Sunday 24th July 2016

As MPC Meets Tomorrow, Recession, Rising Inflation to Top Agenda Analysts advocate retention of MPR at 12 %

Kunle Aderinokun Coming at a time the federal government admitted that the economy was ‘technically in recession’, the 251st edition of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central

Bank of Nigeria (CBN) meeting which begins tomorrow will dwell on measures to halt the gradual slide into recession and rising inflation.

Discussions at the MPC meeting are also expected to dwell on the appraisal of

the newly introduced flexible forex policy, energy shortages on productivity and effect of pipeline vandalism on revenue accruing to the treasury.

More importantly, the forecast of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the Nigerian

economy would contract by 1.8 per cent this year and the subsequent admission by the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, that the economy was ‘technically in recession’, are issues that would preoccupy tomorrow’s

MPC meeting.

Rising inflation, economic analysts observed, has been a source of concern to policy makers. Just last week, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced 16.6 per cent as the figures for the

June consumer price index (CPI), which measures inflation. This month’s CPI, an 11-year high, represents 0.9 per cent rise from 15.58 per cent of the previous month Continued on page 6

Sultan Heads for US This Week to Meet White House Officials ...Page 9

Sunday 24 July, 2016 Vol 21. No 7760

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PDP Senators: We are not Plotting Buhari’s Impeachment Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Senators on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday denied reports that they were planning

to commence impeachment moves against President Muhammadu Buhari.

The senators, in a statement jointly signed by leaders of PDP caucus which

include Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, Minority Whip, Philip Aduda and Deputy Minority Whip, 'Biodun Olujimi, described any claim of im-

peachment plot against President Buhari as “false, baseless and unfounded.”

The denial came against the background of a letter from a former Chairman of

PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, advising the Chairman, National Caretaker Committee of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, to “dissuade the PDP

Caucus in the National Assembly from participating in the alleged 'ill advised' adventure of removing PresiContinued on page 6

In a Major Breakthrough, DSS Nabs Key Militant Leader, Mastermind of Coup Rumour

Defence chief says aviation fuel scarcity hampering counter-terrorism operations in North-east Army finds five of the soldiers missing after Boko Haram ambush

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja Armed groups behind the onslaught on the oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta suffered a major blow last week as the Department of State Services announced yesterday that it had arrested a key militant leader suspected to be the brains behind some recent devastating attacks. Jones Abiri aka General Akotebe Darikoro, the leader of the Joint Revolutionary Council of the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force, according to the DSS, was arrested on July 21 in Yenagoa.

Darikoro was alleged to have coordinated the vandalism of the Nigeria Agip Oil Company trunk line at Ogboinbiri, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, and the bombing on July 8 of an oil pipeline belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company at Brass Creek, all in Bayelsa State. The attack on the two oil facilities caused a huge setback in the country’s crude oil production.

DSS said the arrested miliContinued on page 6

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CELEBRATING LKJ

L-R: First military governor of Lagos State, Brig-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson; celebrant/first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande,his wife, Alhaja Abimbola Jakande,and one-time military governor of the state,Rear Admiral Ndubusi DAN UKANA Kanu, at Jakande's 87th birthday celebration in Lagos ...yesterday

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

CHIKA IKE

TOUCHING LIVES IN MANY WAYS

24.07.2016

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SUNDAY, JULY 24, 2016 • T H I S D AY T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE SIX IN A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH, DSS NABS KEY MILITANT LEADER, MASTERMIND OF COUP RUMOR tant leader was also the architect of the recent rumour about a plan to overthrow the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. The rumour had rankled with the authorities, leading to crucial security meetings.

In a related development, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, said lack of aviation fuel was hindering the military’s counter-insurgency operations against the Boko Haram sect in the North-east. Olonisakin spoke on Thursday in Abuja during a courtesy visit to him by the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, led by the Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru. The CDS appealed to NNPC to intervene to ensure adequate supply of the needed Jet A1.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army confirmed yesterday that five of the 19 officers and men declared missing in action on Friday in Borno State

had been found. The troops had been ambushed by Boko Haram terrorists on July 20 at Guro Gongon Village, in Borno State. Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said the soldiers, which included the commanding officer, were followed during a search and rescue operation by the Nigerian Army.

DSS said its recent breakthroughs were part of ongoing deliberate operations to destroy the capabilities and sanctuaries of criminal elements across the country.

A statement by the spokesman of the service, Mr. Tony Opuiyo, said Darikoro, who operated under the assumed name, “General-Kill and Bury”, also admitted to having sent: “Threat messages to managements of NAOC and SPDC demanding for the payment of the sum of N500 million and N250 million, respectively: “Threat to launch missile attacks against selected tar-

gets in Abuja, including the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock.”

Opuiyo said another suspected militant, Stephen Mamayebo, aka Oscar, was arrested on July 21 at OMPADEC Primary School in Yenagoa. Mamayebo was alleged to be involved in the kidnap of an expatriate staff of Setraco Construction Company, and murder of two soldiers.

He stated that three suspected kidnappers, Ismaila Shuaibu, Kabiru Nasiru, and Inusa Abdullahi, were arrested on July 20 at Travellers Mosque, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“The trio were members of a notorious kidnap gang which has been terrorising innocent citizens along the Abuja-Kaduna highway, and other environs within Kaduna State,” Opuiyo stated.

The DSS spokesman also reported the arrest of one

terparts in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to make laws that would elevate the living standard of all Nigerians.

Anenih had, in a four-page letter to Makarfi, dated July 15, 2016, warned against the removal of Buhari. He said he was persuaded that the time was neither right nor the reasons compelling enough to contemplate the impeachment of the President.

In the letter, titled: “The PDP Caucus in the National Assembly and the threat to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari”, he urged Makarfi to personally lead the process of consultation with PDP members in the National Assembly, with a view to getting them to play a patriotic, rather than partisan role, at this time of national economic and social uncertainty.

model pistol with two rounds of live ammunition, and a P5 pistol with 10 rounds of live ammunition.

On July 22, DSS arrested one Saidu Yahaya during the screening of prospective Hajj pilgrims at the Muslim Pilgrims Board in Jos, Opuiyo stated, saying, “Yahaya has been under the radar of the service as a black-market and illegal gunrunner who has been supplying arms and ammunitions to criminal and ethnic/religious bigots in Plateau, Taraba, Benue and Nassarawa states.”

Other arrests recently made by DSS, according to Opuiyo, include that on July 19 of one Samson Chijioke Nzegwu, said to be illegally using forged paraphernalia of Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to defraud members of the public.

He said DSS on July 17 arrested one Esan Abiodun Christopher aka Maiyegun at Idi-Mango Ore area in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State. Christopher was alleged to be a member of the Reuben Akinbehinje gang that masterminded the kidnap of two Catholic nuns and their driver in Akure. “The suspect was apprehended while coordinating plans to hijack fuel-supply tankers in Oyo State,” Opuiyo said.

To aid the aerial operations by the Nigerian Air Force, which have helped to considerably degrade Boko Haram’s capabilities, especially around the Lake Chad Basin, Olonisakin called for assistance from NNPC in the supply of aviation fuel.

“Our operations in the North-east are having a challenge with the scarcity of Jet A1 fuel in Maiduguri. We are appealing to you to help us make it available,” the CDS the NNPC team, which visited him in Abuja. He reiterated the military’s commitment to the security of oil facilities in the Niger Delta and other

areas of interest.

On the planned exploration of oil in the Lake Chad Basin and River Benue, Olonisakin asked for patience, saying the military is still trying to ensure that the area is safe for such project.

Speaking on the resurgent militancy in the Niger Delta, the CDS said the military operation under Delta Safe would be in line with the larger security strategy planned for the maritime sector, which will factor in private security operatives.

According to him, “We have been cooperating on a lot of issues concerning the protection of pipelines. Along the line the issue of private security arrangement came up. We supported it to have a comprehensive protection arrangement. The one on land is a bit different but needs to be re-equipped and finetuned.

“We need to fine-tune plans for private security companies that are coming up. We are not averse to that arrangement but we need to fine-tune it so that it can be a comprehensive one.”

The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Leo Irabor, had on Friday announced that troops and some Civilian JTF personnel returning from a clearing operation were ambushed by Boko Haram terrorists at Gongon village in Algarno forest general area.

Irabor said the troops fought back and killed many terrorists, but 16 soldiers and three CJTF operatives were wounded in action. He disclosed that some others, including the Commanding Officer, were missing in action.

But in a statement yesterday, Usman said, “We wish to inform you that the search party has this morning found five more officers and soldiers that were declared missing in action, including the unit's Commanding Officer.”

product estimates by the National Bureau of Statistics in the coming month, weakened fundamentals suggests that fragile growth will be sustained in the second quarter. We forecast a further contraction to c.-1.00 per cent in 2Q2016 – hitting new historical lows - from -0.36 per cent in the first quarter of the year. Our forecast is primarily driven by the various shocks transmitted from energy shortages, significant price hikes, lower productivity, low industrial output, scarcity of foreign exchange and depressed consumer demand among others. This likely contraction will officially signal an economic recession.

“Whilst a recovery is expected towards the end of the fiscal year,” the DLM analysts said, “we highlight that this expectation is largely hinged on the deployment of fiscal stimulus to spur growth.”

They noted that this supports the argument for policies directed towards a positive and stable macro environment conducive for growth.

Noting that the headline inflation for June 2016 came in at 16.48 per cent, representing an increase of 90bps from 15.58 per cent recorded in the preceding month, they said higher electricity rates, energy prices and imported

items remain key drivers of inflationary pressures seen during the month.

“We re-iterate that until the underlying drivers of the upward price movements are addressed, raising rates will be counterproductive.”

Holding the same position with those at FSDH and DLM, analysts at Time Economics, also advocated retention of the MPR. “We do not expect the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria to tighten rates when its meets next week in response to the latest CPI data. Having left rates unchanged in her last policy meeting in May and followed up with the introduction of a flexible exchange rate regime on June 23rd, we think the Committee will likely see through short term inflationary pressures and focus more on growth. Efforts will be directed towards combating recession and returning the economy to a positive growth trajectory.

“Secondly, even as we expect benchmark interest rates to remain unchanged in the face of rising inflation, we do not think the decision hurt bank earnings very significantly since, typically, lending rates being charged by the banks tend to be inflation adjusted,” they said.

Likewise, the DirectorGeneral, West African Institute for Financial and Economic

Management (WAIFEM), Prof.

Akpan Ekpo, expected “the MPC to leave all rates the way they are and allow the implementation of robust fiscal policy with monetary policy playing an accommodating role for now.”

Particularly, Ekpo said he expected “the MPC to x-ray the economy within the context of the present recession.”

“Inflation is now 16 per cent hence it is unlikely for the MPC to raise the monetary policy rate. The so-called Forex market framework would be examined to access the impact so far. The new forex regime has increased speculation and raise the level of uncertainty so the price stability function of the apex bank remains a challenge.

The recession is of a special time - insufficient demand and structural. If the recession persists then monetary policy may become ineffective. Fiscal stimulus is necessary to cushion the adverse impact of the recession.

“It may be too short a time to alter the new Forex framework. It may necessary to wait for a while to assess its impact,” he explained.

For former Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria, Seni Adetu, these are incredibly difficult times in Nigeria, economically.

Chukwunyere Austin Okwaa on July22 at Total Petrol Station, along Aba Road in Port Harcourt. Okwaa was alleged to have sent death threats to the former acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari.

On the war against terrorism, Opuiyo said DSS apprehended one Bulama Mohammed Ramat aka Muhammad Bashir Muhammadu at Jabi Motor Park, in Utako, Abuja on July 21. He was said to be “planning to attack the Federal Capital Territory and its environs, in collaboration with other elements of an extremist cell of the Boko Haram group.”

Opuiyo said a raid on June 22 on suspected criminal hide-outs, behind Ado Bayero Quarters at Naibawa area of Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, led to the recovery of one AK47 rifle with 28 rounds of live ammunition, one Browning

PDP SENATORS: WE ARE NOT PLOTTING BUHARI’S IMPEACHMENT dent Muhammadu Buhari from office.”

But the PDP senators debunked the allegation insisting that there was nowhere the issue of impeachment against the president was ever discussed among PDP senators. They urged Nigerians to ignore such rumour as it was capable of creating disaffection in the polity.

The senators further said they were more pre-occupied with enormous challenges confronting the economy, pointing out that the comment of the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, while briefing senators last Thursday that the economy was in "technical recession" was of more concern to them, hence, the need to join hands with the executive to revive the economy.

The statement reads: "For

the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically that the said impeachment plot is false, baseless and unfounded. The PDP Senate Caucus had neither discussed nor participated in any discussion or congregation on the issue of impeaching and/or serving notice of impeachment on President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. Hence, we advise Nigerians generally to be cautious in spinning and/or peddling rumours capable of heating up the polity.

“By the admission of the Hon. Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria when she appeared before the Senate on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at plenary, the Nigerian economy is technically in recession. Therefore, this is no time for politicking. Rather we should all join

hands together to address the problems of unemployment, hunger, poverty and insecurity currently ravaging our country.

“The downturn in the economy is of more concern to us as PDP senators who are known patriots. Nigerians are passing through very difficult times and our immediate concern is how to assist in proffering solutions to the economic crises that we are presently faced with.

“Before the Senate proceeded on a six-week recess on Thursday, July 21, 2016 there was no such item as impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on the agenda of the PDP Senate Caucus or that of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The senators pledged to co-operate with their coun-

AS MPC MEETS TOMORROW, RECESSION, RISING INFLATION TO TOP AGENDA and the increase marked the fifth time this year inflation has climbed.

As part of measures to halt the upward trend, analysts are canvassing for the retention of monetary policy rate (MPR), the benchmark interest rate, at 12 per cent.

The MPC had at its meeting in May retained the MPR at 12 per cent with the asymmetric corridor at +200basis points and -700basis points and also left the cash reserve requirement (CRR) and liquidity ratio (LR) unchanged at 22.50 per cent and 30 respectively According to analysts at FSDH Merchant Bank Ltd, “Looking at the macroeconomic developments in the economy, we expect that the MPC members will vote to maintain the MPR, CRR and LR at the current levels.

“However, complementary fiscal measures are required to restore investors’ confidence and pull the economy out of recession.”

The analysts explained: “There are arguments to support an increase and a hold in rates when the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) meets on July 25-26, 2016. Meanwhile, there is no argument in support of rates cut given the current economic situation.

“The impending recession in the Nigerian economy

supports a hold in rates at the current level while the fiscal measures to reflate the economy are implemented.”

The FSDH analysts noted that the Nigerian economy was moving towards a recession as “economic activities have significantly slowed down.”

“The GDP contracted by 0.36 per cent in Q1 2016, compared with the growth of 2.11 per cent in Q4 2015.

The Nigerian economy faces risks from shortage of foreign exchange and weak consumer demand. We expect a higher level of contraction in Q2 2016, when the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) releases the Q2 2016 GDP figure on August 25, 2016.”

They, therefore, believed that “the impending further contraction in the GDP was the major risk the economy faces at the moment, and a hike in the MPR will worsen the outlook. A hold decision with complementary fiscal expansionary measures should stimulate the economy.”

The FSDH analysts also noted that, “the pressure on the external reserves remained unabated since the last MPC meeting in May 2016.

According to them, “The external reserves have not received the anticipated boost from the adoption of a flexible exchange rate policy in June 2016. The external reserve is still strongly dependent

on oil earnings, which has been inadequate because of the output shortfall. The 30-day moving average external reserves declined marginally by 0.49 per cent from US$26.48billion at the last MPC meeting to US$26.35billion as at July 18, 2016. We expect the MPC to adopt a hold decision.”

Similarly, analysts at Dunn Loren Merrifield Asset Management Ltd suggested that the MPC retain the MPR at 12 per cent.

According to them, “Ahead of the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) slated for the 25th and 26th of July 2016, we are of the opinion that the body is likely to maintain the status quo.

“We are of the view that a further hike in MPR will be insufficient in itself to spur foreign inflows given liquidity concerns of the interbank foreign exchange market. This is in addition to the ‘neutral’ mode adopted by most foreign investors as the naira is anticipated to inch towards what is being considered to be its fair value. Whilst we believe that a gradual reduction in interest rate is expedient for investment and economic growth, we envisage that the committee will retain the MPR at 12.00 per cent.”

The DLM analysts noted: “Pending the release of the nation’s gross domestic

SEE THE CONCLUDING PART ON www.thisdayive.com

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SUNDAY COMMENT

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

TWO YEARS WITHOUT POLIO, BUT...

Despite the remarkable milestone, there is still need to be committed to the fight against the crippling disease

P

olio, that debilitating illness that has crippled thousands of Nigerian children, is on its way to being confined to history in the country. This July, Nigeria attained the milestone of two years without polio, one of the key steps towards finally getting rid of the virus before the certification as a polio-free country. This progress dates back to July 24, 2014, exactly two years ago today, when the last case of polio was reported in a 16 months old boy from Sumaila Local Government in Kano State. It is a no mean achievement because stopping polio will save hundreds of thousands of children in our country from lifelong paralysis or death.

From the bitter experiThe authorities ence of 2012 when the need to address the country appeared to be remaining challenges losing the battle against that may roll back the the virus, there has gains so far. Primary been a steady progress health care services which climaxed with the should be available stoppage of transmisin every ward with sion of the wild polio full complement of virus. This important staff. Also, continued milestone in the polio improvement in programme is therefore routine immunisation a signal toward eradicawould have a far tion. And the heroes of reaching impact on these achievements are prevention of vaccine the ‘armies’ of vaccinapreventable diseases tors, community mobilin the country isers, traditional and religious leaders, parents and caregivers who have supported polio and other immunisation efforts for more than a decade, despite the challenges in implementation. We must salute their doggedness.

Specifically, the achievements can be linked with a number of strategic approaches in healthcare delivery as well as strong investment by the Nigerian government to increase domestic funding for the programme which hitherto had been mainly supported by donors. Other approaches include establishment of health camps in high risk and underserved areas to help build trust and deliver other health services alongside polio vaccination; engagement of about 14,000 female

Letters to the Editor

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voluntary community mobilisers (VCMs), who are delivering the polio vaccine and other critical health interventions to mothers and children in some of the hardest-to-reach areas of the country.

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S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR TOKUNBO ADEDOJA DEPUTY EDITORS VINCENT OBIA, FESTUS AKANBI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, MBAYILAN ANDOAKA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GENERAL MANAGER PATRICK EIMIUHI GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE ART DIRECTOR OCHI OGBUAKU II DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

qually important is the improvement in surveillance by health workers, traditional healers, teachers and other community members who have been trained to identify potential cases of the virus and make sure any suspected polio cases are reported. Surveillance officers conduct regular surveillance of sewage and other samples to test for the presence of the virus in the environment.

Despite this progress, Nigeria cannot afford to relent. The country still require continued commitment from the government and its international partners including United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO), Rotary International, United States Centre for Disease Control (CDC) as well as key funders like the Bill Gates Foundation and the Dangote Foundation, among others. There is also need for sustained accountability at the national, state and local government levels to ensure the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) reaches every eligible child in the country.

Besides, the authorities need to address the remaining challenges that may roll back the gains so far. Primary health care services should be available in every ward with full complement of staff. Also, continued improvement in routine immunisation would have a far reaching impact on prevention of vaccine preventable diseases in the country. Overall, our health care service should be able to reach every citizen wherever they may be and provide quality service even in remotest parts of the nation. The health ministry and the agency in charge of the mandate for routine immunisation should ensure that the current milestone is not taken for granted.

The final steps to eradicating polio for good require commitment at all levels. The programme should not be starved of funds and all partners and government should live up to their promise. If we do all this, we will join other countries where polio is a disease of the past.

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 (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

POLITICS OF NUHU RIBADU’S RETURN TO APC

he return of Malam Nuhu Ribadu to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a national issue, but it has come along with some serious political hullabaloo in Adamawa State.

Adamawa’s APC is fragmented into three groups: Governor Muhammad Jibril Bindo’s group headed by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; the former Governor Murtala Nyako’s group led by his son, Senator Abdul-Aziz Nyako while the third group, popularly called Abuja/Buhari group is led

by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir David Lawal.

The Atiku/Bindo group has never hidden its opposition to Nuhu’s return to APC because they see it as a serious threat in the game of 2019. Is Ribadu a member of any of the groups? Is there a link between

Nuhu’s return to APC and the politics of 2019 in the state? Is the Abuja group behind Nuhu’s return?

Nuhu may not be a direct member of any of groups, but the Abuja group led by the SGF will feel at home with Nuhu Ribadu because he is a stakeholder of one of the legacy parties - the defunct ACN. He can be an excellent ‘game-changer’ for the group when it comes to the 2019 governorship elections. Beating Governor Bindo in 2019 governorship election will require a miracle if the governor can sustain his current infrastructural development drive especially in the opening up of new roads and urban development, moving away from the era of sharing the state’s commonwealth among family, friends and the elite. Furthermore, like a ‘political-conqueror’ - Bindo has never lost an election. Governor Bindo’s greatest mistake was his sidelining of the members of the

legacy parties - ACN, CPC and the ANPP. It will not be surprising if the Abuja group is among those that put pressure on Nuhu to return to the APC. Nuhu can be a special political weapon for the group in another way - President Muhammadu Buhari may be keen to give Nuhu Ribadu an important appointment because Nuhu was very instrumental in the merger that produced the APC. So, if the group effected Nuhu’s return to APC and he eventually gets any appointment, it will have a prime addition to its connections.

Many people will view Nuhu’s return to the APC as the continuation of the pursuit of his political ambition. But Nuhu is a man that has unique charisma, credibility and is loved by many Adamawa people; his return to APC may turn out to be purely for the best of the party

and Adamawa State in general.

Does Atiku have something to fear with the return of Nuhu to APC? Yes and no! Atiku have proven to be the only man that always survives and pulls weight in Adamawa politics whichever way the tide turns. Nuhu cannot in any way present a threat to Atiku, a savvy politician, but Nuhu’s return to the APC will definitely alter the present permutations and settings in Adamawa politics which Atiku absolutely enjoys. Little wonder Nuhu’s return has sent jitters to the Bindo and Atiku group. The Nyako group still feels betrayed

by Governor Bindo and its main political crave is to have Senator Abdul-Aziz Nyako as governor. If Nuhu Ribadu has returned to the APC to contest the 2019 governorship election, the Nyako group will not be comfortable with him, but if his return is just to join the party’s front men, the group will be happy

because Nuhu was among those individuals that vehemently opposed the impeachment of Murtala Nyako, though Governor Bindo also did that as a senator from Adamawa North.

Whichever way the pendulum swings, Nuhu Ribadu’s return to the APC will be highly welcome by the APC national caucus and it will definitely view his return beyond the mere Adamawa local politics because Nuhu is a strategist with international status, credibility and he played an outstanding role in the formation of the APC. Furthermore, the APC will love to deny the PDP the honour of having a ‘Nuhu Ribadu’ in its fold. Nevertheless, Nuhu’s return to the APC will continue to generate some interesting political ripples in Adamawa State.

And, it is good for democracy and real spirited politics.

––Zayyad I. Muhammad, Jimeta, Adamawa State

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

SUNDAYNEWS

News Editor Abimbola Akosile e-mail: abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com, 08023117639 (sms only)

Sultan Heads for US This Week, to Meet White House Officials

ROYAL RECEPTION L-R: Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, and Senior

Special Adviser to the Nigerian President on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at a reception in honour of the Ooni during his visit to Ghana...recently

Buhari Pledges Timely Release of Funds for Polio Eradication

• As Nigeria marks two years without a single case Tobi Soniyi and Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja said he would ensure timely release of funds required for the polio eradication programme.

The president made the pledge, as Nigeria, today marks two years without a case of polio; an important milestone for the polio eradication initiative and a major step towards polio-free certification for the country in 2017.

Speaking at the second anniversary of interruption of wild-polio virus transmission in Nigeria, Buhari said government remained firm in its commitment to ensure the World Health Organisation (WHO) certifies Nigeria polio-free in 2017.

The president said making Nigeria polio free remained his priority, adding, “We will continue to do our best to ensure timely release of funds required for polio eradication programme. The good health and well-being of Nigerian children remain an important part of our drive to national development.

“We have demonstrated our strong commitment in this regard with the allocation of

N12.6 billion in the 2016 budget for vaccines and programmes to prevent childhood killer diseases such as polio, measles, yellow fever and others.”

He said Nigeria would continue to cooperate with international public and private partners to ensure that Nigerian children do not suffer from the crippling disease again.

He said: “We recognise the power of global partnership to achieve a polio-free world and Nigeria will continue to honour its commitment to ensure that this disease is wiped off the face of the earth for good.”

The president said government would encourage leaders in the states and local governments to continue to provide direction, supervision and improved surveillance activities.

According to him, these are critical as Nigeria collaborates towards ensuring that polio moves closer to extinction in Nigeria and by extension on the African continent.

He thanked development partners particularly WHO, UNICEF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, USAID, US-Centre for Disease Control, Rotary International, and a host of others who contributed financially

and materially to make Nigeria polio-free.

Meanwhile, when Nigeria has achieved three years without a case of polio, it will be certified polio-free. This was disclosed in a press release made available to Journalists in Abuja by the Chief of Communication, UNICEF, Doune Porter.

Markingthefeat,Buhari,who leads the country’s Presidential Task Force on Polio Eradication, noted: “This is a historic moment that has brought Africa and the world the closest it has ever been to eradicating this devastating disease. But our job is not yet done.”

According to the President, “We must protect the gains we have made and stay on course to tackle the challenges that remain in eliminating polio for good.” He added that the federal government will “continue to provide the needed oversight and resources to achieve polio eradication in 2017.”

Speaking in similar vein, Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole, assured that the federal government was committed to building resilience by “getting people out of their comfort zones to further enhance the quality of polio campaigns, reach children

in difficult areas and continue to improve routine immunisation.”

Also, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado J.G. Muhammad, said efforts are ongoing to close the remaining gaps in the programme, including “increasing environmental surveillance sites and community informants across the country.”

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), the publicprivate partnership leading the effort to eradicate polio, applauded the commitment of tens of thousands of people – including Nigerian officials at all levels, UN and NGO partners, health workers, and community leaders and volunteers in keeping polio out of Nigeria for the past two years. “The National Laboratories in Nigeria have been vigilant in monitoring for polio cases,” said WHO Nigeria Acting Representative Dr. Rex Mapazanje. “We must continue to be on alert for any sign of the virus through heightened surveillance, particularly in the vulnerable populations including insurgency-hit areas of northeast Nigeria and the adjoining areas of Cameroon, Chad and Niger,” Mpazanje added.

Obasanjo Laments Decay in Education System, Seeks Reforms • Charges govts to tackle examination malpractices Gboyega Akinsanmi Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday lamented the extent of decay in Nigeria’s education system, calling for comprehensive reforms to effectively rescue the sector.

The former president also condemned the alarming rate of examination malpractices in the country, which he said, should be tackled to avoid a relapse of socio-economic order.

He expressed concerns at the disturbing level of decay in the country’s education system in a statement issued by the management of Good Shepherd Schools after its 18th valedictory service.

As indicated in the statement, Obasanjo was represented at the valedictory service by his Chief of Staff, Deacon Victor Durodola at the service held at Atan, an Ogun State community.

The former president explained that unless the entire system “is totally overhauled and comprehensively reformed, the country’s education sector will continue to decline and dwindle.”

He added that there “is need for total change in the system. We need to overhaul the education system. Unless we overhaul our systems, we will continue to have problem. The sector is just one subset of the system. Once we

overhaul our entire system, every other system will fall in place.”

He also canvassed for change in the value system, lamenting that the country’s value system “has changed for the worse.

Unless we come back to arrest our value system and bring it to a path of rectitude, then we cannot change the educational system for good.

“But when we reorder society, our value system is reordered.

When we reform all our weak institutions, everything will work well. The education system will also work well. It is because our system has crumbled that the education system is affected.

“It is a reflection of what the

system has been all over the country. Once we are able to reform ourselves, make our institutions to be strong, then the education system will be strong,” he noted.

Obasanjo said examination malpractice was another form of corruption, which he said, “must be tackled without delay because it has eaten deep in the fabric of the education system.

“It is not only examination malpractices, look at corruption.

Look at what is going on in the country now. Examination malpractice is a form of corruption.

So, it deserves to be treated with some forms of iron hand and that is the only way we can take care of it; otherwise it will just continue like a wild fire. We need to arrest it fast,” Obasanjo said.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, is scheduled to deliver a lecture on “Peace and Development Initiatives” at the United States Institute for Peace in Washington DC this week.

During the visit organised by the International Interfaith Peace Corp between July 26 and 28, the Sultan, it was gathered, will meet with US State Department officials like Assistant

Secretary Linda ThomasGreenfield and meet with White House officials of Faith-Based Initiatives and Community Partnerships.

His Eminence will be accompanied on the trip by his Chief of Staff, Kabir Aminu Tafida, Mall Danladi Bako (Kogunan Sokoto) and a renowned scholar, Dr. Usman Bugaje, according to a statement by the Spokesman for the delegation, Nasir Danladi Bako

Shiite Raises the Alarm over Zakzaky’s Health Condition John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiite, has raised the alarm over the deteriorating health of its leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.

Zakzaky has been in detention since December last year at the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS), Abuja, following a clash between his followers and the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna state, leading to loss of many lives.

The IMN in a statement yesterday in Kaduna, expressed deep concern about the health of Zakzaky, saying he needs specialised medical treatment for his left eye which was allegedly damaged during his arrest.

According to the statement signed by the spokesman of the IMN, Ibrahim Musa, reports from close relations of the Islamic leader who visited him in detention indicated that his health had deteriorated further.

“This week, close relations of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky vis-

ited him where the DSS claimed he was being held in ‘protective custody’ since December 14, 2015. His left eye is in dire need of specialised medical attention.

The doctor assigned to the Sheikh has reportedly given up on getting it back to its normal state. His left arm where he sustained gunshot wounds is still demobilised and the wounds are yet to heal” the statement said.

Musa said it was in the interest of the Nigerian state and those holding him to release Zakzaky unconditionally to enable him attend to his heath.

He said the Nigerians and the international community were aware that “our leader has not been accused of committing any offence and has not been charged for one and has not been arraigned before any competent court of the land for the past eight months. We firmly believe it was Allah that has spared the life of our revered leader out of his mercy, even though those who wish him dead were averse to it” the statement said.

Fire Guts 804 Shops in Kano Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

An early morning fire has burnt down 804 shops in a section of the Mohammed Abubakar Rimi market, popularly known as SabonGari market, in Kano. The fire started in the wee hours of yesterday when trader and marketers were at home preparing to come out for their normal business activities.

An eyewitness, Adamu Kofar Mazugal said “The fire started at about 4 to 5am in Gida Maggi section of the market where stuffs are sold.

We saw thick smoke coming out from the foodstuffs section and we quickly alerted the fire fighters“.

He said foodstuffs such as garri, beans and beverages as well as other properties were burnt. THISDAY reports that fire fighters were able to contain the inferno before it could spread to other areas and cause further damage.

Another source, who also spoke under anonymity, disclosed that over 804 shops had been burnt in the fire incident. The State Director of fire service department, Mustapha Rilwan confirmed the incident, stating that 804 makeshift shops burnt to ashes. It was also learnt that the state commissioner of works alongside some government officials have visited the scene of the inferno.

Sir Patrick Okeke Passes On

An industrialist and philanthropist, Chief (Sir) Patrick Arthur Iheawuike Okeke from Ubaha Umugi village, Ihoma, in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State is dead. A devout Christian, Sir Okeke died after a brief illness in Lagos at the age of 66 years. Until his death he was the Chairman /CEO, Ultimate Health Pharm Ltd. and co-owner of Pan-Sab Pharm. Ltd Lagos. He was also a prominent member of Association of Pharmaceutical Importers of Nigeria (APIN). He is survived by his wife - Lady Pauline Uju Okeke, children, grandchildren and other relations including Pharm. Okeke Valentine Chidi.

