Friday 1st July 2016

House Adopts National Conference Report for Constitution Review Damilola Oyedele in Abuja

working documents.

The decision by the committee is in defiance of the opposition of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to the implementation of the report.

As the agitation for Nigeria’s restructuring grows louder, the House of Representatives Special Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has adopted the 2014 report of the National Conference as one of its

President Muhammadu Buhari has never hidden his objection to the report of the National Conference convened by his predecessor former President Goodluck Jonathan, and recently said

that he had never read it and that the document would be confined to history.

However, the House committee on the constitution review has elected to follow a different

path, as its decision to adopt the report was taken at a recent retreat presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun, who is also the chairman of the committee.

Buhari Appeals to N’Delta Militants to Embrace Peace… Page 10

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the deputy speaker, Mr. Wole Oladimeji, copies of the report had already been circulated among the members of the committee.

Continued on page 8

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Tension in Abia, INEC Certifies Ogah, Ikpeazu Fights Back Electoral commission justifies issuance of certificate of return, PDP, others cry foul Tobi Soniyi, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja, Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia and Amby Uneze in Owerri with agency report Tension enveloped the sleepy state of Abia yesterday when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) complied with the ruling of a Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, which removed Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu

as the governor of the state, by issuing a certificate of return as the duly elected governor of Abia State to Sampson Uche Ogah, who came second in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary that produced the governorship candidate to contest the April 2015 election.

Continued on page 8

Again, AGF Shuns Senate C’ttee, Says It Lacks Jurisdiction to Summon Him ALLEGED FORGERY OF SENATE RULES Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja For the second time in one week, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Malam Abubakar Malami (SAN), yesterday failed to appear before the Senate Committee on

Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, saying that the committee had no jurisdiction to summon him over the ongoing trial of the Senate’s presiding officers for the alleged forgery of the Senate rules.

Continued on page 8

NIGERIA’S POSTER CHILD FOR LOCAL CONTENT, LADOL, HOSTS LAWMAKERS L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Banking and Finance, Toby Okechukwu; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Obah Patrick; Chairman, House Committee on Local Content, Emmanuel Ekon; and the Executive Chairman, Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL), Ladi Jadesimi, when the lawmakers visited LADOL Free Zone in Apapa, Lagos… recently

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FRIDAY, july 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

PAGE EIGHT TENSION IN ABIA, INEC CERTIFIES OGAH, IKPEAZU FIGHTS BACK The Abuja Federal High Court, in a pre-election matter, had declared Ikpeazu’s election as the governor of Abia State null and void on the grounds that he allegedly submitting falsified tax returns to INEC in the run up to the governorship election.

The court, presided over

by Justice Okon Abang, ruled that Ikpeazu was not fit to contest the 2015 governorship election on account of his faulty tax returns.

Consequently, Ogar was adjudged by the court as the rightful candidate of the PDP in the election, having come second behind the ousted governor.

However, Ikpeazu immediately challenged the judgment of the Federal High Court by proceeding to the Court of Appeal, thus leaving the impression that he would remain in office until the judicial process challenging the validity of his candidacy had run its course.

But a state of confusion pervaded Abia yesterday as Ikpeazu fought back to prevent Ogah, who flew into the state capital, Umuahia, from being sworn in as governor after INEC had issued a certificate of return to him.

The embattled governor on receiving information that he was about to be unseated, rushed to an Abia High Court, sitting in Osisioma Ngwa, and obtained an ex parte injunction restraining his opponent from being sworn in.

Based on the ex parte motion moved by the counsel to the governor, O.O. Nkume, the presiding judge, Justice C.H Ahuchaogu gave the order restraining INEC from issuing the certificate of return to Ogah while the state chief judge or any other judicial

officer in the state was also restrained from swearing him in.

In the application, Ogah was listed as first defendant, INEC as second defendant, and the chief judge of Abia state as third defendant.

A copy of the order read: “It is hereby ordered: That an order of injunction is hereby made restraining the second defendant (INEC) from issuing a certificate of return to the first defendant (Ogah) while the claimant (Ikpeazu) remains in office in accordance with Section 143(1) and (2) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and pending the determination of the motion on notice.”

It is further ordered: “That the third defendant or any other judge of the court or any judicial officer are hereby restrained from swearing in the first defendant while the claimant remains in office in accordance with Section 143(1) and (2) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and pending the determination of the motion on notice.”

Also, in an ex-parte order, the court restricted INEC from issuing a certificate of return to Ogah, stating: “An order of injunction restraining the second defendant from issuing a certificate of return to the first defendant while the claimant remains in office in accordance with Aection 143(1) & (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and pending the determination of the motion on notice.

“An order of injunction restraining the third defendant (Chief Judge of Abia State) or any other judge of the court, or any judicial officer from swearing in the first defendant while the claimant remains in office in accordance with Section 143(1) & (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and pending the

determination of the motion on notice.”

Ikpeazu Panics According to sources in the state, Ikpeazu was scared stiff when information filtered in that INEC had issued Ogah with the certificate of return which authorised his opponent to displace the governor from Government House, Umuahia.

He was billed to take the first slot to speak as an eminent lecturer in the maiden edition of Eminent Persons Lecture series of the Abia State University Uturu (ABSU).

The stage was already set for Ikpeazu to be ushered into the university auditorium to deliver the lecture titled “Socio-cultural Diversity and Economic Development in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects”, when word filtered in that his governorship was in jeopardy.

The governor was already within the premises of ABSU and it was being announced that the governor would “any moment from now” enter the auditorium, when government officials who were already seated, started leaving the venue.

It was gathered that the governor’s convoy turned back and headed back to Aba when he got wind of what had transpired at the INEC headquarters in Abuja and the implication for his mandate.

Also, in order to forestall a break down of law and order, the police immediately stepped up security around Abia Government House in Umuahia.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the news of the issuance of the certificate of return to Ogah, which filtered into the

state around noon, caused anxiety among residents of Umuahia.

At the city centre, popularly called Isi-gate, some traders, tricycle riders and passersby expressed support for the development.

The situation, however, was different at the Government House, where political office holders were seen moving hurriedly out of their offices, while workers simply watched.

INEC Justifies Ogah’s Certification However, while confirming the issuance of the certificate of return to the new governorelect, the INEC National Commissioner in charge of the South-east, Chief Lawerence Nwurukwu said that the commission did so in compliance with the court order which ordered it to issue the certificate to Ogah with immediate effect.

Nwuruku, who addressed journalists at the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja, venue of the stakeholders’ meeting convened to review positions on the suspended re-run elections, said that as the NEC Commissioner in charge of the South-east, he personally issued the certificate to return to Ogah as Abia governorelect of Abia.

According to him, the presentation of the certificate of return was performed early yesterday morning at INEC’s headquarters after due interpretation of the court judgment and consultations with the relevant units of the commission.

“The situation is we are simply obeying the court order. The court said with immediate effect, we should issue him certificate of return, and that is what we have done.

“If the court tomorrow issues another order, we will obey the same. By the grace of God I am the INEC Commissioner in charge of South-east. I will do the same thing if the court orders us to issue the certificate to another person.

“In this case, the court ordered us to issue the certificate to the person who won the election and that is Uchechukwu Ogah.

I was the person who issued the certificate of return to Governor Ikpeazu because he was declared winner of the election then. Now the court is saying otherwise.

“One thing is that, we are not above the law and we cannot disobey the law of the land. After the court, another person we obey is God. And my conscience is my God. If you were in the court that day and I will urge you, members of the media to go and study the court decision very well. It was wonderful, it was direct,” he said.

Nwurukwu noted that as I as law abiding institution, neither the commission nor himself would want to flout the orders of the court,

adding that he was ready to be dragged to jail for not obeying court order.

Ogah Arrives Abia, Forced to Wait Meanwhile, Ogah who arrived Abia immediately after he was issued the certificate of return, declared that it was the dawn of new beginning and a fresh breath of air for the entire people of the state.

He stated this yesterday at the Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri, on his arrival from Abuja en route to Umuahia, adding that the people of Abia had been celebrating following his declaration by the court as the duly elected governor of the state.

According him, “The entire people of Abia state have been celebrating because it is the dawn of new beginning and a breath of fresh air and that is why there are wild celebrations by the people of the state here at the airport because they know it is going to be a new and better deal for all Abians.”

Continued on page 9

HOUSE ADOPTS NATIONAL CONFERENCE REPORT FOR CONSTITUTION REVIEW All 53 members of the constitution review committee are expected to study the report and make recommendations to the committee, the statement added.

It said that the consultants to the committee were also working on the report to advise the committee properly.

“Some of the salient proposals in the report would be turned into

draft bills which would be presented to the House for adoption and passage,” the statement said.

The committee would continue its work after it resumes from the Sallah recess.

Some key proposals of the National Conference report include fiscal federalism, creation of state police, creation of 18 more states of the federation, resource control, power sharing, and independent candidacy.

He’s not answerable to them.

By virtue of the principle of separation of powers, he is answerable to the president who appointed him and he has not done anything wrong.

But are you really qualified to represent the president here?

I’m qualified. Why not?

I’m working in the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation as an SA to the president.

Why didn’t the Special Adviser to the Attorney General come to represent him?

The AGF does not have an SA. The president appointed a number of SAs and posted them to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

Do you know why the Attorney General is not here?

He’s on a national duty. He’s outside the country.

Do you have confidence in the committee?

You cannot be a judge in your own case. We don’t have confidence in the committee.

If you said the AGF is not answerable to the Senate, you as a lawyer, have you forgotten that the Senate has oversight power over the AGF? You are not a lawyer. I’m a lawyer of 26 years experience.

This is not oversight. The AGF has the power to act according to Section 174 of the Constitution.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator David Umaru, said the decision of the AGF not to appear before the committee showed his measure of disrespect for the Senate, adding, however, that the Senate would report its experience on the matter to the Senate which gave it the assignment.

AGAIN, AGF SHUNS SENATE C’TTEE, SAYS IT LACKS JURISDICTION TO SUMMON HIM Consequently, the committee walked out his representative, Okoi Obono-Obla, the Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution.

Malami had been summoned by the committee to provide the raison d’être for his

decision to charge the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, to court for alleged forgery of the Senate rules ahead of last year’s elections of the presiding officers of the upper legislative chamber.

The AGF was earlier scheduled to appear before the committee on June 23 but stayed away, prompting the committee to reschedule for him to appear yesterday.

But for the second time, the AGF stayed away and sent Obono-Obla, attached to his office, to represent him.

While Obono-Obla was only asked to introduce himself, he immediately swung into action, challenging the jurisdiction of the committee to summon the AGF over the forgery case. He said the AGF had travelled out of the country.

“The AGF is out of the country. The position of the AGF is that this committee has no jurisdiction on this matter,”

he said.

His submission struck the committee which hurriedly stopped him from making further comments.

The committee fired back: “You are not the AGF. So we cannot hear you. As far as we are concerned, you are not the AGF. The person we invited is the AGF. Since he’s not here, we take it that he didn’t respond to our invitation.”

With that comment, the committee sent Obono-Obla out of the committee room.

Fielding questions from journalists after the encounter, Obono-Obla said the AGF was not answerable to the committee but is answerable to the president who appointed him.

He also said the AGF did not have confidence in the committee, noting that the AGF charged Saraki, Ekweremadu and others to court in accordance with the powers conferred on him by Section 174(1) of the constitution.

Below are the excerpts of the interview: The AGF has been accused of attempting to truncate democracy by this charge.

Isn't this true?

The AGF has not done

anything wrong. The AGF has not undermined democracy.

He acted pursuant to the powers vested on him by the constitution. Section 174(1) says he can prosecute anyone. And he has done that.

The Senate is not on trial.

He has not taken the Senate to court. He has taken four persons to court. They are not the Senate. Being President of the Senate does not make you the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The matter was investigated by the police and a prima facie case was established and the AGF invoked his powers under Section 174(1) to initiate criminal proceedings against those persons.

And this matter is now before a court of law. There is separation of powers in Nigeria.

It is not the position of the Senate to constitute themselves into a court of law. It is not true.

But they said this is the internal affair of the Senate...

If I go to the chambers of the National Assembly to shoot you, would it be an internal affair? The Senate rules are a law and somebody allegedly forged the rules.

How do you know it was

forged?

The police investigation.

Did the police write the rules in the first place?

That question is neither here nor there. They don’t need to write the rules. If I forge a certificate, will you say that the police did not give me the certificate? What is the duty of the police? To investigate a crime. And they investigated.

A Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police (DIG), a very experienced police officer, carried out a forensic investigation. And they established that these rules were forged.

Anybody who’s not satisfied should go to the court and ventilate his defence but not to take the position that the AGF has committed a crime.

But the Senate President said he was not invited by police in the first place. Why was he suddenly charged to court?

It doesn't matter. So let him go and tell that to the court.

That is why he should hands off and allow the court to hear this matter. At the end of the day, if it is established that this charge is frivolous, the court will discharge him but not to take the position that the AGF has committed any crime.

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

PAGE NINE

Pacelli School for the Blind Wins Lagos Quiz Contest Pacelli School for the Blind, Surulere, Lagos, has emerged winner in the maiden edition of a two-day quiz competition organised by the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) between pupils of regular and special schools in Lagos State.

The event, themed “Towards Inclusive Education in Lagos State” which held in Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, had eight primary schools participating at the preliminary stage but only four of the schools made it to the final stage of the keenly contested competition.

Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said the gesture was in line with the state government’s promise to reposition the socio-political and economic fortunes of people living with disabilities in the state.

The programme, he added, was also “designed to create windows of opportunities to exhibit their inherent qualities and contribute to the economic growth of Lagos State”.

Ambode

According to Muri-Okunola, “The Lagos State Government is of the view that by making education more accessible and inclusive, the number of literate people with disabilities would increase, thereby enhancing their social potential and relevance in the society.”

General Secretary of the Association of Teachers in Disability Schools in Lagos State, Azeez Alihu, commended the state government for identifying with people living with disabilities by enacting the relevant laws that protect their interests, but lamented that different groups of disabled people also face other various challenges in their academic pursuits and the larger society.

He pleaded with the state government to assist disabled people by providing tools and equipment that would enhance their learning skills, particularly the braille embosser used by the blind.

The winners were presented awards and cash prizes after the event in the following order: Pacelli School for the Blind – N100,000 for first prize; Estate Primary School, Ogba – N80,000 for second prize; and Maryland Primary School – N50,000 for third prize.

The pupils were tested in Mathematics, English Language and Social Studies.

TENSION IN ABIA, INEC CERTIFIES OGAH, IKPEAZU FIGHTS BACK Ogah, who was flanked by his wife and his supporters, said: “I have been issued with the certificate of return by the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the lawfully and duly elected governor of the state in the 2015 governorship polls in Abia State.

“I want to assure the people of the state that this is a new dawn of a better future for all.”

He added: “By the grace of God, I will be sworn in as the governor today or tomorrow.”

However, when Ogah eventually arrived Umuahia, he did not head for Government House. It was gathered that he went to the state office of the Department of State Service (DSS) for undisclosed reasons.

Irrespective of his failure to assume the mantle of leadership in the state yesterday, Ogah through his media adviser, Monday Ubani said that the injunction obtained by Ikpeazu could not invalidate his certificate of return, as it came from a subordinate court to the Federal High Court that ordered his swearing in.

He maintained that the state High Court which granted the injunction lacked the locus to do so, adding that only an Appeal Court could grant such injunction.

He also said the appeal filed by Ikpeazu at the Court of Appeal could not be considered a stay on the judgment of Justice Abang.

Ogah urged the chief judge and all concerned to respect the ruling and allow him to immediately take over the reigns of leadership so as to move the state forward.

Ubani said: “The Federal High Court of Abuja presided over by Justice Okon Abang ordered Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu to vacate his seat for Mr. Uche Ogah as the rightful person for the seat.

“INEC was ordered to issue the said Ogah with a certificate of return which that body has complied with.

“The next order that was issued by the Federal High Court was for the Chief Judge of Abia to swear in Uche Ogah, the rightful person to occupy the governor’s seat. That order is yet to be complied with.

“I understand that a High Court in Osisioma Ngwa, the axis where the governor hails from, has issued an interim order restraining the Chief Judge from swearing in Uche Ogah as the governor of the state. The point

must be made that this order cannot stand, as it is invalid in law.

“The order did not emanate from a higher court but from a court of coordinate jurisdiction and does not in any vitiate or invalidate the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court in which the Chief Judge of Abia State was ordered to swear-in Uche Sampson Ogah.

“Only a higher court, in this case, the Court of Appeal, has the jurisdiction to reverse the judgment of the Federal High Court.

“Note also that appeal of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu before the Court of Appeal does not operate as a stay over the judgment of Justice Okon Abang.

In the absence of any express order of the High Court or the Court of Appeal ordering a stay of execution, the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered on the 27th of June, 2016 should be obeyed by all the parties.”

Abia PDP Cries Out Reacting to the latest turn of events, the Abia State chapter of the PDP, which is controlled by Ikpeazu, yesterday raised the alarm, stating that Nigeria’s democracy was under threat and “endangered by those who do not believe in the rule of law”.

The chairman of the party, Chief Johnson Onuigbo expressed the party’s concerns at a news conference in Umuahia, saying that events following the judgment given by Justice Abang.

Onuigbo held the view that in order to install Ogah as governor, plans had been concluded to ignore the court injunction and send the military to invade Abia last night, adding that tension had enveloped Abia State.

He accused the presidency and the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the plot to cause confusion in Abia.

He said: “We are here to tell the world that there is tension in the state because democracy is going to be raped and we say no to this plot.

We are here to tell you that Abia is not safe. The state is going to be invaded this night by the military. But we will resist any attempt to undermine the peace in Abia state.”

The party chairman warned that if Ogah and those behind him ignored the court injunction the party would call for anarchy in the state, adding: “And we will give it to them.”

“We are ready to die in defence of democracy,” Onuigbo vowed.

According to him, Abia has been a peaceful state but there were serious attempt to cause anarchy in the state and called on every lover of peace and democracy to rise up to condemn the unravelling events.

He regretted that Ogah had rebuffed “several efforts made by the party for him to sheathe his sword and let sleeping dogs lie”, adding that he remained “obstinate and continued to perfect his plan to become governor through undemocratic means”.

“I’m surprised that he (Ogah) could be deceitful,” he said.

Also, when contacted to comment on the turn of events in Abia, the former governor of Anambra State Peter Obi, said that in very sensitive cases like this, all due legal means should be completely exhausted.

He further submitted that the outcome of the decision of the final court will be required for any institution or organisation to take action “for the sake of our nascent democracy, peace and stability of Abia State and our dear country Nigeria”.

Similarly, a constitutional lawyer, Mr. Sebastine Hone (SAN), faulted the decision of INeC to issue a certificate of return to Ogah based on the judgment of the court, which removed Ikepazu as governor.

Hon, who has written many books on the constitution, said INEC was wrong.

He said: “INEC can’t do that since it has been served with the application for a stay of execution and a notice of appeal. The commission is wrong.

“If it is true that INEC has issued a certificate of return inspite of been served with a notice of appeal and the motion on notice for stay of execution by the governor’s legal team, that is most unfortunate.

“The certificate of return issued to Ogah is null and void because it is issued contemptuous of the powers of the Court of Appeal over this matter.

“It should not be recognised by any law enforcement agent for the purpose of enforcement of the terms of the said certificate of return.”

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation and the acting Inspector General of Police to respect the rules of law and therefore to disregard with immediate effect the purported certificate of return issued to Ogah.

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POLITICS This Road is Familiar

The ruling All Progressives Congress can save Nigerians the agony of the usual face-off between the executive and the legislature by resolving the crisis of confidence between the presidency and the Senate…

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WEEKENDFILE Another First for Ndidi

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BUSINESS Terror Attacks: Experts Urge

FG to Reinforce Security at Airports The federal government has been enjoined to reinforce security at the nation’s airports to forestall possible terror attacks.

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CITYSTRINGS Nuggets of Excellence for

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INTERNATIONAL Turkish Police Raid Suspected IS Cells in Istanbul, Izmir Turkish police yesterday carried out raids against suspected Islamic State cells in Istanbul and the Aegean coastal city of Izmir , the state-run Anadolu agency said, two…

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FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Buhari Appeals to Niger Delta Militants to Embrace Peace OPEC oil output hits record high in June on Nigerian rebound Tobi Soniyi in Abuja and Ejiofor Alike in Lagos with agency reports President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said he was still collecting intelligence on the Niger Delta.

The president also said that his administration would rebuild Nigeria, including the Niger Delta region, and solicited for patience and understanding from the citizenry.

A statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari made the promise when he received a delegation of the Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact Group, led by the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, from Bayelsa State at State House, Abuja yesterday.

The president said the gazette on the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme by the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration was being studied with a view to determining what had been fulfilled, promising that whatever was left would equally be addressed.

“I want to get as much intelligence as possible on the situation in the Niger Delta. I have encouraged the law enforcement agencies to contact leaders like you in order to have enough information to deal with the issues once and for all,” the president said.

He sympathised with investors who had borrowed huge sums of money to invest in the Niger Delta region but had not recouped their investments due to insecurity.

He used the occasion to reiterate his appeal to those who perpetrate violence to embrace peace and give the government a chance.

Buhari pledged that under his watch, Nigeria would witness judicious utilisation of resources.

He said: “We intend to rebuild this country, so that our children and grandchildren will have

a good place they can call their own. A lot of damage has been done, so I want you to tell the people to be patient.

“When you get together with other leaders, please pacify the people. We will utilise the resources of Nigeria with integrity and rebuild the country.”

Diette-Spiff said the group was made up of peace builders dedicated to peace and stability in the region.

Meanwhile, crude oil production by member countries of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) rose in June to its highest level in recent history on the back of Nigeria’s partial recovery following militant attacks on its oil and gas installations.

But as Nigeria and Canada ramped up production after supply outages, caused by militant attacks and wildfires respectively, oil prices fell yesterday by about two per cent.

The biggest increase from OPEC in June of 150,000 bpd came from Nigeria, where output had fallen to its lowest in more than 20 years due to militant attacks on oil facilities. The rise in oil output resulted from repairs to oil facilities and a drop in major new attacks since mid-June.

Supply from OPEC rose to 32.82 million barrels per day (bpd) in June, from a revised 32.57 million bpd in May, stated a Reuters survey based on shipping data and information from industry sources.

OPEC’s June output exceeded January’s 32.65 million bpd, when Indonesia’s return as an OPEC member boosted production and output from the other 12 members was the highest in the survey records, starting in 1997.

Supply has surged since OPEC abandoned in 2014 its historic role of cutting supply to prop up prices.

Iran managed a further supply increase after the

FG Declares July 5 and 6 Public Holiday The federal government has declared Tuesday, July 5 and Wednesday, July 6 as public holiday to mark Eid-el Fitri celebrations.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Bassy Okon Akpanyung, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), in Abuja.

The minister enjoined all Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to extend the spiritual benefits of Ramadan,

which are love, peace and justice to their daily living and through this contribute to the development of the nation.

Dambazau, enjoined Nigerians to use the opportunity of this spiritual rejuvenation to reflect on the imperative of unity and peaceful co-existence in strengthening the bond of togetherness for a strong, virile nation.

He also urged for total support for President Muhammadu Buhari, in his effort to move the nation forward.

lifting of Western sanctions in January, sources in the survey said, although the pace of growth is slowing.

Gulf producers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates increased supply by 50,000 bpd each, the survey found.

Libyan output rose by 40,000 bpd after the reopening in late May of the Marsa al Hariga export terminal, the survey found. Supply is still a fraction of the pre-conflict rate.

Among countries with declining supply, Iraq

pumped less for a second month.

Exports in the south of the country have been trimmed by maintenance work, power cuts and higher domestic demand, Iraqi officials said.

Venezuela’s supply is under downward pressure from its cash crunch.

According to Goldman Sachs, resurgent Nigerian supply will put pressure on prices as outages caused by Canadian wildfires would virtually end by September.

The price of Brent crude dropped yesterday to $49.85

while US crude fell to $48.91.

The global benchmark has risen in the past two sessions, making up losses after a shock Britain exit from the European Union rattled markets across the world.

Crude prices were said to have found some support after market intelligence firm, Genscape, reported an inventory drop of about 500,000 barrels at the Cushing, Oklahoma delivery hub for US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures in the week to June 28.

US and Brent crudes have

risen by more than 85 per cent since reaching 12-year lows early this year, supported by expectations that a glut that has been weighing on prices since 2014 would start to ease and spurred by unplanned losses from Canada to Nigeria.

However, oil production in Nigeria has risen to about 1.9 million barrels per day (bpd) from 1.6 million, due to repairs and the absence of new major attacks on pipelines, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

SIGNED AND SEALED

Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, signing an agreement with some Chinese investors in China…Wednesday

Court Strikes out Suit on Buhari’s Certificate Case Alex Enumah in Abuja The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday struck out the suit seeking the disqualification of President Muhammadu Buhari for lack certificate.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola struck out the suit following a notice of discontinuance filed by the plaintiff, Nnamdi Nwokocha – Ahaiwe.

Justice Ademola however gave no order as to cost.

Justice Ademola had reserved yesterday for ruling on an application asking the court to stay execution of a judgment it earlier granted against the defendants.

When the matter was mentioned yesterday, counsel to the plaintiff Chikordi Okeorji, however informed the court that the plaintiff had filed a notice of discontinuance pursuant to order 50 rule 2 (1) of the Federal High Court Rules. The notice of discontinuance was filed on June 27, 2016.

The defendants’ counsel, Paul Ajiboye, did not oppose the application, though he complained that he was not served.

Justice Ademola then went ahead to strike out the suit.

Nwokocha-Ahaiwe, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, had filed an application asking the Federal High Court to nullify the election of Buhari as President of Nigeria on the grounds that he did not possess the minimum academic requirement for the position.

The plaintiff in the suit also alleged that Buhari did not sit for the Cambridge West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1961 as he had earlier claimed.

But Buhari raised a preliminary objection to the suit on the grounds that he was not properly served.

In his preliminary objection, the president challenged the mode of service of the originating summons on

him, insisting that he ought to have been served at an address in Kaduna instead of by substituted means at the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

Justice Ademola, however dismissed the preliminary objection on the grounds that it was incompetent and upheld the service of the originating court processes on Buhari.

Ademola stated that the service of the court’s processes on the president through the secretariat of the APC was proper.

The defendants not satisfied with the court’s ruling, took the matter to the appeal court, asking the court to set aside or discharge ruling.

The president also sought the court to make an order setting aside the respondent’s (Ahaaiwe) originating summons for being incompetent.

Following the appeal, Justice Ademola had adjourned the

matter indefinitely as the Court of Appeal has seized of this matter.

But in a turn of event, the judge yesterday announced that it would deliver judgment yesterday on the application to stay execution on his earlier ruling.

The academic qualification of the president became an issue mid-way into the campaigns of the 2015 general election where it was alleged that he did not possess WASC, a major prerequisite for contending the presidential election.

Buhari was alleged not to have included his WASC among the documents he tendered to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the build up to the election on the grounds that the said document was in the custody of the military board.

However, the military board had since denied this claim by the president.

FRIDAY, JULY1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

11

NEWS

Stakeholders, INEC Fix Re-run Elections for July 23, 30 Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has tentatively fixed July 23 and 30 for the conclusion of all outstanding re-run elections in the country.

The commission, yesterday, in consultations with political stakeholder agreed to hold suspended re-run elections in Imo and Kogi States

on July 23, while those of Rivers and Kano States will hold on July 30. This was the decision made at the end of the national stakeholders’ forum on outstanding rerun elections in Abuja.

The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who made the announcement at the end of the meeting in Abuja, however said the commission would further

Counsel: Why Metuh Offered to Refund N400m Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, has again giving reasons why he offered to refund the N400 million allegedly given to him by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

This is the second time the embattled former spokesman of the PDP would be pleading with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to allow him a window to settle his case out court by surrendering the amount he collected.

In a statement issued yesterday by Metuh’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, the politician said based on the information now at his disposal regarding the source of the money given to him, he was now ready to refund it.

“In the light of the circumstances regarding the case of our client, Metuh with the EFCC, we want to explain the reasons for our client’s proposal to refund the N400 million released to him by former President Jonathan, “ he said.

Metuh said he had all the while believed that the money was released to him

by President Jonathan after his presentation to the expresident, and hence did see himself as committing any crime.

“Our client had no knowledge of the source, a fact that is now obvious from the evidence of the prosecution and defence witnesses.

It was however while in court that a document was brought regarding the source of the money and since then, our client has made manifest his willingness to refund the money and has indeed approached his family, friends and associates to mobilise funds to refund the entire N400 million to the government regardless of the fact that the money had been expended based on the directives of the former president and that part of the money had been recovered from one of the prosecution witnesses. We want to confirm that since then, we have been in talks with the Ministry of Justice, the EFCC and other necessary bodies on how to refund the money and resolve the issue.”

conducted by INEC,” he said.

The INEC boss informed the forum that arson, assault, hostage taking, violence, killings, vandalism, intimidation and violence characterised those elections that were declared inconclusive.

He lamented that inconclusive elections were due to the perpetration of violence in the affected states, stating that although INEC is determined to conclude all their elections the level of violence determines the speed with which the commission goes back to conclude elections.

According to the INEC helmsman, elections anywhere in the world are not automated processes as they are

engage the stakeholders, and where necessary, after due consultations, might review the dates with respect to all or any of the states.

According to Yakubu, the meeting agreed that if the need arises to “adjust the dates due to any circumstances, the commission shall do so, adding that, “nothing is cast in stone.

“For us in INEC, stakeholders engagement is central to our commitment to credible and transparent elections. You would recall that following the 2015 general election, 80 constituency elections were nullified by tribunals out of 627 election petitions filed nationwide. Majority of the elections have since been

conducted by human beings, stating that disruptions in one polling unit can change the tide in the results hence the commission would not improperly conclude elections.

He however regretted that the violence unleashed on some INEC staff and materials in the areas where the reruns were earlier suspended.

“In Kogi, it (cancellation) was as a result of large scale disruption and physical assault of staff.

In Kano, it was suspended due to violence and intimidation of election staff on duty.

In Rivers, which account for about 50 per cent of the 80 nullified elections, many of our staff were assaulted. One

of them, Samuel Okonta, was killed. There was widespread violence,” he said.

The Inspector General of Police (IG) who was represented at the occasion by a Commissioner of Police, Habila Joshua expressed the readiness of the police to mobilise personnel for the reruns.

Other stakeholders such as the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) the political parties and their candidates, all expressed readiness to play their role but called on INEC to ensure adequate provision of security at the election venues.

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12

NEWS

PDP Leadership Crisis Deepens as Another Court Orders INEC to Recognise Candidates Presented by Sheriff Tobi Soniyi in Abuja The crisis rocking the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened further yesterday as a Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting list of candidates for the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States from any other leadership of the party except from the Ali Modu Sheriff-led National Working Committee (NWC).

In a ruling, Justice Okon Abang, also granted an order of interlocutory injunction restraining INEC, the PDP and their agents from dealing with or according any facility required by law (regarding the gubernatorial elections to be conducted

by INEC in Edo and Ondo States) to any other person or groups other than the Sheriff, Prof Wale Oladipo and Fatai Adeyanju-led NWC of the party.

The judge directed INEC, the PDP and their agents to “recognise, deal with and accord all facilities required by law “ (regarding the gubernatorial elections to be conducted by INEC in Edo and Ondo States) to the Sheriff, Oladipo and Adeyanju-led NWC. Justice Abang further directed INEC and the PDP to “reject and ignore any activity (including primary elections/ congresses for the nomination of candidates of the PDP for the gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo States, purportedly conducted on behalf of the 2nd defendant (PDP) by any other persons or group of persons other than the Sheriff, Oladipo and Adeyanju-led NWC.” The judge said the interlocutory orders are to subsist pending the determination of the substantive suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/439/2016 filed by two governorship aspirants of the PDP in Edo and Ondo States – Chief Benson Akingboye (Ondo)

and Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma (Edo).

Justice Abang’s ruling was on a motion on notice for interlocutory orders pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit with INEC as 1st defendant and PDP as 2nd defendant.

Before the hearing of the motion yesterday, the judge resolved the dispute between two senior advocates – Emmanuel Ukala and Olagoke Fakunle – over who should represents the PDP in the suit. While Ukala claimed to have been briefed by the Ahmed Markafi-led faction of the party, Fakunle said he was briefed by the Sheriff faction.

In resolving the dispute between the two lawyers, the judge demonstrated his bias for the Sheriff’s faction when he noted that while a Federal High Court in Lagos in two separate orders on May 12 and May 20 recognised the leadership of Sheriff and restrained parties from proceeding with the party’s national convention in Port Harcourt, the Markafi leadership of the PDP emerged from a convention against which there was a pending order.

He pretended to be oblivious to a ruling of an Abuja High Court which voided the emergence of Sherriff having nullified the amendment to the party’s constitution upon which Sherriff was elected.

He said there was a pall of doubt about the legality of the convention from which Markafi-led Caretaker Committee emerged, while there was a subsisting order recognising the Sheriff-led NWC. The judge consequently recognised Fakunle as the lawyer for the PDP and excused Ukala from the proceedings.

Shortly after, plaintiffs’ lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, accompanied by Babs Akinwumi, moved the motion for interlocutory injunctions. Fakunle, who represented the PDP, said

Alleged N270m Fraud: Court Dismisses Ohakim’s No Case Submission Alex Enumah in Abuja The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday dismissed the no-case submission filed by former Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, against his trial for alleged corruption and money laundering offences.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola dismissed the application in a ruling he delivered yesterday.

He held that the prosecution, led by Festus Keyamo, has established a prima-facie case against the defendant, necessitating him to open his defence.

Ademola then adjourned till October 10 and 13 for the defence to call its witnesses.

Ohakim, was arraigned

on July 8 last year by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three-count charge of money laundering, arising from his alleged purchase of a house in Abuja, with cash payment of dollar equivalent of N270million in November 2008.

He was alleged to have committed the crime while he was governor of Imo State.

Ohakim, according to an EFCC witness, had paid the sum in hard currency of $2.29 million to acquire a piece of land at Plot No. 1098 Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, otherwise known as No.60, Kwame Nkurumah Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

he has filed a response to the substantive suit, but that he was not objecting the granting of interlocutory injunctions in the case. Lawyer to INEC, T. M.Inuwa said he would prefer to remain neutral as

his client would abide by any decision made by the court.

After listening to all the lawyers, Justice Abang granted the fourth prayers contained in the motion on notice dated June21, 2016.

He adjourned to October 25 for hearing of the substantive suit.

The plaintiffs are by the suit, asking the court among others, determine between the Sheriff led committee and

the Markarfi-led committee, who the legitimate leaders of the PDP are in view of the various court orders obtained by various interests in relation to the dispute over the party’s leadership.

YOU ARE ABIA STATE GOVERNOR

Mr. Uche Ogah (left), collecting his certificate of return as Governor of Abia State from the INEC National Commissioner in charge of the South-east, Chief Lawerence Nwurukwu in Abuja....yesterday

Buhari Hosts Envoys, Assures Them of His Commitment to Rescue Chibok Girls Tobi Soniyi in Abuja Forty-eight hours after the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said he doubts if the abducted students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, were still alive, President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his administration’s commitment to rescue them unharm.

Buratai had on Tuesday at a press briefing on this year’s ‘Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2016’, expressed doubts that the over 200 remaining female students were still alive.

However, Buhari while breaking Ramadan fast with members of the diplomatic corps last night at the State House in Abuja, reassured the international community of his commitment to rescue the girls.

He said: ”We are not letting up our efforts to rescue the Chibok girls, our priority is to rescue them un harm.”

The president told his guests that his administration remained committed to tackling the challenges facing it head-on.

He regretted that the Boko Haram activities had led to several persons being internally displaced, but added, “Our main focus is to ensure their safe return to their homes and rehabilitation of their communities”.

Buhari again regretted the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta region, but reassured the

diplomatic corps that their concerns were being addressed.

He said: “No amount of militancy shall distract us from engaging with the region”.

He also his administration was committed to addressing the issue of unemployment, poor infrastructure and ecological problems.

He also invited the envoys to influence their countries to invest in Nigeria saying “our doors are open for business.”

He said the fall in oil price had necessitated diversification.

Buhari said his administration had received tremendous cooperation from international partners in the fight against corruption.

While acknowledging the support of other countries in his bid to recover looted funds Buhari urged them to maintain the tempo and ensure the repatriation of funds so as to channel it into the development of the country.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, said the breaking of fast meeting was an opportunity for the diplomats to hear directly from the President and interact with him.

Dean of Diplomatic Corps, the High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria, Salaheddine Abbas Ibrahima, thanked the president for hosting the diplomatic corps, the second time in the year.

He said: “We wish for eternal peace for Nigeria and may your efforts in the shortest time bring prosperity to our people.

Ogbeh Denies Bribery Allegation over AgroDealers’ Fund James Emejo in Abuja The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, yesterday denied allegations that he received N2 billion from the N20 billion recently released to agro-dealers by the federal government.

He told journalists at a briefing in Abuja that neither he nor his Minister of State, Heineken Lokpobiri, as well as the Permanent Secretary, Shehu Ahmed, had anything to do with the funds meant for agro dealers.

An online publication had reported the diversion of N2 billion from the money meant for agro-dealers by the trio.

Ogbeh further held that part of the N20 billion released by government was used to settle big producers, manufacturers of fertilizer and big blenders that were owed high profile debt by government.

He said: “This was a debt which we inherited from the previous administration. The total debt was N37 billion and when we arrived, agro-dealers said they could not operate because they did not have enough money to carry on their business.

“And so we applied to government and pleaded with them to see what they could do to give us some money to pay this debt. They gave us N20 billion to pay the debt profile we had on ground then of a total of N67 billion out of which N37 billion belonged to the agrodealers and fertilizer suppliers.

“When the money got to the ministry of finance, we met with

the ministry of finance and they decided that they will handle the payment so they handled the payment. The money never got to this ministry. I want you to note that point and we were happy that they decided to do so because it took the burden of trying to manage this kind of money off us.

According to him: “Now we had met with the agro-dealers and said to them that we will ….the payment. The minister of finance on the other hand said look, the big producers, the manufacturers of fertilizer, the big blenders were owed such a high profile that many of them had given notice that they will close down and it is they who make the production before many of the agro-dealers buy off them to supply.

“So they decided to pay off the big dealers so that they can continue in business and pay the agro dealers a portion of their money pending when more come for them to get their balance.

