema, so to me a new mantle has been handed over to me, to continue in the

stride of this great filmmaker.

“For those of us who don’t know the man called late Sembene Ousmane, he was a man with great track record in terms of cinematic achievements in African cinema, he won several awards and the last I could remember was ‘Certain Regards’ in Cannes Film Festival 2004 with his last film titled: Moolaade and he lived a fulfilled life, died at the age of 92. Late Sembene Ousmane was a man I respect so much from Senegal, though I’m a disciple of Jibril Diop Membety, another rebel filmmaker from Senegal, a friend of Martin Scorcese, another mentor,” he said.

The AMAA night of surprises also witnessed the victory of South Africa's petite actress, Fulu Mugovhani standing tall before Mo Abudu's Fifty's famous acts- Iretiola Doyle, Dakore Egbuson, Nse Ikpe Etim and Omoni Oboli to win the Best Actress Award for her role in the film, ‘Ayanda’.The 2016 AMAA Best film went to another Nollywood neighbour, Burkina Faso

Pete Edoche, RMD and wife of Rivers State governor, Justice Eberechi Wike.

in the movie, ‘Eye of the Storm’.

The Nigerian movie industry clinched the awards in Best Make Up (Soldier Story), Best Short Film (Meet the Parents), Best Film in an African Language (Missing God), Best Visual Effect (Oshimiri), Best Achievement in Sound (Fifty), Best Feature Film by a Director (Beyond Blood) and the Best Actor in a Lead Role (Soldier Story) categories.

The Chairman of the Jury, Shaibu Hussein, who said that every year in the last 12 years, hundreds of films from across the continent and its Diaspora arrive at the AMAA offices, noted that he had received close to 485 movie entries from over 60 countries this year, mostly within Africa and also from around the world out of which the Jury had only considered about 65 in different genres for nomination in about 26 categories.

“We commend the work done by the Academy’s College of Screeners and at the other levels of pre-selection. We salute their professionalism and thoroughness and note that the selection of films and nominations truly reflects the Pan-African vision for the future of the African film and media industry that AMAA promotes. Indeed, we are encouraged by the ever increasing number of entries being received from a larger geographic sphere and we look forward to the continuation of this trend,” he said.

Hussein who reiterated the fact that AMAA was created to encourage African originality in film making, however lamented the gradual decline of the submission of films on children. He said that the academy received over 600 entries, out of which only 65 got the consideration of the Council of Jury.

Founder AMAA, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, at the event redressed the purpose of AMAA. "In AMAA, we understand the fact that creativity is a circle. AMAA encourages peace through creativity”, she noted.

The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed along with Governor Wike and other dignitaries who stayed till the end of the show at the early hour of Sunday morning, said Nollywood has set up the template for African film makers. He promised that government would in this regard continue to partner with the vibrant motion picture industry in Nigeria, against piracy as well as provide intervention fund for the sustenance of the industry.

Wike on his part assured that Port Harcourt and Rivers State in general was safe for everyone.

“To you all present here, I wish to remind you that Port Harcourt is very safe for businesses and visitors. That is the reason my government would continually encourage the vibrant motion picture industry. The presence of you all here tonight and since you came in, is a testimony that Rivers State is a safe place."

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24.06.2016

‘Senator Murray-Bruce Wants the Best for Nigeria’ Chidi Nwachukwu, a lawyer and development strategist is the Senior Legislatiive Aide and Special Adviser on Research and Strategy to Senator Ben Murray-Bruce representing Bayelsa East in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly. In this interview with Godbless Eduviere, he speaks on the activities of Senator Murray-Bruce in the last one year How has Senator Ben Murray-Bruce impacted on his constituents in the last one year?

First, I want to start by saying that the distinguished Senator came into the Senate with lots of energy and passion to impact not just his constituents but the entire country.

Few months into the business of legislation in the Red Chamber, he gave his wardrobe allowance to widows in Bayelsa State and has made several policy changing statements through his commonsense advocacy series.

He has been able to provide solar powered electricity in four communities in the Bayelsa East. Recently, he saw to the completion of ICT centres in five different locations in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

In the 2016 Budget, he is providing solar powered electricity to 12 hospitals and 15 schools in Bayelsa East. He has presented petitions on issues bothering on Bayelsans and the Niger Delta in general. Specifically in March this year, he presented a petition against the unprovoked military invasion of Ogoni Communities occasioning wanton killings of innocent citizens and residents.

He also intervened by way of petitions regarding unlawful dismissal of some of his constituents by a government agency as well as some students from Southern Ijaw whose scholarships are being abandoned abroad by the current administration. These petitions are receiving attention in the Senate as we speak. Although the Senator would have preferred that these issues are tackled expeditiously, but that is not case due to slow pace of things which is as a result of lots of issues competing for the attention of the Senators. However, he is doing his best to ensure that his constituents get the best representation from him.

Are there bills and motions sponsored

by Senator Murray-Bruce?

Yes.The Senator has a total of eight bills currently in the system. He started with the Independent Prosecution Bill. This all important bill became necessary due the belief in some quarters that Government often use its agencies to witch-hunt its political enemies in the name of fighting corruption. The essence of the bill when passed into law is to ensure that prosecutors involved in the prosecution of persons either for corruption or other offences are independent of the Government, which means that they can prosecute anybody. Remember Kenneth Starr who almost brought down Clinton Presidency in America. This is what the Distinguished is looking at. Others are Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Amendment Bill, Energy Commission Amendment Bill, Nigerian Sports Commission Establishment Bill, Neighborhood Watches Establishment Bill, Economic and Financial Crime Commission Amendment Bill, National Institute of Credit Administration Establishment Bill and Right of Return Bill. Let me explain the last one, the Right of Return is a bill that permits persons of African origin to become Nigerian citizens through naturalisation. This will be achieved by amending section 26 (2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. It is important to note that under the international law, each country has the right to decide for itself to whom it will give citizenship. Nigeria remains the most populous black nation in the world, and has continued to play the big brother in Africa both in peace and in war times. Nigeria was instrumental to the

Nwachukwu

abolishment of Apartheid in South Africa.

Under ECOMOG, Nigeria played a leading role in peace keeping operations in war torn African countries.

The Distinguished Senator contends that not many people understand how much blacks in prominent Western countries such as Europe and America are desirous of identity. Many of them are tired of living in a heavily discriminated environment, yet the most talented of these Africans are hurriedly exploited by the same West with immense economic benefits to them, while their countries of origin suffer from brain drain.

The cardinal purpose of this bill is to rebuild Nigeria with some of the brilliant Africans that left the shores, some in recent times, others during the slave trade and wars that forced them out of their countries into the West as refugees. Some of these immigrants have continued to develop their countries of domicile both in science and technology as well as in sports. He believes they can do same in Nigeria as citizens through naturalisation.

He also has two motions. One is the need to enforce the rights of every child to basic education, as provided under the Universal Basic Education Scheme, and the other one, is the need to tackle sea piracy and criminal activities in the Niger Delta by the National Inland waterways Given the volatile nature of the Niger Delta

and as a major stakeholder in the oil rich region, are steps taken by the senator by way of legislation to address the growing tension in the Niger Delta?

The Senator is very much concerned about the volatility of the Niger Delta and has had cause to address some of these issues in various public fora. The Senator is particularly worried about the level of sea piracy that has claimed many innocent lives in the region, and has sponsored a motion to that effect requesting the Federal Government, National Inland Waterways Authority to get more creative in tackling the menace.

Senator Murray-Bruce supported the removal of fuel subsidy. Why? Well, the removal of fuel subsidy was generally supported by the Senate visa vis the National Assembly. The difference is that the Senator has continued to advocate that Government should develop a robust transport policy that will be subsidised rather subsidising fuel which only benefits a few rich individuals.

If the public transport is subsidised it will benefit the poor who predominantly use it, which means that whatever price the fuel is sold at will not be of much concern to this section of the public.

As Chairman Senate Committee on Privatisation, What has he done so far?

Basically, he is looking at the privatised

entities to see how they are carrying on their activities. You recall that efficiency and productivity features prominently in privatisation advocacy, and unfortunately some of them have not lived up to this expectation. He has questioned the continued poor infrastructure in the power sector, when it ought to have improved after privatisation through increased investments. A public hearing is underway. But he is particularly interested in the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited which is equally slated for privatisation. Precisely on the 14th of June 2016 he and his members of the committee embarked on a one day oversight function to Ajaokuta and in the company of some stakeholders involving some Ukranian steel experts and their Nigerian partners.

He was disappointed at what he saw, a company capable of providing thousands of employment lying fallow, while many Nigerians are without jobs. He used the opportunity to appreciate the efforts of former President Shehu Shagari for such a laudable initiative. Two days after the oversight visit, he called for a public hearing which was well attended by stakeholders and the general public. This is a huge task before the Senator but he is determined to make his mark as true representative of the people. He vows to revive the steel plant even if that is the only thing he achieved for Nigeria.

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24.06.2016

Etisalat Closing Educational Gap with Back-to-School Initiative The importance of the popular saying that children are the leaders of tomorrow could not have been truer as questions around commitment to processes leading up to its actualisation formed part of the headline concern for stakeholders at the recently concluded Community Schools Support Programme for the North Eastern part of the country. The programme was undertaken by Nigeria’s most innovative and caring telecommunications operator, Etisalat in partnership with Abuja Global Shapers Community, a non-governmental outfit, and governments of North Eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

The Community Schools Support Programme was a joint initiative of Etisalat Nigeria and Abuja Global Shapers Community, a non-governmental arm of the World Economic Forum, and its aim is to support on-going efforts at bolstering pupil enrolments into primary schools, particularly in the North-east. It involved the delivery of educational materials such as: school bags, school uniforms, exercise books and writing materials to pupils in Primary One in 10 primary schools across the three states.

The beneficiary schools were Borno-owned Yerwa Practising Primary School, Abbaganaram Primary School and Bulumkutu Primary School; Katuzu Community School, Gashua, Central Primary School, Potiskum and Lawan Kawuri Primary School, Geidam, all in Yobe State; and Wuro Hausa Primary School, Yola Town, Community School, Demsa and Tudun Wada Primary School, Mayo Belwa in Adamawa State.

The Back-to-School initiative is part of concentrated efforts to rebuild the

Stakeholders and beneficiaries of Etisalat Back to School initiative

North-east region, which, in recent years, has been affected by insurgency with the trio beneficiary states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa coincidentally becoming the epicentres with unprecedented degrees of destruction, economic downturn and loss of lives.

Beside the destruction of physical structures and paralysing of economic activities in the affected states, the insurgency has further widened the educational gap between them and the rest of the country.

For instance, as at 2013, 52 per cent of males and 61 per cent of females aged six and above in the North-east had not received education. Today, the figure has risen to about 85 per cent, with a glaring risk of losing more generations in terms of education.

Alluding to this fact, the Permanent Secretary, Yobe State Ministry of Education, Grema Modu said: “One of our greatest problems now is education particularly

enrolment. In this part of the country, we always lament of poor enrolment; parents do not want their wards in school.

Before the insurgency, we had this stigma of being educationally backward, and this is due to some social, cultural and religious factors. We had been working on parents to allow their wards go to school.

Some state governments have to embark on free feeding just to encourage pupils to go to school. All the gains appear to have been lost to the insurgency as most parents do not want their children in school anymore.”

The need to close this widening educational gap is quite huge, cogent and compelling. To fix the ruins in the education sector of the region will come at a huge cost, both financial and manpower. The home governments on their part cannot bear the burden alone; it would require a homegrown solution made up of cross-sector collaboration.

RCCG Dominion Chapel Offers Free Medical Services to Arepo Community Residents of Arepo community in Ogun State recently benefitted from the free medical services organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Dominion Chapel to mark its fifth anniversary.

The church deployed medical personnel to the Arepo Community Primary School, to check the blood pressure and sugar level of residents who thronged the venue to avail themselves and their wards of the church’s Community Social Responsibility (CSR).

The beneficiaries, who were medically counselled, went home with mosquito nets and drugs to treat malaria.

The four-day celebration which kicked off on Thursday with a special Faith Clinic Service, ended on Sunday with a thanksgiving service, in which the Assistant Pastor-in-Charge of Lagos Province 21 (APICP L21), Pastor Olabisi Olowoyo, ministered with the anniversary theme titled: “God of Grace”.

Olowoyo, who stood in for the Pastorin-Charge of LP21, Pastor Peter Egho, took his text from 2 Peter 3: 18. He listed

Following a brief hiatus from the Nigerian music industry, budding artiste, Clinton Adewale Ajose, better known as Clinton’O has returned with a new single, Story. According to the UK-based artiste, his return is fuelled by a desire to concentrate on furthering his music career.

Backed by Cool Clinton 'O Records, Clinton’O describes his style of music as The Afro R&Blues, a genre which reflects in the new track. Story, also the title of his debut album, which features Nigerian super producer, Coublon, follows the sojourn of the young artiste from his childhood days in the streets of Lagos to doing music in faraway Manchester.

“I enjoyed working with Coublon. I really think he will be the one to cement and solidify my sound. I believe the key influence in my music was derived from my childhood environment of Shita, Surulere where I grew up with my two siblings. That era exposed me to Fuji music. Every other day, it was King Ayinde Wasiu. I didn’t know it at the time, but I do now,” he said. He also revealed that collaborators on the Story album project are Leeds and Manchester-based producer, Victor Oyewole and Solid Sound among others who will be credited upon the completion of the project. Aside music, the multitalented entertainer is also a painter and a footballer. “I’ve done a couple of things I am proud of. From putting together an exhibition to playing for The University of Bolton football team but when you come of a certain age you, know what’s yours and what’s not. I’ll always remain a visual artist that’s a part of my creativity that needs to be expressed but I’ll be hanging my boots and picking up the mic,” he added.

His previously released singles include the club banger, Something Else.

Tanzanians are Crazy About Nigerian Culture, Music, Says Envoy Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

L-R: Representative of General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Stephen Adegbindin, Pastor (Mrs.) Ayodele, Rev. & Mrs. Tope Alabi, and Pastor Victor Ayodele at the evnt

30 benefits that could be enjoyed when an individual operates under the grace of God, and laced each of the benefits with relevant bible scriptures and passages.

He also unveiled the maiden edition of the Parish magazine and inaugurated the Wellness Centre established by the church to cater for the health needs of members.

In his remarks, the Pastor-in-Charge

of the Area (PICA) in Dominion Chapel, Pastor Victor Ayodele, acknowledged the assistance of the APICP since the inception of the Parish even as he thanked church members for their support for the modest achievement of the church.

Evangelists Tunji and Tope Alabi were on the choir stand with members of their band to thrill the congregation to ever-green gospel tunes.

MultiChoice Get Sickle Cell Commendation Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) has commended MultiChoice for boosting its operations and helping the foundation to enhance knowledge and understanding of the control and management of sickle cell disorder in Nigeria. The National Director and Chief Executive Officer, SCFN, Dr. Annette Akinsete, said MultiChoice Nigeria’s support over the years has boosted the operations of the organisation as well as encouraged greater involvement of Nigerians in the management of sickle cell.

While speaking at the celebration of the World Sickle Cell Day with the theme: ‘Giving for Living’, in Ijede Community of Ikorodu, Lagos State

Clinton’O Returns with New Single, Story

recently, Akinsete said that the various levels of partnerships the Foundation has achieved with MultiChoice Nigeria were noteworthy.

Dr. Annette Akinsete, said that MultiChoice Nigiria has been solid partner for over a decade. “MultiChoice Nigeria has made our operations easy by partnering with us at all levels,” she said, adding, “They recently donated a brand new vehicle to the Foundation to ease logistics. Now, it’s quite easy to penetrate every nook and cranny of Lagos, demystifying the myths associated with this ailment. That is a big one for us because without a vehicle, there is a limit to how much impact we can make.”

Akinsete said that more work and investment are still required in order to demystify sickle cell anaemia. “We have made efforts to positively influence public perception through awareness.

But the challenge has always been funding. This is an area MultiChoice Nigeria has adopted. The company recently funded a TV awareness documentary on sickle cell anaemia and this had a wider impact as more and more people are aware of this issue. The free drugs we give to our beneficiaries have been funded by MultiChoice Nigeria. We are particularly grateful for their support and cooperation. They are our go-to partner and it is something we want to sustain,” Akinsete said.

The Tanzania High Commissioner to Nigeria, Daniel Ole Njoolay, has revealed that Tanzanians are crazy about Nigerian culture, artistes and music, adding that Nigeria's entertainment industry is at another level compared to Tanzania's.

Based on this premise, the Tanzanian government has entered into an agreement with a Nigerian company, La Campagne Beach Resort with the aim of transforming and polishing the country's entertainment industry.

He said the company has come up with the concept: "East and West Africa Amalgamation through Arts and Tourism", aimed at transferring artistry skills to Tanzanians in the entertainment industry from their Nigerian counterparts.

Njoolay stated: "One thing we lack so much in Tanzania is that our movie stars still lack the skills, they are not as good as Nigerians, so why don't we start from technology transfer as the beginning of the whole thing? Maybe by bringing some artistes from Tanzania to come and perform jointly with artistes in Nigeria, make a joint movie and then do the same in Tanzania. There are many other things that will follow after that including tourist visit”, he noted.

The High Commissioner revealed further that a representative from Tanzania, had discussions with La Campagne Beach Resort in Lagos on how to execute the project, added, “We are just about to sign the MoU, everything is about to start by 1st of August.”

Meanwhile, the Founder of La Campagne, Dr. Wanle Akinboboye, said they have come up with an action plan which had been confirmed and approved by the government of Tanzania, stressing that arrangement started two and half months ago. He said that the need to diversify the country’s economy has been long overdue, saying it should have happened 25 years ago, adding that Nigeria's strongest strength is creativity.

Akinboboye stressed that, "What we have agreed to do is to bring actors from Tanzania to make some mingle with actors in Nigeria at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort and two script writers, producers, Directors, mixing and working with our producers, Directors, actors, they will jointly create a script that will be shot and delivered in two weeks. The production will then be taken to Tanzania where we will premiere it. While in Tanzania we are going to produce another film, which has been identified by the ministry, the film is called 'The Pride'.

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24.06.2016

Africa Fashion Week Nigeria 2016 Opens July 1 As Ade Bakare headlines show Mary Ekah Created by Ms. Ronke Ademiluyi six years ago, the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) began its distinct journey as a proudly Nigerian, proudly African and international brand in London.

What started then as a small brand to satisfy a niche, has now gone on to become an award-winning and very well recognised brand, which is the biggest platform of its kind in Europe showcasing African designers and African inspired fashion.

The popularity and success of the Africa Fashion Week London brand was what triggered the organisers to bring the brand home to Nigeria.

Africa Fashion Week Nigeria, now in its third has been a memorable and very fulfilling journey.

In just a few days, AFWN will not only be celebrating its third year anniversary but it will be yet another Africa Fashion Week.

Beginning from July 1 to July 3 2016 with a conference, fashion exhibition and showcase of upcoming and established designers, the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria, is a first class packaged, high octane and very glamorous event as well as a celebration of stupendous fashion and style of good form and refinement.

And to lead an array of fashion designers as the headline designer at the 2016 edition of the annual fashion show, will be British couture designer, Ade Bakare.

The celebrated designer whose clientele include English and American aristocrats, international corporations and African elites, will debut his Cruise 2016 Collection at the show next month.

The show will host five catwalk shows, 50 designers, a fashion gala and awards night as well as panel discussions aimed at positioning

Ade Bakare

AFWN 2016 Brand Ambassador, Yemi Alade

Bakare's design

Nigeria as a textile and garment production hub.

Bakare, who runs Ade Bakare Couture London, has designed the capsule Cruise Line Collection for summer 2016, influenced by his constant travels between London and Lagos where he maintains his design studios and boutique respectively with the word, ‘cruise’ evoking travel, luxury, style, boats, yachts and summer.

The Cruise Line has been greatly inspired by his clients on both sides of the Atlantic who desire something colourful, modern and ethnic to wear while abroad. To satisfy these demands, Bakare came up with an exquisite range of

vibrant jackets and dresses in neoprene textiles and 'adire' in modern geometric and circular designs embellished with his unique signature style of wood and glass intersected with beads that sparkle. Some of his celebrated designs are his long sweeping gazar coats soft but structured his wrap sash jackets. He uses mostly natural fibres especially gazar, chiffons and organza’s.

Long eveningwear dresses with intricate details, capes, and boleros and fitted suits.

The AFWN, which is a weeklong show will kick-start with the Street Catwalk in the Mall set to take place on June 25 at The Palms Mall,

Victoria Island, followed by the conference at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on July 1, 2016. The second day will have back-to-back Catwalk Shows from upcoming established designers while the last day will end with a Gala Night.

Meanwhile, the AFWN which has picked Yemi Alade as its 2016 Brand Ambassador, aims to discover young new exciting brands by providing a platform to build and promote them to an international standard, aims also to promote the beauty of Africa, from the creative side of fashion to the business of it.

Beer Lubricates Culture, Enhances Social Bonding - Study A new study has revealed that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol in a group setting boosts people’s emotions and enhances social bonding. The study, published recently in the journal Psychological Science also found that moderate consumption of alcohol can minimize negative emotions — or at least reduce displays such as being silent in a group.

The study, funded by the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism submitted that Alcohol fueled social bonding and increased the amount of time people spent talking to one another. It also increased the frequency and enhanced the coordination of “true” smiles, the researchers said.

According to researchers, beer allows us to loosen up when we indulge with moderation and respect, while it also inspires us to be our true selves. “Too many of us go about our daily lives suffocating in our own uptightness, in a constant state of worry, focused on work and not life, being nitpicky and oblivious to the wonderful people and moments that surround us. Too many people never take a break to sit down with a pint of their favourite, to look over at the person next to them and say "hello," to make a connection -- an important connection,” the researchers said.

In carrying out the study, researchers randomly assigned 720 men and women to groups of three people who didn’t know one another. They

said previous studies have focused on alcohol’s effect on individuals. “We felt that many of the most significant effects of alcohol would more likely be revealed in an experiment using a social setting,” study author Michael Sayette, a professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, said in a journal news release.

Drinking, many agreed, is essentially a social act, subject to a variety of rules and norms regarding who may drink what, when, where, with whom and so on. Drinking does not, in any society, take place ‘just anywhere’, and most cultures have specific, designated environments

for communal drinking. Alcohol has long been regarded as a social leveler, and the act of communal drinking as a means of communication between those of different ranks and status in society. Major life-cycle events such as birth, coming-of-age, marriage and death; important life-changes such as graduation or retirement - and even far less momentous shifts such as the daily transition from work to play - all require ritual endorsement. Alcohol punctuates our lives from the cradle to the grave.