In a statement by the family, the funeral arrangements will be announced soon.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

NEWS

REPORT UNVEILED L-R: Professor Akpan Ekpo of the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, and

Director, United Nations Information Centre, Lagos, Mr. Ronald Kayanja, presenting the UNCTAD Report to the media in Lagos...recently

FOR MORE POWER L-R: Regional Director (Africa), Runh Power Corp Ltd, China, Yuan Shanhui; MD, AshakaCem Plc, Rabiu

Umar; Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri; Chairman AshakaCem Board of Directors, Mallam Suleiman Yahyah, and GMD/CEO Lafarge Africa Plc, Michel Puchercos, at the contract signing of AshakaCem Captive Power Plant Project in Abuja...weekend PHOTO: Julius Atoi

Nigeria to Rely on Technology to Save Ailing Economy, Says Onu Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

With the near collapse of Nigeria’s economy following the crash in crude oil prices at the international market and the activities of militants in the Niger Delta, the Federal Government has revealed that it is giving serious attention to science and technology as a way of diversifying the economy.

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who disclosed this at the weekend during a working visit to the National Centre for Remote Sensing (NCRS), Jos, Plateau State, said the ministry has received the support of President Muhammadu Buhari in this regard, adding

that with diversified economy, heavily-populated countries like China and India are able to feed their nations and maintain dependable economy; “and if these countries can feed their people, there is no reason Nigeria shouldn’t be able to do same.”

While calling on the Governors to create awareness and enabling environment for science and technology to thrive in their various states, the Minister reiterated that with adequate technology in place, Nigeria can become self-sufficient even in the absence of crude oil.

Acknowledging the giant strides of the NCRS in the areas of researches and geoinformatics services in the face

of limited funding, the Minister was optimistic that if given adequate funding, the Centre can excel in many other areas like predicting earthquakes and tremor.

Going through the laboratories of the Centre, the Minister observed that activities of NCRS can provide immense benefits to various other ministries and agencies such as Agriculture, Environment, Water resources, Aviation, and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), whom, according to the Minister, can get sufficient data and information to guide them.

Onu therefore directed the Director of the Centre, Dr. Efron Gajere to draft letters which he will personally sign and send

to the concerned ministries and agencies to enlighten them of the activities of the Centre and to advise them to collaborate with NCRS with the aim of benefiting from its wealth of researches.

The Minister, accompanied by the Director General of Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA), Prof. Saidu Mohammed, had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Governor of the state, Mr. Simon Bako Lalong and the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba to commiserate with them over the recent demise of the traditional ruler of Bokkos, Saf Ron Kulere, Chief Lazarus Agai, who was murdered earlier in the week.

African Govts Must Find New Ways to Finance Devt, Says Report • $600bn needed yearly to achieve SDGs in Africa Abimbola Akosile African governments have been urged to explore new revenue sources to finance their development, such as remittances and public–private partnerships, and clamp down on illicit financial flows.

The call was contained in a UNCTAD Economic Development in Africa Report (EDAR), which also warned that debt looks unsustainable in some countries in the continent.

According to the report, which is subtitled Debt Dynamics and Development Finance in Africa, at least $600 billion will be needed

each year to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa. This amount equates to roughly one third of countries’ gross national income. Official development aid and external debt are unlikely to cover those needs, the report disclosed.

The report which was presented to the Media at a launch organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos, on behalf of UNCTAD was reviewed by Prof Akpan Ekpo of West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) and co-presented by the Director, UNIC Lagos, Mr. Ronald Kayanja.

The UNCTAD Economic Development in Africa Report 2016 finds that Africa’s external debt ratios appear manageable, but African Governments must take action to prevent rapid debt growth from becoming a crisis, as experienced in the late 1980s and 1990s. “Borrowing can be an important part of improving the lives of African citizens,” UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi says. “But we must find a balance between the present and the future, because debt is dangerous when unsustainable.”

A decade or so of strong growth has provided many countries with the opportunity to access international financial

markets. Between 2006 and 2009, the average African country saw its external debt stock grow 7.8 per cent per year, a figure that rose to 10 per cent per year in 2011–2013 to reach $443 billion or 22 per cent of gross national income by 2013.

Several African countries have also borrowed heavily on domestic markets, the report finds.

It provides specific examples and analyses of domestic debt in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia. In some countries, domestic debt rose from an average 11 per cent of gross domestic product in 1995, to around 19 per cent at the end of 2013, almost doubling in two decades.

‘CBN Intervention in Forex Market‘ll Protect Naira’ Blessing Abah

A financial expert, Mr. Victor Owonifari, has described the intervention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the interbank forex as a step in the right direction for the nation’s financial system.

He said the move would go a long way in putting the naira in a vantage position when compared with other currencies of the world.

Owonifari, a chartered accountant and the Principal Partner/ CEO of Victor Owonifari & Co., spoke during an interactive session

with journalists at Ikeja, Lagos, and noted that the market should be allowed to operate freely and find its equilibrium, but as the regulatory body, the CBN should intervene once in a while to curb excesses and supply shortfalls, thereby protecting the naira.

He further stressed that as the apex bank had repeatedly informed Nigerians that it allowed for flexibility to come into play and was prepared to intervene only when necessary to prevent volatility in the forex market; the new system was expected to operate as

a single market structure through the interbank and autonomous methods.

The financial expert, however, added that the recent devaluation of the naira to the US dollar increased the cost of imported goods, thereby making Nigerians to pay more for imported goods without a corresponding increase in quality and quantity.

Owonifari also noted that the increase in the pump price of petroleum products and prices of household commodities earlier in the year was partly responsible for

the sudden rise in inflation rate by 16.05 per cent, which was above what it was same period in 2015.

He urged the government to checkmate the trend of inflation in the country by not only ensuring the reduction of the people’s dependence on imported goods, but by also creating an enabling environment that will be attractive to investors and small scale business owners in order to have positive effects on the naira, provide job opportunities for Nigerians, reduce capital flight and bring down inflation to an acceptable limit.

Buhari Condoles with Germany over Munich Killings Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep shock and horror at the shootings which recently rocked Munich, Germany.

A statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari assured the people of Germany that Nigerians as a people stood with them at this time and would be ready to assist in any way to defeat the planners and

executors of such crimes.

The statement reads: ”On behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Buhari sends his most sincere condolences to the families and friends of victims of the barbaric act.

“The President says it is quite unfortunate and inconceivable that the forces of evil do not relent on their activities, but expresses confidence that with the unanimity of purpose from all forces around the world, the workers and perpetrators of these evil acts will not prevail.”

Dokpesi to Launch Campaign for PDP National Chairman Today The former Chairman of Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, will today formally launch his campaign for the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The event, billed to hold in Benin City, Edo State, according to his campaign organisation, would commence with a blessing from the Okumagbe of Weppa-Wanno Kingdom, George Eghabor, before embarking on the official tour. The National Convention Committee of the party had fixed August 17, 2016 for a convention in Port Harcourt.

The campaign office stressed

that the purpose of the tour is to personally meet with, listen to and address all the delegates of the party who would vote at the party’s national convention.

Dokpesi said as a point of principle that it is only through consultations with all stakeholders and delegates of the party that a national leader who would understand and appreciate the pains and yearnings of the party members across the nation can emerge. “It is in furtherance of my democratic ideals that returning power to the people must first begin with discussions with the people,” he said.

Forgery Trial: Nobody’ll Remove Me from Office, Says Ekweremadu Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu yesterday shrugged off his ongoing trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged forgery of the Standing Rules of the Senate, insisting that his traducers would meet a brick wall as nobody would remove him from office.

Ekweremadu spoke as over 30 traditional rulers from his Enugu West senatorial zone presented him with the traditional ofor, a symbol of authority, standing in unison with him in his trial. They vowed that no matter the efforts of those seeking for his “downfall”, he would emerge stronger from his travails.

Ekweremadu spoke at his Ikeoha Foundation Adult Literacy Day and 2015 /2016

Scholarship and Bursary award ceremony, his pet project, at Ezeagu Council Headquarters, Aguobu-Owa where over N40 million was spent on scholarships and bursary to over 400 indigent undergraduates and 250 sewing and grinding machines presented to widows. He noted that his trajectory was from God and as such he would survive the sea billows.

“I decided to handover N400,000toeachofthe20students as scholarships for their education forfouryears.Ordinarily,itwould have been N100,000 each year but since am not sure if I will continue as Deputy Senate President until tomorrow, we have decided to give it out at once to ensure that nothing happens to the education of these young ones.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

NEWS

HONOURING AKEREDOLU L-R: APC governorship aspirant and celebrant, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN; Ondo State Governor, Dr.

Olusegun Mimiko, and the celebrant’s wife, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, at the commemoration service to mark the 60th birthday of Akeredolu, at St. Andrews Anglican Church, Owo, Ondo State... weekend

TIME TO UNWIND L-R: Managing Director, Marcopolo Group of Companies, Chief Frank Okafor, and Chijioke Ojukwu at a child dedication party in Lagos...recently

Heed Our Demand for Self Determination, Avengers Urge FG

Okigwe Senatorial Rerun Marred by Low Turnout, Rain

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The Okigwe senatorial zone of Imo State re-run election and that of the state House of Assembly in threelocalgovernmentsofthestate held yesterday witnessed voter apathy as well as heavy rain which marredthevotingprocess.

In some of the polling units visited at Oru-Owere ward 1 and 2, Amaraku ward 1 and 2 in Isiala Mbano LGA, there were few number of voters who gathered to cast their votes. People stayed back at their homes against the earlier order by INEC as many went to market and farms.

Also at the other polling units in other local government areas,

The militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), yesterday urged the Federal Government to heed to its demand of selfdetermination since everybody is tired of being in the entity called Nigeria.

It said the ship called Nigeria was grounded now and appears President Muhammadu Buhari was so confused by telling lies on daily basis to the people.

The group made its position known in a release signed by its Spokesperson, Mudoch Agbinibo, in reaction to the recent arrests of some of its suspected members by the Nigerian Navy in Warri.

In the release titled “Stop Going After Soft Targets” it declared “The government should heed to our demand of selfdetermination. Mr. President, everybody is tired of this thing called Nigeria.

“The ship called Nigeria is grounded right now and you are so confused. You lied to your foreign allies, your citizens on daily basis. Mr. President, you even lie to yourself. Even if we are going to dialogue, it will be in the present (sic) of international community”, it added.

On arrests of two of its members by the Nigerian Navy in Warri, the militant group lambasted the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS Delta) Warri, Commodore Joseph Dzunve, saying he has lost his sense of professionalism.

“How are those innocent boys connected to NDA? We don’t know Prince David and Felix Ebiador; they are not part of us. All NDA operatives are intact. No security operative has arrested any of our members.

“What the Commanding officer NNS Delta Commodore is doing is to please his boss that he is working. Must he connect

innocent people to us? Very soon the general public will know the truth about Nigeria Military especially Nigeria Navy that specialises in illegal oil bunkering”, it added.

The group warned the military to stop arresting innocent people in the name of looking for NDA operatives, noting that it was obvious that the Nigeria Navy was incapable of policing the Nigerian maritime space.

It said further “Even the Chief Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral, Ibok-Ete Ibas, made it clear while briefing the Senate that Nigeria Navy is unequipped to match the Niger Delta Avengers. So how can well-trained NDA members bring themselves so low to be arrested by those criminal elements (Nigeria Navy)?

“They should follow the path of honour and morality by telling their Commander in Chief the truth instead of arresting

innocent civilians and tagging them as NDA operatives. The days of wire and battery are over; we are far advanced in guerilla warfare.”

The militant group warned that nobody should associate the ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias “Tompolo” with NDA, declaring that he is its enemy.

“We are warning everybody for the last time stop associating Tompolo to us. He is our enemy as the Nigeria government, and those innocent boys paraded as NDA operatives are not part of us.

“From intelligence gathered

by NDA agency, there are other people sent out by Nigeria government to sabotage the genuine struggle of liberating the Niger Delta people. The government knows those people. The socalled saboteurs take part in pipeline bombing by using some members of defunct MEND.

House C’ttee Orders Release of Autopsy Details for UniPort Student Slain by Police Damilola Oyedele in Abuja

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has ordered the Nigeria Police to release details of the autopsy report conducted on the slain undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt, Mr. Peter Chibuzor Ofurum.

Ofurum, a final year student of accountancy, was allegedly felled by police bullets on April

11, 2016, during the protests by students against the tuition fees hike by the university. His family petitioned the House of Representatives demanding justice for their slain son.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Uzoma NkemAbonta at a recent hearing also further directed the police to conclude its investigation and present the outcome at the next hearing date scheduled for

October.

The lawyer to the Ofurum family, Mr. Amobi Nzelu, in the petition, explained that the students were involved in peaceful protest over the increment of fees, and the no fees, no exam policy of the university.

He alleged that the protest remained a peaceful one until the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ndowa Lale invited the Assistant Commissioner on Police in charge of

operations for a private meeting in his office, and that in the later ensuing stampede, “the police shot and killed late Peter Chibuzor Ofurum from the back while trying to flee.”

Nzelu added that the police was present from the beginning of the protest, and met calm before the meeting with the VC, and called for the suspension of the VC while investigations continue into the murder.

Air Force Embarks on Massive Post-service Housing Scheme for Officers • Launches 950-housing units pilot estate Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has launched a massive postservice housing scheme for its personnel, starting with a pilot estate for its non-commissioned officers in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, disclosed this yesterday during the inauguration of

the Standing Committee on Implementation of NAF Eagle State Project 1, Air Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Abubakar stressed that the 950-housing unit pilot project, is one of the welfare initiatives being executed by the NAF to ensure that their personnel have a comfortable service and post-service life.

“In order to alleviate the challenge of housing for its per-

sonnel, the NAF has embarked on numerous programmes and direct-impact projects that have transformed the lives of her personnel. Besides, the NAF has been at the heart of fundamental improvements in the quality of housing and its management,” he said.

According to him, the NAF Eagle State Project 1 is one of the air force’s housing programmes targeted at the

Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) cadre.

The CAS stated that they intend to expand the housing schemes to other parts of the country including Enugu, Kaduna and Lagos. He said: “The Estate, which will have all inclusive services and facilities, will serve as a template for other post housing schemes we have planned across the country.”

Amby Uneze in Owerri

there was the same situation as many voters felt less concerned about the election.

Meanwhile the conduct of the election generally was peaceful as there was free movement of people from one end to the other, indicating that the exercise went normally.

Speaking with newsmen, the PDP federal House of Representatives member for Okigwe/ Onuimo/Isiala Mbano federal constituency, Hon. Obinna Onwubuariri commended the security agencies and the general peaceful conductor of the election.

He however said from the indication of voters, his party would carry the day.

Hon Nsirim Was a Rare Breed of Politician, Says Wike Anayo Okolie

Hon. Ovunda Nsirim was an uncommonpoliticianwhoexhibited the kind of party loyalty that is rare to find these days. Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State said this yesterday at Rumueme, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, in a funeral oration during the burial of the former member of the House of Representatives.

A release by Wike’s special assistant on electronic media, Simeon Nwakaudu, said the governor advised politicians in the state and Nigeria, generally, to emulate the virtues of the late Nsirim, who represented Obio/ Apkor federal constituency in the House of Representatives from 1979 t- 1983.

Wike said Nsirim believed in party supremacy and remained with the Peoples’ Democratic Partyingoodandbadtimes,until

his death recently at the age of 65.

The governor counselled politicians to shun anti-party politics whenever they were not favoured by the collective decisions of a political party, saying such politics hinders political coherence and democratic maturity. He said respect for party supremacy was necessary for the deepening of democracy.

“Ovunda Nsirim never played anti-party whether or not the decision of the party favoured him. He believed in party supremacy,” Wike said, adding, “Ovunda Nsirim was a good man. He deserves a good burial for his contributions to the state.”

He called for unity among the people of Rumueme Kingdom, stressing that the death of Nsirim should serve as an opportunity for them to come together to support oneanotherandpromotethecollectiveinterestofthecommunity.

APC Loyalists Welcome Ribadu, Gundiri The former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Murkus Gundiri, were yesterday received in a warm reception at the All Progressives Congress (APC) party secretariat in Adamawa State.

The loyalists of the APC in the

state expressed joy yesterday at thereturnofthetwopoliticalwigs whose credibility is not questionable and stands them out from other politicians in the state.

A loyalist at the party secretariat told THISDAY that the reasons why some party big-wigs were protesting their return to APC was because of the fear of 2019 general election seeing that the presence of these two politicians may be a political hindrance to some of them.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

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NEWS Ooni in Ghana, Sues for African Unity Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) has advised President John Mahama of Ghana and his government to prioritise the unity of Africans by relaxing policies that encourage the physical and mental boundary set among African countries by the colonial masters.

Ogunwusi said the emphasis should be how to unite Africa and ensure the prosperity of the people. Ooni Ogunwusi, who is on a four-day visit to the West African country made this statement at the Flagstaff House Office of the President of Ghana during a courtesy call on President John Mahama in Accra.

“It’s my vision as Ooni

Ife to promote unity, peace among African countries.

Africa must unite to prosper”, he added.

Emphasising on the importance of African unity, Ooni of Ife who’s a descendent of Oduduwa believed to have been the root of all Yoruba race, stressed that unity among African countries and blacks around the world is the key to Africa’s prosperity and peace.

He added: “As traditional leaders we are the custodians of culture and tradition, that’s why I have taken it upon myself to preach this gospel of peace, and unity. There’s strength in unity, and it’s time for Africa to go beyond lip service and unite”.

The Ooni, commenting on the bond between the two countries, and the

need to do more, described Nigeria-Ghana as countries with similarities in culture and tradition.

“Also, we have Nigerian investors here, and Ghanaian businessmen in Nigeria, but Nigeria crave for more investors from Ghana to further boost economic integration between the two countries.

On his part, President John Mahama described himself as very lucky to be the first African president outside Nigeria to host the foremost African monarch who is globally known as “king of peace and unity”.

Mahama, while thanking the Ooni for choosing Ghana as the first African country to benefit from his gospel of peace and unity, stressed the importance of traditional rulers in governance.

Navy Trains, Graduates 70 Officers on Military Planning, War Operations Chiemelie Ezeobi

As the prosecution of the war against terrorism, maritime illegalities and militancy continues, the Nigerian Navy (NN) yesterday graduated 70 officers after a one-year intensive training on military planning and theatre of war operations.

The graduation ceremony, which took place at Nigeria’s premier naval training school, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Quorra, Apapa, Lagos, saw 24 and 46 officers graduate from the Officers Long Course (OLC) and Sub Lieutenant Technical Course (STC), respectively.

Over the course of one year,

the graduands were trained in Above Water Warfare (AWW), Under Water Warfare (UWW), Navigation and Direction (ND) and Communication and Information Technology (CIT).

In his speech, the guest of honour, the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Ifeola Mohammed, said the OLC and STC represents the pathway to professionalism in the navy.

He said, “Modern day naval operations have become more complex and navies around the world are becoming even more sophisticated by the day.

Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that there is dynamism in order

to keep pace with modern day challenges and realities of naval operations.

“This is consistent with the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok Ette-Ibas’ Strategic Directives 2015-1, which NAVTRAC has implemented to the later.

“Now, the graduands are better equipped with the knowledge required to operate in complex changing scenarios as currently resonating in our maritime environment, which has been persistently challenged by a myriad of threats that have impinged on our economic wellbeing and national security.”

Obi Calls for Discipline, Savings Culture among Leaders The former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has called for discipline among Nigerians, especiallythosethatgovernstates.

He was speaking yesterday at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, AmawbiaduringLaityWeek.

Obi said that he supported the Sovereign Wealth Funds because of his belief that no matter the circumstance that nations and states, like individuals should save for

uncertaintomorrow.

Recalling those turbulent time when the debate was whether to save or not, the former Anambra governor said that he was encouraged by the philosophy behind the he Sovereign Wealth Funds to start savingsforAnambraState.

According to him, “We even got the House to pass a law that we must, in all circumstances save at least 100 million every month,”

Obisaid.Obiwhoechoedthesame sentimentsatKrosaModelSchools, Amawbia, while receiving the “Champion of Education Award”, becauseofwhattheDr.Ikechukwu Odumodu, the Deputy Director of the School called his “nationally unrivaledcontributiontoeducation in Anambra during his tenure as Governor”, said that support for education remained his consumingpassion.

European-American University to Honour MD Marcopolo Group The Managing Director of Marcopolo Group of Companies, Chief Frank Okafor, will be conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree by EuropeanAmerican University.

According to a statement by European -American University, Chief Frank Okafor has been recommended as one of the distinguished personalities to be honoured with this conferment of the Doctorate Degree in Togo, as a Doctor of Science (D.Sc Hons) in Housing Development and Corporate Governance”,

in the lieu of his outstanding leadership achievements and contributions observed and strongly appreciated by those that recommended him.

Okafor has proved to the world that he is a man to be reckon with by doing a lot in the real estate and hospitality business to make life comfortable for people in different parts of Nigeria, especially in different parts of Lagos, where his company has built several estates and first-class hotel.

Okafor, who is heavily involved in the day today running

of his companies with support from capable, reliable and committed staff, has thrived where many people failed, having used his business acumen and skills to redefine real estate and hospitality business in Nigeria.

One of the remarkable and unique projects of the Marcopolo Properties is Cruz Garden, an architectural and aesthetic masterpiece is located in the high brow area of Lekki in Lagos, the Centre of Excellence.

The garden provides breathe taking serenity, class and a true experience of the lagoon breeze.

T H I S D AY SUNDAY JULY 24, 2016

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JULY 24, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION Zamfara: Putting Service Above Power

The stakeholders in Zamfara State should focus on how to render services to the people, argues Ikeogu Oke

O

ne of my favourite quotes about power struggles is

by Nadine Gordimer, the South African winner of the 1991 Nobel Prize in Literature who died on July 13, 2014, at the age of 90, with whom I was extraordinarily fortunate to have had a personal relationship as a mentor.

I fortuitously encountered the quote while looking for an epigraph for “Yellow in Their Eyes,” my poem in response to “Blues for the New Senate King,” another poem by my compatriot, the eminent Professor Niyi Osundare, in response to the “corruption” allegations and the resultant prosecution in which our Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and by extension our entire country, have been embroiled for the better part of the last one year. And the quote fitted perfectly. It says: “Power is something of which I am convinced there is no innocence this side of the womb.”

Thus, Gordimer, famed like most great writers for her rare insight into human affairs, informs us that there is no guiltless earthling in the house of power and, by implication, that we all err by assigning the moral high ground to anyone involved in a power struggle in preference for his or her opponent.

Indeed, power struggles are what they are: naked quests for supremacy among usually desperate gladiators who deploy all manner of tactics – ranging from false civility to crude violence – to achieve their usually ignoble ends. Anyone who doubts this postulation may yet look in the direction of Benghazi.

Who would have thought that the same world which jailed Charles Taylor for “war crimes” would quietly put up with those leaders of some of its supposedly “morally superior” nations who lied to it that Saddam Hussein had a stockpile of “weapons of mass destruction” as a basis for invading his country – ignoring the necessity of perfecting the requisite endorsement of the UN General Assembly before launching their offensive – with the apparent real motive of removing him from power together with whatever threat he represented to them?

Who would have thought so in spite of the damning contents of the Chilcot report into the Iraq war released recently by the British government, which confirmed the non-existence of such weapons and suggested that the war was levied on the basis of falsehood and the attendant carnage unjustified even as a fallout of the unusually amoral engagements in power struggles?

Then, what we learn from this – as from the similar conflict that led to the removal of Libya’s Muammar Gadhafi from power – is that the system the “victors” put in place following their “triumph” is usually worse than the one they dislodged. Today, even President Barack Obama and his aspiring successors agree that today’s Iraq

and Libya are worse than the nations their country led its invasion in 2003 and 2011 respectively, and which resulted in the deposition and killing of their leaders.

Clearly, such struggles for power of which such wars tend to be the worst ultimate manifestations are not usually driven by moral considerations as those who instigate them would have us believe.

Power struggles are often typically conflicts of the tainted who pitch camps pretending to be the purer group of adversaries.

Now, back home, to Zamfara State: I recalled the Nadine Gordimer quote when a friend recently asked for my opinion of the reported arrest of the Speaker of its House of Assembly, Sanusi Garba Rikiji, his deputy, Muhammad Abubakar Gumi, the Majority Leader, Isah Abdulmumini, and the Chief Whip, Abdullahi Dansadau, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), whereupon they were taken into detention in Abuja, apparently to forestall an impeachment plot led by the Speaker against the State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari.

My response was simple, namely, that the DSS had no lawful business arresting the Speaker and his allies in the plot. Besides, that such an intervention could only help justify the criticism of the DSS and by extension the government of President Muhammadu Buhari for resorting to desperate and illegal measures in their attempts to resolve crises in the polity, with a hint at impunity from the mode of such interventions.

But, more importantly, I also think the interest of the state would be better served if the gladiators in its incipient power struggle would end their feud and, putting service above power, merge their strengths towards solving the many problems of what is arguably one of the most developmentally challenged states in the our country – a state far more

This is a state whose male and female candidates were reported to have been assigned ridiculously low and – in terms of competitiveness – unenviable four and three marks respectively as pass marks for the entrance examination for Unity Schools in 2015. Compare this to 90 marks respectively for male and female candidates from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which is still far from the highest in the country

desperately in need of socio-economic uplift than a new governor that is the product of such a rancorous impeachment process or any other type of ouster.

Last year, about 800 school leavers from the state reportedly moved to protest the non-payment of their examination fees to the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO) by the state government, which had led to the withholding of their results and delays in their academic advancement.

This is a state whose male and female candidates were reported to have been assigned ridiculously low and – in terms of competitiveness – unenviable four and three marks respectively as pass marks for the entrance examination for Unity Schools in 2015. Compare this to 90 marks respectively for male and female candidates from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which is still far from the highest in the country, and you will get an idea of how much its leaders still need to do to pull up its citizens, especially its youth, from the pit of illiteracy if the state must have a real future.

Even though the state has made some progress in the treatment of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) in recent years, it is still battling with many incidents of the disease. Yet, in the face of such and its developmental challenges, some of its leaders – as in my home state of Abia – prefer to feud over power, like a family that would rather chase rats while its house is being threatened by an inferno.

Unfortunately, the motive ascribed to the champions of Governor Yari’s impeachment by their own political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is, to say the least, unedifying.

The governor’s detractors have reportedly accused him of “gross misconduct,” a rather nebulous charge. But, in his reaction, published in a story entitled “Impeachment: Zamfara APC threatens lawmakers,” in Daily Trust of July 21, 2016, the party’s deputy chairman in the state, Lawal Bala Yabakaco, alleged that “the lawmakers only came up with the impeachment plot after they made ‘selfish demands’ which were turned down by Governor Yari,” and that “… now that their selfish agenda is squashed, owing to the shortfall in revenue allocation, they are plotting to destabilise the smooth governance in the state.”

This gives an unseemly impression of the legislators as a band of desperate, insensitive, predatory individuals trying to lay siege to the resources of a state already weakened by hard times, and who do not deserve our sympathy.

Yet the question remains as to whether any governor should yield to the “selfish demands” of his state legislators even in a buoyant economy unlike what we have now in the country. NO! ––Oke, a poet and public analyst, wrote from Abuja

Distractions, Dissonance And Dichotomy in Government

I

Oseloka H. Obaze urges President Buhari to urgently rethink his governance methods

t’s always been inimical to tell a sovereign that he is wrong.

Rather, one must tell a sovereign in nuanced terms that he has been ill-advised. And so, this piece seeks not to tell President Muhammadu Buhari that he is wrong on any count of governance, but to say unequivocally, that he is being ill-advised on many counts. Hence, Nigeria is in the throes of degenerating into the realm of insipient un-governability, if not perdition.

Everything that could go wrong with a nation is manifesting.

We are a troubled nation; a nation in trouble. Overbearing negative forces are at play. Worryingly, those who ought to speak up are either too cowed or conveniently resigned. Some unfolding conjunction of circumstances must compel President Buhari to rethink his governance methods and our national political trajectory now. He must seize the moment.

Democracy has many enduring qualities, which is why it is the preferred form of governance. Yet operators of Nigeria’s nascent democracy continue to exhibit certain devious flaws that negate our democratic ideals and values. That disposition makes it not so trite to conclude that our bedeviling flaws are less systemic and more idiosyncratic of our political leaders. Nigeria’s national landscape is awash with palpable strains in the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government at the federal level. The matter has gone viral and international. The overarching situation is so testy; it’s no longer our tedious brand politics. Troublingly, the potential for an exacerbated political crisis is huge, and well beyond the usual turf fights or brinksmanship.

Nigerians watch bemused and shudder as the leadership of the Nigerian Senate are being buffeted by multiple investigations, which, naturally, are being carried out by proxy agencies of the executive branch, even as they are discharging their statutory duties. Because the judiciary is tangentially and inescapably involved, many sense a contrived oblique attempt at decapitation.

Resultantly, the entire governance structure is mired in an unfolding conundrum as economic development and political governance are sequestered. Whilst the undertone of the unfolding crisis are nuanced and couched as non-partisan, the consequences are oddly unmistakable. Invariably, every action seems to connote malice aforethought.

Interestingly, the dramatis personas involved in the executivelegislative face-off are elected leaders charged with keeping us

out of harm’s way and not empowered to precipitate a national implosion. These are leaders who by law can only be removed by popular recall. Yet, we seem to have opted for a more destructive path, which ought to leave every well-meaning Nigerian concerned. Matters are complicated further by political appointees who engage in nihilist valedictions; while conjecturing worthwhile political advice to be only those that mock and vilify political traducers or glorify their principals. Such primordial and non-ideological disposition hardly fits the template or cherished underpinnings of democratic good governance.

Strong and healthy democracies are naturally robust and vibrant. The vibrancy emanates routinely from mutually cordial and courteous rapport between the three arms of government, grounded on respect for the separation of powers. The wellbeing of any democracy is equally measured by the debate, accommodation and consensus the political leadership builds.

Absent such tolerance and consensus, contradictions emerge that create distractions, dissonance and dichotomy in governance.

The resulting political miasma leads to a tense and overheated polity. Let it be said boldly, that Nigeria in mid-2016, has arrived at that dubious juncture. We are at a tipping point and we should all be deeply troubled. An unseemly, near invisible strand loops together all the dissembling pressures and fissures confronting us. While the strain may seem not so concerted, that gale force is cascading with turbulent convergent speed. No one can tell the breaking point or moment when the tornado will touch ground, but the ominous signs and dark clouds are all-too evident. Nigeria today, is an unravelling nation. It’s time to rethink, retool and recalibrate, if we desire as President Muhammadu Buhari said recently, “to keep Nigeria one”.

As Richard Neustadt, a global authority on the presidential system postulated, “The presidency is a place for men of politics, but by no means is it a place for every politician.” Considering that President Buhari invested 16 productive years of his life to seeking the presidency, he ought to be well-situated to grasp the complexities of the Nigerian presidency. As the chief executive, he singularly personifies the presidency. Yet, his values, integrity and acclaim of being beyond reproach does not automatically devolve to his political associates, appointees and staff, notwithstanding that the presidency is a collective of those to

whom the president may entrust or delegate authority to assist him in exercising his duties. It is for such cogent reasons, that the doctrinal cliché, “the buck stops here” was coined, with a view to underlining that the president alone must assume full responsibility for what happens on his watch.

Political scientists long identified three categories in which presidential powers are exercised as constitutional powers, delegated powers and inherent powers. The first derives from powers explicitly granted by the constitution; the former from powers granted by the congress or National Assembly to assist the president in fulfilling his duties; with the latter being inherent in the president’s power as chief of the executive branch.