The next thing we saw three days ago on the internet is that we have taken N2 billion out of them money. How do you take money that is not even under your control?

“The money was in the hands of the ministry of finance. The office of the Accountant General of the Federation did the payment and then somebody write some stuff of how the Buhari anticorruption fight is a charade.

How his ministers, myself and my Deputy and the Permanent Secretary have stolen N2 billion from a fund which we never saw?”

13

T H I S D AY FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

COMMENT

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

SEX SCANDAL AND THE MEDIA’S FEEDING FRENZY

Bisi Olawunmi argues the need to interrogate the United States ambassador’s letter implicating three members of the House of Representatives on alleged sexual misdemeanor

T

he media is in love with titillating, salacious news stories which pander to the voyeurism of the masses. The latest of such is the alleged sexual misdemeanor of three House of Representative members during their recent International Visitor Leadership Programme trip to the United States. In the eye of the storm are Reps Mohammed Garba-Gololo (Bauchi State), Terse Gbillah (Benue State) and Samuel Ikon (Cross River State) who were part of a 10-member team for the programme. American ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, blew the whistle on the Reps in a letter to Speaker Yakubu Dogara which sought to intimate the Speaker about “troubling allegations” regarding the behaviour of the three Nigerian Congressmen at a Cleveland, Ohio hotel where they stayed during the programme between April 7 and April 13, 2016. According to media reports, in the ambassador’s letter, dated June 9, 2016, it was alleged that Garba grabbed a housekeeper in his hotel room and solicited her for sex while Gbillah and Ikon were said to have requested the assistance of hotel parking assistants to solicit prostitutes. The Nigerian media went to town, some in front page headline stories, to regale us with this entertaining libido story, without any significant value added in terms of critical in-depth reporting, except to trot out the usual public commentators, all of whom were virtually condemnatory of the legislators.

However, we need to interrogate the ambassador’s letter and situate its content within socio-cultural perspectives. First, given the communication efficiency of the American system, why did it take the American embassy in Nigeria a clear two months – June 9, 2016 - to bring the situation/ episode to the Speaker’s attention and why “with regret” ? There was no indication in the letter, as reported in the media, that the Nigerian embassy in Washington D.C was notified. There is supposed to be a leader of the 10-member delegation who should have been formally intimated of the incidents. Were these done and was it lack of expected action that left the Americans “with regret”? Were the Reps confronted with the allegations by their accusers and is there a record of their responses? The American embassy letter noted, with respect to sexual solicitation of the housekeeper, that “this incident could have involved local law enforcement and resulted in legal consequences for Representative Gololo”. The inference from this is that Gololo got a slap on the wrist by not being taken to the nearest police precinct in apparent deference to the diplomatic passport he must have had. One of those indicted, Gbillah, was reported to have written the U.S. ambassador on June 16, 2016 and observed as follows : “Without conclusive evidence of any sort or contact with any of the accused individuals, the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria have less than six days after your letter to the Speaker, gone ahead to revoke the US visas of the accused individuals based on hearsay from employees of the hotel in Cleveland”. I know Marriot hotels. There is one on the ground floor of the National Press Building, where NAN had its office, on 14th and F Street in Downtown Washington D.C. and another more opulent one, The Grand Marriot, also in Downtown D.C. It is a global brand and one expects it to observe best practices in its relations with lodgers while protecting the integrity of its staff. Given its reputation, it would not be too much to expect Marriot’s Cleveland unit to provide a CCTV encounter between Rep. Gololo and the housekeeper, making it a conclusive evidence, rather than hearsay.

While not playing judge and jury, it is surprising that media commentators could insinuate guilt of the Representatives without full

THERE IS A SOCIO-CULTURAL DIMENSION TO THIS EPISODE, HIGHLIGHTING THE DIFFERENCES IN PERCEPTIONS IN VARIOUS CULTURAL ENVIRONMENTS. PROSTITUTION IS A BIG INDUSTRY, GLOBALLY, AND THE U.S. IS NO EXCEPTION

information and evidence on the incidents. Some were already calling for the suspension, resignation or recall of the three accused legislators.

These are kneejerk commentaries. Media leaders need to exercise better discretion in their gate-keeping function with regard to people they give platform to express opinion on issues. Professional commentators who volunteer immediate opinions on issues, often based on sketchy information, cannot bring enlightenment to public discourse. Speaker Dogara was right in his measured response when he pointed out : “As we speak, no evidence has been put forward other than the letter sent to my office and copied to many others” insisting that “he who alleges must prove” .

Whatever the outcome of investigations, that the allegations were made in the first instance, highlights the need for briefing of government officials travelling abroad about the nuances of behaviour, spoken and physical, in their destinations. Ignorance of local sensitivities may not be a defence when you supposedly cross the line, even if innocently, and for conduct permissible in your country. But then, when people travel to new places, it is natural to play the tourist and want to explore. Perhaps, if the Reps had consulted Cleveland’s local Yellow Pages Directory, they would have seen some Nigerian names they could call up who would gladly show them the town, including local Nigerian restaurants. They would also get to know the dos and don’ts of the locality. I offered such services to visiting Nigerians when I was a foreign correspondent in Washington D.C. There is, therefore, a socio-cultural dimension to this episode, highlighting the differences in perceptions in various cultural environments.

Prostitution is a big industry, globally, and the U.S. is no exception.

There are red light districts in some American cities including around the Adams Morgan area in upper 16TH Street NW, Washington D.C. Prostitutes and police play cat and mouse, practically, in many countries. I have travelled some and aware that in many hotels around the world - in such places like Rome, Brussels, Bangkok, Belgrade, Nairobi, Abidjan, Cotonou, to mention a few, hotel staff and pimps solicit guests whether they need the services of flesh pots. America can be a different scenario, particularly for naive visitors, many of whom are ignorant of the nuances of conduct in Yankee land. First rule is that as a man, you don’t get too friendly-fresh- with a lady or engage in banter that can be construed as sexual. Some jokes can be very costly, like complimenting a lady for her beauty. If she alleges sexual harassment, you can be in deep trouble with the police and saying your words are meant as compliment may not count for much as a defence. Again, that a lady visits you at home or in your hotel room is not a licence to ‘touch’ or fondle. Even where a lady seemingly makes sexual overtures, you may be taking a big risk, if you take her up on it. She could turn round to allege sexual assault. A man can hardly win a charge of sexual harassment in the U.S. This is the reality. This has led to wariness of many men in talking with ladies but which has created a boomerang of loneliness for the females making some of them, responsible ladies, to solicit men, especially in nightclubs. In the late 1980s, The Kilimanjaro Night Club in Washington, D.C. was one such place. Even then, it has to be on the soliciting lady’s own terms, if you are not to get into the warm embrace of the law. That is America, their America !

Dr. Olawunmi, former Washington Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria, is a Senior Lecturer at Bowen University, Iwo

WHO’LL SPONSOR ME TO EUROPE?

M

Travelling abroad has become a hallmark of sleazy affluence in Edo State, writes Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku

y friend Imuetinyan (not real name) lives in Milan, Italy. At other times, you’ll likely find him in Iceland hot at the heels of a master’s degree. But he has told me that he is more at home in Milan, than in any other city in Europe. The last time we spoke via Skype, it was possible for him to let me see the cleanliness in the pavements and sidewalks of both Helsinki and Milan.

But he has assured me that feeling at home in Italy has nothing to do with the fact that he sometimes runs into his brethren from Edo or Delta State, or that he could visit an African shop and buy yam or plantain. Imuetinyan says that most times he walks home from work, he runs into ritual sacrifices – calabashes with bloated goat head, chicken and blood strewn at road junctions. My friend tells me that even though the Italians as well practice juju and are involved with voodoo, theirs is more to get the attention of an object of affection. He tells me these are the sacrifices of sex workers from Edo and Delta States who seek the assistance of the gods of Igodomigodo to corner easy prey or clientele. Most of these sex workers are said to be in a covenant with their madams, those who have sponsored or trafficked them to Europe. These covenants are said to be sealed with very private items of these sex workers, and the covenant is said to invoke the spirit of death on the sex worker if contravened.

A recent CNN expose on the horde of migrants who have either died or rescued off the Italian coast of Lampedusa revealed that nearly half the migrants who brave the odds via roads and sea are

from Edo and Delta States. When one of the lads rescued from one of the boats was asked why he was leaving his country for Europe via a boat, he said that back in his village in Edo State, bombs and gunfire from the Boko Haram war with Nigerian soldiers constantly fell and sizzled past him. But can this be so? Why are so many young men, women and girls mostly from Edo and Delta States running away from home? Why are they seeking to be sex workers and drug peddlers in Europe? Edo and Delta States are oil producing states. A recent report from the Independent newspaper of Tuesday, June 21, 2016 said that the federal government spent over N7trillion between 2010 and 2014. Both states – Edo and Delta – have governments seen to be more forward-looking than all other previous ones. In spite of this then, both states do not have the kind of industries and capacity building programmes to engage young people and make it easy for them to explore their entrepreneurial potential. But is this the real reason why the young ones are running away to Europe, draining Nigeria of her human potential?

What brings the situation a bit closer to home is that there is an economy in Edo and Delta States funded from the proceeds from prostitution and drug money. In the early 90s in Edo and Delta where there were no facilities for the personal and collective development of our young people, dilapidating houses were getting pulled down and in their place imposing mansions which had no relationship with the incomes of the owners of those houses sprang up. As a matter of fact as well, very flashy cars sent into town from Europe were also running on streets with the kind of potholes you find on Ibiwe Street in

Benin City.

Life in Benin City in those days was a communal one, where everyone knew the other person both by name and by family background. Therefore, if an Osaro whom everyone knows to be a never-do-well eventually finds his way to Europe and returns with six or seven choice cars, what clout would a serious-minded person on that street have to be able to exercise any leverage and continue to be serious-minded? The values that our forefathers left us would have been for everyone to come together in a ‘family’ meeting to ask Osaro where in the world he came by six posh cars. But ultimately, values and customs have collapsed and paved the way for parents to begin to look for sponsorship, either from the devil or from man, for a chance to send their children to Europe either to prostitute or peddle drugs or do both to send money home.

A report carried out on Western Union several years ago had it that there were more remittances from Europe to Benin City, than to any other city in Nigeria. As soon as that report hit the streets, nearly all of the banks in Nigeria began to scramble for space in Benin City and Delta so as to benefit from those remittances. In those days, banks would serve you tea, and spice it up with shortbread just to entice you to always come to their bank to collect Western Union. But in trying to ascribe theoretical affiliations to the spectre of migration from Nigeria to Europe, I went to town to pick the brains of a man I consider very wise. He agreed to talk to me if I keep his name from this discussion. He said to me: Edo and Delta people are closely tied to their cultural antecedents. This is a bond which takes from

them without giving something back. As a result, what you have is a people who would be looking for succour in faraway lands which do not offer them anything apart from an exploitation of what is inherently negative.

In 2015, onward migration from Edo and Delta States was over a million girls and boys. That accounted for about 0.59% of Nigerians who live outside their country of origin. A migration app run by the International Office of Migration (IOM) reveals that there is no other country whose citizens are as migratory as Nigeria. Therefore, I want to say that the plan by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to partner with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) to strengthen access to justice and victim support is one way to tackle this problem.

But we must make one fact very clear: Nigeria is one among nations endowed with humanity and natural resources. Spain, Italy, Portugal and some of the countries our boys and girls are running to are not wealthier than Nigeria. Their young boys and girls are not migrating to Africa and Nigeria.

Unfortunately for us all, we- our people - leaders and followers, are the ones driving our youth away from this great country. If we do not ensure that there is transparency and good governance in the conduct of public business and expenditure; if we do not condemn impunity and official high-handedness; if we continue to allow and wallow in ethnic, religious and primordial considerations to drive the heart and soul of the great country, we may just as well invite the British to colonise us once more. @bobaneej

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

EDITORIAL REMEMBERING KESHI AND AMODU

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Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu, two Nigerian foremost football coaches, bow out

f the death of the two former Nigerian national coaches, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu, still evokes tributes and emotions among football fans on the continent, it is because they both occupied a very strategic place in the long history of the game in Africa.

That the duo died within a few days apart, and in almost similar circumstances, has added to the sense of loss for their families and well wishers.

Therefore, we hope the football governing authorities will use the death of our two illustrious football managers as a catalyst to reposition the game in Nigeria. With the Super Eagles paired with Algeria, Cameroun and Zambia in the qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, many pundits already believe it would take a miracle for Nigeria to pick the lone ticket at stake. That itself happened because our football has gone declined so much such that Nigeria could not be seeded for what turned out to be a tough draw. What FOR SURE, KESHI WAS A that means in effect PATRIOT WHO SERVED HIS is that there can be COUNTRY CREDITABLY. HE no better time than WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. now to get back to BUT SO WILL SHUAIBU the drawing board, AMODU reorganise and search for a good coach, even locally, if he can be found.

However, both Amodu and Keshi chalked indelible records in African football. Aged 54, Keshi was not only one of the two persons on the continent to win the Cup of Nations as a player and coach but was also the only black African to coach in the knock out phase of a World Cup. After his playing career as a defender both for the national team and as a professional mostly with Belgian clubs, Keshi went to the United States to study football coaching.

Between 2004 and 2006 he coached the Togo national football team, bringing them to their

Letters to the Editor

first World Cup tournament, Germany 2006.

Unfortunately, after securing Togo’s qualification, he was promptly replaced by German coach Otto Pfister, who led the team to the World Cup finals.

Appointed in 2008, Keshi also worked briefly as manager of the Mali national football team.

He would later become coach of the Nigerian national team in 2011, and in November 2013, secured qualification to the 2014 World Cup by beating Ethiopia four–one on aggregate in a play-off. With that also, Keshi set another record as the first African coach to successfully qualify two nations (Nigeria and Togo) to the World Cup finals.

F

or sure, Keshi was a patriot who served his country creditably. He will be greatly missed.

But so will Shuaibu Amodu, who has been buried in his hometown of Okpella, Edo State.

Even though he also died young, at age 58, not many people would doubt that Amodu made a great impact in his chosen career.

T H I S DAY

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The Nigeria Football Federation technical director before his death, Amodu first took charge of the Super Eagles at the age of 36. He would later manage the team on four different occasions as the “go to man” whenever things were going wrong. He helped the nation to qualify for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea and led them to a third-place finish in the 2002 Nations Cup. Under his supervision, Nigeria qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but he was replaced for the tournament proper despite the team’s third-place finish at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

Without doubt, the late Amodu gave his heart and soul to football management at the highest level in the country. Therefore, football fans in Nigeria will forever be grateful to him for his astounding service to the development of the game. In line with his faith, we pray the Almighty Allah to grant Amodu a place in Jannat-ul-Firdaus (paradise).

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.

MR. PRESIDENT: SOS IN IDPS CAMPS

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eartless people are stealing food items from the weak and vulnerable internally displaced persons (IDPs) living with trauma of war in camps and camp-like situations in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States. President Muhammadu Buhari should, with full presidential might, deal with individuals and organisations that are culpable of this inhumanity. Considering the fact that there are international aids agencies contributing to the funding of the supplies, it is a smear in the face of our nation and takes the level of corruption in the country to a new shameful height.

Despite President Buhari’s genuine concern and efforts to cater for the IDPs, the condition of IDPs in various camps in the northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa are not acceptable. These camps suffer from shortages of food - due to the alleged stealing of foods item by camp officials; unwanted pregnancies from women taken advantage of and unhealthy conditions and inadequate health services.

A national daily of June 25, 2016 reported that “The Borno State Government has introduced self-cooking system for families in the camps after a committee it set up to tackle series of complaints bordering on corruption in the centralised feeding system failed to find a solution”. The report

also indicated that “the Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA), Ahmed Alhaji Satomi said the World Food Programme, (WFP), has even threatened that it would not contribute to the feeding of IDPs in the state until the central cooking system was discontinued and the self-cooking system where families would be cooking for themselves was introduced.

The introduction of self-cooking is a good idea, but safety issues are of great concern because of the nature of the IDPs camps. Though, UNHCR Nigeria, Region Refugees Response Plan (RRRP January-December 2016) encourages self-reliance.

The government should also experiment a decentralised system of cooking for the IDPs, where contractors will be given the job of cooking for a certain number of people. For instance, if there are 5,000 IDPs in a camp, 10 or 20 contractors can be engaged to cook for 500 or 250 people. However, the contractors should not be just ‘contractors’ (politicians or family and friends of those in authority) but well-established canteen or the popular Nigerian ‘mamaput’ operators. In each of these states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa with large IDPs, there are known women who are running successful local food cafeterias. These women can be organised and employed to serve as handlers of the cooking for certain number of IDPs in a camp. Furthermore, Kaduna and Osun

States are running successful school feeding programmes.

Their models can be copied.

The individuals from both federal and states government agencies currently handling the funding, supply and cooking of foods for the IDPs should be replaced - this measure will give IDPs the assurance that something new is being put in place. There is a need for refined systems, which separate those handling fund, those handling the food, cooking as well as those monitoring the feeding system.

The corruption in the IDPs camps has brought to the fore the need for the consolidation and hastening of the activities of various committees and agencies for quick rehabilitation and return of IDPs to their homes.

The majority of the people in the northeast have confidence in President Buhari’s political will to completely win the war against Boko Haram, and they are very happy with the level of successes recorded by the military so far.

The people of the northeast are experiencing the difference between the sloppy handling of the war and the doggedness and commitment being shown by the Buhari government.

But corruption by officials in the camps might set the IDPs in the northeast against President Buhari

Zayyad I. Muhammad, Jimeta, Adamawa State

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FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016 T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY FOCUS

This Road is Familiar The ruling All Progressives Congress can save Nigerians the agony of the usual face-off between the executive and the legislature by resolving the crisis of confidence between the presidency and the Senate leadership. Shola Oyeyipo writes

S

ince the advent of the Fourth Republic, Nigerians have seen several face-offs between the executive and the legislature because at some points during the tenures of offices former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, the late Umar Musa Yar’Adua, the immediate past Goodluck Jonathan, the two arms of government had one reason or the other to lock horns with each other and in all these cases, as they say, it is the governed that bore the brunt.

However, in what makes the present situation relatively different from those of the past, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration seems to be the aggressor taking series of fights to the lawmakers, whereas in most of the previous cases, it is the legislators that were seen to be on the offensive.

Though not many followers of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were looking forward to a protracted brouhaha between the executive and the legislature under the present government, basically because aside controlling the central government, the new party commands a slim majority in both chambers of the National Assembly.

But contrary to such assumption, the indication that the two important arms of government would have a rather frosty relationship started as early as June 9, 2015, when the leadership of the eighth assembly was elected and inaugurated by the lawmakers.

While a faction of the APC had chosen Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan and Hon Femi Gbajabiamila as their candidates for the Senate Presidency and Speakership respectively, Saraki and a majority of the APC lawmakers, who preferred him as leader, stunned the presidency and other party leaders, when they went into an election which he won with the help of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Same thing happened in the House of Representatives, where PDP members gave their block votes to Hon. Yakubu Dogara to emerge as the Speaker over the APC-endorsed Gbajabiamila and against the permutation of party leadership.

Presidency and party sources attributed Saraki’s sin to his decision to shun a meeting with VicePresident Yemi Osibanjo, which prompted the invitation of President Buhari to intervene in the legislative leadership tussle that threatened to split the APC. And when Buhari arrived at Abuja to hold a meeting with the APC lawmakers at the International Conference Center at 9 am on June 9, despite previous assurances from Saraki that he would attend the meeting, instead, he held a marathon meeting with members of the PDP to cement their support for him. Buhari too did not eventually show up at the meeting, fuelling insinuation that it might not have been at his instance too.

Though the Ahmed Lawan faction heard that morning that the PDP lawmakers had endorsed Saraki for the Senate President position, they headed for the meeting with President Buhari, but as they were waiting for the parley to commence, Saraki and his supporters moved into the National Assembly complex and elected principal officers. Since then, the relationship between the legislature and the executive has been that of cat and mouse with Saraki himself being the principal target.

Barely three months after emerging Senate President against the wish of his party, Saraki’s alleged persecution began. In the charges instituted by the federal government, he was arraigned on 13 counts of false assets declaration on September 22, 2015.

And in what many considered as direct fallout of his action, he was accused of making false

President Buhari and Saraki, when the latter presented the complete list of the ministerial nominees to the president...a dangerously deepning mistrust

assets declaration in his forms submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as a two-term governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011 and there were allegations that he corruptly acquired many properties while in office, which he failed to declare.

The Supreme Court, in a judgment delivered on February 5, 2016, allowed for the trial to begin after it dismissed Saraki’s objection to the validity of the charges and the jurisdiction of the CCT to hear the case, hence, the Danladi Umar-led tribunal commenced the trial on March 11 and it has remained not just a trial between the federal government and Saraki but more of a trial between government and the lawmakers, who queued behind their leadership, and above all, a trial of the judiciary.

Embattled Saraki, who has been very vocal about his predicament, has always attributed the charges against him to the way he assumed the senate presidency without the approval of some forces within his party. To him, if he had not opted for the Senate Presidency, the allegations against him would never have cropped up.

But if Saraki thought he had had enough with the CCT trial, he was only joking. After about a year in office, precisely on June 27, 2016, Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, a

In what makes the present situation relatively different from those of the past, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration seems to be the aggressor taking series of fights to the lawmakers, whereas in most of the previous cases, it is the legislators that were seen to be on the offensive

former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi, were accused of illegally altering the Senate’s Standing Rule that was used in electing and inaugurating the leadership of the Senate on June 9, 2015.

Though Justice Haliru Yusuf had ruled that they should be detained at the Kuje Maximum Prison, Abuja pending when they meet their bail conditions, the accused persons were, however, granted bail after their arraignment. Saraki’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro, said his client had met the bail conditions.

Following from the above scenario, the sharp criticism faced by the National Assembly over its proposal to buy customised SUVs for its members, where President Buhari, lent his voice to the criticism trailing the call during a recent media chat, lamenting that the lawmakers were by their action refusing to subject themselves to the new policy on Treasury Single Account (TSA), the trouble and embarrassment that characterised the passage of the 2016 budget, the recent rejection of the president’s ambassadorial nominees and other skirmishes are not just perceived as the usual check and balance but more of the symptoms of an unhealthy relationship.

As espoused in their extensive research on ‘The Implications of Executive-Legislative Conflicts on Good Governance in Nigeria’, where the duo of Modibbo Adama and Momodu Jude of the Centre for Peace and Security Studies, University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa noted that the legislature and executive are two very important political institutions in presidential democratic regimes, they equally observed that “In Nigeria’s fourth republic for example, the relationship between the executive and legislature has been characterised more by dysfunctional conflicts, which often deadlocks the policy-making and implementation process, ultimately inhibiting good governance.

“More worrisome is the fact that even after thirteen years of democratisation in Nigeria, the political players have refused to wean themselves off from the culture of impunity and flagrant disregard to the rule of law, which are the twin evil introduced into the country’s body politics by the military. These factors and others have remained the triggers of political conflicts in Nigeria especially between the executive and

legislative arms of government.”

Such dysfunctional relationship reflected during the Obasanjo administration, when the former president and then Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba were embroiled in what seemed as intractable faceoff with the Speaker on the premise that the House was fighting the emergence of a dictatorship in democratic government.

According to Na’Abba, the frequent bickering between the presidency and the House back then was the fault of the executive, which he claimed was attempting to promote an imperial presidency with dictatorial powers, as against the democratic principles of separation of powers and the rule of law enshrined in the 1999 constitution.

Like Saraki, he often said he would not be cowed into submission by the threats and blackmail being employed by the presidency against it. At a point in June 2002, the rancorous relationship between the Obasanjo administration peaked, when the Senate passed a resolution to debate Obasanjo’s impeachment over the non-implementation of federal budgets.

The wrangling between the executive and legislative arms of government grew from bad to worse when the House of Representatives gave Obasanjo a fortnight to resign or face impeachment. Though Obasanjo defied the motion of the lower chamber of parliament and described it as “a joke taken too far”, the former president’s political woes deepened when the Senate supported the House of Representatives’ impeachment threat on 27 August of that year.

Different committees of both houses were then liaising to articulate the basis for charges of breaches of the constitution, incompetence and abetting corruption against Obasanjo, and to prepare for an impeachment process. The charges revolved around allegations that Obasanjo failed to implement budgets passed in the past three years according to the appropriation law, but also addressed military operations he ordered in which hundreds of people were killed in Odi in the Southern oil region in 1999 and at Zaki Biam in central Nigeria in 2001.

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

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

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POLITICS

PERSPECTIVE

Of Privileged Abandonment and Bad Leaders The elite tradition of sending children away at a young age to be educated may be outliving its ideals, as future politicians, who suffer this otherwise ‘privileged abandonment’ often turn out bad leaders. Lone Arrow Press, a psychotherapist explains

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n Britain, the link between private boarding education and leadership is gold-plated. If their parents can afford it, children are sent away from home to walk a well-trodden path that leads straight from boarding school through Oxbridge to high office in institutions such as the judiciary, the army, the City and, especially, government. Our prime minister was only seven when he was sent away to board at Heatherdown preparatory school in Berkshire. Like so many of the men who hold leadership roles in Britain, he learned to adapt his young character to survive both the loss of his family and the demands of boarding school culture.

The psychological impact of these formative experiences on Cameron and other boys who grow up to occupy positions of great power and responsibility cannot be overstated. It leaves them ill-prepared for relationships in the adult world and the nation with a cadre of leaders who perpetuate a culture of elitism, bullying and misogyny affecting the whole of society.

Nevertheless, this golden path is as sure today as it was 100 years ago, when men from such backgrounds led us into a disastrous war; it is familiar, sometimes mocked, but taken for granted. But it is less well known that costly, elite boarding consistently turns out people who appear much more competent than they actually are. They are particularly deficient in non-rational skills, such as those needed to sustain relationships, and are not, in fact, well-equipped to be leaders in today’s world I have been doing psychotherapy with ex-boarders for 25 years and I am a former boarding-school teacher and boarder.

My pioneering study of privileged abandonment always sparks controversy: so embedded in British life is boarding that many struggle to see beyond the elitism and understand its impact. The prevalence of institutionalised abuse is finally emerging to public scrutiny, but the effects of normalised parental neglect are more widespread and much less obvious. Am I saying, then, that David Cameron, and the majority of our ruling elite were damaged by boarding?

It’s complex. My studies show that children survive boarding by cutting off their feelings and constructing a defensively organised self that severely limits their later lives. Cameron, Boris Johnson, Jeremy Hunt, Andrew Mitchell, Oliver Letwin et al tick all the boxes for being boarding-school survivors, for socially privileged children are forced into a deal not of their choosing, where a normal family-based childhood is traded for the hothousing of entitlement.

Prematurely separated from home and family, from love and touch, they must speedily reinvent themselves as selfreliant pseudo-adults.

Paradoxically, they then struggle to properly mature, since the child who was not allowed to grow up organically gets stranded, as it were, inside them.

In consequence, an abandoned child complex within such adults ends up running the show. This is why many British politicians appear so boyish. They are also reluctant to open their ranks to women, who are strangers to them and unconsciously held responsible for their abandonment by their mothers. With about two-thirds of the current cabinet from such a background, the political implications of this syndrome are huge – because it’s the children inside the men running the country who are effectively

David Cameron (left) and Boris Johnson...their example come handy

in charge.

Boarding children invariably construct a survival personality that endures long after school and operates strategically. On rigid timetables, in rule-bound institutions, they must be ever alert to staying out of trouble. Crucially, they must not look unhappy, childish or foolish – in any way vulnerable – or they will be bullied by their peers. So they dissociate from all these qualities, project them out on to others, and develop duplicitous personalities that are on the run, which is why ex-boarders make the best spies.

Now attached to this internal structure instead of a parent, the boarding child survives, but takes into adulthood a permanent unconscious anxiety and will rarely develop what Daniel Goleman calls emotional intelligence. In adulthood he sticks to the same tactics: whenever he senses a threat of being made to look foolish, he will strike. We see this in Cameron’s over-reaction to Angela Eagle MP, less than a year into his new job.

“Calm down, dear!” the PM patronisingly insisted, as if she were the one upset and not he. The opposite benches loved it, of course, howling “Flashman!” (the public school bully from Tom Brown’s Schooldays), but they never take on the cause of these leadership defects.

Bullying is inevitable and endemic in 24/7 institutions full of abandoned and frightened kids. Ex-boarders’ partners often report that it ends up ruining home life, many years later. Bullying pervades British society, especially in politics and the media, but, like boarding, we normalise it. When, in 2011, Jeremy Clarkson ranted that he would have striking public-sector workers shot, he was even defended by Cameron – it was apparently a bit of fun. No prizes for guessing where both men learned their styles. And no wonder that the House of Commons, with its adversarial architecture of Victorian Gothic – just like a public school chapel – runs on polarised debate and bullying.

Strategic survival has many styles: bullying is one; others include keeping your head down, becoming a charming bumbler, or keeping an incongruently unruffled smile in place, like health secretary Jeremy Hunt, former head boy at Charterhouse. In a remarkable 1994 BBC documentary called The Making of Them, whose title I borrowed for my first book, young boarders were discreetly filmed over their first few weeks at prep school.

Viewers can witness the “strategic survival personality” in the process of being built. “Boarding school,” says nine-year-old Freddy, puffing himself up, putting on his Very Serious Face and staring at the camera, “has changed me, and the one thing I can do now is get used [to it]”. This false independence, this display of pseudo-adult seriousness is as evident in the theatrical concern of Cameron as it was in Tony Blair. It displays the strategic duplicity learned in childhood; it is hard to get rid of, and, disastrously, deceives even its creator.

The social privilege of boarding is psychologically double-edged: it both creates shame that prevents sufferers from acknowledging their problems, as well as unconscious entitlement that explains why ex-boarder leaders are brittle and defensive while still projecting confidence. Boris is so supremely confident that he needs neither surname nor adult haircut; he trusts his buffoonery to distract the public from what Conrad Black called “a sly fox disguised as a teddy bear”. On the steps of St Paul’s, Boris commanded the Occupy movement: “In the name of God and Mammon, go!” Was it a lark – Boris doing Monty Python? Or a coded message, announcing someone who, for 10 years, heard the King James Bible read in chapel at Eton?

Those who don’t recognise this language, it suggests, have no right to be here, so they should just clear off.

This anachronistic entitlement cannot easily be renounced: it compensates for

years without love, touch or family, for a personality under stress, for the lack of emotional, relational and sexual maturation. In my new book, Wounded Leaders, I trace the history of British elitism and the negative attitude towards children to colonial times and what I call the “rational man project”, whose Victorian boarding schools were industrial power stations churning out stoic, superior leaders for the empire.

Recent evidence from neuroscience experts shows what a poor training for leaderships this actually is. In short, you cannot make good decisions without emotional information (Professor Antonio Damasio); nor grow a flexible brain without good attachments (Dr Sue Gerhardt); nor interpret facial signals if your heart has had to close down (Professor Stephen Porges); nor see the big picture if your brain has been fed on a strict diet of rationality (Dr Iain McGilchrist). These factors underpin Will Hutton’s view that “the political judgments of the Tory party have, over the centuries, been almost continuously wrong”.

With survival but not empathy on his school curriculum from age seven, Cameron is unlikely to make good decisions based on making relationships in Europe, as John Major could. He can talk of leading Europe, but not of belonging to it. Ex-boarder leaders cannot conceive of communal solutions, because they haven’t had enough belonging at home to understand what it means. Instead, they are limited to esprit de corps with their own kind. In order to boost his standing with the right-wingers in his party, Cameron still thinks he can bully for concessions, make more supposedly “robust” vetos.

His European counterparts don’t operate like this. Angela Merkel has held multiple fragile coalitions together through difficult times by means of her skill in relationships and collaboration.

Though deadlocked at home, Barack Obama impressed both sides of British politics and in 2009 entered the hostile atmosphere of the Kremlin to befriend the then-president Dmitry Medvedev and make headway on a difficult disarmament treaty.

In a subsequent meeting with the real power behind the throne, Obama invited Vladimir Putin to expound for an hour on what hadn’t worked in recent Russian-American relationships, before responding. Despite their elitist education, and because of it, our own “wounded leaders” can’t manage such statesmanship.

To change our politics, we’ll have to change our education system. Today, most senior clinicians recognise boarding syndrome, several of whom recently signed a letter to the Observer calling for the end of early boarding. Its elitism ought to motivate the left. The Attlee government intended to disband the public schools, but not even Wilson’s dared to. There’s a cash problem: boarding is worth billions and has a massive lobby.

Unlike most other European countries, our state does not contribute a per capita sum towards private education, so dismantling these schools, which still enjoy charitable status, would be costly.

But can we really afford to sacrifice any more children for the sake of second-rate leadership?

-Press is the author of a new work, Wounded Leaders: British Elitism and the Entitlement Illusion – a Psychohistory (Culled from The Guardian, a UK Tabloid)

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Quick Takes Airlines Suspend Lagos-Accra Service

Nigeria’s foremost airline Aero Contractors and Dana Air have suspended their Lagos-Accra operation due to inadequate aircraft and inaccessibility to foreign exchange.

Out of over 10 aircraft in its fleet, Aero now has only four operational planes and its existence is being threatened by dearth of operational funds.

Confirming the situation, the Managing Director and the Chief Executive of Dana, Jacky Hathiramani said it was due to high cost of foreign exchange and some other factors.

Responding to the challenges facing Aero, the National President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Balami Isaac said Aero has only two or three aircraft flying due to foreign exchange challenge.

“Aero has about 17 aircraft only about two or three is flying now.

And we have over 1,500 staff. We have our aircraft in Jordan. We cannot access dollar from CBN to bring them back. There are some that their engines are due for maintenance. Once there is no aircraft after 60 days, NCAA will withdraw the Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

“We do not want that to happen to Aero for the sake of Nigerians that are working there. Aero will be 57 years old this year,” Balami said.

TOWARDS REVITALISING THE ECONOMY

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, Bola Onadele. Koko; Special Adviser to the Governor of Central Bank on Financial Markets, representing the CBN governor, Emmanuel Ukeje; Director, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, Yinka Sanni; and founding chairman, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, at the launch of the Naira-Settled OTC FX futures market on FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange in Lagos …recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

Terror Attacks: Experts Urge FG to Reinforce Security at Airports Stories by Chinedu Eze The federal government has been enjoined to reinforce security at the nation’s airports to forestall possible terror attacks.

The experts gave the advice, following a resurgence of terror attacks on airports around the world.

They recommended among others, more intelligence rather than physical checks at the airports, deployment of hi-tech equipment to monitor activities at the airports as well as quick responses to emergencies.

According to the experts, the world has recorded many terror attacks in recent times due to new terror organisations that have sprung up “to destroy the world”.

AVIATION The attack at the Ataturk International Airport, Istanbul on Tuesday with 41 people dead marked the second tragic attack at airports this year.

According to records, in 2007 Glasgow International Airport was attacked and in the same year there was the JFK New York attack plot, the 2013 Beijing airport bombing and the Wichita airport bomb attempt in the US. There was also Jinna International Airport, Karachi bomb attack in Pakistan and in 2015, there was Sabiha Gokcen airport bombing and on March 22, 2016, there were three coordinated bombings in Belgium; two attacks at Brussels airport in Zaventem and one

at the metro station.

Aviation security expert and the CEO of Scope Centre, Adebayo Babatunde, told THISDAY that terrorists succeed when there is security breach, which in the case of airport, would enable terrorists to have access to the terminal and detonate their weapons of destruction, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDS).

Babatunde said every security apparatus must have very intelligent community, noting that when there is failure of local intelligence, terrorists may have their way.

He said: “What this tells us is that intelligence is the most potent weapon to tackle these problems.

How does it work? We are in the cyber age where everything happens in the

flash of a second and therefore terrorism has a lot to do with cybercrime. Countries are investing to counter cybercrime technology, such that the state security is able to manage and nip in the bud potential terrorism act.

“It is very simple, if you don’t invest in the latest cyber terrorism technology and the latest counterterrorism, you cannot and you will not be able to counter this. It tells us one clear story; that we must focus our attention on intelligence and investment in e-technology solutions.”

Babatunde explained that to effectively check security, passengers should be screened from the point of entry to the terminal and this means that government Continued on page 20

NIS Seeks Access to Interpol Database The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has said that to win the war against terrorism, insurgency and other organised crimes, it has become imperative for the agency to be granted unrestricted access to the International police (INTERPOL) portal.

The Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI), Muhammad Babandede made this request when the Ag. Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris paid him a courtesy visit at the Immigration Headquarters in Abuja.

Babandede noted that the request was justified because the NIS provides the frontline officers at “our land, sea and

TRANSPORTATION air borders in the security architecture of Nigeria as in other countries.”

He explained that access to the INTERPOL database would improve Nigeria’s border security considerably.

The INTERPOL I-24/7 network enables the 190 member countries to search and cross-check data of suspected criminals, wanted persons, stolen or lost travel documents within seconds.

The INTERPOL I-24/7 was installed at all 190 National Central Bureaus, which are under the Police. However,

in realisation that in some countries Immigration and Customs are not under the Police, INTERPOL is now focusing on extending access to these other agencies.

Though access to INTERPOL database will be most welcome, the CGI noted that “ the NIS has achieved tremendous success in border control at our Airports through the Electronic Passenger Registration System (e-pars).”

The e-pars has integrated components that simultaneously cross-check the data of a passenger against NIS watch list as well as registers his arrival or departure real time when the passenger’s passport

is placed on the Document Reader at the immigration control point.

Speaking further the CGI emphasised the need for the NIS and NPF to collaborate at the lower level, saying, he intends “to send a memo to the Minister of Interior, Lt. General Abdulrahaman Dambazau (rd), requesting to use the instrumentality of the Immigration Act 2015 and the Immigration Regulation to commence registration of all foreigners from the Local Government Areas. At this level it would be productive to share intelligence between Continued on page 20

IATA Condemns Istanbul Airport Bombing

The International AirTransport Association (IATA) has expressed outrage at Tuesday’s attack at Atatürk Airport Istanbul, Turkey.

“Once again, innocent travelers have been attacked in a cowardly and murderous act. Our thoughts are with the victims, and their families and friends,” said IATA’s Director General and CEO, Tony Tyler.

“Air transport brings people together and facilitates both social and economic development. Istanbul has a particularly significant and historical role in connecting East and West. Last night’s attack was a broad attack on our shared humanity. But terrorism will never succeed in reversing the interconnectedness of the world. The desire of the human spirit to explore and trade will always triumph over suspicion and fear. That Istanbul airport is operating today is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Turkish people and the aviation industry.