These ceremonial events, with their accompanying drinking patterns, undoubtedly provide relief from the daily boredoms and frustrations of peasant agricultural life. They also provide a base for conviviality and the easing of social tensions in a society where human relations are not easy. Alcohol seems to do much, for example, to break down barriers between the sexes and social classes on ceremonial occasions.In most cultures, a marriage is a major transformation, conducted in stages, each of which requires a drinking-event.

In many cultures, the ritualisation of transition is not restricted to the major life-cycle transitions of birth, coming-of-age, marriage and death, but extends to less portentous life-changing events such as graduation, job promotion, house-warming and retirement. The need to invest ‘lifestyle’ transitions with wider social and symbolic meaning - and particularly to

do so by drinking - seems a near-universal feature of human cultures.

However, the symbolic meanings attributed to alcohol vary across different cultures, and the suitability of alcohol as a symbol of transition to playtime, the perception of drinking as antithetical to working, is by no means universal. In many cultures, the stop off at the drinking-place on the way to work, or to ‘re-fuel’ at lunchtime, is just as common as the after-work drinking session, and alcohol is used to generate ‘energy’ and enthusiasm for work, as well as to relax after work or to celebrate the completion of a task.

This perception of alcohol as a quintessentially ‘social’ substance is reinforced by the practices associated with its consumption at rites of passage - the rituals of pouring, sharing, toasting, round-buying etc. - which serve to define and regulate social relationships, to promote conviviality and to build and strengthen interpersonal bonds. Despite cross-cultural variations, the central fact remains that in all cultures where alcohol is used,drinking is an essential element of celebration. This requires explanation: why should alcohol, rather than any other substance, be the universal symbol of festivity? The answer requires an understanding of the underlying social functions of celebration, and their relation to the symbolic and pharmacological properties of alcohol.

Etisalat Restates Commitment to Environment Protection Most innovative telecommunications company, Etisalat Nigeria, has reiterated its commitment to environmental conservation in Nigeria by continually doing its business responsibly and in conformity with international best practices on environmental standards.

Head, Environmental Compliance and Public Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Oluseyi Osunsedo, revealed this at an event organised by the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) in partnership with the United Nations Information Centre and Etisalat Nigeria to commemorate the 2016 World Environment Day, in Lagos.

While underlining the importance of a healthy ecosystem to environmental sustainability and socio-economic growth, Osunsedo said Etisalat would continue to promote responsible

environmental conservation in and around all its operations across Nigeria.

“At Etisalat Nigeria, we are passionate about the environment. This is why we have environment as part of our three core CSR platforms, the other two being education and health. We take environmental protection seriously because we are aware of the negative impacts that can occur from improper management of natural resources and its effect on the environment,” she said.

Osunsedo further assured the gathering that Etisalat would continue to take significant and positive steps in ensuring protection of the environment in which it operates, whilst pledging its support for initiatives such as the NES awareness programme to ensure that majority

of Nigerians understand the messages and call to action because everyone regardless of who they are, have a role to play in sustainable development.

Director, Environment Services, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Dr. Iyabo Philips, who represented the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, commended Etisalat Nigeria and other partners for their collaborative effort on environmental sustainability.

She said, “Environmental conservation is our collective responsibility. Our existence depends on how well we can keep our environment because we are all connected: human, plant and the earth.”

Chairman, Nigerian Environmental Society, Dr. Eugene Itua, while stating that Nigeria was

blessed with a very rich wildlife, however decried the harmful practices that have put wildlife into near extinction. “We must not allow greed and personal gains push us to decimate and destroy the earth’s irreplaceable treasure. As the dominant specie, it is our responsibility to take care of the earth,” he said.

National Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos, Oluseyi Soremekun, said ‘Go Wild for Life’, the theme for year's World Environment Day, was informed by the need to raise awareness on the wider implications of increase in illegal trade in wildlife. “Individuals involved are motivated solely by short-term gains at the expense of long-term benefits to communities and habitats.”

24.06.2016

32/ENTERTAINMENTRAVE

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2Baba, Angelique Kidjo, Other Legends Works to be Showcased at BET Awards, Grammy Museum Exhibition The BET Awards and the Grammy Museum will launch ‘Sounds of Africa’ exhibition in a bid to showcase the works of legendary African musicians. The exhibition seeks to celebrate the unique diversity of African music and some African legendary acts’ works will be showcased.

The launch of the exhibition would celebrate the unique diversity of African music, and spotlight African winners and nominees of both the Grammy Awards and the BET Awards.

According to VIMN Africa, the organisers of the event, they said some of the items to be displayed will feature handwritten lyrics, costumes and rare instruments, Monde Twala and many more. “It’s fantastic to see the influence of African artistes and music amplified in this unique exhibition in this iconic setting. We are excited about working with the Grammy Museum to create this fascinating tribute to legendary, traditional and contemporary African

RUNTOWN Nigerian singer, Runtown and his record label boss, Eric Many has settled their legal disputes.

The singer was dragged to court by his label prompting a judge to give order restraining Runtown from performing which complicated issues for the singer.

However, it was learnt that the singer has now been able to have an out of court settlement with the label and that following the June 14, 2016 ruling of the court in New York. They have agreed to settle the issues as long as Runtown agrees to remain with the label for another year.

Angelique Kidjo

WIZKID

DJAN Lifts Ban on Terry G’s Music

Terry-G

Deejay’s Association Nigeria (DJAN) has lifted the embargo it placed on all Terry G’s songs some weeks ago.

On Saturday June 5, 2016, Terry G reportedly slapped DJ Jimmy Jatt’s protege, DJ Phriz who was holding down for the respected and veteran DJ at a comedy

show that held at the Shell Hall of Muson Centre, Lagos. The 'Free Madness' crooner however later tendered an open apology to DJ Jimmy Jatt and all DJ’s regarding the ugly incident.

Terry G’s immoral manners greatly infuriated the DJs and his music collec-

tions were subsequently banned by their association, barring all DJs around the country from playing his songs and also demanded a public apology from him.

The body released a statement that reads "The National Executives of the DJs Association of Nigeria (DJAN) humbly appreciate the support and cooperation of Nigeria DJs for full participation on said subject, we are most grateful for acknowledging the fact that ‘an injury to one is injury to all’, One Beat… One Voice”.

According to the association, the ban has now been lifted. “Terry G has shown a very reasonable level of remorse and had apologised to all parties concerned including apologising to the leadership of the association at all levels. After due consultations and deliberations, the Deejays Association of Nigeria hereby lifts the embargo on all songs of Terry G (including songs he featured in).”

The street hop singer in the midst of all his troubles with Nigerian DJs has released two singles, 'Oba ogo' and 'Olorun tobi' which he dedicated to God.

It is not a gainsaying to say that Wizkid is having the time of his life presently, as the ‘Ojuelegba’ crooner was spotted with American producer, Swizzbeatz.

The 25-year-old was seen at a studio in Los Angeles with the award-winning producer and they are likely going to be recording a song together.

It would be recalled that the producer and his Grammy award-winning wife, Alicia Keys shared videos of themselves rocking to Wizkid hit, Ojuelegba.

Yeni Kuti Refutes Marriage Plans Late Afro beat legend, Fela Kuti’s daughter, Yeni Kuti who got engaged to her long time partner, Theo Lawson during her 55th birthday celebration said she was not considering marriage.

According to Yeni while speaking with The Entertainer, the ring her partner gave her was just a commitment ring. “No, I’m not getting married.

The ring my partner gave me is what they call a commitment ring. He gave me his mother’s wedding ring as a commitment to the relationship. We have been together for about nine years.

When I met him, he used to wear the ring around his neck, so for me, it is a big deal.

“He has entrusted me with something very close to his heart. It is not like we are going to start planning wedding and all that, even though we are really committed to each other. I call him my last bus stop. If God gives us long life and says there should be another man

AKON Yeni Kuti with her fiance Theo-Lawson

in my life, he is the man for me and I believe I am the woman for him as well. When he made the proposal, we didn’t know that it was going to go

viral,” Yeni said Yeni Kuti had been married before to the late Femi Segun who died from a power bike accident on March 21, 2014.

Black Entertainment Africa (BET) network is to honour Senegalese-American singer, Akon with a humanitarian award tagged ‘Global Good Award’.

The Grammy award nominee, multi-platinum selling singer, entrepreneur and philanthropist has been picked by the Awards organisers for his unrelenting effort towards powering his home continent, Africa through a solar light up Africa project aimed at providing electricity to millions of homes in Africa.

33/ ART/BOOOK REVIEW,

24.06.2016

I Laugh at these Skinny Lines- Or Not Su'eddie Vershima Agema Poetry means a lot of things to different people. For some, it is a chance to show off and break the mental jaws of other people.

Such poets would simply write for poets and hide their meanings in kernels of words that readers would need stones to crack. In essence, to find the meaning of the lines of such poems you would need formulas like you would an algebra equation. Largely, these poets are the purists who believe that every single rule of poetry should be applied to make verse magical. You only need to think of Wole Soyinka, Christopher Okigbo (famous for his ‘I only write poetry for poets’ quote), Omadachi Oklobia and more recently, Servio Gbadamosi and Aondosoo Labe, to get a good grasp of these sort of writers.

There’s another group within, who hold on to style and some aspects of deep poetic tradition, without leaving you befuddled.

A middle group use simple diction, infuse style and hold on to the tenets of tradition without being difficult. Such poets include writers like Hyginus Ekwuazi, Amu Nnadi, Agatha Aduro, Iquo Eke, Innocence Silas, Aidee Erhime, Romeo Oriogun, Ehi’zogie Iyeomen, Sibbyl Whyte, and Debbie Iorliam. They write deceptively simple poetry immersed in devices that make their thoughts stand out from the normal prosaic sentences cut into lines by some other people.

There are the others for whom the meaning is more important than the style; those for whom the beauty of verse is more in tandem with the delivery for easy consumption. Most of them discard the toga of the traditional poet and simply focus on crafting lines that would speak to the soul of their readers. After all, they think, of what use is a message if it is not received by readers? Enter the league of certain poets like Seun Odukoya, Terseer Sam Baki and Terver Chieshe who write poetry that would easily be accessible to readers.

Somewhere in between the second and third group of poets comes in Tolu Akinyemi with his ‘Poetry for those who hate poetry’ series. The series is a response to writing poetry that is marinated in ‘detail, simplicity, relatability, vividness and wittiness’ (21). The intention of the poet in his second collection of the series, I laugh at these Skinny Girls is to write poetry that is enjoyable, especially for those who would normally consider it as intimidating or boring – or so he claims. The formally trained architect who now draws words to paper in a tapestry of diverse verse weaves different lines and tales as especially inspired by nature and events that help to reveal the mind of his persona.

I laugh at these Skinny Girls is a collection of seventy-five poems divided into three parts. It covers a multiplicity of issues and themes from national concerns, public issues, mannerisms to personal observations. The poet brings in a bag of tools to achieve his aim of passing the several messages that he ensures – or hopes that the reader would get easily, almost like licking an ice cream.

The book is divided into three parts with no particular defined demarcation or explanation to show why which poems are in which section and/or not. In the end, one has to wonder what might have led the poet to put the various poems into what part and why. An attempt at classifying the poems show that the first part has a general thrust on issues, events and concerns. Most of the poems in the second part are concerned with a longing for certain ladies. The longing in this part somehow spills into the third part.

However, the third part is largely philosophical and shows the poet, Akinyemi, as being a deep thinker.

The title poem, ‘I Laugh at these Skinny Girls’, is a satirical piece written from the point of view of an old woman who is reacting to “Skinny things (ladies) with glossy skin/That live near the cinema/With their chopstick necks/And matchstick limbs…” (56). They insult her and look down on her but she has the last laugh – in her mind, at least – when she remembers that “Whatever goes up/Surely comes down…” Thus, she can only laugh/ At what time would confirm” (56), which is age on their part.

In all, the poem is instructive of those who make mockery of people who are ahead of

Akinyemi

them, forgetting that what goes around comes around. The young ladies might be in their top forms but in time, age would come and transform them to that which they are laughing to scorn.

The poem, ‘What a Child Wants’ (41) is centred on the innocence of childhood that is fast lost. The poem posits that children

usually have no pretence and state what they want without any ambiguity. However, they soon grow and lose this innocence and the persona is puzzled: “I wonder at what point along the way/Children that have become we-men/Lost this incredible gift?” (41).

‘Today I lived’ (44) talks about the disillusionment of contemporary life in our technological

age. The persona declares that he escaped from the poison of his computer screen, then went wild in the joy of nature. The persona declares that he “threw stares at the stove/ And I farted into the winds” (44).

In the mould of the typical African writer burdened with the tradition of social commitment, Akinyemi tackles the raving issue of the missing Chibok girls in ‘276 Girls’ (25) and ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ (27). In the two poems, the poet uses traditional metaphors that conjure the image of the village setting, that must be Chibok, in the poem. There’s also satire evidenced from even the characterisation.

There is the presence of the character, Jòná, which seems to represent President Goodluck Jonathan. The poem, ‘276 Girls’ informs us that there was little or no attempt by the government to do anything to salvage the problem of the missing girls until there was a knock on the centre of Jòná’s door. In essence, things finally got to a head and the President got to be personally affected. Perhaps this knock was the forerunner to his eventual loss at the polls.

Akinyemi reserves a special spot for girls, mothers and marriages. A great number of the poems in the collection are either about women, directed at women or somehow find a connection with women. Most of them are somewhat ironic and spit sarcasm. In ‘Halima’ for instance, a mother asks her daughter, “My fine daughter/You are not getting younger/ And soon (not later)/You should snatch for yourself/A rich handsome husband.” Her daughter replies ‘You are right’…Whose husband do I snatch? (30). This is the same trend that one sees in the poem, ‘Which one’ (33), where a mother keeps presenting options to her daughter, who keeps rejecting each offer with answers like ‘Too short’, ‘The belly bulge’, ‘The starving purse’ and the like, till she eventually accepts one of the offers. It is the time of the mother to be critical; ‘but he is short?’ And the list of such other poems continue.

The poems in I laugh at Skinny Girls are short. One key thing about most of Tolu’ Akinyemi’s poetry is his use of narrative poems. He tries to pass a message with each poem while also trying to entertain in what ways he can.

A major problem with Akinyemi’s poetry is his overt simplicity in some poems that make his poems to tilt more towards prose than verse. In an age where a lot of people are looking towards the demystification of poetry, this would seem a plus and an encouragement to more people who would seemingly enjoy his works. However, one notes that there are certain rules that make poetry thick. These include the use of certain devices and patterns, without which a work might be looked at in many quarters as simply a breaking of sentences or prose into lines and stanzas.

Some lines of Akinyemi can be accused of this. In ‘Which One’ (34), for instance, one finds out that the poem is largely question and answer in plain talk without a single spice to make it nice or poetic. The first stanza comes in as an example here: ‘Mama asks/ “This one?”/ She responds/ “No way! He is short”… This is the same sort of spirit that flows into ‘Saturdays’ (36), and many others.

One begins to wonder if his poetry isn’t too skinny in some areas too but just as one thinks of this, poems like ‘Stubborn Stones’ (62) and others like those mentioned above begin to hit at one.

‘Stubborn Stones’ is full of alliteration, allusions, keen imagery and other devices that show a proper poet at work. The poem which speaks of a childhood lost where nature was King as compared to these days when artificial longings occur, which cannot be half compared to those good old days before Facebook. If for nothing else, for poems like these and for the several themes that dance around in the collection, the book stands out as a piece worth reading; an easy tease.

For what is worth, in the generality of his work, Akinyemi passes a myriad of messages and succeeds in being simple enough to carry any willing mind on a journey through his works that will leave them laughing in some places, scratching their head in others but in all cases, thinking and wondering about issues that sure go beyond skinny lines and skinny girls.

34/ETIQUETTE

24.06.2016

THE ETIQUETTE FORUM ADEKANMI OTEDOLA-OLUSANYA

email mretiquetteonline@yahoo.com

tel. 08112661635, 0809285 4855

Accessorise Like a Real Man Accessories are the items men generally pay the least attention to (like men pay more attention to their suits than their cufflinks), yet they are the icing on the cake of a man’s wardrobe. For this reason, I want to nail all those major facts you need to know on how to accessorise like a real man. Come with me then!

Pocket Square Don’t wear the same pocket square style every time and pick a style that flaunts the pocket square just a bit. The puff, the a-fold the list goes on and on. Pick your favorite.

Never use it for anything even to offer it to a crying woman, it is only for show.

Don't match it identically to your tie every time; instead look for colours and patterns that resonate with your neckwear.

Suspenders Know the difference between clip-ons and braces. While braces refers to buttonon suspenders, generally made of higher quality materials and intended for business and dress wear, clip-ons are like the name suggests clipped on and can be worn with either dress or casual attire.

Don't wear a belt and suspenders.

Do take off your jacket and show off your suspenders.

You can wear suspenders with no suit jacket or sport coat at all.

Suspenders can be worn both formally and casually.

Cufflinks Do wear them with French cuffs.

Don't just own one pair. Instead, build a collection of cufflinks that show off your style and personality.

Match metals, that is your metal cufflinks with your watch and your belt buckle.

Don't: wear them everyday, keep your style interesting and versatile.

Necktie Pick a knot that compliments your shirt collar.

Don't wear your necktie below or above your belt line.

Do wear a tie dimple.

Don't worry if the dimple is a side dimple there are both side dimples and centre dimples.

You could purchase a copy of my book on etiquette titled PROPER MANNERS AND ETIQUETTE IN ANYTHING AT ANYTIME AND ANYWHERE at the price of N3,500 at our corporate head office at 340 - 344 Ikorodu Road, by Idi-Iroko Bus Stop, Maryland, Lagos.

Or call 0811 266 1635 or 0802 312 6010 to have a copy sent to you.

To create a tie with a dimple, knot your tie just like you always do up until the part where you put the long end, the wide end through the knot. Now, pull it gently so it’s always all the way down and then, you reach in with your fingers and you create a little gap in there. You can hold it in together with your fingers then gently pull it through.

You’ll see it’ll form a dimple at the bottom of your tie and you adjust it. Now you pull the short end and bring it all the way up to your collar.

Voila! The dimple

Match metals, that is your metal cufflinks with your watch and your belt buckle

Suspenders can be worn both formally and casually and can be worn with no suit jacket or sport coat at all

Don't match your pocket square identically to your tie every time; instead look for colours and patterns that resonate with your neckwear

Pick a style that flaunts the pocket square just a bit. The puff, the a-fold the list goes on and on

35/ENTREPRENUER

24.06.2016

‘Fashion is My Passion’ She has been in the business of fashion since 2009 as the Creative Director of Obsidian and Founder of leading lifestyle brands supporting African fashion, beauty and lifestyle entrepreneurs – ZAZAII. Isoken Ogiemwonyi is a multi-award winning, multi-hyphenate entrepreneur committed to growing the fashion industry in Nigeria. She spoke with Mary Ekah about her fashion line, her motivation and aspiration How did you end up in the fashion business?

I had always experimented it at school, but after university, I decided to give it a go full time. I would also say that my passion for design became a full-fledged retail career.

What are some of the high points of your experience so far?

I have had so many high points in the past half-decade or so, it’s a little difficult to pick - but if I absolutely had to choose it would be being named 11 out of 25 top African Women Achievers by the Guardian UK, winning the (then) MTNLFDW Young Creative Entrepreneur of the year award, and being named one of the top 100 most inspiring women in Nigeria

by YNaija and LeadingLadiesAfrica.

What are some of the brands ZAZAII presented at its flagship store?

We stock a wide range of emerging and established designers in fashion, lifestyle and beauty. For example, we have urban and athleisure brands like Lagos Laid Bac, Sanusi Lagos, January 7 & Literati, feminine and flirty brands for everything from wedding guest style to work like Uju Estelo, Rococo, TNL, Obsidian, Keem Harun, Bellezza Audace, OSC Signature, Teda Designs, Simeogieme, Wanger Ayu, Kale & Kulema, Nuraniiya and Eve & Tribe. We also have great accessory brands like Joela, Raya Jewellery, Ariaba Lifestyle and Dapmod. And specialist brands like swimwear brands Andrea Iyamah and Kamokini.

Are you looking to expand ZAZAII beyond Nigeria?

Definitely, once we achieve certain milestones, we’ll be looking beyond our current location.

Ogiemwonyi

Fashion shows will always have their place as a trade tool for fashion designers and the industry at large, I expect that at some point we will have two shows a year and we hope pioneers like LFDW will lead this charge. I also imagine that we will see a proliferation of more brand-led shows that attract international buyers.

You formerly held a monthly fashion and lifestyle market, Le Petit Marche; do you plan on reinventing that?

Yes, we tested the PopUp at ZAZAII retail format earlier this year, and are currently tweaking the model to reflect the new environment.

What are some the challenges with the Nigerian fashion industry?

They are myriad, but I’d say barring infrastructural issues like power, education of artisans, the buying public and the designers themselves. We have retailers who don’t know what a WSSI is, designers who can't tell the difference between a markup and a margin or wholesale and retail pricing, artisans who have never seen a pattern or a toile and a buying public that constantly compare the kind of economies of scale, and consequently pricing flexibility enjoyed by brands like ZARA and Topshop to our much more limited designer infrastructure on the continent.

You also have your own fashion line, Obsidian, what’s new?

Obsidian is my baby - we focused on pure play retail for about three years, and admittedly, it suffered a lot of neglect in the last couple of years, but we’ve restructured and are back with a bang! We just shot an ad campaign and lookbook for our sophomore leather goods collection, and we will have a new clothing collection in a few months. Get excited!

Do you think Nigerians are accepting and supporting African fashion labels now?

Without a doubt, there’s been a paradigm shift from the early reluctance when we started LPM over six years ago to the wholesale adoption of African fashion and lifestyle brands by both consumers and the mainstream media.

How do you think these challenges can be resolved?

There have been strides to connect and educate, but I believe until we can stop working in silos, pretending that we are doing much better than we actually are, and commit to improving ourselves as individuals and as an industry - nothing will change.

Do you have new projects for ZAZAII in the works?

Our major project this year is our Trunkshow Tour. Essentially, we will be popping up with several of our inshore brands in several locations across the continent and in the diaspora.

Taking the ZAZAII Experience global, kicking off this summer.

When you are not working on ZAZAII, what do you think of in your spare time?

I’m always on, which means ZAZAII is always in my thoughts. However, I like to read, and work on my personal development when I’m not actively working on ZAZAII or Obsidian.

How do you stay ahead of the new trends in the fashion scene?