Invariably, those wielding delegated powers also carry the burden of meeting the threshold test of not acting beyond their remit, and assigned or assumed powers. Moreover, any action they take, regardless of whether it has the president’s imprimatur, are safely deduced as having the president’s implicit and explicit approval. Such realities give rise to several challenges as well as circumspection.

Hence, reference to or criticisms of any conduct of the Presidency or the executive arm, assumes critical importance; likewise conducts and utterances emanating therefrom. Even if unmentioned, it’s assumed that such utterances and related conducts are manifestations of the president’s desire, policy choices or directives. Matters are further compounded, when unelected non-principal officers in the executive arm undertake the responsibility of commenting on matters relating to principal officers in the legislative or judicial arms.

Two salient points needs to be made here. First, government derives its legitimacy from the constitution. It cannot and must not be seen to be in breach of that constitution, no matter how compelling or politically expedient it may be to do so. Second, the three arms of government are co-equal or in the political science lingo, “separate but equal”. In that context, they are self-censuring, self-regulating and immune from any interference by the other, except in instances where the constitution arrogates adjudication responsibilities.

–– Obaze is MD/CEO of Selonnes Consult Ltd. (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

LETTERS

S

USE AND MISUSE OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA

ocial networking sites which started from Orkut, followed

by Twitter and Facebook, have become the vogue across the world, especially among the youth because it makes communication easy, seamless and extremely interactive. Just a few clicks and you can chat with friends and family, from all across the globe.

Facebook is, perhaps, the most popular social networking site as it is one of the two most frequented websites in the entire internet. It usually trades places with Google as the most visited web service, and by the company’s estimates, it now has over 800 million active users. That is more regular visitors than the entire internet had in 2004. As at June 2012, Facebook had over 955 million active users, more than half of them using it on mobile devices.

Social media, also known as the new media, is a platform that thrives on social interaction, using accessible communication techniques.

Through the use of webbased mobile technologies, social media turns communication into interactive dialogue. What makes social media thick is that it accelerates conversations in a more interactive way that makes communication more effective and worthwhile.

It takes communication beyond the limitations of the

P

Lai Mohammed

traditional media, which most often delivers content but doesn’t permit readers, or as the case may be, viewers or listeners, to participate in the formation or development of the content. Globally, there is an array of social media networks such as YouTube, Twitter, Whatsapp, Instagram, to LinkedIn, Facebook and a host of others.

Being a platform that encourages unrestrained communication among users, social media produces the kind of fun that grasps people’s attention. The opportunity it provides for users to unreservedly share ideas and disseminates information makes it trendy amongst a

variety of people all over the world. Aside the opportunity it offers for unbridled communication, social media creates an unusual prospect for all manner of people to bond by sharing their thoughts online.

In short, social media offers an opportunity to be seen and be heard without any restriction, which the traditional media does not give.

Today, our world has been radically transformed courtesy the social media.

Information dissemination is now faster and easier while genuine business transactions can be promoted through the medium for a vast global market. Undoubtedly, the social media has made our

world a more exciting place to be.

But then, that is where it all stops. The social media has unfortunately become an avenue for users to display and perpetrate unconcealed acts of boundless social madness. In the social media, there is little or no regard for opposing views.

Users simply exhibit mindboggling bigoted stance to contrasting viewpoints from fellow users. This trend is reflected in the use of uncouth words such as ‘stupid’, ‘foolish’, ‘crazy’, ‘insane’, ‘idiot’, ‘emptyhead,’ etc., that are used on the medium to describe people who put up analysis that others disagree with. Curiously, such views are viciously condemned not because those that are opposed to them do so on the basis of superior argument, but just because the proponent of the view is ‘senseless’!

Aside this, the social media sometimes flourishes on falsehood. On many occasions, the genuineness of information posted on the media is suspicious. While conventional media tradition processes and scrutinises news gathering and dissemination and thus exercises control in addition to operating a feedback mechanism which gives room for refutation when practitioners erred, the social media affords faceless people the stage to send conniving and spurious information.

IN PRAISE OF HADIZA BALA USMAN

resident Muhammadu Buhari is no doubt a farsighted and conscientious leader with the ability to see beyond the horizon. This statement is not hypothetical especially, if one looks at the appointments he has made so far in the one year plus life of his administration. Although there are outcries here and there, but none was meritorious as they were rather hinged on the usual sectional or ethnic clamours and not the competence of the appointees.

The recent appointment of Mrs. Hadiza Bala Usman as the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority has equally created a media furore in some quarters, particularly the over hyped Nigerian social media community.

This may not be unconnected to her being inconspicuous in a world dominated by rabblerousing politicians and overbearing opportunists.

Her name may not ring a loud bell among such familiar amazons; but behind it is a sufficiently astute, forthright and outspoken woman whose thundering voice always echo in challenging the perennial rot in our body politic.

It is commonly believed that some of the greatest individuals who left

remarkable traces wherever they have a stint are little known to the public. This is the case with Hadiza Bala Usman!

An amazingly fearless woman, Hadiza is a scion of the erudite scholar and historian, the late Dr Yusufu Bala Usman, whose name resonates whenever it is mentioned in both academic and political spheres of this country.

Born on January 2, 1976, in Zaria, Kaduna State Hadiza started her education at Ahmadu Bello University Staff Primary School. She went ahead to complete her secondary and undergraduate studies at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where she bagged a Bsc. in Business Administration.

She later went to the University of Leeds in United Kingdom where she obtained a Master’s degree in Development Studies.

Having drank from the fountain of her imperishable radical father, Hadiza made a dramatic foray into the murky waters of Nigerian politics and social activism.

She was the candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) for the House of Representatives seat for Musawa/ Matazu Federal Constituency in her home state of Katsina. Her fervour for taking headlong the most

daunting challenges where the menfolk are jittery to go, endeared her to the rank and file of Nigeria’s foremost politicians and policymakers. She was always assigned to do the most difficult tasks or to provide intellectual solutions to intractable problems.

She served as Member and Secretary of various committees including the CPC Renewal Committee (2011); APC Strategy Committee (2014); North Central Gubernatorial Elections Screening Committee (2014); APC Elections Planning Committee (2014); APC Presidential Campaign Council (2015); Presidential Inauguration Committee (2015), among others.

In July 2015, she was appointed the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kaduna State, the position she held until her recent appointment. A wild jubilation within government circle in Kaduna greeted her recent appointment ironically, not because she has got an elevation, but because the woman who ensured the enforcement due process is now gone.

In September 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed her to serve as Member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption.

Hadiza was a co-founder

of the global movement, Bring Back Our Girls, which has been demanding for the rescue of the 219 young school girls abducted by Boko Haram terrorists from Chibok Secondary School in Borno State.

It was obviously her indefatigable energy shoots her to limelight and prominence. Without mincing words, she was a woman of resilient spirit, mental and creative energy with unmatched ability to get things done.

It was her involvement with the Bring Back Our Girls campaign and other patriotic campaigns behind the scenes that practically set her apart culminating in her winning international awards and recognitions.

She bagged the Financial Times’ Most Influential Women Award of 2014; the CNN’s Most Inspiring Woman Award of 2014 and; Ebony Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Black Women in the world.

Certainly, Mrs. Hadiza Bala Usman merited her new appointment, and the Nigerian Ports Authority is very lucky to have her as the new captain. Her vast experience, shrewdness and agility will surely be of immense benefit to the transformation of that transportation sub-sector.

Musa Azare, Abuja

Sadly, those that practice this usually get away. The result of this, of course, is unlimited madness on the social media space. Someone with no concrete substantiation comes up with a story, puts it on the social space and before you could say Jack, the whole space becomes animated, discussing and sometimes freely passing judgments on characters based on the ‘strength’ of such an unsubstantiated story.

Through this trend, many people have been ‘authoritatively’ confirmed dead on the social media while many have equally been labelled as ‘looters’, ‘thieves’, ‘fraudsters,’ etc., when in actual fact, their cases have not yet been investigated, not to talk of getting to the court. At the end of the day, the victims of such misleading information are faced with the task of responding to issues that never existed.

Sadly, some youths have become so addicted to social networking sites that you wonder if they do any other productive thing throughout the day. They spend hours using these sites thereby harming their performance in other fields. Some of them have made a mess of their

lives on the account of this uninhibited addiction to social networking sites.

There have been instances of a few youth being lured and inducted into terrorism through social media networking.

Thus, as useful as the social media is, its abuse can be menacing. The use of a tool largely depends on the users.

For instance, a doctor operates with a knife while a murderer could also kill with a knife.

For users of the social media, especially the youth, the watchword, therefore, is cautiousness.

Meanwhile, parents, NGOs, religious organisations, related government agencies, educational institutions, and all other concern stakeholders are enjoined to take active interest in taking up advocacy crusades aimed at curbing the excesses of the social media.

Though, it is practically impossible to impose barriers on the cyberspace, but with the active participation of major stakeholders, together we could tone down the negative effects of the social media.

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

SULE LAMIDO AND EDUCATION IN THE NORTH

S

cience Secondary School Kafin Hausa in Jigawa state represented the North-west zone in the NNPC National Quiz Competition Final. The school emerged 3rd in the overall competition held on June 28, 2016, at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, beating the North- east, South- west and South east schools. Abuja came first while Akwa Ibom came second.

The astonishing point here is those that emerged first and second are private schools: Loyola Schools of FCT Abuja that came first is a private school with a very conducive environment for teaching and learning and with school fees of not less than N1million per year, per child.

I want use this medium to appeal to the northern states governors to invest more in education in order to move the region forward. This is because whenever Nigerians gather to discuss the state of education in the country or the region in particular, we all seem to reach a consensus rather hurriedly, that our educational system has deteriorated for long.

We hope new schools would be built and while the dilapidated ones would be renovated.

Let’s have good and standard schools across the north, staffed and well equipped with functional libraries and laboratories.

Let classrooms have modern instructional

technologies. Let’s get computers connected to the internet, projectors, audiovideo and conferencing equipment all available.

Our governors should remember that teachers cannot perform miracles without necessary teaching and learning tools, so they should be provided and distributed everywhere in the region (states). The welfare of staff is one area that must be considered.

Salaries and other entitlements should be paid promptly. Scholarship should be awarded without sentiments. Training and re-training of staff are supposed to be in place regularly all in order to improve and keep the staff up to date. I agree with Samuel M. Lindsay, who once said “The quality of education and the level of educational attainment of a people determine the quality of its leaders and people.” Some students should be sent abroad to study in different academic areas in order to take our regions to a greater height.

I will appeal to Alhaji Muhammadu Badaru, the Jigawa State governor, to celebrate and appreciate the students and the school for a job well done. I feel it is worth celebrating and also to extol the able leadership of the former governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido who sanitised and improved the Jigawa educational sector during his tenure.

–Adamu Muhd Usman, Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 24,2016

INTERNATIONAL

Edited by Demola Ojo e-mail: demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Kaine EverythingTrump Is Not, Says Clinton

V

irginia Senator Tim Kaine Democrat Hillary Clinton’s newly announced presidential running mate - has made his national debut, saying “We are all Americans”. Mr Kaine’s upbeat remarks contrasted with Republican Donald Trump’s pessimistic convention speech.

The 58-year-old moderate Democrat could appeal to Republicans who have been unsettled by Mr Trump’s candidacy. However, the pick is seen as a blow to more left-leaning Democrats. In part, Mr Kaine’s introduction sought to assure those voters of the senator’s left-wing credentials.

“If you want to be right, be a pessimist, if you want to do right, be an optimist,” Mr Kaine said, recalling his time fighting housing discrimination as a young lawyer. “I like to do right.”

Mrs Clinton said Mr Kaine was “everything Donald Trump is not”.

“He is a progressive who likes to get things done. That’s just my kind of guy,” Mrs Clinton said of Mr Kaine.

The Trump campaign attacked the choice, dubbing the senator “Corrupt Kaine”.

As governor of Virginia, Mr Kaine accepted about $160,000 worth of gifts from political supporters, which was legal under the state’s lax gift laws.

“If you think Crooked Hillary and Corrupt Kaine are going to change anything in Washington, it’s just the opposite,” said Jason Miller, spokesman for the Trump campaign.

A former mayor and governor, Mr Kaine is an experienced politician and has been thoroughly vetted. He was on the short list to

be Barack Obama’s running mate in 2008.

His home state of Virginia is seen as a key battleground in the election. Vice-presidential candidates can typically give tickets a slight advantage in their home states.

Mr Kaine embraced the typical role of the running mate, attacking the rival nominee. He called on Mr Trump to release his tax returns and criticised his business dealing including his Atlantic City casinos and Trump University.

“Trump leaves a trail of wrecked lives everywhere he goes,” Mr Kaine said.

Mr Kaine also speaks fluent Spanish, which could help the Clinton campaign’s outreach with Latinos - a key voting bloc.

Yesterday, Mr Kaine frequently spoke to the crowd in Miami in Spanish.

“Bienvenidos a todos en nuestro pais. Porque somos Americanos todos. [Welcome everyone to our country, because we are all Americans],” Mr Kaine said to cheers.

However, left-wing Democrats have questioned his stances on banking reform and abortion rights. A Catholic, Mr Kaine personally opposes abortion and has favoured restrictions on late-term or “partial birth” abortions.

Also, he was recently among 70 senators who signed a letter urging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau not to enact regulations that could harm community banks and credit unions.

The Democratic Party is already pushing back, enlisting President Obama to vouch for Mr Kaine. “Like Hillary, Tim is an optimist. But like Hillary, he is also a progressive fighter,” Mr Obama wrote.

The Democrats’ four-day convention starts tomorrow in Philadelphia with speeches by First Lady Michelle Obama and Mr Sanders.

Clinton (left) and Kaine

Munich Gunman ‘Obsessed with Shootings’

T

he 18-year-old gunman who killed nine people in Munich was obsessed with mass shootings but had no known links to the Islamic State group, German police say. Written material on such attacks was found in his room. Munich’s police chief spoke of links to the massacre by Norway’s Anders Behring Breivik. The gunman, who had dual GermanIranian nationality, later killed himself.

His name has not been officially released but he is being named locally as David Ali Sonboly. He has also been referred to as Ali David Sonboly, or David S. He had a 9mm Glock pistol and 300 bullets in his rucksack.

Police do not yet know how the weapon was

acquired, but said he had no permit for it and the serial number had been obliterated. They are investigating whether he may have lured his victims through a Facebook invitation to the McDonald’s restaurant where he launched his attack on Friday evening.

Friday evening’s attack at the Olympia shopping mall also left 27 people injured, including children. Ten of them are critically ill, including a 13-year-old boy, police say. Seven of the dead were teenagers. Three victims were from Kosovo, three from Turkey and one from Greece.

Police say the Munich-born gunman had been in psychiatric care, receiving treatment for depression.

Clinton’s Momentum with History

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ith the close of the Republican Party convention last Thursday the focus moves on to the Democratic Party whose convention opens tomorrow at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Clinton who was expected to announce his running mate in Florida had to hold back as a yet to be determined terrorist attack rocked Germany Friday.

Back to Cleveland Ohio. Donald Trump, the GOP candidate’s 75 minutes stump speech was largely anchored on fear that foreigners mostly immigrant criminals and their counterparts abroad had invaded America taking away that picture of a shining city on a hill as painted by Ronald Reagan. All this with the connivance of racist Barack Obama and the untrustworthy Hillary Clinton who is waiting for her party’s endorsement at the convention. Of course, he added for effect, that he alone in America can fix the problem with minimum details. The strong man’s daughter Ivanka did not fail to add that her father is colour blind and gender neutral, with an all-inclusive agenda that upstaged the all familiar hatred for the LGBTQ community and the evangelicals, a window to the African-Americans with a promise to restore their stolen freedom.

For the candidate and the party he hijacked his update was not a serious departure from what he had said all along. Instead he gave his audience nothing but a picture of a dark and turbulent America whose enemies were relentless on killing them with immigrants that have stolen blue collar jobs. Expectedly the polls gave his speech a 57 percent rating which impressed Trump who had earlier rapped Anderson Cooper for anchoring a poor panel analysis of the convention performance.

It was a mad week perhaps comparable in recent times. While Clinton was in Florida partly to debunk Trump’s acceptance speech and perhaps present Virginia senator Tim Kaine, terrorists struck drowning the weight of her response, a reminder to Melania Trump whose husband’s fun of her magnificent speech delivery on day one turned out to be a scribbed portion of Michelle Obama’s 2008 Democratic Party convention speech.

Clinton

Again back to trump’s speech The candidate whose vice Governor Mike Pence’s speech was subdued by Senator Ted Cruz’s unwillingness to endorse a man who disrespected his wife and father and would rather the conclave and Americans vote with their conscience for anyone ready to defend the constitution, doubled down on his Mexican wall rhetoric and compelled his party to walk back on NATO. Pence who was assuring the GOP they would always stand with their allies did not know his boss held a contrarian’s viewport with a proviso. We will stand by them on a one on one assessment of how they relate with America, he told the New York Times.

For Trump this is not the time for political correctness. What does this say to the Democrats?

While Clinton and Sanders are relying on the old demographics where they expect to top up eight

of the eleven swing states heading towards the Sunbelt, Trump says never in the history of the Republican Party has a candidate drawn more voters to the ballot box. He is hoping to upstage the statistics which rely on electoral maps by pulling his voting population from the mainstream white population, the blue collars in the Midwest with a mantra of white nationalism-USA, USA, USA. As Trump pretends to have the blacks and other minority groups, the law and order candidate is not too keen pulling their votes because he sincerely believes they have appropriated the blue collar jobs in the country. And with his strong emphasis on terrorism, Obama’s gains in the field of war where ISIS is on the run, may work against the Democrats as the terrorist group unleashes mayhem worldwide with their Facebook and Internet allies as November approaches.

Trump calling for stricter protection of police, did not address the fact that racism and racial profiling and the mentality that every black man is a criminal, have led to brutal murder of innocent black people, a contrast that fell sadly on angry black Republican Congressmen and women who tweeted their disappointment with the Trump speech at a time Michael Slager a North Charleston policeman had just shot fatally an unarmed blackman lying on the ground with arms up.

Both Clinton and Trump suffer unpopularity ratings among the electorate. Clinton acknowledges the fact that over the years she has been accused for all manner of things with Benghazi and the email server careless handling as the climax. The GOP convention was a witness to the climax of how much the other side of the divide fears and loathes Clinton with chants of “Lock her up, Lock up.” Al Baldasaro a Trump adviser, went to the extent of demanding Clinton be shot with the Secret Service closing in on him. Ben Carson capped it with the revelation that Clinton worships the devil. Reason? In his book The Rules for Radicals, Saul Alinsky gave “an over the shoulder acknowledgement to the very first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom — Lucifer.” Carson asked for effect if the American people who their founding fathers dedicated them to the worship of the true God, should allow someone whose role model was Lucifer to lead them. The response was not a let

down. Scholars had previously clarified that for her project, Clinton met Alinsky on the recommendation of her college professor and even disagreed with him on a number of fundamental issues for which he became famous or infamous as the case may be but Carson and the GOP crowd would not hear that.

On Day One of the RNC, Clinton was guest of the NAACP at another end of Cleveland where the RNC theme was ‘Make America Safe Again.’

Clinton called for reform in the American criminal justice system. Emphatically, she stressed the need for a meeting point between police and those they protect. Clinton and Obama as many reasonable people of the American society, who are colour blind that is, believe there is need for a renewed trust between police and the very people they protect with prescribed standards in the use of force with minority people in view. That is what political correctness and conventional wisdom demand for those who want to end the flow of innocent blood in the streets, condemning the killing of three police officers in Baton Rouge insisting that anyone who aims to kill a policeman was also aiming to kill the rest of society the police protects.

“Everyone is safer when there is respect for the law and when everyone is respected by the law,” Clinton emphasised.

The RNC would have none of that and mandated Telly Lovelace, one of its spokesmen to fire back: “Donald Trump wants to restore law and order to our communities and Make America Safe Again, and at a time when the country is in need of healing, our Party is committed to providing strong leadership at every level that will achieve peace, unity, and a stronger America.”

Hillary Clinton at tomorrow’s convention will be facing two parallel universes one defined by Donald Trump and the hijacked GOP, a scary canvas of a country invaded by witches from outer space and two that shining city on top of a hill that descended into Hell after Iraq and on the path of restoration and that prosperity that makes it the land of glory, a restoration Barack Obama should lay claim to. And in case they say no then Clinton should find refuge in Alinsky’s all-embracing quote of Thomas Paine: “Let them call me rebel and welcome, I feel no concern from it; but I should suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul”

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 24, 2016

INTERNATIONAL

27th Ordinary Session of the African Union in Rwanda: The Critical Matters Arising

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he African Union (AU) held its 27th Ordinary Session on Sunday, 10th to Monday, 18th July, 17-19, 2016, in Kigali, Rwanda, following a hosting agreement done in Addis Ababa on May 2, 2016 and signed by Ms. Djeneba Diarra on behalf of the African Union Commission and by Mrs. Hope Tumukunde Gasatura, Rwanda’s Plenipotentiary to Addis Ababa and to the AU. Every summit of the AU begins with meetings of all the Permanent Representatives accredited to the AU. The meetings are followed by those of the Council of Ministers which normally take a further review of what the representatives had done. The last two or three days are generally reserved for the meetings of the Assembly of Heads of States and Governments which constitute the summit proper.

The summit is believed to be quite successful. Paul Kagame, President of the host country, Rwanda, described the summit as ‘very productive.’ The Chairperson of the African Union Commission and former Foreign Minister of South Africa, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, said the Kigali summit was ‘the best summit we’ve had. We must maintain it while striving to get better and better.’

True, why should the AU not make progress when the reggae maestro, Jimi Cliff has it that ‘the more you live is the more you learn.’ This means that everyday learning ought to lead to the acquisition of new experience. With new experience, there should be new progress. If progress was made in Kigali, then the future of the AU Agenda 2063 appears to be bright, especially that the Summit not only showed readiness to elect new judges for the African Court of Justice but also charged President Paul Kagame with the responsibility of overseeing the restructuring of the African Union Commission (AUC).

More interestingly, the Summit agreed to contribute $1.2 billion on yearly basis to sustain the AU through levying of 0.2% tax on all eligible import duties. This is particularly aimed at ensuring the financial independence of the organisation, and by so doing, prevent undesired external influences. And most significantly, the Summit has shown readiness to also finance AU’s missions and the development agenda. It is useful here to recall that Africa’s development partners currently account for more than 75% of Africa’s development funding. If African leaders now want to wake up from their slumber of insolvency, the better of all peoples of Africa.

And perhaps most significantly, the epicentral determinant of the very productive summit is the adoption of a more business-like attitude by the AU leaders. AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, President Idris Derby noted in his statement at the opening closed-door session that ‘il est grand temps de faire désormais de nos rencontres au sommet de véritables séances de travail, en phase avec nos besoins et les priorités du moment.’ In other words, ‘it is high time to make our meetings at the summit level truly working sessions, in line with our needs and priorities of the moment.’ And true enough, most of the meetings were conducted in business-like manner.

However, one major feature of the summit was the manifestation of greater interest in integration in Africa. Efforts at continental integration was given a fillip in 1991 with the signing of the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community in Abuja. The Treaty, for the purposes of accelerated integration, redefined Africa which the United Nations considers as a region. The OAU divided the whole of Africa into five regions: West, North, East, Central and Southern. As provided in Articles 1(d) and 1(e), ‘ Besides, Morocco, the Maghrebin country which adopted what was then described as ‘la politique de la chaise vide’ (Open Chair Policy) before withdrawing its membership from the then Organisation of African Unity (OAU) 32 years ago now wants to come back. Morocco decided to withdraw its membership of the OAU mainly because of the organisation’s support for the then Western Sahara, Saharawi Arab Republic, over which Morocco is claiming sovereignty. The OAU recognised the Saharawi Arab Republic as an independent state and therefore allowed it to participate in its activities and Morocco did not take kindly to this.

In the message sent by King Mohammed VI of Morocco to the AU Summit in Kigali, ‘for a long time our friends have been asking us to return to them so that Morocco can take up its natural place within its institutional family. The moment has now come.’ With the renewed interest of Morocco to come back, will this help full integration of the continent?

There is also the making of an AU passport, which is an important instrument of regional integration. It was publicly introduced at the opening session of last Kigali summit. To what extent will the AU be able to take advantage of the passport to enhance regional integration in Africa, especially with the many and increasing political contradictions in the continent?

AU Passport and Future Challenges

At the January 2016 mid-term summit of the AU, a decision was taken to ensure that the African passport be launched in 2016. It was a case of ‘let there be an African passport and there is one now’. The introduction of an AU passport is a welcome development for many reasons. First, its cardinal objective is to facilitate the movement of persons, goods and services in the continent. Secondly, the passport is a modern passport, that is, it is an electronic passport with chips.

Unlike a classical passport which was an ordinary letter of request for safe passage for the holder, and unlike the booklet passports introduced under King Louis XIV of France the further development of which led to Machine Readable Passports, all of which were

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson African Union Commission easily tampered with, the AU passport has taken advantage of the problems associated with previous passports, especially the 1920 International Passport Conference in Canada which recommended the adoption of a booklet-type passport and the printing in two languages, including French, and a validity period of not less than two years.

The AU passport is biometric and of two categories: one for the AU functionaries and frequent business travellers which will be issued by the AU. It is official/diplomatic passport which entitles the holder to enjoy some official and diplomatic privileges. The other is the standard one to be issued by individual Member States to everyone else. The passport is to have the names of the issuing authority and the AU on the cover. It is to be made available to everyone as from 2018 with the hope of total coverage in 2020 under normal circumstances. It will be identical to the ECOWAS passport.

Thus, it is good a development.

Thus, it is good a development. However, the development is faced with monumental challenges First, inauguration of the first passports given to the current AU Chairman, President Idris Derby of Chad and the host of the summit, President Paul Kagame, came on the heels of two main developments: Ghana has just adopted a new visa-on-arrival for all AU citizens. AU citizens are citizens of all the Member States of the continental organisation. Besides, the African Development Bank has shown in its report on Visa Openness that only 13 out of the 55 countries allow all Africans to enter either without visa or to secure one at the port of entry. This means that there is going to be a conflict of regulations. It also raises the question of whether Africa needs a passport or an agreement facilitating intra-African ovement of goods and persons beginning at the sub-regional and then at the regional, before coming to the continental levels.

Second, the AU Chairman, Idris Derby, cannot be more correct when he said that ‘we still have a long way to go for Africa to be more unified, stronger, sable, prosperous, and most importantly, sovereign.’ And true, the first and most critical challenge is the rivalry between sovereign authority and supranational authority within the AU. The example of the AU-South Sudan approach to the crisis in South Sudan provides a good illustration. In August 2015, President Salva Kiir and his Vice President, Riek Machar signed a peace agreement which has been turned into a rough sheet of paper after the deal. Of recent and within few hours, more than 300 people were killed while thousands of people were internally displaced.

In light of this, the AU decided to send a robust peacekeeping mission to the country but the South Sudan has made it clear that no peacekeepers would be acceptable without the approval of the legitimate government of the country.

As explained by the supporters of President Kiir during a public protest against AU’s plan to send peacekeepers to South Sudan, ‘if the international community continues to bring in all their alleged military in South Sudan, we will fight them whether they come by air or by road. We will be malicious. South Sudan will become an

even worse place than Afghanistan. Let the peace come from us.

Don’t impose things on us. It will be regrettable.’ This warning is an expression of one of the environmental conditionings of the continental integration in the making. In this regard, is the usefulness and relevance of the AU not to the extent that its Member States would want to have it? To what extent can African sovereignty be evolved within the framework of Agenda 2063? To a great extent, the OAU Charter and the Constitutive Act of the African Union, are inspired by those of the European Economic Community, European Community and the European Union. With the experience of Brexit and effects in other Member States, is there any good future for continental integration?

Third, there is also the issue of competing sovereignty between the AU and the International Criminal Court which has tried to directly lay claim to supranational authority over African states.

Without any shadow of doubt, for any country to subscribe to the jurisdictional competence of the ICC simply means the acceptance of the supranational character of the court. However, the AU is not looking at the issue from the angle of individual accession to the statutes of the court but collectively.

In fact, at the Kigali summit, the AU not only unanimously rejected what it called the targeting of African leaders by the ICC, but also the allegations levied against the Vice President of Kenya and President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan. More interestingly, a ministerial panel was empanelled to contact the UN Security Council and clarify the positions of African countries, as well as submit to the next Summit in January 2017.

In the event the UN Security Council does not respond to the will of Africa on this matter, a collective plan to get out of the ICC may not be ruled out. In this regard, has the AU the necessary muscle to engage the UN Security Council in a dog-fight? Can a beggar soliciting funding for development dictate to its creditor? African states can always withdraw from the ICC, but has the AU put in place conjectural scenarios of the likely implications in other areas of cooperation?

If the AU withdraws from the ICC, will it withdraw from the UN General Assembly or the UN Security? The ideal approach is not to contemplate withdrawal but to make the attainment of prosecution of any sitting African leader difficult and impossible through non-cooperation, as it is being done to the case of President al-Bashir. The AU should also ensure that other suspected guilty leaders in the world are brought to the same court for trial. Modern political governance is not done by running away from challenges.

Challenges must be faced frontally. The world does not belong to any group of countries. It is a world of both the rich and the poor, the good and the wicked. It is a world of common patrimony.

Fourth, there is the intra-African challenge of how to foster integration in an environment of deepening insecurity. Burundi is under fire. So is Somalia under political turmoil. The Lake Chad region is playing host to the Boko Haram terror. The Sahel region is also another den of terrorists and political unrest. One main objective of regional integration is to fast track growth and development in order to relegate to the background violence as a way of life. Can a troubled state have any listening integration ears?

Fifth, there is also the challenge of incapacity to control international migration, especially in light of the fact that the great powers are themselves seriously challenged by this problem. International migration is one the main dynamics of Brexit. Put differently, how will the AU ensure that non-Africans or terrorists do not have access to an AU passport or to a stolen passport? For instance, it should not be forgotten that James Earl Ray, who killed Martin Luther King Junior, used a fraudulently-acquired Canadian passport to gain access to where he took life out of Martin Luther King.

Additionally, how will the AU control the influx of migrants fleeing war zones in the Middle East? This question also raises another security issue. It is very likely that Africa will be next region of serious terrorist activities the aims of which the AU may not be the direct targets. The United States and its allies are currently the main targets of global wickedness perpetrated by Islamic extremists and the US and other victims are decisively dealing with them. With the emerging gradual defeat of terrorists and their displacement, it is very likely that the terrorists will seek to attack the interests of Europe and America for obvious reasons: poor or lack of security consciousness, porous borders, several internal crises and conflicts, insolvency and lack of means, etc.

Concluding Remarks

The grant of a visa is more important than the possession of a passport. The possession of an AU passport will remain at best meaningless without an entry visa on it. Consequently, greater emphasis should be placed on AU’s quest for all deserving Africans to stay visa-free for 30 days across the continent with immediate effect in order to show seriousness of the AU leaders, if it is true that they really believe in it. In this context, an agreement on a visa-free travel should be the first step. It will save costs to begin with.

As Africa currently lacks good infrastructure, let the money to be set aside for production of passports be expended on other social amenities that are lacking. Africa must stop always copying Europe. If there is need to copy, value must be added. Let African leaders be original for once. after all, many of those who pledged to contribute 0.2% of their import duties are still far behind in the settlement of their assessed dues. Besides, AU partners are still responsible for the funding of development projects to the tune of more than 90% in Africa.