We stand together in solidarity-confident that we will emerge stronger and more united in our resolve to keep connecting our world,” said Tyler.

“The safety and security of passengers are our top priorities.

This tragedy in Istanbul and the one in Brussels earlier this year show that there is a growing challenge for governments to keep people safe in the ‘landside’ parts of the airport. Moving people ‘airside’ more quickly can help to mitigate risk. The industry has a number of initiatives in place to achieve that aim and we are working with governments and airports to implement them,” said Tyler.

US Interest in UKTravel Rises

Several online travel sites have seen a jump in queries from Americans about travel to the United Kingdom since it voted to leave the European Union, a sign the resulting drop in the value of the pound may spur US visits to Britain.

Reuters reported that one site found that more Britons were also asking about flights to the United States.

Travel agents, hotel chains and airlines say it is too early to tell if the vote has impacted bookings, but some US travel agents are advising people to book UK trips now and expect to see a bump in bookings over time.

On June 24, the day after Britain voted to leave the European Union, Kayak said it saw a 54 percent increase in US searches exploring fares to the United Kingdom compared to other Fridays in the month of June.

Flight searches from the UK for US travel also rose 46 percent, according to Kayak.

“NIMASA is going through a restructuring, reformation and repositioning process, which is our main focus at the moment”” Director General, NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD TERROR ATTACKS: EXPERTS URGE FG TO REINFORCE SECURITY AT AIRPORTS must invest in security.

“What do you invest in?

You have to invest in solutions that can detect availability of IEDs and on person’s terrorism weapons. Today’s solution is that you have to look at the entire airport security architecture. Do we have adequate remedy for the level of threat that pervades the world today? Are we able to prevent situation as it happened in Brussels and Istanbul? Are we able to do that in Nigeria? This is because you should not forget that security breaches don’t happen every day. It never happened in Brussels. It happens once and once it does it has maximum economic damage,” he added.

The security expert also recommended that the government should look at what is on ground and start building it from there, urging that government should have a comprehensive risk assessment of the airport environment.

Also the President/Chief Executive of Sabre Network West Africa and current President of the Aviation Round Table (ART), Gbenga Olowo said aviation security (AVSEC) is a serious business too vital to be handled by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

NIS SEEKS ACCESS TO INTERPOL DATABASE the two security agencies.”

Earlier, the IGP told his host that the visit was to seek collaboration in the area of internal security. He said: “If criminals can work together to inflict pain on the society, there is no reason security agencies should not come together to present a stronger front”. While acknowledging the cordial relationship that exists between officers of the Nigerian Police and Immigration, he proposed “the establishment of a center where officers representing the various security agencies can jointly co-ordinate activities in providing internal security.”

Energy Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku Maritime Editor

John Iwori

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Crusoe Osagie

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (AgriBusiness)

NEWS

Peterside: NIMASA is Broke Nosa Alekhuogie The Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) has disclosed that the Agency is broke and lacks funds to run its affairs.

Peterside who stated this on Wednesday during a media parley with journalists in Lagos disclosed that the agency is running on a tight budget presently.

He explained that the agency is not funded by the federal government though it still pays 25 per cent of its revenue into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) as mandated by the government.

According to him, “We used to get three per cent earnings on vessels that come into the country but with the level of imports that has dropped, that has become impossible.

Nevertheless, we are staying afloat and would remain indigenous.

“In my own perception and not the Agency’s, NIMASA is currently over staffed right now but nevertheless we are not going to lay off workers.

All these, other outflows plus the ingenuity of the workers make it difficult to even pay salaries.”

The NIMASA boss said it is regrettable that he got in at a period when the economy of the world is almost in recession and there is a downturn of the economy globally.

Speaking further, he stated that; “Due to all these, the volume of trade, in terms of imports and exports has been affected. All this would definitely have an effect on the Agency and what it stands for.

He said the agency has done very well but still has a lot to achieve and is set

to undergo various strategic reforms.

Peterside added: “The Agency is going through a restructuring, reformation and reposition process which is our main focus at the moment.

NIMASA is presently dealing with bad reputation and a lot of corruption notions which we are trying to get rid of.

“Currently, we have done very well but we want to take it to the next level, we want to do our job in such a

way that would enhance the effectiveness and efficiency.

We have to put a lot of things in place to ensure that we meet the minimal International Maritime organisation (IMO) obligation that is required of us as a Maritime administration.” He said.

He also disclosed that the agency is undergoing a medium term growth plan which is already in progress and would end in December 2018.

Peterside

TOWARDS INCREASING DOMESTIC GAS AVAILABILITY

L-R: President, Nigerian Gas Association, Mr. Bolaji Osunsanya; Assistant Director, Domestic Gas, Department of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Pat Massel; Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor and Chairman of Occasion, Alhaji Abdullah Bukar at the Gas Business Forum 2016/annual general meeting in Lagos …recently ABIODUN AJALA

FG Expresses Desire to Empower Start-ups

FIRS Seals Three Eateries in Owerri over Tax Evasion

Ugo Aliogo and Joan Madubugwu

Abby Uneze in Owerri

The federal government has expressed its determination to empower start-ups businesses in Nigeria in order to promote economic diversification, financial inclusive and foster job creation.

The government made the pledge during the Aso Demo Day (AVDD), a programme of the Presidency, which aimed at celebrating and supporting the best in the field of creativity and entrepreneurship.

The event which was held in Lagos was organised by the office of the Presidency, Federal Ministry of Communication, National Information Technology Development and Agency (NITDA) in partnership with Intermarc Consulting Limited.

The Project Supervisor, Davida Chibuike-Ahuama, stated that the AVDD would involve a meeting with the presidency, private investors and the qualified start-ups in the Federal Capital Ter-

ritory (FCT). “They did a selection process which we cut down to a thousand, but they organisers did not want to take the 1,000 to Abuja, therefore they decided to have the pitch in Lagos”, she explained.

She further stated that the selection process of the Lagos pitching was narrowed down from 236 to 80, adding that the 80 young entrepreneurs were those chosen to pitch, “the number would be reduced to 30. Then the 30 alongside established companies would be taken to Abuja to meet the Presidency.”

Ahuama noted that when they realised that some persons may have ideas they want to pitch, but they might have financial challenges, the pitching was organised in three different regions, Lagos (representing the West, Abuja representing the North and Port-Harcourt representing the Central).

She noted: “From Lagos we would choose 30, from

Abuja we will choose 10 and Port-Harcourt, we will choose 10. The reason is that Lagos is bigger in size than other states. For Abuja, it will be held in 25, June, while the Port-Harcourt edition will be held on 28 June. We sent out a text message to everyone asking them where they would like to pitch. So we had Lagos and Abuja. In Lagos here, they are pitching with a time of two minutes, but when they get to Abuja, it will be an opportunity to sell their ideas in full to the President and the private sector.

“For this initiative we have different sponsors who have been very supportive.

Diamond Bank has been very supportive towards the initiative because they have belief in the start-ups.

They decided to key into the initiative because of their passion for start-ups. Some funds will be realised though that is still in the pipeline, until they see the essence of the idea before it can be released.”

The enforcement team of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has sealed the premises of three tax-defaulting business outfits in Owerri, the Imo state capital.

According to the enforcement team, the three outfits which had evaded payment their tax liabilities were shut after concerted efforts by the FIRS to get them to comply failed.

The affected eateries are City Chef Restaurant, owned by a top government functionary; De Munch Eatery House and Comet Hotels & Conference, all located within the Owerri Metropolis.

Briefing journalists after the exercise, the team led by Mr. Chinazo Edeh explained that all due processes laid down by the law were exhausted before the businesses were sealed.

He said: “We assessed and gave them notice of what they owe as tax. They did not respond to our communication.

This was followed up with two separate reminders. Thereafter a

demand notice was sent to them with all these largely ignored.

After the expiration of the one month window following the final notice, we were left with no option but to enforce the law.”

The FIRS official said that City Chef has a tax liability of N2.1million; Comet Hotel & Conference has N2.3million liability while De Munch eatery has a tax burden of N20million.

At the point of sealing Comet Hotel & Conference, the company lawyer rushed to the bank and paid N70,000 but that, according to the enforcement team was inadequate to unseal the hotel.

“They rushed to pay N70,000 out of a tax liability of N2.1 million. That does not show seriousness. As a matter of fact, the money they just paid is a penalty for an earlier infringement for late registration. They have paid nothing on the Value Added Tax obligations. In any case, the order to seal this place came from our head office, the order to unseal will also come from there”, the team explained.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

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AVIATION

As Airlines Contend with Economic Downturn

The contraction in passenger traffic halves the yield for domestic airlines and threatens their existence. Chinedu Eze cautions that if the economic contraction continues, many local carriers may go under is facing difficult times right now and has drastically scaled down its operations. The airline has expressed the fear that if there is no immediate funding, it would be difficult for it to sustain its operation.

The airline said it would sack over 700 of its workers for it to remain in business.

After waiting for several months for injection of more funds by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), which fully took over the company in February this year, the airline has decided to operate a very lean service to continue to stay in business.

AMCON as receiver manager took over the airline on February 6, 2016 and the airline currently has over 10 aircraft most of which are overseas on maintenance for C-check.

It was learnt that some of these checks had been completed but there is no money to pay the maintenance companies and then ferry the aircraft back to Nigeria.

THISDAY learnt that Aero obtained a loan from AMCON earlier this year to stop lessors from repossessing some aircraft in its fleet but AMCON is not willing to offer further assistance without staff rationalisation of about 51 percent.

Informed source from the airline disclosed that the only way the airline could survive is for AMCON to provide more funds so that the airline would bring back the aircraft in its fleet and also acquire more aircraft.

The source said the airline would survive based on two factors. First is if AMCON would continue to support the airline financially for six months to one year to meet its immediate needs that include funding the airline to sustain its leases, getting back its aircraft that went for maintenance overseas, paying off some of the debts and providing the airline working capital.

The second option was to reduce the workforce, which might stir the ire of the workers union, but AMCON has given it as the only condition to assist the company with finance, which means that without the funding the airline would go under if it does not downsize and it has been indicated that anyone that was sacked stands the chance of being re-absorbed “when the airline turns the corner of these hard times.”

Emerging figures on passenger movement from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) indicate that there is drastic reduction of air travellers to domestic destinations.

This has invariably reduced the revenues that accrue to the airlines. Conversely there is no equal reduction on cost of operation; rather as the airlines lament they are paying more to provide flight services.

This is because the price of aviation fuel has increased, the cost of aircraft maintenance has increased due to low value of Naira and also costs of leasing and insurance have also increased as most of the insurance risks are shared by international underwriters that partner Nigerian insurance companies.

Out of eight major schedule commercial airlines in Nigeria five have cut back their routes due to lack of operational funds, cost of operation and inadequate equipment.

For example, three out of four Nigerian airlines that fly to Ghana have cut back their operations, leaving only Arik Air, which use Accra as hub to West Coast destinations.

On the domestic routes, Aero now operates from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt and Warri because it only has two Boeing B737 and two turbo-props, Bombardier, Dash 8 in its fleet. All others are on maintenance or on AOG (Aircraft on Ground).

Aviation Fuel Buoyed by high cost of importation and arbitrary pricing by marketers, the cost of aviation fuel has become too exorbitant and it is feared that it could result in grounding of the operation of some airlines, if the cost of the product is not urgently reviewed downwards.

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

This means that the load factor would be reduced further and every flight would operate at a loss and cumulatively the airlines would lose huge sums and that eventually, could result in grounding their operations with huge debts.

According to industry observers, two factors are driving up the prices of the product. One is cost of importation and associated charges at the ports; two is the cartel status of the marketers who fix the prices arbitrarily due to lack of competition. The marketers come together and decide the company that would import the product on behalf of the others.

The consequence is that the marketers do not import differently and do not sell at the different prices, thus killing competition. Also because one company imports the product on behalf of others, the volume imported at any point in time is always shorter than the demand, thereby driving up the prices.

Fuel constitutes over 50percent of airlines’ operational cost and digs a big hole in their finances; cost of aviation fuel in Nigeria is arguably the highest in any country that is not in war in the world.

Travel expert, Ikechi Uko said the risk in allowing the current unfavourable situation to continue is that it exposes airlines to accidents.

He revealed that the scarcity of aviation fuel has prompted some marketers to sell adulterated fuel, which could be injurious to aircraft and cause air crash.

“The aviation fuel issue should be looked into, Lagos can never be a hub if the aviation

Sirika fuel is problematic. First it is scare, second it is expensive, some airlines tanker in the product, then just top up in Nigeria, it shouldn’t be so. For you to have a hub, supply of aviation fuel should be taken for granted.

“So government cannot say the marketers and airlines are on their own, no, the consequence of that is that the passenger pays the price. He can pay the price financially; he can pay the price with his life. The other day I was to travel and I boarded Ghana’s AWA flight from Lagos to Accra and the pilot refused to take off. He said the quality of the fuel meant for the aircraft was poor, so he would not take the fuel. We had already boarded the aircraft, we have to be disembarked, the pilot had to wait until he got the right fuel. And that was because they were able to test the fuel. So people are going to begin to cut corners when you just leave a market like that,” Uko said.

major checks is very costly because it is done overseas; Nigeria does not have big maintenance facility.

Industry analyst, Francis Ayigbe told THISDAY that airlines couldn’t pay for their aircraft that went for maintenance overseas because they do not have the funds to do so.

“Less number of people is flying. There is contraction in the market; there is less yield and low passenger flow; yet the operational environment remains the same. The airlines cannot draw money from the banks; they may not be willing to lend the airlines money. At least one of the airlines will go under. This is not the best of time for Nigerian airlines.

They are not making money from interline because in their operational system there is no interline with foreign carriers who fly to many airports in the country. Unlike in the past, no new airline is coming in as existing ones are finding it difficult to continue to operate,” Ayigbe said.

Maintenance Cost Airlines are finding it very difficult to pay for the maintenance of their aircraft taken overseas for checks. Carrying out

Aero Operations Threatened Except urgent action is taken, Nigeria’s foremost commercial airline, Aero Contractors may go under. The airline has said it

Government Intervention Uko stressed in an interview with THISDAY that government must have to intervene in the aviation industry if the sector would continue to provide the lever for the growth of the economy.

“Nigeria had made so much progress, but where we are now we have gone back like 20 years in the past three, five months, it shouldn’t be so. We had progressively made progress.

“Movement, transportation, travel have always been the means of growth for an economy. So for those of us in the travel business, this is bad because the less people travel a lot of businesses won’t grow. And there is also the safety implication; the safety implication is that an airline that has invested money in equipment needs return on investment to be able to service the equipment. If money is not coming and the banks are not giving loan, how will they service the equipment? So you start cutting corners, so there is also a safety implication to that,” Uko said.

It is expected that government would realise the importance of the airline industry and take critical decisions to ensure that they do not go under, especially as there have not been any new airline that came into operation after Air Peace two years ago.

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Oba of Lagos Tasks FG on Increasing Funding for NDLEA Ugo Aliogo and Joan Madubugwu The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has called for improved funding and logistics support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to win the war against drug trafficking. He also urged the public to provide useful information on activities of drug trafficking organisations in their communities.

The Oba made this known at the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by the resolution 42/112 of the United Nations General Assembly in Lagos recently.

Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, also said the Ministry is committed to the fight against drug trafficking and abuse, adding that government would continue to support initiatives aimed at minimising drug abuse.

Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Abdallah, said that the country remained committed to the dislodgement of criminal syndicates who view Nigeria and other West Africa countries as a potential destination for the illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse.

Abdallah said the International Day against Drugs afforded the agency the opportunity to continue the fight to provide a drug free environment.

The NDLEA Chairman, who

was represented by the Director General of the Agency, Mrs. Roli Bode-George, stressed that the country had maintained a rising drug control profile through capacity building and unwavering sense of obligation, “we will work with stakeholders in ensuring a healthy and drug-free society.”

“As we mark this important day, stakeholders must review drug control strategies aimed at ensuring a safer environment.

Moving forward, we must determine the effectiveness of existing measures. The adequacy of allocated resources to drug control, effectiveness of public enlightenment on dangers of drugs and what areas should be given priority attention in terms of policy change and reinforcement,” he noted.

He called on parents to strengthen the bond between them and their children, adding that the theme is a clarion call on parents to carry out a selfappraisal on the relationship with their children and amend observed gaps.

He further urged parents, and leaders to continually interact with youths, stressing that this would help them to build positive attitudes and relevant skills needed to prevent drug abuse alongside other social vices that could pose a threat to societal peace.

Furthermore, he said: “Listening to children and youths is the first step in bonding with them to grow healthy and safe.

As children advance through

adolescence, they explore their environment and discover their unique potentials and capabilities. In the process, they are exposed to challenges of drug use, violence and radicalisation if not properly guided. Many youths have been negatively influenced by peer pressure, poverty, exposure to violence, ignorance and absence of supporting parenting.

“Drug use often begins as a way to seek recreation but the addictive properties of drugs soon make people dependent.

This compulsion is uncontrollable and may interfere with the individual’s everyday life. Some of the effects of drug use include paranoia, psychosis, immune deficiencies, organ damage, dropping out of school, loss of job, unfulfilled dreams and premature death to mention a few.

“An estimated 246 million people across the globe, that is 1 out of 20 people between the ages of 15 and 64 years were reported to have used an illicit drug in 2013 by the World Drug Report 2015. It was equally reported that 1 out of 10 drug users about 27 million people, or almost the entire population of a country like Ghana or Mozambique are problem drug users suffering from drug use disorders. Almost half of this number about 12.19 million inject drugs while 1.6 million of those who inject drugs are HIV positive. Above all, about 187,000 drug related deaths also took place in 2013.”

New Visa Reform to Encourage Local Investment The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede has called on Turkish businessmen and other foreign investors to take advantage of the Visa-at-port-of-entry facility otherwise known as Visa-onarrival to do business in Nigeria.

He said that the facility, which is presently issued at Nigeria’s international airports, was introduced by the federal government as part of the measures to encourage foreign direct investment (FDI).

The CGI stated this when the Turkish Ambassador, His Excellency Cakil Hakan paid him a courtesy visit at the Immigration Headquarters in Abuja recently.

The Immigration boss also said: “In order to encourage ease of doing business in Nigeria,

the Immigration Act 2015 has given the CGI the powers to issue such visas to investors, frequently travelled business persons of international repute, executive directors of multinational companies, members of government delegations as well as holders of UN, AU and ECOWAS Laissez-Passer (passports).”

The Act also empowers him to issue Permanent Residence Visas to foreign nationals who are married to Nigerians and to foreign investors who have imported an annual minimum threshold of capital over a period of time.

The CGI said that he “intends to use the Visa reforms expeditiously and transparently in line with President Buhari’s stance on public accountability.”

Babandede also disclosed that he has set up a committee to clearly articulate the visa reforms to enable the Service sensitise the public appropriately.

Earlier, Hakan extolled the cordial relationship between Nigeria and his country.

He pointed out that Nigeria was the first country in Africa to host a Turkish Mission.

According to the Ambassador, approximately 25,000 Nigerians arrived at Istanbul in 2015, out of which 18,000 were issued online visas. According to him, there are daily flights from Abuja and Lagos to Istanbul with Turkish Airline making preparations to launch a second daily flight from Lagos, when other airlines are pulling out of Nigeria.

Dana to Resume Daily Flights to Owerri Nigeria’s indigenous carrier, Dana Air, has announced that it would recommence scheduled operations from Lagos to the Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri, from July 11, 2016.

The airline said the addition of Owerri brings its current route network coverage of the airline to five destinations – Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Owerri. ‘’We are greatly delighted to extend our operations to Owerri,’’ said Obi Mbanuzuo,

Accountable Manager of Dana Air. Owerri is fast becoming a hub in Nigeria, and we feel very proud to once again extend our award winning service to the good people of Owerri, as we look forward to expanding our operations even further.’’

Obi while assuring business and leisure travellers of pocketfriendly fares, said that from July 11, 2016, “we will operate one daily flight from Lagos to Owerri at 7.02am with a return flight at 9am.

Commenting further, Obi said the weekend schedule would be slightly different with a flight at 4.02pm and a return at 5.40pm.

Meanwhile, the airline has launched a promo for members of its frequent flyer program on social media. The promo tagged: ‘Make a wish,’ strictly on twitter; entails guests to make any wish ranging from free tickets, extra baggage allowance, discounts, access to lounge, free miles, and the wish would be granted by the airline.

AIR WATCH

Kebbi Airport

The Fate of State Airports

O

f all the airports built by the state governments, only the ones in Asaba and Uyo could be described as busy.

Before it was downgraded, the Asaba airport was recording many flights from four airlines a day. Flights largely from Lagos and Abuja and the airlines were recording high load factor.

The airport filled a yearning niche. The Asaba airport is located at the market hub with close proximity to Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka. At the peak of flight operations at that airport, passenger traffic always outstripped seat supply by airlines.

The Uyo airport is busy because the state government ensured that the airport is adequately utilised. When it was put on stream some years ago, the state government agreed to buy certain number of seats as incentive for the airlines to operate to the airport. But over time, there was sustained passenger traffic without government’s support.

Industry observers said the reason for this is high economic activities going on in Akwa Ibom and the fact that many people from the state live in other parts of the country and often visit home. So weekend fights usually command high load factor.

If it were to improve the lot of the people and generate revenues, many states that now have airports would not have built them because they neither improve the lots of the people nor generate revenues. In fact, ordinary citizens would desperately long that his state government should build facilities that would provide them potable water, health centres, schools and power generating facility than to build these airports. In many states, the airports are a humongous amount of money that was sunk in a project that never benefits over 90 percent of the population. The money used to build these airports can provide more than 20 health centres.

The airports therefore meet just the taste of the elite, who use them to get away from the states. In many parts of the north, the state governors live in Abuja. In Kebbi for example the governor that built the airport, a very good airport at that, stayed mostly in Abuja and all the flights that take place to the airport only airlift government officials and retinue of their wives and relatives. That huge money was just invested there to suit their whims.

This is the fate of many of the state airports. No wonder why the Managing Director of Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole said the states should have consulted with the airlines before they embarked on building airports because many of those airports are idle. So building an airport by states is one of the most unprofitable ventures by state governments.

But the situation is different from the Asaba airport. The airport as earlier stated is at the centre of huge markets in the Onitsha axis of

the South East and it is projected to be one of the busiest airport when the infrastructural demands expected of it as a standard airport are met by the state government.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed to THISDAY that the Asaba airport is currently downgraded to category 5 because it has not met the recommended safety and security standard so certain repair work is required to be done on its runway, so at the moment only small body aircraft like Bombardier CRJ 900, Dash 8 and other turbo props and small jets that can land there.

THISDAY learnt recently that the Delta state government has started work to provide the facilities as demand by NCAA before the airport would be upgraded to category 3 or 2 airports to allow bigger aircraft to land at there.

A source from the Delta government said the airport would end up to be one of the best airports in the country because of its strategic location, adding that the state government may consider giving out the airport in concession after work has been done to provide the needed infrastructure.

The airport was built by the immediate past governor of Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan but reports indicate that the current government has identified defects and shortcomings of the airport and has engaged a construction firm, ULO Consultants Limited to carry out remedial work at the airport. NCAA safe the runway is a death trap and its length has not met the given standard so it must be rehabilitated.

Reports said some of the safety issues being addressed in the ongoing restructuring and rehabilitation include clearing, grubbing, excavation, “sub-grading and embarkment”, that is, everything that has to do with gradient reduction or downgrading of surrounding hill that had towered above the runway at height of 23 metres.

Others are the perimeter and security fencing, runway reconstruction, new taxiways, airfield lighting and general lighting of the airport with installation of about a hundred step-down transformers and a new observatory.

There are very beautiful airports built by the state government and one of such airports is the Kebbi airport. Sources said so much money was invested there but the airport is grossly underutilised and so are many of the airports built by state governments.

Industry observers are of the view that state governments should not continue to build airports to serve the interest of the elite instead of using the money to provide other basic infrastructure like schools, water and other needs.

Government should think about how to activate these state owned airports and make them viable by building businesses like metres and greeters, shopping malls and other facilities in them. This will ignite business activities and make the airports viable.

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BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Uko: Aviation Sector Needs Urgent Government Attention

Travel expert and organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Ikechi Uko said urgent government attention is needed to save the air travel industry. He spoke to Chinedu Eze. Excerpts: South Africa would be very profitable for all airlines. And if they are to depend on profitability for airlines to fly to South Africa they might get isolated. So the government knows that it is aviation that drives trade and tourism, so the government will prefer to lose money in the airline then get money by trade and by tourism. And that is how a national airline is supposed to operate. So our government should look at it this way; that there airlines are important to our country, that without these airlines our country can’t trade and can’t do tourism. So let’s put an airline there and lose but we get benefit.

South Africa makes about $11 billion every year from Nigeria, without South African Airway that will not be possible, so whatever loses they make on South African Airways is defrayed by the income a hundred and twenty seven or a hundred and seventy five companies are making in Nigeria. It is the same for Ghana, same for Kenya and all others. So aviation should not be treated like any other business because these are lives of people; it is not like the road transport that if the car parks up, you park it, drain the fuel and start again. If the plane develops engine problem while airborne, it is Hail Mary.

Let’s start with what the economy has done to domestic passenger traffic. What is your evaluation of the market?

From my experience in the past two weeks going to Abuja and Enugu, I was thinking that it was international traffic that has shrunk, but I can confirm now that both international and local traffic have shrunk. I found out that quite a lot of airlines are not flying to Enugu airport, so all the scheduled flights were missing. So whatever is happening is reflecting on both international and domestic travel. And I think it is a sign of bad things and a lot more bad things are expected to happen to the aviation industry.

Summer might pull up the international airlines because quite a lot of Nigerians have built the habit of traveling abroad, they will still travel, they have saved up money for it.

And the economy hasn’t hit them that hard at that level to cancel their summer trip but the local economy is actually very, very bad.

Do you think it is wise for the domestic airlines to just pull their operations without any notification; they just stopped operating the routes?

I don’t know why it happened but it has happened and it is not that it is by choice; they are business people they want to make money. So if they now find out that they are not making money, they do the wise thing, which is to stop flying. You can’t force them to fly when there is no income coming from that particular route and considering the fact that they don’t get any form of support from the government. So they actually owe you nothing. The passenger is the biggest victim of whatever is going on.

Don’t you think the passenger that want to travel might be discouraged from travelling because he is not sure whether flight will be canceled or not?

From my own experience, I was supposed to have travelled to Enugu with some people, once they found out that there was no flight they stayed back and I had to go. And even when I went I couldn’t get a flight back until the next day. So some people might decide not to travel; others might decide to go by road; they might decide that the best thing is to go by road. So I expect that the land transporters will benefit but the roads are all so bad.

What is the impact of what is happening now on air travel and on the economy?

Actually the economy grows by the velocity of the distribution of money, goods, services and things like that. So a robust economy depends on these distributions. So when distribution is stopped it actually shrinks the economy. The biggest things the Romans did were actually to create trade routes. Every time you are conquered or occupied, the occupier or the conqueror is actually opening up a new market for his goods. He creates trade routes, so they opened sea routes. America was discovered because somebody wanted to open a sea route to India. After the fall of Constantinople and the Islamic Empires took over, the European traders of Venice and co needed to find a new route to India and in the process they discovered America.

So movement, transportation, travel have always been the means of growth for an economy.

So for those of us in the travel business, this is bad because the less people travel a lot of businesses won’t grow. And there is also the safety implication; the safety implication is that an airline that has invested money in equipment needs return on investment to be able to service the equipment. If money is not coming and the

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banks are not giving loan, how will they service the equipment? So you start cutting corners, so there is also a safety implication to that.

Operators have condemned the ever-increasing prices of aviation fuel. They said that they are being tempted to increase fares. But if they increase fares it will further deplete the traffic.

The marketers have a cartel so they determine the price artificially. How can government come in? And what do you think will be the future if things continue like this?

You know I talked about avia-exit; avia-exit is real. My flight ticket to Ghana tomorrow morning (Monday), economy class is N93, 000 on a Nigerian airline. That amount can take me to London and back before now, that is economy class one way. So avia-exit is real.

The operators themselves are between a hard place and a rock. So what are they going to do?

Passengers are not going to travel because the fares are too high. And without the passengers there is no flight but at the same time the airlines cannot fly and lose money, they can’t subsidise the passenger.

So what do you do in such a situation? You can’t abandon aviation to market forces. Aviation is a regulated environment; if you just abandon it to market forces like this you are going to have injurious results. So government cannot say the marketers and airline operators are on their own, no, the consequence of that is that the passenger pays the price. He can pay the price financially; he can pay the price with his life. The other day I was to travel to Ghana

from Lagos and the airline pilot refused to take off, he said the quality of fuel provided for the aircraft was of poor quality, so he would not take the fuel. We had already boarded the aircraft, we have to be disembarked and the flight had to wait until they got the right fuel.

This was noticed because the fuel was tested.

So people are going to begin to cut corners when you just leave a market like that on its own. Nigeria had made so much progress, but where we are now we have gone back like 20 years in the past three, five months, it shouldn’t be so.

We had progressively made progress, we shouldn’t go back to the time before Dr Harold Demuren, the former Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) came.

We are now at the point before Demuren and that is bad for Nigeria and bad for everybody.

So you cannot allow the fuel cartel to determine the life of the passengers, because what they are actually doing is determining the life of a passenger, it shouldn’t be so. But the question is whose job is it? Aviation is a strategic part of a nation’s economy; somebody said aviation security should be part of the national security infrastructure. Aviation should be treated as a very vital part of an economy, I will explain. I was at an event moderated by Richard Quest and he said every airline in the world is making money why is South African Airway losing money? And the South African man just gave him a simple answer.

He explained that they are at the bottom of the world and there is no way flying out of

A Nigerian airline that operates to West Coast said some of Nigerian operators are pulling out of the Accra-Lagos route because the money they make on the route cannot even offset the charges, which are paid in dollars and that it will be difficult for them to get their revenue from the domestic market to pay for those charges, does it make sense?

Yes, 60per cent to 70per cent of your ticket fare to Ghana is tax. So the amount they make on top might be extra N10, 000 and sometimes less. So when these things are charged they are charged in dollars, so no matter the amount you charge the passenger in naira by the time you take out the taxes the airline has lost money. But this would not have been like that if there was strategic understanding of the market before airlines moved in. Before the entrance of Dana there was no panic on that route, yes, they would have been stressed but they would have survived. But the entrance of Dana actually ruined the West Coast market because there was over supply. Dana flies with 80 passengers and come back with four, they can’t make money.

But those 80 passengers they have taken were passengers that were shared between Arik, Aero and Medview. So today like I predicted only two airlines have survived, Ghana’s AWA and Arik, and Arik quickly shut up their fares. So this is the best time for Arik ever in the history of Nigeria, this was what they came out to do.

If they don’t break even now, they probably won’t break even.

Let’s look at this route thing, you know Nigerian airlines always get enamored by popular routes, like Lagos to London and quickly join the fray without looking at the profitability. Do you think Nigerian airlines strategically study routes before deploying equipment to the route?

The Nigerian airlines act like Virgin Atlantic of old, Virgin waits to know how much BA makes on the route then they apply an aircraft there. So at the time Virgin was popular in Nigeria they were only flying to 11 routes. But everybody thought Virgin Atlantic was a big airline. So they would get into a market that has been developed by other airlines, brilliant strategy. But for the local market, everybody flies Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt but the most profitable airline in Nigeria before didn’t fly CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

UKO: AVIATION SECTOR NEEDS URGENT GOVERNMENT ATTENTION this year. In January this year, my children were going to school, the cheapest ticket was N500, 000 that was when United was flying. United supplies 3,000 seats a week and 3,000 seats a week has been pulled out of the market. How would naira grow in value to defer those 3,000 seats? Does it mean the number of Nigerians going to America is going to get less, no, the number is likely to rise. So there will be more people looking for less number of seats. Now Ethiopian Airlines will supply like 1,600 seats a week from Lome to New York. But the big Nigerians won’t fly to Lome they will still fly straight or through London, so a first class ticket by December from Nigeria can build you a house in Lagos. With the value of a first class ticket you can buy a house in Lagos

by December this year. Between December 15 and January 15 the value of a first class ticket between Lagos and a destination in America can build you a house, just check the value.

Lagos-Abuja. Sosoliso flew from Port Harcourt to Abuja, Enugu to Abuja, Owerri to Abuja, then Lagos to Owerri, Lagos to Enugu and Lagos to Port Harcourt. They never had an empty flight, they had full flight on each leg because they understood the market, they ignored the popular route and they kept themselves.

And when people eventually found out that Sosoliso was making a killing everybody started flying Lagos-Enugu, Enugu-Abuja before then everybody ignored the market and Sosoliso moved in there, that is proper research, that is understanding of the market. So today Accra, Freetown are more profitable for the few airlines that operate there.

A Nigerian airline uses Accra as semi operational hub to other West Coast destinations.

Don’t you think it is strategic?

I don’t think it is an effective hub as at now because Ghana has given fifth freedom right to Royal Air Maroc, Egypt Air, Kenyan Airways, Rwand Air and co. so that Accra end is an effective alternate hub for every Nigerian airline.

Togo doesn’t have people coming to Togo but you could see how ASKY has turned Togo into an effective hub and even their airport has been rebuilt. And in the coming weeks once the New York flight starts from Lome, Lome airport is transformed.

If you were the Minister of Aviation how are you going to change the situation now?

First, because there are levers of enforcements that are not in your hand, you don’t control fuel supply; you don’t control airport tax in other stations. For me, every effort should be made to help the Nigerian airlines flying international routes to survive. Medview flies to London, summer is coming, Medview could make enough money to London to survive because London market is point to point. New York might not be point to point because there are extensions out of New York. But there is enough market out of New York to sustain Nigerian carriers. Now in this season that there is less competition, this is not the time for those two airlines to be antagonized by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), labour, and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA); this is the time they should be given every kind of support so that they can earn enough money to now pay their bills.

So this is the time to encourage the ones that are surviving to actually make money out of the system so that they can survive. This is because if they can’t make money now it will be difficult. You know there is this cyclical thing that happens in aviation in Nigeria, there is a boom, then there is a bust, and a boom and a burst. So we are in the burst phase now.

So the ones that are there should be allowed to make money with high fares, the way Eko Hotel made money and built a convention centre. By the time competition came, Eko Hotel was already made. Nigeria never went back to charge $700 a night for a hotel room but Eko made enough money from the high rates then to refurbish and rebuilt new things.

So now Arik may never have the opportunity to charge N93, 000 to Accra in a long time but now they are. So this is not the time to antagonise them, this is the time to assist them in any way possible so we can establish them solidly.

Then the aviation fuel issue should be looked into. Lagos can never be a hub if the supply of aviation fuel is problematic. First, it is scare, second it is expensive, some airlines tanker and fly into the country and just top up to go when they come to Nigeria, it shouldn’t be so.

For you to have a hub supply of aviation fuel should be taken for granted. The one about airport tax, we charge airport tax in dollars but the airline is asked to charge in naira. So you have a problem that the airlines can’t really make that much money. I am not surprised they are all pulling out of Accra because Arik can afford to charge N93, 000, Aero cannot, Medview cannot. This is because Arik has brand equity and a network that can fit that but other airlines, which don’t have any extension out of Accra, will be difficult to sustain it.

How do you think British exit from EU will affect the Nigerian aviation industry in terms of technical partnership?

To me, like Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi said recently, it is a situation where nobody knows what will

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happen. So personally I think Britain committed suicide. This is similar to the Greek people voting for Syriza and they have suffered it and they keep suffering it. So you had an option but you had an emotional pull and decided to vote for your heart. That is how I see it personally. The British have already given themselves independence in EU, they don’t accept Shengen visa, they don’t accept Euro, they have their own Pounds. The only problem British have with EU is immigration and the immigration crisis was created by Britain. Britain joined George Bush in invading Iraq that destabilized the Middle East. Britain along with Sarkozy led war against Libya that destabilized North Africa. So these are the benefits of their own actions but they don’t want to accept it. So you have gone to do something, the repercussion comes and you reject it. How it is going to affect aviation, I actually have no clue but from the falling Pound it means that Nigerians will now shop and die in London.

Even when the Pound was expensive, Nigerians were the third largest shoppers in England because clothing in England were cheaper than clothing in Nigeria so it was easier to shop in London and you are sure of the quality. So now that the Pound is like 20, 30 percent cheaper, probably Nigerians will shop more and I am going to see a lot of Nigerians investing in England. So, a lot more people are going to take out money to invest because it is easier to buy. That is actually one of the advantages of devaluation but devaluation doesn’t really work for us in Nigeria because we are import oriented, it works for other people, but Britain might get a lot of investment coming in from all over the world.

We have talked about South Africa Airways and how it is subsidised by government to propel tourism and trade, you know that a privately owned airline may not dovetail to this philosophy of using it to empower other companies through tourism and trade. How do we get into the national carrier issue without government bringing money and also upholding the investment of the private airlines?

You see you can’t eat your cake and have it.

You can’t make an omelet without breaking an egg. So we have to decide what is strategically important for us. If it is about money, a private airline will take a decision that suits it best not basically what is good for the passenger, the passenger is not its issue. For example, why is United pulling out of Nigeria? Why is Emirates pulling out one flight? Simple logic, the Nigerian government “stole” money from them, I am putting the stole in quote. You trapped their money, $600m for six months; at the end of the six months you devalue the money by 40 percent and give it back to them, so they have actually lost $240 million worth of money. So what did they do? They have to get the money back because it is money they legitimately earned. So you have actually

robbed them of 40 percent of their income.

So what did the banks do? The banks will sack staff and cut cost, airline will not sack staff, what the airline will do is reducing its cost and it increases its income. So what did Emirates do, remove one flight and increase the price of ticket on the other one to pay for the $240 million they have lost. So who pays it? The Nigerian government actually took the money from the Nigerian public because the Nigerian public is going to refund that money to the foreign airlines. So now the government is rich, they have $240m worth of naira they have taken from the airlines. The airlines are going to get the money back from the public.

So in such a situation how do you now want private Nigerian carriers to make money even when foreign airlines that are big are taking such economic decisions?

The private Nigerian carriers will only pull out their aircraft, keep it somewhere, they can’t afford to play the same games. So if the government is interested in helping its people do trade and do tourism, the government has to intervene one way or another. But now we don’t have a national carrier so what are you going to do? If Arik pulls out of Accra, Aero stops flying, Medview stops flying only AWA will fly. Is it in the interest of Nigeria that only foreign airlines serve us? So government cannot say it will not show interest in aviation.