I’m constantly educating myself - the Internet is such a great resource. I also believe in developing a T-Shaped mind,(A theory that deep knowledge of your specialisation and wide understanding of many other disciplines creates broader skills and knowledge and learns by linking up different perspectives from different specialties) so I’m interested in developments in other sectors, especially in technology and beauty. I like to read widely, converse with

What are the new fashion innovations for 2016?

The industry is evolving rapidly - but I believe and learn from thought leaders both locally the most relevant innovation for brands here and globally. is centred on social and influencer marketing.

Who are some of your favourite African Mobile apps like Instagram and Snapchat are becoming increasingly important for consumer or Nigerian designers?

There are quite a few. I couldn’t possibly engagement and to a certain extent, sales, and as Instagram introduced in-app ads late last choose, there’d be too many. year, I believe we will see it become essential What is the future for fashion shows in to every fashion brands marketing mix in the future.

Nigeria?

36/COLLAGE

24.06.2016

L-R:Cheif (Mrs) Mojisola Lawal, couple, Mr and Mrs Gbenga Abe; and Bursar, Federal Politechnic Ile-Oluji; Mr Tobi Orina, during couple's wedding ceremony at Christ Apostolic Church Supare- Akoko, Ondo State State recently.

L-R: Mr. Kasali Ganiyu, Mr Abiola Odewole, the newly wedded couple, Mr. and Mrs Babajide Odewole, Sintiar and Mr. Sunday Ogunnowo, during the couple's wedding in Lagos... recently

L-R:Special Guest/ Country Manager, Cardiff University,Ms Ellen Parker;Director of Studies, Global International College (GIC),Dr Anthony Adeola;CEO,GIC,Mrs Abolaji Osime;Guest Speaker, Mr Julius Ayuk-Tabe;Mrs Oyin Abibo;Principal,GIC,Mrs Bisi Layiwola, with the Graduating Students, during 17th Graduation Ceremony of Global International College,Lagos recently.

L-R: Children of Late PA Samuel Olukoya Osibajo, Mr. Damilohun Osibajo, Mr. Ogaloluwa Osibajo, Mrs. Aiyemidara Adebumewa, Mr. Omokoya Osibajo, and Mr. Omoniyi Osibajo, during the Funeral Service and Burial Ceremony of their Father Late PA Samuel Olukoya Osibajo, held in Iperu Remo, Ogun State...recently. PHOTO; DAN UKANA

L-R: Celebrant, Dr (Chief) Charles Oladeinde Williams; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and the Celebrant’s wife, Lady Gloria Williams, at the Williams 80th Birthday Reception in Ikeja, Lagos recently.

R-L: Celebrant/Iyalode of Aremo, Chief (Mrs) Folasade Ogunbiyi; His Royal Highness, Oba Solagbade Tijani; and Omooba Wole Sowole; during the celebration of the new Iyalode of Remo, Chief (Mrs) Folasade Ogunbiyi to mark her installation and 70th birthday ceremony in Sagamu, Ogun-State..recently.

Prof.(Mrs) Modupeola Christiana Akintobi of Federal University of Abeokuta (FUNAAB), with her son Mr. Femi Akintobi cutting her anniversary Cake to mark her 65th birthday ceremony at Living Faith Church, Abeokuta, in Ogun State ……recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

37/THISLIFE

24.06.2016

Ambode

Ambode: A Humanist and Pragmatist at 53

Habib Aruna

During the thick of the governorship campaign in 2015, the then candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode in Lagos State, came out with an instructive advert: ‘Let my experience work for you’. In the said advert, which was placed in major national dailies, Ambode explicitly came out with his intimidating credentials and the experience he garnered during his years in the Civil Service, when he left Alausa and went back to school in the United States and came back home to become a public finance expert.

It was therefore not a surprise that few days to the first anniversary of his emergence as the Governor of Lagos State, some notable members of the National Assembly from the state, placed a centrespread advert in the dailies to remind the electorate that they made the right choice by voting for Ambode. In the advert that was rightly captioned: 'We say thank you Lagosians, his experience is working for you', the lawmakers enumerated the giant strides the state has recorded in the past year and that, despite the economic uncertainty in the country, the state under the leadership of Ambode, is on a sound footing for growth and development.

In truth, for some of us working with him at close range, it's not too difficult to see the humanity, simplicity, compassion, pragmatism and discipline in him. When we were disturbed few months after he came to power with negative media reports and slow pace of governance, the governor would always tell us that we are on a marathon race and not a sprint; he would tell us that it has always been his nature to be underrated. "Just wait and see", he would say with a smile. And while it has been difficult to keep pace with him, we find solace in what the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said of the governor during the launch of the BRT buses last year: "Ambode does not believe there is no solution to a problem; he

believes there is always a solution to every problem".

Hence, the unprecedented achievements of the past 12 months should be seen within this context. Here is a man who rose to become the Auditor General and then the first civil servant to hold the positions of both the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance and the state Accountant General. Needless to say, that he had variously been credited with managing the account of the state when the then President Olusegun Obasango withheld the state Local Government funds.

For sure, it is this spirit of doggedness and consistency that the governor brought to bear in the way and manner he has piloted the affairs of the state in the last one year. At every critical juncture of the journey, you always have this belief that you are working with a man who knows where he is heading; a man who listens and is very meticulous in everything he does; a man who is concerned about every detail of what you do and say on his behalf; a man who believes the Lagos city-state should rank among the best in the world; a man who understands the transience of power and above all, a man whose love for the STATE of EXCELLENCE is unrivalled and passion for his job is unmistakable. Indeed, you will always win a seat on the table with Governor Ambode if you have superior argument on any issue.

Despite all he has done so far, the governor has served notice of something even more remarkable and iconic. His administration is about to convert Oshodi into what he calls “world-class transportation and commercial hub.” The more challenging term he used is “regeneration of Oshodi.” I accept that this is the realistic idea because the “genes” of the area that make it a natural crime centre would die at the springing forth of the new Oshodi Ambode is about to give birth to.

The area would witness the consolidation of all the 13 parks into three multi-storey bus parks and terminals to stand on four floors.

There would be shopping mall, recreation

points, bus lanes, lay-bys, green parks to soften the environment, proper waste management, fencing and – wait for this – a dedicated fully kitted security team for Oshodi.

We see this spirit of distinction manifest also in manifold enterprises embarked upon

by Ambode in his lifetime and in his current capacity as governor. His administration has restructured the civil service for maximum voltage performance, while creating new offices to cater for the emerging needs of the people. He has cut the cost of governance by streamlining some ministries, departments and agencies. Ambode has injected compassion into governance, paying N11b to aged pensioners who had been owed for decades. He has personally attended to the distressed, the indigent and the severely handicapped. Recently, he celebrated Democracy Day with the less privileged and persons with disabilities. Very early in his administration he threw in the weight of government to wage a war against sexual and domestic violence.

This compassionate governance philosophy has seen Ambode launch an unprecedented move to allay the security concerns of the citizens by within six months giving more than N6.4b to equip the Police and other security agencies with armoured tanks, brand new power bikes and scores of squad cars for Special Operation Services (SOS) for community policing. He has also launched an aerial policing of Lagos by donating a helicopter to the Nigeria Police Command in the state.

Closely knit to these is a radical road infrastructure development leading to the construction and renovation of more than 500 roads in the state and 114 link roads in all the local councils and the Light-up Lagos Project meant to banish darkness from every corner of the state.

And just before the first anniversary, Ambode again did what many considered an uphill task with the signing of an N844b MOU to construct the Fourth Mainland Bridge. The bridge that is expected to be completed between

three and four years, would go a long way in changing the transportation system in the state. Instructively too, these achievements are anchored on the core pillar of his manifesto, which is Security, Infrastructure and Youth Empowerment.

This tendency to post top-flight performance on the part of Ambode did not however spring up overnight. It has evolved and matured over the decades. Beginning with when young Akinwunmi Ambode emerged with 2nd Best Result in the Higher School Certificate Examination in the whole of West Africa, he has not dropped down from the Olympian Heights. He graduated at 21 at the University of Lagos and became a Chartered Accountant at the tender age of 24, and at 36 a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). Between 1998-1999, he was at Boston University, USA as a Hubert Humphrey Fellow in Accounting and Finance.

Ambode retired at 49, becoming the first Permanent Secretary and Accountant General to do so voluntarily. He thereafter founded Brandsmiths Consulting Limited to provide Public Finance and Management Consulting services to government at all levels, its parastatals and agencies. Brandsmiths, in collaboration with Price Waterhouse Coopers, has trained government accountants and finance personnel to prepare them for the cut-over to the International Public Sector Accounting System (IPSAS) which became effective in 2015.

He went into politics the same year and introduced a fresh element of grassroots campaign that remains the talk of the town more than a year after. Ambode struck an uncanny affinity with those he came in contact with, assuring them that he would partner with their creative ideas to forge a peopleoriented society.

As Governor Ambode clocks 53, it’s assured that he will continue to churn out more of his great signature projects. Happy birthday Sir! Aruna, is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ambode

38/OPINION

24.06.2016

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

T

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Tel 08116759785(sms only)

Calculating the Hidden Cost

o lift millions out of poverty and creates a pathway to prosperity for its citizens, the government of Nigeria has tried and failed for four decades.

Income inequality continues to be the partition between poverty and prosperity in Nigeria, where unemployment rate shows disparity with plenty and possibilities of a nation. It’s a paradox.

Though the slump in oil prices in recent months has impacted greatly on Nigeria, making its economy to totter, there’s a widening gulf between the rich and the poor.

According to The Economist, official poverty and unemployment statistics for Nigeria can make bleak reading, even when compared with similar data from less wealthy countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Based on fact file from Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s population reached about 167 million people in 2012.

The current government has not shown enthusiasm in conducting population census that helps the country to plan for its future.

The apathy may have less to do with the controversy that has dogged the conduct of the census and its figures in the past. The government’s non-committal may have been a dictate of the financial meltdown that Nigeria is facing.

But Nigeria is due for its census, after the last one conducted in 2006.

Nigeria’s National Population Commission (NPoC, 2013) record states that about half of the population is made up of youth, defined as individuals between 15 and 34 years of age.

That falls within the demography of the

Nigerians are facing job crisis

working population for Nigeria indicated as 15-64 years old in its country profile.

But this demography, Nigeria’s latest data suggests is facing social deprivation.

For instance, the most recent NBC statistics reveals that that the number of underemployed in the Nigerian labour force increased by 1.21 million or 9.16 per cent, resulting in an increase in the underemployment rate to 18.7 per cent or 14.42 million persons in the fourth quarter of the year 2015.

Nigeria’s foremost online newspaper, The Cable, claims, this figure represents at least 1,972,722 Nigerians without job since Nigerian leader, President Muhammadu Buhari took the oath of office on May 29, 2015.

Further probe into the data revealed that during the same period, the number of unemployed in the labour force, increased by 518,102 persons, resulting in an increase in the national unemployment rate to 10.4

per cent in the fourth quarter of 2015 from 9.9 per cent in the third quarter of the same year 2015 and from 8.2 per cent in the second quarter. This means there were a total of 22.45 million persons in the Nigerian labour force in the last quarter of 2015, which were either unemployed or underemployed compared to 20.7 million in the third quarter and 19.6 million in the second quarter.

What does the statistics say? It means there are more people without economic opportunities to change their standards of living.

Early this month, when the government opened its employment website (N-Power) to take in young people without jobs across the country, the number of hit received by the website was 35 million according to a statement from the office of the Vice President charged with the implementation of the social welfare programme.

In the first few hours of its launch a record number of 400,000 Nigerians registered for different jobs successfully before the website crashed under pressure.

To start, let’s consider the pressure being faced by Nigerians without jobs as evidenced in the crashed of the N-power website just on day one when it was launched and the staggering number of applicants who managed to register for jobs around the same time.

And this, in May, the Police Service Commission (PSC) received 911,438 applications for its advertised 10,000 police jobs. These instances have been laughed at by many of us without looking at various dimensions to it and the difficult future our country is faced with, when we look beyond the sentiment of income.

Evidently, for many years we have looked

at unemployment from the economic angle alone, but now we have a reason to make an inquest into the mental health crisis associated with unemployment and its toll on family life—the quality of parent-child relationships and our healthcare funding.

It’s unclear why there’s near absence of statistics on depression rate in Nigeria, but loss of job is much more than loss of income.

It’s multilayered. For instance, a loss of job would mean isolation from network of friends and colleagues. It could also mean loss of routine (think in terms of exercise) and loss of security.

Now, when you add psychological crisis to economic crisis, what is the answer? It is equal to major depression—brain disorder characterised by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life.

Some recent stories should give the government and everyone a level of worry.

A father of four reportedly committed suicide in Akure, the Ondo State capital, when he found it difficult to fend for his family.

In Osogbo, Osun State, a 27-year-old man hanged himself over his indebtedness to a microfinance bank, in spite of the fact that the amount payable was reduced to N18,000.

Another man in his 50s hanged himself in Dutse Makaranta in Bwari Area Council of the FCT, due to his inability to meet up with his family responsibilities.

What am I saying? The President Buhari’s social welfare programme should be a line drawn to connect the dots in terms of income disparity, unemployment, poverty, mental health and family life.

LEKANFATODU HEADS-UP

I

t should have been known to all by now that power has effectively changed hands at the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force. President Muhammadu Buhari has just announced the appointment of Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Ibrahim Idris as the new (acting) Inspector General of Police, to replace the retired Solomon Arase.

Arase, who was appointed IGP by former President Goodluck Jonathan in April 2015, attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 on June 21. And it was just the right time for him to leave the force where he has served for 35 years.

Many had thought that in a politically and ethnically divided country like Nigeria, it wouldn’t be too long before Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party that took over power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by President Jonathan would show Arase the exit door. Afterall, we have seen such happen at different levels of political leadership in the country where change of power led to the dumping of viable talents from previous administrations.

Hence, Buhari deserves kudos for allowing Arase to serve under him till the date of the police chief’s retirement.

Arase, as adjudged by many Nigerians, has equallyexercised unusual mettle by giving his very best to the herculean responsibility of securing the lives and property of all Nigerians.

Of course, different people have divergent views on the man,particularly as the police boss, but one thing remains certain: no matter how much anyone schemes to envelope the truth, it will still find a way of illuminating

Email lekantodun@yahoo.com

Tel 07058069255

Salute to a super Cop

Arase

our thoughts and world at large.

So the truth is, especially as extracted from popular perspectives, Arase gave his all to the repositioning of the force to global standards and the upliftment of the morale and general living conditions of the men and women of the Police force for effective service delivery.

Perhaps it would be necessary to share a very significant encounter with Arase that made yours truly believe, from the get-go, that the man was well suited for the big job and would make an impressive mark during his time.

Shortly after President Buhari assumed the Presidency in May 2015, Arase embarked on a move to intimate strategic stakeholders in the security sector and the general public of his programmes towards reinvigorating the police for excellent performance. He had a new concept (in Nigeria) termed Community Policing as part of his action plans for modern and responsive

policing in the country.

For wider engagement, he invited some thinkers to a private gathering to exchange thoughts and take a critical look at his ideas so as to have a wholistic outlook and achievethe desired objectives for Nigeria.

I happened to be one of the individuals invited to the gathering. In my usual manner, I arrived early at the venue of the meeting. There, I met a few individuals who had occupied some tables and were discussing like people who were quite familiar with one another.

So I moved to an empty table where I sat alone and went through my phone to keep track of my “To-do-list”. Before long all the tables were filled leaving only my table, which could occupy about eight persons, empty.

The occasion and the arrangement of the hall didn’t suggest the typical “high table” plan where an outlandishly decorated table is reserved for a highly placed personality. So I was comfortable in my seat all alone until a tall and huge man stepped in through the entrance with about eight men and women in tow. The man and his entourage, some in police uniform and others in mufti,walked straight to my table. Of course I recognised the IGP Arase amongst them.

At that point it dawned on me that I had unknowingly taken over the seats of some powerful people in Nigeria. The man greeted me politely as he joined me at the table. Apparently I had taken one of his men's seat, so the IGP asked for an extra chair.

My major challenge came when the occasion was opened with an individual introduction which started from the people on the other

tables. When it eventually got to my table, the IGP was first to introduce himself while his top ranking colleagues,including the Lagos State Commissioner, and Mr. Fatai Owoseni and the first female Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mrs. Bisi Kolawole,alsotook their turns.

And I became last amongst the entire guests to do the introduction.

Understandably, all eyes were on me to know what position I occupied in the force while the IGP and his men were just looking to hear my line of introduction. After saying my name, I narrated the tale of a man who found himself on a live BBC interview when he came for an IT job at the BBC office and was mistaken for a TV guest. I then “apologised” for “hijacking” the table of the police unintentionally. The whole hall erupted in laughter.

Arase, also gripped with laughter, took the microphone after my narration. He linked the experience to how courteously and professionally he had been engaging with his officials and offering good listening ears to help tackle problems of security in the public. The rest, as they say, is history.

By and large, amongst other lofty accomplishments, Arase will be remembered for deepening professionalism and fighting indiscipline in the force, improving the deplorable living conditions of the men and women of the police, strengthening security, law and order and the appointment of the first female PRO of the force after over 50 years of the command’s existence.

While wishing Arase a blissful retirement and success in his other engagements, one hopes that the new IGP Ibrahim Idris will equally make a big success in his new duty post.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY JUNE 24, 2016

39

40

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

CITYSTRINGS

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

Family of Missing Man Raises Alarm Relatives of Mr. Howell Ohia, an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps who was last seen in August last year, have asked his employer to explain his whereabouts, writes Adibe Emenyonu

Mrs. Sandra Nwonye (Ohia’s sister)

Missing NSCDC Staff, Howell Ohia

H

owell Ohia is a native of Uneme-Nekua, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State. According to information, he joined the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) about five years ago and has been with the arms unit of the operative at its state command, Benin City.

Ohia story however, turned awry when in August, 2015, he was deployed to Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State on special duties with two other colleagues who had since returned back to Benin City except him.

According to information reaching THISDAY, he had been in constant communication with the family until March 8, this year when he called his people on his mobile phone informing them that he was on a vessel on shore, carrying out a national assignment on the high sea around Port Harcourt.

“That was the last we heard from him”, said Mrs. Sandra Nwonye, elder sister to Ohia.

Unable to establish contacts with Ohia and after all efforts to get words from his employer failed, Nwonye said she was forced to write a petition to the state Commissioner

Miss Agbeye (Ohia’s fiancee)

of Police in Benin City, which was copied to the former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase.

In the petition dated May 25, 2016 and written through Temofeh-Nkemnacho and Co, a firm of solicitors, advocates, corporate consultants and human rights defenders was signed by N. Osayande Esq. The petition titled ‘A Case of a Missing Person Named, Howell Ohia, an Officer With The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps’, said it has the firm instruction to write the petition in the utmost belief that urgent steps be taken to assist in above mentioned matter.

According to the petition, “Our client has a younger brother, whose name is Howell Ohia, a staff of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, serving in Benin City, Edo State.

“In August 2015, he was deployed (not transferred) to Port Harcourt command of the corps on special duties, and has since not been seen or heard from.

“He was last seen and heard from on the 8th March, 2016 during which he called on GSM phone, and informed that he was on vessel

on shore, carrying out national assignment on the high sea in Port Harcourt.”

What worsened the situation the petition noted was that “ after Ohia was not heard from for days, his family made contact with his employer both in Benin City and Port Harcourt, but to their chagrin and utter dismay, no satisfactory explanation has been offered for his disappearance, except of course to want to impute blame on him”, adding that the purpose of this petition which will also be copied to the office of the Inspector General of Police for his information is to request the NSCDC to use its good offices to cause an investigation of this complaint.

Lamenting their ordeal, Nwonye Ohia’s elder sister and Judith Agbeye, his fiancee said that since Ohia was deployed to Port Harcourt, they have been in constant communication with him until March this year when calls, text messages put through to his GSM lines thereafter went unanswered, even as one of his close friends and colleague in Port Harcourt confirmed that he has not heard from him either.

In December last year he sent her some money and promised to visit but he never

came.

“We went to the civil defence offices in Benin City and Port Harcourt and the authorities did not tell us anything satisfactory about his disappearance except of course to impute blame on him,” she said amid tears.

Agbeye said she had planned to get married with the missing NSCDC officer before the unfortunate incident.

The worried Agbeye said, “we were going to get married and he said he would be in Benin the weekend we last heard from him.

Three of them who were deployed have since returned to Benin except him.”

Meanwhile, the family said some of the personal effects of Ohia including three cell phones and clothes were returned to them by an official of the NSCDC in Benin city without information about Ohia’s whereabouts.

At the NCDSC, the commandant was said to be holding a high level security meeting when THISDAY visited their office.

An official who claimed ignorance of the letter concerning the missing Ohia, referred THISDAY to the national headquarters of the command without explanation as to the disappearance of the 30-year-old man.

41

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

CITYSTRINGS

Rivers Celebrates Joseph Yobo

Governor Wike exchanging pleasantries with Jayjay Okocha

Governor Wike shaking hands with David Moyes

Simeon Nwakaudu One of the high points of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike’s first year in office, is the successful hosting of the Joseph Yobo International Testimonial Match to celebrate the former captain of the Super Eagles who made his mark by winning 101 caps during his illustrious career.

In this course of his achievement-filled one year in office, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has hosted some key international football matches. However, the Yobo testimonial stood out, making Rivers State the cynosure of all eyes.

It is important that we recall a few of the international matches that the Rivers State Government under the able leadership of Governor Wike has hosted. The State hosted the Nigeria versus Angola U-23 Match, the Super Eagles Versus Angola Match, the Ivory Coast versus Sierra Leone match amongst other matches.

The hosting of the Joseph Yobo International Testimonial Match stood out in all respects. It brought international football stars, journalists, administrators and enthusiasts together in Port Harcourt to celebrate the peace, security and development of Rivers State..

Football megastars from other countries

Governor Wike (2nd right), Yobo (middle) and Enyeama, at the testimonial match in Port Harcourt

of the world spent days in Rivers State, taking out time to enjoy the nightlife and friendship of the Rivers people.

The match which held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, was a delight to the world. It brought out the best in Governor Wike as an excellent host grounded in international relations and the best traditions of sportsmanship.

The roll call of stars at the Yobo Testimonial International Match is unprecedented.

They include; Samuel Etoo, Austin Jayjay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Sully Muntari, Steve Apiah, Ahmed Musa, Efe Ambrose, Vincent Enyeama, Ike Shorunmu, Augustine Eguavoen, Joel Obi and late Coach Shuaibu Amodu.

Former Manchester United Manager, David Moyes, Emmanuel Emenike, Dani Shittu and Club Proprietor, Ifeanyi Ubah were also on ground to celebrate Joseph Yobo during the testimonial match hosted by the Rivers State Government. Nollywood Star, Osita Iheme (Paw Paw) and Ace Comedian, AY were on hand to add spice to the match.