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SUNDAY JULY 24, 2016 T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

BUSINESS

Editor Festus Akanbi Email festus.akanbi@thisdaylive.com

QUICK TAKES Forward Contracts

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)on Fridayfundedone-monthforwardcontractsof$697millionontheinterbank FXmarket,effectivelyimprovingdollar liquidityinthemarket,astheaccounts of customers that hedged against the dollar through their banks last month will get their accounts credited.

Sources in the CBN confirmed that there would be improved availability of dollars today, thus easing pressure onthenairawhichfelltoitslowestlevel yesterday since the guidelines were revised last month for trading on the interbank FX market.The naira closed atN310.43toadollaryesterday,compared to N294.24 to a dollar from the day before.

Financial market dealers attributed the development to scarcity of FX since the CBN decided to stop its intervention and all the currency to be truly market-determined.

Butontheparallelmarket,thenairadid not budge, as it remained unchanged at N375 to a dollar yesterday.

Bank customers who bought the forward contracts will be expected to make a gain of more than N20 to the dollar, given that at the time the bids for the forwards were made a month ago, the naira exchanged for about 282 to the dollar.

ExxonMobil

Central Business District, Lagos

As Economy Hurts, Analysts Proffer Solutions to Rising Inflation Kunle Aderinokun and James Emejo

For the fifth consecutive month, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which gauges inflation rose by 0.9 per cent to 11-year high of 16.6 per cent in June compared to 15.58 per cent in May. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), energy prices, imported items and related products are persistent drivers of the core sub-index while the highest price increases were noticed in the electricity, liquid fuel (kerosene), furniture and furnishings, passenger transport by road and fuel and lubricants for personal transport equipment.

The inflation has however defied the prediction of pundits, who were united in their position to forecast a decline in the June inflation.

The economic research analysts were from the Economic Intelligence Group of Access Bank, DLM Asset Management Ltd and Financial Derivatives Company Ltd. In their analysis, Access Bank forecast a drop in inflation to 15.4 per cent in June from 15.58 per cent while those from DLM and FDC projected a moderation to 15.53 per cent and 15.50 per cent respectively.

Rising inflation has always been a major source of concern especially for an emerging economy such as Nigeria, which relies heavily on oil proceeds as main source of revenue and yet, with little from non-oil exports.

In an economy whereby the real sector bleeds for lack of credit, a rise in inflation will usually dash

ECONOMY the prospects for lowering lending rates from commercial banks as it is most unlikely that interest rates would go below inflation rate.

This unending spike in the headline index is particularly worrisome for the ordinary Nigerians who have had to cope with the increase in the prices of basic commodities-leading to untold economic hardship.

The country’s economic woes have been blamed on the delayed passage of the 2016 budget, the falling price of oil and lack of non-oil export products as well as basic infrastructure to moderate the impact of dwindling revenue.

Meanwhile, experts who spoke to THISDAY on the new June inflation figure analysed the latest development and further highlighted the attendant implications of the rise as well as ways to cushion its impact on the economy.

In their assessment, analysts at Time Economics noted that, “the factors driving inflationary pressures in Nigeria are more of structural and cost-shock than demand related.”

According to them, “ Over the last few months, we have seen prolonged fuel scarcity leading to the eventual removal of subsidies on petroleum products, an increase in electricity tariffs by over 40 per cent and a sharp depreciation in the Naira exchange rate across the official/Inter-bank market and the parallel markets.

“These were further compounded by an economic slowdown and

the inability of the business community to access foreign exchange, in adequate quantity, for the importation of raw materials and machineries needed for smooth production of goods and services. Thus, current inflationary pressures arose from these structural shocks.”

The analysts, who, however, pointed out that, “cost -driven inflations typically tend to be transitory in nature due to inbuilt adjustments mechanisms in the economy,” posited that, “With the fuel scarcity challenge out of the way, the economy appears to have largely adjusted to the increase in the pump price of PMS, the higher energy costs and the weakened Naira exchange rate.”

They therefore projected that, “in the absence of any new major shock to the system, we expect growth in the headline inflation to moderate at the current levels in the months ahead.”

Nevertheless, economists and former acting Unity Bank Managing Director, Mr. Muhammed Rislanudenn, said, to mitigate the continued rising inflation, the CBN should design additional policies on intervention funds to specifically target agriculture and the manufacturing sectors at single-digit interest rates.

He said: “With inflation at 16.5 per cent far above monetary policy rate of 12 per cent implies disincentive to save and invest. Immediate implication in the fixed income market is re-pricing of rates upwards, which also has its limit. Lending to real sector may be challenged as cost of borrowing will go up further even if MPC decide not to jerk up rates and end up trading off growth.

“Also government may not achieve its 2016 budget objective of single-digit interest rate and may also find it tough dealing with stagflation (inflation plus unemployment) as well as potential recession. In a contractionary economy, it’s difficult for banks to have risk appetite to lend cost effectively. Real sector may either be starved of funds or forced to borrow at high rates with long-term implication of project failure and high NPLs for banks.”

He said: “CBN should rather be encouraged to come up with more policies on intervention funds that will specifically target agriculture and manufacturing sectors at singledigit interest to support reversal of current negative GDP growth of -0.36 per cent as well as reduction in current unemployment rate of 12.1 per cent.”

Also, an Associate Professor of Finance and Head, Banking & Finance, Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Dr. Uche Uwaleke, said the new rise in inflation rate spells doom for the ordinary man and cautioned against alleged moves by government to increase the value added tax (VAT) He said: “The NBS June inflation rate of 16.5 per cent, up from 15.6 per cent in May implies an increase in the cost of living and a fall in living standards for the ordinary Nigerian. The key factors responsible for the persistent rise in the Consumer Price Index since February 2016, have remained the same supply-side constraints namely high cost of electricity, transport, fuel, food and imported items. There is no gainsaying the

As ExxonMobil plans to repair the pipeline feeding the Qua Iboe export terminal,theexportsofQuaIboegrade of crude oil, which is Nigeria’s largest crude stream, will remain under force majeure for at least one month.

The cause of the leak was not clear, but the force majeure came just days after militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers, claimed to have bombed Qua Iboe pipeline.

The Avengers had stated that it bombed the company’s 48-inch Qua IboecrudeoilexportpipelineonJuly11.

But 24 hours after the claim by the militants,thecompany’sspokesperson, Todd Spitler, debunked the claim, saying “there was no attack on our facilities.”

However, the militant group quickly replied through its spokesperson, Mudoch Agbinibo, insisting that: “ExxonMobil can deny and fool the public about their export pipeline blown yesterday.”

“How long can they lie to their investors?Justinamatterofdays,thewhole world will see the truth. Qua Iboe 48 crude oil export pipeline is down so said the Avengers,” he added.

Rail Transport

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, said federal governmenthadfixedthecostoftravellingon thenewly completed Abujato Kaduna rail lines at N500 per passenger per trip on the economy class.

Fielding questions from journalists after the final inspection of the project which is due for inauguration by President Muhammadu Buhari next week in Abuja, he said the test run exercise has been on for more than a month with passengers being moved from Kaduna to Abuja free of charge.

He said: “From the experience that we have all seen today, we are set to go.

This test run exercise has been on for over a month. We said it was going to runfortwoweeksbutwealloweditfor sixweekssothateverybodycanuseit.”

According to him, from next Tuesday aftertheinaugurationbythepresident, government will then begin to charge N500 per passenger per trip on the economy class.

He said: “As you can see, we sought the opinion of the passenger before fixing the fare, they suggested N500 on economy and I will do just that.”

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEY

Deconstructing Stanbic IBTC’s Triple A Fitch Rating

Fitch Ratings recently assigned a triple A rating and a stable outlook to Stanbic IBTC. Kunle Aderinokun, in this report, examined the rating and its implications for the financial institution, the market and the economy

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he media has been awash lately with the ratings of the country’s financial institutions by Fitch Ratings, the global leader in credit ratings and research. Such regular ratings provide an idea of the credit worthiness of the institutions so rated. The ratings are simply a message to investors that the rated institution is able or unable to meet its financial obligations. In effect, the rating tells an investor it believes his money will be safer if put in one institution as against the other. So, for instance, an institution rated A – B will be considered a safer bet than one rated C– D. The typical ratings scale ranges from AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, to CCC, CC, C and D, with modifiers such as +/- added in some instance. The triple A is the best-in-class while the D signifies a red flag that investors must avoid. Fitch rated the financial institutions, among other criteria, in terms of their ability to meet both their short and long-term obligations such as interests on debt instruments, preferred dividends, repayment of principal, insurance claims or counterparty obligations.

Of particular interest in the ratings is Stanbic IBTC’s triple A, F1+ ratings, the highest rating possible.

According to Fitch Ratings, “AAA is the highest credit quality. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.”

The triple A “denotes the lowest expectation of default risk” while the F1+ “indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.” Other top banks have also received good ratings ranging from A+ to BBB+. Overall, the Nigerian banking industry remains strong and liquid, a position affirmed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In arriving at these ratings, rating agencies such as Fitch typically consider industry, regulatory, fiscal, environmental, economic, and sometimes political risks. Other criteria considered were the core fundamentals of the rated institutions. So, for instance, such consideration as quality of management, quality of decision making, corporate governance and stability strongly influence the ratings. Fitch said it took account of the strong parental support from Standard Bank Group – an added advantage – which has a majority stake in Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, as the group provides support in such areas as staff training, provision of information technology upgrades and best practice

MD, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Yinka Sanni processes as well as strong corporate governance practices, in arriving at the triple A rating.

The rating is no doubt a reflection of Stanbic IBTC’s strength, strong leadership, liquidity and the firm support of its parent company, the Standard Bank Group, which had been in operation for 153 years. Indeed, Stanbic IBTC was given a similar rating last year after a thorough examination of its credit process and financial results. The institution’s diversified loan portfolio was reviewed with its impact on various sectors of the economy taken into account. Among economic sectors impacted by the financial institution are agriculture, construction, real estate and infrastructure, electricity and other utilities, consumer credit, manufacturing, oil and gas and general commerce. Others are downstream oil and gas, transportation and communications.

In its rating report, Fitch also reviewed the capital adequacy of Stanbic IBTC in compliance with regulations and concluded that it was adequately capitalised with capital adequacy ratio above the regulatory requirement. The liquidity position of Stanbic IBTC was reviewed and its ability to meet foreign currency obligations as they fall due examined. The group was certified as having adequate liquidity to meet both its short and long

term obligations. In essence, what all this means is that Stanbic IBTC is a well-run, financially strong institution that could be trusted to pay its creditors interests on borrowed money and the principal when such falls due.

Stanbic IBTC remains a strong brand despite the harsh operating environment. It has continued to show leadership in several sectors of the economy as it keys into the diversification drive of government by bringing expertise, experience and innovative solutions to businesses and individuals, which is impacting its balance sheet positively. The institution recently restructured its management team to bring in fresh energy and thinking into its operations.

And this is already yielding dividends.

Over the past few years, it has consummated some very big ticket financing projects to burnish its financing credentials and leadership in the corporate and investment banking space. In the real estate sector, Stanbic IBTC is instrumental in birthing the recently commissioned Maryland Mall, the Festival Mall in Festac Town; Ikeja City Mall; Circle Mall, Jakande, Lekki, all in Lagos; Delta City Mall, Warri; and Polo Park Mall, Enugu. It is also a major financier in Oando’s Wing Tower, among others.

In the logistic sector, its vehicle and assets financing unit continues to actualise solid deals in both private and public sector. The bank was a key player in the transformation of the otherwise chaotic transportation system in Lagos State through its financing of the acquisition of buses under the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme of the Lagos State government. Also in the sector, it has subsisting MoUs with major auto dealers like Coscharis, Globe Motors and PAN to provide finance for vehicle acquisition by customers.

Its investments in agriculture cut across the sector’s value chain. It currently offers a wide range of agriculture business solutions which comprise a more responsive processing system for agriculture proposals presented to Stanbic IBTC Bank, improved technical support through precision farming technologies, geographical information system mapping and agronomy services, better and more pragmatic approach to risk profiling of clients supported by a deeper understanding of their business. Stanbic IBTC believes agriculture holds great promise and its stated objective is to play a transformative role in that sector, in partnership with other organizations.

It also continues to grow its retail banking portfolio through strategic expansion of its retail footprint. Last year alone, it opened a number of

As Economy Hurts, Analysts Proffer Solutions to Rising Inflation fact that the overall effect of the uptick in inflation on the economy is negative.

“The capital market is not spared due to the adverse effect it has on investors’ real returns. If the CBN increases the benchmark rate (MPR) in response to the spike in inflation, the stock market will take the hit as investment managers revise their portfolio. The resultant rise in the cost of capital will also affect the bottom lines of quoted companies and depress their share prices. The way forward is not to leave the fight against inflation to monetary policy alone in view of the cost-push nature of the challenge and the limited monetary policy tools available to deal with it.

According to him, “What is therefore required is a confluence of monetary and fiscal policies to address the inflationary pressure in a period of declining output and rising unemployment. Government capital spending in agriculture and infrastructure will go a long way in moderating the inflationary pressure in the near term. This is not the right time to increase the VAT as is being canvassed in some quarters as doing so will plunge the economy into deeper recession. The

panacea for taming inflation in the medium to long term remains diversification of the productive base of the Nigerian economy.”

Furthermore, economist and ex-banker, Dr. Chijioke Ekechukwu, maintained that resuscitating the oil refineries was the right step to forestall further inflationary trends.

According to him, “Increase in Inflation rate is one of the indicators or outcomes of economic downturn. 16.5 per cent inflation rate therefore is not the least rate to expect.

We will expect that banks’ lending rates will continue to rise for the fact that liquidity is threatened and the inflation rate is rising also.”

He said: “Firstly, we need to identify the factors influencing this rise. One of the factors is the instability in the foreign exchange market. An importer buys his products at the exchange rate of N320 per dollar and before the goods come in, rates have risen to N340 per dollar. Apart from increasing his price when he is selling, he will panic before he imports again. The second reason for the high inflation is the non-availability of foreign acceptable currencies for international trade and lack of understanding and clarity

retail outlets to tap into growing opportunities in markets across Lagos, such as in the Computer Village, Ikeja; Orile Market and Satellite Town. And it is a strong player in the small and medium scale enterprise subsector, where it is providing both financing and advisory services to the sector players.

Products such as SME Quick Loan and BizDirect, its virtual business centre to support SMEs, are some of its offerings in that subsector. As part of its support for SMEs, Stanbic IBTC regularly organises seminars for SME operators. Among other benefits, the seminars seek to equip SME operators with financial, marketing, and management skills that they can readily deploy to transform their businesses and grow their bottom lines.

No doubt, Stanbic IBTC’s smart play across key sectors continues to impact positively its cashflow situation and liquidity. Its liquidity position is further strengthened by its market leadership, through its subsidiaries, in Pensions, Asset Management, Custodian Services, Stockbrokerage and Corporate Banking. The pension arm is the leading pension fund administrator in the country, with over 1.4 million customers, a major milestone under the contributory pension scheme. The custodian business was adjudged the best in the country in 2016, the sixth time in a row it was so adjudged, by a global body while Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers won the last two Nigerian Stock Exchange CEO Award as the best stockbrokerage firm in the country.

Perhaps the critical importance of the Fitch rating is that it attests to the health of the banks, making it much easier for them to raise debt capital for their expansion drives. With a triple A, F1+ rating, Stanbic IBTC has a higher chance than other financial institutions of attracting quality investment. Stanbic IBTC’s proposed N30 bond issue, for instance, has a better chance of success with the ratings.

The ratings couldn’t have come at a better time for the financial services industry. The Treasury Single Account, forex scarcity, inflationary pressures and fuel price hike have continued to take a toll on purchasing power, and coupled with the threat of recession, meant there is less business and revenue for the industry players. Dwindling profit levels have necessitated the need for the industry to raise fresh capital. With the general apathy in the capital market, raising capital via the stock exchange remains a daunting task, which leaves debt as the viable option.

The CBN maintains that the banking industry is healthy. Indeed, with these ratings it may be hard to argue against that.

Cont’d from Pg. 19

of new FX policies by the average middle profile importers who constitute about 65 per cent of total importers of the country.

“Thirdly, the continuous use of electricity generators due to incessant power outages will also increase inflation rate as cost of doing business in Nigeria continues to rise due to high cost of diesel. It currently sells for between N190 to N220 per litre. Fourthly, As far as we continue the importation of petroleum products, there will always be pressure on our foreign reserves and resultant pressure on the value of our currency which affects prices of goods and services. Petroleum products constitute the greatest chunk of our FX utilisation.

“The insurgency in the country which is causing the massive importation of military weapons and equipment takes a large toll of our foreign reserves. These equipment cost so much in value. The building of refineries therefore is the right step to forestall further inflationary trends. Every policy that will motivate exportation of goods and services should be encouraged. Local manufacturing should also be given urgent priority. Sometime towards the second quarter of 2017, I expect

a reduction in the inflation rate or at least, stability in the rate.”

On his part, Executive Director, Corporate Finance, BGL Capital Limited, Mr. Femi Ademola opined that the way forward was to lower interest rate and provide affordable funding to the real sector to help domestic production to substitute imports.

He said:” The spike in inflation is expected. With the Naira depreciation and the low supply of products compared to demand, inflation will always go up. As an import-dependent nation, the exchange rate situation leads to a general price increase of all imported goods.

“And the fact that we are experiencing this despite credit constraints to the real sector may have further supported the theory that inflation in Nigeria is not liquidity induced hence the high interest rate is counterproductive. We need to put in place the needed infrastructure and fiscal adjustment to support production and hence lower inflation.

The way forward is to lower interest rate or at least channel affordable funding to the real sector to help domestic production to substitute imports.”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

21

BUSINESS/MONEY

Of Derivatives, Forward and Futures Kunle Aderinokun

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ccording to Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the world’s oldest international financial organisation, $25.443 trillion worth of derivatives, futures and options have been traded as at March 2016. This figure showed marked improvement compared to the 2014 figures of $25.582 trillion and 2015 figures of $25,054 trillion .

This soaring success may not be unconnected with investor’s appetite for derivatives products to hedge risks and improve returns on investment. At the forefront of exchanges providing derivatives is the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group comprising the Chicago Board of Trade, New York Mercantile Exchange. The CME Group, according to statistics, led the other exchanges in 2015 with a trade volume of $3.53billion contracts.

The impact of this global development is not lost on the key exchanges in Nigeria as they have kicked off the process of offering investors in the Nigerian capital market derviatives to deepen.

Prior to 2013, investors in the Nigerian capital and money market were used to the strait jacket investment instruments of stocks, bonds and treasury bills. Better still, these products were in most cases in their simpler form such that those having the desire to invest in more complex instruments such as derivatives could not do so.

Presently, there are three institutions in the country specialised in the mobilising of capital for the purpose of investment whether for short term or long term. They include the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the NASD OTC Securities Exchange and the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange. While, the first two are more concerned with the long-term or capital market perspective, the latter is more focused on the short-term and long-term money market arena. Notwithstanding, they all have to use the instrumentality of various product initiatives to get patronage. Consequently, derivatives as instruments used in the financial market are fast gaining ground.

What is Derivatives?

Investopedia defined a derivative as a security with a price that is dependent upon or derived from one or more underlying assets. By implication, a derivative itself is a contract between two or more parties based upon the asset or assets.

The value of the asset or assets in question is determined by fluctuations in the underlying asset. The most common underlying assets include stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies, interest rates and market indexes.

Derivatives can either be traded over-the-counter (OTC) or on an exchange. Technically speaking, derivatives traded on OTC platform are called Forward Contract while those traded on exchange platform are called Future Contract.

Fundamentally, Forward and Futures Contracts have the same function: both types of contracts allow people to buy or sell a specific type of asset at a specific time at a given price.

In simple terms, the Forward Contract is defined as a customised agreement where two private parties agree to trade a particular asset with each other at an agreed specific price and time in the future.

On the other hand, Futures Contracts are exchange-traded and therefore, are standardised contracts. Like a forward contract, a futures contract includes an agreement upon price and time in the future to buy or sell an asset; usually stocks, bonds, or commodities such as gold or oil.

Basically, the major difference between forwards and futures is that the former are mostly bilateral and are traded over-the-counter. It thus presents various challenges as each party to a forward contract bears inherent risk of defaults of its counterparty. In addition, a forward contract is usually custom made, that is, created to hedge a specific risk which in turn presents the problem of finding a counterparty. It is also acknowledged that forward markets are not as liquid as futures market therefore making it difficult for forward contracts to change hands.

On the other hand, because of the standardised nature of a futures contract coupled with the fact that it is traded on an exchange, the futures are highly liquid-that is, they are traded quickly without stress. In addition, futures market mitigates the risk of a counterparty default because investors are required to post margins on their trade and all trades are cleared through a Clearing Counterparty (CCP). It is important to state here that the CCPs assume counterparty risk in a derivatives exchange.

Exchange traded derivatives have become increasingly popular because of the advantages they have over over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, such as standardisation, liquidity, and elimination of default risk. Futures and options are two of the most popular exchange traded derivatives.

Recent Developments in Nigeria Derivatives Market With recent and pending developments, the Nigerian capital market is bound to witness an escalation in the use of derivative instruments. The Nigerian Stock Exchange

Trading floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange

(NSE), has disclosed plan to commence trading in derivatives.

The proposed introduction is in fulfillment of the exchange’s decision to introduce five asset classes in five years. Similarly, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Financial Markets Dealers Quotation (FMDQ) OTC market recently launched the Naira-settled OTC FX futures market.

NSE Efforts at Launching Derivatives To further promote and continuously drive the development of a more transparent, liquid, accessible market, with an appropriate market structure, the NSE has reached advanced stages toward the launch of derivatives. According to the CEO of the NSE, Oscar N. Onyema, the exchange is intensifying efforts to develop the necessary infrastructure and frameworks to launch derivative products in the market. “Ingrained within the establishment of the derivatives market is the need to create a Central Counterparty Clearing house (CCP), which is primarily responsible for providing efficiency and stability in the derivative clearing and settlements process, while ultimately reducing systemic risk in the market”.

“The CCP will be a market-wide initiative encompassing various stakeholders in the financial system ranging from deposit money financial institutions to other securities exchanges.

“This approach ensures critical stakeholder buy-in pertinent to the overall success of the derivatives business, as well as inherently spreading manageable risks to the relevant parties who are better positioned to mitigate appropriately,” he said.

The exchange-traded derivatives market, which goes live this year at the NSE, is in line with the exchange’s market deepening initiatives aimed at providing a range of products that will allow investors to create well-diversified portfolios of uncorrelated asset classes.

FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange Efforts at Launching Derivatives The Naira-settled OTC FX Futures market has been kicked

Ingrained within the establishment of the derivatives market is the need to create a Central Counterparty Clearing house (CCP), which is primarily responsible for providing efficiency and stability in the derivative clearing and settlements process, while ultimately reducing systemic risk in the market

off by the CBN and FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange on June 27, 2016. The naira-settled OTC FX futures market started with the CBN selling the OTC FX futures contracts of non-standardised amounts for different tenors from one month through to 12 months, which will settle on bespoke maturity dates, providing liquidity in the product that will enable corporate treasurers effectively and efficiently manage their forex risk.

The Naira-settled OTC FX Futures has been defined by experts as a non-deliverable forwards i.e. contracts that obligate the counterparties to purchase or sell a specific currency (the US Dollar, which is a notional amount) on a predetermined future date (the settlement date) for a fixed rate agreed on the date the contracts were entered into (trade date).

Simply put, the Naira-settled OTC FX Futures contracts can be used to hedge a corporate’s exposure to FX (in this situation, the US Dollar) whereby the rate at which the corporate will purchase (or sell) FX at a period of time in the future is predetermined and fixed. There is no obligation for the physical delivery of the currencies (Naira or US Dollar) and at maturity, net-settlement will be made in Naira based on the US Dollar notional amount, and determined by the difference between the agreed rate (on trade date) and spot FX rate (on settlement date).

Ahead of the establishment of a Central Counterparty (CCP), the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System PLC (NIBSS) will act as the clearing and settlement infrastructure for the margining and settlement of the OTC FX Futures contracts. CBN, through the FMDQ OTC FX Futures Trading & Reporting System, will offer the Naira-settled OTC FX Futures contracts to all Authorised Dealers (and may, in addition, deal directly with its FXPDs on a two-way quote basis) who will in turn offer same to customers with trade-backed transactions.

Role of Investor Education Derivatives are a great vehicle for hedging and managing risk; they enhance liquidity and price discovery. However, they are complicated and one should understand them before taking on any trades. The Nigerian capital and investment market is advancing rapidly, only those with a good understanding of the market can take advantage of the opportunities it offers hence operators must do all they can to expand the reach of participants thereby improving the economy generally.

From all indications, derivatives will continue to be used as a tool for risk reduction and efficient portfolio management.

As Nigeria positions itself to take advantage of the benefits of these dynamic financial instruments, it may be useful for regulators to provide clarity as to what can be traded in an exchange and OTC. Currently, the CBN spot and forwards are being called futures with Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) used as clearing instead of a standard CCP. The regulators of the SROs should champion an investor education to avoid ambiguity that could scare investors particularly international ones, who are very keen on investing the capital market.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEY/MEDIA

Lafarge Africa : Positioning for Growth through Investments in the Economy

Following release of the second quarter financial results of Lafarge Africa Plc, which show that its bottom line was negatively impacted by the devaluation of the naira , Kunle Aderinokun reports that despite lacklustre Q2 results , the cement giant seems poised for a return to profitability on the back of significant investment in its operations

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ecently, Lafarge Africa Plc released its financial results for the second quarter (Q2) of this year, which revealed that it realised a total revenue of N107 billion. Were it for only the cost of sales and associated operating expenses, the company’s profit and loss account would ordinarily have been in the positive zone.

But unforeseen circumstances soured its Q2 performance. Besides the cost of sales N92.225 billion, which was reduced from N98 billion in the corresponding period of 2015 and N12.2 billion distribution/ administrative and other expenses cut down from N14 billion of the previous year, its revenue of N30.18 billion also further dipped by N28.5 billion on account on the higher cost of servicing foreign currency loans after the naira’s effective devaluation . Of note is the diminished production as the cement company was significantly impacted by gas supply shortages in the South West & East Nigeria operations with occasional plant repair works.

Lafarge had issued a profit warning that its Q2 2016 earnings would be materially impacted by a N28.0billion unrealised foreign exchange loss.

In his comment on the results, the Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa, Mr. Michel Puchercos, noted that, “In spite of the macroeconomic challenges and market uncertainties, our company will continue to deliver good performance with significant upsides to come as we conclude on the integration journey to form Lafarge Africa Plc. The new organisation is much stronger and better positioned to deliver operational excellence and improve value to our shareholders.”

Nevertheless, Lafarge Africa, the building solutions expert and major cement manufacturer, may have attained significant level of confidence and stability after taking stock of challenges, investments and assets acquisition for the second quarter of 2016.

Acquisition of 100% Shares of UNICEM Lafarge moved up from being a majority shareholder (53%) in UNICEM in 2015 to acquiring the cement company fully during the first half of 2016.

UNICEM established in 2002 after acquiring the assets of former Calabar

bought into a N60 billion naira bond issuance by Lafarge Africa PLC to refinance the naira component of UNICEM’s debt.

The N60 Billion bond was raised successfully from the debt market, to refinance the UNICEM’s Naira denominated debt at a lower interest rate.

This was the largest corporate bond issuance in Nigeria.

Puchercos

Cement Company (CalCemCo), is a Greenfield cement manufacturing plant at Mfamosing, Akamkpa Local Government, 40km north-east of Calabar, the Cross River State Capital.

The Mfamosing plant, a modern production facility with an annual production capacity of 2.5 million tons was inaugurated on May 2009, with an expanded product portfolio. UNICEM currently offers to customers’ two cement products catering for general purpose and specialized applications.

On September 2, 2014, UNICEM performed a ground breaking ceremony to raise its capacity by 2.5 million metric tons to double its production strength.

The new line Lafarge says, is expected to be completed and commissioned in the 4th quarter of this year.

Lafarge currently has a total of $495 million in external borrowing on its book which are debts contracted by UNICEM. In a sign of confidence in UNICEM’s operations, Nigerian lenders last month

Forex Reforms Impact Given the current exchange rate environment, which has seen the dollar gaining against the naira and other international currencies, Lafarge says actions are being implemented to restructure and refinance the USD denominated debt.

These loans were largely used to fund the expansion projects which will add an additional 2.5MTpa cement capacity to the current production capacity of UNICEM as well as that of the group.

In a profit update of the company based on unaudited financial statements for the period ended 30th June 2016, made available to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Lafarge said the adjustment in the value of the naira against the USD will not affect the manufacturer’s immediate cash flow.

It also noted that foreign exchange reforms put in place by the Central Bank of Nigeria recently will lead to higher cost of servicing foreign exchange loans in the short term, but in the long term allow a refinancing of external loans and thus significant interest payment savings.

The company says it sees the naira adjustment as a one-time occurrence which will lead to future benefits. However, in the short-term it was an opportunity which the company will seize to refinance the USD denominated component of Unicem’s debt by the end of 2016.

Lafarge believes the CBN’s reform of the interbank foreign exchange will improve foreign lenders confidence in the Nigerian market.

From Gas to Alternative Fuels Lafarge recorded bold innovative steps in the period under review, which is capable of insulating the company from disruptions due to gas supply shortages, as it commenced migration to alternative energy fuels.

Specifically the company is on galloping speed to place as many of its plants as

possible on alternative fuels, given a breach of gas infrastructure by militants in the Niger delta, which resulted in gas supply being restricted to 30 per cent of normal volumes in the company.

The company reported that the negative impact which lasted for only eight weeks and particularly affected operations in the Sagamu plant, would be forestalled in the future through the use of alternative sources of energy.

“Industrial operations were significantly impacted by gas supply shortages in the South West & East Nigeria operations with occasional plant repair works. As a result, EBITDA stood at N12 Billion, as against N48 Billion in H1 2015,” Puchercos stated.

Consolidating Growth The South African cement operations reported solid volume growth, with cement sales volume up by 8 per cent against H1 2015, and a steady aggregates volume in H1 2016. Overall sales was stable compared to H1 2015, reflecting the impact of the competitive pricing environment.

A Rewarding Future Anticipating a cement market that will be mainly driven by the Individual Home Segment with a marginal contribution from the public sector, the building solutions expert say they expect the second half of the year to be more rewarding.

“We expect to benefit from the synergies of our integrated operations, in spite of the gas shortages. Our objective is to deliver innovative and good quality building solutions to meet the specific needs of our customers, while also achieving good value creation for our shareholders.

“The South African market will remain challenging, but with the reinforced sales team and route to market strategies, financial performance is expected to improve.

In aggregates and concrete, the company will continue to benefit from its strong network to drive business growth.

“Our ReadyMix business will continue to secure high quality contracts to deliver strong performance in the second half of the year.

“Our objective is to deliver innovative and good quality building solutions to meet the specific needs of our customers, while also achieving good value creation for our shareholders,” Puchercos noted.

Boosting e-Commerce with Mall for Africa Nseobong Okon-Ekong

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relatively new entrant into the international e-commerce space, Mall for Africa is the ace e-commerce platform established to break down barriers to international commerce by addressing the needs of foreign exchange and global shipping Founded by Chris Folayan and Tope Folayan, Mall for Africa, was established as a bridge to the world and a solution to the peculiar challenges experienced by the Nigerian/ African shopper.

The concept of the business is based on the need to provide a seamless, easy, secure and efficient way for Africans to shop directly from international stores.”

It is the first–of-its-kind online mall which would allow Nigerian shoppers buy online without having to bother endlessly about picking up and forwarding purchases.

Currently operational in Nigeria, Kenya, the UK and the US, it has a market expansion vision of providing service across sub-Saharan Africa and including on its list of stores Nigerian businesses, who seek to expand their service provisions across the continent.