Do you nurture any fear that some of these airlines may go under eventually?

First of all, they made money, you didn’t allow them take their money, you kept their money for six months then you devalue the money and asked them to take it back. So they have suffered loses that has nothing to do with their own competence. If you knew you are going to devalue money you should have devalued it last year. But not while they are making money, you are storing their money in the bank at the end of the day you devalued it, took their money, gave it as bailout to states. So they are left carrying the can, it is unfair because it is not good business. What is happening now is as a reduction in supply, so the prices are going to go up and there will be greater yield for everybody.

Don’t you think they will kill competition among themselves?

All of them lost money. There is no airline that did not lose with what the government did. What will happen is that small players like Rwand Air will probably have higher yield. All the big players lost. So what they are doing is cutting their loss.

Delta said they are not thinking of leaving Nigeria?

They can’t leave because now the market favours them. We are going to pay N1 million economy class ticket to New York by December

Finally I want you to look at the whole thing and look at what government is doing, and look at airport concession and then look at how do we bring in money from outside, both for airport development and for enhancement of air travel?

What has happened, what the government has done to these airlines is a disincentive for investment in aviation. You should be fair to people, yes you are having problems but the airlines didn’t cause the problem. There are mechanisms that could have been employed to sort out these things before and it wasn’t done.

Now, they are left with pie in their face, so United has done what it thinks is the best, it pulled out. Emirate has re-strategised; it took out one flight and left one flight. Others will look for a way, I am sure you have seen that the airfares have all doubled, so these are consequences of that. This will also eventually bring investments, if the likes of Arik and Medview become very profitable because of the avia-exit, because they now don’t have competitors, if they become very profitable it will make other people want to come into the industry.

It will attract a lot more people. The passenger level in Nigeria should grow not decrease but what we have suffered in the last three months is a decrease in passenger travel. So the whole environment is in crisis, an emergency should be declared because this thing borders on safety.

When your people can’t travel your economy can’t grow. Our roads are bad, so everybody now moving to road is also in danger. If our roads are okay there will be no problem but we are not at that position. Aviation is not a luxury in Nigeria it is a necessity. So there is a need for government to actually take a closer look at it. First of all, we need to support the airlines that are flying, the people who do business in Nigeria, the foreign airlines are not doing us a favour, we have licensed them to trade.

Nigerian did not become the largest economy in Africa by staying in Nigeria; Nigeria became the largest economy because we are a very mobile population.

We trade all over the world, industrialisation is actually imported, our education is imported, our health is imported, our food is imported, if you say everybody should stay at home and eat Nigeria, drink Nigeria, read Nigeria, okay it makes us happy but that is not the right way. The biggest nations in the world send people to go and learn what others are doing.

Chinese sent their children to Harvard, so the only way we can become a greater nation is to send our children to go and learn then they can come back with the knowledge and apply it here. We can’t say the children must all school in Nigeria, there are disciplines that are not taught in Nigeria. And by the way the most enlightened Nigerian professors are abroad.

So aviation is a national emergency, it should be treated as such.

We are looking at it that Aero, Dana, Medview are private businesses, yes they are private businesses but they are national assets. They are a vital part of the architecture of our economy, so we should do everything to help them survive.

For me at this point in time I wonder why aviation fuel is more expensive in Nigeria than some other places. I wonder why there is a cartel that determines when an airline flies and when an airline doesn’t fly. This is because 40per cent of the cancellations by these airlines are aviation fuel related. We shouldn’t be at that level today.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

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BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Haastrup: Imports to Nigeria Have Fallen by 50 % The Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria, Vicky Haastrup in this interview with Nosa Alekhuogie, expressed concern that cargo importation to Nigeria has reduced by at least 50% owing to the current economic downturn What are the challenges faced by operators in our ports?

The main challenge that we are faced with is the current cargo downturn in the country.

From what it is now, cargoes are gradually reducing day by day. Importation of goods to Nigeria is reducing by at least 50 per cent. My terminal is about 65 per cent and basically that happened due to the lack of access to forex by importers of goods to Nigeria and also, the 42 items that were banned by government.

The restrictions that were placed on those banned items. It is a major cause of concern to importers. This is the most challenging time the port industry has ever been. It has never been this bad and of course I am not blaming the present federal government for the problem because it is an inherent problem by the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. So this new government of President Muhammadu Buhari inherited this problem. The policies were made by the immediate past president. All the present government did was to continue with some of those policies that Jonathan implemented while he was there. The new forex policy, which will allow the dollar to be market driven and allow it float is very good and welcomed. But I would want to implore federal government to look into the issues of those banned items.

As long as the restriction is still there, there is still a lot of burden for importers because it is going to be very detrimental to the economic activities and also a lot of people in Nigeria.

So to me, that is a very serious challenge. The new forex policy that has started is a welcomed development as I said that would help in a way to a large extent. But that should not be the end of it. If the government wants to see an impact in the market, the government needs to remove the restrictions on those banned items. It is very important because what the government thinks they are gaining somewhere, they are also losing. If you look at the income of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Nigeria custom service (NCS) is under the Ministry of Finance and I know the Customs service is complaining. The comptroller General of NCS has said it over and over again that the Customs service income has dwindled. It is at the bottom level and constitutes a major source of income for the government. The income of customs service is the income of the ministry of finance, by implication the income of FG. Asides from oil, the sector that has the potential and ability to generate revenue for the Nigerian government is the maritime industry so right now other countries in the world are looking for alternatives and I want to emphasise that the maritime industry remains the other alternative for Nigeria as at today. If we talk about agriculture, it takes a while, planting and becoming an agricultural export nation, it takes a while because the farmers have to be encouraged. You need to support them with soft loan, equipment to work and all these things take time but what can give instant and buoyant revenue for federal government as it is today, is the maritime sector and by extension, the port industry. The government should look into that critically because the money that should come to the Nigerian government is actually going to the Republic of Benin. It should give the government a cause to worry. The major source of income to the Republic of Benin today is from imports. The government of Republic of Benin has expanded the number of their berths and as I am talking, vessels wait as long as three weeks to be able to berth while at the Nigerian ports, our berths are empty, since January. Most of the goods that go the Republic of Benin are actually goods meant for Nigerian market. No matter what

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the government does, no matter the policing by the Customs service, those goods would always find a way to the neighbouring market.

Do you think the government agencies at the ports are too many? Are they actually performing their duties?

We should run the Nigerian ports the way other countries run their ports. Clearing of goods at the Nigerian ports is very cumbersome because of the multiplicity of the functions of government agencies. You do not need most of the agencies that are the port. Basically, in other major ports of the world, you need just three agencies which are Customs service, port health and the immigrations service.

You do not need anything other than. When you talk of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), maybe to some extent we need them, but at other ports, they are not even needed because scanning of containers take care of the content. You know exactly what is in the content. So what is Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) needed for, National Agency of Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Quarantine, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), they are not needed. It is frustrating the importers of goods to Nigeria and making it more costly. Everybody says the cost of clearing of goods in Nigerian ports is the most expensive, yes, I would say it is to some extent. It is true because all these other agencies collect one due or the other from the importers. So when you add all of that together, the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) fees, Terminal Operators, NIMASA, SON , it makes it very expensive and all of those add up to the cost of the goods. The landing cost of the goods becomes very expensive and it becomes unaffordable to the Nigerian people.

There are complains of high cost at the ports, what other factors are contributing to the high cost of doing business there?

Well, the access roads to the ports are one because at the end of the day, you also make cost of transportation, logistics, are very expensive for importers because it is such a nightmare coming into the ports and basically it is because of the poor state of the roads that leads to the ports. All those things add up as far as I am concerned. Eight five percent of the port cost is associated with clearing, it is not even the terminal charges. Everybody talks about terminal operators, but there are so many other charges that are being imposed for clearing of goods in the port that nobody bothers to look at. At least we terminal operators know we are investing huge money to keep the terminal running but there are other people out there who are imposing lots of dues that importers of goods or clearing agents have to pay. So those are aspects that I think people should look at.

Why are the cargoes meant for the Nigerian market land at the Ports of neighbouring countries?

I have said it and it is basically because of the restrictions that are in place. The major reason is the items that were banned and there are unscrupulous elements in the society who just feel they must smuggle, no matter what the government says. Even when those items are banned they would still smuggle to those neighbouring countries. Nobody goes to the neighbouring countries because of the state of our mode of operation in Nigeria at the Nigerian port because at the end of the day it is still better for them to clear their goods through the Nigerian port so we are not losing

ships to the neighbouring countries because the port industry is not efficient, we are very efficient in that regard. We are losing ships because those items are banned and they feel they can easily take them to Cotonou. Take for example, fairly used cars, as it is now the federal government has banned importation of fairly used cars to Nigeria indirectly. They did not say do not bring but what they said was if you bring, you would pay an exorbitant fee to clear those goods. If you buy for example, a car for One thousand dollars or two thousand dollars but when it gets to Nigeria, you clear with about seven hundred or eight hundred thousand Naira, and then you can go to Republic of Benin and pay one hundred thousand naira to clear such goods, it is only natural for you to go to Republic of Benin. One thing I want to say is those vehicles still get to Nigeria whether we like it or not. How many illegal routes do people use to smuggle those goods to Nigeria, they are uncountable. Customs service cannot cope because there are so many routes. Someone told me the illegal routes are in hundreds. So how many will they cover.

Will they go to the bushes to get exposed to danger. They might get killed in the process.

A lot of our Custom officers have been killed as a result of trying to police these illegal routes. But what I think the government can do is over time, they should try to review the restriction and these 42 items that were banned. I understand why the government is doing it and I also believe they should look at the bigger impact that it is having not just on Nigeria as a whole, but also on its people.

Because at the end of the day, how much are Nigerians paying for these commodities. We are talking about local production, it is very good, any responsible government would want us to buy locally made goods but what is the landing cost of the locally made goods if you ask me, you would discover that some of these locally made goods are more expensive than the imported items. What is responsible is simple, we do not have infrastructure that would back up local content in Nigeria. People are running on their generators. Now diesel is almost N200 per litre, for those who are producing locally, they would spread it on d cost of production which makes it go up.

The cost of the commodity would simply increase because people go into businesses to make profit. It is such a nightmare and it is so frustrating for the few industries, I would say few, because how many people are producing in Nigeria today. I believe first things first. The government should look into the issue of power that is the key for Nigeria to become an industrialised nation.

Power is the key to this whole thing. When there is power, there would be an explosion of industries that would be producing one thing or the other. Even in individual homes, we would be producing like China. Because the good thing we have going for Nigeria is the people. We have the number when it comes to population. Nigerians are very hard working and intelligent people. When we have power, federal government would not teach anybody to begin to produce one thing or the other. We just go into it because Nigerians like to work.

So if we want to say the government wants to project and encourage local content, it is not going to happen unless we have power. That is the truth because that is the key. I know the FG is looking seriously into the issue of power and I know the Minister of Power is very a very dynamic and efficient person. I know they are looking into all these things but one of the things I also want to advise the government is to look into other sources CONTINUED ON NEXTPAGE

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

HAASTRUP: IMPORTS TO NIGERIA HAVE FALLEN BY 50 % of power. We should not depend on hydro or gas power. The world is going beyond all those sources of producing power. They can look at other alternatives. There is the nuclear one, there is wind energy, there are various sources of power, so that in all areas of the country, power can be produced. We should have something we can fall back on. When we have that spread and other sources of power, it would be very easy for Nigerians to begin to produce a lot of things locally. We would have a lot of made in Nigeria goods.

What is your assessment of the Nigerian ports, have they attained high standards of operation?

I would give the Nigerian port a pass mark and I make bold to say that the Nigerian port has done really well. We haven’t attained the high standards yet because of all the problems which I have mentioned here. We are not where we should be but we have the capacity to be where we want to be. In the concession agreement, everybody has a responsibility, the terminal operators have their own responsibility, NPA by extension, government has their own responsibility and even the users of the ports have their own responsibility. Everybody has something to bring to the table as long as those things are adhered to. Nigerian ports have the potential to equate to any other ports of the world. I make bold to say that. Having said that, Nigerian ports have really done very well and I am proud of what we have achieved. It is very simple.

Asides the last couple of months, when the issue of forex became came up. When you look at the activities at the ports, before now, January to June or September last year to now, if you look at the volume of activities and the volume of cargo that has passed through the

Nigerian ports and then the Nigerian ports industry was able to handle and accommodate that level of cargo, we have done very well.

About 10 years, for people who condemn terminal operators, maybe they have short memory because they need to think about what the port looked like back then. The port industry was a completely run down system.

When government saw that they could not handle it anymore, they gave the concession to private companies to run and within a very short time, what the government could not do, we did double of it in one year. In one year most of us had achieved a hundred per cent increase on volumes of cargoes that we handled. It was not that those cargos were not there when NPA was doing the job, but there used to be a lot of congestion because of ships waiting to come in. In those days ships that we discharge between three to four days used to be in 15 days, so, at the end of the day, how much ships or cargo could NPA do. So the Nigerian port industry has evolved and is still evolving and I believe that eventually, we would get to where we are going.

It has been 10 years since the concession which private terminal operators assumed responsibility for cargo handling, what is your assessment of the journey so far?

The journey for me has been a sweet one because I like challenges. It has been a wonderful experience for me as a person because I like a situation where something is spoilt and I am allowed to fix it up and that is exactly what we have done. The port industry was in pieces and terminal operators were asked to couple it together and that is exactly what I have done. I am very proud of myself and what ENL has been able to achieve as a terminal.

I am also very proud of what other terminals

have achieved as a member of the association of STOAN. What the port industry used to be to what it is now, in ten years, there has been a remarkable transformation in the Nigerian port. Anybody that tells you anything contrary is lying. If you look at all the poor terminals in Nigeria, we have developed the port to the level where getting equipment to discharge ships is no more a problem. We have invested heavily in gears, equipment and all of that. You need to go to the ports in Tin can Island, or in Port Harcourt or Apapa. Wherever you go, you would see a lot of development. We have changed the face of the port. We brought a lot to the table in the Nigerian port and I am very proud.

What is the mode of operation do the ports adopt 24/7?

I operate 24/7 but my customers do not operate 24/7. If you come at night, I have people who work night shifts. I discharge ships at night, everybody does. But the question is, are clearing agents taking delivery of their cargo at night? No. Why? The customers should be asked why they cannot come to take delivery of their cargo at night. If you come here unannounced at night, ports are in operation.

What is your advice to the government on bringing back cargo to the our ports First of all, this current forex policy which the government calls flexible forex policy floating.

It is a welcome development and is very good.

It would make the Nigerian naira to regain its balance and find its true value. That is the way it should be because that is the way it is in other parts of the world where currency finds its true value. Nobody intervenes on the true value of the currency. What the central bank has done now is very welcoming; at least

Niger Delta Ministry to Collaborate with NIS to Check Security Chinedu Eze The Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI) Muhammad Babandede has expressed worry over the dearth of patrol boats to effectively monitor the creeks and rivers in the Niger Delta region.

He made this known when the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uganu Usani paid him a visit in Abuja.

The CGI said in view of the current threat to security in the area and the availability of arms in the hands of unauthorised persons, it has become inevitable for the NIS and the Ministry to work together to bring the situation under control.

The CGI therefore called on the Minister to support the NIS in developing the

Marine Unit of the agency to be fully operational by providing the required patrol boats and strengthening the capacity of officers in that region through regular training and retraining.

Babandede also decried the abuse of the expatriate quota regime by companies and expatriates that do business in the Niger Delta area.

According to him one of such abuses was the failure to implement the understudy policy of government, which he said was essentially aimed at technology transfer and creating job opportunities for the Nigerian youths.

The understudy clause in the expatriate policy provides for two Nigerians to understudy an expatriate in order to promote a seamless transfer

of technology to Nigerians.

However, these companies fail to have the understudies and thereby denying Nigerians of employment they are qualified for.

He noted that were the companies to train the understudies as stipulated Nigeria would have created employment for people of that region.

He said as a solution to this abuse, the NIS is working with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to ensure that only qualified expatriate engineers work in Nigeria while the NIS is also determined to enforce the understudy policy in order to create jobs for Nigerians.

Babandede also used the opportunity of the visit to call on the Niger Delta militants

not to allow any individual or groups to use them to destroy the country’s infrastructure but to support the government, which is determined to bring real change to the area and the country.

Earlier, the Minister had told the CGI that he was on an exploratory visit to find out ways his Ministry would collaborate with the NIS to deal with the issue of insecurity in the Niger Delta.

He said that considering the place of NIS in migration and economic activities there are lots of things the two organs of government could do to strengthen the fight against piracy and insurgency.

Both senior government officials agreed to meet regularly to effect the collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

Ethiopian Airlines Brings New Airbus Plane to Lagos Nigeria’s indigenous carrier, Dana Air, has announced that it would recommence scheduled operations from Lagos to the Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri, from July 11, 2016.

The airline said the addition of Owerri brings its current route network coverage of the airline to five destinations – Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Owerri. ‘’We are greatly delighted to extend our operations to

Owerri,’’ said Obi Mbanuzuo, Accountable Manager of Dana Air. Owerri is fast becoming a hub in Nigeria, and we feel very proud to once again extend our award winning service to the good people of Owerri, as we look forward to expanding our operations even further.’’

Obi while assuring business and leisure travellers of pocketfriendly fares, said that from July 11, 2016, “we will operate one daily flight from Lagos to Owerri at 7.02am with a return

flight at 9am.

Commenting further, Obi said the weekend schedule would be slightly different with a flight at 4.02pm and a return at 5.40pm.

Meanwhile, the airline has launched a promo for members of its frequent flyer program on social media. The promo tagged: ‘Make a wish,’ strictly on twitter; entails guests to make any wish ranging from free tickets, extra baggage allowance, discounts, access

to lounge, free miles, and the wish would be granted by the airline.

Commenting on the promo, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo, said Dana Air’s vision is to be recognised and respected as Nigeria’s most reliable and customer-friendly airline, and this he says, the airline will achieve by consistently demonstrating commitment to service and providing affordable regional air transport services that focus on innovation, quality and service excellence.

business owners can make projections and plan now. At least they would know what would be the landing cost of their goods; they would know how much forex is. Having said that, the issue of restriction of the 42 items, I want to implore the government to revisit those items because the manufacturers of goods in Nigeria are also suffering as a result of this ban because some of these items are some of the things they need for production in their various factories. It is also destabilising the importers of goods to Nigeria. The economic activities are being affected seriously. Right now, there are no jobs for young people, when you restrict importation of those goods, you are also restricting Nigerian economy as a whole. Local content should be encouraged but I think it is something that should be done in phases and gradually with a human phase so that Nigerians would not suffer much as a result of those restrictions. Right now Nigerians are passing through a lot of pains and I know Mr. president is aware of it because he has mentioned that he is not unaware that Nigerians are going through pains, he did not cause these pain but it is just unfortunate that what he met on ground is the one that has put him in a difficult position where he has to make certain decisions but some of these decisions should please have human phase so that the Nigerian people would not suffer too much. Re-emphasising on the 42 items that were banned should be looked at. The impact of the ban has also been very negative. I do not know why it is still banned because forex has been allowed to float any way so what is the point of banning. I thought initially that government placed those restrictions because they could not afford to provide forex for the importers but now that naira has been allowed to float, why are we still here.

IFFA Inaugurates Executives for Apapa Chapter Sandra Ukele The International Freight Forwarders Association of Nigeria (IFFA) recently held its annual retreat and formal inauguration of its 7-man committee to head its Apapa branch in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the President of the association Mr. Sam Onyemelukwe reiterated members’ commitment to trade facilitation. He stressed that members of the association are active in the movement of huge tonnage of cargoes annually to and from ports in Nigeria.

Onyemelukwe, who is the immediate past Vice Chairman, Governing Board, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), explained that in this period of economic instability and fluctuations, especially in the oil and gas indices, the nation must rely on maritime, and other natural endowment to make Nigeria economically great again.

“We are aware that IFFA members are active, daily practitioners that move huge tonnage of cargoes annually to and from the ports in Nigeria and other parts of the world. Hence, we are in a vantage position to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that the goals and targets of the federal government in maritime and shipping are achieved,’ he said.

Onyemelukwe pointed out that members of association have gathered experience in the freight forwarding sub sector whose resources can be tapped

for growth and development of the maritime sector.

According to him, working with all stakeholders by the IFFA pose a major target to the sector, saying that the maritime sector is one of the revenue earners to the government coffers.

“IFFA has a gathering of experienced maritime professionals whose recourse can be tapped for the growth and development of our industry.

Working with all stakeholders, our target is to make maritime and freight forwarding the number one revenue earner to the federal government of Nigeria. We have carried our practical research that shows that this is achievable,” he stated.

The former CRFFN boss further noted that IFFA built a bridge with practitioners from different countries, adding that the synergies and exchange can greatly help the country.

In line with the association’s vision, the freight forwarding group, according to the IFFA boss, aligns with global best practices to ensure Nigeria preparedness to join the global league in dynamism and internationally oriented industry.

“Looking at our local milieu, in this era of probe and anti-corruption crusade, we must all support the federal government and join hands in building new Nigeria where equity and justice, honesty and integrity, will reign supreme.

We must not allow the kind of can of warms that are let out from the industry in the past past years happen again,” he said.

WEEKEND WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

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ANOTHER FIRST FOR NDIDI OBIOHA ACTING EDITOR CHARLES AJUNWA / charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

28/COVER

01.07.2016

Another First for Ndidi Obioha Ndidi Obioha, Chief Executive Officer of Enthyst Event Limited and Enthyst Fashion Klinik, whose experience in event planning spans several decades, recently added another feather to her cap with the launch of a first of its kind reality TV show in Nigeria titled 'The Event Pros', which exposes and reviews everything that makes event planning flawless and stylish. She spoke with Mary Ekah about the inspiration behind the show and more What is the motive behind the launch of your TV show?

It is a dream comes true. It is an infotainment kind of show called ‘The Event Pros’. It is all about the event industry – the madness, the tension, and the entire craze that go on when putting together an event. It is a reality show.

So, there is no holding back. It is seeing me in my elements planning events. The truth is that people seat there and say, ‘what does event planners really do? And they get to the venue and see a beautiful arrangement and they believe it doesn’t take much effort and that they don’t really need an event planner in most cases. But when you watch this show and see the behind the scene efforts put into planning events, you would know it is unwise for any one planning a party not to employ the services of an event planner. There is so much pressure and uncertainty involved in putting up an event that you really need an event planner. What we do as event consultants is that we conceptualise, define, plan, mileage, execute, implement and finally coordinate the event according to the brief we are given and in doing this we totally rely on vendors. One of the things that made me do this is because there are a handful of non-professionals in the industry. When the industry is full of non-professionals, they are gradually taking that industry to the doom era. Some come into the industry because of the money, some because they think the industry is booming.

What happens then, they cut corners at the expense of their clients that have paid you to work for them. It is also an avenue to let those who like to come into the industry know what to expect and understand some of the skills they need to acquire. That is what the show is all about. We want to make it as real as possible, entertaining as possible and informative. It is meant to help the industry.

We will showcase some of the people we consider professionals. From vendors to event planners, they will share their experiences on the show. This is me giving people the opportunity to share their stories and for people to learn from them.

consider when starting. For every job you execute well will give you another job. I remember when I started, the first wedding I did gave me three other weddings. When you are starting, always start with your family.

Start with those around you.

Have you always wanted to be an event planner?

I remember back then, I have always loved to host people. Every opportunity to host people, I jump at it. Let me say, being an event planner came naturally, I didn’t even think I would make money from it. It was passion first before the money. That has kept me going.

A lot of people will think you are trying to diversify because money isn’t coming as it used to or maybe you’re no longer getting clients?

To me honest wit you, it is even coming more for us. I did APC convention last year.

It was one of our biggest jobs. It was huge and an amazing event. Funny enough, jobs have been coming despite the craziness of getting the job done. We are getting better and growing more even with all the madness.

And for me, in everything I do, I always love taking it to the next level, so for me, this is the next level, which is the TV show. If I didn’t do TV, I probably would have written a book.

The idea for me is sharing knowledge and passing on knowledge that for me is the next level. And one of the things I will probably end up doing in no time would be opening up my event academy and it is all about impacting knowledge on people.

How entertaining will the show be so that viewers will not be bored?

The entertainment part is seeing the drama.

There are a lot of screaming and shouting. You will see a different side of me. Some vendors can drive you mad. Some will literally kill you. At times, I wish I could do everything by myself. There are a few good ones there too. They are good and they pay attention to details. I try my best to showcase them as well; some will short-change you instead of giving you the exact number of items, they bring less.

Obioha

Can you take us through the content of the show?

It is called ‘The Event Pros’. Pros is a short form for professionals. It is a reality show. It is in different four parts. A camera will be following me wherever I work. There will be a diary section in each episode, where we relate everything that we have gone through, letting people to really understand what we are up to with this programme. There will be the interview session, where we would be interviewing different vendors from my colleagues to the some of the people that we get these services from. We also have a session where we will give people tips on what to look out for like the kind of music to play at birthdays, funerals and so on. We would showcase talents behind our industry like some people who are not in our industry but help things run properly for us like the artistes and DJs. How many episodes have you recorded so far?

We have 13 episodes. It will run for 15 weeks and it will show on Africa Magic Urban from July. We are also online TV. Having a TV show is not a child’s pay, so are you paying the bills or your sponsors?

For now, it is from our purse. We believe it will attract sponsors very soon. The reality show will give birth to a lot of other things.

For Season 2, we will search for an event

How do you manage difficult vendors?

I am particular when it comes to details. If a vendor wants to short-change me, I deduct his pay. I will give such a person hell as well because it will affect my brand. The client needs to know you through me; I must protect my client and my brand as well.

Ndidi and Friends

intern, just to make it exciting. The intern will work with me and other vendors. Whoever wins will go with me to Las Vegas, USA, in an all-expense paid trip. I attend conference there every year. The winner will learn so much over there. It is really an avenue of giving back. We would retire some day. We need people to carry on. I am so passionate about the event industry. I love to do this, I mean, event planning is fun, although a very

crazy profession but if you know what you are doing, it is fun! And I do not want to see it die. Someone should be able to carry on after us and it should be the right people.

Would there be startup funds for interns?

The truth is that, you don’t need any start off funds for event planning business. Clients pay you to start. All you need is creativity and that is one important thing you have to

In your years as an event planner, have you ever had a poor outing?

No, I haven’t to be honest with you. I think I might close shop the day I do. It will kill me.

That is how passionate I am about my job.

I have had one or two not-too-good events, but they weren’t poor outings because of us.

As much as we have vendors that can be challenging, the client can also be challenging as well. Event planners are like medical doctors. Clients need to tell them how much they have so that we can work with it. So usually we work with your budget.

On an average, how many events do you host in a month?

That’s between 20 and 25. I am always having fun while working. Once an event is successful, I am ready to start another one that same night. It is not difficult for me because I really love what I do.

29/XTRA

01.07.2016

‘At 77, there's Need for Moderation’ Prince Rabiu Adio Oluwa, a grassroots politician fondly called Asiwaju of Ijora Kingdom marked 77 years of age recently with a grand celebration. In this interview with Akinwunmi Ibrahim and Godbless Eduviere, he talks about life at 77, family, politics among others things time, we completed the secretariat, though it was started before we came on board. A lot of roads, schools, health services were made available. A lot of things were done at that time.

You celebrated your 77th birthday recently, can you recall how it all started?

I was born April 24, 1939 in Lagos Island, particularly Isale Eko area of Lagos Island.

I attended Holy Trinity School for primary education, from there I moved to Ansar-uddeen College Ijebu Ode. After my Secondary School, I worked briefly with Nigeria Port Authority as a key staff and I left for United Kingdom where I did a course in Shipping and Ship Brokerage at the City of London College now London University. I am from the Oluwa Chieftaincy family of Lagos and I belong to three additional chieftaincy families due to the marriage of my parents; Oludele, Ijora and Olujolo. I am the prince of Lagos as well. When I was young, I was a bit involved in politics.

I remember in my first year at Ansar-ud-deen College we were asked to write an essay on the Action Group campaign in the Western region. Then we had people like Akintola, Awolowo and others. It was interesting in those days; from then on, I was interested and became fully involved.

Over years, what has been your drive in politics?

Politics was interesting then. It was when the presidential system of government commenced that the problem started. You can see the mass unemployment in the nation now. It is now a do or die affair because everybody believes that when you are in politics and you are elected into any of the offices, 'you have arrived’; fat salary, vehicle, housing allowance and so on.

That's why people are clamouring for political office now. That's why you have this do or die attitude. If it’s the parliamentary system, things wouldn't be like this because you will only be paid your allowances, sitting allowances.

Then it was pensioners that go into politics not fresh graduates or school leavers.

You are considered one of the top leaders in your community and that is why you were chosen among delegates that represented Lagos State at the last National Conference, what role did you play?

It was the entire Nigeria, every delegate was fighting for his or her region, but the paramount thing was the existence of Nigeria as a whole. A lot of things we did at that time have not seen the light of day. When we first started it was very rowdy, eventually we let them know that we were there for the existence of Nigeria and a lot of things were done. For instance, the regional and state police, with the existence of Boko Haram, if you have state police, you would be able to know exactly what's going on in your locality and state. But at that time people believed that Jonathan did that thing because of his selfish interest, because he wants to return to power and get people to do his bid. But it was not so in side that hallowed chambers, it was not so. Most of the recommendations have not seen the light of day now, that's the problem.

But was there any challenge you faced while growing?

As a human being, things cannot be perfect.

You have to be up and doing. When you are focused and determined, if you want to achieve something in your life, there are big names you look up to whether in Lagos, the West, East, or the North; like Aminu Kano, Tafawa Balewa, Azikiwe, Awolowo, Ojukwu. These were inspirational people, not all these violence we are experiencing now.

Are you saying that is what propelled you into politics?

To an extent, but there is no way you are born into a big family that you will not be interested in the development of your area.

Once you develop interest you will be involved in political activities.

How do you feel attaining a ripe age of 77?

Well, there is no magic in it. At this age, there is need for moderation. There is time for everything, when we were young we know how we play, and when you get to the age of 60 or 70 you have to take things slow. It is an adventure but the most important thing is that you are satisfied, you are looking up to some people at the top and some others are looking up to you too. Just believe in God and everything God has done for you.

These fingers are not equal; all of us cannot be rich, if you are sure of three square meals after retiring, then you should be grateful, because that is the cause of most of the problems for people and the society. In some advanced countries, it is not so, when you are at the age of 60, your pension is there for you; you don’t need to labour hard for anything. In Nigeria people are suffering, it is very difficult to get their benefits most especially if you are retired, if you are retired you depend on your pension and most time you wait like four years or so to get it and many people die on the queue. When your pension scheme is alright, I don’t think you have any much problem. Life after retirement is very important.

Can you lead us into you marital life?

Well, I am from a polygamous house and I had my first wife very early. As at now, I have a football team, I have about three or four women that have children for me. You have to take things easy, if you don't do that, you will have problems. Everything that is done is the work of God. Considering you are from a polygamous home, was polygamy your choice when you wanted to marry?

That was what was applicable then, though I have some colleagues who married one wife.

Prince Rabiu Adio Oluwa

At 77, do you still have some future plans you shelved in the past?

At my age what plans are there to make?

Basically what we retired people do is to see to it that those coming after us are doing the right things. If they are about to err, we guide them aright, if they don't believe us sooner or later they will see it themselves. It's for us to be honest with ourselves and be sure we are doing the proper thing, not deceiving people.

L-R: Otunba Adejiyan; Tajudeen Ojora; Celebrant's wife, Ireti Oluwa and celebrant, Prince Rabiu Oluwa (3rd right); Senator Mutiu Mosen and Waheeb Adigun; during his recent birthday celebration at his home in Lagos.

It is just to adapt to it. Martial problem are marital problems, one wife or not. It's how you handle yourself that is the issue.

There have been many accolades and tittles on you, can you shed light on what they represent or symbolises?

My Asiwaju they call me is from the Ijora family. The white cap Chief is from the Oba there. When he was named the Oba, he gave me the title far back in 2010. I am a man of the people. I am in politics and its part of life.

When you are in school there are some names you bear. Akosa is my family name; Prince of peace, Asiwaju, the Oba himself gave me that title, am a man of the people, all these names are just part of life.

During your tenure in office as the Council Chairman, what can you say is your greatest achievement(s)?

Though, I was the second elected Chairman of Ajeromi Local Council. Our election was in 1998 but we were sworn in 1999. During that

What is your advice for the aspiring youth whose ambition is to emulate you as a role model?

Be steadfast, be focused, and be contented with what God has given you. Don't envy rich people; you don't know how they got their wealth. These days, youths want to drive flashy cars immediately they get out of school, but these things take time to come. The moment you want them quick you begin to get into the wrong things; drug dealing in order to make quick money, which is wrong.

As a polygyny, how do you manage your wives when they quarrel?

The only way is that you just have to be honest, sincere and have the fear of God. No matter what, when they quarrel, one must be wrong and one must be right. In your own judgement be fair and firm. Don't say that because one is the junior wife so you will favour her. If she is wrong tell her she is wrong, don't take sides with her because you love her or anything.

How many wives do you have now?

One died, one left. Two are currently with me. I have a total of eleven children.

30/ NEWS

01.07.2016

Artistes Seek Payment of Royalty Decrie non-inclusion in MOPICON bill Oluwaseyi Adewuyi Artistes in the country under the umbrella of the Artistes Guild of Nigeria (AGN) have decried the unstructured state of the entertainment industry in the country.

They noted that the though the entertainment industry as defined was founded by executives and producers, yet it is an industry where 70 per cent are performers and creative people with the mind of multi-media.

Speaking at a media conference, the President of AGN, Mr. Emeka Ike, argued that deliberate abandonment of artistes is a suicide attempt for the industry.

According to him, the association viewed AGN’s removal from the Motion Picture Council of Nigeria (MOPICON) Bill project as a direct plot to side-line the 70 per cent content and right owners in the industry from being part of decision making where enforceable issues are brought to base.

This, he further argued would eventually lead to handing the industry “to our transducers who serve as vendors for some particular foreign multinational companies who use our products with impunity having their confidence while impoverishing, oppressing, owing, scandalising and running the “old Nollywood off” with a #tag brand raising their own artistes, producers etc. and investing on just these few mentors of the huge industry an trampling on their

Emeka-Ike

human rights Issues.”

“Sign a contract or not there are international charters that Nigeria as a nation is signatory to, which protest these trampled Rights. The UNESCO charter on Entertainment, the BENE convention of 19 and several other laws exist to the favour of the Nigerian artistes. We are deliberately impoverishing to drain the magician of the magic while refocusing elsewhere; maybe another land with residues of a few powerful local studios in highbrow areas of Nigerian Nollywood will be redefined to fit only the highest bidders.

“That’s the matter for the endless of the

AGN, PMAN, ANTP, NANTAP, NMVMPA, ANCORP and every structure that should be house entertainment in Nigeria. Our crises are deliberate and man made. Designed to only suit the middleman businessman and their foreign business partners.

“It’s a shame that the contracts producers are made to sign in this country are far more different from that signed all over the world. Even around us here in Africa.

“Who designed the subliming and marginalisation of the Nigerian artiste and where has all that huge funds been going? We hear of Google paying NIMBS Banks for the intellectual property owners and other crafts. How much could it have accrued to it since the advent of the Internet system?

“We need to reorganise the system to run on defined templates that protests everybody, including the environment of the shot. COSON is blazing the trail for the music artistes. We have designed ours to fit every international practice principled.

We are working on our biometric ID card.

These people will not want to hear of it. Yet Nigerian people will make them listen to us. We call on the president, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to wade into these issues and maybe millions of Nigerian artistes will be paid and subsequent royalties paid to my people.”

Breathless Debuts at Cinemas Today Movie fans will have an opportunity of meeting Mike Ezuruonye, Uti Nwachukwu and Bimbo Manuel, lead actors in ‘Breathless’, a new movie debuting at the cinemas from today.

Also scheduled to be at the cinemas are other stars of the movie. They include Nancy Isime, John Njamah, Bobby Michaels and Brycee Bassey. The stars will meet with and greet fans that come for the cinema debut.

Nwachukwu and Brycee Bassey will be at the Silverbird Cinemas, Ikeja City Mall in Lagos, while Ezuruonye and Njamah will be at Silverbird Cinemas, Festival Mall, FESTAC Town. Movie fans who arrive early for the cinema debut stand the chance of winning beautiful gifts.

Breathless, a movie with more twists and turns than a rollercoaster, tells an absorbing story of a bitter sibling rivalry that takes in dark family secrets, love, lust, murder, revenge and search for justice.

Its receipt of nominations at two prestigious African movie awards has already attested to the film’s quality.

Through his performance in Breathless,

L-R: Executive Producer, Breathless Movie, Jenkins Alumona; Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe; Director, Breathless Movie, Charles Uwagbai and a Film Maker, Lancelot Massien, during the breathless movie premiere in Lagos…

KOLA OLASUPO

Ezuruonye was nominated for the Best Actor Drama (TV/Series) Category at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), while Nwachukwu's performance earned him nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

Executive producer, Breathless, Jenkins Alumona, said the movie represents a landmark in the Nigerian movie industry.

“From the cast, crew, storyline, directing, equipment and locations, we ensured that we threw in the best available. We gave Breathless our best shot because there is a need to tell the world that Nigeria is home to some of the world's best cinematic storytellers," said Alumona. Breathless, collaboration between Flykite Productions and Creative Unit was directed by Charles Uwagbai. Doris Ariole wrote story.

Mama Gold Instant Noodles Launched Olam Sanyo Foods Limited has introduced into the Nigerian market, Mama Gold Instant Noodles. The product, which was formally launched at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, was unveiled from a treasure box that was kept in a traditional throne.

The unveiling was done by some key distributors of the company with a lot of excitement.

According to the Group Product Manager of Olam Sanyo Foods Limited, Ebere Ejidike, “Mama Gold as a brand has been there in rice and semolina category. It is loved and trusted by Nigerian consumers for its high quality. It is a brand that is very different and nutritious. Mama Gold noodles is specially formulated after more than two years of research by a team of scientists from our sophisticated research and development facility, in collaboration with Sanyo Foods, Japan and a flavour house in Austria. After seven rounds of intensive consumer research we got the perfect chicken flavour which is loved by Nigerians.”