Music stars like Humblesmith, Harrysong and home-boy, Duncan Mighty provided the needed entertainment.

Before the commencement of the fun-filled match Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo

Wike had a one-on-one encounter with one of the best goalkeepers in world football, former Super Eagles Captain, Vincent Enyeama. After taking the kick-off in the match between Team Nigeria and Friends of Yobo, the governor stepped forward for a penalty kick. Though he did not score, Governor Wike struck the woodwork to the admiration of fans.

Though, the Rivers State Government stood by Joseph Yobo an illustrious son of the State who faithfully served Nigeria, the significance of this match can be better appreciated from the standpoint that it has put paid to the falsehood being peddled by the opposition through their media outlets on the security of the state. Hundreds of international personalities having been advised by their respective embassies thronged to Rivers State, spent days and have returned safety to their bases.

Most importantly, the match stretched into the night and there was no security breach anywhere. This fact must not be taken for granted.

It was also beamed live on Supersport selling Rivers State to the world to the chargrin of unpatriotic opposition elements. Less than two weeks ago, golfers from across West Africa were in Port Harcourt for the West

African Golf Tournament.

Just like Governor Wike has always maintained, the Rivers State Government has left the realm of speculation to the field of practice. Rather than tell stories that Rivers State is safe for businesses and investments, Governor Wike has thrown open the doors for everyone to visit and have a taste of the peace, hospitality and friendship that the state offers. The citizens of the world have accepted Governor Wike’s invitation and they are always here to enjoy with Rivers people.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu while commissioning the Rumueprikom-Rumuolumeni road recently succinctly captured the reality of the Rivers story under the pro-people leadership of Governor Wike when he said: “I can see people working together, I can see a state government in action. I can see a governor committed to the transformation of the state and a governor determined to use the opportunity given to him by the people of the state to the benefit of the people.

“I am happy to see that the governor has brought faith to government when people are losing faith in government.”

Nwakaudu, is Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media

42

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

NEXIM Bank Urges Exporters to Access Intervention Funds Obinna Chima Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM Bank) has advised exporters to take advantage of the N500billion non-oil Export Stimulation Facility (ESF) as well as the expansion of the export credit Rediscounting and Refinancing Facilities (RRF) to boost their operations and create jobs.

The acting Managing Director/Chief Executive, NEXIM Bank, Mr. Bashir Wali, made this call in his welcome address at a stakeholders’ engagement session and press conference to unveil the Non-oil export stimulation scheme that took place in Lagos yesterday. > The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently introduced the schemes with a view to supporting the diversification of the the economy away from oil and to expedite the growth and development of the non-oil export sector.

Wali, explained that over the past few months, the Nigerian Export-Import Bank has been working with the central bank to review existing policies and strategies towards increasing funding support and stimulating additional investments in the non-oil export sector. > During the course of this review, he said both institutions met with various stakeholders, including exporters, commodity associations, bankers, the organised private sector and other relevant government agencies to obtain strategic inputs and share perspectives towards achieving our common objective of diversifying the Nigerian economy as well as improving and broadening the contribution of the non-oil export sector to our national development.

The NEXIM Bank boss said it was expected that with the release of the guidelines and commencement of the schemes,

Nigerian exporters and export oriented businesses would seize the opportunity to expand and upscale their operations towards boosting the current low contribution of non-oil exports, which had remained at about five years over the years.

“Let me also add that besides the issues of availability and access to funds, we have also intensified our collaborations and engagements with relevant institutions and stakeholders towards addressing other challenges affecting the export sector such as the problems of infrastructure, issues of packaging and labelling as well as improving access to market,” he added. According to Wali, the main purpose of the forum was to create discussion of the implementation modalities, the role of all participants and the expected outcomes from the successful implementation of these schemes.

MARKET INDICATORS

Finance Minister Meets Unions The Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has met with staff unions at the Ministry of Finance to discuss the dispute over additional payments for Ministry of Finance civil servants.

A statement yesterday explained that in her role as minister, Adeosun wanted the staff to present their grievances in a structured and articulated manner so that each issue would be formally presented and addressed on a point by point basis.

It stated that while she expressed understanding for the Ministry of Finance staff who felt they should get additional bonuses, based on their past dealings with the previous administration, she pointed out that many people across the country were struggling to find work or losing their jobs, adding, fellow civil servants

in many states are not getting their salaries,however, this is not the case at the Federal level.

The collective priority,therefore, must be on working together to get the whole economy back on its feet.

She pointed out that the federal government has to borrow to pay the N165 billion a month needed to cover civil service salaries.

All of government departments now face a very real squeeze in finances as the country grapples with the financial crisis inherited from previous administrations, she added.

The minister urged union leaders to bring forward ideas on how the Ministry could generate additional funds and create a structure to pay bonuses, and asked the Director of Administration to review all the claims and present solu-

tions for all legitimate claims relating to working materials and ensure that such claims are resolved immediately through the ministry’s processes.

In addition, “the minister said that the most important thing for management and staff was to get a common understanding of what the government needed to do to regain financial stability.

She said she wanted to work with staff to see how, together, those plans could be implemented as quickly as possible, thereby stimulating growth within a new diversified economy.

“The minister asked workers to consider that further lock-out of the ministry has the consequences of delaying FAAC meeting which would impact on all Nigerians and the payment of June 2016 salary; which could alienate people from the Ministry,” it added.

Capital Hotels Recorded N4.69bn Turnover in 2015 Capital Hotels Plc, owners of Sheraton Hotel and Towers Abuja yesterday disclosed that the a turnover of N4.69 billion was recorded in 2015 as against N4.55 billion earned in 2014 representing 3.08 per cent increase as at 31st December 2015.

The reason for the increase despite the impact of the insurgency in the North-east that has put much pressure on prices of foodstuff, the company said was the capture of the tax under-provision in 2014.

The Chairman of the Hotel, Mr. Goodie Ibru made this known in Abuja during the

35th annual general meeting and presentation of the 2015 annual report and accounts of the hotel. He stated that during year 2015, the security status in the Northern part of the country was fluid because it puts the hospitality industry under intense pressure, stressing that achieving projected demand for accommodation, food and beverages was challenging.

Ibru also emphasised that the drastic fall in crude oil in the international market in 2015 also put the national economy under intense strain, stressing that expectedly, there was drastic reduction in revenue accruing

to the three tiers of government which in turn impacted negatively on the revenue of the hotel. He however revealed that the conduct of the 2015 general elections was positive on the operations of the hotel.

Ibru stated: “The company recorded a turnover of N4.69 billion as against N4.55 billion in 2014, representing an increase of 3.08%. Gross profit rose by 1.5 per cent to N1.34 billion in 2015 compared with N1.32 billion in 2014. Profit after tax increased by 99.74 per cent to N492.26 million compared to N246.45 million achieved in 2014.”

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS Broad Money (M2)

20,489,166.72

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,095,578.34

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,377,483.11

---- Demand Deposits

7,682,095.23

-- Quasi Money

11,429,588.38

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,471,351.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

15,017,814.94

Fidelity Bank Plc has distanced itself from the news making the rounds that it was promoting anti-labour practices in the bank.

The bank in a letter addressed to the President, Nigeria Labour Congress, which was in response to an earlier letter by the congress, stated that such information does not represent the true position of affairs in the bank.

“You may wish to note that Fidelity Bank had never in its history engaged in any sort of the practice you have referred to and at the extremely inconvenient period of the global recession in 2009, unlike some other banks in the country who engaged in mass sack of its workforce, we resorted to salary cut negotiated by staff and management, to preserve

jobs rather than sack any staff of the bank.

“We equally find the assertion that we are obstructing unionisation in the bank untrue.

Considering that the formation or joining of any union is voluntary, the bank therefore is not in a position to compel its staff to join the Union or refrain from doing so.

22,414,322.75

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC) ---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,424,029.62

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

4,807,604.55

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

1,383,574.93

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

18,990,293.13

--Other Assets Net

7,396,507.81

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,095,380.23

--Currency in Circulation

1,711,623.51

--Banks Reserves

3,383,756.72 • Source - CBN

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Price (N) Stanbic Balanced Fund

Buying Price(N)

Selling Price

1,660.29

1,685.29

Stanbic IBTC NEF

1,000.00

11,002.32

11,326.67.11

Stanbic SIBond

20

120.47

120.47

Stanbic IBTC Ethical

1

1.10

1.13

Stanbic IBTC GIF

142.90

143.38

UBA Balanced Fund

1.2563

1.2493

UBA Bond Fund

1.3443

1.3443

UBA Equity Fund

0.8205

0.8074

UBA Money Market Fund

1.1510

1.1510

ARM Aggressive Growth Fund

N13.0544

N13.4480

ARM Discovery Fund

N288.2515

N296.9425

ARM Ethical Fund

N22.5268

N23.2060

ARM Money Market Fund

Fidelity Bank Denies Involvement in Anti-labour Practice

(MILLION NAIRA)

FEBRUARY 2016

13.1030 (Yield % ) • Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT WEDNESDAY, 22 JUNE 2016 The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $46.46 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $46.02 the previous day, 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

43

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

23-June-16 22-June-16

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

01 Dangote Cement Plc

203.96

194.25

5.00%

3,475,581,890,323.80

10.64

19.17

7.07

3.92%

5.39

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

149.49

143.80

3.96%

1,185,321,291,747.12

5.37

27.85

4.29

2.41%

6.95

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

24.22

23.20

4.40%

712,823,160,805.28

3.38

7.17

3.11

7.31%

1.72

855.00

832.00

2.76%

677,721,095,460.00

29.95

28.55

4.48

3.39%

17.83

05 Zenith Bank Plc

17.70

17.32

2.19%

555,717,940,012.20

3.37

5.26

1.28

10.17%

0.93

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers

06 Lafarge Africa Plc.

73.51

73.51

0.00%

334,830,832,053.10

5.93

12.40

1.25

4.08%

1.90

Stock

07 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

16.80

16.65

0.90%

308,272,460,412.00

1.39

12.06

0.60

3.69%

0.82

08 Forte Oil Plc.

200.05

200.05

0.00%

260,561,344,655.15

4.45

44.97

2.09

1.72%

5.63

09 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

348.97

348.97

0.00%

193,088,699,927.61

23.48

14.86

1.71

4.56%

0.69

10 United Bank for Africa Plc

5.10

5.02

1.59%

185,025,584,242.20

1.64

3.10

0.59

11.76%

0.56

11 Access Bank Plc

6.16

6.20

-0.65%

178,196,305,246.96

2.28

2.71

0.53

8.93%

0.48

17.00

16.35

3.98%

170,000,000,000.00

2.04

8.35

1.44

0.59%

1.51

13 Guinness Nig Plc

111.76

106.45

4.99%

168,298,063,890.88

0.78

143.60

3.38

0.00%

3.77

14 FBN Holdings Plc

4.35

4.34

0.23%

156,144,523,645.20

0.42

10.31

0.31

3.45%

0.27

33.70

32.10

4.98%

127,497,083,625.00

0.32

106.93

2.15

0.15%

15.93

140.00

140.00

0.00%

89,682,650,820.00

11.12

12.59

1.15

1.57%

3.74

17 Oando Plc

7.19

7.08

1.55%

86,528,909,847.86

0.50

14.38

0.15

10.43%

0.55

18 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

7.00

6.89

1.60%

84,000,000,000.00

0.96

7.28

0.83

7.14%

1.44

21.11

21.11

0.00%

83,816,770,419.95

1.10

19.24

1.16

6.16%

1.99

1.94

1.77

9.60%

75,118,735,004.50

0.05

36.98

1.84

0.00%

0.86

195.00

180.00

8.33%

66,206,758,215.00

11.92

16.36

0.32

7.18%

4.08

22 International Breweries Plc.

19.86

19.99

-0.65%

65,423,790,700.80

0.64

31.07

3.54

1.26%

5.43

23 Flour Mills Nig. Plc.

24.00

22.90

4.80%

62,981,692,488.00

1.84

13.04

0.19

8.33%

0.61

169.00

169.00

0.00%

60,940,599,278.00

13.51

12.51

0.95

4.26%

3.97

42.10

42.10

0.00%

55,572,000,000.00

1.85

22.77

0.42

3.56%

2.29

26 Diamond Bank Plc

2.29

2.23

2.69%

53,037,290,736.72

0.24

9.38

0.24

0.00%

0.25

27 Sterling Bank Plc

1.62

1.63

-0.61%

46,640,477,364.12

0.36

4.53

0.42

5.56%

0.49

28 Fidelity Bank Plc

1.39

1.39

0.00%

40,257,994,111.88

0.48

2.90

0.27

11.51%

0.22

29 U A C N Plc.

19.56

19.50

0.31%

37,572,107,409.72

2.70

7.25

0.51

5.11%

0.51

30 Presco Plc

35.70

35.70

0.00%

35,700,000,000.00

3.28

10.89

3.14

0.28%

1.59

1.77

1.78

-0.56%

35,050,798,082.37

0.24

7.36

0.23

5.65%

0.22

18.01

18.00

0.06%

33,826,418,740.40

3.21

5.62

1.01

7.22%

3.27

0.81

0.83

-2.41%

31,245,317,525.61

0.06

13.43

0.68

0.00%

0.68

31.00

30.00

3.33%

29,571,210,000.00

2.76

11.24

3.04

0.32%

2.45

2.55

2.52

1.19%

26,775,000,000.00

0.16

16.11

1.62

1.96%

1.54

36 Cap Plc

34.68

36.12

-3.99%

24,276,000,000.00

2.49

13.96

3.44

3.32%

15.97

37 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc.

20.07

18.21

10.21%

24,001,241,114.16

0.81

24.87

0.78

1.49%

1.82

38 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

4.00

4.00

0.00%

23,527,456,780.00

0.71

5.60

0.79

3.50%

0.90

39 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

8.15

8.02

1.62%

21,592,922,780.70

0.79

10.25

1.33

6.75%

3.05

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

2.01

1.92

4.69%

15,939,697,292.58

0.14

14.23

0.32

7.96%

0.74

41 Skye Bank Plc

1.10

1.13

-2.65%

15,268,331,551.00

0.85

1.29

0.11

27.27%

0.11

42 Unity Bank Plc

1.15

1.16

-0.86%

13,442,738,633.30

0.54

2.12

0.21

0.00%

0.16

43 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.14

1.10

3.64%

11,824,928,515.68

0.21

5.52

0.60

10.53%

0.76

44 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

7.45

7.45

0.00%

9,362,249,356.70

0.96

7.79

0.72

1.34%

0.92

45 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

4.50

4.50

0.00%

7,734,374,977.50

1.81

2.49

0.69

15.56%

0.23

46 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

4.46

4.25

4.94%

7,244,015,625.00

0.33

13.47

0.85

4.48%

1.19

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

0.80

0.80

0.00%

5,544,163,584.00

0.28

2.89

0.17

6.25%

0.57

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

2.02

1.94

4.12%

3,030,000,000.00

0.50

4.07

0.37

2.48%

0.48

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc

12 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

15 Unilever Nigeria Plc. 16 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

19 P Z Cussons Nigeria Plc 20 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc 21 Total Nigeria Plc

24 Mobil Oil Nig Plc. 25 Julius Berger Nig. Plc.

31 FCMB Group Plc 32 Cadbury Nigeria Plc 33 Wema Bank Plc. 34 Okomu Oil Palm Plc 35 Mansard Insurance Plc

TOTAL TOTAL MARKET CAP % OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

9,984,173,152,330.05 10,671,403,408,498.80 93.56%

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion) Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Open Close Change % 22-June-16 23-June-16 30,127.82 10.35

31,071.25 10.67

3.13 3.13

124.16 9.67

128.23 9.98

3.28 3.28

Open Close Change % 22-June-16 23-June-16

Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc. Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc Total Nigeria Plc Dangote Cement Plc Guinness Nig Plc

18.21

20.07

10.21

1.77

1.94

9.60

180.00 194.25 106.45

195.00 203.96 111.76

8.33 5.00 4.99

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change % 22-June-16 23-June-16

Cap Plc Skye Bank Plc Wema Bank Plc. Unity Bank Plc International Breweries Plc.

36.12 1.13 0.83 1.16 19.99

34.68 1.10 0.81 1.15 19.86

-3.99 -2.65 -2.4 -0.86 -0.65

NSE ASI surges upward with 3.13% appreciation Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Thursday, June 23, 2016 ended again on a bullish note as the stock market closed green as economic and business activities continue to soar. This was further highlighted by positive performances from all NSE Sub sectors: Banking, Insurance, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas. Furthermore, trading activities decreased in volume as 450.52 million shares worth N5.71 billion in 6,360 deals exchanged hands today.

This is a decrease from the 541.87 million shares worth N7.93 billion in 5,727 deals carried out on Wednesday. Topping in volume terms was Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and Zenith Bank Plc while Nestle Nigeria Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with a 3.13% (+943.43) increase to close at 31,071.25 from 30,127.82 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization appreciated in tandem to N10.67 trillion from N10.35 trillion of prior trading day.

Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index followed suit with an higher increase of 3.28% to close at 128.23 from 124.16 recorded the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N9.98 trillion from N9.67 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 37 stocks gained on the bourse today while 12 stocks declined, 49 leaving stocks unchanged. Once more, GlaxoSmithkline Consumer Nig. Plc emerged the toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 10.21% to close at N20.07 per share.

It was followed by Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc with a gain of 9.60% to close at N1.94 per share. Others on the gainers list include: Total Nigeria Plc, Dangote Cement Plc and Guinness Nig Plc, while on the decliners’ list; Cap Plc led with a loss of 3.99% to close at N34.68 per share. It was followed by Skye Bank Plc with a loss of 2.65% to close at N1.10 per share. Others on the losers list include: Wema Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc and International Breweries 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

44

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

MARKET NEWS

NSE Demutualisation: Stockbrokers Call for More Consultations Goddy Egene and Eromosele Abiodun Members of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), who are mostly stockbrokers, yesterday urged the Council of the NSE to embark on more consultations before the demutualisation of the exchange. The brokers made the call at the 55th annual general meeting (AGM) of the exchange in Lagos. They also

said after the consultations, an extra-ordinary general meeting (EGM) should be convened where the council and management of the NSE will be authorised to commence the demutualisation process. The demutualisation is expected to positively transform the NSE. > Speaking at the AGM, the President of Council of NSE, Mr. Aigboje Aig- Imoukhuede, noted that the exchange weath-

T H E

ered the impact of capital flight shocks experienced globally through effective fiscal discipline and tight budgetary controls.

He said: “Although 2015 was characterised by recessionary pressures including a slump in crude oil price, uncertainty in Nigerian economic policies and significant local currency exchange rate pressures, our management and staff successfully delivered on a number

N I G E R I A N

STO C K

Prices for Securities Traded as of 19/04/2016 Printed 19/04/2016 16:42:26.026

1 BANKING S/N 2 OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRIAL GOODS S/N 3 BUILDING MATERIALS INDUSTRIAL GOODS PREMIUM BOARD TOTALS Price List (Equities) PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES AGRICULTURE S/N 5 6 CROP PRODUCTION S/N 7 FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING S/N 8 LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES AGRICULTURE CONGLOMERATES S/N 9 12 13 14 DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES CONGLOMERATES CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE S/N BUILDING CONSTRUCTION S/N BUILDING STRUCTURE/COMPLETION/ OTHER S/N 18 INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION S/N 20 REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT S/N REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE CONSUMER GOODS S/N 24 AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS S/N 25 26 27 28 30 BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS S/N 32 BEVERAGES--NON-ALCOHOLIC S/N 33 34 35 37 38 39

FOOD PRODUCTS BANKING ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FBN HOLDINGS PLC

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

361,687.61

11.52

1.95

363

29,713,738

363

29,713,738

TRADES

VOLUME

S/N 46

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

119,890.28

3.34

1.21

BUILDING MATERIMARKET ALS CAP(Nm) DANGOTE CE2,743,521.69 MENT PLC

CROP PRODUCTION OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC FISHING/HUNTING/ TRAPPING ELLAH LAKES PLC. LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC.

S/N

MARKET CAP(Nm)

207

6,119,620

207 570

6,119,620 35,833,358

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

161.00

-0.02

49

517,962

49 49 619

517,962 517,962 36,351,320

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

51

17

92,552

-

MARKET CAP(Nm)

8 25

10,400 102,952

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

511.20

4.26

-

0

0

53

0

0

54

52

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1,900.00

0.95

-1.04

39

4,571,285

56

39 64

4,571,285 4,674,237

57

3.95

5

70,000

2,573.31

3.96

-

1

100

40,657.05

1.00

4.17

68

3,159,111

35,401.53

18.43

-5.00

49 123 123

474,908 3,704,119 3,704,119

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

BUILDING STRUCTURE/COMPLETION/OTHER

0

0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

TRADES

VOLUME

1

38,721

DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC P S MANDRIDES & CO PLC.

PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CONSUMER GOODS FINANCIAL SERVICES

-4.75

0.79

FOOD PRODUCTS

49

35.01

2,091.36

BEVERAGES-NON-ALCOHOLIC 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC.

48

30.48

VOLUME

BEVERAGES-BREWERS/DISTILLERS CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC.

S/N

29,075.18

TRADES

AUTOMOBILES/ AUTO PARTS DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES

35,010.00

%CHANGE

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)

FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED

50

PRICE

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED

44

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC.

43

S/N

MARKET CAP(Nm)

%CHANGE

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

56,760.00

43.00

-

6

19,910

6

19,910

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

6,875.00

4.00

-

8

14,068

8

14,068

TRADES

VOLUME

0 15

0 72,699

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,386.33

0.50

-

3

528,000

3

528,000

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

24,271.44

3.10

-

5

44,869

242.22

0.89

-

1

1,000

150,347.88

99.84

0.35

43

123,324

65,884.99

20.00

-

1

500

812,732.84

102.50

-1.91

131

769,295

181

938,988

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

94,166.78

147.00

-

12

9,320

12

9,320

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

62,040.00

5.17

-

16

154,689

50,805.23

19.36

-

46

252,519

55

58 59 60 BANKING S/N 61 62 63 65 67 70 73 74 77 80 83 87 INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES S/N 89 MICRO-FINANCE BANKS S/N 91 94 MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES S/N 95 96 98 102 103 OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES HEALTHCARE S/N HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

10,547.16

1.33

-3.62

34

2,388,046

1,185.03

6.65

-

1

3,000

19,605.84

7.40

-

34

553,393

S/N

214.00

5.35

-

2

100

108

cent. “By the end of year, the exchange asset base exceeded N22.78 billion, with N19.29 billion in accumulated funds, providing us adequate financial flexibility to support strategy execution in key business areas for the road ahead,” he added.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema resilience during the year amidst prolonged economic uncertainty,

diminishing commodity prices and volatile securities markets.