Mall for Africa exists to make life easy for individual buyers, business owners and procurement officials. Through its application and on line platform, buyers can shop any store in the UK and the US such as Amazon, E-bay and have their items delivered anywhere in the Country.

They can select the items they want and with four clicks have the items purchased and shipped to them in Africa.”

Customers have access to over 180 stores in various categories such as fashion,

electronics, auto parts, and much more A further advantage to shopping with Mall for Africa is the elimination of needless extra luggage charges. Gone are the days where customers would depend on the good will or convenience of relatives and friends coming into the country to get their purchased items delivered to them; or even having to deal with the challenges relating to purchases getting shipped to the wrong locations from where retrieval becomes an issue. Mall for Africa is a safer, cheaper and easy alternative.

Furthermore Mall for Africa is able to give reduced shipping costs through its bulk purchase orders. The platform is able to deliver purchases way below quoted costs of online stores who have recently begun shipping directly to Nigeria.

Before the advent of Mall for Africa, the situation of shopping online from reputable UK and US stores was highly challenging because of the constant denial of Nigerian

payment sources, coupled with the refusal of most stores to ship directly to Nigerian Markets.

One can also shop without a daily access limit, use a regular bank card, return wrongly ordered or non-fitting purchases within the stipulated timelines.

In addition to normal shopping, customers also have access to all the Discounts and special deals such as Seasonal Sales and Special offers To order items, customers simply need to download the MFA application, create an account at www.mallforafrica.com, purchase their chosen items and select their shipping/payment methods.

Customers have the option of home delivery or receive their goods through pick up points.

MFA currently has pickup locations in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Bayelsa and Warri with plans to expand to other cities soon.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

23

BUSINESS/ENERGY

A Dicey Reversal of New Electricity Tariff

In a milestone court judgement, Justice Idris Abubakar of the Federal High Court in Lagos, annulled the electricity rates used for supply of electricity to consumers by the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos), saying it was illegal and should not have been approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Chineme Okafor writes on what this means to stakeholders

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wo weeks ago, a Federal High Court in Lagos ruled that the recent upward review of electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) was illegal and should not stand.

The trial judge, Idris Abubakar, subsequently directed a reversal to the status quo, and restrained NERC from further increasing electricity rates in the country without complying with the provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005, which empowers NERC to make laws and orders fit for the operations of Nigeria’s electricity market.

In passing its judgment against the tariff, the court had granted a lawyer and rights activist, Mr. Toluwani Adebiyi, his request that NERC should not approve new tariff for electricity Discos without ensuring commensurate improvement in electricity supply.

Adebiyi had in 2015 instituted a legal action against NERC’s approval of new tariff regime for the Discos.

He filed the suit believing that it was illegal and dishonest of NERC to effect a hike in electricity tariff when power supply in the country was abysmal.

He reportedly took out the court action to push the regulator to act as a fair and balanced umpire in electricity transactional relationships between consumers and Discos. Adebiyi like most Nigerians wanted improvement in power supply to them before tariff increment.

He, thus, sought an order restraining NERC from implementing any upward review of tariff without a significant improvement in power supply, and prayed the court to restrain NERC from foisting compulsory service levies on the use of pre-paid meters until they are designed to read charges per second of consumption.

His action and victory were lauded by consumers but not NERC and the Discos who insisted the court judgment was overkill and a huge threat to investment in the power sector.

Both have since obtained a legal stay of execution on the judgment. They have also appealed against it insisting that the judgment was a major setback on the progress made so far in the privatised power market.

Specifically, NERC, which said it was studying the judgment to make a spirited defence of its action when it takes to the court again, described it as a reversal of the commercial foundation of power contracts which the country entered with investors in the sector when it privatised in 2013.

Stating that the basis for age-long poor electricity supply in Nigeria was because of poor investments to upgrade critical assets and expand generation, transmission and distribution capacities, NERC said it was for these reasons that such cost reflective tariff was introduced.

It said critical investments were needed to improve power supply in Nigeria and that the government cannot provide such pool of funds demanded to make the improvement, hence the privatisation and provision of cost-efficient tariff which Adebiyi contested against and won at the High Court.

According to the acting Chairman of NERC, Dr. Anthony Akah, the judgment had more in losses than profit to Nigerian electricity consumers. Akah said the ultimate destination of the power privatisation policy of the government was to ensure stability in power supply. He however noted that such stability would be guaranteed by continuous addition in the capacities of the sector at its various endpoints of generation, transmission and distribution.

These additions, he noted, warrant that consumers pay commensurate rates for the volume of electricity they consume. Akah equally said, the regulator, in approving the cost-reflective tariff, had put in place mechanisms to protect consumers from exploitation.

“This judgement in our view is a setback to the progress made so far in the electricity sector.Therefore, we will challenge this decision. We have instructed our lawyer to appeal. Consequently, the commission

Electric power palnt

has filed for stay of execution and a notice of appeal of the judgement,”said Akah.

He further said:“We understand that private power production and distribution are relatively new in Nigeria and that development such as this court ruling must be seen in that context as the laws begin to face judicial tests of interpretations.

“We believe that ultimately, everybody and all institutions will come to better understanding of the values of the choice we have made as a nation to privatise the power sector.”

“It (judgment) represents the reversal of the commercial foundation upon which contracts for gas, hydro, coal and solar feedstock for the production of electricity have been predicated.

“The ultimate destination of a commercialised electricity market is to achieve stability and adequacy in the supply of electricity to satisfy the yearning of Nigerians for adequate, safe and reliable electricity supply, the judgement would set back the sector’s achievement of these,”the acting chairman added.

He denied that the regulator was in romance with the operators to fleece consumers, saying that subject to each stakeholders group playing their roles, there are service level agreements the operators had signed with the government and from which key performance indicators were expected.

The regulator’s views were further buttressed by the Discos, who insisted that the judgement was not in the interest of the sector and Nigerians.

Citing the poor state of electricity supply in the country before they took over operations in 2013, the 11 Discos said Nigerians would have to choose between working with them to improve the system for their benefits, and going back to darkness which they said has always being the case.

Through their association, the Association of Nigeria’s Electricity Distributors (ANED), they stated that the 2015 tariff which the law court disbanded was not even sufficiently cost reflective, and that they still have difficulties operating to meet the demands of consumers in their networks.

They explained that public electricity services in the country would have to be priced appropriately for steady investments and improvements to be recorded, and that anything other than that would amount to nothing.

The Executive Director of ANED, Mr. Sunday Oduntan, also alleged that NERC knew that the

2015 tariff was inadequate to attract investment in the sector because it was not absolutely cost reflective.

He said NERC and the government have for more than two years failed to live up to the agreement it reached with the Discos that a cost-reflective tariff will be allowed in the sector to attract investments into it.

He noted that good financial inflows were required to continue to improve the sector’s capacities but that a reversal in the tariff would deny the sector of such inflows and cut back its expansion plans.

Oduntan also said Nigerians who used electricity without paying, or steal power from their networks through meter by-pass; vandalism of assets; and beating up of operator’s staff were not fair to the Discos and sectors. He explained that the Discos can only distribute available electricity to their consumers.

“Nigerians have an option between light and darkness. If we need darkness, let us continue the way we are going now. Let’s continue to say they should reverse the tariff, let’s continue to steal energy, let’s continue to vandalise gas pipelines, let’s continue not paying our bills.

“If we continue, darkness looms, if we can change we can increase the power supply. We can progress gradually from incremental to stable to uninterrupted power supply, but we can’t achieve this without the cooperation of everybody.

“Inappropriate tariff leads to shortfall, shortfall leads to funding gap and funding gap leads to inefficiency, because we will not be able to give appropriate service,”said Oduntan.

He further stated:“Part of the agreement at preprivatisation was that appropriate tariff will be given.

The problem we have had ever since is that two and half years down the line the government did not fulfil their pledge. They did not keep their side of the agreement and that has affected us.”

“On the 1st of November 2013, we were supposed to have an average of N24 per kilowatt hour across board and all we had was N11 per kilowatt hour.

Over that period till now, you are talking of a huge funding gap.

“Today the funding gap is over N300 billion and that shortfall somebody needs to pay for it. What we are saying in essence is that we need to ensure that the product is appropriately priced. The MYTO 2.0, 2.1 and 2.1 amended, NERC was just playing to the gallery.

“They knew they got it wrong when they started and everything they tried to do to get it right did not measure up, the funding gap continued. It was only the one they did on December 22, 2015 that measured up. But we couldn’t understand why they said it should commence on February 1, after they have left office.

“That also left January with another huge gap. We are asking that the product should be appropriately priced and it is the job of NERC to ensure that. We all know how much it cost to produce electricity.

So, the shortfall keeps growing in the industry,” Oduntan explained.

He complained of chronic debt owed the Discos by recalcitrant consumers, saying,“We need a change of culture for people to learn to pay their bills instead of stealing energy. The MDAs, particularly the Nigerian military need to wake up and begin to have a culture of paying for what they consume. I am appealing to them to pay, if people don’t pay for the product we can never have electricity in this country.”

But Consumers Think Otherwise…

Irrespective of the reasons adduced by both NERC and the Discos to support the tariff increase and spurn the court judgement, electricity consumers in the country feel otherwise.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which represents the country’s working class said, in its reaction to the court judgement, that it was a comfortable development. NLC had in the past protested against the tariff increment, saying that it was not in the interest of workers and Nigerians.

Other consumer groups like the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), which is one of the biggest energy users in the country, have also voiced their support for the judgement on the premise that it represented their earlier complaints that it was too heavy and unfriendly to their operations.

NLC’s president, Ayuba Wabba, said it was a courageous judgment the congress was pleased with. He said it was a breather for Nigerians against exploitation by the Discos.

The congress also requested the regulator and operators to observe all the conditions precedent in the sales agreement with the government before increasing rates, thus questioning the Discos’claims that the reversal would cut back their funding and expansion plans.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

With recession, tougher times are ahead for Nigerians

Averting a Long Recession…

Indications that the Nigerian economy would be in recession this year became rife with the latest forecast of the International Monetary Fund released last week and the admission by government that the economy was ‘technically in recession.’ But with the right mix of measures by the fiscal and monetary authorities, the dark days may not last, writes Kunle Aderinokun

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he International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that the Nigerian economy would contract by 1.8 per cent this year. With this projection, the fund has officially cut its April Regional Economic Outlook GDP growth rate forecast of 2.3 per cent for the year, which it earlier lowered from 3.2 per cent growth rate estimation published in February. Effectively, by the IMF calculation, the economy would witness a recession this year.

The Bretton Woods institution, however, predicted that the economy would bounce back with a growth rate of 1.1 per cent in 2017, even the figures are way down from the 3.5 per cent it earlier projected for the next year.

The IMF, which gave its latest submission on Nigeria, amongst other countries, in its World Economic Outlook (WEO) Update released last Tuesday, cited “foreign currency shortages as a result of lower oil receipts, low power generation, and weak investor confidence.”

The Fund noted that it cut its forecasts for global economic growth this year and next as the unexpected UK vote to leave the European Union creates a wave of uncertainty amid already-fragile business and consumer confidence.

According to the IMF WEO Update, “The

Brexit vote implies a substantial increase in economic, political, and institutional uncertainty, which is projected to have negative macroeconomic consequences, especially in advanced European economies.”

“Brexit has thrown a spanner in the works,” said Maurice Obstfeld, IMF Chief Economist and Economic Counsellor. And with the event still unfolding, the report says that it is still very difficult to quantify potential repercussions.

Apparently giving a foretaste of what was to come, few days ago, Senior Resident Representative, IMF Nigeria, Gene Leon, said Nigerian economy would probably contract this year citing shortages in energy and the delay in the passage of the 2016 budget by the National Assembly. According to him, these factors have affected the national output, especially in the first half of the year and notwithstanding how better the economy performs in the second half, the positive growth would not “be sufficiently fast, sufficiently rapid to be able to negate the outcome of” the first and second quarters.

Leon, who gave these indications on behalf of the Bretton Woods institution in Abuja was quoted as saying, “I think there is a high likelihood that the year 2016 as a whole will be a contractionary year.”

The statement, however, contradicts the Fund’s earlier GDP growth rate forecast of

2.3 per cent for the year, cut down from the 3.2 per cent projected in February, which was alluded to in the Staff Report

Amid the fear of imminent recession, the CBN, which had also warned that the factors that contributed to the negative growth output (some of which were also highlighted by the IMF) still existed, had at its May Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting therefore moved to buoy the economy, necessitating the adoption of flexible foreign exchange regime and leaving the monetary policy rates unchanged at 12 per cent

published at the end of the 2016 Article IV Consultation on Nigeria in April. The World Bank toed the line of the IMF by lowering its forecast to 0.8 per cent in May, citing weakness from the disruptions of oil output by the Niger Delta militants and low prices of crude oil at the international market.

Acknowledging that the economy is in recession , the federal government, however, urged all and sundry to ignore the recent projections from the IMF that the Nigerian economy would be vulnerable to global shocks. According to the Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, who briefed the Senate last Thursday, the IMF forecast is a ruse.

Adeosun, who stated that even though the economy was ‘technically in recession” it would be short-lived as she was optimistic that it would bounce back by the third quarter of the year.

According to her, IMF projections were not necessarily in tandem with reality, insisting that she remained confident in the potential of the Nigerian economy to weather the current economic crisis.

“I am not too worried about IMF projections. I will tell you why: The IMF, one of its functions is global economic surveillance.

They equally issued a negative report on Britain as a result of Brexit.

“But I don’t think we should panic every time IMF speaks. I think we need to be

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

BUSINESS/ECONOMY Averting a Long Recession…

Adeosun

confident about what we are doing and where we are going. I remain extremely confident as I said.

“IMF has given its projections which is that we may continue to go into negative territory and I am not sure what we have seen suggests that.

“Agricultural output seems to be going up… That tells you that things are moving in the right direction,” she said.

Her optimism that the economy would come out stronger was predicated o n the policies and programmes that the government had put in place to address the downturn.

Besides, the finance minister was elated that fuel subsidies had been totally eliminated, adding that the petroleum products in the country were now market-driven, as the subsidy removal by the government had paved the way for healthy competition among oil marketers.

“Is Nigeria in recession? Technically, if you go into two quarters of negative growth.

Technically, we are in recession but I don’t think we should dwell on definitions. I think we should really dwell on where we are going.

“I think if we are in a recession, what I will like to say is we are going to come out of it and it will be a very short one because the policies that we have will ensure that we don’t go below where we need to go and I think with what we are doing, we will begin to turn the corner by the third quarter.

“I can confirm there is no more subsidy.

It is a market-driven price and indeed, one of the good things that we are now seeing is that prices have actually been coming down.

“There is now competition between filling stations for market share which is a good thing, which means overtime, the market will continue to correct itself,” she said.

But the IMF conclusion that the economy would contract did not come as a surprise as the National Bureau of Statistics had reported that the economy contracted in the first quarter. And the CBN had warned that the economy would enter recession if a negative GDP growth is recorded in the second quarter. According to recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the economy contracted to about 0.36 per cent in the first quarter of the year, the first time in over a decade.

Some experts fear that the economy might have shrunk further in the second quarter, which ended in June, a development they say would lead to recession.

Amid the fear of imminent recession, the CBN, which had also warned that the factors that contributed to the negative growth output (some of which were also highlighted by the IMF) still existed, had

Cont’d from Pg. 24

CBN Governor , Godwin Emefiele

at its May Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting therefore moved to buoy the economy, necessitating the adoption of flexible foreign exchange regime and leaving the monetary policy rate unchanged at 12 per cent.

The fiscal authority has also moved to reflate the economy with the release of N235.916 billion of the N1.587 trillion capital for MDAs. However, economic analysts and observers have reacted to the latest IMF growth projection and expressed their opinion as to the direction the economy would take.

Acknowledging the efforts of the federal government, a former managing director of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Seni Adetu, said “the government is evidently making significant efforts to course-correct and get the economy back on track in the second half. “ According to him, “The recent removal of the Forex restrictions and subsequent floating of the naira will surely help restore some investor confidence and this should boost the economy. Additionally, a fast-tracked and flawless implementation of the 2016 budget will help reverse this contraction in this half, even if the government itself has been transparent enough in admitting only a partial implementation is achievable.

Therefore, it seems to me that some of the economy-inducing initiatives of the second half will impact more on 2017; and so you question whether the expected improvement of the second half will be sufficient to compensate for the poor first half – and that is where I get IMF’s point, and I am disposed to making sense of it.”

But time would tell if the measures adopted by the monetary and fiscal authorities are effective.

However, Director General, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), Prof. Akpan Ekpo, agreed with the IMF saying, “The IMF is correct in saying that the Nigerian economy will contract further in 2016.”

“Already”, Ekpo pointed out, “the economy is in a recession and it is a special type because it is affecting both the demand and supply sides of the economy.”

“With insufficient revenue government would have serious challenges in trying to reflate the economy. With marginal rise in global oil prices, government is unable to benefit because of the activities of Niger Delta Avengers. Declining revenue from oil would affect foreign reserves and the recent forex framework of the CBN would heighten speculation and uncertainty.”

Ekpo posited that, “If the recession persists and the economy enters a depression then the worse should be expected. The economy has no fiscal buffers. What is needed now is the articulation and implementation of

IMF MD, Christine Lagarde

robust fiscal policy to restore growth. It should be noted that the IMF is part of the problem based on their one-size-fits-all policy advice.”

Similarly, Executive Director, Corporate Finance, BGL Capital, Femi Ademola, stated that, “the comment by Mr Gene Leon that the Nigerian economy will probably contract this year is very accurate considering the performance of the economy since the beginning of the year.”

He added that, “In addition, to the decline in economic growth from 6.23 per cent in 2014 to 2.79 per cent in 2015, the Nigerian economy recorded a negative GDP growth of 0.36 per cent in the first quarter of 2016.

Although the culprit was the lull in economic activities in the country since the middle of 2015 due to the change in government and the consistently low price of oil in the international market, the delay on the passing of the budget for the fiscal year 2016 also contributed to the decline in economic growth.”

“While the budget has been passed since the middle of the second quarter, the capital votes have not been released for implementation due to the combined challenges for bureaucratic bottlenecks and the loss of national revenue due to the resume restiveness in the oil producing Niger Delta region of the country. These problems would likely result in another negative growth in GDP for the second quarter of the year. In economic parlance, when an economy witnessed a negative GDP growth for two or more consecutive quarters, then a contraction has occurred,”

I think if we are in a recession, what I will like to say is we are going to come out of it and it will be a very short one because the policies that we have will ensure that we don’t go below where we need to go and I think with what we are doing, we will begin to turn the corner by the third quarter

he lamented.

Ademola, however, believed “if the country eventually reports positive economic growth for the remaining two quarters in the year, it could be out of recession by early 2017,” pointing out that, “this would require a quick and massive release of capital and the deployment of resources to infrastructure spending to boost economic activities.”

To an investment manager/analyst, Tola Odukoya, “the position of the IMF is not news given the obvious headwinds that have exerted downward pressure on the performance of the Nigerian economy for almost two years, the effect of which we are now beginning to see.”

Odukoya explained that, “at the macro level, the softening of the global oil market led to weak revenue generation for Nigeria thereby weakening government’s revenue profile and the domestic currency, lower consumption, savings and investments while inflation is rising.”

“Meanwhile, at the micro level, there is a clear drop in demand as average household income has contracted - due in part to rising unemployment, whilst industries continue to grapple with the challenge of lower capacity utilisation amongst other issues,” he added.

In his own analysis, the Chief Executive Officer, Global Analytics Consulting, Tope Fasua, lamented that, “the painful aspect is our reliance on IMF and the rest to help us set direction for the economy” even though, he admitted that, “in truth they pay more attention to the analytics and statistics than we do.”

He believed that, rather than relying on the IMF, “we should define our own track and run on it.”

According to him, “What has probably been lacking is the imagination to take the economy through a totally different trajectory. There is no reason why our economy should not grow by 10 per cent each year. The trick is to unlock productivity via mass mobilisation. Some of us advised on this but the economy seem stuck on flogging dead horses. Yes, if we continue the way we have, wasting a lot of time and alienating the productive sectors of the economy, IMF would be proven right.”

Going forward, Adetu said, “The important thing going forward is that we focus on doing the right things – remove any ambiguity around our medium to long term economic strategy and cascade to the key shareholders so that investor confidence is fully restored, boost local production, intensify efforts at improving our infrastructure and diversifying our economy.”

“It is sad that we are now sounding like broken records on these necessary interventions,” he however added.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

INTERVIEW

Cole: Why We are Partnering for Sustainable Reduction in Poverty, Hunger

With an estimated 1.3 billion people living in extreme poverty across the globe, the quest for food security as enshrined in the sustainable development goals is gaining global prominence. Recently, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Fund (UN SDG-F), Sahara Group, Kaduna State Government and Roca Brothers (foremost chefs in the world) unveiled the ‘Food Africa’ project in Kaduna to promote food security. In this interview with Chineme Okafor, the Executive Director and Co-founder, Sahara Group, Mr. Tonye Cole, spoke on the importance of the project which is ultimately expected to enhance inclusive growth in the African food industry. Excerpts

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and access to a network of committed stakeholders. In the same vein, the project provides a platform for partnership between the various stakeholders to offer trainings and mentoring services to rural farmers in Kaduna in order to help them develop and improve their farming techniques and methods to meet global standards, providing a platform to learn and understand the business and commercial aspect of agriculture value chain as well as also providing access to a network of committed product off takers.

ow much of a threat would you say poverty represents to communities and nations across the globe?

Poverty is a serious threat to communities and nations globally. Apart from the fact that people die daily from starvation due to poverty, the constantly increasing gap between the rich and the poor has accounted for further strife, violence and conflicts in many regions of the world. Some world bank reports have stated that nearly half of the world’s population - more than 3 billion people live on less than $2.50 a day, more than 1.3 billion live in extreme poverty - less than $1.25 a day and 1 billion children worldwide are living in poverty. According to UNICEF, 22,000 children die each day due to poverty. The statistics are very disheartening hence the need to develop sustainable solutions required to reduce the threat to humanity.

How will sustainability be enshrined into the project?

Considering the fact that Sahara has over the years nurtured businesses from incubation to maturity, we have along with our partners developed and designed an appropriate framework during the project conceptualisation to ensure ownership of project by beneficiaries hence guarantying sustainability.

The project beneficiaries will be empowered with the right skills, training, resources and network connections that will guaranty the sustainability of the project.

How is Sahara involved in attempts to cutback the incidences of poverty?

Are there plans to replicate this project elsewhere?

Through multiple partnerships with public and private sector organisations, Sahara has been involved in the implementation of several economic empowerment programmes within and beyond our locations across the globe. Most of the projects involved provision of platforms for skill acquisition for indigent and disadvantaged beneficiaries to promote inclusion and socio-economic growth. The recently launched ‘Food Africa’ project is another platform we believe will enhance the campaign against poverty on a massive scale given the involvement of local, regional and global partners.

Upon successful implementation of the project in Kaduna State, we are confident that we will be in the position to replicate the project in other locations within Nigeria and ultimately in other African nations. We are gradually developing the required network to make this possible working in concert with the UNSDGF and other UN agencies in Africa.

From all indication, we expect that the Food Africa project would ultimately become a model that can be replicated across the globe.

How did the Food Africa project emerge and what is the focus of the project?

What then does its formal launch in Kaduna mean for Nigeria?

The Food Africa project, a very first of its kind is the product of a partnership between Sahara Group, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals- Fund (SDG-F) and the Kaduna State Government aimed at empowering the people of Kaduna State and alleviating poverty through food security.

The project was birthed after the SDG-F looked to the private sector as a possible contributor to the success of sustainable goals particularly because they had observed in multiple countries across the world, many private companies had carried out very successful and thriving CSR projects with little or no involvement of the host governments.

The agriculture initiative aims to integrate the entire food value chain - the farmer, wholesaler, retailer and consumer – using a forward/backward integration approach that would help improve the farmers, their farming techniques and reduction in farm produce wastages, thereby providing a sustainable source of food security, poverty eradication, skill acquisition and social inclusiveness.

The target is for the project to touch at least 500,000 beneficiaries - 30 per cent direct beneficiaries and 70 per cent indirect beneficiaries - providing families with better nutrition, and livelihood opportunities are estimated to benefit from the project over a five year period.

Who are the partners involved in the project and their inputs?

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Fund (SDG-F), Sahara Group, UN specialized agencies, Kaduna State Government and Roca Brothers of Spain who were recently given the award of the best restaurant in the world.

The SDG Fund and Sahara Group will be responsible for project design and will together provide the bulk of the co-financing, mobilise matching fund contributions and oversee the preparation of the work plan in agreement with all partners. They will jointly chair the biannual trustees committee, assume overall oversight of the project implementation, provide guidance to the project management office and oversee the appointment and development of the capacities of the processing facility management.

UN specialised agencies will assume responsibility for technical assistance in their core areas of expertise and implementing

Cole

those activities agreed upon in the work plan, including the feasibility, baseline and market studies, training of farmers, cooperatives and farmer-based organisations, occupational and safety and health.

The Roca Brothers will contribute to overall technical oversight to the project. They provide their technical expertise, including the sharing of best practices in resource efficiency, recycling and recovering of waste as secondary resources to help optimise the operations of the processing facility. They will play a key role in establishing the Centre of Excellence, through “training-of-trainers” modality to build the capacity of a team of local trainers.

The Rocas’ team will also contribute to the communications and advocacy campaign. Kaduna State Government will provide the land upon which the facility will be constructed and other arable land within the identified local government areas in addition to access to utilities and all-year round armed security for the facility. The state government will collaborate with other state-level stakeholders to improve local infrastructure and including rural roads to allow access to the facility and farmland and will share relevant policy information, databases, etc. at its disposal. They would also play a vital role in assisting in the identification of potential farmers that would take part in the out-grower’s scheme.

You recently unveiled your extrapreneurship framework for corporate responsibility, how does the Food Africa project key into this?

The extrapreneurship is a cross sectoral collaboration that identifies creates and connects young people with business interests in emerging markets through skills training, mentoring

Very symbolic. The enthusiasm expressed by the local farmers in Kaduna was palpable. They are eager to learn new ways of improving their work and collaborating to achieve the big picture of sustainable productivity for the benefit of all.

I must commend the Kaduna State Government ably led

by His Excellency, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, for providing the foundation and support for the commencement of the project.

In fact, prior to the formal launch we had been working closely with the relevant ministries, agencies and organisations in the state. Everyone is excited about the expected outcomes from Food Africa and I can tell you that Sahara and other partners remain committed to ensuring that we record a resounding success that can be replicated elsewhere.

In addition, considering Nigeria’s position on the African continent, it will afford us the opportunity to equally lead efforts that would stimulate stronger commitment and enthusiasm in other parts of the continent towards the attainment of the critical development action.

Are you able to disclose other projects Sahara is implementing in its extrapreneurship platform?

The concept is gradually unfolding and we are currently collaborating with Kunle Afolayan, an award winning film maker on a project tagged ‘Grooming film Extrapreneurs with Kunle Afolayan’. The project was designed to provide a platform to task youths in Nigeria to channel their creativity and innovation in film making to celebrate entrepreneurship in Nigeria using the theme -My Nigeria, My Platform...Seeing Nigeria through an entrepreneur’s eyes.

Interested budding film talents are expected to send in 15-minute documentaries that highlight the story of Nigerian entrepreneurs, with a focus on how their activities are providing sustainable solutions, creating employment and promoting socio-economic development in the nation. All submitted documentaries will be screened by one of Africa’s best film makers, Kunle Afolayan and the overall winner will undergo a mentorship programme with Kunle for six months.

Sahara Foundation is also in partnership with ENACTUS Nigeria to create a platform that will identify and reward business ventures while also improving the efficiency of entrepreneurs to ensure growth and sustainability.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

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INTERVIEW

Khilnani: Many Nigeria’s Power Plants are Starved of Gas and Unable to Deliver Electricity

Chairman of Cummins Power Generation Nigeria, Deepak Khilnani, speaks with Kunle Aderinokun about the challenges of the power sector in Nigeria and Cummins’ commitment to solving the problems through innovative technologies

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ow would you describe your company and your key activities?

We are Nigeria’s leading independent power producer (IPP), supplying electricity to prominent industrial manufactures and residential estates across Nigeria.

All plants operate on high efficiency natural gas generators, which are both extremely robust and cost effective. We own and operate the power plants, providing performance guarantees to our customers. Cummins Power Generation also seeks to improve the overall site efficiency, using innovative technologies such as waste heat recovery.

of heavy industrial manufactures operating costs in Nigeria – significantly dampening competitiveness. To put into perspective, in the US, energy costs amount to just 10 per cent of operating costs. As grid power becomes more stable, industrial growth will boom in Nigeria.

Electricity is also a basic human right – which in today’s day and age shouldn’t be rationed.

Cummins has been contributing in many ways to provide power solutions in Nigeria. What has been the main focus areas and important breakthroughs in terms of performance?

We have significantly invested in our aftermarket and service capabilities – our IPP plants have averaged 99.42 per cent power availability in the past 15 months.

This isn’t an off the cuff number – it’s a statistical data point we internally track for all operating plants. Cummins is very service orientated and continually strives to improve generator performance.

Investing in new technologies such as remote monitoring is also enabling us to better analyse plant performance and respond to potential issues before they materialise.

What is waste heat recovery?

When a generator runs, more than half the energy produced is thrown back into the atmosphere and wasted. With our technology, we capture this waste heat and use it to generate more electricity or produce steam or cooling for industrial process. This offers a significant cost saving, boosts the generator efficiency and reduces global warming.

Cummins has pioneered waste heat recovery installations in Nigeria with systems operating and delivering these benefits mentioned above.

Remember one thing – with waste heat recovery the fuel is free. Free today, free forever. And with rising fuel prices, this has an even more long-term benefit, reducing the payback on the capital investment to less than a year.

What key projects are you working on and what is their development status?

To date we have mostly built 3 to 15 MW power plants, supplying electricity to industrial users such as Nigerian Bottling Company. We continue to invest and grow our captive business, of which we are the leaders in Nigeria having installed over 100 MW in the past five years.

Today we are also expanding into the larger grid connected projects. Cummins Power Generation Nigeria is committed to building larger power plants that can supply electricity directly to homes across Nigeria. We have signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) to build 720 MW of IPP plants, which are expected to start supplying electricity into the grid over the next 10 to 24 months.

Given high efficiency and reliability has been our hallmark in Nigeria, we expect our IPP plants to deliver substantial savings to the country.

What are the benefits of operating on natural gas instead of alternate fuels such as diesel?

Firstly, gas fired power generation is significantly cheaper than operating on diesel. Fuel cost alone is less than one third of diesel – the gas price is N. 52.5 per scm and diesel is around N. 190 per litre. Natural gas is also a much cleaner fuel, emitting less carbon and nitrogen emissions than diesel and reducing wear and tear on industrial machinery.

It is easy to store, cannot be pilfered and is domestically sourced, thereby promoting local employment and relieving strain on imported dollars – it’s a ‘no brainer.’

We’ve found that once our customers switch to gas and experience the benefits, they seek to replace other processes and build new facilities around access to natural gas.

So what do you think then holds back the adoption of gas-based power generation solutions in Nigeria compared to diesel and

Outside Nigeria, what geographies are you in and targeting to set up plants?

Khilnani

petroleum engine generators?

Fuel supply is the major constraint to growing the gas to power market. Industrial users who have access to a gas pipeline are switching quickly as the fuel price of piped natural gas (PNG) alone is one-third the price of diesel. Gas is also a much cleaner fuel so service intervals are longer on gas generators and emissions significantly lower.

The pipeline infrastructure in Nigeria is growing, however, does not nearly cater to the demand in the market. As the availability of natural gas grows in Nigeria, gas-fired power generation will boom.