The Group Product Manager further revealed that Mama Gold Instant Noodles is of a superior quality with right blend

Mama Gold Instant Noodles” in a Treasure Box placed in a Traditional Throne surrounded by Palace Guards during the unveiling of the product

of seasoning, the tastiest noodles ever with a golden colour and less sticky. It gives a lip smacking taste of goodness.

The product was extensively researched amongst consumers (mothers and Kids) across Nigeria through blind product tests by the leading research agency. 73 per cent of mothers and 70 per cent of children preferred Mama Gold Noodles to

the leading brand. Mama Gold Noodles is now available only at Lagos, in 3 pack sizes – 70g, 100g and 120g. With Mama Gold the consumers should get ready for “Tasty Golden Moments”. Olam Sanyo Foods limited is a subsidiary of Caraway Pte Ltd Singapore, which is a joint venture between Olam International Ltd, Singapore and Sanyo Foods, Japan.

New Online TV Raises Hope for Women’s Empowerment Omolola Itayemi A new online Television by Stronger Vessels Network is set to provide succour to women seeking liberation, empowerment, and transformation by helping them navigate through a difficult life transition.

The platform, which is called ‘More than a woman,’ will particularly reach out to women from all walks of life, who are enduring difficult phases or have been through painful experiences.

Founder and host of the initiative, Dolamu Badejo, speaking in Lagos at the launch of the platform and unveil of a transformational book titled ‘The Journey To Your Personal Transformation: Your Own Workbook’, said the platform would feature programmes including live broadcast interviews, talk shows, workshops, counseling and makeover sessions that would support women to contribute meaningfully to national development.

According to her, the book takes people on an experiential journey towards becoming better by following simple steps, and more importantly working out their own ‘salvation’.

“We believe strongly that women play a very crucial role in the development of any nation. Hence, we thrive on the philosophy that a woman empowered is by extension a community liberated.

“We would give you a voice, ease the burden, offer you the support and love that you need, and introduce you to a healthy and successful family of victors. We would also encourage you through a transformation process and help you live the better version of yourself. No matter your present circumstance, we want for you to get the best out of life and live your truth,” Badejo said.

According to her, the platform will also treat real issues plaguing women of interest, release transformational documentaries, engage in mastermind trips and classes.

“What we need is for many women to join and support our community and growing network. This is possible. Our desire is that you join us today and set yourself quickly on your transformational journey to self,” she added.

Unveiling a short film to echo the transformational story of a young woman, who was battling her biggest enemy; herself but eventually lost her mind, became lonely, encountered threatening health issues and attempted suicide, the organisation disclosed that the film would be accessible online to the general public at a later date to be announced on its social media platforms.

College Holds 17th Graduation Ceremony Omolola Peter Uzoho Global International College, Lekki, recently, celebrated its 17th graduation and award ceremony. The event held in Lagos attracted guests from within and outside Nigeria as representatives of foreign universities graced the occasion.

This year’s graduation saw a total number of 60 students, in the one year preparatory school, graduate, and of this number, 50 had already secured admissions into different prestigious universities in the United States of America, England and Canada.

Awards of different category were conferred on them, for their academic excellence, handwork and good character, to encourage them as they move to a higher level in their career.

Delivering the welcome speech, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Global International College, Mrs. Abolaji Osime, charged the graduating students to endeavour to be responsible students in their various universities while calling on them to be agents that would change the trajectory of Nigeria, and in general, impact the world.

“Nearly a year ago, most of you joined us on a journey and today, we’re gathering for your graduation ceremony which opens another chapter in your academic journey. A few months from now, you will become students of different prestigious universities all over the world,” Osime said.

“Going to the university brings up new challenges, responsibilities and maturity. You were once treated like children, but now, you will be treated as adults. The university environment is quite different from what you have been used to. You were born to be great, born to impact the world. Our world is desperate for the next generation who are determined to make a difference. Nigeria is desperate for young hardworking men and women who will come back to change the trajectory of our nation,” she added.

Similarly, Vice President, Digital Services and Chief Information Officer, American University of Nigeria (AUN), Mr. Julius Ayuk-Tabe, in his keynote speech, advised the graduating students to be mindful of choices they make in life. “In life, you make choices and eventually your choices make you. In many occasions in our journey through life, we come to crossroads; we are faced with choices and situations where we have to decide based on the options available. The choices we make will lead to one destination in life or a totally different place”, Ayuk-Tabe said.

31/LIVING

01.07.2016

Acquiring Knowledge for Better Living with Ease Ahmed Ojeifo chose to enroll on an online Masters in Project Management course at the University of Roehampton, London Online to develop the skills he would need to begin tackling the issues related to power shortages faced by local communities in Nigeria.

The mechanical engineering graduate is currently living in Germany and working in production, planning and quality control at hydropower company Wasserkraft Volk AG (WKV). WKV is one of the leading global manufacturers of small and medium sized hydro power plants, operating several hundred plants in over 50 countries worldwide.

Ahmed is originally from Esan in Edo State, Nigeria. “Esan is an area where power supply is an immediate problem, as it is in many developing countries. This has a profound effect on economic and living conditions, but it also affects the academic life of some of the youngest members of the community,” he explains.

Recognising that the hydropower projects he was working on at WKV could help address the problems faced by these communities; Ahmed became determined to return to his hometown in the future to implement similar projects.

In order to better support his community, he realised he first needed to develop his skills and understand how to apply them in the context of his community in Nigeria, so he embraced the opportunity to study online:

Roehampton Online Graduation, Ahmed Ojeifo

“Project management is all about properly managing people and resources, and this knowledge would form the foundation of the work I would be doing in helping my own community.”

Immediately after beginning his course at

Roehampton Online, Ahmed was able translate what he had learnt to his professional role.

“I saw a difference straight away, and so did my employer,” he said. “It had a huge impact on the way I interacted with colleagues and how I was able to relate to them.”

He has also benefitted from the online discussions with his peers. “The experience gives you the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and from different professional and cultural backgrounds. You are able to learn from people professionally, as well as gain valuable insight into other cultures. In my ‘Managing Projects’ module, my classmates shared their experiences about how projects are managed in their various countries and cultures.

I now have a much better understanding of how to manage teams made up of different ethnic groups, for example, due to some of the insights I gained from one of my peers in Jamaica.”

Ahmed formed part of the first cohort of students to graduate from a Roehampton online programme in February 2016.

The ceremony saw students from all over the world come together to celebrate at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Since graduating, Ahmed continues to think about the ways he can bring about positive change in his local Nigerian community, drawing on the knowledge he has gained from his course and work in Germany.

Specifically, he hopes that the introduction of more hydropower plants in Nigeria will benefit the poorest communities in ways beyond merely providing power. “In urban areas of Nigeria such as Lagos, people have access to modern facilities and communication tools, meaning it is easier to learn and educate yourself. But for those living in rural areas, where electricity and power supply can be problematic, it is difficult for people to learn online. Reversing this problem would not only boost the area economically and improve living standards, it would open doors in terms of education, a huge advantage to rural communities across Nigeria.

“Africa is a developing continent. Most of the countries are developing countries.

Therefore there should be projects happening all the time – developing education, technology, power and many other industries. Demand for project managers in Africa is only going to rise, and the key to meeting this demand is education.”

Ahmed is thrilled with the progress he has made since completing his programme, and plans to continue to apply his learning to leverage the best possible results through his project management skills. “Learning is a continuous process. You have to continue to develop yourself and your knowledge throughout your life, otherwise you will fall behind.”

LG Electronics Unveils Evercool Lagos Water Commission Endorses CWAY Water Quality Smart Inverter Refrigerator Drinking water giant, CWAY, recorded another milestone recently following the certification and endorsement visit to their factories by the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mallam Kabir Ahmed, who led other members of the commission, commended CWAY for complying with laid down rules of the commission. The delegation's visit was a follow up to CWAY fulfilling the regulatory body’s registration requirements as newly required

by Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LSWRC).

"We are comfortable with what we saw, we visited the boreholes, treatment plant and other production facilities,” Ahmed said.

The executive secretary further used the opportunity to re-emphasise that there were no issues of quality or safety with the commission as CWAY's standards are not in doubt, rather, "There were payments for regulatory provisions for water extraction, for licensing and for permits which they have complied with."

The delegation visited CWAY factories at

Mary Ekah Considering the unstable power supply in Nigeria with an average blackout time of eight hours per day; which has been a major concern to many households as it is apparent that most foods in the refrigerator will go bad within four hours of power outage, LG Electronics, Nigeria’s leading brand in home appliances and consumer electronics has launched into the Nigerian market a 5-star rated frost-free Evercool Smart Inverter Refrigerator. The new product can be powered with inverter; solar panels or generator ensuring that cooling is not in any way interrupted during power cuts.

While unveiling the product at the LG Brand Store in Ogba-Lagos, Managing Director, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Seonghak Kim said, “LG Electronics was excited to be unveiling the much awaited LG Evercool Inverter Smart 2.0 Refrigerator specifically designed for the Nigerian market with its inverter compatibility technology to keep food fresh even during power outages.” He explained that the product fully meets international standards and is indeed one of the most advanced and energy efficient compressors that can be found anywhere in the world.

The LG Evercool Smart Inverter Refrigerator comes with the Inverter-ON mode feature, which is automatically activated during power cut. The working Mechanism of “Inverter-On” is based on MICOM (mini-computer), which automatically detects the change of input voltage from, Power-Cut and converts Normal Mode to “Inverter-On” Mode. Inverter-On mode automatically adjusts the temperature for both fridge and freezer compartment slightly higher to use the battery longer by consuming less energy.

More than 1 billion tons of food is wasted annually in Africa due to poor storage facilities and limited cold storage. Owing to the fact that Evercool Smart Inverter Refrigerator can optimise and keep the temperature lower during a power cut, LG Evercool refrigerator is capable of saving users money as it reduces unwanted food wastage as it can work during power cut. Although there are misconceptions about the use of inverter with refrigerator as many believe it will consume more electricity as well as dramatically shorten the battery life, but with the Inverter-ON mode in the Evercool Smart Inverter Refrigerator, it guarantees longer battery running time and optimum energy saving.

The General Manager, Home Appliances

Oshodi and Isolo where they inspected and praised the company for adhering to international standards and urged other companies to emulate CWAY in terms of quality and standards.

Responding, CWAY Group Brand Communications Director, Mr. Auscar Ikoro, thanked the Executive Secretary and his team while reiterating that CWAY is a very open company, known for its water quality and high operational standards. He further reassured the public, insisting, "CWAY is one of the best water producing firms in the country.

We have over the years ensured that we help Nigerians to have and enjoy the benefits of clean drinking water. That is what we are all about. Our factories are among the best you can find around. You can carry out a test of our water yourself to confirm its quality, so there’s no doubt about that. This commission is relatively new and we are learning to work with them to continue giving Nigerians best quality drinking water that we are known for. CWAY is water,” he said.

Diamond Bank Rewards Winners of Vision of the Child Project

LG Evercool

Division, LG Electronics West Africa operations, Mr. Hyunwoo Jung explained thatLG Evercool Smart Inverter Refrigerator comes with LED bulbs, Multi air flow, moist balance crisper box which controls the humidity level in the box in order for the vegetables and fruits to stay fresh for a long time; the refrigerator comes with the Superchill button, which enable users get faster cooling within minutes at the press of a button; there is also the tempered glass shelves which are capable of carrying items weighing up to 150kg. It also sports a high glass finish creating an opulent glow that accentuates the décor of the consumers’ living space. The Evercool Smart Invert Refrigerator comes in scarlet florid red colour with flower pattern; its bold bloom and glow brings the much-needed spark and zing to kitchens and living spaces.

Diamond Bank Plc, a leading retail bank in Nigeria; has rewarded six winners who won in the painting category of the 2016 Vision of the Child (VOTC) project at the recent award night held in honour of 12 out of 50 students who emerged winners.

The VOTC provides participating youth and children the platform to express their understanding of the world they live in, their vision of what it should be, their dreams and fantasies through painting and the literary arts – poetry, prose, fiction, or essay.

The first edition of VOTC was launched in April 2012 with the theme ‘The Vision of The Child,’ which laid the groundwork for future seasons. Diamond Bank has consistently sponsored the project over the years.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Aishah Ahmad, Head of Consumer Banking, Diamond Bank Plc; the major sponsor of VOTC expressed profound pleasure of the bank for being a part of such a laudable project and believed it would be sustained for a long time. "I am very pleased to bring to you Diamond Bank's best wishes.

We are one of the fastest growing banks and we go beyond banking by using technology to give you, our customers a rich way of life.

We wish to build banking awareness for the young ones at a very early age and try to give back to the society at every given opportunity.

"We want a situation going down twentyfive years we have some previous winners of VOTC becoming shining stars and role models for it will be a great honour and pleasure to Diamond Bank to see it happen. I also wish to tell the children to keep honing their skills and remain disciplined as we celebrate with the government of Lagos State on their 50th birthday," she said.

Emmanuel Richard from Unjeland College, Ikotun, who placed first in the painting category, won a prize of N250, 000 from Diamond Bank.

He said the VOTC has exposed him to a lot of things and believed his God-given talent brought him that exposure.

The first runner, Sophy Okonkwo of Christland School, Victoria Garden City got N200, 000, Anabel Adeyinka of Pampers Private School, Surulere who placed third won N180, 000, Joy Anthony carted away N150, 000, Fadeyi Bisola of Renard Memory School, Yaba went home with N150, 000 while the sixth position went to Christy Chisom of Ronik International School, Alimosho with N100, 000.

01.07.2016

32/ENTERTAINMENTRAVE

eraveonline@gmail.com

@eraveng

www.eraveng.com

Adekunle Gold Announces July Album Release Music star, Adekunle Gold has announced that his much anticipated debut album will be released in July 2016. The alternative singer who shot into prominence following the release of his chart topping single, ‘Sade’ shared the news with his numerous followers while answering questions in a Twitter chat conducted by ERAVE earlier this week.

The twitter chat which was an initiative of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) and tagged, AFRIMA2016: Celebrating Evolving Talents provided an opportunity for various fans to also interact with the artiste.

When asked about the release of his much awaited album, the singer swiftly responded, “No pressure. It drops in July”.

The talented singer also answered different questions as regards his last

OJB Jezreel

win at the All Africa Music Awards

last year. On how he felt winning the award last year, he swiftly responded by saying “Still surprised I won it, really honoured.”

Gold who admitted that winning the award has introduced him to Africa at large and also given him lots of opportunities encouraged other African artistes to participate fully in the awards. “I implore our artistes to lend our voices, give our means where necessary”.

Music lovers and fans were also part of the discussion as they asked the singer questions revolving round the topic of the chat.

It would be recalled that since he debuted in the highly dominated music industry, Adekunle Gold has released popular singles such as ‘Ready’, ‘Orente’, and ‘Pick Up’.

Brhymes Speaks on His New Single Talented fast rising Nigerian artiste, Brhymes is out with a highlife inspired new single titled ‘U Carry’.

The burgeoning artiste who’s a graduate of Music from the Obafemi Awolowo University didn’t disappoint his teeming fans with his singing prowess and vocal dexterity with this new release.

Speaking with ERAVE, the singer said he would always be willing to give his best to his career. “I have been getting lots of good reviews concerning my new single and I must confess that it is very encouraging. I am always working on myself and what I currently have out right now is just a tip of the iceberg as my next single will be much better. I appreciate everybody for the support given to me so far and I promised not to let them down”. Born Braimoh Olalekan Oluwasegun, the gifted singer got acquainted with music at an early age and learnt few things from his father who is also a musician. Brhymes is definitely one of the artistes to watch out for in 2016.

Kate Henshaw Vs Akpororo Earlier this week, Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw issued a 48-hour deadline to comedian, Akpororo for putting her name as the host for his event slated for July 8, 2016 without her consent. She sent a warning note to the comedian and his team to do the needful by removing her name and image from the said event or face the consequences. She wrote on Instagram- "There is a thing called RESPECT in this industry. The sooner people recognise this, the better it will be for all. Do not take my smile and simplicity for stupidity! Notice of 48 hours is hereby given to the organisers to remove my name and image from all publicity associated with this event.” Akpororo has however tendered a public apology to the actress.

Fathia Balogun

International Fashion Brand, Swarovski to Make Debut at Africa Fashion Week Swarovski will invade the Nigerian fashion industry in collaboration with Africa Fashion Week, Nigeria 2016.

The luxury brand will collaborate with designers to present looks embellished with their signature crystals at the fashion showcase set for July 1, 2016 at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island where the foremost brand will close the show.

This is the first time the brand will be participating in any form of fashion show in the Nigeria fashion industry.

The organisers say Swarovski will give people a show of a lifetime at the event.

"On the 3rd of July, Swarovski will close the Africa Fashion Week with a viewing

of garments embellished with Swarovski Crystals. The day will affirm the brilliance of Swarovski crystals as the ultimate luxury ingredient. The brilliance of the distribution and refraction of light with Swarovski crystals will be the evidence of 120 years of craftsmanship.”

Swarovski also released a statement concerning the event. “Self-expression is the new luxury. Dare to be yourself, and be the best you can be. Our objective is to immerse designers in the phenomenon to become a part of this creative evolution.

Explore the stunning pieces designed using Swarovski, learn and discover more about this initiative. Welcome to our world of

sparkle with Swarovski. We are happy to announce our collaboration with `Africa Fashion Week Nigeria 2016’. We look forward to a glamorous experience and a successful collaboration.

"Nigeria is a country of great potential and great talent. We believe that African designers are creative and passionate about fashion. The objective of our workshop is to introduce to designers, our crystals and gems with exceptional brilliance, irresistible range of colours and textures adding a touch of Sparkle to the fashion industry in West Africa."

The AFWN will commence today Friday July 1, 2016.

Actress Fathia Balogun was conferred with a chieftancy title at a ceremony held at the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Ebute-Metta in Lagos earlier this week.

The new title is said to be in connection with the actress good representation of Islam in the entertainment industry.

In attendance were celebrities like Kemi Afolabi, Mojisola Olaiya, Kehinde Rhoda Akinrinmade and others. Balogun and another actress, Dayo Amusa recently went to Mecca, Saudi Arabia to observe the Muslim Hajj pilgrimage.

JobiJobi Entertainment Releases “Baby Mi” A new player has stormed the Nigerian entertainment scene as JobiJobi Entertainment has unleashed its first artiste, Remember Bright aka BIG SYS by dropping his first single “Baby Mi”, which was officially released on Monday According to the 26 year-old indigene of Bayelsa State whose single is on massive rotation on radio stations and social media, Nigerian music buffs should watch out as he is the next big thing to happen!

“I am coming with a bang! Music lovers should watch out for the latest act in Town. I am Remember Bright aka BIG SYS. My single, “Baby Mi” is available online for downloads and it is also trending on social media. Here is calling on all my fans to go get the next hit

that will rock the music scene in Nigeria and beyond!”

A graduate of Public Administration, he was discovered by Jobi Jobi Entertainment which was founded in 2015. Jobi Jobi Entertainment, an artiste management platform is dedicated to discovering and nurturing fresh talent.

Commenting, Miss Nanette Whyte, the A&R of the platform said, “BIG SYS is our first artiste.

BIG SYS was the act on parade recently when we held a welcome party for Mr. 2Kay’s Home Coming Concert in April 2016, which featured Banky W, Ice Prince and Cynthia Morgan among a host of others. JobiJobi Entertainment is here to change the game and Nigerians should get ready for a musical roller coaster.”

Gbenro And Osas Ajibade Nollywood couple, Gbenro and Osas Ajibade have joined the growing list of Nigerian celebrities who have welcomed newborns in 2016. The lovely couple has just welcomed a baby girl . Since news of the arrival surfaced on social media, friends and other relatives of the couple have taken to their social media pages to send congratulatory messages to the couple.

33/ XTRA

01.07.2016

Orji

Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh

Orji’s Path to Food Sufficiency Charles Ajunwa writes that Senator Theodore Orji’s Food Security Bill, which has passed through second reading on the floor of the Senate, will make Nigeria to be food sufficient Nigerians, international groups and other citizens of the world recently supported the United Nations Ecosystem Based Adaptation for Food Security Assembly, which was supposed to look into the outcome of universal food crisis in the country. While the programme lasted, it was obvious that many programmes in the past on how to sustain food security in the country had yielded little or no result.

The likes of Austerity Measure and Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) had proved to be ineffective. Nigeria has also had Agricultural Development Project (ADP) that was famous in a place like Ekiti State and the USDA approach farm-household food security. These programmes had good intentions in making sure that there was food on the table of Nigerians and its security, but their positive effects were not felt. Hence, Food insecurity remains an elemental challenge in Nigeria.

Over the years, the Food and Agricultural Organisation has enrolled Nigeria among countries faced with severe food anxiety problems. Despite all the food interventionists programmes in the country, physical and economic access to food continue to remain a hallucination.

Studies have revealed that about 14 million Nigerians, as at 1986, were food-insecure, despite the fact that majority were into farming then, although the subsistence type.

Today, the United Nations, through the World Food Programme (WFP), is on top gear in making sure that food will no longer be a problem to people. The body even set aside a day to celebrate food and is providing food assistance for 7.8 million people in several countries.

Like WFP that has been providing food security in parts of the world, Senator Theodore Orji, representing Abia Central Senatorial District in the Red Chamber,

has proposed a Bill for making nutrition a necessity for every child in Nigeria, and he wants it not to go the way of other food programmes the country has had in the past.

The Bill, which has passed the second reading, was first read on the floor of the Senate on the 8th of October 2015. It is a good idea and a profound initiative from the affable ex-governor of Abia State who goes by the sobriquet, Ochendo.

Senator Orji wants Nigerians to gain freedom from hunger with primary right to food. He believes that every child in Nigeria has a right to food security with its production as the fundamental need of every citizen.

The importance of food pushed a WFP spokesperson, Elisabeth Byrs, during a press conference in Geneva, to lament “Nearly half a million people – refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons and local communities – face an acute food security and livelihood crisis,” she said. “In some violence-affected areas near the Cameroon-Nigeria border, acute

Senator Orji wants Nigerians to gain freedom from hunger with primary right to food. He believes that every child in Nigeria has a right to food security with its production as the fundamental need of every citizen

malnutrition rates among children under five years of age could be as high as 36 per cent.

“With the arrival of the rainy season, already stretched health centres would struggle to cope. As food became scarce, some 4,000 refugees have moved to the Minawao refugee camp since the end of April. Displaced people said they could not rely for help on host communities, which are already struggling to access food.”

The foresight that Senator Orji has could be to save the country from experiencing what Ethiopia was experiencing when WFP reached out to 3.8 million people with emergency food assistance in 2011. Nigeria should not follow the path of Kenya, where 3.75 million people were said to have been affected by drought, and WFP reached out to nearly 2 million people with emergency food aid, which included over half a million refugees in the Dadaab and Kakuma camps.

It will be important to point out what Senator Orji meant when he proposed for food security in the country. Before the Senate, he has talked about the menu: (i) To provide a framework that promotes the realisation of the right to freedom from hunger and access to food of acceptable quality as a fundamental human right. (ii) To provide a framework that promotes the elimination and prevention of discrimination of marginalised groups in the access and distribution of food. (iii) To provide a framework that promotes food production, self-sustenance and food security in relation to all persons in Nigeria. (iv) To provide a framework and mechanism for the co-ordinated implementation of the national policy, programmes and plans on food security by State Governments. (v) To provide a mechanism for ensuring that poor persons access food at all times in adequate quantities

and quality through the implementation of state sponsored programmes.

The others include: (vi) To provide a framework for the planning, budgeting and implementation of the national policy on food security and nutrition using a right approach and to ensure the participation of rights holders and the accountability of duty holders. (vii) To guarantee the integration of the needs of vulnerable persons in food and nutrition strategies; (viii) To ensure that food is treated as a national strategic resource. (ix) To ensure that emergency situations that threaten mass access to food are anticipated, mitigated and addressed with equity and speed; and (x) To provide for a cross-sectional networking platform comprising all relevant ministries, agencies and actors concerned with the production, storage, and sales of food for purposes connected to ensuring access to food by all Nigerians at all times.

It is crucial in these days of climate change and its effects to support the Bill by the amiable Senator. The availability of food for the populace is very important and should not be seen as a supercilious idea or issue.

The imperative of this is that food security is important for the sustainability in growth and of the wealth of the country. It is a very vital aspect that has involved global concern represented in WFP. The Bill by Senator Theodore Orji should not face antagonism, so that Nigerians can realise universal food security. Nigeria can do it with its abundant fertile soil. The country needs the food security status.

It will add importance and appeal to the socio-economic silhouette of farm family units and their food security circumstances.

Orji’s bill on food security will boost the activities of Ministry of Agriculture led by Chief Audu Ogbeh.

34/ETIQUETTE

01.07.2016

THE ETIQUETTE FORUM ADEKANMI OTEDOLA-OLUSANYA

email mretiquetteonline@yahoo.com

Caring for your Garments

Keep shoes in their shoe bags to prevent them from lighting and dust. Don’t overcrowd. Stow seasonal items in a separate closet or storage space

tel. 08112661635, 0809285 4855

Today I’ll let pictures do more of the talking as I touch on caring for our garments as men. Many of the things may surprise you as you will find out they are worth knowing and applying.

I have a favorite quote and that is “if it takes you more than five minutes to locate and take out any item in your house then you are careless”. When you have a poorly organised wardrobe, things get missing easily and you run the risk of buying the same item twice.

I have suggested the following tips in helping you organise your wardrobe.

Don’t overcrowd. Stow seasonal items in a separate closet or storage space.

Your suit came in a bag for a reason and not just to transport it home. A storage bag will protect it from insects, fading and dust.

Keep shoes in their shoe bags to prevent them from lighting and dust.

Fold knitwear such as sweaters on a shelf instead of hanging them to prevent stretching out the shape.

Remove dry-cleaned items from wire hangers as soon as you get them home and hang on proper hangers Use the saville row fold which prevents your suit pants from sliding off hangers.

In organising your wardrobe: 1.

Take out everything – especially anything that has nothing to do with clothing from the closet. vacuum the floor, papers, nails, dust, etc.

2. Ask yourself these crucial questions: Separate what you have not worn in the last two years, what does not fit, what is not flattering, items in which you have too

many of the same types, place in a sack.

You may need to give it to charity!

Organise your new wardrobe: 1. Start with the basics. For some, this will be sufficient. By “basics” I mean the classic, timeless, and staple pieces upon which almost 80 per cent of your outfits are going to be built around. This is going to be more casual for some, and more professional for others.

3. Plan a system of organization- One way to split up clothing is by types (and maybe even creating a professional and casual division: i.e. suits, shirts, ties,/ jeans, shirts, sweaters, etc. Another way is to bunch them by entire outfits so you can conveniently pull them out when you need them.

What clothes do you hang, and what do you fold? Hang all your collared shirts, jackets, and even pants. Personally, I usually fold my pants because I don’t like the crease that you get on the leg when you hang them.

Always fold your sweaters, or any heavy garments for that matter made of thicker material like wool (gravity is their worst enemy).

Make sure you use wooden hangers (get rid of all wire hangers as it will damage the shoulder line).

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.

Fold knitwear such as sweaters on a shelf instead of hanging them to prevent stretching out the shape

For accessories like belts, use a belt hanger like this (never roll your belts as the leather will warp).

Rolling your belt and putting it in your drawer only decreases its durability

Remove dry-cleaned items from wire hangers as soon as you get them home and hang on proper hangers

Your suit came in a bag for a reason and not just to transport it home. A storage bag will protect it from insects, fading and dust

35/ENTREPRENUER

01.07.2016

'We Help Budding Entrepreneurs Access Loans' The Co-Founder of Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award, Mr. Uwabor Joshua, in this interview with Anayo Okolie, speaks on factors affecting entrepreneurs in the country, among others been passionate about this, so when I see someone with great idea I am always excited to render help in order to see that the idea is birthed, nurtured and also grow it to maturity.

What is Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award all about?

Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award is an exclusive award that seeks to reward excellence among the most committed and dedicated businesses operating in Nigeria. It focuses on recognising outstanding corporate organisations and individuals who have positively impacted the economy of Nigeria. The idea behind the Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award is to imbibe a culture of excellence in young and emerging business leaders and showcase thriving businesses in Nigeria. More than 30 top entrepreneurs and corporate organisations from around Nigeria have been recognised for their vital contributions to the economy through the Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award platform in the last two years.

How has the organisation impacted on Nigerian youths?

Now in its third edition, Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award has celebrated and honoured some of the best-known entrepreneurs in corporate Nigeria today. Winners of this prestigious and highly celebrated award exemplify the best in Nigeria leadership. We have over 2.5 million registered online members who Joshua are young and aspiring entrepreneurs; we What are the challenges facing the organisa- the needed loan to facilitate their project is have also supported 520 start-up businesses a major challenge. across Nigeria and held over 20 successful tion since you started?

Funding has always been the major chalentrepreneurship programmes to support What motivated you to go into it? lenge, we have some good business plans young entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

I am an entrepreneur and I have always from our members but helping them secure

How has the organisation contributed to the growth of Nigeria 's economy?

As Nigeria gamble with the outbreak of unemployment as a major challenge, the hope for a turnaround depends mostly on entrepreneurs. The federal government has shown strong interest in nurturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), launching funding tools, lowering business registration cost by 60 per cent and adopting pioneering technology in agriculture and financial services.

However, little is known about the world of entrepreneurs and issues such as how funding is attained and the obstacles holding them back. In the spirit of entrepreneurship, we have been able to help about 30 per cent of our registered online members’ access small loans, thereby creating jobs and building the Nigeria economy, which is of utmost importance.

What is your advice to the youths?

They should be focus in whatever they are doing and also believe in God. I will like to take a quote from Africa most successful Entrepreneur, Aliko Dangote “To build a successful business, you must start small and dream big. In the journey of entrepreneurship, tenacity of purpose is supreme.”

Felix King Charity Takes Widows’ Welfare to Heart Mary Ekah The 2016 International Widows’ Day marked recently all over the world will remain indelible in the minds a few lucky widows who made it to the special gathering hosted by the Felix King Charity Foundation in Logos. The event was basically for the Foundation to unveil a new package that will empower and cater to the needs and welfare of violated widows across Nigeria.

But for the founder and president, Felix King Eiremiokhae, the event will go down in history as one of the most special days of his life yet filled with sadness.

Speaking during the event, Eiremiokhae who had set out on a journey to bring smiles to the faces of suffering widows with support of his family, especially his wife Aderonke, said, widowhood is an invisible but huge problem across Nigeria and the world today.

Buttressing on the traumatic life of a widow, he said, “I know what hectic and demanding lives you lead.”

The conference which had the theme, “The right of a widow”, Eiremiokhae said would help explain why fighting for the rights of widows is a major priority.

He explained that the Felix King Charity Foundation has combined her concrete help to thousands of widows and their children through its intervention programmes which comes in four different schemes viz; health services, housing, food support, and economic empowerment (widows start-up a business WISBIS) with pushing for the society to respect the rights of widows and this he expressed the hope to push higher to national and international agendas.

Speaking further he said, “I feel seriously pained that we have to gather here today to discuss this ignoble and obnoxious prejudice against widows in our society today. It hurts to know that we have such a sour history of treating widows so bad to the point where the United Nations had to set aside a special day to remind us of the inhumane practices we have sustained over generations against our mothers, sisters, wives, cousins and aunts.”

Being the first International Widows' Day Conference being organised by the Foundation, Eiremiokhae said it was a vital first step in

L-R; Mrs. Gloria Laraba Shoda; Vice President National Council of Women society; Mr. Felix King, Founder Felix King Charity Foundation; Hon Elizabeth Ativie, Speaker Edo State House of Assembly/Keynote Speaker; Mrs. Aderonke King and Hon Justice Okonobo, Deputy Speaker Edo State House of Assembly at the event

promoting the protection and respect for their rights, across all regions and cultures in Nigeria.

“As United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has noted, this day is an occasion to call attention to the challenges women in all countries face at the death of their husbands — whether elderly and alone, or young with young children to raise as a single parent and sole provider. Worldwide, it is estimated that 245 million widows live in extreme poverty, along with their children. In the context of armed conflicts around the world, as well as the HIV and AIDS epidemic, these numbers are increasing,” he noted.

He noted further that in Nigeria, it is estimated that eight million widows are disadvantaged with their children, most of which are attributed to the ignoble and obnoxious traditional practices and prejudices.

He said it hurts to know that the society exposes women to economic, and social deprivations and untold stigmatisation for losing their husbands

to the cold hands of death. “It is difficult to understand why the society exploits the pains and vulnerability of widows and their children by exposing them further to poverty, diseases, and other forms of social and economic deprivations in a manner that suggests we are holding them responsible for the death of their husbands,” he said, noting that in most cases, society strips them of almost all rights.

“We deny them the right to own properties, even the right to liberty. We make them dependent but we won’t even allow them depend on us.

We force them to live on charity but we will not have them on our own breadlines. We take-over their homes and will not even make them tenants in the houses they once owned; and we call it a tradition?”

Speaking further, Eiremiokhae said the pain that widowhood brings upon women and children can only in his view be equated with the pain of childbirth or sickle cell anemia – understood only by those who go through it.

He said therefore that it was high time; the

society spoke out with one voice and work hard to ensure that practices that humiliate women and expose them to such heinous punishments are eradicated.

The situation of widows, he stressed, highlights the need to empower women economically and strengthen their land, property and inheritance rights.

For this purpose, the Felix King Charity Foundation pledged commitment to spear head the campaign of widows rights in collaboration with other growing voices against all evil perpetuated against widows as well as provide helping hands to those of them in need.

Eiremiokhae who said the Foundation would be working with other well-meaning individuals and organisations in a bid to practically tackle the plight and pains of widows and their children, added, “The big idea is to focus on the positive power of giving and the common thread of kindness that binds us. It is all about promoting positive life values irrespective of boundary.”

36/COLLAGE

L-R: Prof Julius Okojie; Mr Hector Etomi; Mr. George Etomi; and Dr. Mike Etomi, during the burial of Mrs. Sogbesan -nee Etomi in Edo State, Benin City...recently.

01.07.2016

L-R; Miss Pearl Ifeyinwa Chizea (daughter), Dr. Boniface Chizea, Miss Jennifer Nomso Chizea (daughter) and Chief Christy Nkechi Chizea during the Service of Songs for late Lady Justina Chizea (deceased wife of Dr. Boniface Chizea) held at the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, Lekki , Lagos...recently

L-R: The Groom's parents, Mr and Mrs Iruobe Ifijeh; newly wed, Mr and Mrs Martins Ifijeh; and Bride's parents, Mrs. Banke Fashoyin;and Mr. Kayode Olarenwaju, at the wedding of THISDAY staff, Martins and his heartthrob, Angela, at the RCCG, Flourishland Assembly, Ilupeju, Lagos ...recently

Prince Adekunle Andrew Oyekan and Miss Priscilla Adeoluwawunmi Bamgbose , at their Traditional wedding held at Oriental Hotel, Lekki in Lagos... recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

R-L: Past President, Rotary Club of Omole Golden, Mr. Aderemi Ajose; Immediate Past President, Mr. Idowu Afelogun decorating the new President, Rotn Titilayo Sunmonu, during the handing over ceremony and award presentations to the Rotary members of Omole golden, in Lagos.....recently KOLA OLASUPO

L-R: Mr. and Mrs. Wale Ogunbadejo, President Rotary Club Ikeja GRA, Bukola Bakare; Mr. Lateef Bakare,Chairman, Honeywell Group, Dr. Oba Otudeko; District Governor, District 9110, Otunba Bola Onabadejo and District Governor 9125, Dr. Mike Omotosho during an Evening with Otudeko organised by Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA recently.

37/THISLIFE

01.07.2016

Osasu Igbinedion: A Dynamic, Articulate Media Practitioner Championing Sustainable Development in Africa

Igbinedion with the people of Agatu in Benue State attacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen...recently

Peter Ogbonna The story of inspiring women who contribute to the development of the society if left untold never forgives silence. This is because there is no end to possibilities of what such women who succeed where men have more often failed can do. Africa, a continent with endowed human, mineral and natural resources, has successfully produced few of such women who have carved a niche for themselves in the society.

These female legends are courageous and blessed with enormous ideas and unusual drive for excellence that could practically spin out great output from given resources in any venture. Their influence are felt not only within Nigeria, but spreads across Africa as successful and hardworking women who have been in the forefront of rebranding Africa’s image to the world. They are accessible and have hearts of gold; always willing to add value to peoples' lives beyond what words can express.

Osasu Igbinedion, a dynamic and articulate media practitioner and young philanthropist, indeed, falls into the category of these rare women. She is now part of a group of relatively young women who represent the new face of broadcast journalism and partnership for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Igbinedion aggressively took her destiny into her hands to emerge as one of Nigeria’s prominent talk show host.

Hardworking and diligent with a historic and ambitious pledge to end poverty, Igbinedion has affirmed Vince Lombardi’s assertion that “the price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.” Igbinedion is a strong evangelist of the 2030 world agenda for sustainable development; an agenda that

comprises 17 new SDGs, or Global Goals.

Igbinedion rose to fame when she unleashed her excellent communicating and entrepreneurial skills and took advantage of the upturn in Africa’s fortune which coincided with waves of the global economic reform. In alignment with SDGs, Osasu Igbinedion had in 2015 floated an instrumental communication vehicle called The Osasu Show (TOS) for harmonisation and extension of her unprecedented humane gestures and activities. Thus, she has been performing conspicuously with no gender, creed, religion or tribal bias.

The 30 minutes talk show that runs simultaneously on AIT, BEN TV London and ITV, creates an opportunity for critical discussions on the improvement of societal perceptions and ideologies amongst politicians, aspiring young leaders, entrepreneurs, industrialists, public servants, philanthropists, and professionals in various spheres of life. The programme has been applauded for consistently providing a medium for promoting the cause of the less privileged in the society which is in tandem with the SDGs' agenda.

Her work in Nigeria and across Africa has also proved her immense passion and efforts towards the achievement of the SDGs agenda especially that of goals 1, 4, 10, and 16 which are; to eradicate extreme poverty, ensure inclusive and quality education, reduce inequalities, foster peace and justice and build strong institution consecutively.

The proverbial saying that “if you are generous, you will be prosperous and you do yourself a favour when you are kind, but if you are cruel you only hurt yourself” had so much manifested in Igbinedion’s life. She had through her media outfit broadcasted the injustice and societal ills across the nation.

Many Nigerians are yet to recover from ills such as the activities of the Fulani herdsmen who have been accused of masterminding serial killings in various parts of the country.