“Despite declines in our core income streams, alternative sources of income continued to play an important role in supporting the financial performance of our business.

In 2015, revenue excluding transaction fees and listing income, grew by 15 per cent contributing 40 per cent to total revenue.

E XC H A N G E

40

Price List (Equities) PRICES FOR PREMIUM BOARD SECURITIES FINANCIAL SERVICES S/N

of ambitious operational and strategic initiatives. We recorded an operating surplus of N1.86 billion as a result of management diligence in managing the budget as well as strategic prioritisation and execution of key initiatives based on efficiency, scale and growth potential.” According to him, total assets of the exchange grew by over 10 per cent , while net assets grew by 11 per

S/N MEDICAL SUPPLIES

TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC FOOD PRODUCTS-DIVERSIFIED CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. HOUSEHOLD DURABLES VITAFOAM NIG PLC. PERSONAL/ HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC.

12,050.00

MICRO-FINANCE BANKS NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC

4.78

23

1,030,185

156

4,381,932

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

27,741.04

14.77

-

21

59,932

507,307.93

640.01

-

63

37,119

84

97,051

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

5,326.78

5.42

-

2

203

2

203 VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

80,799.21

20.35

-4.10

18

95,908

110,661.42

29.25

-

38

114,024

56 494

209,932 6,165,426

MARKET BANKING CAP(Nm) ACCESS BANK 107,033.50 PLC. DIAMOND BANK 31,034.92 PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL 269,738.40 INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK 33,900.51 PLC GUARANTY TRUST 462,069.51 BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC 14,157.91 STERLING BANK 44,913.05 PLC. UNION BANK NIG. 76,888.56 PLC. UNITED BANK FOR 119,722.44 AFRICA PLC UNITY BANK PLC 7,948.75 WEMA BANK PLC. 28,545.10 INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC

2.41

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

3.70

2.21

188

6,139,279

1.34

-4.96

34

2,608,620

14.70

5.00

71

1,153,190

1.17

-0.85

69

5,918,400

15.70

2.28

288

29,811,746

1.02

0.99

56

3,104,469

1.56

-

23

576,721

4.54

-4.82

25

286,712

3.30

3.13

251

62,208,549

0.68 0.74

-2.86 1.37

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

10,292.50

0.50

-

1

1,000

4,781.84

0.69

-

10

549,318

22,050.00

2.10

2.94

7

105,293

10,683.93

1.03

1.98

14

850,400

7,000.00

0.50

-

27

5,085,907

3,070.00

0.50

-

1

16,800

3,661.72

0.50

-

0

0

1,924.91

0.56

-3.45

50

9,713,044

4,224.40

0.80

3.90

32

10,627,354

3,334.38

0.50

-

1

50

3,070.54

0.50

-

2

2,100

6,691.37

0.50

-

3

8,840

148

26,960,106

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,652.50

1.16

-

10

318,000

10

318,000

16 5,214,403 13 6,539,600 1,034 123,561,689

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

7,370.87

0.50

-

3

150,100

4,179.69

4.28

-

2

500

5

150,600

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

5,000.00

2.50

2.88

61

1,158,851

22,939.27

3.90

-

6

27,745

18,812.58

0.95

1.06

84

8,033,669

143,000.00

14.30

-

8

7,734

8,880.00

1.48

1.37

125

9,734,304

284 18,962,303 1,481 169,952,698

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

PHARMACEUTICALS FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm) 3,225.00

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2.15

2.38

10

163,315

T H I S D AY FRIDAY JUNE 24, 2016

45

46

FRIDAY JUNE 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Britons Vote on EU Membership after Bitter Campaign Britons yesterday voted on whether to quit the European Union in a bitterly-contested referendum that polarised the nation and could change the face of Europe. Financial markets, on edge for weeks over the uncertain outcome, rose on the strength of late polls that showed a swing towards staying in, but the bulk of recent polls have suggested the outcome was too close to call.

If Britain becomes the first state to exit the EU, the so-called Brexit would be the biggest blow to the 28-nation bloc since its foundation. The EU would be stripped of its second-biggest economy and one of its two main military powers, and could face calls for similar votes by anti-EU politicians in other countries.

If it votes to stay, Britain has been promised a special status exempting it from any further political integration but European leaders will still have to address a sharp rise in euro scepticism across the continent.

A Brexit vote would also deal a potentially fatal blow to the career of Prime Minister David Cameron, who called the referendum and campaigned for the country to stay in, against a Leave camp led by rivals from within his own Conservative Party.

After four months of campaigning, polling stations opened at 0600 GMT and were due to close at 2100, with results expected to be announced by the 382 individual local counting areas between around 0100 and 0300 on Friday. There is no exit poll because the margin of

error for an event which has no precedent is too large. The only early indication will be a survey of a pre-selected sample of voters

by YouGov, to be broadcast on Sky News shortly after 2100.

London and parts of southeast England were hit by torrential rain, causing floods and widespread transport chaos. Five London polling stations opened late as staff struggled to get there, and two closed briefly because of flooding but were quickly re-opened in back-up locations.

“In London/southeast and want to vote in the #EURef? Make sure you plan now to get back to your local polling station by 10pm!” the Electoral Commission said on Twitter, as crowds of frustrated commuters struggled with train cancellations.

The Leave campaign focused on warnings that Britain would be unable to control immigration levels as long as it was an EU member. Remain said a Brexit would cause economic chaos, impoverish the nation and reduce its clout on the world stage.

The killing of pro-EU lawmaker Jo Cox, a 41-year-old mother of two who was shot and stabbed on a street in her electoral district in northern England a week ago, prompted soul-searching about the vicious tone of the campaign.

Her suspected murderer told a court his name was “Death to traitors, freedom for Britain”.

Campaigning was suspended for three days out of respect for Cox, resuming on Sunday.

An Ipsos MORI poll for the Evening Standard newspaper

Israeli Prime Minister Visits Rome Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will fly to Rome on Sunday to try to fend off pressure from the United States and Europe over his settlements policy and opposition to a Frenchled effort to forge peace with the Palestinians.

Beginning three days of intense diplomacy, the right-wing premier will meet U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, in the Italian capital, followed by talks with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Jerusalem.

One of Netanyahu’s immediate concerns is a forthcoming report from the Middle East Quartet, a mediation group made up of the United States, EU, United Nations and Russia, that is expected to use unusually tough language in criticising Israel’s expansion of settlements on occupied land that the Palestinians seek for an independent state.

Diplomats confirmed that the current language in the report is strong, on the one hand condemning Israel’s unchecked building of settlement homes, which is considered illegal under international law, and on the other persistent Palestinian incitement against Israel during a recent wave of violence.

What is unclear is whether the wording may be softened before the report is issued, probably next week, although its publication has already been delayed several times.

“As it stands, the language is strong and Israel isn’t going to like it,”said one diplomat briefed on the content.

“But it’s also not saying that much that hasn’t been said before - that

settlements are a serious obstacle to peace.”

Netanyahu spoke by phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin this week as part of his efforts to keep the Kremlin closely updated on developments in the region. The leaders have met face-to-face four times in the past year, with one Israeli official saying the two had developed a good understanding.

As well as a desire to defang the Quartet report, there are a series of issues Netanyahu needs to broach with Kerry, including how to conclude drawn-out negotiations with Washington on a new, 10-year defence agreement.

There is also the looming issue of a peace conference organised by the French that is supposed to convene in the autumn, although it may no longer take place in Paris.

Israeli officials oppose the initiative, seeing it as side-stepping the need for Israel and the Palestinians to sit down and negotiate directly.They argue that it provides the Palestinians a chance to internationalise the conflict, rather than dealing with the nitty-gritty on the ground.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, who addressed the European Parliament on Wednesday, said Israel was feeling impatience with Europe and now was not the right time to push for peace.

“Currently, the practical conditions, the political and regional circumstances, which would enable us to reach a permanent agreement between us -- the Israelis and the Palestinians -- are failing to materialise,”he said.

Many diplomats also question whether the French initiative can

found support for Remain on 52 percent and Leave on 48 percent. A Populus poll put Remain 10 points ahead on 55 percent. Both were conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday and published yesterday.

Cameron called the vote in 2013 under pressure from the rebellious anti-EU wing of his Conservative Party and the surging

UK Independence Party (UKIP), hoping to end decades of debate over Britain’s ties with Europe.

Unless Remain wins by a wide margin, he could struggle to repair the rifts in his party and hold on to his job. He has said he would stay in office but in the event of a vote to leave he is likely to face calls to resign.

The bookmakers’ favourite to

replace him is former London mayor Boris Johnson, figurehead of the Leave campaign.

A Brexit could also cause the United Kingdom to break up because Scotland, where sentiment towards the EU is much more positive than in England, could hold an independence referendum if it was being dragged out of the EU against

its will. Scots voted by 55 to 45 percent against independence in 2014.

After months of non-stop tit-for-tat confrontation between the sides, any substantive debate was over on Thursday. Due to legal restrictions, there were no large-scale campaign events and no television programmes rehearsing the arguments.

EU REFERENDUM

Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha, leave after voting in the EU referendum, at a polling station in central London…yesterday

Syrian Forces Clash with IS Militants inside Manbij US-backed Syrian forces fought Islamic State militants yesterday inside the city of Manbij for the first time since they laid siege to the militant stronghold near the Turkish border, a monitor said.

The British-based Observatory for Human Rights said heavy clashes were taking place in

western districts of Manbij after the alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters swept into the city near the Kutab roundabout, almost 2km from the city center. The Syria Democratic Forces (SDF), including a Kurdish militia and Arab allies that joined it last year, launched the campaign late last

month with the backing of U.S. special forces to drive Islamic State from its last stretch of the Syrian-Turkish frontier.

If successful it could cut the militants’main access route to the outside world, paving the way for an assault on their Syrian capital Raqqa.

Manbij is in a region some 40 km (25 miles) from the Turkish border and since the start of the offensive on May 31, the SDF has taken dozens of villages and farms around it but had held back from entering the city with many thousands of people still trapped there.

Japan Probes Suspected North Korean Rocket Japan yesterday began to examine the suspected nose cone of a North Korean rocket that washed up on a Japanese beach hoping to glean information on the reclusive state’s ballistic missile program a day after it test-launched two more missiles.

The red, white and blue item, believed to be half of the nose cone designed to protect the rocket’s payload, was found on a beach in western Japan last Thursday and is suspected to come from a long-range, three-stage rocket

fired by North Korea on Feb 7 that flew over Japan’s southwest Okinawa island chain.

South Korean authorities recovered the other half.

“We will analyze the materials and the level of technology used,” a Japanese Ministry of Defence official said after the part was delivered by truck to the ministry.

The pockmarked 75 kg (165 lb) part, almost two meters long and over a meter wide, lay on a blanket and blue tarpaulin in a forecourt at the ministry.

The February launch, which North Korea said put a satellite into orbit hundreds of kilometers above Earth, came just weeks after Pyongyang carried out a nuclear bomb test, both in defiance of U.N. resolutions and sanctions.

Concern that North Korea is getting closer to perfecting its ballistic missile technology heightened on Wednesday after it fired what appeared to be two intermediate range ballistic missiles.

While the first was deemed a failure, the second rocket climbed to more than 1,000 km before plunging into the Sea of Japan 400 km down range from the launch sight.

“For Japan, it raises deep concern over our national security,” Japan’s top military commander, Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, said on Thursday in Tokyo. The next step for Pyongyang could be to miniaturize its nuclear bomb technology into a warhead that fits on the missile.

Germany: Masked Gunman Killed by Police A masked man has been killed

by German police after taking hostages at a cinema. No other people were injured, a police spokesman said.

The attacker, who carried a rifle or “long gun”, acted alone and appeared to have been a “disturbed man”, the interior minister of Hesse state, Peter

Beuth, told the regional parliament.

Police had not identified the man or established his motive, spokesman Bernd Hochstaedter said, adding that nothing immediately pointed to him having a militant background German television showed pictures of heavily-armed police, wearing helmets and body armor,

storming the Kinopolis complex in Viernheim, south of Frankfurt, and a couple fleeing the building.

Cinema employee Guri Blakaj told Reuters the gunman, who appeared to be aged between 18 and 25 and was about 1.7 meters tall, entered the cinema at around 3 p.m. and told workers to get into an office.

He then went into a cinema theater. Blakaj, who said there were about six workers and 30 cinemagoers in the building, then heard shots fired. Police special forces stormed the building and shot him. There was still a heavy police presence at the scene into the late afternoon, and a helicopter circled overhead.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

Chilean Politician Put under House Arrest in Corruption Scandal A Chilean court ordered that a prominent former senator be placed under nighttime house arrest, while authorities investigate him for possible tax fraud and bribery.

Pablo Longueira, who was a presidential candidate in Chile’s 2013 election, is accused by prosecutors of receiving close to $1 million from specialty mining company SQM from 2009 to 2013, then hiding the donations through falsified receipts in contravention of Chilean law. He also is accused of accepting bribes while working on a 2010 law

that regulates mining concessions. The order for Longueira’s arrest came late on Wednesday night, six days after a court jailed conservative senator Jaime Orpis after he was convicted of falsifying donation receipts.

It also comes the day after Chile’s public prosecutor said it was investigating a former high-level cabinet official in leftist President Michelle Bachelet’s government for bribery and tax offenses.

Longueira has maintained his innocence. “I understand the charges and I don’t agree with

US Supreme Court Blocks Obama Immigration Plan The United States Supreme Court yesterday dealt President Barack Obama a harsh defeat by blocking his plan to spare millions of illegal immigrants from deportation in a split 4-4 ruling he called frustrating to those aiming to fix America’s broken immigration system.

The ruling, coming seven months before Obama’s term in office ends, marked the latest success that his Republican adversaries have had in thwarting a major policy initiative of the Democratic president. It also guarantees that immigration will remain a prominent part of the campaign ahead of the Nov. 8 election in which voters will pick his successor.

“For more than two decades

now, our immigration system ... has been broken, and the fact that the Supreme Court was not able to issue a decision today doesn’t just set the system back even further, it takes us further from the country that we aspire to be,”Obama said at the White House. The 4-4 decision left in place a 2015 lower-court ruling blocking his executive action on immigration, which was never implemented.

Obama unveiled his plan in November 2014 and it was quickly challenged in court by Republican-governed Texas and 25 other states that argued that Obama exceeded his presidential powers by taking the executive action and bypassing Congress.

them,” he said during a brief appearance before a judge. The current scandal caused Longueira to resign in March from the UDI

has been proposed by the interior minister.”

Violence on the fringes of recent protests has stretched a police force already challenged by the demands of a state of emergency in place since Islamist militant attacks on Paris last November and fan violence during the Euro 2016 tournament.

The unions have been protesting since early March against planned reforms to loosen labour regulations and make hiring and firing easier. Trade unions say the proposal will erode the rights of workers, while the government says it is key to tackling unemployment. President Francois Hollande, France’s most unpopular leader for decades, and his government have stood firm in their defiance of union demands for the bill to be scrapped.

Wednesday’s compromise over the protest could spur hopes for a broader agreement on the draft law which is currently being debated in the Senate, said Frederic Dabi of Ifop

other major political parties in Chile, has been wracked by a series of money-in-politics scandals in the past year and a half.

That in turn has tarnished Chile’s reputation for transparency and left Chileans disenchanted with politicians across

US Conducts Workshop to Improve Health Professionals’ Skills Zacheaus Somorin The United States Mission in Nigeria is conducting a workshop for health care personnel in West Africa. The program is aimed at equipping the participants with the requisite skills to respond effectively to outbreaks of infectious diseases in the region.

The Nigerian Ministry of Defense/Walter Reed Program Nigeria, in collaboration with the United States Military HIV Research Program/Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and the Joint West Africa Research Group, is expected to train the selected health care professionals from Nigeria, Liberia, and Ghana.

The US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Maria Brewer, while delivering a keynote at the beginning of the programme stated that the United States ‘is deeply committed to working with the Nigerian people and the government, saying the aspect of health is critical hence the need for an urgent intervention.‘’One of the areas in which we continue to work very closely together is improving the health of the Nigerian people’’, she stated.

‘Today, the United States and Nigeria work side-by-side increasing Nigerians access to HIV/AIDS and malaria testing and treatment,

French Unions to Continue Protests Today French trade unions will be allowed to hold a protest march in Paris today, union leaders said yesterday, in an apparent volte-face by the government after an earlier decision to ban the demonstration provoked an outcry. Earlier yesterday, the Paris police chief, who answers to the interior ministry, said security concerns meant he had “no choice but to ban the demonstration” after unions refused to hold their protest in a large square, wanting instead to march through the capital’s streets.

It was the first time a union-backed protest had been banned since the early 1960s, drawing condemnation from lawmakers across the political divide and stirring tensions within an already deeply-divided ruling Socialist Party.

But after an emergency meeting with the government, Philippe Martinez, leader of the hardline CGT union, told a news conference: “Trade and student unions have obtained the right to protest in Paris on June 23 along a route that

party, which was founded by right-wing allies of former dictator Augusto Pinochet.

The UDI, like several

pollsters. “French voters don’t like the law but they also want this to be over with,” Dabi said.

“They consider the government and the unions are both responsible for the stalemate,” he said, adding the government U-turn on the ban showed how tense the situation was. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve authorised a 1.5 km (almost one mile) loop around a waterway at the foot of the Place de la Bastille square.

A police union official said ensuring security would be manageable as long as officers had the authority to arrest known troublemakers on sight.

A year ahead of a presidential election, Hollande’s Socialist Party is riven with internal rifts. One party backbencher, Christian Paul, had said Prime Minister Manuel Valls was making “a historical mistake” with the ban. Karine Berger, a Socialist lawmaker who has also been critical of the government’s policies said on Twitter: “We’re back to what the French democracy should be like.”

improving the quality of family Nigeria—is as important today planning and reproductive health as it was 12 years ago. It is services, and expanding access to my honor to be here today to immunization for children and congratulate you on your many women’’, she added. accomplishments and wish you She pointed out that for 12 well as you begin another 12 years years, the U.S. Department of of work’’.

Defense and the Nigerian Ministry The Joint West Africa Research of Defense have worked together Group is a collaboration of more to enhance HIV prevention, care, than 14 members that leverage and treatment, explaining that the existing research capacity and partnership has not only endured, coordinate with host nation but it has also grown into a model militaries and in-country partners for the way ‘’our militaries can for health security. work together effectively’’.

CHANGE OF NAME ‘’The work this partnership does—fighting the spread of I formerly known and addressed MARIAM infectious diseases throughout as NWAOKOYE OBIAGELI, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAOKOYE CHANGE OF NAME I MRS. ADEBAYO AFOLAKE, A NIGERIAN MARYANN OBIAGELI. All former CITIZEN OF NUMBER 15 FAYEMI STREET documents remain valid. The general OFF ILASAMAJA IS THE SAME PERSON public should please take note.

WITH INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT I formerly known and addressed as NAMED AS ADEBAYO MONSURAT MISS MENYENE IME UMOH, now AFOLAKE. ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS wish to be known and addressed REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC as MRS MENYENE ALEXANDER SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE SAM. All former documents remain I formerly known and addressed as valid. The general public should ANWO ADENIKE IDOWU, now please take note.

wish to be known and addressed as ANJORIN IDOWU ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS CYNTHIA P. BOSEDE OLUWAJOBA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CYNTHIA P. BOSEDE OJEMUDIA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OWUKIO OSELEIPRIM LATONA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWANGWA TAMUNOSELEIPRIM LATONA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OFONMBUK AMOS UDO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OFONMBUK GODWIN IDIO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OCHIABUTO JOY CHINENYE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS FALODUN JOY CHINENYE. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OROGUN MERCY METEKENITOME, now wish to be known and addressed as OKOTETE MERCY METEKENITOME. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ORIRE REBECCA OMOLEWA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS FASEKOMI REBECCA OMOLEWA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION

I, OGUCHE INNOCENT, i am the same person as OGUCHE INNOCENT ODEKINA All former documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OBIPEHIN KHADIJAH MORENIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as JIMOH KHADIJAH MORENIKE. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as GOODLUCK LAD, now wish to be known and addressed as OODLUCK LED. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION

This is to notify the general public that my correct names are AKAGBAM IKECHUKWU INNOCENT and not AKPAM NWULU INNOCENT as erroneously written in my identity card issued to me by DAEWOO. All former documents remain valid. The general public and DAEWOO should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUWASEUNFUNMI AKINSOROTAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUWASEUNFUNMI ARASI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as SALAMI ADEYINKA OLUWATOMIWA, now wish to be known and addressed as SALAMI ADEYINKA JAMIU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as AMINU EBBE EASLA, now wish to be known and addressed as AMINU EBBE UMARU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as SARAH O. OBARO, now wish to be known and addressed as SARAH O. IDEMUDIA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ALAYAKI MUSILIMOT, now wish to be known and addressed as ALAYAKI MUSILI ATOKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MRS RABI BADAMASI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS RABI NAYA BADAMASI BITAR. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION

I , ADAMU BUBA , i am the same person as MALLAM ADAMU BUBA All former documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as AHAMEFULA PRECIOUS UCHENNA, now wish to be known and addressed as UCHENDU PRECIOUS UCHENNA SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as AJALA OLUWATOSIN DORCAS, now wish to be known and addressed as ABODUNRIN OLUWATOSIN DOCAS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as HALUMADI ISLIAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as ALMAHADI ISSIAKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

FRIDAY JUNE 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY

48

NEWSXTRA

Asaba Court Adjourns Suit on Nigeria’s Membership of Islamic Organisations Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba The Federal High Court

sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has adjourned till September 29, 2016 hearing in a suit challenging

I Did Not Disagree with UBA, Says Jimoh Ibrahim The Group Managing Director, Energy Group, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, has described as mischievous, a report by a national newspaper that he disagreed with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) over the aviation intervention fund.

He said the report was nothing but a figment of the reporter’s imagination or a deliberate attempt on the part of the newspaper to twist facts.

Ibrahim was at the Senate on Wednesday to answer questions on the airline intervention fund purportedly given to Air Nigeria where he stated that Air Nigeria did not requested for the fund from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or the Bank of Industry (BoI).

“I am on tape and on record as the information carried by the wewspaper on Thursday is untrue, mischievous and false,” he said.

“All I said was that “Air Nigeria did not directly apply to BoI or CBN and if UBA applied on her behalf or her instructions, it was to clear the debt of Air Nigeria which was inherited from the Mr. Richard Branson-led

management.