We also offer compressed natural gas (CNG) through sister organisation, Powergas – CNG is a good alternative gas solution for customers not connected to pipeline. The price of CNG is still nearly half of diesel, driving the commercial application. Offering both gas and power solutions have given us a competitive edge and one of the reasons I believe we’ve been successful in the market.

In the past few years, in spite of various initiatives, power still remains one of the core challenges in Nigeria. What factors do you think are responsible for this?

This is down to two key factors. There needs to be massive investment in the power sector.

And for investors to invest, the price of grid electricity needs to be realistic. The government has taken the difficult step of increasing tariffs, which while in the short run may be a painful medicine, in the medium term it will have great benefits; boosting private sector investment and actually reducing customers total energy costs. As grid connected power becomes more stable, reliance on imported diesel substitute will drop, reducing customer’s blended energy tariff.

The second major constraint is the avail-

ability of fuel. There are many power plants in Nigeria today that are starved of gas and unable to deliver electricity. I feel optimistic that government is addressing these issues and I expect power availability to improve in the coming years.

Recently, there have been many interruptions in the gas supply. Will this affect your business?

Naturally, yes. Since gas is our fuel source and if there is no fuel we have a problem.

Given the developments in gas infrastructure being encouraged by the Buhari government, I feel these issues on gas supply would be on a medium term, perhaps three to four years.

After which Nigeria will enjoy continuous and reliable gas supply.

The irony is that Nigeria holds the world’s ninth largest gas reserves and according to the World Bank flares about 57 per cent of the daily production – worth $2.5 billion and able to generate an additional 6,000 MW. However, there are many ways in which we are dealing with this for the short term.

Our contracts with our customers are to deliver electricity and therefore we take the responsibility to arrange the gas. And you may ask where we get the gas from? If piped gas in unavailable, our Group company, Powergas, Nigeria’s leading Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) producer who has extensive operations across the country, trucks the gas to site.

In your opinion, how does power impact the economic growth of the nation?

The World Bank states economic growth is positively correlated to electrification and there are many positive socio-economic spillovers with reliable and cost effective electricity.

Cheap power was a big driver of the industrial revolution. Energy is up to 40 per cent

Outside Nigeria, we currently operate power plants in Kenya, India, Belgium and Spain, servicing leading customers such as Inditex (Zara) and Taj Hotels. The focus of the organisation is certainly growth and investment in Nigeria – it’s our largest and fastest growing market. We are also building plants in The Republic of Benin and Ghana – we see West Africa as a good long-term market.

What kind of innovation and new products should be expected from Cummins in Nigeria?

Cummins engineering is world class – constantly innovating with new technologies and improvements in generator performance.

Cummins invested over $735 Million in Research & Development in 2015.

We launched a new high efficiency 1540 KW Osprey gas generator in Nigeria in May, which is one of the most efficient on the global market – offering 44 per cent electrical efficiency.

Cummins technology enables us to offer both cost effective power solutions whilst guaranteeing 99 per cent power availability – the organisation is geared towards offering a better service at a lower price. Technology drives this vision.

What policy suggestions do you have for the Buhari led administration in terms of power?

The Buhari led government is doing a great job in prioritising power generation in Nigeria and utilising domestic natural gas.

Development of the power sector will drive domestic manufacturing.

The administration is also connecting the dots in the power industry – investing in not only power plants, but also the transmission and distribution network. This is very important to encourage additional private investment in the sector.

The key policy intervention that I believe would be a game changer would be to reduce the retail price of gas to industry and continue developing the gas pipeline infrastructure across Nigeria – both initiatives I believe would foster significant industrial growth.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

FORTE OIL PLC: Increased operational efficiency leads to notable rise in profitability

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orte Oil Plc (Forte Oil) increased operational efficiency leads to remarkable rise in profitability despite notable decline in its top line earnings.The 2015 result is comforting and promising at a period when companies in the oil and gas industry across the globe are recording substantial decline in top-line and profitability due to crude oil trading at all-time low price in about 10 years.

Forte Oil has kept up with its regular dividend payment, and has recommended a total dividend payment of N4.493 billion (on the basis of N3.45 per share) for every 50 kobo share, which is higher than the N2.50 per share paid last year.

Forte Oil is a strong downstream petroleum company with about 500 retail outlets located across the thirty-six (36) states of the country.

This has increasingly helped to enhance the company’s visibility and sales strength.

The company has been in existence for over 50 decades during which it has undergone several restructuring arrangements. It started operations originally as British Petroleum (BP) before changing to African Petroleum (AP). In 2007, Zenon Petroleum acquired 28.7% stake in the company through shares divestments by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).This was followed by a restructuring exercise that led to the adoption of the brand name “Forte Oil Plc” in December 2010.

GROWTH IN REVENUE NOTWITHSTANDING MARKET INSTABILITY For the first quarter period ended March 2016, Forte Oil showed a rise of 7.68% in revenue to N35.60 billion from N33.06 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2015 resulting from increased power generated by the company to solve the problem of inconsistent supply of light by the country’s power generating company which frequently affect its operations. Despite the incessant scarcity in the supply of petroleum products, Forte Oil was able to implement necessary measures which resulted into its revenue growth.

Cost of sales followed suit with a moderate increase of 6.16% to N35.60 billion in March 2016 from N29.01 billion in March 2015.The increase in cost of sales was a direct result of increased operational expenses in the power generation segment.

INCREASED GROSS PROFITDESPITE RISE IN COSTOF SALES Increase in cost of sales over the period had little impact on profitability, thus gross profit rose significantly by 18.56% to N4.81 billion in March 2016 from N4.05 billion in March 2015. Hence, gross profit margin increased to 13.50% in March 2016 from 12.26% in the corresponding period of 2015.

The Company’s performance was impressive as it grew its other income by 36.27% to N771m in March 2016 from N566m in March 2015. On the other hand, distribution

ALSO, WE DO EXPECT MAJOR SHIFT TO INCREASE POWER SUPPLY WITH POSITIVE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE DOWNSTREAM OIL AND GAS AT THE PROSPECT OF INCREASE IN FUEL CONSUMPTION. ALSO, THE REMOVAL OF THE SUBSIDY REGIME AS A WELCOMED FEAT WILL IMPROVE EARNINGS AND PROFITABILITY BY ERADICATING THE ERA OF SUBSIDY PAYMENT INTERRUPTIONS. IN THIS REGARD, WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT FORTE OIL IS APPROPRIATELY POSITION TO BENEFIT FROM SUCH REORGANISATION

expenses rose notably by 31.46% to N911m in March 2016 from N693m recorded in the corresponding period of 2015 while administrative expenses on the other hand declined by 8.48% to N2.22 billion from N2.43 billion over the same period.

PROFITABILITYMARKERS SOAR DESPITE INCREASE INTAXATION The outstanding growth in other income leads to a noteworthy turn-around in earnings as operating profit for the period ended, March 2016 which increased by 62.99% to N2.45 billion from N1.50 billion in the corresponding period of 2015.

For the first quarter period ended March 2016, Forte Oil’s cost of finance increased by

a remarkable 73.85% to N1.14 billion from N658m during the period under review.

This is expected as the further insight into the financial statement indicated that short-term loans and advances increased considerably by 20.54% to N16.58 billion from N13.76 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2015.

Expectedly, a massive growth of 62.99% recorded in operating profit reduced the effect of rise in finance cost; hence, profit before tax grew to N1.30 billion showing a substantial increase of 54.51% in March 2016 from N842m recorded in the year 2015.

However, due a massive rise of 486.55% in income tax expense to N347m from N59m over the period, the company was able to grow its net income to N954m from N783m over the period of 2015, representing a change of 21.85% REDUCTION IN ASSETVALUE Total assets declined slightly by 2.28% to N118.98 billion in March 2016 from N121.76 billion in March 2015 as the Company received payments on outstanding subsidies of previous periods which reduced the company’s trade receivables.The decline is attributable to the following: significant decline in long term employee benefits by 28.32% to N29.98m in March 2016 from N41.82m billion in December 2015.

Inventories also declined by 15.04% to N8.55 billion in March 2016 from N10.06 billion in December 2015 which can be attributable to difficulty in obtaining foreign exchange for the importation of petroleum products while ensuring sales during nation-wide scarcity.

Similarly, the Company’s total liabilities declined by 3.28% to N73.00 billion in March 2016 from N75.48 billion reported in December 2015.The decline in total liabilities is largely caused by 44.96% and 3.85% drops in Company’s bank overdraft and longterm loans respectively. Hence, net assets decreased slightly by 0.66% to N45.98 billion from N46.28 billion over the period.

Furthermore, Return on Asset (ROA) currently stands at 0.80%, while Return on Equity (ROE) holds fort at 2.08%.

The Company’s price to book value ratio currently stands at 5.52x.

WE MAINTAIN HOLD RECOMMENDATION Myriad of developments that are expected to change the shape of this industry norms are expected to evolve over the medium term.The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which was previously on hold after its first reading has been redrafted by the Executive Council of the Federation (FEC) for submission at the National Assembly. Also, we do expect major shift to increase power supply with positive implications for the downstream oil and gas at the prospect of increase in fuel consumption. Also, the removal of the subsidy regime as a welcomed feat will improve earnings and profitability by eradicating the era of subsidy payment interruptions. In this regard, we are of the

Valuation Metrics 21-July-16 Recommendation

HOLD

Target Price (N)

175.89

Current Price (N)

194.90

Market Cap (N'm)

253.85

Outstanding Shares (m)

1,302

Rolling EPS (N)

4.58

Rolling PE Ratio

42.56x

Forward EPS

5.80

Forward PE

33.62x Source: BGL Research

Q1 March unaudited 2016 Results Turnover (N'm)

35,602

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

1,301

Profit After Tax (N'm)

954

Pre-tax Margin (%)

2.68 Source: BGL Research

Audited 2015 Full Year Results Turnover (N'm)

124,617

Profit Before Tax (N'm) Profit After Tax (N'm) Pre-tax Margin (%)

7,012 5,794 5.63 Source: BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Zenon Petroleum

22.91%

Thames Inv. Incorporated

14.72%

ZSL Nominees

11.71%

ZSL A/C FOZ

11.34%

Femi Otedola

11.78%

Free Float

27.05%

Outstanding Shares (m)

1,302

Source: Company Data 2014 AC, BGL Research

opinion that Forte oil is appropriately position to benefit from such reorganisation.

However, we are cautious in valuing Forte Oil Plc’s shares, given that the key price multiples - price to earnings, price to book, and price to sales are significantly above those of its peers in the industry. Based on Company’s current performance, we revised our gross revenue projection to N127.16 billion and also revised our net income projection to N5.965 billion for full year December 2016; leading to a forward EPS of N4.58. Using multiples valuation method, we arrive at a target price N175.89 over the next 6 months. Since this represents a downside potential of 9.75% on the current price, we therefore recommend a HOLD on the stock of Forte Oil Plc.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

ACCESS BANK PLC – Robust earnings growth enhanced by rise in interest income and effective cost management

A

ccess Bank Plc recently released its first quarter result for the period ended March 31st 2016 showed growths in earnings and profitability when compared with its performance in the corresponding period of 2015. Gross earnings grew moderately by 4.53% on the back of increased interest income and a massive 42.08% growth was recorded in profitability.This suggests that the Bank’s management is engaging requisite and appropriate action plan that will manoeuvres the Company into improved efficiency and profitability despite ongoing tough and cautious business terrain.

The Bank for full year ended, December 2015 paid a total dividend of N56.51 billion (on the basis of N0.55 per share) for every 50 kobo share, thereby maintained its regular dividend payment.

REMARKABLE GROWTH IN INTEREST INCOME DRIVES GROWTH IN GROSS EARNINGS The Bank recorded an increase of 4.53% in gross earnings which stood at N80.27 billion in March 2016 from N76.79 billion in the first quarter ended, March 2015, largely driven by significant growth of 19.44% in interest income to N55.44 billion from N46.41 billion recorded in the corresponding period. Growth in interest income was driven by 18.26% growth in income from loans and advances and an extraordinary rise of 200.28% in income from investment securities available for sale. Contrary to expectation, interest expense recorded a decline of 8.80% year on year to N20.81 billion from N22.82 billion due to decrease in cost of deposits from financial institutions and from customer deposits by 44.64% and 12.61% respectively. Hence, significant increase in net interest income by 46.75% to N34.62 billion from N23.59 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2015.

Conversely, despite 87.51% increase in fees and commission to N18.04b billion from N9.61 billion in March 2015, non-interest income declined mildly by 6.19% to N24.84 billion in March 2016 from N30.38 billion in the corresponding period of 2015.

The decline in non-interest income was triggered by an unexpected decrease of 67.25% in total operating income to N6.80 billion from N20.76 billion in the corresponding period.

Although, fees and commission expenses grew significantly by 740.22% year on year to N97m from N12m recorded in March, its impact was minute on net fees and commission income which rose substantially by 86.72% to N17.94 billion from N9.61 billion.

Growth in profitability despite significant

ALTHOUGH, THE POLITICAL AND OTHER MACROECONOMIC HEADWINDS WITH CHANGING REGULATORY POLICIES IN THE BANKING SECTOR WHICH THREATEN BANKS INCOME GENERATING CAPACITY, WE BELIEVE THE MANAGEMENT OF THE BANK HAS CONSOLIDATED ESSENTIAL PLANS TARGETED TOWARDS STRENGTHENING EARNINGS AND INCOME GENERATION FROM FINANCIAL INTERMEDIATION; ALONG WITH ENSURING EFFECTIVENESS IN COST REDUCTION

decreased total operating income The decline in the Bank’s total operating income for the period ended March 2016 stemmed largely from an extraordinary decrease of 124.95% in net gains on investment securities; while net foreign exchange income rose by 77.89%. In contrast, total operating expenses increased by a marginal figure of 2.40% year on year to N34.38 billion from N33.57 billion in March 2015. It can assumed that the Company’s strategy which includes training of staff to boost retail market penetration, investment in brand equity development, particularly in the retail segment through increased marketing activities and upgrade of IT solutions to improve business processes and service delivery to customers contributed to company’s total

operating expenses.

Due to growth recorded in earnings compared to stable figures reported for total operating expenses, the Bank’s profit before tax grew significantly by 36.72% to N22.58 billion in March 2016 from N16.52 billion reported in the corresponding of 2015. Although, income tax expenses for the period rose by 11.03% to N3.16 billion from N2.85 billion in the corresponding period of 2015; profit after tax recorded a significant increased of 42.08% to N19.42 billion for the first quarter ended, March 2016 compared to N13.68 billion reported in the first quarter 2015.

SLIGHT INCREASE IN ASSETS FOSTERED

BY HIGH YIELD INVESTMENTS The bank’s total assets increased by 6.04% as the end of first quarter 2016 to N2.75 trillion from N2.59 trillion in December 2015.

The increase in total assets was impacted by growths of 35.99% in other assets, 10% in investment securities, 8.78% in pledged assets, plus 5.89% and 5.28% growth in cash balances and loans to customers respectively.

On the flip side, the bank’s total liabilities increased by 6.38% to N2.37 trillion from N2.22 trillion which was spurred by a rise of 7.14% in customer deposit to N1.8 trillion as at March 2016 from N1.68 trillion as at December 2015, reflecting continued implementation of the Bank’s customer engagement strategy and deposit mobilization initiatives. Shareholders’ fund closed at N382.48 billion from N367.8 billion as at December 2015; reflecting a change of 6.04%.

MODEST IMPROVEMENT IN EFFICIENCY AND KEY RATIOS Pre-tax return on average equity (ROAE) increased to 28.13% as at March 2016 from 21.51% as at the corresponding period of 2015. Post tax return on average equity stood at 24.19% from 17.8%.

Cost-to-income ratio also decreased to 57.92% from 62.22% benefitting largely from improved earnings. At 37.6%, the Bank’s liquidity ratio remains above the minimum regulatory requirements of 30% while capital adequacy ratio remains strong at 19.6%, well above the regulatory requirement of 15%. In relation to assets quality, Non-Performing loans declined to N25.1 billion as at March 2016 from N24.5 billion as at December 2015 which reflected a stable non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of 1.7% as at March 2016 and December 2015.

WE MAINTAIN OUR BUY RECOMMENDATION Although, the political and other macroeconomic headwinds with changing regulatory policies in the banking sector which threaten Banks income generating capacity, we believe the management of the Bank has consolidated essential

Valuation Metrics 21-July-16 Recommendation

BUY

Target Price (N)

7.13

Current Price (N)

5.22

Outstanding Shares (m)

28,927

Market Cap (N'm)

151,004

Rolling EPS (N)

2.48

Rolling PE

2.11x

Forward EPS (N)

3.37

Projected PE Ratio

1.55x Source: BGL Research

Q1 March 2016 Unaudited Results Turnover (N'm)

80,272

Profit Before Tax (N'm) Profit After Tax (N'm) Pre-tax Margin (%)

22,583 19,419 28.13%

Source: Company Report 2016, BGL Research

FYE December 2015 Audited Results Turnover (N'm)

337,404

Profit Before Tax (N'm) Profit After Tax (N'm) Pre-tax Margin (%)

75,038 65,868 22.24%

Source: Company Report 2015, BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Stanbic Nominees

14.79%

Blakeney GP

6.08%

Public Float Outstanding Shares (m)

79.13% 28,927.97 Source: BGL Research

plans targeted towards strengthening earnings and income generation from financial intermediation; along with ensuring effectiveness in cost reduction. Also the strong liquidity position of the Bank and potential profitability from increased focus on lending would cushion the effect of the liquidity withdrawals on the performance of Access Bank.

Considering the above, we therefore maintain our projected gross earnings to N430.88 billion for the financial year end, December 2016 and a net income of N78.22 billion for December 2016. With a Price to Earnings (PE) multiple of 2.11x, we arrived at a 6-month target price of N7.13 for Access bank Plc. Since this represents a potential upside of 36.60% over the next 6 months. We therefore maintain a BUY recommendation on Access Bank Plc shares.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

TRAVEL

Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Arik Introduces Nigerian Cuisine to Business Class Stories by Demola Ojo

N

igerian travellers flying Arik Air business class will now have a fully Nigerian-centric menu to choose from on flights from Lagos to London, New York, Johannesburg and other destinations.

According to Senior Vice President, Standards and Service Delivery for Arik, Rodger Whittle, the dishes are made specifically for Nigerians by Nigerians with Nigerian ingredients. He explained that the menu was introduced after taking the airline’s expansion drive into consideration.

The indigenous Nigerian dishes include appetizers like hot goat pepper soup or fish cake and beetroot towers.

For the main course, Arik will provide pan-fried sirloin with rosemary sauce served with sautéed potatoes and honey glazed carrots, or seared chicken breast in orange citrus sauce served with fondant potatoes, carrots and poached cucumber. Other alternatives are beef suya and jollof rice or fried croaker fish with yam porridge.

Fresh fruit plate or lemon posset tart with homemade ginger bread biscuit is available for dessert.

All menu items are free of alcohol and pork. Regardless of passengers selection, jollof rice will always be available upon request.

For afternoon tea, the airline will offer on its flights to London and Johannesburg a selection of sandwiches or chicken and Mediterranean vegetable kebab.

Approximately one hour prior to landing, Arik Air has assured passengers of continental breakfast of orange juice or

Sirloin steak with sautéed potatoes is on the Arik business class menu wake-up cocktail juice, fresh seasonal fruit bowl, selection of breakfast pastries or warm beef sausage, turkey bacon and egg roll with coffee or tea.

Whittle added that the menu will be on its business class cabinet for domestic services as well as its regional central west Africa west

coast services.

“Our kitchen is going to be very busy. As a company, we have always thought of having a catering arm which may be available to other carriers or customers but for now we are limited to our own,” he disclosed.

“Prior to this time, we were outsourcing

foods. The new development also offers a very significant cost savings for us. The quality is fantastic. Obviously, it comes with a cost and no matter what we do with flight originating from other countries, our Nigerian customers always say it never quite tastes as it does at home.”

Modobag, the World’s First Delta to Deploy Innovative Rideable, Motorized Luggage Baggage Tracking in Nigeria

A

rideable carry-on called a Modobag that will get you through an airport terminal three times faster than walking is now available for travellers. With a top speed of eight mph and a range of about six miles (and, with hoverboards banned from airports and flights), it looks like the Modobag could be the fastest way to make a tight connection.

According to the funding campaign launched recently, the idea came to founder Kevin O’Donnell in an airport a few years ago, when his kids started taking turns riding on his suitcase as he dragged it along.

In addition to its zoom, the black, boxy luggage also offers two USB charging ports, side pockets for easy access to all of your charging electronics,

D

and a cushioned seat for your six-mile ride. And, at 19 lbs. when empty, you’ll definitely ride this bad boy around rather than carry it.

Medview to Consolidate LagosLondon Route, Plans US Operation

U

ndeterred by the forex crisis facing carriers in Nigeria’s aviation sector which has forced some airlines to pull out of the country, Medview Airlines has said it will be consolidating its Lagos-London operation with the acquisition of a new 747-400 aircraft. The airline which started operation on the route November last year said the success of its operation on the route and the constant barrage of requests from customers

for more seats necessitated the need for a second aircraft on the route. Medview Airline Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, said the airline will be taking delivery of the B747-400 aircraft in the next couple of days.

Bankole also disclosed that Medview will be taking delivery of a B777 aircraft to mark its third year anniversary on hajj operation in the country and also complement its operation on the route.

elta is deploying Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) baggage tracking technology across its system, including between Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The move will provide Nigerian customers with improved real-time tracking of luggage throughout the travel experience. Delta remains the only US carrier to operate nonstop service between Nigeria and the United States offering hundreds of onward connecting opportunities via Delta’s Atlanta hub.

RFID will replace barcode hand scanning – the industry standard since the early 90s. With this new technology, scanners use radio waves to capture highly accurate and consistent data stored on an RFID chip embedded in the luggage tag, driving superior tracking and increased transparency.

With RFID, customers will see their bags on and off the aircraft during their journey via push notifications to the Fly Delta mobile app beginning in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Bobby Bryan, commercial manager for West and East Africa, Delta Air Lines, said,“RFID is another example of our investment in the Nigerian marketplace. It offers customers clear visibility of their checked bags and will set a new standard for more transparent, interactive tracking on the Fly Delta mobile app.” He continued,“Delta’s daily nonstop flight between Lagos and Atlanta has gone from strength to strength and we continue to

A Delta counter be focused on offering the best experience for our customers.”

Better baggage handling processes and enhanced technology have already shrunk the airline’s mishandled bag rates by 68 percent over the past 10 years, establishing Delta as the leading US-based global airline for baggage performance. In 2015 Delta led US global airlines in DOT bag performance while setting six monthly DOT records and a full year record.

Delta operates flights between Lagos and Atlanta with Boeing 767 aircraft with up to 208 seats featuring 36 business seats in Delta One, 35 seats in Comfort Plus and 137 in its main economy cabin.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

CHIKA IKE

TOUCHING LIVES IN MANY WAYS

24.07.2016

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

COVER

Chika...her journey to self-discovery began in secondary school when she used to stand in front of the class to narrate past soap operas and movies

CHIKA IKE

TOUCHING LIVES IN MANY WAYS Funke Olaode reports on how Nollywood diva Chika Ike has overcome the trauma of her failed marriage to institute a reality television contest for young African women

O

ne of the striking virtues possessed by Nollywood actress, Chika Nancy Ike, is her honest disposition. With her, there is no need for the dodgy character that gives a hint on a half full or half empty understanding.

She calls a spade by its name.

And that is how she has been able to get on in life - by being truthful and humble. By her own admission, her 11-year career in the Nigerian movie industry may

have put food on her table, given her access to reasonable comfort and made her face recognisable, but she is far from living the diamond life.

She has no qualms about admitting that she is not yet where she would like to be, as far as her career is concerned.

“My career is still work inprogress. I have not reached my zenith yet. I have a lot of things to conquer and have a lot of miles to cover. My only breakthrough is the ability to do a movie. I also feel fulfilled when people tell me that I have

impacted their lives. I am happy too for the number of accolades and awards that have come my way.”

She is even more grateful for little mercies, particularly when she recalls where she is coming from. It’s been a long walk from her first major role that earned her N2,000. Although, she would not say how much she earns now, no doubt, she has moved several rungs up the ladder of success. One clear evidence of her newfound wealth is her revived African Diva Reality TV Show which was first organised

in 2013. The programme which follows a winner-takes-all format empowers a young African woman beyond her wildest imagination. Winner of the debut edition went home with N4 million to start a business for herself. She also won a one-year acting contract under the Chika Ike Production outfit. The prize, this year, is a brand new car, $10,000 and a one-year acting contract.

Chika is mindful of her somewhat humble beginning.

She may not have experienced

Cont’d on pg. 57

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

57

COVER

On movie set

crushing poverty, she, however, saw from a close distance the ugly manifestation of destitution.

She lived in Papa Ajao, a lower middle class suburb of Mushin in Lagos. The larger Mushin environ was noted for its squalid and overcrowded condition; so for the first 15 years of her life, Chika observed the repulsive sight of poverty.

Her parents were selfemployed. Her father owned a bakery. Her mother initially ran a business centre, but later closed shop to join her husband in the bakery. She as well doubled as an evangelist, travelling frequently to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Relatively protected from poverty, Chika, the fourth child in a family of six, attended Ronik International School for her primary education and had her secondary education at St. Francis Catholic School in Egbe.

She would later study Human Kinetics and Health Education at the University of Lagos.

Through the years, those bold images of people living in grinding paucity never left her memory. She made up her mind to intervene and bring as much relief as she can to as many of those poor persons as possible through charitable purposes.

Thus was born the Chika Ike Foundation.

“Growing up in the Mushin environment made me see the other side of life. It opened my eyes. I believe that one must give back to the society by feeding a hungry child and taking him or her away from the street. My growing up really influenced this and my mother also was

IT’S BEEN A LONG WALK FROM HER FIRST MAJOR ROLE THAT EARNED HER N2,000. ALTHOUGH, SHE WOULD NOT SAY HOW MUCH SHE EARNS NOW, NO DOUBT, SHE HAS MOVED SEVERAL RUNGS UP THE LADDER OF SUCCESS. ONE CLEAR EVIDENCE OF HER NEWFOUND WEALTH IS HER REVIVED AFRICAN DIVA REALITY TV SHOW WHICH WAS FIRST ORGANISED IN 2013.

THE PROGRAMME WHICH FOLLOWS A WINNER-TAKES-ALL FORMAT EMPOWERS A YOUNG AFRICAN WOMAN BEYOND HER WILDEST IMAGINATION. WINNER OF THE DEBUT EDITION WENT HOME WITH N4 MILLION TO START A BUSINESS FOR HERSELF

very giving. This also motivated me to do more. Every year, the Chika Ike Foundation blesses poor people with tonnes of various gifts. But in the last two years, the foundation has focused on public schools, giving school bags and books to children in these public schools.

We also have some scholars on scholarship. One of them is about to finish secondary school.”

Throwing more light on the African Diva programme, she said, “I want African women to have a voice and a young girl like me to believe that they can do it; they can be successful.

The first African Diva was held three years ago. The last season featured Nigerians only because of the Ebola scourge. This time, the programme has expanded with participants from five African countries. This took a lot of time to achieve. I had the support of their Ministers for Arts and Culture and also the ambassadors of participating countries such as Togo, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Benin Republic.”

“African Diva is a TV reality show that aims at empowering African women. We put 22 girls in a house where they have to compete to win a task to become an African Diva. Each week, there is an elimination. We give them tasks based on African root and culture, hospitality, motherhood, and being an entrepreneur and how to pitch a brand to an investor. At the end of the day, one winner emerges.”

For this Ekwulobia, Anambra State-born actress whose parents passed on within two years

of each other, with the father going first, her journey to selfdiscovery began in secondary school when she used to stand in front of the class to narrate past soap operas and movies to the admiration of classmates. For a long time, she kept her talents within her peers. Knowing her parents, particularly, her father ’s opinion that the entertainment industry was for never-do-wells and the drop-outs, she did not have the courage to assert her choice of vocation. It took a lot of persuasion. Her mother was the first to lend her support.

She later convinced her father to allow her act. However, she had one condition to meet: She must acquire a university degree. Of course, that was not a problem to her.

Her journey to stardom began in 2005 as a diploma student in the University of Lagos. “My sister was studying English but she also had a flair for entertainment. We heard there was an audition in Surulere and we went. I got a role and my sister got a bigger role in a movie titled, “Sweet Love.” She was frightened to stand before a camera. Encouraged by the director, she braved it, and the rest, as they say, is history. It looks like yesterday. So far, she has featured in over 300 movies and still counting.

For her charity, Chika has been rewarded with the United Nations Ambassador for Youths.

Through this platform, she has reached out to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Chika Ike can be described as a woman of many parts: an entrepreneur, actress, movie

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

58

COVER

Reaching out to the less privileged through Chika Ike Foundation

producer and director of a thriving non-governmental organisation. Her fashion accessory business established five years ago in Abuja has acquired impressive clientele.

She credits an innate strength for the ability to cope with many tasks.

“I wouldn’t call myself a super woman. Sometimes it is tiring, but I tell myself don’t give up. I think women have this multi-tasking spirit from God and this has helped me.”

Chika has had her fair share of controversies which tainted her personality. Some of the bickering which made a subject of hot contention in the public space includes her claim to periodic celibacy. Her age was also disputed. The rumour mill also spawned tales of her alleged intimacy with Senator David Mark. Even her colleagues descended on her for being awarded the Most Disciplined Actress. Unruffled, she explained it away as the price for fame.

“I have been able to deal with my controversies and scandals.

You don’t even create these scandals but people create it for you. Some things they say about me are not true. What can I do? I can only try and debunk them and tell my own side of the story. I have leant to deal with controversies and not to allow it affect me in a negative way.

I have developed a thick skin.

These controversies are made up by people who are determined to pull you down.”

One episode of her life which was not phony was her divorce in 2013 which she adduced to abuse from her husband. Since then she has decided to give

CHIKA IKE CAN BE DESCRIBED AS A WOMAN OF MANY PARTS: AN ENTREPRENEUR, ACTRESS, MOVIE PRODUCER AND DIRECTOR OF A THRIVING NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION. HER FASHION ACCESSORY BUSINESS ESTABLISHED FIVE YEARS AGO IN ABUJA HAS ACQUIRED IMPRESSIVE CLIENTELE. SHE CREDITS AN INNATE STRENGTH FOR THE ABILITY TO COPE WITH MANY TASKS

With the African Diva Reality TV Show crew

marriage a wide berth. And this led to the controversy over whether she was having sex or not. The events leading to the end of her marriage were so traumatic that, she has decided to be married to her career, for now.

“I respect the marriage institution and it is a beautiful thing if you meet the right person. I had issues in my marriage. I left the marriage because of case domestic violence. Going forward, I think I want to concentrate on my career now. When I got married, I knew what I wanted at that point. And when it was not working, I took it as part of life because I can’t force anybody.

I don’t have any regrets. There must be no excuse for domestic violence. I am an actress and like any other profession I should be taken for who I am. You knew before you got married and you should have studied the person you are getting married to.”

To Ike, talking about life regrets is like turning back the hands of the clock. “I have no regrets but sad moments. Losing my parents within two years is like taking an umbrella off you but you have to understand that there is a better umbrella which is God. So I have no regrets but only lessons of life. Life has taught me to be very patient. It has taught me that I should take one step at a time, to be giving and to be tolerant.”

59

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

Onoshe

Nwabuikwu

airtimeplus98@gmail.com

REEL REVIEW

Ghana Must Go

Nollywood artistes at a film shooting site

The ‘Nigeriafication’ of Africa

“F

•Triumphing In A War It Never Set Out To Win

om Uganda, Kenya and on to South Africa, it is de rigueur today for the most popular DJs on FM stations to imitate Nigerian accents.