The massacre witnessed in Agatu of Benue

State remains shocking as it was neglected by security operatives and even under reported in the media. However, many of us were shocked when Osasu Igbinedion appeared on our television screens reporting directly from the scene of the Agatu massacre, putting her life at risk just to reveal the plight and sufferings of the voiceless. When asked what propelled her for this popular action, she said: "I was compelled to visit the indigenes of Agatu because I was appalled by the resounding silence of their leaders.

I knew I had to give the people a voice, an opportunity to tell their story. Upon arrival I was shocked to see houses, cars, hospitals, churches burnt to the ground. No clean drinking water was made available to them, the crops they spent months to harvest were destroyed or pilfered in the blink of an eye. The people are all distraught and as we speak these herdsmen/perpetrators still occupy some communities in Agatu”.

Igbinedion did not stop there, as a proponent of girl-child education and non-promoter of child marriage which is highly predominant in the North, Igbinedion visited several communities in Northern Nigeria, including Ngogo and Fagge Local Government Areas in Kano State where she rubbed minds with Islamic clerics and victims of child marriage to fashion out modalities on ending child marriage through quality education. She has also engaged legislators in the House of Representatives and Senate on several occasions to discuss how the Sharia Law and Child Rights Act contradict on this issue and what can be done to fix it.

Expectedly, the forward thinking media icon and young social entrepreneur has continued her good work of impacting lives. She is known to be guided by the philosophy of “the life we live is for God and to then accommodate other people”.

Further showcasing her genuine passion for people, in her efforts to bridge the

inequality gap in society, Igbinedion takes to the streets to interview the common man about his everyday plight. During one of her interviews with the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, she invited a cab driver to participate in the epic programme.

Her reach across Africa has distinguished her as a dynamic journalist and sincere champion for the implementation of sustainable development as the solution to Africa’s social, economic and infrastructural deficit. In her recent visit to Nairobi, Kenya, Igbinedion interviewed the Chairman of the ruling party, The National Alliance (TNA), Honourable Sakaja Johnson who is only 31 years of age. They discussed the role of young people in governance vis-a-vis the development of Africa. She also interviewed Mr. Kiprono Kittony, Chairman, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI). She impressively delved into the topic of Inter-Africa trade as an economic and developmental stimulus.

Being among the few successful Nigerian women who are not guilty of selective amnesia and ethnic irredentism amidst the vacillating fortunes in today’s corporate world, she has featured several icons of different divides in her medium and disseminated messages that touched many lives.

Osasu Igbinedion is a role model, a bold and brilliant woman who creates chances for others to excel, a new face of journalism with numerous admirers, and a rare gem who has generously given her skills, expertise and resources to make a difference in the lives of others. Igbinedion’s promotion of the SDGs in various capacities has indeed distinguished her as an independent and articulate champion of the United Nations Global Goals across Africa.

Ogbonna wrote in from Abuja Email ezepetersoneze@gmail.com

38/OPINION

01.07.2016

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

I

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Tel 08116759785(sms only)

Fayose and Bankers’ Reputation

’m suspicious of superstitions but not in the Fayose Vs Zenith Bank narrative.

We all know the story, but we can’t predict how it will end yet.

And after seeing images of a banker on his kneels allegedly begging the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, circulating on social media this past few days, I feel there may be the need to bring back a part of the article I once published on this page.

Seriously, in Fayose’s narrative there may be some element of truth that we cannot dismiss.

So one thing I wish to do today is to republish a part of my article of December 18, 2015 under a new title.

This is the connection. Inside our banking halls, rules are being broken and the system needs to be fixed as a matter of urgency.

The battle inside banking hall has been about good versus evil and greed versus greatness.

The clear truth is that the banks are barely managing to survive. The banks are like patients that now require diagnosis.

I’m sure we have not forgotten the brawl between the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Governor, Godwin Emefiele and the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria’s Financial Reporting Council, Jim Obazee, over the suspension of some bank executives in October 2015. That should help us to understand how much of a rotten egg the banking institution has become.

Today, the reputation of the banks continue to sag in the face of revelation that some of the arms money passed through them in a suspicious way without any leakers taking the courage to alert the tax payers on the

Fayose

scale of money laundering in our banking system.

Despite banking laws designed to flag the movement of large sums of money by private individuals and government figures, their families and close associates, the Nigerian banks ignored several atrocities of the clique to become accomplice in undermining our country’s economic growth. Should the bank heads, where the suspicious funds have been traced to be spared? I will simply say no, no, no!

Of course that will make mess of the war against corruption, because such banks will continue to aid and abet the corrupt politicians.

But one of many reasons why the bankers will continue to collude with those stealing us dry is that a lot of these dirty monies have kept the banks alive.

So the heads of the banking institutions will prefer that money laundering goes on in the country, while they shy away from

reporting it as part of their duties. Indeed, to make known the dirty act will be against their selfish interest.

The Nigerian banking system is still filled with unethical conduct practices that include insider abuse, fraudulent dealings, irregularity/inaccuracy in the rendition of statutory returns, window dressing of accounts, poor corporate governance and many more that have now made the banking reform of 2009 a useless adventure.

The Global Integrity report released in 2015 shows that Nigeria is culpable in illicit financial flows as the 10th country on the list.

Of course the CBN responded by issuing a press statement to build citizens’ confidence.

But cleverly, the apex bank first whittled down the effect of the report that was an indictment on its supervisory role by creating an impression that the report may be fictitious since it couldn’t undertake “independent confirmation of this assertion,” and then went on to confirm that “the report estimates that about US$15.7 billion of illicit funds go through our system annually.”

To be sure, the CBN’s had said in the statement that “In the light of this avoidably negative commentary, we wish to draw the public’s attention to several protocols on illicit fund flows, money laundering, and terrorism financing both in Nigeria and around the world, and warn that the CBN will increase its vigilance to ensure that Nigerian banks are not used as conduits for illicit fund flows, especially in foreign currencies.”

Regrettably, it turned out that CBN has been involved in the cash-and-carry business.

The CBN shirked its own responsibility as a regulator to become a participant in il-

legal activity of allowing hard currency to be freighted from its doorpost into homes of politicians and their contractors. What a shame!

Already, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), had said in June this year that unethical deals has been one reason Nigerian banks are sick.

Poignantly, he made that statement after a special examination conducted on the 24 banks in Nigeria by the CBN and NDIC revealed that 10 of the 24 banks were critically distressed as a result of many factors amongst which was poor corporate governance.

“The special examination revealed that boards and executive managements in some banks were not equipped to run their institutions as their ineffectiveness manifested in the form overbearing influence of some board members, ineffectiveness of board committees; non-adherence to the CBN code of corporate governance and weak ethical standards amongst others,” he said.

And I agree with him that some bank directors should rethink their suitability and competence to remain as bank directors in the face of the ongoing revelations. The supervision and management of banks should be on personal responsibilities of directors and chief executive officers.

Yes, one may draw many conclusions from the ongoing anti-corruption campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, but we cannot deny that Buhari has paid careful attention to facts, conducted excellent investigations and steel himself for his action.

We are all eyewitnesses to history.

Follow me on Twitter@adeolaakinremi1

INTERVIEW

Kela: We are Working Hard to Curtail Sexual Harassment in Our Universities Professor Santaya Kela is the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Kachere, Gombe State. In this interview with Peter Uzoho, he spoke on his appointment, the fight against crime in the institution; the problem of education in the country and how to make Nigerian graduates employable, among others system appear to be losing its essence following reports of sexual harassment and sex-for-mark going on in the system; how would react to that?

Well, sexual harassment is rampant not only in the university system but all over; it is unfortunate. Those doing that are people not really mature because as human beings we should not keep harassing students or colleagues. But we have been doing our best to enlighten people; liaising with the religious leaders, telling the students that they should not allow themselves to be harassed.

In fact, it is sad but I think the mature and disciplined ones are really working hard to curtail these bad habits.

How has it been since your appointment?

Well, it has been interesting and this is something that I have done about 10 years ago.

Before I became the Deputy Vice Chancellor, I had already done the job because I was Director of Academic Planning. The challenges are there but I am trying to overcome everything in the schedule of duty and so on, as well as assisting the Vice Chancellor whenever he is away and making input that will lead to improvement in the academic standard of the university.

Some people allege that such appointments these days are done not following the rules, but on favouritism. What is your take on this?

Well, in my own case, the appointment was made by the former Vice Chancellor, and was presented to the Senate along with one other person then; votes were cast and at the end I emerged the winner. When the case was presented to the last council and there was submission by some members of council that the former Vice Chancellor tenure was almost ending so there was no point for him to appoint DVCs but the former Vice Chancellor insisted that he would continue with services of the Deputy Vice Chancellors he had elected. So, when the present Vice

Kela

Chancellor came in, the issue came up in the council as matters arising but council noted that everything followed due process and went ahead to confirm my appointment.

Some people now say that the university

If you are made a Minister of Education today what should be the first step you will take to move the sector forward?

Well, I would first of all examine the quality of education in the country, both primary and secondary and the lapses that we currently have within the system. I will try to address them and then work on measures that will move the educational system forward because education in a nation is the backbone of the nation. So, a country that has people that are well educated will develop far better than countries with poor education. The community

will be enlightened and all the militancy we are contending with today will be checked with proper education.

It is alleged that the policy on education is not really addressing the educational needs of the country? What is your take?

Well, not that it is not addressing the educational needs of the country; I think it is the implementation that is the problem. The implementation may not be proper, coupled with our dubious attitude. That is why it appears the education policy is not okay.

Do you believe the standard of Nigerian education is falling?

The standard is high but the only thing is that the commitment from the stakeholders is what is bringing the standard to question.

If you observe the curriculum, it is very standard in accordance with the world class education, but it is the attitude of the people, the implementation and commitment that are the real challenge. The commitment is not there and you know also that being the era of Information Communication Technology (ICT), there’s the need for internet, coupled with the world economic recession that has made it very difficult for us to have the necessary

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

39

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Of the Floating Exchange Rate and 40 Years in the Wilderness Don Etiebet I am not very excited with the recently announced flexible and market driven Foreign Exchange regime whereby there is an open market for whosoever can afford at whatever the price determined by the interplay and competition in the market for all comers. My problem is that as a developing country with limited sources of FX revenue, the little we have should be judiciously applied to our most pressing and life - saving needs.

Since I came back to this country from abroad in 1972, I have not witnessed prosperity due to the continuous devaluation of the Naira, either economic or social, to Nigeria and her citizens. We started with N1 to US$2 (£1) in 1973 when the Nigerian Pound was converted to Naira. Today that Naira has become three-thousandth of the US$. My problem is, what can we do to prevent it from becoming one-millionth in future?

I have heard of arguments that with this new CBN regime, Naira will find its level.

I say Naira shall never find its level until we Nigerians work to find the level for the Naira either negatively as we keep doing since 1973 to have it being 1.5 thousandth of its original value in 43 years or positively from now on. That’s the challenge because the value of the Naira, to me, has a lot to tell who we are as Nigerians, academically, economically, technologically, industrially, socially, militarily, psychologically and as civilized human beings.

They say the new Forex regime will spur growth. I say in which area? Why has the way, the Forex management over these 43 years not spurred growth, that our per capita income today is much worse than in 1973 and there are millions and millions of Nigerians, graduates inclusive, who do not have access to employment, to housing, to health facilities, to good education, to food sufficiency, to unemployment insurance, to good roads and railway systems, etc.

In my secondary school days in the sixties, companies and organizations, even government MDAs in Lagos, would send their representatives, even to as far away as my secondary school in Akwa Ibom State, to interview students for employment and for scholarships to study in universities.

Such lucky students would become employees from the date of successful interview.

On leaving the university one was given well-equipped and furnished accommodation. What do we have today? So where is the growth?

Oh, they say the stock market is gaining momentum and already showing signs of recovery since the announcement last week.

I ask, how many Nigerians are in the stock market and who are those buying? probably the 0.1% of Nigerians who control 90% of all deposits in the banks. Who in my village in Akwa Ibom or others in Sokoto, Borno, Benue, Enugu or any village or town in Nigeria outside Lagos and perhaps, Ogun, know what is the stock market and what may be happening there. This is about 99% of Nigerians.

In the first place, except some foreign owned companies, the ownerships of the stocks revolve around the owners and founders of the companies in the main, so much so that no matter what huge profits are declared yearly, the stock prices remain at 50 Kobo year in year out. The ones that can make impact for people to buy the shares with confidence are not listed.

You see, we are not a developed economy but we are acting blindly as one and since this practice has not changed our economic landscape and development since independence, something somewhere is wrong.

Oh, the new Forex regime will bring more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Portfolio Investors into the country, they say.

I say, how much of this FDI and Portfolio Investors are directly attached to long term economic and business developments in

Etiebet the country. It is only in the Upstream Oil sector, upgrades at some old manufacturers of beverages and toiletries, telecommunications sector and investors like the GE and the Chinese that I can see FDIs working.

Why have the numerous intended Foreign Direct Investors and Portfolio Investors coming not channel their investments to the dormant textile industries that used to employ millions in the sixties and seventies from Lagos to Kaduna and Kano? Or, are we referring to the Hedge Fund FDIs for the lucrative Nigerian stock market, LC financing or the one-year Nigerian Bond buyers at 15 percent, having borrowed the money from their banks at near zero percent.

These are the investors who are eager to see a robust free exchange market so as to be able to send their capital, plus interest out when there are matured. In this category, we can remember what happened when the country started to feel the strain of dwindling FX reserves and they rushed to sell their shares at any price thereby crashing the stock market not long ago. It happened before and it will happen again.

The system should be able to manage these investments meaningfully to the country’s long-term economic objectives for sustained growth and for the appreciation of the Naira towards its original value so that a house of N500m in Ikoyi will be worth at least $100m and not $1.5m equivalent.

Moreover, some commentators have said that the new regime will increase the number of bank loan defaults and bad debts. This is very important area for CBN to look at with its MPC members, because how do they expect customers who borrowed to open LCs at N150/$ two years ago and had since sold the goods be expected to fund those LCs now at the impending market rate of N250 to N350/$, without fault of their own and survive to keep their employees without sending them to the unemployment market and may even become bankrupt? And not to talk of the effect of the copious inflation without concomitant increases in wages.

On the other hand, there are those with huge Naira deposits who just want to send out their trapped Forex at any rate and the summation of such applications are more than the FX available from CBN, so how will they handle that in this market driven scenario?

And worse still, in the implementation of this regime as announced, is the creation of “King Kong Banks”- named Grade A Banks. This is dangerous for the whole banking system in the country. It is surprising to note that while, on the one hand, the CBN is proposing the Forex to float according to open market forces and at the same time, creating ‘King Kong’ Primary Dealers to handle the FOREX dealings. This will pull all FX customers to these Grade A Banks to the detriment of the ‘monkey’ Grade B banks. That is transferring public monopoly to private monopoly which is dangerous in any economy. Whether one likes it or not, as we are dealing with human beings, in an

import oriented economy, in which almost all businesses, old and new require FOREX, there is bound to be some ‘man know man’ dealings naturally. This negates the transparency of the open market and it is a very curious, discriminating and unfair move for the system.

The allure/virtue of the open market forces regime is the freedom of customers to choose their banks but when they are forced to a few Grade A banks, the whole freedom of choice is lost. The mere mention by a Regulator of Grade A and B banks is official segregation and conveys a level of preference on one against the other.

Secondly, Government or CBN would be seen as favoring a few banks no matter the assurances of fair play from them. It just doesn’t work naturally and practically. The fact that CBN, within a weekend of the announcement of the new FOREX regime, has changed its conditions means they were not properly thought through and connotes some outside influences overnight or authoritarian decision by the managers without Stakeholders consultation.

Thirdly, the FDI investors would expectedly ask you to bank with the Grade A Banks before they would deal with you.

Fourthly, the arrangement shuts out new entrepreneurs in the banking sector, as no customer would patronize them as they think they cannot get enough FX to service them. So no more business for start-up banks. The emphasis should be on service delivery and probity with controls in place and punishment for defaulters and not on quantitative prowess.

We should remember that even some of these Grade A Banks started small with selling FOREX obtained from CBN at their genetic years. This provision is no good at all because it tends to equate the open market to the Grade A Banks and not to the customers. Any introduction of an intermediary between the CBN and the customers in handling the FOREX makes the process more costly and cumbersome. We have gone through this before and it didn’t work in the interest of the customer and the open market and the banks were accused of hoarding, diversions, round tripping and favoritism which actually depreciated the Naira the more, artificially.

That’s why they changed to a system where the customer submitted it’s bid to its bank and all the banks processed all their customers’ applications and took them to CBN on a weekly basis. The CBN then computed the average rate from all the rates submitted by the customers and that was the open rate for that week. I know the banks didn’t like that because they didn’t benefit maximally as being the dealers.

And the result was consistent appreciation of the Naira and the narrowing of the gap between the official rate and the parallel market rate. In this way the customers (the market) kept quoting what their businesses can afford and the CBN kept intervening openly with amounts known to the public and their allotments.

Now we are going back to the banks buying from CBN and selling to the customers, a very corrupt practice. How does the public know how much FOREX is sold to the Grade A Banks and how they apportioned/allocated them? That’s the openness being killed. I wonder who advised CBN on this arrangement in this freedom of association era? It must be reversed otherwise we are sinking deeper into corruption.

I know some people will start to yap me but I challenge anybody to fault what I have said. I believe our scarce FOREX should have proper and mitigated management with controls in a country where we don’t have enough Forex. Even in the family, when there is not enough food, the children are allowed to eat first. That’s rationing.

So, I think that we should start now to be ourselves and start to show example to lead as the most populous black nation on

earth to show that we can. There must be a period of necessity/want in our life to be innovative and creative so that we can be inventive to produce the goods and services that keep life going to a certain extent by ourselves, for example: After World War II, China willingly or induced because of its communist stance closed their doors to the West and shunned their goods, money and economic ideologies and when they opened the doors thirty years after, the West was depending on China to balance their books and today the West is indebted to China in trillions of Dollars and scrambling for their market, moving manufacturing facilities there, even Boeing, Airbus and Apple amongst many other multi-billion dollar companies. By so doing the Chinese working in those plants are imbibing the technologies and the art of producing such products which leads to setting up their own indigenous production facilities. This is what we should adapt in the management of our FOREX. Secondly, because of Apartheid and imposed UN sanctions South Africa was left to fend for itself to survive for a long time and so they became innovative and creative, developing technologies and capabilities ingeniously and indigenously to survive.

When the Apartheid ended South Africa became the economic giant of Africa. Forget about the rebasing of the Nigerian economy and being the greatest in Africa when oil was selling at over $120 per barrel and we were basking in high international ratings.

With this, the Portfolio investors and the Foreign Credit and Debit Cards payment procedures flowed in and flourished as they praised our economy as growing at appreciably and amiably 8% per year better than South Africa. Nigerians plunged in, acquiring millions of Cards individually and abused the system. What do the Rating agencies say today?

With the crash in oil price we all crashed, the Portfolio investors hurriedly sold out and we find ourselves where we are today and we seem not to learn any lesson as we set out to repeat the scenario again.

To me there is nothing to compare our economy with that of South Africa. For one, out of the 50 Top African Companies in Africa, ranked by market capitalization in US$, there are only 3 Nigerian companies and our almighty Dangote Group in the 10th position while South African companies occupy the first 9 positions and are a whole 35 out of the 50 with Nigeria 3 out of the 50. Of the next 50 Companies, South Africa has 25 while Nigeria has 5 making South Africa occupy 60 positions out of 100 while Nigeria occupy a paltry 8 out of 100, (African Business, No.430, May, 2016). However, I have told my friend, Alhaji Aliko Dangote that when he finishes with his 600,000BPD Refinery he will be the richest man in the World and Nigeria will be proud of it, and may even be selling Forex to Nigeria.

I believe, we should use the available FOREX to clear the backlog of matured payments to this Monday, the 20th of June 2016. Thereafter to use it on life saving projects and to revamp our comatose/dormant industries like in the textile, steel, locally assembled vehicles with milestones for import substitution parts, equipment for local manufacturing or assembly, solid minerals prospecting, mining and processing, all kinds of food processing, agriculture enhancement techniques, all small industries processing, health services equipment, transportation, training and scholarships for the bright ones to study and do research abroad to solve unemployment, develop local technology and expertise and be productive. I thank the CBN for still retaining the 41 items out of the Forex market.

Etiebet was a former Nigerian Minister of Energy

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

CITYSTRINGS

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

Nuggets of Excellence for Teenagers Maryam Popoola, a 15-year-old who emerged as the 2016 Valedictorian of Dowen College in Lekki, Lagos, recently launched her book ‘Insight: Nuggets of Excellence for Teenagers’, an attestation to her outstanding academic prowess. Funke Olaode who covered the event, reports

Former GMD of First Bank Plc, Mr. Bisi Onasanya (right) presenting award to the 2016 Valedictorian and best graduating student, Maryam Popoola, at the Dowen College Lagos Valedictory Service and graduation ceremony…recently

H

er appearance contradicts her intellectual prowess.

Petite, smallish and soft spoken. And it may not be wrong if she is simply addressed as a smallish one with a giant intellectual acumen. These are a few attributes that best describe Maryam Popoola, a final year student and a 2016 Valedictorian of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, who is gradually carving a niche for herself at a time when some of her contemporaries are still tied to their mothers’ apron. She is brilliant no doubt, but her consistency and unrelenting zeal to excel and conquer new heights is a proof that the new kid on the block is one of Nigeria’s shining lights to watch.

Those who have been following this amiable teenager’s academic trajectory were not really surprised at this rare feat as Maryam has distinguished herself right from childhood.

She attended Crescent Nursery and Primary Schools in Lagos and completed as overall best student. At Dowen College where she has the privilege of being appointed as deputy head girl of the school, she has been a consistent scholar in the past five years and capped it as 2016 Valedictorian. She has also secured admission to one of the top colleges in the United Kingdom for her ‘A’ levels.

On Thursday June 2, 2016, TOMEB Foun-

dation, a non-governmental organisation established by Maryam’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tunde Ahmed Popoola in collaboration with Dowen College rolled out the drum to celebrate this teenage author. Held at the school auditorium, the array of personality that converged on the school hall was an

Maryam has proven to us today that she is an accomplished student. That is why I believe if you put your mind to something you can achieve it.You have to be disciplined by being consistent, by denying yourself of pleasure to achieve your target. There is nothing wrong in dreaming because it propels you to a greater height

attestation that Maryam is indeed their beloved daughter in whom they are well pleased.

Among the dignitaries were Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti, chairman of the occasion and DirectorGeneral, Education Quality Assurance, Lagos State, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, guest speaker and chairman Access Bank, Plc, Mrs. Mosun Olusoga, book presenter and executive director Eco Bank Plc, Mr. Oladele Alabi, chief host and Principal of Dowen College, Mrs. Olawunmi Togonu Bickersteth, book reviewer and director, sales and marketing, Megalectric Ltd, Mrs. Amirah Obi-Okoye, CEO of Arabel, Mrs. Shareefah Abiola Andu just to mention a few.

Insight: Nuggets of Excellence for Teenagers, is a motivational book that discerns some aspects of human endeavours with the intent of opening our eyes to some things which are not easily known to many people. In this 98 pages book of 12 chapters, the author carefully used analogues and personal experiences to drive home her points.

Speaking about the influence to writing the book, the golden girl of the moment Maryam said it was something that started as little write-ups.

“It started in summer of last year. It actually revolves around what teenagers go through in their day-to-day lives and sometimes what life throws at you. It wouldn’t have been possible without my parents’ support in both

finance and encouragement.” Nigeria should be on the lookout for another internationally acclaimed author like Chiamamanda Adichie.

Well, while she will keep writing, she would still go ahead to pursue her ambition as an architect.

In her welcome address Principal of Dowen College, Mrs. Bickersteth thanked the author’s parents for what they have done to the amiable teenager. “What else can we say? The scripture says train up a child the way he should go, when he is old he will not depart from it. Yes, the evidence is there, parents will try their best but the grace is the determining factor. Also, the scripture says except the Lord build the house the labourer laboureth in vain. To Maryam, ever since I met her in JSS 1, she has distinguished herself as a respectful, adorable, disciplined, respectable, unassuming, a role model, excellent in character and academics. You can give her any assignment and go to sleep with hope of getting an excellent result. The book launch is expected of her because of the caliber of person she is. Thank you for being a perfect child by setting a goal for yourself, and thrive to achieve the set goals.

“Maryam has proven to us today that she is an accomplished student. That is CONT’D ON NEXT PAGE

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

CITYSTRINGS

L-R:MD/CEO, CRC Credit Bureau and father of Valedictorian, Alhaji Ahmed Tunde Popoola, Valedictorian and best graduating student, Maryam Popooola, Dr. Olumide Phillips, Hajia Mariam Popoola, during the 2016 Dowen College Lagos Valedictory Service and graduation ceremony

L-R: Mrs. Olawunmi Togonu Bickersteth with the author, Miss Maryam Popoola

The author, Miss Maryam Popoola with Mrs. Ronke Soyombo

L-R: Mrs. Mosun Olusoga,Mrs. Olawunmi Togonu Bickersteth and Mrs. Amira Obi-Okoye

why I believe if you put your mind to something you can achieve it. You have to be disciplined by being consistent, by denying yourself of pleasure to achieve your target. There is nothing wrong in dreaming because it propels you to a greater height.

Maryam is being celebrated today because she has been a teachers’ delight. Diligent, disciplined, consistent. Right now, she has gotten admission to one of the top colleges in United Kingdom for an ‘A’ levels. To you students, what Maryam can do also you too can do because if you aim high sky is just the beginning,” she said Reviewing the 12 chapters, Obi-Okoye enumerated some of the important points the author identified in her book. According to her, one needs a power of positive attitude, what it takes to succeed as teenagers, ingredients to succeed, goal and goal setting, cultivating important habits, life lessons from school, managing the bad side of social media, managing the good side of social media, towards academic excellence, importance of teachers and sources of inspiration.

Praising the author, Obi-Okoye said Maryam has been an embodiment of “who a good student should be. However, by this book which she has authored, I will describe her as an embodiment of excellence. She is indeed a role model to her peers, her juniors and her seniors, myself inclusive.”

Speaking further, “in a society like ours where the practice of excellence is uncommon, it is a rarity to find a teenager who not only has identified this void but goes a step further to take the bull by the horns.

She has embraced the challenge of sharing her personal experiences to horn in on the importance for all, both young and old, to strive for excellence at all times. Maryam’s book dares it all. She looks at excellence through a kaleidoscope of personal experiences as well as analogies to drive home her point.”

The first five chapters of Maryam’s book,

In a society like ours where the practice of excellence is uncommon, it is a rarity to find a teenager who not only has identified this void but goes a step further to take the bull by the horns.

She has embraced the challenge of sharing her personal experiences to horn in on the importance for all, both young and old, to strive for excellence at all times

Insight: Nuggets of Excellence delve into the powers of Positive Attitude, Positive thinking, Goal Setting, important habits and how all of these lead to Success. One of the ways to achieve success, according to Maryam, is through excellence; a pot pourri of positive human behaviors polished with hard work, consistence, persistence, diligence, confidence and inspiration. All these are traits that Maryam is well known for.

Mrs. Obi-Okoye challenged students to embrace Maryam’s attitude because secret to success is “reading” while cheating can only take them half far but not to the point of achieving their set goals.

In his opening remarks, Alhaji Ebiti whose son passed through the school congratulated the Popoola’s for raising such an amiable daughter who is a reflection of the school’s motto “Be the best”. He also praised the school management for inculcating in their students to be self-reliance. “Dowen is an educational institution that teaches self-reliance, telling students that sky is not the limit but the starting point. And that is why students have to be the best in everything because there is no limit to perfection.” Ebiti enjoined the parents to continue to encourage their children in educational excellence as money spent on children is not a waste.

Mrs. Soyombo extolled the virtues of Maryam who she described as one of the shinning lights of Lagos State. While the importance of education cannot be overemphasized, she enjoined students to stay focused on the task ahead as if they have to study one chapter of a book for an hour,

they need to do so instead of letting their mind wander.

For Olusoga, she didn’t only commend the author of the book for her achievements, she also recommended the book for everyone as is meant for someone with higher level of maturity as they tend to gain one or two things from it. While the advent of social media has eroded educational structure as some can’t even speak or write good English, Olusoga, however, suggested human interaction from time to time while she advised the students that for them to excel, they need to be committed to writing and speaking good English. “I want to implore you to avoid slangs and spend less time on social media.

Maryam has made her parents proud and you need to emulate her. “ Corroborating Olusoga’s point, the chief presenter, Alabi identified three value propositions that set the book apart. According to him, the book has first class quality with international standards, which quality reflects from page one to the end. “This also reflects Maryam Popoola’s (MP) branding. And most importantly, the book, in terms of tremendous value that can be derived, is not limited to teenagers alone as it is useful for many circles of life with words of wisdom.”

The take away from the book launch according to the CEO of Arabel, Mrs. Abiola Andu, is the power of prayer as she wouldn’t have achieved this without God Almighty.

At the end of three hours, invited guests donated generously. There is no doubt, no one will go through this unique work without being fed with morsels of knowledge.

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THURSDAY JULY 1, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY THURSDAY JULY 1, 2016

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FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016 T H I S D AY

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA www.cbn.gov.ng

2016 CBN PENSIONERS HEADCOUNT PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT THIS IS TO INFORM ALL CBN PENSIONERS AND DEFERRED PENSIONERS THAT THE ANNUAL HEADCOUNT EXERCISE WILL HOLD FROM 18th to 29th JULY, 2016 AT THE CBN HEAD OFFICE IN ABUJA, LAGOS AND BRANCHES NATION-WIDE. ALL PENSIONERS AND DEFERRED PENSIONERS ARE REQUIRED TO COME ALONG WITH THE FOLLOWING ITEMS FOR THE EXERCISE: 1.

PENSIONER’S IDENTITY CARD 2.

ONE RECENT PASSPORT-SIZED PHOTOGRAPH 3.

EVIDENCE OF DATE OF BIRTH 4.

DATE EMPLOYED (LETTER OF EMPLOYMENT/APPOINTMENT) 5.

DATE RETIRED (EXIT LETTER) 6.

CATEGORY OF STAFF AT EXIT (Executive, Senior or Junior) 7.

STATUS/GRADE AT EXIT 8.

CONTACT ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER 9.

E-MAIL ADDRESS (IF ANY) 10.

NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND FULL CONTACT DETAILS OF THEIR NEXT-OF-KIN 11.

BANK VERIFICATION NUMBER (BVN) 12.

ACCOUNT NUMBER ALL PENSIONERS ARE REQUIRED TO FILL A FRESH NEXT-OF-KIN MANDATE FORM DURING THE EXERCISE. THE SPECIFIC DATE FOR THE EXERCISE IN EACH LOCATION IS AS INDICATEDIN THE ATTACHED SCHEDULE PLEASE. PLEASE NOTE THAT NON-VERIFIED PENSIONERS WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM THE PAYROLL WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 2016, UNTIL THEY COME FORWARD FOR VERIFICATION. PENSIONERS IN LAGOS HAVE BEEN GROUPED ALPHABETICALLY, BASED ON THEIR SURNAMES AS SHOWN ON THE SCHEDULE BELOW, AND THEY ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT ORDER.

S/N 1 2 3 4 5

SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH ALPHABETS A, B, C, D, E. F, G, H. I, J. K, L, M, N, O. P, Q, R, S, T. U, V, W, X, Y, Z.

DATE FOR HEADCOUNT 25th JULY, 2016 26th JULY, 2016 27th JULY, 2016 28th JULY, 2016 29th JULY, 2016

SCHEDULE OF 2016 ANNUAL PENSIONERS’ HEADCOUNT S/No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Date 18th to 22 July, 2016 25th to 29th July, 2016 18th July, 2016 18th July, 2016

18th July, 2016 18th July, 2016 18th - 19th July, 2015 18th - 19th July, 2016 18th - 19th July, 2016 18th - 19th July, 2016 18th - 19th July, 2016 18th - 19th July, 2016 20th July, 2016 19th - 20th July, 2016 19th - 20th July, 2016 20th - 21st July, 2016 20th - 21st July, 2016 20th - 21st July, 2016

Location Head Office CBN learning centre Alakija lagos Abakaliki Branch Lafia Branch Minna Branch Kaduna Branch Benin Branch Calabar Branch Port Harcourt Branch Abeokuta Branch Jos Enugu Branch Awka Branch Owerri Branch Makurdi Branch Ibadan Branch Akure Branch Ilorin Branch

S/No 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

Date 20th - 21st July, 2016 20th - 21st July, 2016 21st - 22nd July, 2016 21st - 22nd July, 2016 21st - 22nd July, 2016 22nd July, 2016 22nd July, 2016 22nd July, 2016 22nd July, 2016 22nd July, 2016 22nd July, 2016 22nd July, 2016 25th July, 2016 25th July, 2016 26th July, 2016 26th - 27th July, 2016 27th - 28th July, 2016 29th July, 2016 29th July, 2016

For Further information please call: 07002255226

Signed: Management

Location Bauchi Branch Kano Branch Umuahia Branch Uyo Branch Yenagoa Branch Osogbo Branch Ado-Ekiti Branch Jalingo Branch Lokoja Branch Gombe Branch Dutse Branch Asaba Branch Damaturu Branch Katsina Branch Gusau Maiduguri Branch Sokoto Branch Yola Branch Birnin Kebbi Branch

45

T H I S D AY FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016

To all Blue Boat FreshYo Consumers If youʻve been wondering why you canʻt find your favourite FreshYo yoghurt in recent weeks, itʻs because we had a fire incident in our production facility.

From what weʻve heard, our fans are missing FreshYo as much as we are!

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Look out for other exciting FreshYo news in the coming weeks…

VACANCIES! VACANCIES!! VACANCIES!!!

A

medium-sized Hotel in Okene, Kogi State, comprising about 70 rooms in two close locations, and other facilities, such as a modern Conference Hall with 750-seating capacity, Restaurant, Super Market, Laundry, etc; will be opening for business soon.

The following positions are available for suitably qualified candidates that possess the qualifications indicated against each position: 1. General Manager: HND in Catering & Hotel Management, B.Sc; or B.A. in Business Administration or any of the Humanities, with at least, five (5) years relevant experience and must be conversant with hotel computer software applications, and personnel/general administration.

2. Finance and Admin Manager: B.Sc. Accounting/Business Administration with at least, three (3) years experience in hotel or similar organization, and must have good knowledge of hotel computer software applications and personnel Administration.

3. Asst. Manager (Operations): Same as for the Manager but with at least, three (3) years relevant experience.

4. Maintenance Supervisor: HND or B.Sc; in Electrical or Mechanical engineering with at least three (3) years of wide ranging experience in the maintenance of electrical, mechanical and electronic equipment installations.

5. Housekeeping Supervisor: HND in Catering & Hotel Management with at least five (5) years relevant experience and must have a good knowledge of hotel computer software applications. Those with less qualification but proven experience in the industry can apply.

6. Chief Security Officer: Retired Military/Police man 7. Receptionist: HND or B.Sc; in Catering & Hotel Management and must have a good knowledge of hotel computer software applications.

8. Head Cook: OND in Catering & Hotel Management with 3 - 5 years relevant experience.

9. Accounts Clerk/Cashier: OND in Accounting with experience in hotel computer software applications.

10. Cooks: Certificate in Catering & Hotel studies with three (3) years relevant experience. Those with less qualification but with proven experience in the industry can apply.

11. Drivers: O/Level with Group E Drivers Licence and at least five (5) driving experience.

12. House Keepers: Certificate in Catering & Hotel studies with relevant experience. Those with less qualification but with proven success in the industry can apply.

13. Waiters/Barmen/Porters: O/Level or its equivalent.

14. Laundry Man: O/Level or its equivalent with relevant experience.

15 Cleaners: O/Level or equivalent with relevant experience.

16. Gatemen/Security Guards: O/Level or its equivalent Interested applicants are to send their hand-written applications together with two (2) passport photographs, photocopies of their credentials, functional email and gsm numbers to: The Advertiser, PO Box 4640, Garki, Abuja, within three (3) weeks of this publication. They could also be dropped in the Drop Boxes located at Tao 101.9 FM Radio, Kuroko, Adavi LGA and Okengwe Microfinance Bank Ltd; Okengwe, Okene LGA, Kogi State.

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FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016 T H I S D AY

The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Visitor to the Federal Universities has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt and the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Specifically, the President approved that: i.

The governing council of University of Port Harcourt be dissolved with immediate effect;

ii.

The governing council of Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe, be dissolved with immediate effect; and

iii.

The process of the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife be suspended pending the determination of the subsisting court case.

The Chairman and members of these two governing councils shall hand over any property belonging to the Universities to the registrars of the respective institutions.

Malam Adamu Adamu Hon. Minister of Education

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

WORLD OF ISLAM Understanding Zakat

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

IslamiCity/The Peninsula

Zakat is one of the major religious duties in Islam.

Literally, zakat means to “purify”. It refers to the purification of a believer’s wealth and soul. Wealth purification denotes the mobilization of assets for the purpose of financial growth and justified distribution.

Purification of the soul implies freedom from hatred, jealousy, selfishness, uneasiness and greed. Other Quranic connotations also include the purification of sin.

Zakat is a fixed proportion collected from the surplus wealth and earnings of a believer. It is then distributed to prescribed beneficiaries and for the welfare as well as the infrastructure of a society in general. This contribution is made payable by a Muslim once every year.

Zakat is paid on the net balance after a Muslim has spent on basic necessities, family expenses, due credits, donations and taxes. Every Muslim male or female who at the end of the Hijri year is in possession of the equivalent of 85 grams of gold or more in cash or articles of trade, must pay his or her zakat at the mimimun rate of 2.5percent.

Zakat has a deep humanitarian and social-political value. This religious act prevents the hoarding of wealth and advocates solidarity with humanity because excessive wealth is distributed amongst the poor. The paying of zakat also helps purify one’s soul and encourages a person to have gratitude towards God’s bounties.

Zakat is mentioned along with Salat (prayer) in 30 verses of the Quran. It was first revealed in Surah 73:20; “…. and establish regular prayers and give regular charity; and loan to God a beautiful loan.