“I have noticed that the newspaper has been mischievous about information about our group after I sacked one of the wives of the Editor of the newspaper for nonperformance on duty when she was in the employment of Global Fleet Oil and Gas. I expect the newspaper to live above board.”

Again, the newspaper quoted Mr. John Nnorom but Ibrahim snapped that Nnorom did not testify while he was at the Senate but he was there looking.

He said: “Mr. Nnorom could not have testified in my presence since I dismissed him from service of Air Nigeria.

The police report is on record.”

Ibrahim has, however, instructed his lawyers to file writ of sermon against any newspaper that publishes any mischievous information on him under any pretense henceforth while challenging the Editor of the newspaper to cry out if his wife did not work with Global Fleet Oil & Gas before ‘I sacked her.’

Nigeria’s membership of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other international Islamic bodies.

The suit with number FHC/ASB/CS/11/2016, is also challenging the proposal by the Federal Government to obtain funds from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to finance the deficits of the 2016 budget.

Presiding judge, Justice A.O. Faji, who adjourned the suit, ordered that hearing notice should be sent to the 5th defendant who was not represented in court yesterday.

Dr Nwankwo Tony Nwaezeigwe filed the suit against the federal government on behalf of the Nigeria Civil War and

Genocide Research Network.

Joined in the suit as second, third, fourth and fifth defendants are the Attorney-General of the Federation, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly, respectively.

In the suit, the plaintiff is praying the court to nullify Nigeria’s membership of OIC, Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Against Terrorism, Eight Developing Islamic Countries (D8) and Islamic Development Bank (IDB).

In the alternative, the plaintiff wants the court to compel the federal government and the AttorneyGeneral who are the first and second defendants

respectively, to withdraw Nigeria’s membership of the Islamic organisations.

The plaintiff is further seeking an order of injunction restraining the 2nd and 3rd defendants from “entering into any agreement, treaty, character, in violation of the provision of Section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.”

“An order of injunction restraining the 3rd and 4th defendants from authorizing the 1st and 2nd defendants to issue or obtain any Islamic bond otherwise known as ‘SUKUK’ for the purpose of financing any aspect of the 2016 Appropriation Act and/or budget deficit.

“An order of injunction restraining the defendants

particularly the 1st and 2nd defendants from further enlisting Nigeria into the membership of any organisation meant solely for Islamic countries or any organisation bearing any religious connotation.”

In the originating summons, counsel to the plaintiff, Solomon Nnadi, contended that Nigeria’s continuous membership of OIC and other Islamic organisations runs counter to Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which proclaims Nigeria as a secular state.

He further argued that Islamic bond otherwise known as SUKUK or funds from IDB cannot validly be used to fund the 2016 budget deficit by the federal government having regards to the secularity of Nigeria.

Bode George: Sheriff Should Dance away from Political Lunacy Segun James All may not have ended in the crisis that is now rocking the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Modu Ali Sheriff-led faction of the party is wooing Chief Solomon Edebiri as its candidate in its own primaries for the September 10 election.

The faction, THISDAY gathered, was now wooing Edebiri and Hon. Mathew Iduiyikemwen, two other aspirants in the last Monday’s party primaries to contest its own primaries as both governorship and deputy governorship candidates.

It could not be confirmed if the two men have accepted the offer of the Sheriff group, however, the leader of the PDP in the South-west region, Chief Bode George, has described the statement credited to Sheriff that he would conduct another governorship in the state as an exercise in futility and an attempt for political lunacy.

George said sheriff ceased to be the national chairman of the party the moment he put himself forward as a candidate for the chairmanship and was screened.

Speaking to journalists at his home yesterday, George said: “You cannot be the midwife and the baby at the same time.

That’s what Sheriff had become.

He wants to conduct an election in which he is also a candidate.

How is that possible?”

He advised the former chairman not to dance naked in the market place as those watching may not understand what is happening to him.

This followed the emergence of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the party governorship candidate in the September 10, 2016, governorship election.

The Sheriff group which is claiming leadership of the party is said to have made it clear that Ize-Iyamu may end up as a liability for the party if retained as candidate because of his involvement in the $155 million Mrs. Deziani Allison-Madueke campaign money scandal as the candidate faces investigation.

Recently, Ize-Iyamu was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of investigation into how the money was shared by some PDP leaders.

The group is claiming that the party may have unwittingly preyed into hands of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which may use the EFCC to investigate the alleged role of the PDP candidate in the deal or even detain him as the election approaches, forcing the party to have two battles to contend with as it battles for the governorship and the EFCC.

WE ARE HONOURED TO HAVE YOU

Minister of Power, Works and Housing and the Guest Speaker, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (left), being welcomed by the President/Chairman of Governing Council of Institute of Directors(IoD) Nigeria, Mr. Samuel Yemi Akeju (right); and Mr. Grace Egbagbe (middle), to the IoD Nigeria Quarterly Business Luncheon, with the theme, ‘Agenda for Power; Prospect & Challenges’ in Lagos...yesterday

Buhari Seeks Cooperation of the Elite to Help His Administration Succeed Tobi Soniyi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari late night appealed to Nigerian elite to be patriotic and partner his administration in making life more meaningful to ordinary Nigerians.

Buhari made the appeal at the breaking-of-fast dinner with the retired and serving Justices of the Supreme Court at the Aso Rock, Villa, Abuja.

Buhari frowned at the selfish attitudes of some elite whom he said were bent on strangulating the nation’s economy through sharp practices.

According to him, God has been good to Nigeria in terms of material and human resources but the elite had failed woefully in translating this to prosperity for the country.

He, therefore, enjoined the justices to assist in re-educating and convincing the elites on the need to be more patriotic in their actions so as to help

enthrone a just, fair and stable society.

He said: ``So in this age, at the position we are, more demand is made on us to persuade those we know, the elites to please pity this country and make more sacrifices. ``At whatever forum, please persuade our fellow elite to be more patriotic because which kind of country are we leaving for our children and our grand children. ``Everybody in the world believed Nigeria has been favoured by God Almighty in terms of material and human resources. ``But, we have failed, woefully failed so far to explore it and thank God for these gifts. ``Let us pray to God Almighty that our colleagues outside there that are having the influence with the rest of people and holding the economy sit and reflect and make sure that this country gets what it deserve

from its leadership at various stages. ``I hope this will help to digest what we have just eaten.

“We have observed what happened in the last 15 years.

We have enjoyed so much prosperity But eventually, the thing we looked for most, security, first in the North-east, threatened us. Secondly is the Niger Delta. But we know we got the strength to survive it and surviving it we must.”

The president reminded his guests that Nigeria was in a difficult position occasioned by the dwindling oil revenue and called on them to continue to pray for the country.

He, however, expressed optimism that the country would survive the current socio-economic challenges.

He said: ``We are in a very, very difficult position now. We came at a time when suddenly we realised, unfortunately, that we have through our personal

incompetence as Nigerian elite ended up as a mono-economy in spite of the potentiality of this country, which the rest of the world seemed to know more. ``We have observed what happened in the last 15 years.

We have enjoyed so much prosperity. ``But, eventually, the thing we looked for most, security, first in the North-east, threatened us, secondly, in Niger Delta. ``But we know we get the strength to survive it and survive it we must. ``We are in a very, very difficult position now.

We came at a time when suddenly we realised, unfortunately that we have through our personal incompetent as Nigerian elites ended up as a monoeconomy in spite of the potentiality of this country which the rest of the world seemed to know more us.”

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FRIDAY JUNE 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Fashola: Community Hostilities Could Delay Work on Second Niger Bridge Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has said hostilities from communities located on the peripheries of the second Niger Bridge could derail the construction of the project schedule if left checked.

Fashola who took a one-day inspection of the project site and consultation with stakeholders, however, said the federal government was committed to curtailing this and completing the bridge along with the mausoleum project dedicated to the memory of late former President-General, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, in Onitsha, Anambra State.

A statement from his senior

aide on communication, Mr. Hakeem Bello, yesterday in Abuja, explained that the minister met with the Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano; Deputy Governor of Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, and Asagba of Asaba who was represented by the Iyase of Asaba, Patrick Onyeobi, in Delta and Anambra States where he clarified this development.

According to the statement, Fashola stated that the second Niger Bridge was one of President Muhammadu Buhari’s priority infrastructure projects and he would want to see it completed with no delays.

He said the government was working to address

Armed Ijaw Youths Invade Radio Station in Yenagoa, Injure Many Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa Many persons were wounded at the premises of a radio station owned by Senator Ben MurrayBruce yesterday in Bayelsa after the leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, invaded the station in an attempt to halt a live programme.

THISDAY gathered that the attack on the premises of Rhythm FM studios, was a fallout of the leadership tussle between Mr Udengs Eradiri, President of the foremost Ijaw group, and Mr Wisdom Ikuli, who is laying claim to the position.

The programme, Talk of the Town, anchored by Lishman Onisodemuya, was reportedly on when the youths who stormed the studio in buses and other vehicles started shooting into the air, forcing employees in both the radio and television studios of Silverbird Group to run for safety.

Ikuli, National Mobilisation Officer of the IYC, it was learnt, and and a self-acclaimed spokesman of the council, Mike Edounkimo, were thereafter dragged out during the live programme and seriously battered.

Ikuli and Edounkimor were said to have been thoroughly beaten with bruises all over their faces by the youths who attempted to bundle them into one of the vehicles before the intervention of the police.

The mob that ensued reportedly robbed employees of the studios of their money, mobile handsets and other prized possessions.

Following the imbroglio, the radio studio was temporarily shut down.

At the time of filing this story yesterday, the attackers had been picked up and taken to the Ekeki Police Station in Yenagoa, it was gathered.

Six of the 10-member executive council had recently unilaterally suspended Eradiri and the Spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare.

But the Parliament of the IYC, which has the power

to sanction errant members said that due process was flouted by the dissident National Secretary-General, Bristol-Alagbariye Emmanuel; Director of Mobilisation, Ikuli; Legal Adviser, Ekine Egberekro; Assistant Secretary, Deinkoro George; National Women Leader, Felicia Ngeri and Financial Sercretary, Kemepado Alfred,who reportedly signed the document suspending the duo.

The aggrieved executive members accused Eradiri and Omare of highhandedness, financial misappropriation and replaced them with Mr. Elvis Donkemezuo and Edounkimor, who both belong to the Ikuli camp.

Speaker of IYC Mobile Parliament (IMP), Mr. Mkpon Ijonama, had described the persons bandying the suspension document as renegades.

“We have a procedure as an entity and if you go to Article 10 of the constitution of Ijaw Youth Council, it spelt boldly and clearly a procedure in which one can be suspended or removed from the council. ‘’None of the procedures were met before the so-called suspension on social media”, he had said.

It was learnt that Eradiri had on Wednesday been interviewed on the same programme, which Ikuli attempted to respond to yesterday.

Eradiri was said to have been angered by Ikuli’s comments warning him and Omare to stop parading themselves as leaders of the body.

He also reeled out financial figures he claimed Eradiri collected on behalf of the council and diverted to his personal pocket.

Youths loyal to Eradiri who heard the announcement and felt that their leader had been insulted reportedly mobilised to the station to perpetrate the violence.

Mr Asinim Butswat, the police Spokesman in the state, confirmed the incident, noting that the command was ‘on top’ of the situation.

all contending issues in the bridge project, but would want communities to maintain peace and conducive environment for work to continue on it.

Fashola stated that issues relating to compensation were being worked out, and that contracting firms and investors in the project would only go back to work when the environment is conducive.

“Whatever the social and economic rights relating to land that arise, I believe that we will be better off if we resolve them while construction is allowed to go on. In that way, we win both ways, we have a bridge and we also get compensation,” said Fashola.

He disclosed that in his meetings with the contracting firms, he had made it very clear

to them that “not only must this bridge leave a transport advantage behind, it must also leave economic prosperity behind for the people who use it.”

The minister explained that the modality adopted for the construction of the bridge-Public Private Partnership (PPP)-was Nigeria’s first big move towards such, adding that: “It comes with a lot of challenges.

“Investors do not understand the host communities, and so, they would not commit money unless they are sure there wouldn’t be any hostility.

“They want commitment in writing and by conduct that if they commit money the project would not be disturbed by court actions and court injunctions or by pirates, which actions sadly are now emerging on

our landscapes.”

He said these were the assurances he had come to seek from the host communities, saying: “I have come here to convey the commitment of the president to the continuation and completion of the second Niger Bridge. And having been briefed in the office, I believe this is the time for work to begin and it is time for me to go and see for myself and match what is on paper with what is on ground.

“I am also here to address some of the issues that have come up as a result of this project, compensation issues, and community issues.

“That is why the main appeal here is to leave the compensation issue for us, we will sort it out and let the work go on, let the investors move in and let us have

assurances from the people so that we can go on.

“The statement also said the stakeholders expressed their commitment to help the government sustain harmonious working environment for the project.

According to it, the existing Niger Bridge which was built in 1965 has remained the crucial link between the East and West for years.

It added that the last government initiated to build a second bridge due to the immense traffic arising from the economic activities on the South-east and South-west transport corridor, and that work had since stopped at the early works stages due to issues relating to funding and compensation.

HEALTH MATTERS

L-R: United States Consul General, Francis John Bray; Commander, Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Major General Abimbola Amusu; and Deputy Chief of Mission, US Mission to Nigeria, Maria Brewer, at the inauguration of the Joint West African Research Group and a clinical course in Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases, in Lagos, yesterday UNITED STATES CONSULATE GENERAL LAGOS.

Nigeria, Norway Agree to Deepen FG Launches Standard Operating Procedures Portal to Cooperation on Fisheries Tobi Soniyi in Abuja explore opportunities to ensure Check Corruption at Ports the rehabilitation and safe President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja said Nigeria and Norway, a major fish exporting country, would work together to deepen their agricultural cooperation, particularly on fish farming and fisheries development.

A statement issued in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, said Buhari spoke at a farewell audience with the outgoing Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria, Ambassador Rolf Ree. Buhari said his administration would continue to promote agriculture as an alternative revenue earner for the country.

The president said he welcomed the humanitarian aid provided by Norway and some European Union member countries in support of Internally Displaced Persons in the country.

He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to

return of affected persons to their communities.

The president, who also received the outgoing Ambassador of Mexico, Mr Anthonio Garcia Blanco, commended the cordial relations between both countries in the 40 years of their diplomatic relations.

Buhari congratulated both envoys for a successful completion of their tour of duty to Nigeria and wished them well in their future endeavours.

In his remarks, the Norwegian ambassador praised the Buhari administration for the clean-up of Ogoniland and other oil impacted communities in the Niger-Delta.

Also speaking, the Mexican ambassador underscored the historic and economic similarities between Nigeria and Mexico, stressing the need for deeper and more productive ties between both countries.

Dele Ogbodo in Abuja

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday launched the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and the Port Service Support Portal (PSSP) to check corruption and other unwholesome practices by service providers at the nations’ ports.

Osinbajo, while launching the portal, advocated the use of technology in controlling corruption in public service, adding that it has proven to be one of the ways of steaming graft.

He said: “It is important to bear in mind that technology remains one of the most important ways by which we can control corruption aside from the consequences of ensuring that corrupt officials are made to face its consequences.”

The vice-president made the

disclosure at the launch of the SOP and PSSP by the Ministry of Transportation in conjunction with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja.

According to him, the use of technology is also possibly the most important ways of ensuring that public service is delivered, adding that: “The SOP and PSSP are ways of enhancing the port capacity and reducing corruption in port procedures and adoption.”

Osinbajo who said the launch which marked a milestone in the nation’s port operations added that the technology which would enhance efficient procedures and improve integrity and corrupt-free system, while helping to resolve both internal and external complaints from port operators.

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FRIDAY JUNE 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

We will Meet in the Field, Ize-Iyamu Tells Obaseki

I will use Lagos model to develop Edo, says APC candidate

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu, has congratulated his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on his recent nomination as the standard-bearer of his party, saying he looks forward to meeting him in the field for an issue-based campaign that seeks

to address hunger, poverty, crimes and unemployment.

In a statement issued by the media unit of the Ize-Iyamu Campaign Organisation yesterday, the PDP candidate also wondered why the out-going Governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, was still behaving as if he is seeking a third-term in the office.

According to the statement, “A week after Obaseki emerged as the candidate of the APC, it

Ngillari Says He Has Nothing to Do with N450m PDP Campaign Fund Tobi Soniyi in Abuja A former Governor of Adamawa State, Bala Ngillari, has denied claims that he ordered the collection and distribution of N450million Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign fund for the state.

Ngillari, who was recently invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was reacting to claims by a former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Hassan Adamu, and the PDP state Chairman, Joel Madaki. that they collected the money from Fidelity Bank, Yola branch and deposited it at the accounts department of the state Government House on the instruction of the governor.

Ngillari said all his official engagements were cancelled at the time the money was received because he lost his mother and was at home throughout the period receiving people on condolence visits.

He said: “I didn’t see the money with my eyes, whether it was N100 or N200, N500 or N1000 denominations, I didn’t see the money with my eyes because I was at home receiving people who have come to console me on the loss of my mother.

“I also didn’t know with whom they kept the money except that I acted on the information they gave me with the accounts department, after counting and verifying the money.

“So I didn’t participate in the process of taking the money from the bank and keeping it in the Government House.

I didn’t know who took the money, but of course, I told the operatives that if they get people from the accounts department, Government House, they will be able to tell them where the money was kept, who gave instruction for it to be moved, or where the money went to, who took the money, who gave instructions to remove the money or where they money went.”

The former governor recalled that he had received a call from the Director of Finance of the PDP presidential campaign and former Finance Minister, Nenadi Usman, asking him for the name of the state PDP chairman

and the telephone number of Ambassador Hassan Adamu, a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP. “But around March, 23, I travelled to my senatorial district for the first time after we had recovered seven local government areas from Boko Haram, I went to see the situation as the governor, physically based on the reports I had earlier received, to thank the people of my senatorial district.

“By 7.30p.m. on March 23, I returned home to receive the sad news of the death of my mother, who had been staying with me. So from March 23, after I returned, to March 27, I never left my house, till on the 28 when I went to cast my vote.

“Now on March 26, Nenadi phoned me to say that I should send Boni Haruna, Minister of Youths Development then, Hajia Zainab Maina, then Minister of Women Affairs under the government of Jonathan, the Chairman of the party in the state as well as Ambassador Hassan Adamu, a member of the BoT to go and collect some money from the Fidelity Bank.

“Because Haruna and Maina were not readily available, Wakili Adamawa and the Chairman of the party went and, according to Madaki and what they told me later, is that they went to Fidelity Bank, introduced themselves, they were shown the money for the presidential elections and they decided on their own without me being in the know because for me, it was a party money for the elections.

“So, they decided to keep the money with the Accounts Department in Government House, they counted the money and when it was verified that it was correct, they left it with the department for safe keeping.

“Their allegation was that they went up and told me that they kept the money, and I said no, I was not in the office from the 23 March up to 27, I was never in the office because I had lost my mother, all official engagements were cancelled. It was after they kept the money that they phoned me. I said ok,” he said.

Ngillari said as a PDP governor, he did not contribute financially to the presidential campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

is interesting to note however that Oshiomhole still speaks as though he is the candidate running for elections. Is Obaseki not a grown man? Why can’t he begin to speak for himself or is this a sign of things to come?’’

The campaign organisation advised the electorate to thoroughly scrutinise the candidate soliciting for their votes before deciding who to support, adding that Edo State will stoutly reject a puppet being sponsored

by Oshiomhole in conjunction with some external investors for their selfish interest.

Ize-Iyamu said he was ready to submit himself for any scrutiny from any angle and ever ready to defend all his noble activities in the past.

The campaign organisation also described the recent statement credited to Oshiomhole that the anti-graft agency would abort Ize-Iyamu’s governorship aspiration as unfortunate, saying

he was being driven by fear of Ize-Iyamu emergence.

Meanwhile, Obaseki, has said promised to use the Lagos State model to develop Edo State if elected in the September 10 governorship election.

Fielding questions from journalists during an interview in Benin-City yesterday, the APC governorship hopeful said he would use technology to run government to create efficiency and save cost.

“My administration will create the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and create employment.

“I will introduce the Lagos model where I will focus on governance and allow others to manage politics”, Obaseki said, promising to expand agriculture and employ more people into the state’s civil service.

Obaseki, who said people’s attitude towards him made him to come up with a plan

to help him achieve victory at the party’s primary last Saturday, dismissed the tag of imposition of his candidacy, saying such cannot take place when democracy is about choice.

“When the state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, cast his lot with me, people tagged it imposition. But imposition cannot take place when democracy is about choice.

“This attitude made me sit back and come up with a plan to start meeting with each delegate in every ward in the 18 local government areas of the state,” he stated, adding that the interaction created a bond between him and the delegates.

Speaking further, he said: “Since most people recognised me, it was easier for them to vote for me when they saw my photograph on the ballot paper.

I ran the delegates’ election like a full blown election.”

On effort to reconcile with

some of his co-contestants at the party primaries, Obaseki said he has already met with the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, and Charles Airhiavbere, both whom had agreed to work with him and for the party, explaining that he would meet with other co-contestants to achieve total reconciliation for the party ahead of the September 10 gubernatorial election, even as he promised to get inputs of the former aspirants into his Campaign Organisation.

The APC governorship candidate while welcoming his PDP counterpart, Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu, on board, advised that they should conduct their campaigns in a very civilized manner, adding: “In my campaign, my duty is to convince the Edo people why I am the better candidate.”

He disclosed that the issue of his running mate would be decided by the party at the appropriate time.

MADE IN AFICA EXPO

L-R: Member, House of Representatives Committee on Industry, Hon. Aminu Ibrahim Malle; Chairman, Senate Committee on Industry, Senator Sam Egwu; ARSO Secretary General, Dr. Hermogene Nsegimana; and Acting Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Paul Angya, at the 22nd ARSO General Assembly/54th council meeting and Made in Africa Expo in Arusha, Tanzania...yesterday

Arewa Right Agenda Cautions President’s Aide to Relax Threat against Nwokocha Sunday Okobi A foremost human rights group, Arewa Right Agenda (ARA), has advised the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, to tread with caution on the threat to file an action against a lawyer, Mr. Nnamdi Nwokocha, for out-of-court comments he made in regards to the pending suit on President Muhammadu Buhari’s certificate.

The group stated this in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Mahmud Bello, and made available to THISDAY yesterday, saying such threat was an ironic twist of developments, especially coming from the presidential aide “who has been equally guilty of the same conduct which he now complains about.”

ARA described as ironical, the statement by Garba where he said: “It is ‘unfair’ for plaintiff who is a litigant in a case pending in court to ‘hijack” the power of a judge by declaring the president guilty of what he is accused of on the pages of newspapers.”