Preachers in independent churches in several parts of the continent are also increasingly affecting Nigerian accents. A few years ago, American accents were all the rage with these groups. Though the jargon of American hip hop still rules, it has some serious competition from Nigerian flavours.

The change is illustrated by the recent June 1 premiere of the Nigerian film “The CEO”, to pick just one example. “The CEO” is about a telecoms firm looking to replace its boss. Five members of the company’s management are dispatched across

Africa to find the best candidate.

Significantly, the cast members include Benin’s Grammy awardwinning singer Angelique Kidjo, as well as actors from South Africa, Kenya, Ivory Coast and Morocco.

In April 2014, Nollywood was included in Nigeria’s economic data for the first time—and was one of the factors that propelled Nigeria to the top of the table as Africa’s largest economy. The film industry in Africa’s most populous nation was estimated to be worth 4.3 billion, or 1.2% of GDP. It is a kiss of death to be a private TV station in Africa and not have a Nollywood offering.

Nollywood has grown along with the rise of Nigerian hip hop and its stars like P Square, Wiz Kid, D-banj, and Davido in Africa, and the

proliferation of Nigerian churches on the continent. Nigerian film, music, and churches never set out to be panAfrican brands, and to this day there is no big government strategy to grow its cultural products on the continent or globally.

It rode on the privatisation of the airwaves, the spread of satellite TV, and the demand for African content that was a counter movement to globalisation.

The current economic malaise in Nigeria caused by the slump of oil, its primary export, might have thrown it off balance. But that will likely not stop its cultural match, that was never dependent on state patronage.”

The years ahead in Africa, look set to be very Nigerian.

•Culled (Edited) from africapedia. com.

Eyes on Galaxy TV Fans of the Lagos-based Galaxy TV have a good reason to be happy. On Thursday July 7, 2016, Galaxy TV landed on dstv channel 258, right beside ONMAX and Lagos TV. I wouldn’t describe myself as a Galaxy TV fan.

But as a former Lagosian, I remember Galaxy TV with nostalgia. Back when I used to watch the station on terrestrial TV, when I stuck only to terrestrial TV. Since its debut on the dstv bouquet, I’ve paid a few visits to Galaxy TV. It looks to have improved in many areas. I see that it has moved with the trends visually speaking.

There’s a certain clarity to its graphics and

general presentation.

However I paid greater attention when I watched a repeat of Galaxy Today (G.Today)the business segment on . The guest was Femi Awoyemi (MD, Proshare) and the presenter was Tolu Ajayi. It took a while before discovering the name of the guest, the presenter’s name came on much later. And until the end of that segment, for over ten minutes, there was no name scrolled, not the guest’s, not the presenter’s.

Yet, there was a whole lot, in fact, too much going on. There were too many colours: plush orange chairs, giant blue screen in the

background, huge ‘pom pom’-like decorations in lemon, deep orange and yellow colours on the centre table. As if all that was not distracting enough, the giant screen which sits between the presenter and his guest is flashing information about the programme ceaselessly.

Then there was the camera whose default or favoured position appeared to be the guest’s side view. Viewers could only stare his ear and everything on the left side of his face. He’s shown looking at the presenter who is not in that shot. At no time do viewers get a close glimpse of him talking directly to the camera.

AD WATCH

Peace Hotel: Catting or Cutting Edge?

Have you seen the Peace Hotel, Lagos commercial on TV? I’m not sure how many stations it’s running on but I only seem to run into it on LWT (Lagos Weekend Television). It’s the typical Nigerian hotel ad: tells you it has the latest technology and every good thing in between. But forgets or stints on production quality. Such that there’s a glaring disconnect between what’s being

claimed and the evidence the viewer can see.

Perhaps, this isn’t as a result of any of the reasons I’m suggesting but a conscious effort to oversell.

According to the advert, Peace Hotel is “the cutting edge of technology.” (The announcer says cutting edge as ‘catting edge’) . Just because there’s internet in the rooms? Meanwhile, beginning from

the ‘receptionist’, everything is a studied throwback. The female receptionist is wearing a suit and the inner shirt has collars/ lapels that must be from the 60s. The visual quality of the commercial does the hotel no justice whatsoever. It’s difficult to place when this TVC could’ve been produced.

Mind you, all this is because of the claims made by Peace Hotel TVC.

Director: Frank Rajah Arase Starring: Yvonne Okoro, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Kofi Adjorlolo, Nkem Owoh, IK Ogbonna, Helen Paul, Ada Ameh.

Chuks (Blossom Chukwujekwu) and Ama (Yvonne Okoro) are engaged. In fact, they are actually legally married. But all that is unknown to Ama’s family back in Ghana as the couple comes for a visit from the UK where they met and fell in love. Ama’s family knows she’s bringing a boyfriend, who is a foreigner, home to meet them. What they don’t know is the one ‘little’ detail Ama has conveniently omitted: Chuks is not Chucks who could be a citizen of any foreign country. Chuks is a Nigerian.

Why would bringing home a man, a fellow West African be such a big deal? Ama’s father, retired Brigadier General (Kofi Adjorlolo) loathes Nigerians. Because of the Ghana Must Go incident of the 80s when the then Nigerian government of Shehu Shagari deported Ghanaians. That incident also led to what came to be known as Ghana-must-go bags which the brigadier general also hates with a passion. Thankfully with GMG’s help, I get to know that Ghana was the first to kick out Nigerians in the late 60s.

Anyhow, Chuks and Ama arrive Accra. In a series of tension-filled but potential comic incidents, they grapple with all kinds of difficulties.

At a point, it’s not only the survival of their relationship that’s at stake but Chuks own life-whether he can survive the encounter with Ama’s father. Then to top it off, Chuks family led by his father Mazi Okoro (Nkem Owoh) arrive Accra with Chuks’ mother (Ada Ameh) and his darling wife Helen Paul in tow.

There are quite a few things I like about the film Ghana Must Go. I like that it is visually well produced. I like Yvonne Okoro’s acting-effortless.

Then I like the way the first part of the film runs before the arrival of Mazi Okoro and his women from Nigeria. Although that first half isn’t all that hilarious, the story does have some structure. Then Nkem Owoh/ Osuofia arrives and all hell breaks loose.

Ordinarily, I shouldn’t worry about aspects of Ghana Must Go that don’t ring true. Especially to a Nigerian.

Perhaps I should chalk it all up to poetic licence. Still, the part where the film degenerates into ‘Osuofia in London’ meets ‘Sikira Goes To America’ (not a real title but who knows?) is a little stretched. We are to believe an Igbo man who flew into Accra with over twenty ghana must go bags had never seen a mansion before? Every typical Igbo village has one such ‘befitting castle’. And Helen Paul as an Igbo or Yoru-Igbo woman?

But I must point out that the cinema hall came to life when Nkem Owoh appeared. Ghana Must Go reiterates the well worn saying that there’s more that unites than divides us. In all, Ghana Must Go makes for a good viewing.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

entertainment

P

Stella Monye’s Party for Prince

rince Rogers Nelson, the late American musician who passed on last April loved women and he did not tip toe about it. The landscape of his 40-year recording and performing career was dotted with relationship of various descriptions with women. They worked with him. He inspired many women. The love between Prince and his many women was mutual. He loved them and he was loved by them.

The premium he placed on women could be noticed in his first band, The Revolution which had the female keyboardist Gayle Chapman. Till his death, Prince was supported by an all-female backing band, a trio called 3rdeyegirl. In between, there quite a number of notable women -- like Patrice Rushen, Vanity and Carmen Electra Vanessa Marcil, Sherilyn Fenn, Kim Basinger, drummer Sheila E, and The Bangles’ Susanna Hoffs.

All that happened in America. Prince never visited Nigeria in his lifetime, but there is no doubt that there are many Nigerians who admired his craft and artistry. One of them is Samba Queen, Stella Ada Monye whose admiration for Prince is tied to the fact that he was credited with supporting and giving the career of many female musicians a shot in the arm.

For this reason, Stella’s NGO, WINAI Women Initiative Nigeria has packaged an old ‘schull’ party to honour the memory of Prince.

Stella believes Prince’s championing of business of women in the entertainment industry should not go unappreciated.

The Prince Old ‘Schull’ Party by Stella Monye holds at Bluesea Garden and Nite Club on Akilo Road on Saturday, July 30. Expected at the event are the likes of Ras Kimono, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Charles Oputa aka Charly Boy, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Denrele

ECLIPSE PLANS TO OUTSHINE THE STARS

He started as the kid with a black Sony disc-man and a backpack full of CDs, staying back in class after school, writing songs on every possible topic.

By the time he was in SS2, Eclipse born NkasiobiChukwu - in Kaduna had recorded his first song and performed

Eclipse

with nseobong okon-ekong 08114495324, nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com

Prince

Edun, actress Patience Ozokwor aka Mama G, Tee Mac Omatseli, Lady drummer Ara, Orits Wiliki, Daddy Showkey, Victor Essiet of the Mandators fame, the rain maker Majek Fashek, Sammy Okposo, Shina Peters, Salawa Abeni, Bolaji Rosiji and others.

Guests at the party will be dressed in old ‘schull’ attire. According to Stella, apart from the party, the show will also feature an award segment where the wife of the governor of Lagos State, Bolanle Ambode and wife of the APC Chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu will be honoured for championing women issues.

WINAI Women Initiative Nigeria had previously carried out programmes like ‘1000 Mics’ that featured 250 female singers drawn from the school, churches, the night club circuit, and a variety entertainment show called the ‘Huk Up’ show among others. at his schools socials night. Going by the rush he got from being on stage performing and watching people cheer, he was sure he wanted to do music for many more years.

“I remember having to burn that one song into 100 blank CDs and selling them for N100 per copy in school. For a young lad from Abia state whose family was living in Lagos at the time while I schooled in FGC Abuja, I guess that was the beginning of the music hustle for me.”

Over time, he has been influenced by certain people in different ways and names- his father, Kanye West, M.I and Eldee among his role models.

“I say my Dad because he is one person who I know is hard working, principled and resilient. These are virtues that I try to inculcate in my life, on the other hand we have Kanye West, M.I and Eldee who are all artistes and music producers. It’s safe to say that their careers helped motivate me musically,” he said.

Eclipse has a new EP out called City of Dreams. It is a project he describes as the soundtrack to the story of a young man’s encounters with love, loss, peer pressure, and spirituality in a city which represents the road to success but most of all it shows that even with all the obstacles life presents, dreams are still very attainable. “These are

Stella Monye

expressed with nine tracks all telling the same story from different angles,” he explains.

One of the songs, ‘Salamalekun 2.0’, is a collaboration with M.I. It is a remix to a previous song. According to Eclipse, M.I heard him performing at Industry Nite, and said he liked the song. “I asked if he would like us to work on a remix and he said, yes.”

Eclipse explains the song making process. “It took about three studio sessions. First we met and just listened to the song and shared ideas on how to improve on it. This was when we decided to add a chorus. The second time we recorded our verses and the third session was used to perfect the mixing and mastering.”

Eclipse is grateful for his association with Aboriginal Music. “I got signed to Aboriginal Music in 2012 after a short meeting with the CEO who had heard about me from the then ongoing “Nokia Don’t Break the Beat” competition.

“Fast-forward to 2016 I must say It has most definitely been a life changing experience and believe me, as much as it is nice to be an independent artiste who only worries about making music, one cannot truly grow without the push, support, pressure, occasional burden and exposure that comes with being signed to a label.”

GOSPEL MUSIC AFRICA GETS SEVERAL NODS

Imo and Plateau state governments, alongside other arms of government and religious bodies, have endorsed the new gospel reality TV show, Gospel Music Africa.

At the unveiling last weekend in Oriental hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the various representatives of the arms of government gave the reality competition several nods for turning the wheels of change in reality TV shows.

The deputy governor of Imo state, Prince Eze Madumere, who represented governor Rochas Okorocha, expressed belief that the reality competition will take the country to a greater height more than where hip-hop music has taken the country. “Of course you know the hip-hop music has placed Nigeria in a global map but I believe this one will do more than that.”

Conceived in 2009 by Matthew Obono of MFI Xquisite Koncepts Ltd, Gospel Music Africa is the first of its kind in the gospel industry. A non-denominational competition, the show seeks to provide a platform for gospel artistes to nurture their talents as well as instill godly values on them.

Obono disclosed that one of the reasons he launched the competition was because of the overwhelming migration from gospel to secular music

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

ENTERTAINMENT

PwC PREDICTS HIGH ENTERTAINMENT GROWTH RATE FOR NIGERIA

D

espite a slowdown from last year’s 5.5 per cent growth in industry revenues, PwC, one of the world’s leading audit and assurance firms, has published a report which predicts that entertainment and media is a dynamic, diverse industry with steady and sustainable growth.

Titled PwC’s Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2016-2020, it asserts that total worldwide entertainment and media revenues will rise at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.4 per cent in nominal terms over the coming five years, from $1.72 trillion in 2015 to $2.14 trillion in 2020.

As one of the most populous entertainment and media markets, Nigeria is ranked along with Brazil, Pakistan as countries that will also produce comparatively higher entertainment and media growth rates.

According to Osere Alakhume, a segment leader in PwC Nigeria, both established and emerging players need a more intimate understanding of the forces at play at a local level that would arm them with insights that will help them see through the apparent chaos and pinpoint value opportunities. He said the Nigerian market has its own unique growth dynamics, shaped

Kunle Afolayan introducing the cast of his latest movie

by local factors ranging from demographics to content tastes to infrastructure to regulation.

The report pinpoints five key shifts occurring in each of five dimensions of the entertainment and media landscape: demography,

The unveiling of Gospel Music Africa by talented artistes.

“Most celebrated artistes today started out in church choir but ended up in the secular world. The question is why the migration? This is why we come up with Gospel Music Africa to encourage them to stay, encourage professionalism, creativity, technicality, and to reduce the level of migration.”

The competition is scheduled to kick off in September but will be preceded by auditions in some selected regions across the country. Open to all countries in Africa, only 30 contestants will make it to the house for the main competition for eight weeks.

They will be mentored on the technicalities of music production as well as vocal training by leading international gospel artistes like Yolanda Adams, Cece Winans and more. A star prize of five million naira, brand new car and a record deal will be awarded to the last man/woman standing in the competition.

Gaza Jonathan, representing the House of Representatives speaker Yakubu Dogara lauded the vision with enthusiasm. According to him, the reality TV show is a breath of fresh air on the screens which recently have been inundated by immoral programmes.

“Christians can now have something to watch on TV,” he enthused.

Sales of forms for the competition are ongoing and will close on August 14.

TENSTRINGS MUSIC MANAGEMENT SIGNS 17-YEAROLD ARTISTE

Bolametirin Akinlaja is the latest music artiste to be signed to Tenstrings Music Management. The 17-year-old girl was unveiled last week during a one-day workshop at the Tenstrings Music Institute, Festac Town, Lagos.

Bibi as she is fondly called is an afrosoul singer who was discovered by the founder of the management Emmanuel Akapo during one of her performances in Tenstrings Music Institute, Surulere.

With subtle words of encouragement, she was inspired to pursue music as a career. Although, music has been part of her, the 300-level student of Insurance in Redeemers University never thought of taking it as a full-fledged ambition.

Armed with powerful vocals, Bibi hopes to be the next big thing in the Afro-soul genre. Her two singles ‘Jeje’ and ‘Endlessly’ are already gaining positive reviews in the mainstream.

SUGAR RUSH DAZZLES GUESTS WITH GIVEAWAYS The much-anticipated Sugar Rush

competition, consumption, geography, and business models.

In 36 out of the 54 countries covered by PwC’s Outlook, entertainment and media spending is growing more rapidly than GDP, often by a factor of more than 50 Wedding Exhibition will not be forgotten in a long time.

In partnership with InterContinental Hotel, Taittinger Champagne, SaraO Events and Aralia By Nature, the wedding and lifestyle event had guests drooling with excitement last Sunday, as they feasted their eyes on an array of wedding dresses, cakes, decorations and more on display.

VIP guests mingled in an elegant lounge styled by SaraO Events and Aralia By Nature, where they enjoyed premium complimentary champagne by Taittinger and tasty canapes.

The frenzy mood was heightened when event compere Chigul engaged guests with a bouquet of activities and giveaways including two round trip tickets to Dubai, a Bridal Makeover from House of Tara, a wedding dress by Wendy’s Bridal, a Bridal Bouquet from Aralia By Nature, a Jewellery Set from Leries Accessories and much more.

Besides the giveaways, there was music performance by Wande Coal.

Hosted by Sugar Weddings & Parties (SWP), an online resource platform for weddings and events, the exhibition is its first of its kind.

per cent. Venezuela tops the list; entertainment and media spending growth there is likely to outpace GDP growth by more than 14 percentage points in 2016.

The differences in growth rates at a country level are overlaid by wide variations between segments. The fastestgrowing segment globally over the five years will be Internet advertising with a CAGR of 11.1 per cent, ahead of Internet access at a 6.8 per cent CAGR. By contrast, magazine and newspaper publishing will suffer declines. However, even here there will be wide variations between territories: while newspaper publishing revenue will see a compound annual decline of 3.1 per cent in North America, in India it’ll rise at a CAGR of 2.7 per cent.

The report says that revenue across entertainment and media is steadily shifting from publishing businesses to video and Internet businesses - in particular those that provide over-the-top (OTT) services and monetise consumer data.

Direct consumer spending models will remain strong, while spending on Internet access, including mobile data, will rival advertising.

The founder, Tarebi Alebiosu revealed that the platform has presented many opportunities for event professionals and consumers to connect.

“For a lot of users there are still elements of distrust, so Sugar Rush is a great extension to our online platform, providing consumers with the perfect opportunity to fully experience what event professionals have to offer”.

TANKOLOWISKA DANCES WITH WEALTH IN ‘BOLAJI’

Afro-pop sensation, Tankolowiska has dropped a new hit ‘Bolaji’. The party jam is the third single from his stables since his debut in 2011.

Produced by Gospel on De Beatz, Tankolowiska samples rhyming lyrics with sweet melodies that are instantly memorable in this track.

As the name suggests, Bolaji is Tankolowiska’s way of preaching humility. “Bolaji in Yoruba means to ‘Wake with wealth’ and, trust me, everybody wants to wake up with wealth. The song basically passes a message about treating people with respect without knowing their status,” he said.

L-R: Tarebi Alebiosu, Olabode Opeseitan and Josephine Igberaese

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Roger Ailes Finally Leaves Fox News Vanessa Obioha

F

ollowing the sexual allegation filed against him by one of the network’s former employees, Gretchen Carlson two weeks ago, the helmsman, Roger Ailes finally took a bow. The network announced his resignation on Thursday.

It was a hard decision for the management who attributed most of the network’s success to Ailes. Ailes joined the network in the 1960s and built it to its enviable status today in the media. Rupert Murdoch will temporarily occupy Ailes position as Chairman of the network until the network finds a replacement.

Ailes, however, didn’t leave without compensation. The network will reward him with $40 million which is what is due to him if he had remained in the company till 2018.

Roger Ailes

Teen Wolf Season 6

TEEN’S WOLF AND OTHER NEWS AT COMIC-CON 2016

Fans of MTV’s Teen Wolf series are not happy that the sixth season of the series would be its last. The Viacom-owned cable network made the announcement at the Comic-Con 2016 in Las Vegas.

Other major announcements include Star Wars new character ‘Edrio Two Tubes’. He will debut in the upcoming ‘Rogue One’ as a Mercenary Pilot whose face is obscured by an oxygen-mask.

Also, trailers were in full swing at the event as Luc Besson’s sci-fi film ‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’ has gained a loud applause from the audience for its alien and armoured heroes footage.

Iron Fist, Luke Cage, The Defenders and others also threw the crowd into frenzy with their thrilling trailers.

For the ‘Daredevil’ fans, they can expect a third season while Voltron: The Defender gets a second season on Netflix Wonder Woman fans were not left out in the excitement. In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the DC Comics Wonder Woman, the U.S. Postal Service designed celebratory stamps as part of its nondenominational Forever series. The stamps featured four different images of Wonder Woman from her Gold Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age and Modern incarnations.

THE LONG AND SHORT OF TAYLOR SWIFT AND KIM KARDASHIAN’S FEUD

The controversial feud between Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian came to a climatic peak when the E! Star revealed a recorded conversation between her husband Kanye West and the singer, over the ‘Famous’ lyrics on Snapchat.

The audio suggested that Swift actually gave Kanye the nod, although bits of the conversation was edited to fit into Snapchat’s allotted time for such files.

Swift who had severally denied she gave Kanye consent to use derogatory lyrics about her in the song had to change her story. She replied Kim’s video by stating that Kanye never told her specifically that he would call her a ‘bitch’.

The latest revelation further dampens the reputation of Swift whose sudden breakup with prominent DJ Calvin Harris and immediately dating actor Tom Hiddleston has earned her more dislikes than likes. She reportedly kicked Selena Gomez out of her girl squad following the former’s support for the DJ during their break-up.

Her inconsistency with the ‘Famous’ video further cast a dim light on her rising star. Fans are already pitching their tents on both sides and from the look of it, the Wests are winning.

What is yet unknown is if her lawsuit

Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift filed against West for recording their conversation will sail through or hit a wall.

DEMI LOVATO’S EX REUNITES WITH HIS EX

Some break-ups can actually be a blessing in disguise. This holds true for Demi Lovato’s ex Wilmer Valderrama, who reunited with his old flame singer and actress Mandy Moore recently. The two bumped into each other at the Paramount Studios where they are working on their respective shows “NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service” and “This Is Us”.

Valderrama who recently broke up with Lovato after six years of dating, dated Moore from 2000 to 2002. Moore on her part just divorced her husband Ryan Adams of six years.

Meanwhile, Lovato was spotted hanging out with Odell Beckham Jr. at Midtown restaurant Hunt & Fish Club in New York City. Other sources confirmed that the duo spend a lot of time frequently. But is this Odell Lovato’s rebound or new flame?

FOR THE LOVE OF GAME OF THRONES, LESLIE JONES RETURNS TO TWITTER

After a painful exit from Twitter following cyber bullies attack on her for her Ghostbusters 2016 role, the actress, Leslie Jones returned to Twitter barely 48 hours after.

An excited Leslie Jones tweeted that no one could have live-tweeted the HBO series. In June, she joined Seth Meyers in a “Game of Thrones” live-watch session.

The producers of the hit series announced

its seventh season with a dampening spoiler: it will only have seven episodes against its usual ten episodes. Also the series will not debut in spring 2017 but rather in summer, making it a miss to participate in the 2017 Emmy Awards.

Leslie was welcomed back by the official Twitter Account with ‘#LoveforLeslieJ.’ The social media platform felt responsible for the actress’ abrupt departure. It has however permanently banned the Breitbart editor Milo Yiannapoulous for allegedly inciting the sexist and racist cyber-bullying of the actress.

ANOTHER ONE DIRECTION MEMBER GOES SOLO

As inevitable in most boy bands, Liam Payne has toed the path of former member Zayn Malik by getting signed to Capitol Records UK for a solo album. The announcement caused a ripple of fear among fans that the end of the boy band is almost near.

Things have been a bit quiet in the band since they released their fifth studio album “Made in the A.M”. The members are caught up in one project or the other, hardly having time to make good music.

Niall Horan is currently working on his solo music, Harry Styles is hard at work on the set of Christopher Nolan’s World War II movie ‘Dunkirk’, while the new father Louis Tomlinson is guest-judging on ‘America’s Got Talent’.

The boy band gained international prominence in 2011 with their debut single ‘What Makes You Beautiful’.

Liam although happy about his new

contract said One Direction will always be his home.

NBC APPROVES JENNIFER LOPEZ’ ‘WORLD OF DANCE’

The network recently gave the singer the green light for her new dance competition ‘World of Dance’. The one-of-a-kind competition will be a straight-to-series ten-episode order.

Described as an ‘unparalleled dance competition’ the competition will feature solo artists against duos and crews in all genres of dance, including hip hop, krumping, popping, locking, tap, ballet, break dancing, ballroom, clogging, stomping and more.

Contestants will be selected from qualifying events around the country and thousands of online submissions. They will be divided into three groups, junior (any size act under 16 years old), upper (groups of 1-4, over 16 years of age) and team (groups of five or more, over 16 years). The winner will receive a cash prize of $1 million.

J Lo who stars in the NBC’s ‘Shades of Blue’ is the executive producer of the competition.

BOBBY BROWN WELCOMES SEVENTH CHILD

The New Edition singer took to Instagram last Thursday to announce the birth of his third child with wife Alicia Etheredge. The couple got married in 2012.

The new-born is his seventh child and came a year after the death of Bobbi Kristina, his daughter with late legendary singer Whitney Houston.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

PERSONALITY

A Teacher as a Film Maker Segun James

O

rdinarily, it would be correct to say that Niyi Coker’s world revolves around teaching, a vocation he embarked upon since graduating from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1983.

But Coker is not your ordinary teacher. He is an actor, director, producer and playwright, whose works have been produced in so many countries including the United States of America (USA) where he has been a teacher of Theatre Arts in various universities since 1990, England, South Africa, Ghana, Cameroon, Jamaica, Canada, Nigeria and so many other countries around the world where his works have played to standing ovation.

These days, this former lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt is more known as an award winning film maker whose works have won awards in places such as Madrid and the most glamorous place for any film maker – Hollywood. This is no mean feat for an African and a black man given the fact that everything about Hollywood is money and money alone.

In Hollywood, the saying is that there is no business like show business.

Filmmaking can be so dramatic.

Considering that it’s an industry fully stocked with outsize characters, glamorous scenery, and more than its share of obvious villains. Here media and film moguls would only invest their money on a sure bet. Coker is a sure bet.

His latest film: “Ota Benga: Human at the Zoo,” revolves round how the west viewed Africans up to the turn of the last century. According to him, “the documentary has taken me to Oxford, to Brussels, to Cameroon and to the pygmy people. Ota Benga was a guy from the Congo - a pygmy - who was brought to the St. Louis World’s Fair at Forest Park in 1904. And at the end of the World’s Fair, he was displayed at the Bronx Zoo. He was right in there with the monkeys and the baboons, and people actually came to see him.

Eventually he was released and sent to Lynchburg, Va., to the Virginia Theological Seminary and College. It was there where he took his life when he realized he wasn’t going to go back to the Congo.”

Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, Adeniyi A. Coker Jr. (a.k.a. ’Niyi) wasn’t interested in becoming a lawyer like his father. Instead, he wrote plays.

“If you ask any of my high-school classmates; that’s what they remember me for,” says Coker. “I always had a fresh play every week.” He corralled his drama club to put on the plays, often serving as playwright, actor, and director for a single show.

“He’s really like a natural-born producer,” says friend Awam Amkpa, who teaches drama at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. In addition to producing films, Coker is an internationally known playwright, director, and the E. Desmond Lee Professor in the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Media Studies at the University of Missouri, St. Louis.

His feature film,’ Pennies for the Boatman’, screened at the Madrid International Film Festival, where it was nominated for four awards, including Best Director and Best Film of the Festival. It’s also been an official

Niyi

selection of the St. Louis International Film Festival and London’s ‘I Will Tell International Film Festival’.

“He’ll be someone our kids read about,” says Andrea Purnell, who played Camilla Jackson in Pennies.

“He’s one of the best directors I’ve ever had.” Coker adapted the film from Mario Farwell’s play ‘The Seamstress of St. Francis Street’, set in north St. Louis in 1958.

Helen Wilcox, a morally upright seamstress, has a rock relationship with her sister Camilla, who left to become a performer in New

THESE DAYS, THIS FORMER LECTURER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT IS MORE KNOWN AS AN AWARD WINNING FILM MAKER WHOSE WORKS HAVE WON AWARDS IN PLACES SUCH AS MADRID AND THE MOST GLAMOROUS PLACE FOR ANY FILM MAKER – HOLLYWOOD. THIS IS NO MEAN FEAT FOR AN AFRICAN AND A BLACK MAN GIVEN THE FACT THAT EVERYTHING ABOUT HOLLYWOOD IS MONEY AND MONEY ALONE

York. When Camilla returns, she immediately stirs up trouble, flirting with Helen’s husband and dredging up secrets that threaten to destroy the family. “You don’t get a lot of films about St. Louis,” explains Coker, who came to St. Louis in 2005 and immediately became interested in telling stories about his adopted hometown.

Coker also runs the Africa World Documentary Film Festival, now in its 10th year, which travels from St. Louis to Alabama, Kansas, Barbados, Cameroon, London, South Africa and Nigeria. And he organizes the E. Desmond Lee Playwriting Competition, teaches classes at UM–St. Louis, and directs and writes plays.

“We’re lucky to have him,” says Prof. Tom McPhail, Coker’s department chair. Coker took ‘Preemptive’, his play about prejudice against Muslims, on a world tour that concluded in Nigeria with a red-carpet premiere in 2012.

In attendance was Nigerian playwright and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, who was Coker’s teacher and mentor at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Coker studied acting at a time before Nigeria’s Nollywood was the second largest film industry in the world after Bollywood, and drama wasn’t an accepted major.

“One of my classmates said his father showed him the newspaper and turned to the classifieds and said, ‘Where does it say drama?’”

Coker recalls. “He enrolled in the law programme.” Coker’s uncle was the popular Nigerian playwright Ola Rotimi, so his parents let him pursue acting.

Coker then enrolled at Brooklyn College, where he earned an MFA in directing. “I received a great education on how to direct,” says Coker. “But I didn’t know a lot about black drama, people like Charles Fuller, The Negro Ensemble Company, and the National Black Theatre, and so for me, there was a cultural void in America.”

He filled that void by studying

at Temple University- when he graduated in 1991, he was the first person in America to earn a Ph.D. in African-American studies. His degree, though, sparked controversy. Some in academe called it irrelevant. “I didn’t understand how anybody would see the study of African people as inferior or unnecessary,” Coker recalls. “I think it made me even more determined to say, ‘I think there is a lot of work to be done in this area.”

Though he was more interested in theater, he went to three universities to start or head up their AfricanAmerican studies departments: the University of Wyoming, Eastern Illinois University, and The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He also made a documentary, Black Studies, USA, about the field’s history. Coker believes what sets him apart as a director is his attention to detail.

“I explore every strand, every detail of a text and a script to make sure there are multiple layers of meaning and significance,” he explains. He spent a year, for instance, researching the life of Edwin Booth, a noted actor whose brother John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln, before writing the book for a musical composed by fellow UM - St. Louis, Prof. Barbara Harbach.

Booth! made its New York premiere at NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in 2009. “Niyi never misses an opportunity to teach you something about someone in history,” Purnell says. “The teacher just never turns off in him.”

As someone who’s spent his life following his passions instead of doing the expected, Coker isn’t worried about the outcome at the Madrid film festival.

“To be nominated in four categories is excellent,” he says. “It shows you you’re on the right path.”

Niyi Coker, Jr. is the E. Desmond Lee Distinguished Professor of Theatre and Media Studies at the University of Missouri, Saint Louis. He has directed over 50 major stage productions around the world. He is the founding artistic director of the African Arts Ensemble in NYC, and has served as Artistic Director-in-Residence for several theatre companies ranging from the National Theater of Nigeria; K3 Theatre in Malmo, Sweden; Black Box Theatre in Hamilton, Bermuda.

He received a British Council commission to write and direct, “Endangered Species”, which toured Great Britain in 1995. In 2010 his play “Preemptive” opened at the Shaw Theatre in London, England and was covered by BBC Strand in England.

The production went on to tour in the Caribbean and West Africa.

His film credits include; “The Black 14” for FERPA PBS in 1995. “Black Studies USA”, received the Silver Remi Award at the Houston International Film Festival, and was also a finalist at the 2007 Hollywood Black Film Festival.