And whatever good ye send forth for your souls, ye shall find it in God’s presence, Yea, better and greater in reward and seek ye the grace of God: for God is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”

In another verse, God declares that those who pay zakat, are included within the Muslim society “But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and practice regular charity, they are your brethren in Faith: (thus) do We explain the Signs in detail, for those who understand.” (9:11) God says in the Quran: “They were enjoined only to worship God, sincere in their faith in Him alone – and of upright religion – and to establish the Salat and the Zakat. Such is the upright religion, (98:5) “Those who lay up treasures of gold and silver and spend them not in the way of God; give them the news of a painful punishment, on the Day when that (wealth) will be heated in hellfire, and their foreheads and their sides and their backs branded therewith: “This is the treasure which you laid up for yourselves!

Taste, then, your hoarded treasure!” (9:34-35).

“Let not those who are miserly with what God has given them of His bounty think that this is good for them. Rather, it is bad for them. That which they withhold shall be hung around their necks on the Day of Arising. (3:180) Bukhari and Muslim relate on the authority of Ibn Abbas that the Messenger of God sent Mu’adh to the Yemen he told him, “You are going to a people who have a Scripture, so call them to testify that there is no deity but God, and that I am the Messenger of God. If they respond to this, then teach them that God has imposed five Salats upon them in every day. If they respond to this, then teach them that God has imposed upon them a charity to be taken from the wealthy amongst them and given to their poor. If they respond to this, then beware of taking any more of their wealth! Beware also of the prayer of the oppressed, for there is no veil between such a prayer and God.” Then he recited the verse: “Let not those who are miserly with what God has given them of His bounty think that this is good for them. Rather, it is bad for them. That which they withhold shall be hung around their necks on the Day of Arising.” (3:180)

Conditions for Zakat

Several conditions must be fulfilled before zakat can be paid. These conditions are necessary as zakat can only be applied on those who are of legal age and who own enough assets. These conditions are categorized into two broad categories, namely performer and asset.

Every Muslim who is of a certain age and owns enough assets is required to pay zakat.

Zakat Asset Full Ownership: A Muslim will only be required to pay zakat if he or she has full and legal ownership of an asset.

Zakat is payable only on those assets that are acquired for the purpose of creating or generating wealth. Some examples of this type of assets are

livestock or crops that are traded or sold, inventory of goods used for trading, and investments such as gold or securities that have potential for appreciation in value. However, zakat is not payable in the case of fixed assets such as buildings, if they are not subjected to “capital circulation”.

Assets that exceed a minimum value

Zakat need only be paid on those assets that exceed a minimum value. This minimum value is calculated based on the market price of 85 grams of gold or 595 grams of pure silver. This minimum value is termed Nisab. The Islamic Fiqh and Research Councils, as well as Jumhur (majority) of Ulama’ recommend that gold be used as the basis for the calculation of nisab.

Completion of Haul

Haul is defined as the completion period for a zakat asset. The length of time for haul is one Islamic or Hijri year (1 year Hijri = 354.5 days, 1 year Solar = 365.25 days). Zakat is only payable on assets that have been held for at least this period.

Beneficiaries of Zakat

The Holy Quran (9:60) classifies the due recipients of zakat under the following eight categories.

“Zakat is for the poor, and the needy and those who are employed to administer and collect it, and the new converts, and for those who are in bondage, and in debt and service of the cause of God, and for the wayfarers, a duty ordained by God, and God is the All-Knowing, the Wise”.

Zakat can only be distributed to any of the eight eligible beneficiaries (asnaf) that are mentioned in the Quran in Surah Taubah:60. However, priority should be given to the poor and needy. Where there is no central authority to administer zakat, it can be paid directly to the needy.

“Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to the truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of God; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by God, and God is full of knowledge and wisdom.” (9:60) • The poor (Faqir/Fuqara) – Those without any means of livelihood and material possessions.

• The needy (Miskeen) – Those without sufficient means of livelihood to meet their basic necessities. For instance, those who, although may have a job, a house and a car, but whose income is below the minimum requirement.

• The administrators of zakat (Amil) – Those appointed to manage and administer zakat. This category is sub-divided into the following categories: • Group of people who go out to the society and determine those who fall Fuqara and Miskeen categories.

• Those who collect the Zakat money.

• The accountant of the Zakat money.

• The administrator, manager, clerical worker or secretary who puts the files in order.

• Those who handle Zakat distributions.

• The auditor who audits overall Zakat management and administration.

• The sympathizers (Muallaf-at-Quloobuhum) – Those whose hearts are inclined towards or have accepted Islam.

• To free slaves (Riqab) – Zakat can also be used to free slaves or captives.

• Those who are in debt (Gharimin) – Zakat can be used to pay off the debts of a person who has borrowed to pay for basic necessities so that he/she can lead a normal life. Zakat can also be distributed to those in financial difficulties e.g. bankruptcy due to the loss of employment and heavy debt.

• For the cause of God (Fisabillillah) – Zakat can be used to finance any form of struggle or work for the love of God. The following examples fall under this category, e.g. Da’wah; building & developing society’s infrastructure; defending Muslims, who are being oppressed; assisting poor travelers and sponsoring a student’s educational expenses.

• Those who are stranded during a journey (Ibnus Sabil) – Zakat can also be used to help a traveler facing difficulties in continuing his journey due to reasons such as loss of money or the breakdown of his vehicles, the repair of which he cannot afford.

The Prophet said, “If someone gives as charity so much as the equivalent of a single date from honest earnings – and God accepts only what is honest – God takes it in the Right Hand, then makes it increase for the one responsible, just as one of you raises foal, until it becomes as big as a mountain.

48

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1 , 2016

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Business Loans Not National Cake, Emefiele Tells Corp Members As CBN stake N2.5bn to boost youth entrepreneurship James Emejo in Abuja The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele yesterday flagged-off the training of the first batch of applicants under the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP) involving 1,547 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) across the country.

Already, a N2.5billion-fund had been set aside for lending to applicants with good entrepreneurial orientation and business proposals at single digit interest rate.

The loan is part of the N220 billion fund set aside for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which remained largely untapped since 2012.

However, speaking in Abuja at the flag-off of the YEDP for Corp members, which was held at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Kubwa, the CBN boss, who noted that both

the NYSC, degree certificates will be accepted as collateral for the credit, warned that the intervention was not to be seen as a national cake or grant but a loan, which must be repaid.

Emefiele further urged all beneficiaries to show character and commitment to their loan obligation as well as seize the opportunity to create wealth and employment opportunities for others.

According to him, each corp member is entitled to a maximum of N3 million credit.

He said: “We are very optimistic and that is why we are saying that what is important is that our youths display the highest level of probity. Character must remain sound to the extent that they take the loan and they pay the loan. It is very important that this is emphasized and that is why I am saying that it is not a grant and it is a loan that must be paid.

“We are determined to give support to the youth and I truly must thank the National Youth Service Corps who has helped us to put together the first set of NYSC, both present and past ones so that we can nurture them as young entrepreneurs not as people who go into the world looking for jobs, but nurture them as people who are developing the entrepreneurial spirit, entrepreneurial skills, not only for their good but also for the good of the country.”

Continuing, he said: “We do not anticipate that any of them fails. The reason is because Nigeria is not the only country where small and medium enterprises loans have been granted. It has been successful in different countries. In South East Asian economies it has been successful. Indeed, the highest rate of Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) that we have seen in these economies have been a maximum of three per cent.

FG Urged to Create Special FX Window for Manufacturers Eromosele Abiodun Despite the appreciable progress recorded in the foreign exchange market since the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced its new foreign exchange policy, manufacturers in the country have decried their inability to get the greenback to import raw materials for production.

They have therefore called on the federal government to create a special window to enable them access foreign exchange for importation of raw materials.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues in a chat with journalists during a public lecture he delivered at the University of Lagos, the Group Managing Director of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, enjoined the federal government to take urgent steps to address the matter to save the economy.

According to him, “The

first half of the year was not good for manufacturers, a lot of policy changes have taken place but it is too early to begin to think that they will have any impact on businesses yet. On the 20th of last month when the CBN announced the new foreign exchange policy, a huge amount of dollars was released into the system and everybody thought it was going to continue that way.”

He added: “ As I speak to you now, we are made to do future placements for dollars.

It is tenured 30, 90 days for anyone to be able to access the dollars. The question I asked them is if I am told I can only get the greenback every 90 days what happens before the 90 days? I should fold my hands and wait for what I don’t have guaranty I am going to get. For some time now we have bided for N282, N285/$ and we didn’t get it.

All we were told is “your bid is not successful.”

He added: “Where should manufacturers go to get dollars to buy raw materials? We have repeatedly asked this question without an answer. We have asked the government to create a window for the real sector, not traders to access the dollar to get materials to produce and sustain the economy. If that does not happen we will remain where we are. Half year is gone, the second half is year and we still do not have direction.”

Government, he stated, can identify the real manufacturers by checking their status with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and other organs of government.

He advised the federal government to set up committees to visits local manufacturers to see what they are doing and arrange for them to get dollars for raw materials.

Emefiele

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2016 Broad Money (M2)

20,470,436.00

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,040,817.68

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,441,365.03

---- Demand Deposits

7,599,452.65

-- Quasi Money

11,429,618.32

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,551,714.27

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,918,721.73

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

22,664,815.74

---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,782,578.01

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

4,991,246.39

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-1,208,668.38

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

18,882,237.73

--Other Assets Net

-7,746,094.02

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,758,634.07

--Currency in Circulation

1,811,090.48

--Banks Reserves

3,947,543.59 • Source - CBN

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Price (N) Stanbic Balanced Fund

Buying Price(N)

Selling Price

1,660.29

1,685.29

Transcorp Hilton Abuja Begins $100m Renovation Project

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

Obinna Chima

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

Transcorp Hilton Abuja has announced the commencement of a major renovation that will upgrade the five-Star Transcorp Hilton Abuja guest experience in every aspect.

“The upgrade is the first of its kind in the 30-year history of the hotel and it underpins our commitment to delivering an experience that cannot be duplicated by any other hotel.

The Transcorp Hilton hotel set the gold standard decades ago and will continue to set high standards for others to follow,” the Managing Director/CEO Transcorp Hotels Plc, the owners of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Valentine Ozigbo said.

A statement yesterday explained that when the renovation is completed, Transcorp will offer guests a brand new and ultramodern furnishing concept

to rival other five-star hotels worldwide. It stated that all 670 guest rooms and suites have been redesigned by awardwinning Swedish interior design company, Living Design, who has added an extra touch of luxury to the exquisite finish and furnishing. The complete renovation, when finalised, will include refurbishing of the Executive Lounge, elevators and elevator lobbies, meeting rooms, Congress Hall and the hotel lobby, it added.

“The spa and restaurants will also be upgraded to reflect the standards of the modern traveller with high expectations.The hotel will remain open during the renovation. Disruptions will be minimal, as no more than three floors will be closed at any given time.

“Selected services and facilities are to be relocated in order to ensure guest comfort and

satisfaction, as the hotel remains operational and committed to exceeding expectations during the improvement period.

“Transcorp Hilton assures all guests that customer satisfaction is of utmost importance. “We are excited to unveil the ongoing renovations to our guests and community as another stride towards maintaining our position as one of Africa’s leading hotels,” its General Manager, Etienne Gailliez The full renovation will be completed in 18 months.

In addition to the upgrade of Transcorp Hilton, the statement explained that Transcorp Hotels Plc has also embarked on two major hotel projects, Transcorp Hilton Ikoyi Lagos and Transcorp Hilton Port Harcourt to extend its luxury accommodation and conferencing facilities to guests beyond Abuja and Calabar.

ARM Money Market Fund

13.1030 (Yield % ) • Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT WEDNESDAY 29, JUNE 2016 The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $45.82 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $44.46 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

49

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1 , 2016

MARKET NEWS

Nigerian Stock Market Gains 3.3% in First Six Months Goddy Egene and Eromosele Abiodun The Nigerian stock market closed the first half of the year with a growth of 3.3 per cent compared with a decline of 3.2 per cent in the corresponding period of 2015.

Although the market ended on a bearish noted yesterday, in all, it recorded a growth at the end of first six months of

the year. The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) closed at 29,597.79 on the last day of June, up from 28,642.25 at which it opened 2016.

Market capitalisation added N314 billion, rising from N9.851 billion to close at N10.165 trillion yesterday.

Analysts said but for the rebound the market recorded recently following positive

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

reactions to the new flexible foreign exchange policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the market would have ended the first half on negative note just last like last year.

After a bearish trend caused by policy flip flops, exchange rate uncertainty and budget delay, the market rebounded two weeks back following the new forex, policy bringing the

N I G E R I A N QUANTITY TRADED

STO C K

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Daily Summary as of 22/02/2016 Printed 22/02/2016 14:36:10.010

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC

year-to-date(YTD) growth to the positive territory.

Reacting to the development then, analysts at InvestmentOne Limited had said: “In the immediate, while we expect the ongoing optimism regarding a possible shift to a market-determined exchange rate regime to support market performance.

We see the impacts of these events on market

6 6 12

30.00 34.00

12,629 11,640 24,269

374,530.15 421,345.20 795,875.35

19 19 31

1.25

1,078,511 1,078,511 1,102,780

1,358,964.30 1,358,964.30 2,154,839.65

5 68 13 86 86

0.77 1.13 20.47

33,500 6,740,423 65,995 6,839,918 6,839,918

25,070.00 7,635,453.96 1,344,425.15 9,004,949.11 9,004,949.11

13 13

41.50

31,970 31,970

1,409,214.78 1,409,214.78

5 5 18

5.20

28,901 28,901 60,871

154,716.48 154,716.48 1,563,931.26

6 24 7 98 135

2.85 118.85 20.00 99.00

190,900 53,000 15,200 429,541 688,641

528,079.00 6,201,924.95 293,757.00 42,728,789.84 49,752,550.79

9 9

168.50

166,476 166,476

28,285,937.95 28,285,937.95

54 38 6 12 1 29 140

5.61 19.00 1.37 6.86 6.65 1.27

2,120,306 314,421 40,000 119,863 433 3,285,739,119 3,288,334,142

11,610,520.13 5,953,792.96 55,716.00 842,442.48 2,736.56 4,074,348,894.07 4,092,814,102.20

11 54 65

17.86 700.00

18,825 98,360 117,185

329,518.50 68,567,962.00 68,897,480.50

11 11

4.46

99,050 99,050

420,455.00 420,455.00

13 21 34 394

21.90 28.00

36,887 133,117 170,004 3,289,575,498

820,034.75 3,737,067.92 4,557,102.67 4,244,727,629.11

82 51 21 25 200 41 16 147 11 15 67 676

4.10 1.49 15.60 1.21 16.70 1.07 1.76 2.95 5.30 0.63 0.98

3,962,506 2,163,396 278,470 790,900 4,847,312 1,969,858 1,204,932 8,586,418 39,752 501,617 5,920,564 30,265,725

16,210,255.82 3,314,106.88 4,136,459.40 958,864.34 80,963,793.44 2,115,552.11 2,087,767.85 25,302,954.71 205,645.40 316,018.71 5,813,502.17 141,424,920.83

14 8 2 3 7 10 1 1 46

0.80 0.90 0.50 0.50 2.06 0.76 0.50 0.50

200,107 276,500 5,004,000 1,000,000 351,540 327,285 37,708,135 10 44,867,577

160,838.67 251,350.00 2,502,000.00 500,000.00 720,728.80 245,325.31 18,854,067.50 5.00 23,234,315.28

1 1

1.08

4,760 4,760

4,950.40 4,950.40

31 7 105 7 20 170 893

2.46 4.00 0.85 14.15 1.31

1,149,464 27,041 31,257,120 38,035 708,255 33,179,915 108,317,977

2,830,722.84 104,002.06 26,613,309.20 537,985.34 931,556.31 31,017,575.75 195,681,762.26

27

2.69

614,065

1,572,223.05

performance.

However, in the medium to longer term, we see improved performance on the back of efficiency gains from an expansionary fiscal policy leading to improvement in aggregate demand.”

However, profit taking set in reducing the YTD growth to 3.3 per cent yesterday.

The market closed with a decline of 0.7 per cent

yesterday depressed mostly

by Ecobank Transnational Incorpodated (-3.09 per cent), Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc( (-2.94 per cent), FBN Holdings Plc (-2.51 per cent), United Bank for Africa Plc(-2.08 per cent); Forte Oil (-1.90 per cent); Zenith Bank (-1.44 per cent); Nigerian Breweries (-1.44 per cent), Dangote Cement (-1.03 per cent)c among others.

E XC H A N G E

MAIN BOARD GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC Printing/Publishing Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals SERVICES Totals EQTY Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals ASeM Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals PREMIUM Board Totals Equity Activity Totals

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32 4 6 69 69

25.33 0.94 0.69

551,998 16,020 597,000 1,779,083 1,779,083

13,903,164.18 15,299.40 412,110.00 15,902,796.63 15,902,796.63

1 1 1

1.69

500 500 500

805.00 805.00 805.00

16 9 4 6 10 31 76

24.00 9.30 35.78 8.62 3.36 80.50

110,727 40,229 26,700 142,300 299,900 14,373,223 14,993,079

2,707,053.97 362,501.29 992,680.00 1,227,076.00 966,480.00 1,157,057,077.16 1,163,312,868.42

6 6

1.51

134,500 134,500

204,240.00 204,240.00

5 5 87

50.00

24,529 24,529 15,152,108

1,165,135.50 1,165,135.50 1,164,682,243.92

2 2

0.50

24,262 24,262

12,131.00 12,131.00

90 90

3.47

3,827,573 3,827,573

13,288,632.05 13,288,632.05

21 7 8 21 7 64

18.34 1.84 342.00 150.00 145.00

81,125 100,300 20,300 16,295 13,699 231,719

1,505,034.50 182,832.00 6,595,470.00 2,396,080.60 1,959,692.96 12,639,110.06

33 33 189

318.00

389,934 389,934 4,473,488

124,037,602.56 124,037,602.56 149,977,475.67

1 1

0.50

941 941

470.50 470.50

5 5

3.80

32,870 32,870

127,756.40 127,756.40

13 13

0.89

624,500 624,500

538,430.00 538,430.00

1 22 23

2.29 4.00

4,588 251,094 255,682

10,001.84 1,001,583.80 1,011,585.64

1 1 43 1,811

1.68

10,000 10,000 923,993 3,428,226,216

16,000.00 16,000.00 1,694,242.54 5,785,390,675.15

2 2 2 2

1.21

270,464 270,464 270,464 270,464

327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44

306 306

11.45

13,929,679 13,929,679

159,605,439.23 159,605,439.23

278 278 584

3.74

10,438,552 10,438,552 24,368,231

39,515,087.18 39,515,087.18 199,120,526.41

35 35 35 619 2,432

139.83

38,770 38,770 38,770 24,407,001 3,452,903,681

5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 204,425,192.41 5,990,143,129.00

2 2 2 2 2 10 10 10

2,330.00 2.33 6.02 11.09 18.07

3,000 20 20 20 15 3,075 3,075 3,075

6,986,000.00 46.70 120.20 221.80 270.65 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA BANKING ETF VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals ETF Board Totals ETP Activity Totals

50

FRIDAY, JULY1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

LONA Media Inaugurates Africa’s Biggest Billboard Davidson Iriekpen

An Abuja-based indigenous outdoor advertising firm, LONA Media Limited, is set to inaugurate Africa’s biggest billboard in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a unique innovation that is aimed at transforming and beautifying the capital city’s landscape.

Briefing journalists in Abuja on the activities lined up to mark the 10th anniversary of the company, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Idoko Kingsley Ilonah, explained that apart from its unique size, the board which is located on the Abuja International Airport Road, Lugbe Interchange incorporates a park that could attract members of the public to have internet access through an arranged collaboration for wifi services provision with MTN. Ilonah pointed out that the company, as its contribution towards the beautification of the FCT, has budgeted more than N30milion to be spent on landscaping and construction of the park, adding that this

latest initiative involves mixing business with corporate social responsibility.

Providing details on the features of the newly installed biggest billboard in Africa, he explained that Africa’s biggest billboard measures 20metres by 80metres, adding that plans were afoot to erect one of the biggest billboards in the world which will also have unique features for entertainment and leisure at the site.

He recalled the challenges inherent in the building of the LONA Media brand which is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary and stressing that he had to confront the twin issues getting government and banks to fund startups and convincing clients not only to believe in new companies and also to patronise them at the onset.

On how he overcame his initial challenges, Ilonah pointed out that “with dedicated staff and early patronage of clients such as GLO the company has grown very fast to position as the leader in the outdoor advertising business in Nigeria.”

Ogunshola: My Maths Background Helps Me Solve Financial-related Challenges Uchechukwu Nnaike A former Chairman of The Punch Newspaper, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, has attributed the achievements he recorded in his career to his mathematical background, which he said has been of tremendous assistance in solving financial-related challenges, which he had to handle in various areas of his life.

Ogunshola, who stated this in Lagos yesterday during his investiture as a Fellow of the Nigerian Mathematical Society (NMS) alongside a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe; and a former Dean, Faculty of Science at the Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Michael Ajetunmbi, added that as a professional, he had been trained to apply mathematics to business.

According to his citation, while at Government College, Ibadan, where he had his secondary and higher education, Ogunshola was consistently among the top three students in his class. In the 1961 West African School Certificate Examination results, he and another student led the class in aggregate points.

As the chairman of The Punch, he was said to have introduced the rigour of “measurement” wherever it was possible to do so, and Punch was the first newspaper company to establish a statistics and research unit.

The three awardees were among the 18 meritorious mathematicians nominated for the 2016 Fellow of Nigerian Mathematical Society (FNMS) award during the society’s conference in May.

In his remarks, the President, NMS, Professor Ninuola Akinwande, said the array of mathematics scholars in this year’s list was an indicator that despite the harsh teaching and research conditions in the country, some have doggedly pursued the field of knowledge, which is dreaded by many with vigour and determination.

“The awardees are mathematicians of international standing with distinguished accomplishments. Mathematics is the driving force for meaningful scientific and technological breakthroughs and advancement and so should be given all the support needed for scholarship.”

While commending the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, a fellow of the society, for instituting professorial chairs in mathematics in four universities, he called on others to emulate him and give necessary support to the teaching, learning and research in mathematics.

Responding, Ibidapo-Obe expressed delight on being recognised in the profession he started several years ago, saying that mathematics is fundamental to all other disciplines, and enables one to have a calculative analytical mind, where everything has to be measured.

He advised the youths to embrace mathematics, which he said is not difficult. “It is probably one of the easiest things to do; something that we do every day. Cultivate the habit, it is very useful, it teaches you hard work and discipline. Mathematics is an all-life training.

He explained that the making of the Africa’s biggest billboard located in the FCT involved the collaborative efforts of reputable contractors such as Niverfa Nigeria, C

& S Project in South Africa, acknowledging that LONA Media drew inspiration from the confidence which the MTN brand reposed on the company by being the first to patronize

the billboard with its advert.

Ilonah said from the humble beginning of opening for business with only one LED Billboard at Gana Street Junction opposite Transcorp Hilton

Hotel in 2006, the company now has grown to owning over 100 billboards displayed across the different states of the country with 60 domiciled in Abuja only.

DIPLOMATIC CORPS AT THE VILLA

President Muhammadu Buhari (right), in a handshake with the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Cameroun Ambassador to Nigeria, Salaheddine Abbas-Ibrahima when the president hosted the diplomats during the breaking of the Ramadan fast at the Presidential Villa in Abuja...yesterday.

GODWIN OMOIGUI

Tribunal Strikes out Onjeh’s Oshiomhole: I Have Petition against Senator Reconciled with My Mark Deputy George Okoh in Makurdi

The Election Petition Tribunal in Makurdi yesterday struck out the petition filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Daniel Onjeh, against the election of Senator David Mark.

The tribunal said the petition was filed late.

The tribunal held that the petition was filed out of the stipulated 21 days as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In her ruling, Justice Chinyere Gloria Anulube, described the petition as “defective and incurably bad,” maintaining that the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

She held that provision of the Interpretation Act, the Electoral Act, Practice Direction, as well as the constitution of the country, the time for filing an election petition should include the day of declaration of result of the election.

While relying on the Supreme Court decision in Okechukwu and INEC, the tribunal also held that since the re-run itself was predicated on the order of Appeal Court, “this tribunal cannot shy away from a superior court

pronouncement.

“We hold that all pending applications before the court having been overtaken by event is thereby struck out,” she stated.

Responding to the ruling, counsel to Senator Mark said justice was well served, averring that the petition was just a waste of time as it was incompetent.

Also speaking on the ruling, Special Assistant to Senator, David Mark on Media/Benue Liaison, Dr. Adakole Elijah, hailed the decision of the tribunal, saying that the ruling was a classical manifestation of the revalidation of the mandate given to the former Senate President.

Elijah said: “We defeated APC in March 2015, the APC and its candidate went to court and got the victory nullified and a re-run was ordered, we went back to the polls and came back victorious and that victory has today been re-affirmed by the tribunal.”

The state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, John Ngbede, said the court ruling was a re-affirmation of the election of Mark by Benue South district, adding that “it shows that future of PDP in the state is bright.

God is with Mark.”

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday disclosed that he had made up on the political differences he had with his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu.

The relationship between Oshiomhole and his deputy became frosty prior to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship election primary after the governor chose the Chairman of his Economic Team, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, as his successor.

Oshiomhole stated this at a reconciliation and thank you party organised for Ward leaders of the APC. Odubu and some of his supporters were however absent at the party.

Oshiomhole told the APC members to go back to the wards and reconcile with all aggrieved party members.

He said he would personally visit some APC members and urge them to help reunite old friendship. Oshiomhole said the campaign message of the APC would change since according to him,“a more credible candidate has emerged in the PDP.” According to him, “Let us imbibe the spirit of oneness.

I was excited of having the privilege to brief President

Muhammadu Buhari of the outcome of our primaries and the president said he was proud of all you who participated in that process. This will be the first time a sitting president will hold the hand of our party candidate and present him to the people of our great state.”

“As you return to your wards, align with leaders of each of those wards to call a meeting and have time together. Remind them that they voted for the party. Convene meetings at the ward level to bring all the ward leaders together. We need to visit them and we will visit them.

They worked much harder. They deserve our commendation.

“This is the time to settle small quarrels within the party.

No more rumours. Help us to unite, to reconcile, to restore old friendship and old alliances. I have renewed mine with my deputy governor. It is one party, one family and one destination.

“PDP has elected a more credible candidate. The problem with that is that the candidate is not carrying the kind of baggage the fake pastor is carrying. Our campaign message must be different.”

The state Chairman of the party, Anselm Ojezua, said many of aspirants had promised to work for the successes of the APC during the elections.

FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

51

NEWSXTRA

Troops Kill Several Terrorists in Borno, Three Bandits in Zamfara Rescue 16 hostages, recover large cache of arms

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja Soldiers have recorded successes in their clearance operations in parts of the North-east and North -west, killing several Boko Haram terrorists and three armed bandits respectively.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, in a statement yesterday, said the troops of 118 Task Force Battalion, 8 Task Force Division, on blocking position at Garere Junction yesterday morning, ambushed Boko Haram terrorists at Gudumbali, northern part of Borno State, while they were crossing to another location with some logistics items.

Usman said that during the operation, the troops killed two and wounded one of the terrorists.

He said the troops also recovered two AK-47, a G3 rifle, 660 Litres of Premium Motor Spirit and yards of military uniforms.

“The troops also recovered a truck earlier stolen by the terrorists in Kangarwa,” he stated.

In a related development, Usman said the troops of 121 Task Force Battalion, 26 Task Force Brigade, accompanied by a large number of Civilian JTF from Gwoza, had on Tuesday, “embarked on a very aggressive patrol that dislodged remnants Boko Haram terrorists hibernating

at Ngoshe and Gava villages, located close to Gwoza on the mountainous terrain.”

According to him, the essence of the robust patrol, which was supported by the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) and Camerounian Defence Forces who provided air cover and real time Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance, was to clear the remnants of the terrorists hiding in the mountainous area and rescue all persons held hostage by the Boko Haram terrorists.

The Army Spokesman said while advancing towards their objective in Ngoshe, the patrol team encountered Boko Haram terrorists.

“They have to clear the delay positions staged by the terrorists through the support of the NAF fighter jets.

“Although the number of terrorists killed could not be ascertained, quite a number of them where seen falling over the mountains when engaged. It is equally believed several others escaped with gun shot wounds,” he revealed.

He said the troops were however able to recover quite a number of arms and ammunitions including a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tube, four RPG Bombs, General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), Fabrique Nationale (FN) rifle and three AK-47 rifles.

Dickson Cautions New ODS Commander against Partisanship Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, cautioned the new commander of the federal government security outfit in the Niger Delta, code named, “Operation Delta Safe” to be professional in addressing security challenges in the region.

A statement issued in Yenagoa by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the governor issued the warning when he received the new Commander of the Joint Military Task Force, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie.

He emphasised the need for the law enforcement agents to be neutral in dealing with criminal activities.

While commending the federal government for retaining the headquarters of the “Operation Delta Safe” in Bayelsa, Dickson said, the operations of the security outfit, especially its maritime component, has a crucial role to play, as the state is predominantly riverine in nature.

Dickson, who expressed confidence in the ability of the officers and men of the new command, called for noninterference in their activities in the interest of national peace and stability, because of the strategic position the Niger delta occupies in the country.

On its part, he said the state government would continue to support security agencies in the fight against criminality and brigandage such as kidnapping,

piracy and the wilful destruction of strategic national assets, with its attendant degradation of the environment.

Paying tribute to all the commanders of the defunct Operation Pulo shield for their contributions to the peace in the Niger Delta region, Dickson said dialogue remains the best option to resolving the security issues in the area.

Earlier in his remarks, the Commander of the Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie had said the federal government deemed it necessary to re-engineer the security outfit as part of efforts to tackle insecurity effectively in the country.

According to Rear Admiral Okojie, the task of achieving enduring peace and stability, remains a joint effort involving the governments, community leaders and other stakeholders of the affected states, particularly in the maritime areas covered by its mandate.

The new Commander, who resumed duty on the 26th of this month, noted that the outfit would adopt a holistic approach in maintaining law and order rather than use brute force.

He, however, warned criminal minded individuals to steer clear of the region as the Operation Delta Safe has acquired adequate resources to deal decisively with those who are bent on sabotaging the government’s efforts towards promoting economic growth and prosperity.

He listed other items recovered to include one Sub-Machine Gun(SMG), Locally made Pistol, a locally made Double-Barrel gun, Smoke Grenade, 243 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition and one round of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.

“They also recovered 18 rounds of MI16 rifle, three G3 Rifle magazines, 2 AK-47 magazines, mobile telephone handset and a SIM card, as well as a pair of military desert camouflage

uniform.

“Other items were an address card, three Boko Haram terrorists flags and a Toyota Hilux vehicle painted in desert camouflage colour and motorcycles,” he said.

Usman said the troops did not find any hostage in Gava but were able to rescue 16 civilians held in Ngoshe prison, “while many residents of the town saw it as an opportunity to flee from the town.”

He added that both the rescued and freed persons are being profiled by the troops.

In another development, the troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army involved in Operation Sharan Daji, the outfit to clear cattle rustlers, armed bandits and kidnappers in the Northwest geo-political region in the country, yesterday cleared armed bandits in Gobirawan Kwacha, Dansadau District of Maru Local Government

Area (LGA) of Zamfara State.

Usman said that during the encounter in the forest, “the troops were able to kill three armed bandits and recovered an AK-47 rifle, AK-47 magazine and 11 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.

Unfortunately, he said, the bandits shot and damaged the troops’ vehicle.

He however assured that none of the soldiers was injured.

WORTHY MATHEMATICIANS

L-R: Awardees, former Head of Mathematics Department, Lagos State University, Ojo, Prof. Micheal Olusanya Ajetunmobi; former Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe; President, Nigerian Mathematical Society, Prof. Ninuola Ifeoluwa Akinwande; and the former Chairman, The Punch Newspapers, Chief Ajibola Ogunsola, during the conferment of fellowship award to the to the awardees by Nigerian Mathematical Society in Lagos...yesterday ETOP UKUTT

Ojota Violence: BRT Operator Lagos Shuts down 70 Counts Losses, 48 Buses Vandalised Churches, 20 Mosques Claims its vehicle never killed any hawker Gboyega Akinsanmi The operator of Ikorodu-CMS bus rapid transit (BRT), Primero Transport Services Limited, yesterday said no fewer than 48 vehicles were vandalised due to violence that erupted at Ojota on Wednesday.

Likewise, the bus operator debunked the claim that one of its vehicles allegedly killed a street trader at Ojota, disclosing that a truck belonging to a bottling company crushed the hawker to death.

The firm’s Managing Director, Mr. Fola Tinubu, lamented the loss at a news conference he addressed at the head office, Ikorodu, noting that none of the firm’s vehicles had contact with the hawker.

He provided details of what culminated in the violence, explaining that at about 12p.m. on Wednesday, a pedestrian street hawker scrambling “to avert being arrested by Lagos State law enforcement agents ran into an approaching bottling company trailer, crushing him death.”

He clarified that the blue BRT vehicles “did not in any way – directly or otherwise –

have contact with the deceased young man. Unfortunately, suspected hoodlums took advantage of this incident to unleash mayhem and terror on our drivers while causing damage to our buses.”

The managing director added that some of the drivers “are still receiving medical treatment and some commuters had some of their belongings stolen. Forty-eight buses were estimated to have been vandalised and damaged by the hoodlums at the scene of the incidents.”

Aside, Tinubu disclosed that some of the passengers numbering about 25 “were injured by broken glasses.

The affected passengers were brought to our office.

We treated them and they have gone home. Two of our drivers are still in the hospital receiving treatment.”

He explained that damage on the buses “range from broken wind shields (front, sides and rear) to side mirrors. Some buses also had exteriors dented.

The buses will be parked in our depot until repair works are carried out, which we expect to run into millions of naira.”

over Noise Pollution The Lagos State Government has shut down 70 churches, 20 mosques and about 11 hotels, club houses and beer parlours in a move aimed at reducing noise in the state.

The General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Bola Shabi, who made this known, said henceforth, the state government would no longer allow make-shift buildings to be used as places of worship.

Shabi said: “Precisely about 70 churches, 20 mosques and about 11 hotels, club houses and beer parlours were shut and we’ve given them some directives to follow.

“We’ve been so strict now that we are not going to even allow make-shift churches in the state any longer.

“What I mean by make-shift, using tents and uncompleted

building, we are not going to allow that any further in the state.

“But I will strongly tell you that the level of compliance is more on the mosque area, because immediately you shut them, they instantly bring down their speakers or reduce the noise they make.’’

Shabi said LASEPA planned to reduce noise in the state to 70 percent and to zero per cent by the year 2020.

“As at today, we are only able to reduce the noise level to about 35 per cent. That is not a pass mark yet. So, until we reach that target of 70 to 80 per cent, we will continue the enforcement.

“Enforcement is a continuous exercise and we have set a target for ourselves. We want to ensure that Lagos is noise-free by the year 2020. With our status as a mega city, by year 2020 we will be free of noise,’’ he said.

52

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

CONDOLENCE MESSAGES FOR MADUEKWE & AMADI …

Buhari, Jonathan, Atiku Mourn Maduekwe, Tobi, Amadi Our Correspondents President Muhammadu Buhari, former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday commiserated with the families, government and people of Abia, Delta and Rivers States on the passing away of their illustrious sons Chief Ojo Maduekwe, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Justice Nikki Tobi, retired Supreme Court judge and Elechi Amadi, a literary icon.

A statement issued in Abuja by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, said the president received the passing of Maduekwe, who also served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada with profound sadness.

In all his years of service to Nigeria as a diplomat, minister, politician and ambassador, Buhari said Maduekwe was an ardent believer in the unity of Nigeria and gave all to that pursuit.

The president noted that as Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Maduekwe’s relentless call for citizen diplomacy and for Nigerians to be treated with dignity across the globe would continue to inspire other patriotic people to promote a positive international image of the country.

Buhari also paid tribute to Justice Nikki Tobi, describing him as a brave jurist who served Nigeria creditably and brought his many years of training, knowledge Former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, during condolence visit to the residence of the and wisdom to the Bench. late Chief Ojo Maduekwe in Abuja...yesterday KINGSLEY ADEBOYE The president also joined the literary and academic community in mourning Amadi whose writings and postulations as a novelist, poet and playwright introduced late writer to the growth and development of literature needed their experiences and advice. many generations of the world to the vibrant Nigerian in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

The state governor said the impact Amadi made culture.

Okowa said: “On behalf of the government and people in the literary world had contributed immensely in In paying homage to the Man of Letters, visionary of the Delta State, I commiserate with the government the promotion of academic excellence in the world, and venerated elder who dedicated his life to values and people of Rivers State, the Elechi Amadi’s family adding that Madukwe also made impact in the politics of peace, equality, dignity and the reading culture in and the entire literary world over the demise of the late of Nigeria.

Nigeria, the president believed that the passing away cerebral writer of ‘The Concubine’ fame.

He therefore urged the families of the two late of Amadi was as much a loss to Nigeria and Africa Similarly, Okowa also commiserated with the family statesmen to take heart and ensure the maintenance as it was to the world. of the late former Transport and Foreign Affairs Minister, of the legacies they had left behind.

The president affirmed that the outpouring of grief Chief Ojo Maduekwe, as well as the governor and and tribute across Nigeria and beyond was a testament people of Abia State, urging them to take solace in the Mark, Ogbeha Express Grief of the high degree of respect and acceptance Amadi fact that Maduekwe made outstanding contributions to commanded around the world. the democratic and national development of Nigeria. Former Senate President, David Mark, and Senator On his part, Jonathan lamented the death of Maduekwe Tunde Ogbeha have expressed grief over the death and Amadi, describing their demise as sad losses for Maduekwe’s Death Shocking, of former Nigerian Ambassador to Canada, Chief Ojo the country.

Maduekwe and foremost writer and former Instructor The former president, who stated this in separate Wike Laments with the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, messages of condolence to the families of the deceased, The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has Captain Elechi Amadi. emphasised that both men made significant contributions described as shocking the news of the sudden death The duo expressed shock at the demise of the to Nigeria’s growth and development.

Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Ojo Maduekwe.