The group stated that Graba is also guilty of the same error when he “meticulously bombarded the newspaper and internet media with proclamations of the “guilt” of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex S. Badeh (rtd), in a matter the trial of which is currently pending in court.

“Conveniently, Garba did not find this to be ‘inappropriate and unprofessional’ practice. Nor has he ever uttered a word condemning the uncharitable

employment of the media by governmental agencies in conducting media trials of pending criminal matters with its attendant consequences of potential deprivation individual liberty in the event of a conviction.

“It is a fact of indubitable notoriety that in the ongoing prosecution of persons in connection with the war against corruption, the trial by media has been an indispensable tool employed by the prosecutorial agencies in affecting the public perception of these accused persons. In fact, the SSA Media and Publicity himself has championed this uncharitable and irresponsible regime of trial by media by heedlessly commenting on matters which are sub judice.”

The statement therefore

cautioned that “The constitutional doctrine of the right to fair hearing is fundamental. More so, when the issue involves the trial of accused persons in a criminal matter. The repugnance of trial by media should be consistently condemned by all and sundry, especially the SSA Media and Publicity, Garba because of its potential ability to “hijack” matters which are pending before courts of competent jurisdiction.

“This notion of selectively condemning extrajudicial comments only when it affects the interest we represent should be completely and unapologetically discouraged.

“Therefore, we urged our amiable presidential aide to know that what is good for the goose should necessarily be good for the gander.”

FRIDAY JUNE 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY

51

NEWSEXTRA

ARSO Strategises to Boost Agriculture in Africa Crusoe Osagie The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) yesterday announced plans to deploy standards and strategies to boost agriculture in Africa, noting that the move was to ensure that African countries adhere and comply with global best standards to

impact positively on their economies.

Member of the ARSO Council and Acting Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Paul Angya, said standardisation of produce would boost Africa’s end products competitiveness at the global market.

Hate Speech: Emir of Kano Tasks Media Chiefs on Ethics Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has said accommodating hate speech and inflammatory comments by FM Stations in the state was a recipe for disaster at the time Kano is in dire need of a lasting peace.

Speaking at a meeting with Chief Executives of the respective FM Radio stations in Kano at his palace yesterday, Sanusi said the attitude of giving access to political jobbers to engage in negative and destructive spin can ignite tension and cause chaos in a volatile city like Kano, adding that as respective heads of their stations, they have an abiding obligation to nip the trend in the bud.

According to him, there were rules and regulations guiding the practice of the journalism profession which the practitioners of the pen must strive to uphold, stressing that it was the sole responsibility of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to monitor the activities and operations of radio stations everywhere in the country for the excesses of masters of negative spin to be checked.

Citing the example of the recent murder of Bridget, the 70-year-old Igbo women

hacked to death by an angry mob for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammed to buttress his point, the monarch said the issue was blown out of proportion and highly politicised by those who hide under the right to freedom of expression to settle their scores.

He however stated that it was the highest act of professional irresponsibility for the FM stations to give an unimpeded access to politicians to spit venom on peoples’ reputation simply because Nigeria was in the grip of a democratic rule.

Speaking on behalf of the radio stations’ chiefs, the Managing Director, Radio Kano, Hajiya Saadatu Babaji, assured the monarch that the radio stations in the state would strive to maintain a high standard of professionalism in discharging their duties stressing that as gate keepers of their respective organizations they all had a vital role to play.

Also speaking, the General Manager, Pyramid Radio FM, Alhaji Garba Ubale Dambatta, stressed the need for the monarch’s intervention in case they derailed, pointing out that with the influence of the emir as a father, he was at an ample liberty to call everyone to order.

Hijab: Deeper Life Church Faults Report on Support for Christian Garments in Osun The Deeper Life Bible Church yesterday denied a report stating that the church was in full support of wearing Christian garments by pupils as a way of checkmating the use of hijab to schools in Osun State.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Overseer of church, Pastor Joshua Esho, faulted a report that the church was in support of wearing Christian garments to schools by

pupils in the state.

He stated that the church did not at point raise any support for the wearing of Christian garments to schools.

Esho stated that “the story credited to Deeper Life Bible Church published on the June 20, 2016 was false and off-point as the man of God in question never uttered a statement that was even suggestive of that.”

He disclosed this at the ongoing 22nd ARSO General Assembly, 54th Council Meeting and Made in Nigeria Expo in Arusha, Tanzania.

Angya noted that the African standards body intends to help African countries revolutionise its agricultural sector and also adopt new technologies to boost productivity.

He added that the development would help Africa to move away from reliance on food imports, to securing food supplies through rapid and sustainable increase in food production.

Angya reiterated that Africa’s year of quality infrastructure would be used to chart new

priorities and strategies for agriculture, maintaining that with the new standardisation efforts, the input supply and product processing sectors would become more consolidated, concentrated and integrated.

He noted that contributions of the organisation in harmonising standards for fertilizers and agrochemicals for agricultural sector the aimed to boost international trade, pointing out that there is a great improvement in African countries aligning with international standards to improve their market access and boost regional trade.

He said standards had become a tool in the fight for competitiveness

and for creating barriers for regional trade while emphasising the need for African standards to be a benchmark against international standards.

According to him, Africa’s regional cooperation and deeper integration of services and standards will increase trade among Africa’s countries, saying this is a given priority in ARSO. He noted that plans were also ongoing to ensure that membership of the body was increased to foster involvement of many regions in the intra-African trade.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr.

Charles Mwijage, tasked ARSO to fast track the harmonisation process, saying it was long over due and urged ARSO to develop concrete proposals in harmonising standards, adding that standards remained a key component of competitiveness.

ASRO Secretary General, Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana , noted that capacity building, women empowerment, value addition to agriculture produce and link to the African Union continental free trade areas were needed for Africa to have its global market share.

Nsengimana urged members to effectively explore other international standardisation partners to fast track industrialisation.

WHO DO WE HAVE HERE....

Director, External Affairs, ntel, Osondu C. Nwokoro, (middle); comedians, Gbenga Adeyinka (left); and Ali Baba, when the duo stoopped over at the ntel store in Ikoyi, Lagos...yesterday

Mrs. Onoh, Bianca Ojukwu’s Mother Dies at 81, Ugwuanyi Mourns

Buhari Asks Newly Promoted Police Officers to Justify Their Promotions

Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

Wife of the late Chief Christian Onof, a former Governor of old Anambra State, Mrs. Caroline Onoh, is dead.

Onoh who was also the mother-in-law of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, was aged 81.

The second son of the late former Governor, Dr. Ken Onoh, who confirmed his mother’s death said she died on Tuesday at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) after a brief illness.

In his condolence message, Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, described the death of Onoh, as a great loss to the

government and people of the state.

According to a release by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Uwakwe Abugu, the governor is saddened by the departure of the matriarch of the Onoh family of Ngwo at this critical period in the history of the nation when the wise counsel of elders are needed to give the country the desired direction.

Governor Ugwuanyi condoled with the immediate family of the woman leader and devout Christian as well as the people of Ngwo. He urged them to bear the loss with fortitude.

The late Mrs. Onoh was the mother of Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.

President Muhammadu Buhari has charged public officers entrusted with certain responsibilities to live up to their duties and justify the confidence reposed in them saying this as this is the only way Nigeria can get out of the current hardships facing the nation.

The president spoke while decorating two of the newly promoted officers of the Nigeria Police Force deployed to his office with their new ranks.

Buhari congratulated the officers and urged them to justify their new ranks by increasing their commitment to the service of the nation.

He also commended them for their hard work and achievements which brought about their promotion.

He said Nigeria needed their dedication and unwavering commitment for it to achieve greatness and assume its rightful position, cautioning them not to abuse their positions.

Abdu l k a r i m D a u d a and Kayode Sikiru Akande, both promoted from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police to Deputy Commissioner of Police, serve as the Chief Personal Security Officer to the President and the Officer in Charge of Presidential Movement r e s p e c t i v e l y.

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FRIDAY JUNE 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT Again, EFCC Dissociates Magu from Fraudulent Activities Warns fraudsters to stop dropping his name Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has once again raised the alarm that some fraudsters are using the name of the commission’s chairman, Ibrahim Magu, to defraud people.

To this end, the commission has disassociated Magu from any fraudulent acts committed by anybody no matter how they might have been connected.

The Head, Media and Publicity of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement yesterday, said that some of the fraudsters have had working relationship with the anti-graft boss and used it to

exploit people.

“It has come to the attention of the EFCC, that some unscrupulous individuals now parade the streets posing as representatives of the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, and extorting money from persons under investigation, promising them a soft-landing and, in some instances, giving them assurances that their cases would be closed,” Uwujaren stated.

According to him, “Intelligence available to the Commission indicate that some of them who are known to have relationships with the acting chairman are exploiting this knowledge to position

themselves as agents of the antigraft czar, to extort desperate suspects under investigation by the Commission.”

In the recent past, he said, the Commission notified the public of the activities of some individuals who cloned the phone number of Magu, using same to illegally solicit funds.

He said that some of the impostors have even opened fake Facebook accounts in the name of the EFCC boss and proceeded to use same to con unsuspecting citizens.

“But despite the alarms, it would seem that criminal minds are not deterred as their number seemed to have swelled,” he remarked.

Uwujaren stressed that the Commission, for the umpteenth time, wishes to warn members of the public not to fall for the wiles of fraudsters and scammers exploiting the good name of the acting EFCC Chairman to defraud desperate citizens.

He further stressed that “Magu has not and will never mandate any individual to demand gratification from persons under investigation.”

The Commission’s Spokesman advised members of the public to report anyone who approaches them with a request for gratification on behalf of the EFCC Chairman, to the nearest EFCC office or police station.

In Brief

EFCC Quizzes Former Kebbi Governor, Dakingari Kano Zone of the Economoc Finance Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and detained Saidu Dakingari, former Governor Kebbi State. He is currently being quizzed over his alleged involvement in the sharing of N450 million PDP Campaign sleaze. He is also being asked to explain how another N550 million state funds were diverted to his party, the PDP, during the 2015 Presidential Campaigns. In a statement made available to THISDAY in Kano yesterday by the media head of the Kano Zone of the EFCC, Mr. Medard Ehimika, Dakingari was said to be cooperating with operatives in the investigations. The statement said details will emerge when more facts are available

90-year-old Father of Popular Hotelier Kidnapped in Ekiti

The 90-year-old father of a popular hotelier in Ekiti State, Mr. Oluwole Adalumo, who owns SMJ Hotel in Ikole, Ekiti State, was on Wednesday night kidnapped in his house at Oke-Ijebu, in the same town. A family member and eyewitness, Bimbo Ajayi, told journalists in Ikole yesterday morning said the abductors came into the premises of the aged man around 8p.m. Relaying how the incident happened, Ajayi recounted that one of the kidnappers came down from a car parked in front of the house and approached the innocent man in his sitting room under the pretence that the victim’s son and hotelier, sent him to the old man. Confirming the incident, a police officer attached to the Divisional Police Station in Ikole Ekiti, who pleaded anonymity, said he could not give details on the matter until investigation had completed. He promised that the old man would be located and released from his abductors.

Robbers Kill Bank Customer in Lagos

A gang of armed robbers yesterday shot a 25-year-old Kingsley Chukwudi who was said to be entering the premises of a new generation bank in the Apapa area of Lagos. Though the robbery was said to be an attempt on the bank which was foiled by policemen on guard duty at the bank, the hoodlums allegedly made away with the deceased laptop bag containing cash and other valuables. It was gathered that the robbers allegedly trailed the deceased customer, who hails from Imo State, to the bank where they immediately opened fire on him. An eyewitness claimed the robbers thought that the deceased was leaving the banking hall with huge cash. “The young man is a security guard for our company here in Apapa. He was carrying his laptop bag and the robbers thought he was going to deposit money into the bank but it was just his laptop bag. “Apapa is like a theatre of war now. The body of Chukwudi has been taken to Area B Police Command in Apapa and a lot of people are crying because he was a very good person,” the witness said. Meanwhile, the police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, who confirmed the incident, noted that the police was on the trail of the hoodlums.

ABIA IS WORKING

L-R: Abia State Commissioner for Works, Eziuche Ubani; Governor Okezie Ikpeazu; and Area Manager SETRACO, Charbel Eid, during the official commencement of Faulks Road in Aba....yesterday

Scratch Card: Advocacy Group Sues NYSC over Mobilisation Fee The Citizens Advocacy Initiative For Accountable Leadership (CAIFAL) yesterday filed a suit at a Federal High Court in Lagos against the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) over alleged mobilisation fraud.

Also joined as respondents in the suit are: The Director General of NYSC, Sidmach Technologies Limited, Minister for Youths and Sports, and the Attorney General of the Federation.

CAIFAL in its suit number FHC/L/CS/840/16, is seeking a declaration that by virtue of the provisions of the NYSC Act 1993, the first to third respondents, have no statutory rights, to demand a pre-mobilisation fee from prospective corps members.

In a supporting affidavit deposed to by one Mr. Mike Ogie, the group averred that sometime in 2014, the NYSC introduced an electronic registration programme where

prospective corps members were required to register online with the sum of N3,000 as precedents for mobilisation.

He stated that the NYSC entered into a memorandum of understanding with a company, Sidmach Technologies, to collect the fees on behalf of the NYSC, through the issuance of scratch cards to prospective corps members.

According to him, under the memorandum, 70 per cent of the monies collected, would be ceded to the company (Sidmachy), while the balance of 30 per cent was reserved for the NYSC. He averred that the company had since 2014 collected over N1.3 billion on behalf of the NYSC, without remitting any of its proceeds to the scheme or Federation Account.

He stated that the applicant had petitioned the office of the

Minister of Youths and Sports, but that the perpetration of the act has not been “called in.”

He further averred that the first, second and third respondents went into the aforesaid memorandum of understanding without recourse to the relevant sections of the NYSC Act and the 1999 Constitution.

The group further averred that the acts of the first to third respondents, contradicts the true intent of the NYSC Act, which makes it mandatory for prospective corps members to be compulsorily mobilised for service of their fatherland.

They aver that the Act establishing the NYSC scheme, does not provide for the payment of any fee, as condition precedent for mobilisation, corps members.

The group is therefore, seeking a declaration, that

both the previous collection, and continued collection of the monies from prospective corps members, is illegal, wrongful and most improper.

They seeks an order, directing the first and second respondents to immediately render account of all monies so far realised from corps members since the inception of its collection in 2014.

The group isseeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the NYSC from further collecting any money from prospective corps members, as a pre-mobilisation or re-deployment fee.

Besides, the group is also seeking an order, directing the first and second respondents to release or make public, the memorandum of understanding executed between them and the company.

No date has yet been fixed for hearing.

Soldiers Allegedly Kill Sales Boy over Missing N350,000 A community, Etekwuru, in Ohaji/Egbema Council Area of

Imo State has been thrown into mourning following the alleged brutal killing of a young man from the area by some soldiers attached to the area. The victim, Declan Obi, 26, was allegedly sent to the great beyond following the invitation of the soldiers by his master, Evans Njemanze, 36, to investigate him over suspected financial dishonesty. Investigation by THISDAY revealed that the hapless Declan, who until his death, sold soft drinks (Coca-cola products) was asked by his master after the day’s business to give account of the proceeds realised from the day’s sales. This, he did, but having suspected financial dishonesty, his master (Njemanze) in an attempt to extract the truth from him over missing sum of N350,000, angrily contacted some soldiers around to investigate him in order to recover his money. Curiously, the soldiers reportedly deviated from the assignment given to them by Njemanze and began to beat the poor boy mercilessly until he lost consciousness and eventually gave up the ghost. However, reacting to the incident the Brigade Commander 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Owerri, Brigadier-General Kay Isiyaku, claimed ignorance of the incident, insisting his men never participated. He said experience had shown that some dubious members of the public had formed the notorious habit of using military uniforms to deceive members of the public to achieve their inordinate ambitions. But the brother of the deceased, Mr. Athanasius Ochima-Obi, in his comments, said the entire Obi family felt shocked on hearing the sudden demise of the deceased. He said: “Declan dressed up in the morning for work. He actually went to the work of selling soft drinks in crates for his master, only for us to hear that he was held hostage over a missing N350,000 and killed by some soldiers, his master reported the poor boy to.”

53

T H I S D AY •FRIDAY JUNE 24, 2016

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

2 0 1 8 F I FA W O R L D C U P D R AW

Nigeria, Egypt Back in Pot 2 as FIFA Reverses ‘Special Ranking’

Duro Ikhazuagbe After reviewing the ‘Special Ranking’ that elevated Egypt to Pot 1 and demoted Tunisia to Pot 2 of the 2018 World Cup draw ceremony slated for 4pm today in Cairo, world football governing body, FIFA, has reversed the ruling.

Now, FIFA has asked all the 20 federations for the Russia 2018 football fiesta to stick to the earlier announcement that pits Nigeria and Egypt together in Pot 2. FIFA insisted in a fresh notice dated June 22 released yesterday that the ‘Special Ranking’ announcement should be discountenance as it is now ‘null and void’.

Subsequently, both Nigeria and Egypt will now remain in Pot 2 and will therefore avoid themselves in today’s draw.

Egypt, for one, argued it ought to be one of the five top seeds and so in Pot 1 ahead of Tunisia.

The Pharaohs appeared to have won this argument going by the “special ranking” which then put them in Pot 1 and dropped Tunisia to Pot 2.

Only for FIFA to now reverse itself, provoking various allegations in Egypt.

However, ahead of the 2018 qualifying draw, some of Africa’s football power houses like Ghana, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroun and Cote d’Ivoire who have featured at both South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014 are likely to miss out of the train to Russia in 2018.

Tunisia and Senegal, in fact, will go into the proverbial hat as one of the five seeded teams, while Nigeria and Cameroun find themselves in the group of second and third seeds respectively. That means that one of the five groups could potentially have three of the last five finalists, and with only the top team from each group qualifying for Russia, that would leave the coast clear for at least two newcomers advancing from the other groups.

The four pots for the draw are as follows: Pot 1: Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia Pot 2: Cape Verde, Egypt, Congo DR, Nigeria, Mali Pot 3: Cameroun, Morocco, Guinea, South Africa, Congo Pot 4: Uganda, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Gabon, Libya

Super Eagles waiting for the draw in Cairo this evening

Lagos SWAN Petitions Dalung on Botched Trips The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Lagos Chapter), has called on the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, to institute investigations into the circumstances surrounding the non-issuance of visas to the national U-17 female basketball team to the FIBA U-17 Championships in Spain and the disqualification of the national female boxing team to the Rio 2016 World Qualification Competition held in Kazakhstan.

The Spanish Consulate recently refused to issue visas to members of the national basketball team to the championship in Spain despite clearances by FIBA and the Spanish basketball authority on the grounds of non-clearance by National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) and possible late submission of visa applications.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), the Spanish Consulate and NAPTIP have all denied responsibility for the failure of the trip with the NBBF explaining in a recent release that it duly informed and got responses from the customs and immigration authorities but NAPTIP failed to respond to it.

In the case of the female national boxing team which was sponsored by the Nigerian Army, they arrived late to the venue of the Olympic qualification competition in Kazakhstan and were barred from participating.

Lagos SWAN in a letter to the minister dated June 22 and signed by its Chairman, Fred Edoreh and Secretary, Emma Njoku, pointed out that both incidents amounted to “denial and embarrassment to the country, waste of the

investment, time and efforts committed in preparing the athletes, infliction of emotional trauma and discouragement of the athletes.”

“As stakeholders in Nigerian sports, we view this development with deep concern as it retards the growth and progress of our sports, discourages potential sponsors and disaffects the athletes and members of the public,” Lagos SWAN added.

Lagos SWAN therefore called on the sports minister to “investigate the circumstances surrounding these failures and sanction culpable sports administrators or report any confirmed act of negligence or sabotage by either NAPTIP or the Spanish Embassy to government for necessary action as we can no longer afford to waste resources and continue to undermine the growth and progress of our sports.”

Brila, Beat FM Land NPFL Radio Broadcast Rights Stations now to broadcast live matches Sports Radio Brila FM and Megalectrics Limited became the first radio stations to be issued radio broadcast rights of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) following the signing of separate Memorandum of Understanding MoU between the stations and the League Management Company (LMC).

Megalectrics Limited based in Lagos is the owners of radio broadcast licenses of Beat FM, Classic FM and Naija FM while Sports Radio Brila, the first all sports radio station in Nigeria operates the Brila 88.9 FM stations in Lagos, Onitsha, Abuja and Kaduna.

A statement from the LMC described the issuance of the non-exclusive rights to the stations as ‘part of our

deliberate strategy to take the Nigeria Professional Football League live matches to the people where they are especially in the inner cities and villages”.

The LMC noted that studies indicated that radio remains the most preferred medium of information in Nigeria and “it is also based on this that we sought radio broadcast partners to take this league which is a strong unifying platform for Nigerians to the people, most of who cannot afford alternative sources of electricity power”.

In the deal, the radio stations are entitled to undertake live broadcast of NPFL matches and also produce twice weekly preview and review shows featuring interviews, analysis and public opinions on the

players, the matches and the clubs.

The LMC said it will welcome interests from other radio broadcast stations that have the capacity to undertake live broadcasts of NPFL matches.

“The expansion of the NPFL reach is part of our vision to grow the brand, offer greater and extensive experiences of the matches through the media and also deliver value to the fans and sponsors”, the LMC said.

It further expressed optimism that with the entry of the two radio stations with their different audience segments, “the NPFL is poised to add new target groups that includes the eclectic urban youth segment and those of the inner cities”.

There are no right fees attached to this deals as we consider it as a core social investment activity of the LMC to grow the NPFL”.

38TH CBN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Out, Ifidzhen, Agugbom Qualify for Next Round Defending champion and top seed Thomas Otu, yesterday bagged a hard-fought 7-6, 6-7, 6-5 (ret) win over Joseph Ubon to book a semifinal ticket in the men’s singles of the 38th Central Bank of Nigeria Open Tennis Championship in Lagos.

Otu’s win keeps him on

course for a rematch of last year’s final with Moses Michael, who on his part defeated Lawal Shehu 6-3, 6-2.

Otu will face Sylvester Emmanuel, a 6-3, 6-2 winner of Sunday Emmanuel, while Michael keeps a date with Abdulmumin Babalola, who

triumphed 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 over Nonso Madueke.

A potential rematch of last year’s final in the women’s singles is also in the offing with the duo of title holder Melissa Ifidzhen and Christy Agugbom advancing to Friday’s semifinal.

Melissa, who was stretched

by Oyinlomo Quadri in her first match, seems to have rediscover her form as she swept aside Patience Onobamhoin 6-0, 6-0 while Agugbom triumphed 7-5, 6-3 over Ronke Akingbade.