Jonathan described Maduekwe as “a nationalist, The governor said the death of the elder statesman of Trustees (BoT), Maduekwe, who was very vibrant foremost administrator and intellectual giant who was quite painful as he passed on at a time he was in the recent time. contributed so much to the task of nation building.” playing an active role in the repositioning the Peoples According to them, “Nigeria has lost one of the finest In a statement issued by his media adviser, Mr. Democratic Party (PDP) for greater service to the country. and brightest politicians who was a brain box in political Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan stated further that: “In service He noted that Maduekwe, as a founding member engineering over time.” To them, Maduekwe, over the to his fatherland, Maduekwe, at different times, held of the PDP, helped nurture the nation’s democracy as years, demonstrated patriotism and meritorious service critical leadership positions where he made significant a PDP scribe, minister and a voice of reason in the polity. to the nation. contributions to Nigeria’s growth and evolution of the Specifically, Mark described Maduekwe as “a bossom While praying God to grant his immediate family nation’s democracy. the fortitude to bear the painful loss, Wike said Nigeria friend and the Cicero of our time. His death at this time Speaking further on the demise of Amadi who was a would miss the contributions of the former High is devastating especially to the PDP family. renowned journalist, the former President said: “Amadi Commissioner to Canada at this critical time in its On Amadi, Mark and Ogbeha lamented the death was a renowned writer and patriot who served his history. of their former teacher whom they said mentored them country meritoriously through his literary works and to be successful in their chosen careers. exemplary performance in public service.

Amadi taught Mark, Ogbeha and others at the Nigeria Mimiko Mourns Maduekwe, Similarly, Atiku expressed shock and disbelief at Defence Academy (NDA) Regular Course 3, Kaduna the death of Maduekwe. between 1967 and 1970.

Amadi Atiku, in a statement by his media office, described Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, described Maduekwe’s sudden death as a rude shock. as shocking the deaths of Chief Ojo Madueke and literary Kalu Commiserates with He stated that Maduekwe, who was the Nigeria’s icon, Dr. Elechi Amadi. former High Commissioner to Canada, recently, had In his condolence message issued by the state Abia, Rivers remained his ebullient and energetic self and did not Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, Former Governor of Abia State, Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu, cut the image of a man with any ailment that could Mimiko who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ has commiserated with the government and people of result in death, adding that Nigeria has lost one of its Forum said Madueke in his life time was a man of Abia State over the demise of Chief Ojo Maduekwe. flamboyant politicians. peace who was goal oriented.

Kalu acknowledged the contributions of the late “Ojo and I fortuitously met in November last year He said the late PDP BOT secretary represented public administrator and diplomat to the social and at the premiere of the documentary film, ‘Nowhere to everything good, noble and a good example of a team political development of the country.

Run: Nigeria’s Climate and Environmental Crisis’ at player. “His death at this time when he is more needed In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle the Yar’Adua Centre. He had just concluded his duty by the PDP is shocking,” he said.

Oyewumi, Kalu said: “It was with rude shock that I tour as Nigeria’s high commissioner to Canada. He Also, he described Amadi as a force in the literary received the news of the passing of Maduekwe. looked well and engaging.” field, saying he would be sorely missed, especially by “He was a seasoned politician and a community The former vice president also described the death the many lives he was able to touch and influence leader. Our prayers and thoughts are with the deceased’s of Elechi Amadi as a great loss to Nigeria and to the through his writings. family at this mournful period.” world of literature.

Similarly, Kalu described the late literary icon, Captain Okorocha: Deaths Were Shocking Elechi Amadi, as a talented personality who used his literature works to promote a just society.

Okowa Condoles with The Governor of Imo State, Chief Rochas Okorocha, said the deaths of Chief Ojo Maduekwe and literary Maduekwe, Amadi’s Families icon, Prof. Elechi Amadi, respectively, were sad and Amaechi: We’ve Lost a Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday shocking.

Okorocha said the two illustrious Igbo sons had not Colossus in Amadi described the late renowned author, poet and novelist, Elechi Amadi, as “a literary giant whose death is a only lived fulfilled lives in their chosen careers but had Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, made outstanding contributions to the unity and progress has described the death of literary icon, Elechi Amadi, tragic and monumental loss to the literary world.”

In a tribute and condolence message signed by his of Nigeria and her people. as a monumental loss, adding that he has left very big He regretted that the two prominent Nigerians died shoes that will be difficult to fill.

Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, the governor extolled the immense contributions of the at a time when the country and the younger generation Amaechi, the immediate past Governor of Rivers

State, also described Amadi as a colossus, a great man in the literary field who contributed immensely to the growth and development of the state.

In a statement issued by his media office yesterday, the minister described the late Ikwerre indigene as a man with sterling reputation and integrity.

“I was shocked and broke down when I got the sad news of the death of one of our great minds, one of our very best, Captain Elechi Amadi. He was particularly close to me. His death has left a huge vacuum. The Amadi was a literary guru; he stood tall and contributed to the growth and development of our state. His death is a monumental loss to the Ikwerre people, Rivers people, Nigeria and the literary community.

“For me, this is a personal loss. I sympathise with his family on the very painful demise of Amadi.”

Ibori: Maduekwe was an Intellectual Guiding Light

Former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, has described the late Chief Ojo Maduekwe, as an intellectual guiding light in his lifetime.

In a statement issued by Ibori’s Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor, the former governor said: “Only those who would look deeply, as opposed to skimming the surface, into Nigerian politics, would be in a position to truly evaluate Maduekwe veritable contributions to Nigerian politics.” Ibori said the former minister brought a dash of sunlight and a breath of fresh air into Nigerian politics.

“For instance, Maduekwe could disagree with the multitude without keeping enmity with anyone. He could stoutly and lustily oppose a person’s position and yet openly express his admiration for his opponent’s independent stance.

Ibori urged his family as well as to the PDP to take heart over loss in the man he described as a guiding light.

Ngige Expresses Shock

Eminent lawyer, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) has joined other well-meaning Nigerians to mourn the demise of Chief Ojo Maduekwe, who was the Secretary of PDP Board of Trustees (BoT).

Ngige who expressed shock, described the late former minister as a personal friend and a colleague, adding that: “We knew each other in 1993 when we travelled together to Melbourne Australia for the International Bar Association Conference. His death is a huge loss to Nigeria and the political class. He is irreplaceable! He was an erudite scholar, a gifted orator and an unrepentant believer in one united and indivisible Nigeria. Nigeria and Ndigbo will sorely miss the loss of Maduekwe.

“My sincere condolences go to his family May his soul rest in peace.”

Politicians, Contemporaries Eulogise Maduekwe

Political associates of the late Maduekwe yesterday also mustered at his residence in Abuja to commiserate with his family.

At his residence located at the Ministers’ Quarters in Abuja, former governors, ministers and dignitaries thronged the place to sign the condolence register and commiserate with the family.

As the elder brother of the late Ojo Maduekwe was still being expected from Lagos, Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and Secretary of the committee, Ben Obi, led other members of the PDP leadership to pay their respect to the late politician.

While speaking to journalists after signing the condolence message, Makarfi described the death as a sad one.

“It is a very sad situation. We will continue to miss him and continue to be in a state of mourning. The death is really shocking to all of us.

“It is a great loss not only to his family but all who had worked hard to move Nigeria forward. Our prayers and sympathy goes to the family.”

Obi said: “Ojo was a kind of person who once you encounter him you will not leave without a message.”

He then prayed God to grant fortitude to his family to bear the huge loss and grant Ojo’s soul eternal rest.

Also, former Nigerian High Commissioner to London, Alhaji Dalhatu Tafida; former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu; former Head of Service, Ebere Okeke; former minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka; Senior Special Adviser to the president on National Assembly Matters, Sen Ita Enang and former executive secretary of Christian Pilgrim Board, John Kennedy Okpara were among those who paid respect to the late politician at his residence in Abuja.

FRIDAY JULY 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

53

CRIME&PUNISHMENT Delta Legislature Settles for Life Imprisonment for Kidnappers

Okowa says death penalty is no longer fashionable globally Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Apparently for want of an acceptable harsher punitive measure against kidnapping, the Delta State House of Assembly has approved life imprisonment for any convicted of kidnapper in the state.

The approval by the lawmakers followed the amendment of the Delta State Anti-Kidnapping Law 2016.

The state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, in a letter to the lawmakers appealed for reconsideration of Section 4, Sub-Section 1 of the Delta State Anti-Kidnapping Law, 2016 as passed by the assembly, which made

provision for death penalty.

“The Right Honourable Speaker and Honourable Members of the House are aware that death penalty is globally no longer fashionable as it breaches human right to life, both of which are protected under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948. Besides, there is heightened campaign and overwhelming support for the abolition of death penalty globally.

“Since the world is a global village, Delta State cannot be an exception, hence the passionate call to the House to reconsider the Section under reference and change the death sentence

prescribed therein to life imprisonment.

The law approved life imprisonment for any person who contravenes section (3) of the Law. “Any person who contravenes Section (3) of this law commits an offence and shall on conviction be sentenced to life imprisonment without fine” The law stipulates thus: “No person shall kidnap or detain another person or prevent another person from applying to a court for his release or from disclosing to any other person the place where he is being or prevent any person entitled to have access to another from discovering

the place where he is held hostage with or without demand for ransom.

“Any person who initiates a compromise, settlement or refuses to give testimony in court in respect of offences charged under this law shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to be sentenced to life imprisonment.

“The owner of a property who knowingly lets or allows his property/ premises to another for the purpose of harbouring any person is guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to life imprisonment and forfeiture of the said property to the state.”

In Brief

Police Kill Two Robbers, Recover Vehicle in Warri It was jubilation galore at the Warri Area Command of the Nigerian Police, Delta State, yesterday as the police displayed the corpses of two of the most wanted armed robbery suspects felled in a shootout. The suspects, were among a four robbery gang that dispossessed a man of his jeep last Wednesday at Ajamimogha in the heart of Warri. The corpses of the suspects were paraded as the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zanna M. Ibrahim, visited Area Command in preparation for today’s visit by the new Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris to Gbaramtu Kingdom and Itsekiri’s Ugborodo community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State. Security sources disclosed that the “most wanted” robbery suspect had snatched a Toyota Highlander jeep with registration number KJA 320 BK from one Azubike Nwajuana at Ajamimogha near Okere at about 5:00p.m. The police operatives, who were said to be on a routine patrol, pursued the bandits all the way to the bridge linking Chevron office complex and Delta State Broadcasting Service (DBS) and engaged them in a shootout after the jeep the robbers were escaping with skipped and summersaulted. The robbers, according to a witness, dived into the river under the bridge to escape, but were swiftly swooped upon by the security agents, who eventually killed two of the robbers. Leader of the patrol, ASP Johnbull Aigbodion, was said to have sustained gun shot injuries in his wrist and was rushed to Warri Central Hospital for medical attention. Aigbodion, who spoke spoke to Newsmen in bandaged wrist, said the robbers engaged his men in the shoutout even while inside the river. The newly posted Commissioner of Police to Delta State, Mr. Zanna M. Ibrahim, in a chat with in Warri yesterday confirmed the incident. He said two of the robbers were killed and the other two escaped with gun shots injuries, adding that arms and ammunition were recovered from the bandits as well as the stolen vehicle even as efforts were on to arrest the fleeing suspects. The police boss vowed to make life unbearable for criminals of various shades in the state except they repent or relocate from the state in their own interest.

Immigration Nabs 40 Foreigners with Nigerian PVCs

WE ARE TOGETHER

Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed (right), discussing with cross section of senior civil servants in Ilorin...yesterday

Court Remands House Wife Man Bags Seven Years in Who Severed Genitals of Prison for Visa Scam Her Step Son in Prison Justice J K Omotosho of the Federal considering the fact that he had Laleye Dipo in Minna The 25-year-old house wife from Kuta in Niger State who severed the private part of her step son, Buhari Rabiu, has been arraigned in court on a three-count charge.

Baratu Ato Rabiu was charged for voluntarily causing grievous hurt, attempt to commit culpable homicide and kidnapping contrary to sections 348,275,247 and 230 (B) of the penal code.

The Chief Magistrate, Jibrin Sabo, read the charges to the accused person who pleaded not guilty.

Baratu Ato Rabiu was not represented by any counsel during the day’s proceedings but police prosecutor, Sergeant Iornem Ternagwa, urged the court to

deny her bail on the grounds that investigation into the crime was ongoing.

As a result, the magistrate directed that the accused be remanded in prison custody till July 28 when the case will come up again for mention.

The courtroom was filled to capacity by people mostly women who came to catch a glimpse of the accused person.

During the proceedings and after, most women rained abuses on the accused person and at a stage when she was being led to a waiting vehicle to convey her to the prison, a woman attempted to assault her but she was saved by vigilant prison officials.

Last weekend, Baratu Ato Rabiu was arrested by the police for severing

High Court, Kano, yesterday convicted a school teacher, Idris Buhari and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment for offences bordering on obtaining by false pretence.

The convict who was prosecuted on a three-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was arrested following a complaint by Abdullahi Salisu Muhammad alleging that he gave the convict the sum of N500,000.00 for the processing of Hajj ticket in April, 2012, after he presented himself as a registered travelling agent. But the convict allegedly diverted the funds to his personal use and all efforts to recover the money or get the ticket were futile.

He pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him. Justice Omotosho consequently convicted and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment.

The convict however received an option of N200, 000.00 fine

restituted the victim the sum of N500,000.00.

Meanwhile, the anti-graft commission has arraigned one Abdulsalam Goni Sanda before Justice Olubunmi Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja on a four-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N11,450,000.

Sanda was alleged to have presented himself as an ad hoc staff with the Saudi Arabian Embassy and also a travel agent with the capacity to secure visa for the complainant, one Bello Isah and 49 others who wanted to perform the 2014 hajj.

However, the suspect gave the petitioners photocopies of the visas and asked for full payment after which he promised that they will get the original copy from one Musa Ibrahim. The said Ibrahim collected the photocopies from the complainant and vanished into the thin air.

No fewer than 40 Benninois nationals have been nabbed by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for being in possession of Nigerian Permanent Voters Cards (PVC). The Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration (ACG) in charge of Lagos and Ogun States, Musa Maza, revealed this yesterday while being honored by the Chinese Youths Association (CYA). The ACG, who said all the suspects were Benninois nationals who resides in different parts of Lagos, also gave statistics of the number of deportees and those arrested for various immigration offences in the month of May. He said the nationals, who were arrested at the Seme border in Badagry area of Lagos, have since been handed over to the Beninnois security for further investigation and prosecution.

He said: “The eagle-eyed immigration officers were able to apprehend 40 ECOWAS nationals who were mainly Beninoise and in possession of the Nigerian PVCs. The cards were seized from them. “Also, 380 Nigerians were deported for immigration and other offences from various countries in the month of May 2016. Also, 311 of them were deported on regular scheduled flights, while 69 were deported aboard a special flight. “From the seaport, 1,171 foreign nationals arrived on our shores between May 5 and 11, 2016. While 941 foreigners departed from Nigeria to their countries. “From the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, we recorded some deportees; 380 Nigerians were deported for immigration and other offences from various countries in the month of May 2016. “Around 311 of them were deported on regular scheduled flights, while 69 were deported aboard a special flight. “On normal arrival, a total of 97,133 passengers arrived during this period.

They consist of 72,699 Nigerians and 24,434 other nationals.

“A breakdown of the arrivals showed that 14,043 visitors came into the country last month while 4,787 residents came back through the MMIA. “The departed people were 77,090 passengers, while 57,979 of them were Nigerians, 19,111 were other nationals. “Then, on the reports from our border patrols, a total of 91 irregular immigrants were refused entry into the country in the month of May 2016, while 60 Nigerians who were in possession of valid travelling documents were refused departures.” Addressing the Chinese entourage, he said his office recognizes and appreciates each other’s contribution towards ensuring a free flow of business activities from both countries. He said, “The essence of this visit is to give recognition and to appreciate each other contribution’s towards ensuring a free flow of business activities. “We all know that the government of the day is serious about encouraging investments from abroad. Investors are being wooed to come over here to do business with us in order to improve the economy of this country. “And it is in line with this principle that the NIS, Zone A, have continually demonstrated her resolve to assist genuine investors that come into our country to do business.

54

FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Turkish Police Raid Suspected IS Cells in Istanbul, Izmir Turkish police yesterday carried out raids against suspected Islamic State cells in Istanbul and the Aegean coastal city of Izmir , the state-run Anadolu agency said, two days after a triple suicide bombing killed 42 people at Istanbul airport.

Turkish authorities and U.S. officials believe Islamic State was responsible for Tuesday night’s gun and bomb attack on Europe’s third-busiest airport, the deadliest in a series of suicide bombings in Turkey this year.

Counter-terrorism police led

by Special Forces officers carried out raids in several low-income neighborhoods of Istanbul - in-

cluding Pendik, Basaksehir and Sultanbeyli - Anadolu said, without citing its sources.

It was not immediately clear if the raids were directly linked to the attack on Ataturk airport. Nine suspected militants, thought to have been in contact with Islamic State members in Syria, were meanwhile detained in the dawn raids in four districts of Izmir, the news agency said. It said they were accused of financing, recruiting and providing logistical support to the Sunni hardline group.

Three bombers opened fire to create panic outside Istanbul airport on Tuesday, before two of them got inside and blew themselves

military coalition against Islamic State and home to around 3 million refugees from the fiveyear civil war in neighboring Syria.

Islamic State has established

a self-declared caliphate on swathes of both Syria and Iraq and declared war on all nonMuslims and all Muslims who do not accept its ultra-hardline

China’s bases its South China Sea claim on a so-called “Nine Dash line” stretching deep into the maritime heart of southeast Asia and covering hundreds of disputed islands and reefs, rich fishing grounds and oil and gas deposits.

some sort of Islamist takeover, and secondly until it can be guaranteed that their own position in Syria, their alliance and their military base, are sustainable going forward.”

The Kremlin, which intervened last year to prop up Assad, fears turmoil in his absence, thinks his regime too fragile for major change, and believes there’s much fighting to do before a transition, say multiple Russian foreign policy sources.

Russia and the United States are co-sponsors of peace talks between the warring sides in the Syria conflict. Those talks, currently on hold, have so far carefully skirted the question of whether a peace deal would require Assad’s departure, so negotiations could theoretically limp along despite the contradictions between the positions of Moscow and Washington.

Moscow has signaled its

support for Assad has limits.

Russian diplomats have said the Kremlin is backing the Syrian state, not him personally. President Vladimir Putin has said it would be worth considering how members of the opposition could be incorporated into Syrian government structures.

Such talk has fueled Western hopes that Russia might help broker Assad’s exit sooner rather than later. But sources close to the Kremlin say there are no meaningful signs Russia is ready to cut him loose anytime soon.

“I don’t see any changes now (in Russia’s position on Assad,” said Elena Suponina, a senior Middle East analyst at the Moscow-based Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, which advises the Kremlin. “It’s the same and why change it?”

On the contrary, state media, which toes the Kremlin’s line,

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vision of Sunni Islam. It has claimed responsibility for similar bombing and gun attacks in Belgium and France in the past year.

Russia to Countenance Assad’s Exit in Syria

Russia will countenance Syrian President Bashar al-Assad leaving office, but only when it is confident a change of leader will not trigger a collapse of the Syrian government, sources familiar with the Kremlin’s thinking say.

Getting to that point could take years, and in the meantime Russia is prepared to keep backing Assad, regardless of international pressure to jettison him, those sources said. Such steadfast support is likely to further complicate already stalled peace talks with Assad’s opponents and sour relations with Washington which wants the Syrian leader gone.

“Russia is not going to part company with Assad until two things happen,” Sir Tony Brenton, Britain’s former ambassador to Russia, told Reuters.

“Firstly, until they are confident he won’t be replaced with

Beijing Slams South China Sea Case as Court Ruling Nears An international court said it would deliver a hotly anticipated ruling in the Philippines’ case against China over the South China Sea on July 12, drawing an immediate rebuke from Beijing, which rejects the tribunal’s jurisdiction.

The United States, which is a close ally of the Philippines and is concerned about China’s expansive South China Sea claims, reiterated its backing for The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration and urged a peaceful resolution of the dispute.

Manila is contesting China’s historical claim to about 90 percent of the South China Sea, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

Several Southeast Asian states have overlapping claims in the sea and the dispute has sparked concerns of a military confrontation that could disrupt global trade.

In a lengthy statement, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Manila’s unilateral approach flouted international law.

“I again stress that the arbitration court has no jurisdiction in the case and on the relevant matter, and should not hold hearings or make a ruling,”he said.

He said:“On the issue of territory and disputes over maritime delineation, China does not accept any dispute resolution from a third party and does not accept any dispute resolution forced on China.”

In Manila, the foreign ministry said the Philippines would“fully respect”the tribunal’s ruling and hoped members of the international community would do the same.

U.S. state department spokeswoman Anna Richey-Allen reiterated U.S. backing for the court.“We support the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea, including the use of international legal mechanisms such as arbitration.”

But China’s official Xinhua news agency said the court was a“law-abusing tribunal”that would only worsen the dispute.

“Manila fails to see that such an arbitration will only stir up more trouble in the South China Sea, which doesn’t serve the interests of the concerned parties in the least,” it said.

up. The third detonated his explosives at the entrance. Two hundred thirty-nine people were wounded.

Turkey is part of a U.S.-led

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suggests Russia is instead doubling down on Assad and trying to shut down any U.S. attempts to discuss his future.

Dmitry Kiselyov, presenter of the main weekly TV news show Vesti Nedeli, told viewers this month that a surprise visit to Syria by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was a message to Washington to stop trying to pressure Moscow over Assad.

“Shoigu’s visit and his meeting with Assad is a definite signal from Russia,” said Kiselyov, reputed to be one of Putin’s favorite journalists. “Who is it the Americans want to see in Assad’s place?

Nobody in Washington, including Obama, has explained.”

Fyodor Lukyanov, a foreign policy expert close to the Kremlin who edits the Russia in Global Affairs journal, said there had been talk inside the Russian government about Assad’s future and that he thought a deal was there to be done one day.

But he told Reuters Russia’s current position was “wait and see”, that the Kremlin wanted to first see who became the next U.S. president, and that it would need a lot of time to come up with a plausible alternative to Assad if and when it wanted to. “How do we know if we remove him the whole system is not going to collapse,” said Lukyanov.

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55

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

FRIDAYSPORTS FG May Name Abuja National Stadium after Keshi

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Dalung heads burial committee Ex-players in Diaspora send condolences Duro Ikhazuagbe For his contributions as both player and coach of the senior national team, the Federal Government may have concluded plans to name one of the national stadiums in the country after late former Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.

Keshi, 54, died on June 8 in Benin City. He won the continent’s highest football prize, the Africa Cup of Nations, as a player and coach as well as qualified Nigeria for the FIFA World Cup and even equaled Eagles best ever performance.

Ahead of his burial tentatively scheduled for July 27-29 in his ancestral home of Illah, Delta State, top government sources in Abuja revealed yesterday that a proposal to honour the late football legend has been tabled before the Presidency.

The Abuja National Stadium specifically commissioned in 2003 to host the 8th All Africa Games is being touted to be the edifice that may be named after the illustrious ex footballer.

A family source who spoke on condition of anonymity hinted that children of the late Keshi had asked the government to honour their father with a lasting legacy.

“The final decision rest with the Federal Government but the family is aware that there are such plans”, a family source revealed yesterday.

To give Keshi a befitting farewell, Youth and Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, has indicated that he or the Permanent Secretary of the ministry will now head the expanded committee for the burial of late soccer icon.

Several state governments have already signified their intentions to be part of the burial. Among the states are Lagos, Cross River, Rivers and Keshi home states of Edo and Delta.

The 20-man committee initially announced may have been expanded to 25 with several important sectors like the supports club, sports journalists, representatives of the NFF, all states indicative of participation in the

burial, the Police, Civil Defence, Army and a strong team from his ancestral home in Illah all involved.

Among the media men already touted to be in the committee are IAPS big wig, Mitchell Obi and former NFF Spokesman, Austin Mgbolu.

The family is fully involved in the latest development and they have agreed that Keshi’s body will lie in state at the National Stadium in Abuja, from where it would be moved to Benin City for another lying in state. From the Edo State capital, the body will move to the Delta State capital Asaba, from where it will make its final journey to Illah for burial.

Meanwhile, some of Nigeria’s ex-international now living in the Diaspora have opened a condolence register in remembrance of Keshi and Amodu Shaibu.

According to a statement issued by the Nigeria Ex-international Footballers’ Association, (NEIFA) and signed by Paul Okoku, NEIFA’s President, Francis Moniedafe said the former footballers received the news of the passing of Keshi and Amodu with deep shock.

While commiserating with the families of the deceased, Moniedafe said Keshi and Amodu touched the lives of many youngsters positively.

“The president of the Nigerian Ex-International Footballers Association, (NEIFA), Francis Moniedafe, Dr. Femi Olukanni, Nathaniel Ogedegbe and Ikechukwu Ofoje and other NEIFA members wish to express our deepest sympathy to the families of the late Stephen Keshi and the late coach Amodu Shaibu over their sudden deaths.

“We pour our grief in remembrance of them. You will be greatly missed in Nigeria and in the continent of Africa, particularly, in the circle of footballers’ fraternity and sporting world because you contributed immensely to youth development in football effortlessly.

You also touched the lives of many young men, in many positive ways,” the statement concluded.

PORTUGAL WINS SHOOTOUT, HITS SEMIS…

Portugal players celebrating Quaresma’s winning penalty last night against Poland. Despite first half goals from Robert Lewandowski (for Portugal) and Renato Sanches’ equaliser, it took a penalty shootout (5-3) for a winner to emerge with the Seleccao coming out on top in the Euro 2016 Championship quarter final clash in France last night

Nigeria Withdraws from FIBA-Africa Zone 3 Championship Nigeria has withdrawn from the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Under-18 Championship for Boys and Girls scheduled to commence tomorrow in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

The competition is the qualifiers for the FIBA Africa Under-18 Championship scheduled for Kigali, Rwanda in October, 2016.

The winners and runners up in Rwanda are to represent Africa at the 2017 World U-19 Championships for Men and Women.

FIBA – Africa Zone 3 was informed of Nigeria’s withdrawal via an email on Monday, June 27, 2016, just five days to the commencement of the championship in Cotonou.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) did not give

Aruna Quadri Tops Commonwealth Ranking List Apart from being the best player in the continent, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri has become the first African player to top the ranking list of players in the Commonwealth.

According to the ranking list released by the Technical Committee of the Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation (CTTF), Quadri who has been playing second fiddle to players from Singapore yesterday emerged the highest rated player in the Commonwealth.

Among the 277 players listed

in the ranking, Quadri garnered 2385 points to beat Singapore’s Gao Ning, who amassed 2384 to place second. England’s Pitchford Liam is third on the list with 2277 points.

Africa’s most decorated star, Segun Toriola is rated 12th with 2014 points behind players from India, Canada and England.

Another Nigerian player, Bode Abiodun, with 1822 points is ranked 22nd.

Prior to the May ranking, Quadri has been playing second fiddle to Gao Ning.

In the women ranking, no Nigerian made the Top 20 list as Edem Offiong and Olufunke Oshonaike were ranked 23rd and 26th respectively.

Meanwhile, Quadri’s performance aided his team, Jura Morez to remain in the elite division of the prestigious French Table Tennis League.

But it was not same story for Egypt’s Omar Assar as his club, Istres dropped to the lower rung.

Omar Assar will be campaigning in the lower division of the league next season.

any reason for the country’s withdrawal.

FIBA Africa Zone 3 President, Col. Sam Ahmedu ( Rtd), who confirmed the development said; “It is indeed a sad development that Nigeria, which is one of the top countries in the zone is withdrawing at this eleventh hour for a tournament it registered for over four months ago.

“This will no doubt take some shine off the championship. This development also denies Nigerian youth players the opportunity

of competing with their peers at this level. Coming on the heels of the recent visa imbroglio which denied the National U-17 girls team travelling to Spain for the World Championship, it means that our Nigerian youths will not be participating in any international Tournament this year.”

Meanwhile, all arrangements for a successful championship have been concluded for the Zone 3 Qualifiers holding at the Halle des Arts, Cotonou,

Benin Republic on Saturday, July 2, 2016.

EURO2016 (Result) Portugal 1-1 Poland (Portugal wins 5-3 on penalties)

TODAY Wales v Belgium SATURDAY Germany v Italy SUNDAY France v Iceland

Pele Unveils Unique Shell-installed Player-powered Energy Challenge

The Shell-installed kinetic football pitch at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Akoka, Lagos was in the spotlight again yesterday as football legend Pelé teamed up with the oil and gas major company to bring together Africa and Europe in a first of its kind player-powered energy game; Pelé’s Energy Challenge.

The event helped launched ‘Make the Future London’, a festival of ideas and innovation dedicated to supporting bright energy ideas and providing a platform for innovation, collaboration and conversation about the global energy issues facing the world of today.

Pelé’s Energy Challenge showcased the power of innovative kinetic tile technology that converts footsteps into renewable electricity.

The challenge featured two teams that comprised children from London and Lagos linked

up via satellite. The more energy a player generated on the tiles the more time they had to compete, directly linking the technology to the task. Shell previously installed kinetic football pitches in Rio and Lagos, providing a safe environment for the communities to play, with floodlights powered by the players and solar panels.

The tile technology used to refurbish the pitches and power Pelé’s Energy Challenge is the invention of young British entrepreneur and founder of Pavegen, Laurence Kemball-Cook, who has been supported through Shell LiveWIRE programme.

In 2014, Shell and Pelé joined forces to launch the world’s first player powered community football pitch in Rio de Janeiro.

The Lagos pitch was then opened in 2015 with the support of solar entrepreneur and global

music superstar Akon; showing the local communities what can be achieved when bright energy ideas are put into action.

The activity at Make the Future London celebrates these launches and reinforces the importance of turning entrepreneurial ideas into reality.

Pelé said on the launch, “I’ve seen first-hand how Shell has brought bright energy ideas to life, having helped launch the first kinetic pitch in Rio. And I’ve seen how this amazing technology has reinvigorated the community, allowing Brazilian children to follow their passion in sport and learn about future energy solutions in the process. I’m so excited to be here again and see the legacy of these pitches – how they continue to be used every day – while testing out this new energy challenge at Make the Future London.”

Friday, July 1, 2016

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UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE Like Mind Senators to PDP Senators

“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 insurgency. Contrary to the assertion 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.” – Senators of Like Mind berating Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators for the withdrawal of their (PDP senators) support from President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

SHAKAMOMODU THIS REPUBLIC

shaka.momodu@thisdaylive.com

0811 266 1654

Between Cameron and Modu Sheriff

I

am tempted to take seriously those who postulate, albeit tongue-in-cheek, that the devil is a black man and more precisely, a Nigerian. Indeed, I am persuaded on this by the very evidence of our daily existence: the hypocrisies, contradictions and paradoxes that define our lives; the intellectual and mental laziness, the short-sightedness, the manifest greed as well as our pursuit of immediate gain and self-glorification rather than enduring legacies. And I have often queried our circumstances in the search for answers as to why we are the way we are.

In this unenviable task of unravelling the central and all-consuming question of our being, I have tried to inquire into the science of it rather than relying on assumptions and presumptions; searched the four corners of the planet earth and travelled deep into the firmament space for meaning and purpose but have come up empty-handed. But every day, the practical realities of our daily existence continue to challenge and dampen my enthusiasm about our humanity and have helped to build a powerful case against the definitive answers science would have provided regarding what is wrong with being black, and more specifically the Nigerian genre of the black race.

It may sound unreasonable to draw direct parallels between race in terms of capacity and achievements, but the evidence all around us is super-compelling. In sterling human achievements, no black nation can be counted. Why is this so? Science is yet to provide answers.

Nigerian public officers and politicians may very well be among the worst in the world. Their pursuit of personal self-enrichment is on a scale that defies any rational explanation.

Why do people steal so much from the public purse? Obviously it’s because we love the comfort money brings but dislike the hard work to earn it. We like the easy way out by stealing public money and flaunting it to satisfy our vanities. Even if it jeopardises the future of everyone else, we don’t care because we enjoy the attention and veneration such unearned wealth draws to us.

Just take a look at our politics and politicians, and then you would begin to understand the depth of hopelessness that pervades the land. Apart from their failure to show leadership, they are uninterested in taking responsibility for the poor moral direction of the country. Everything they do or have done is driven by self-interest, nepotism and ethno-religious considerations which have always been counter to the greater interest of Nigeria and her people. It is a shame that our politics is devoid of principle, morality and ideology.

The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, announced his resignation after losing the “In” or “Out” of Europe referendum held last week. He vigorously led the “Remain” campaign with every ounce and fibre of his being. But by the time the results started to stream in, it was clear he had lost the all-important battle of his political life. He gambled big to calm his restive party backbenchers and had to fall on his sword. But that is the way of politics. Had he won, it would have solidified his position and put the issue to rest once and for all. I blame him for taking that gamble in the first place, he didn’t need to. But having gambled and lost, he felt his moral authority had been diminished too badly for him to continue in office. And since he believed firmly that Britain was better off in Europe, he could not therefore be the one to lead negotiations to structure and flesh out a new framework on the relationship between the United Kingdom and its European partners going forward.

This was what he said: “I fought this campaign in the only way I know how, which is to say directly and passionately what I think and feel - head, heart and soul. I held nothing back, I was absolutely clear about my belief that Britain is stronger, safer and better off inside the European Union and I made clear the referendum was about this and this alone - not the future of any single politician including myself.

“But the British people have made a very clear decision to take a different path and as such I think the country requires a

Sheriff fresh leadership to take it in this direction. I will do everything I can as the prime minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months but I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination.” Indeed he left everything on the field.

Now contrast his honourable resignation in the face of the people’s rejection of his position to remain in the European Union to the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, Modu Sheriff, who has been roundly rejected by nearly every strata of his party and yet has clung to office. Despite attending and participating in the Port Harcourt convention that elected new party leaders, he has blatantly refused to accept his fate in the larger interest of the party. Instead, he has chosen to continue to cause problems and disaffection amongst party members he was unexpectedly brought in to lead. (Whatever the calculation to bring him in was in the first place remains a mystery to many).

Why can’t he just take the honourable path like Cameron and leave for fresh leaders to steer the affairs of the party in a new direction? Why can’t he say that notwithstanding the reservations he might have had about the process that led to the emergence of the new leaders, the party cannot be allowed to have a “disputed” leadership. And for that he has decided to step aside for the party to focus on providing a robust opposition to the All Progressives Congress (APC) – all this, in the larger interest of the PDP and Nigeria’s democracy.

But not Sheriff, it appears he would rather the roof comes down on everybody than to take the high road in the interest of the party he once led. It is a tragedy of monumental proportions that our politicians value positions more than the honour, dignity, sacrifice and clarity of a statesman. What will Sheriff lose if he subordinates his personal interest to the interest of his party if indeed, he means well? Was he born chairman of the PDP? Does his life depend on being the PDP chairman?

It appears more than anything else, the man is interested in the destruction of the party he once had the honour to lead no matter how brief a time that was.

What would he gain if he were to walk away and stop this confusion? Of course honour; and perhaps, an opportunity to reinvent himself. But that is too abstract for people like him who appear more fixated with the immediate and the triumphant futility that comes with it, than any enduring legacy for future generations.

On Monday, it was reported that 24 of the 36 state chairmen of the PDP met with Makarfi in Abuja. They recalled that Sheriff was the national chairman of the party who presided over a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) that authorised the May 21, 2016 national convention of the party held in Port Harcourt. The chairmen said that the convention was conducted in adherence to a court order which barred it from conducting elections into three national offices and therefore, wondered why Sheriff would turn around to dispute the outcome of the convention. “We attended the last NEC meeting which was held on May 17, at which Sheriff himself presided and which approved the last national convention

held in Rivers State on May 21. It is noteworthy that there was no court order whatsoever from any court of competent jurisdiction restraining the party’s convention. The tenure of our national officers terminated on May 21, 2016,” the chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, Yunus Suleiman, was quoted to have admonished Sheriff.

Despite the overwhelming evidence that he has lost the confidence of a great majority of party members and has only a very few greedy followers on his voyage, he has continued to constitute a hindrance to his party, issuing counter-directives and acting in a manner that fuels the suspicion that he is acting a script.

Sheriff has become a sort of metaphor for all that is wrong with our body politic. The greater good means less as long as their personal interests are fulfilled. We routinely see this manifestation in the vicious contest for power by all means and at all cost by all manner of petty crooks with solid backgrounds in thievery that have seized the commanding heights of our politics and now dictate who gets what and how. The result of their brand of selfish politics is what is choking Nigeria to death.

Specifically, in the last electioneering, when the people were offered change, sugar-coated with all manner of promises, they didn’t bother to interrogate the promoters, and the catastrophe of ignoring the danger signals is what we have in our hands today.

When former President Goodluck Jonathan made the now famous telephone call to congratulate the then APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, even before the final tally of the votes, that to me was a seismic change in attitude, nature and texture of political contests from the old order of never accepting defeat by politicians, even when it was obvious that they lost the elections. That phone call saved Nigeria from a political crisis and was supposed to set a new tone for our politics.

Those who appreciated the momentousness of that telephone call hailed it as the birth of a new nation for politicians to build on. Even President Buhari who unfortunately never conceded defeat in previous electoral contests, even when he

didn’t have the national spread to win, has repeatedly praised Jonathan’s statesmanship in conceding defeat. The question is: have politicians learnt any lessons from that telephone call Jonathan made to Buhari? The evidence all around us points to the contrary. The struggle for power and the permutations to get it are even more vicious and cold-hearted.

I must say here that winning an election on the mantra of change does not equate the “change” with that change we seek; it’s actually an opportunity to make that change happen.

Unfortunately, those old tendencies have since rebounded with do or die politicians doing what they know how to do best: massive rigging of elections while election petitions are dragged through the chain of the judicial system such that we even lose track of the issues, that is, if the elections are not conveniently and mischievously declared as “inconclusive”

by INEC..

Former London Mayor Boris Johnson, who led the Leave campaign and the red-hot favourite to succeed Cameron has announced he would not run for the office of the prime minister.

“My role will be to give every possible support to the next conservative administration to make sure that we properly fulfill the mandate of the people that was delivered at the referendum, and to champion the agenda that I believe in, to stick up for the forgotten people of this country,” Johnson said in a speech in which he was widely expected to launch his bid to seek to lead the conservative party which automatically makes him the Prime Minister. Instead, he surprised the world by saying it was not about his ambition but about the interest of Britain.

CNN analyst reported yesterday that his decision was based on the fact that he could not garner enough support from his party to launch a bid, so he pulled out even though he led the campaign that won the referendum. Which Nigerian politician would do that? Certainly not a Sheriff. Even when his party is asking him to go, his hubris is in full season.

Where it to be in Nigeria, all Boris Johnson needed to have done was to move several Ghana-must-go filled with wads of cash around at night. And by day break, endorsements would be pouring in like rain from the sky.

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