Ebere Fortune and Blessing Samuel filled the last-four

spaces with 7-5, 6-0 and 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 wins over Christy Nwankwo and Aanu Aiyegbusi respectively.

In the men’s doubles, the duo of Abdulmumin Babalola and Lawal Shehu defeated defending champions Albert Bikom and Sunday Maku

6-3, 4-6, 10-4 while Moses Michael and Christian Paul beat Albert Aniele and Ikechukwu Iloputa 6-3, 6-2 to move to the quarterfinal.

Adamu Sani and Thomas Otu also progressed with 6-3, 6-3 win over Clifford Enosoregbe and Stanley Maduekwe.

54

T H I S D AY •WEDNESDAY JUNE 24, 2016

FRIDAYSPORTS EURO 2016

‘Iceland Will Not Melt under English Pressure’

Iceland Captain Sigurdsson Iceland’s performance at Euro 2016 so far means that they have no reason to sweat over Monday’s last-16 clash against England, midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson has said.

The Icelanders who are making their first appearance at a major tournament, beat Austria 2-1 on

Wayne Rooney (3rd right) leading the Three Lions training at the ongoing Euro2016 in France Wednesday to finish second in their group and book their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2016, where they will come up against Roy Hodgson’s team.

With England being the favourites for the game, Sigurdsson suggested the lack of pressure on Iceland will play

Germany Knows All About Slovakia, Says Loew Germany coach Joachim Loew is fully aware of the challenge Slovakia will present his world champions in Sunday’s Euro 2016 last 16 clash following their shock defeat in May’s friendly.

An inexperienced German team suffered a self-confidence sapping 3-1 defeat to Slovakia in a pre-Euro 2016 friendly last month when Loew fielded four new caps.

Germany took an early lead in Augsburg through a Mario Gomez penalty before play-maker Marek Hamsik, Michal Duris and Juraj Kucka hit three goals for Slovakia without reply.

Now Loew expects a battle royal on the newly-laid pitch in Lille for a place in the quarterfinals against either defending champions Spain or Italy.

“We lost to Slovakia at the end of May, so we know what’s coming,” said Loew, whose side has yet to turn in a convincing display in France despite winning Group C. Slovakia qualified third from Group B by holding

England to a goalless draw after beating Russia 2-1 and losing by the same margin to Wales.

But Loew says Jan Kozak’s Slovakia will have to show their attacking prowess against the Germans after frustrating the Three Lions in Saint Etienne.

“Now the opponent is going to have to do something or they know they’ll be going home,” warned Loew.

“It’s one of the reasons I’m looking forward to the knock-out stages,” added the Germany boss, who expects to see more attacking football in the last 16.

Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger could make his first start of the European championships finals after cameo appearances off the bench, including a late goal in the 2-0 group win over Ukraine.

“Basti is in good condition, he is getting better each week and he’s slowly getting to the level where he can help us from the start,” said Germany’s assistant coach Marcus Sorg.

to their advantage.

“We are a small nation that nobody expects anything of... We will be the underdogs. It’s going to be a tough night but it will be worth it,” Sigurdsson told reporters after Wednesday’s win.

“Is there any reason to worry about England? No, but we know

it will be a very tough game. We have no pressure on us, that’s the main thing. But if you look at England, if they lose to us there will be headlines back in England.”

England has come under pressure after scoring just three goals so far as its strikers

struggle to find their feet in the tournament, but Sigurdsson felt this highlighted the strength of Hodgson’s squad.

“There are not many weaknesses in England’s squad.

They have a very good team and have got through a tough group, without playing their best

football,” said Sigurdsson, who is the only Icelandic player playing their trade in the Premier League.

“But that just shows how good they are and their best is probably yet to come. We will have to defend for long periods against them, but we have shown before that we are capable of it.”

It’s Argentina, Chile Copa America Final!

Chile stormed into the Copa America final on Wednesday night, beating Colombia 2-0 in a weather-disrupted semi-final that took more than four hours to complete.

The defending champions advanced to a repeat of last year’s final against Argentina on Sunday after a whirlwind start left Colombia chasing the game.

Chile, who had destroyed Mexico 7-0 in the quarter-finals on Saturday, picked up where they left off, scoring twice in the opening 11 minutes to take a grip on the contest.

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Charles Aranguiz opened the scoring in the seventh minute before Jose Pedro Fuenzalida made it 2-0 after 11 minutes.

“It’s a good feeling to be back in the final again after overcoming difficult opponents,” Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said.

“We got off to a good start, played aggressively and had a lot of anticipation. That helped us score the goals.”

Chile’s explosive start to the contest was overshadowed by the intervention of Mother Nature at half-time,

as a powerful electrical thunderstorm rolled into downtown Chicago and halted play.

Tens of thousands of spectators were ordered to take shelter inside the stadium, leaving the ground empty as torrential rain pounded the stands.

For a while it looked as if play would be abandoned, with the teams forced to return to the venue on Thursday to complete the remaining 45 minutes.

However a break in the weather allowed teams of ground staff to set about clearing excess water from the field, and after a delay of two hours and 25 minutes, the second half resumed at 10:25pm local time (0325 GMT).

“It was hard to stay focused, for those hours,” Pizzi said.

“Just sitting in the dressing room waiting for something.”

When play got under way both sides produced one of the most entertaining halfs of the tournament, Colombia attacking relentlessly in an effort to get back into the match and Chile chasing a third goal to kill the game off.

Colombia had appeals for a penalty waved away early in the second half when Daniel Torres tumbled over the outstretched leg of Gonzalo Jara in the penalty area.

With Real Madrid star James Rodriguez doing his best to take control of the match, Colombia looked lively in attack but were unable to find the final ball to unlock Chile’s defense.

The Colombians’ job became even more daunting in the 57th minute when Aston Villa midfielder Carlos Sanchez was sent off, collecting a second yellow for a clumsy challenge on Aranguiz.

The closing stages of the game descended into a niggly encounter, with referee Chicas Aguilar of El Salvador eventually issuing eight yellow cards and one red.

Colombia continued to chase the game relentlessly, but came up short, paying the price for a lackadaisical start which saw Chile seize control with two goals in the first 11 minutes.

“It’s one of those nights where you feel a certain amount of unfairness,” Colombia coach Jose

Pekerman said. “We made mistakes and we paid for them in the beginning.”

Pekerman however was seething over the penalty incident involving Torres that he felt could have swung the game in his team’s favour.

“In the second half the team believed we could get a draw,” Pekerman said.

“There was a clear penalty that could have changed the game. But it wasn’t given.”

Fuenzalida was the architect of Chile’s opener, racing clear of the Colombian defense down the right flank before crossing to Alexis Sanchez.

The Arsenal star was beaten to the ball by Colombia’s Juan Cuadrado, but the Juventus player could only succeed in heading back to the feet of Aranguiz who tapped in from close range.

Four minutes later, Chile doubled their lead.

A long goal kick from Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo found Sanchez, who turned Santiago Arias inside out on the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a fierce low shot which struck the bottom of the post.

said Upson. “Arsenal have a very methodical build-up, they like to play through the middle, on the floor, break lines with passes and are very clever and intricate.”

Leicester, added Upson, played in a way that enabled Vardy to shine and become the star he is now.

“He’s played some fabulous football in a team that really does cater to his

strengths,” said Upson. “So I can really understand the decision he made.”

Upson added that Leicester had “laid a marker down” by holding on to Vardy and said it might convince other key players, like winger Riyad Mahrez and midfielder N’Golo Kante, to stay, too.

The news Vardy had decided to stay also delighted Gary Lineker.

Vardy Seals New Leicester Deal England striker and Arsenal target Jamie Vardy has agreed a new deal with Premier League champions Leicester.

The Foxes said the 29-yearold, whose goals helped the club claim a shock title success last season, will sign an extended four-year contract.

“Both parties hope this announcement will end recent speculation regarding

Jamie’s future,” a club statement said.

Vardy was the subject of a reported £20m bid from Premier League rivals Arsenal before the start of Euro 2016.

That bid activated a release clause in his contract, with the Gunners offering him a deal reported to be worth £120,000 a week.

Leicester responded with an offer said to be worth

£100,000.

Vardy, who joined the Foxes from non-league Fleetwood Town for £1m in 2012, had already signed a new three-year deal with the club in February.

Former Leicester defender Matthew Upson, who also played for Arsenal, said some might view Vardy’s decision as a “strange” one.

“Having played for

Arsenal, when that club comes calling, it’s a big decision to turn it down because it is such a fabulous club,” Upson told BBC Radio 5 live’s Sports Panel.

However, the ex-England centre-half said that Arsenal’s style of play might not have suited his former team-mate.

“When you look at how both teams play, there is such a contrast in style,”

T H I S D AY •FRIDAY JUNE 24, 2016

55

FRIDAYSPORTS NPFL…NPFL…NPFL…

Ikorodu Utd Fires Okpodu, Dutchman de Jong Takes over As the terrible season continues, Lagos-based Nigeria Professional Football League side FC Ikorodu United has sacked head coach, Sam Okpodu, and replaced him with Dutchman, Theodorus Jacob de Jong.

This is the second time the club will be changing their coach this season.

After a bad start to the season, Opkodu replaced Edema Benson who was demoted to the role of assistant coach.

De jong was first appoint as Technical Director of the club last month. The 68-year old de Jong has managed top Dutch sides like Willem 11, FC Zwolle, SC Cambuur and Go Ahead Eagles.

The change has been made following their poor form this season in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

They drew their last game at home to Akwa United 1-1. That result leaves them

de Jong IN bottom of the table.

FC Ikorodu United has only managed three wins from 22 games in the NPFL this season. The club has

Okpodu OUT lost 12 games and drawn six.

Meanwhile, de Jong has promised to pull the string to ensure the side

survive the murky water of relegation in the ongoing top-flight.

Jong however admitted that the task before the

Oga Boys is daunting but with the cooperation and support of everybody the side will overcome its toughest challenge.

“We all together with the staff, everybody involved in the team working at same pace will surely get out of relegation in the ongoing league season.

“The task is right there before our eyes we all need to work very hard and do it assiduously till the end of the race.

“We will go about it with 100% commitment to serve and I’m sure we will succeed at the end of the day.

“I feel good to be handed the responsibility of the team, I recognise the kind of position the team is at the moment.

“The plight of the team is right there, we will try to put thing in the right place to ensure we play good football,” said the former FC Zwolle and SC Cambuur coach to supersport.com.

The former Rod JC and Feyenoord playmaker appealed to the side’s teeming supporters for patience, support and understanding.

“My sincerest message to the fans is for them to stay solidly behind the team in this trying period.

“They should not argue unnecessarily or fight anyone but to respect the rules of the game as well as the management, players and the bench.

“I believe we will succeed in our mission to rescue the team from going down on relegation,” said the 68-year old tactician.

Jong will not be on the hot seat at the weekend as the Lagos outfit NPFL Match day 24 clash against champions, Enyimba has been put off due to the People’s Elephant CAF Champions League assignment at the South African side, Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday.

El Kanemi Warriors Lay Ambush for Lobi in Maiduguri El Kanemi Warriors goalkeeper, Kazeem Yekeen, has warned his teammates that they must be fully prepared and ready for anything Lobi Stars may throw at them in the Nigeria Professional Football League Match Day 24 clash this weekend.

The Desert Warriors have won three of their previous five games in the top tier division, but face a good side in the mould of the Pride of Benue at the El-Kanemi Stadium in a Match day 24 clash.

Yekeen feels Lobi Stars will be firing on all cylinders this weekend, and will not be distracted in Maiduguri.

“Lobi Stars are very good at keeping their focus and concentration in every game they play,” Yekeen told Goal.com.

“I don’t think they will

be distracted – I expect them to come out firing at us at the El-Kanemi Stadium.

“Their counter-attacks are especially swift and potent, and almost always result in at least a shot on goal, if not a goal. They are fast and get forward quickly in numbers, so we have to make sure that we have enough numbers of our on back in our defensive third.

“As is always the case when you play a team like Lobi Stars, the players need no extra motivation, and everyone wants to play.

But whoever plays must be sure they are in the right mental state - that they are ready to make the fans happy and that they have what it takes to perform on the big stage. If we are mentally prepared, we have three points in the bag,” stressed the goalkeeper.

El-kanemi Warriors plotting how to cage Lobi in Maiduguri this weekend

Jimoh Excited with 3SC Clash Wasiu Jimoh has said that he is set to play against his former team Shooting Stars in a Nigeria Professional Football League game on Sunday.

The Anambra Warriors’ forward is anticipating an exciting clash when he faces the Oluyole Warriors.

The forward joined the Anambra Warriors during the mid-season transfer window from the Oluyole Warriors.

The midfielder still holds high respect for his former teammates but is ready to go all out to help the big spenders secure three

points at the Lekan Salami Stadium.

“It promises be an exciting game against my former team,” Wasiu Jimoh told Goal.com “Our preparations have been going well and we are ready for the challenge. ‘’We are positive and the spirit is high after the win against Rivers United.

We hope to continue from where we left off against Shooting Stars.

“Shooting Stars will always have a special place in my heart, I respect them but this weekend I want three points for my team.”

MATCH DAY 24 FRIDAY Rangers v Warri Wolves SATURDAY El Kanemi v Lobi SUNDAY Shooting v IfeanyiUbah Sunshine v MFM FC Ikorodu v Enyimba Heartland v Akwa Utd K’ Pillars v Abia Warriors Pla Utd v Wikki Nasarawa v Tornadoes FC

STANDINGS POS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Team Wikki Rivers Utd Rangers Enyimba K’Pillars Sunshine Akwa Utd Abia Lobi MFM FC Ifeanyiubah Tornadoes Wolves El-Kanemi Nasarawa 3SC

P 22 22 22 21 22 21 22 22 21 21 21 21 21 22 21 22

W 12 12 10 10 9 8 9 8 9 8 9 9 8 9 9 8

D 5 2 6 4 6 8 5 8 4 6 3 2 5 1 0 2

L 5 8 6 7 7 5 8 6 8 7 9 10 8 12 12 12

GF 33 25 30 22 28 29 28 22 23 22 22 24 16 24 23 23

GA 13 18 25 19 23 21 24 20 19 21 23 26 19 27 29 34

GD 20 7 5 3 6 7 4 2 4 1 -1 -2 -3 -3 -6 11

Pts 41 38 36 34 33 32 32 32 31 30 30 29 29 28 27 26

Friday, June 24, 2016

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UT H

& RE A S O

Price: N250

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MISSILE PDP Senators to Presidency

“The deployment of state instruments of coercion to intimidate an independent arm of government like the legislature is now a major threat to the survival of our democracy. The glaring witch-hunt of perceived opposition elements in the polity is an invitation to anarchy. The war against corruption should not be selective, must be fought with sincerity and not the politics that is being played now with the ‘war against corruption’” – PDP senators accusing the presidency of an unnecessary witch-hunt against Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy Ike Ekweremadu.

AKINOSUNTOKUN Of Positive And Negative Goodluck DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

A

unique feature of the phenomenon of President Goodluck Jonathan in the politics of Nigeria is the role that providence has played in his political ascendance. We may input a similar extraordinary intervention to Barack Obama, whose improbable political journey climaxed with the catalyst provided by the collapse of the American financial system, so called Wall Street crash; and hurricane Sandy, as the immediate backdrop to his triumph in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections.

Many Nigerians would likewise attribute the dispensation of heavenly benevolence to the military and political career of President Olusegun Obasanjo. At least, on two occasions, 1979 and 1999, he was gifted the leadership of Nigeria on a platter of gold.

In the calculation of Nigerian governorship candidates, the ideal candidate for the office of the running mate, is one who has no independent personality, who is suppliant and totally lacking in charisma. It was said that beyond the requirements of this general standard, Jonathan was a cut above the others in conformity to specification. The more paranoid and gross the governorship candidate, the greater the attention he pays to the qualities of deference, passivity and childlike submissiveness in his deputy. And they do not get more superfluous than the late governor of Bayelsa State, DSP Alamiesiagha. A few years into the first term tenure of their ticket, his principal was made to pave the way for Jonathan’s assumption of substantive governorship by a combined pressure of external and internal forces (within the state) through the instrumentality of the constitutional provision of impeachment.

I bore witness to the unfolding of the next phase, the Nigeria wide manifestation of his peculiar luck. I make the claim that one hour to the announcement of his name as running mate to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, he was completely and blissfully oblivious of the roll of the dice in his favour. And as it was in Bayelsa, so it became in Abuja. In a near repeat of the precedence of the Bayelsa State experience, (and within a few years of the Yar’Adua presidency in 2009), his principal was made to cede office to him by reason of transition to the great beyond. In 2011, his incumbency was returned in one of the least problematic presidential elections in the contemporary politics of Nigerian. The fable of the myth of his unusual luck transcended the shores of Nigeria. Shortly after he became president, Christiana Amanpour of the CNN, inquired of him how he came by the name that dogs his political career, Goodluck.

Confronted with insurmountable odds in the presidential election of March 2015, his charmed political career seemed to have run its course. He then managed to retrieve victory from the jaws of defeat with his globally acclaimed graceful concession of defeat, which dispersed the dark clouds of a perfect political storm gathering in Nigeria’s horizon. From this political Olympian height, he was brought low and humbled by the waves upon waves of the revelation of stupefying corruption scandals associated with his stewardship. This attribution was grist to the mill of a successor regime in

dire need of a scapegoat to deflect growing public disenchantment with its crass inability to match propaganda rhetoric with the irreducible minimum of public expectation.

Rife with generous doses of fact and fiction, stories of unconscionable graft and corruption under the watch of the Jonathan presidency appear exceptional for a number of reasons. One is that the willingness and capacity to foster transparency on public deeds has strengthened exponentially across the international community given the facility provided by the shrinkage of the world into a global village. The internet technology revolution; the world wide web (www); the super information highway are, here, of the essence. Second is the quantum leap in national revenue gifted by the positive half of the boom and bust cycle of the international oil market. Third is the Jonathan newcomer timidity and incapacity to exert leadership discipline which might serve to moderate the wild and unrestrained impulses of a privileged fraction of the national elite to bleed Nigeria dry.

Fourth is the quest to acquire an overkill financial muscle towards the prosecution of what promised to be a most expensive aspiration for a second term — made uniquely prohibitive by running against a common consciousness of adversity and deprivation across the Muslim north; and reinforced by the formidable alliance with the dominant segment of the South-west political elite. Fifth is the definition of the Jonathan presidency as the long awaited avenging angel for the indigenes of the Niger Delta region to redress its regional bloc marginalisation in the access to the Nigeria public till-kept replenished mainly by the inflow realisable from the exploitation of the crude oil endowment lumped beneath their swamps and creeks.

Before filliping over to the other side of the same coin, let me make a clarification and qualification of the title above. In the instant, I define positive Goodluck as the variant of luck that actively facilitates and advances your progress and aspiration in a desirable direction.

Negative Goodluck is the other variant of luck that shields and precludes you from danger and intrusive untoward occurrences. I thereby contend that contrary to the thinking that the good luck streak of Jonathan petered out with his defeat at last year’s presidential election, it is only the positive variant that has taken a respite. A compelling reading of the past one year is the extent to which the governance challenge has been dramatically compounded by a seeming conspiracy of fate — a volatile combination of unanticipated aggravation and dark premonitions.

The perspective that has made the victory of Muhammadu Buhari a blessing in disguise (and easy to accept) for Jonathan partisans and Nigeria at large was the easy to predict imminent bloodletting that would have attended the pronouncement of a contrary election verdict — in favour of Jonathan. Regardless of the veracity or otherwise of such a verdict, the probability is that the result would be repudiated and greeted with the actualisation of the prior threat to render Nigeria ungovernable. By temperament, they do not come more pacific and retiring than Jonathan who would most certainly recoil from the prospect of tipping Nigeria over into

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

the pit of violent political upheaval.

The Western powers were culpable in the inadequacy and handicap of Jonathan to grapple with the crisis of the Boko Haram insurgency.

The ill will and obstructionist disposition of these powers was manifest in their advertised determination to block the sale of desperately needed weaponry to Nigeria. The tenuous excuse of the liability of human rights abuses in the prosecution of the anti-insurgency fight is just what it was — excuse. It was an excuse that masked the cold power politics calculations and belief that the insurgency was obliquely connected to a regional wide animus over the loss of the fullness of the rotational presidency slot occasioned by the premature exit of late President Yar’Adua. And that this bitterness may be assuaged by a change in leadership from Jonathan to a candidate of northern Muslim origin; and that there would follow a multiplier effect in a commensurate containment of the insurgency.

This was a correct prognosis — to the extent that the re-election of Jonathan would potentially deepen the prior regional hostility and result in a consequential escalation of the associated crisis of the insurgency. To this smouldering accelerant, let us now throw in the potential reinforcement of the unforeseen complication of the Fulani herdsmen crisis. As it is usually

the case with Nigeria, this controversy has been subject to polarising conspiracy theories. The most colourful is that the herdsmen are sleeper agents waiting to be activated and converted into a sponsored militia of ferocious hordes in the event that Jonathan was declared the winner of the 2015 presidential election.

In the likelihood that this improbable suggestion boils down to the figment of the fertile imagination of a paranoid citizenry; and that the herdsmen rampage portends nothing more sinister than the banditry of a criminally disposed nomadic contingent, it still harbours a degenerate and combustible ethno-regional dimension that would push Nigeria to the tipping point-more so-were Jonathan the incumbent president. The chances are, in his typical political awkwardness and feeling the pressure to placate an implacably wounded north, Jonathan would hurry to railroad the passage of the putative national grazing rights reserve bill or any similarly designated proposed solution backfiring to become the problem; a measure that has demonstrated enormous potential to prompt the indignation and repudiation of the south. And thereby get hemmed in between the rock and the hard place.

NOTE: The rest of this article continues in the online edition of THISDAY: www. thisdaylive.com

“LOOK, THE GOVERNOR IS NAKED! ” WHEN YOU PEOPLE DRAPED ME IN THE NEW GARMENT, YOU DIDN’T TELL ME IT WAS INVISIBLE! YOU LET ME PARADE MY DOMAIN AND BEYOND, IN IT! ...

..YOU WATCHED AS I FLEXED MY MUSCLES AND DID ALL KINDS OF SUMMERSAULTS AND ACROBATICS ACROSS THE COUNTRY! YOU EVEN MADE MY SUBJECTS AND STRANGERS CLAP FOR ME!

IT TOOK AN INNOCENT CHILD IN THE CROWD TO TELL ME THE NAKED TRUTH! ....WHERE’S THE SMART KID FROM?

ABUJA, SIR! HIS NAME IS

EFCC!

24-06-16

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