His narrative feature “Pennies for the Boatman,” won Best Screenplay at the 2012 Madrid International Film Festival and was a finalist for Best Director and Best Film. His latest documentary film is “Ota Benga: Human at the Zoo”.

He is author of two books and several articles. He received the MFA in Directing from Brooklyn College in New York City, and Ph.D from Temple University in Philadelphia.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

EVENT

Fostering Friendship between Town and Gown Vanessa Obioha

T

he city of Lagos last weekend pooled members of the Oye Ekiti August Ten Club from different destinations for the grand hosting of the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Oye Ekiti, Prof. Kayode Soremekun.

A first of its kind for the club, the event attracted eminent indigenes of Oye Ekiti, like Chief Executive of Havilah Merchants Ltd, Mr. Lanre Adesuyi; Senator Ayo Arise; the Chief Executive of YemKem Enterprises, Chief Akintunde Ayeni and the Ekiti State Commissioner of Commerce, Mr. Ayo Oguntoye to the Westown Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

A non-political association of prominent indigenes of Oye Ekiti, the club deemed it fit to adopt the new VC as a son of the soil.

Chief Bola Awe stressed the importance of the ceremony in his welcome address where he described the reception as a ‘warm handshake’ to foster a good relationship between the university community and Oye Ekiti. He implored the new VC to ensure that the new marriage between the gown and the town is endured and sustained as well as patronising local entrepreneurs and accord priority to employing both skilled and unskilled youths of Oye Ekiti.

Awe further charged the management of FUOYE to maintain the institution’s culture of academic excellence as embodied by the feat of Dr. Enoch Opeyemi who launched FUOYE and Oye Ekiti to global reckoning by solving the 156-year old mathematical Rhema Hypothesis.

“Universities all over the world must be struggling to entice him to their ivory towers; more of him must be nurtured and kept in FUOYE for more laurels,” Awe said.

Touched by the colourful celebration held in his honour, Soremekun

L – R: Senator Ayo Arise, Chief Bola Awe, Prof. Kayode Soremekun and his wife, Dr (Mrs) Rebecca Soremekun

termed the ceremony “a certain empirical manifestation, in the sense that people believe we owe a lot of loyalty to our local groups and you can see that manifesting here today.

We hope that this manifestation will be sufficiently elastic to embrace the Nigerian nation,” he said.

He commended the fervent commitment of indigenes of Oye Ekiti as well as other Ekiti communities to the success of the university.

“The job of building FUOYE may belong primarily to the Oye Ekiti community but it also belongs to other communities in Ekiti;

everyone in Ekiti, therefore, has to set hands on the plough. FUOYE also belongs to all Nigerians and to the world because of resources to be tapped from the global community.”

He pointed out whilst the management of the university had noted the request for patronage of local resources, indigenes of Oye Ekiti also must consider the extent to which they could assist FUOYE, which is still a very young institution.

“Our current challenges also present opportunities for us to etch

our names in an indelible way in the sands of time by shaping the university into what we want it to become,” Soremekun said, adding “By committing to a project, you would have gone a long way to demonstrate your obligation to the university.”

Also speaking at the reception, the Oloye of Oye Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Sir) Oluwole Ademolaju, Adugbole III, said the larger Oye Ekiti community would still organise a civic reception in honour of the Vice Chancellor to formally welcome him to the community.

Aeroland Lands on Fifty

S

Aeroland (m) surrounded by friends and admirers

egun Adewale, better known to his admirers by the nickname Aeroland turned 50 years recently. And it was time for his friends and acquaintances to host him to a surprise party.

Adewale who set out to work normally had no wind that he was being set up for an astonishing evening when his office at John Olugbo Street at Ikeja-Lagos was suddenly populated by many known faces, who sauntered in, one after another.

As the friends and well-wishers increased in number, a bespoke welldesigned birthday cake appeared and that was when Adewale was reminded that it was his birthday. A visibly touched Aeroland was nearly moved to tears as he looked round to acknowledge the kind gesture.

An accomplished businessman, Aeroland who has in recent times gath-

ered popularity in Lagos as a leading politician, has become increasingly known for making positive impact in the lives of the people around him.

assistant editor nseobong okon-ekong senior correspondent funke olaode correspondent vanessa obioha designer ibirogba ibidapo CONTRIBUTORS onoshe nwabuikwu, temilolu okeowo, kelechi nduka THISDAY ON SUNDAY editor adetokunbo adedoja deputy editor vincent obia STUDIO art director ochi ogbuaku jnr THISDAY NEWSPAPERS editor-in-chief & chairman nduka obaigbena managing director eniola bello deputy managing director kayode komolafe

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

A CURIOUS CASE OF ALTERATION PAGE 68-69

24.07.2016

KUNLE AFOLAYAN’S THE CEO AS A CONTEMPORARY PARABLE EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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JULY 24, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

ARTS & REVIEW\\MOVIE

KUNLE AFOLAYAN’S A CONTEMPORARY P

A scene from the movie Toni Kan

M

ost great movies are defined, maybe, propelled, more like, by the trifecta of tropes, stereotypes and archetypes.

These three continue to recur and define three of the movies made by Kunle Afolayan, from Figurine to October 1st and now The CEO. The other English language movie from his oeuvre, Phone Swap, even though evincing elements of the trifecta, is eliminated from consideration because it is a comedy.

Kunle Afolayan, son of Ade Love has produced 5 feature length movies in the space of 10 years.

Four years earlier in an interview with this writer, Mr Afolayan had scoffed at the use of the term, new Hollywood, which now seems ironic because he has become the poster boy of what Nollywood should aspire to, big budget features with international collaborations and superior technical quality.

To return now to the trifecta; Mr. Afolayan’s recent movie, The CEO rides the trope of Reality TV to

deliver a masterful movie. The premise is simple and familiar to every cable TV subscriber.

TransWire, a telecom company with footprints across the African continent is seeking to replace a recently departed CEO. Five top executives are picked from across Africa to take part in a strategy boot camp run by Dr. Zimmerman, a very wooden Angelique Kidjo, who is clearly in the movie just for her star wattage The five are Kola, a Nigerian who, to continue with the Reality TV analogy, would be, considering his carefree and blasé attitude, Ebuka quaffing Guinness stout in the first edition of Big Brother to grace our screens in Nigeria.

There is Eloise, the Ivorian, with a sick husband. She is reluctant to take up the challenge but prodded by her husband, she comes to Nigeria where an indiscretion leads to tragedy.

Jomo is Kenyan. An inveterate gambler, he has been filching money from his company’s account. Scared of being found out, Jomo’s paranoia leads to tragedy.

Yasmine is French. Based in Nigeria, she has been fingered in a deal gone sour and the authority’s interest in her leads to disastrous consequences.

Riikard is the South African wunderkind. Cocky and without a care, he says he is in it to win it.

And then there is the talented Lala

Akindoju, who despite flying under the radar as the mousy HR executive, delivers a wallop by movie end.

But the winner of it all is the Nollywood returnee, Hilda Dokubo fresh from a tour of duty as a government appointee. Her police detective role is invigoratingly fresh and recalls not just Sadiq Daba’s character in October 1 but also Frances McDormand’s pregnant detective character in the Coen brothers’ vehicle, Fargo.

It is proof of Dokubo’s star power and superior talent that even though she delivers almost all her lines sitting down yet, grabs our attention solely on account of her voice and facial expressions. When she says ‘Sit your yansh down’ one can feel the weight of exasperation and authority colliding as one.

The most obvious trope is that of the Reality TV, while the character’s bear out various stereotypes; the swashbuckling Nigerian with arms thrust out as if he owns the universe, the cocky South African with a chip on his shoulders, the flirty French charmer sleeping her way to the top, the hard drinking Kenyan and submissive francophone African wife.

But it is the archetype that drives the movie and which leaves the

discerning movie goer seeing the three movies as an extended meditation on the contemporary human condition, one that is not obviated by his casual references to our deepest existential and primordial fears.

The three movies are defined by a quest, a seeking after something and there is always a culprit or killer hiding in plain sight. Kunle Afolayan also manages to throw in a dash of the supernatural, which begins almost as a practical joke but with deadly consequences; the figurine as prop, the X carved into the chest of the female victims in October 1 and the game of musical chairs which sees losers losing their lives in The CEO. The questions are always there; where is the figurine coming from; what does the X mean and how are the deaths related to the game of musical chairs?

As Africans, the temptation is always there to explain away the conundrum as a supernatural occurrence, a fetish consequence. And it is easy to see why.

Kunle Afolayan, the son of Ade Love grew up steeped in the Nigerian movie tradition of the supernatural and the fetish. In his movies, there is always a nod to that atavistic essence but it is a homage paid with a wink. His audience is being had and he is complicit in the deception.

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 17,2016

THE CEO AS PARABLE

ARTS & REVIEW\\MOVIE ART LOGUE

The movie director, Kunle Afolayan

EMORES TURN UP AT NIKE GALLERY Yinka Olatunbosun

O

Location shot for The CEO

What now emerges is a movie that adopts a very modern trope in explicating an archetype as old as antiquity. The CEO is both Reality TV and yet a philosophical treatise and business primer that could very well be required viewing in business school. It riffs not just on ethics and professionalism, leadership and responsibility but also on public relations and crisis management.

Dr. Zimmerman is unto something when she says “idealism and pragmatism are not birds of the same feather.”

But it is Wale Ojo as Kola who has all the best lines from “Oyibo, you are not my broda,” to his sharp riposte to Dr Zimmerman which elicited applause to wit: “the CEO must be able to keep what he does in the boardroom separate from the bedroom.”

In proving his progressive mettle, Kunle Afolayan, as he did in Figurine and October 1, shows again that we remain prisoners so long as we allow ourselves to

be shackled by our primordial fears a sentiment that is echoed by Riikard when he says “I don’t believe the psychobabble crap.”

Set in the idyllic locale of Inagbe resort, there is aside the obvious thematic similarities already mentioned, a noticeable similarity in the pacing of his movie. The pace is often sedate and languid but never languorous.

Kunle Afolayan has delivered another major movie in The CEO, which he is marketing as a Pan-African movie and deep within the core of his continuing success as a Nigerian filmmaker lies the challenge for Mr. Afolayan because for his next movie project to grab the attention of the discerning viewer who is now on to him, our director must best himself.

His next movie must pack a punch and distance himself from what is beginning to appear like a template.

ghenemeyoma Emore, a 19-year old young graduate with a passion for visual arts just as her elder brother, Oritsegbemi, a 21 year-old, is gifted with photography and documenting scenes. Together, their creative spirit is blossoming into a full-time career for them and will soon be a talk of the Lagos art scene. Since her undergraduate days, Oghenemeyoma had been painting landscapes.

Oghenemeyoma began the journey on canvas and pastels when she enrolled at Lycee Francais Louis Pasteura, in Nigeria before proceeding to University of Worcester, UK where she recently graduated and participated in her first group art exhibition.

Parental support also played a pivotal role in her arts.

“My father egged me and my brother on how to draw and paint. Learning the ropes of drawing from him made me to go for art related courses in my career.’’

While in school, she drew inspiration from two world famous art figures, Marcel Duchamp and Nigeria’s Yinka Shonibare while her mercurial mind delves into the use of acrylic on Ankara works. “I use acrylic on Ankara which is my special medium over the years. And my pieces always come out colourful,’’ she said.

The exhibition scheduled to open at Nike Art Gallery Lagos is tagged I am. The siblings expect a good outing in terms of good patronage. The show which features no fewer than 30 works will be opened by the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Deuys Geuyer and will run till August 31.

The two siblings in their first joint outing in their home country are upbeat that their encounter with collectors and aficionados at the Nike Gallery Lagos will be a remarkable one.

“I am very happy to have this opportunity to showcase my photography in my country for the first time. It is a dream come true because it offers me the space to show the photography I have taken over the years to the public,’’ said Oritsegbemi, who is inspired by nature, love of the environment and everyday social realities.

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JULY 24, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

ARTS & REVIEW\\INVESTIGATION

A CURIOUS CASE

Yinka Olatunbosun reports on an alleged case of alteration of a painting belonging to an artist based in Repu

T

wo months ago, at about 10 p.m, this reporter received a disturbing call from an artist who introduced himself as Imorou Sanda. A meeting was promptly scheduled for the next day at the National Theatre premises where a few journalists were gathered. Clad in a simple wellworn t-shirt, Sanda received the press men who were waiting for him under the lush trees popularly called “Abe Igi’’. One of his works which had been, reportedly, tampered with and his story seemed interesting.

According to Sanda, he had been selling his works to a Lebanese art connoisseur, Chief Rahman Akar, the CEO, Signature Abound along Awolowo Road, Ikoyi. It has been a relationship based on trust. He claimed that he usually gave some of his works to the gallery owner who would sell and pay him much later.

He had no reason to look for any other gallery to showcase his works since Akar had been on top of his game and is well known in the visual art circle in Nigeria.

Lots of collectors as well as artists have visited his gallery.

Sanda was quite shocked when a friend drew his attention to an art auction catalogue published in March, 2016 where one of his works has been featured. The work was reportedly sold to Chief Akar and the artist claimed that the gallery owner had not completed the payment as at the time the work was published. It was also done without his permission.

As though that wasn’t enough, the work was almost unrecognisable. The new work has some white lizards and red lines which were not in the artist’s original work that was sold to the gallery owner last year alongside other works. Sanda was unhappy. He has been dealing with Chief Akar since 2013 and nothing like that had happened.

“It was N240,000. He paid N120,000. He is yet to pay the balance. I was in Cotonou when I came across the catalogue. My mentor had seen the work in a catalogue and he couldn’t understand it so he called me. He asked if it was my work. At first glance, I thought it wasn’t mine. I saw some elements that weren’t mine, those white lizards and red and green lines.

They look like some Chinese symbols.

I called the phone number he gave me but I couldn’t reach him so I called his secretary. I said I would come to Lagos.

The secretary, Lateef, sent a text message which I will read to you: if you are coming to Lagos for that purpose to make trouble, I think it is unnecessary. Whatever he does is in good faith, after all it is still in your name.’’

The artist arrived in Lagos the following week to see the gallery owner in order to make enquiries about this development. He didn’t think it was right. It is unlawful to do so in Benin where he hails from.

“When I came to Lagos, I went directly to the gallery. I thought his secretary would have told him about what happened. But Lateef didn’t. So, we sat down and talked about the works I had sold to him. He explained that the canvas for that work got wet and he had to restore it.

But to restore is different from modifying.

Finally, he agreed that he made some addition to the painting. I said he should pay what was left and then sign an undertaking not to alter any of my works.

He refused to sign it. And he didn’t pay the money he owed. That was all I was asking,’’ he sighed.

He subsequently went to a police station at Obalende. There, the police told him that they have a limited understanding of his kind of case. But they referred him to Citizens’ Mediation Centre at Onikan where he took the matter eventually. In a letter dated May 10, 2016,

the director, Citizens’ Mediation Centre, Mrs. O.A. Odusanya wrote to the Chief Akar, inviting him for a meeting to resolve the matter amicably. The centre is one of the institutions under the State Ministry of Justice that offers alternate dispute resolutions services to the public. The Gallery owner was not at the two meetings scheduled and a call had been put through to the gallery from the centre. The response received was that the gallery owner had travelled abroad for medical treatment and would not be available for the meetings.

Although the artist is convinced that the gallery owner is deliberately stalling the proceeding, it is imperative to give room for events to unfold. This reporter sent messages on the social media platforms, Facebook and LinkedIn precisely, to Chief Akar to get his side of the story but there was no response. Fortunately, after seven weeks, this reporter called the gallery and was informed that Chief Rahman Akar had returned to Lagos.

One could have missed the gallery with its not- so -conspicuous presence opposite Jazzhole. Akar promptly invited this reporter into his office, waltzing through the network of art works on display. Although it was tempting to stop and glance at the beautiful pieces, it was not the reason for the visit.

“The artist was introduced to me by another artist,’’ he began, facing this reporter who occasionally stole glances at the painting beside him. “The first time he came, I didn’t take any of his works. I saw that his works come from his heart so I patronise him. Sometimes you look at the humane aspect of an artist.’’

Akar denied ever owing Sanda any money. He also said that the auction was done in good faith and proceeds were to go to charity.

“When you do an auction, you will do a catalogue. We didn’t even sell the work.

The purpose of the auction was to showcase emerging artists like him. We did it at the Porshe Centre, Victoria Island.’’

Akar said he had restored Sanda’s paintings and the one that is a subject of controversy is just one of them.

“When he brought those works, I think it was raining. I told him that he should return them and fix them since he didn’t have any of his tools with him. He didn’t want to take them back to Cotonou. He said it was too much trouble, by the time he gets paid for it, it won’t be worth it for him. When he tried to do it, he did a very shabby job. I told him to leave them. When works get damaged, some artists will not like to restore it. Therefore, you restore it,’’ he explained.

He went on to cite examples of art works that their restoration sparked public outrage in other climes. In a recent report, a 19th-century fresco had been poorly restored by an unnamed woman in UK sparking anger in London. Art restorations are as good as nose jobs; you can either be in the Michael Jackson camp or Caitlyn Jenner’s.

Akar also claimed that none of the artist’s works had been sold by the gallery.

The artist had reported the matter to Oliver Enwonwu who tried to wade in.

“I dealt with the artist out of pity. And I believed that he was good. I have never sold any of his works. I now see why. He has a negative karma within him,’’ he said.

The word about town is that Akar has been having issues with some artists prior to this present one. He didn’t deny that for he said “it comes with the territory’’.

“I had issues with Pastor Babatunde from Universal Studios. There was an artist George Idahosa who lived in Benin, Edo state. I bought a work from him which was quite large. It turned out that Pastor Babatunde has done something similar to this work. He brought police from the station behind the City Hall. He accused me of forgery. He called me all sort of names.

How would I have known that the work is similar to Babatunde’s? I didn’t commission the work. He sent several pictures of

Original

his works to see. I convinced the artist to come down from Benin. The minute the artist came to Lagos, the police wanted to put him behind the bars. We discovered that Babatunde had copied an image that Idahosa also copied. The only difference was that the artist from Benin did a larger piece and added a few things. So the police sent the Pastor back to Jesus,’’ he recalled.

When this reporter asked Akar why he refused to sign the undertaking that Sanda claimed he gave him, Akar claimed it was a lie.

“He can say anything. I will appear before the mediation centre. He had a friend in me here. Since you want to know all my life story; another incident is that

of Abayomi Barber. I was his patron. He brought a terracotta work for me which I sought his permission to do I bronze because terracotta can easily disintegrate when it falls. I couldn’t find anyone who could do the right job. A guy from Benin who had designed the bird at the CBN building in Lagos did the finishing. I knew Barber very well. I knew all his children.

His wife raised all his children bore by some other woman even though she was barren. I would visit her with my children.

“I went all the way to Sango Ota to seek his authorization to have the work cast in bronze. Dealing with artists is no different from dealing with ashawo (prostitutes). It comes at a cost. All of a sudden, some guy came from a lawyer with a letter, accusing

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER •JULY 24, 2016

ARTS & REVIEW\\INVESTIGATION

OF ALTERATION

ublic of Benin, Amadou Imorou Sanda by a famous Lagos art gallery owner

Altered (or restored) work

me of being a forger. That I eat where I have not sown. The number of names he gave me was as long as a paragraph. I was asked to pay a sum of N2m in two weeks.

I couldn’t believe it. I used to take foodstuff to his wife even when no artwork of his was sold because the wife is such a wonderful human being. I had a letter of authorization from him so I showed it to the lawyer. Even his lawyer was ready to sue him for me. He later came to apologise that it was his son and someone from Universal Studio that convinced him to push the matter. I gave him N150,000 cheque inspite of everything,’’ he said.

Upon leaving the gallery, this reporter took one last glance at the entrance again and noticed two lizards in metal works. If

Akar has a thing for lizards, that would be a topic for another day.

The purpose of bringing this narrative to the fore is not to defame anyone but to understand the legal implications of such transactions between an artist and the gallery owner who buys and sells art works. Hence, this reporter sought the informed views of legal practitioners with expertise in intellectual property laws. In this first instance, can an artist who hails from Benin sue for copyright infringement in Nigeria?

According to an IP lawyer in Lagos who preferred anonymity, the artist can sue even though he is not a citizen of Nigeria since he is a citizen of a country that is party to an international agreement that

Nigeria is also party to.

“Section 5(1) (b) of the Copyright Act as amended Cap 28 provides for persons who are neither Nigerian citizens nor domiciled in Nigeria but who are citizens of or domiciled in a country that is a party to an obligation in a Treaty or other international agreement to which Nigeria is a party. Such persons can claim copyright over their works, provided that the work is first published in a country which is part of an obligation treaty or other international agreement to which Nigeria is a party; by the United Nations or any of its specialised agencies; or by the Organisation of African Unity (now African Union); or by the Economic Community of West African States,” the lawyer

pointed out.

Nigeria is a party to various international Treaties and Agreements including the Berne Convention for the protection of literature and artistic works (1886). Sanda is from Benin Republic which is also a party to the Berne Convention. Therefore, Sanda can claim copyright in Nigeria under the legal provision aforementioned.

The second issue at stake is to determine whether upon selling his work to the gallery, the artist has no right over the work anymore. The IP lawyer made it clear that the notion of Copyright was meant to establish protection towards the economic rights of an author of a particular artistic work. However, such idea has extended towards the protection of “moral rights” which gives the creator the right to prevent later distortion of his work as it aims to protect the author’s reputation and ensures that an author is always credited for the work. Fair enough, Sanda has been credited for the work. But with those white lizards surfacing in his said work, Sanda is not amused.

Under the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, which protects the economic and moral rights of the author, that is the creator of a work of art, there is a legal framework with preventing measures and protective mechanisms to combat the violation of an author’s right.

The IP lawyer further explained that copyright is separate from the right to possession of a work. Certainly, when a copy of a work is sold, the buyer has the right to redistribute or resell without the consent of the artist. Still, selling an artwork does not automatically transfer copyright to the buyer. The artist still retains both exclusive and moral rights to the work. This means that where the buyer intends to use part of the work to reproduce a new one, permission and credit has to be sought from the artist. In addition, moral rights give the creator control over the outcome of his artistic work along with protecting his reputation. This includes the creator’s right to receive credit for the work, prevent the work from being altered without permission, control over who owns the work and how it is displayed.

Furthermore, Section 11 of the Copyright Act 1990 shows that the owner of a copyright has the right- , amongst others, to object and to seek relief in connection with any distortion, mutilation or other modification of, and any other derogatory action in relation to his work, such action would be or is prejudicial to his honour or reputation.

Article 6b of the current Berne Convention Treaty which Nigeria is a party to, includes a moral rights clause that protects authors’ rights to decide whether and when to publish works, claims of authorship after the work is published, and preservation of the work’s integrity.

The IP lawyer further stated that the artist can prevent his work from being altered, distorted or mutilated and determine when it can be displayed.

“In the instant case, Sanda’s artwork was altered even to the point that he could not recognise it at first and it was published in a book. As the owner of the copyright, he has a right to preserve the integrity of his work. His permission should have been sought before any alteration was made and published in a catalogue.

“Sanda has to show that the mutilation tarnished his reputation even though derogatory remarks were not written about the artist over the painting. He can also claim that the alteration is indeed a destruction of his original work. He also needs to show a significant stature of the original work.

“The buyer or gallery’s display right is limited to only the original work. To place the painting in a brochure, magazine or book, permission should be sought from the artist. Failure to have done this is an infringement on Sanda’s copyright to the painting and he is entitled to assert his moral rights, such as objecting to derogatory treatment of his work. The court may grant an injunction to stop the person from doing the derogatory act against his work,’’ said the lawyer.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 24,2016

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CICERO

Editor Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08054681757

IN THE ARENA

The Disturbing Reports About Diversion of IDPs Funds and Materials The authorities should move fast to address the worrying exploitation of the IDPs, writes Vincent Obia

R

ecent revelations about the diversion of items and funds meant for internally displaced persons in various parts of the country have inspired much discussion. Over the past few months, different institutions and organs of government have raised concerns about the astonishing and emotional issue. The authorities must rise to the occasion, and proactively move to save the IDPs from those who are out to profiteer from their situation. Government must demonstrate that they are committed and able to protect the IDPs from persons who have sold their souls to the devil.

Last month, the House of Representatives resolved to investigate allegations that donor funds and materials meant for the displaced persons were being diverted. The resolution followed a motion on matters of urgent public importance raised by Hon. Aliyu Isa, a Peoples Democratic Party member from Gombe State, during plenary.

The House said in the resolution passed on June 23, “Both the federal government, local donor groups, as well as wealthy individuals have committed funds for the same purposes.” It expressed worry “that despite all the donations, a large number of these IDPs are living in hunger, very deplorable and unhygienic conditions without any rehabilitation in sight.

“There are series of allegations of diversion of the donated funds meant for the wellbeing and welfare of IDPs.” The House mandated its committees on emergency and disaster preparedness; loans, aids and debt management; and IDPs, refugees and initiatives on North-east to investigate the donations and their disbursement.

In a similar vein of annoyance at the exploitation of IDPs, last month, chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, expressed worry over complaints of corruption in the IDPs camps. Magu said the complaints came from international humanitarian organisations and other civil society organisations that were donating relief materials to victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east, camped in different parts of the country.

“We want to be sure that there is transparency, accountability and judicious use of the money allocated to Internally Displaced Persons in Maiduguri and elsewhere,” the EFCC chairman stated while visiting the reopened zonal office of the commission in Maiduguri.

“What we are doing is gathering intelligence but the culprits behind the sufferings in the IDP camps will be invited sooner or later by the EFCC.” The main culprits are civil society groups and non-governmental organisations claiming to be working for the interest of the IDPs. But there are individuals and government officials also involved in the wicked enterprise of taking advantage of the IDPs. Recently, there were reports about some officials of the National Emergency Management Agency caught changing the bags in which rice procured by government, benevolent Nigerians, and foreign donors for the IDPs were sold, on purpose to resell them.

Not long ago, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps in Borno State arrested some men alleged to have duped IDPs in the state into buying fake forms for relief materials to the tune of about N27 million. The suspects were said to have sold 9,000 forms at N300 each to IDPs in some camps in Maiduguri with the promise of providing them special relief materials from the federal government.

It is disturbing to note that while the funds and items meant to bring some succour to the IDPs are being siphoned, conditions in the camps are worsening everyday. Last week, the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria, an NGO, said two ladies and a man were diagnosed with mental insanity among the IDPs at the Kukareta camp in Yobe State. Chairman of the organisation, Dr Abdullahi Nur, called for “urgent psychological therapy for the IDPs for the shock

ezeibe.aguwa@thisdaylive.com 08093842953

suffered from the attacks on their communities.”

In May, NSCDC reported what it called a shocking incidence of prostitution in IDPs camps in Borno State in a desperate survival bid by the people. The state NSCDC commandant, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the IDPs were being lured into the act “because of the situation they found themselves.”

Over the years, progress has been made in raising funds and relief items for persons who have been displaced from their ancestral homes by insecurity caused by the Boko Haram insurgency and other forms of insecurity in the country. But the federal government needs to do more to ensure that the donated resources get to their real beneficiaries.

The Victims Support Fund, which was launched on July 31, 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan, is a veritable means of ensuring accountability in the collection and distribution of money and aid for the IDPs. The federal government has tried to summon the needed political, social, and legal support for the victims’fund.

The former government authorised the incorporation of the fund into a trust fund to, among other things, “insulate it from political interference.”

A lot of goodwill has been achieved within and outside Nigeria in terms of response to appeals for relief resources for the victims of insecurity.

But the federal government needs to harness the domestic and foreign goodwill to make a difference in the lives of the IDPs. This it can do by streamlining the process of relief management through the Victims Support Fund, which is manned by a group of prominent

and dependable Nigerians. The fund is chaired by General Theophilus Danjuma.

Empowering the Victims Support Fund to manage the issue of relief for the IDPs would be an excellent way to eliminate the disheartening and shameful reports of corruption in the IDPs aid system. It would be in line with the fund mission, “To be the foremost knowledge-driven and programme-based organisation, mobilising sustainable funding and building partnerships for the support and transformation of victims of terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.”

The objectives of the Victims Support Fund include, “To manage, disburse and/or administer support to the victims (of terrorism and insurgency) as appropriate; “To address related challenges as may be appropriate.”

Other duties of the Victims Support Fund include economic empowerment, health care, as well as educational and psychosocial support for victims of terrorism and insurgency.

With about 2.152 million IDPs, as of December 31 last year, according to Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, an independent, non-governmental humanitarian organisation, with headquarters in Geneva, Nigeria is said to have the highest number of displaced persons in Africa. Of the figure, 12.6 per cent were displaced due to communal clashes, 2.4 per cent by natural disasters, and 85 per cent as a result of insurgency attacks by Boko Haram Islamists.

The Nigerian government has a duty to give succour to the displaced and deprived citizens. Only actions that can have a significant impact in comforting the people and protecting them from further misery would make the needed difference in their lives.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

Shameful Killing of Protesting Youths by Soldiers in Plateau

T

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai

he killing of three youths on Thursday by soldiers in Plateau State during protests by locals against the murder of their paramount ruler by unknown assailants was shocking and disgraceful. Saf Ron Kulere and chairman of Bokkos Traditional Council, Chief Lazarus Agai, his police orderly, wife, and son were killed on Monday on their way to Bokkos, after visiting the first class

chief’s farm in Sha District.

It was simply outrageous that the security agents who could not safeguard the people against attack by those that killed the paramount ruler would turn their guns against his subject who were expressing anger over his assassination.

The soldiers ought to have shown some character and strength by restraining themselves, even in the face of provocation.

– Vincent Obia

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CICERO/INTERVIEW

Shuaibu: Whether it is Ize-Iyamu or Iduoriyekemwen, Obaseki will Win Edo Guber Race Hon. Philip Shuaibu is the member representing Etsako Federal constituency of Edo state in the House of Representatives. The lawmaker was recently nominated as running mate to the All Progressives Congress gubernatorial flag-bearer in Edo State, Godwin Obaseki. In an interview with journalists, he speaks on the upcoming governorship contest. Anayo Okolie was there

H

Group, Victor Ebomoyi was equally a leader.

Those were people that conceived of the idea of Grace Group. Pastor in his usual, used government machinery then as SSG to Igbinedion to take over Grace Group. That was why we decided to pay him back with Edo in Safe Hands and that was how he ran away from APC when he could not get the structure needed for him to be governor. We know him very well and he cannot take my heat not to talk of that of Obaseki or Oshiomhole or the APC. You people overrate him politically but we are glad he is running now so he can get the defeat. He comes from the same local government with our deputy governor and leader, Odubu, you will see how Odubu will deal with him that day electorally. It has happened before, may be this time he will run to APGA. Unfortunately, he is only a faction of the PDP, we have Iduoriyekemwen who is the candidate of Sheriff’s faction. But he is not a match. APC is too big to have sleepless night over him, it is only the media that is trying to amplify him as if he will even win his village. I have contested several elections, but this is the first time Ize-Iyamu will be running for election, so what experience is he bringing rather than being a PA to Lucky Igbinedion. What are his antecedents, you people should ask him. Some of us were praying that PDP should give him the ticket but we did not envisage they were going to factionalise their party. Even at that, we have said it that if he becomes the candidate the election will be easier for us. God has answered our prayers and you will see how we will defeat him in the 192 wards in Edo State.

ow do you feel emerging as running mate to Godwin Obaseki?

I am very grateful to the governor, the APC state chairman, our Natiomal chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and all the leaders that run the affairs of the APC in the state, that they found me worthy to be the running mate to our next governor, Godwin Obaseki, come September 10. It’s a clarion call for me to improve on those things they saw in me.

What new thing is the APC bringing to Edo State should Obaseki win?

I am hundred per cent optimistic, we are talking about voting-in APC to continue on the foundation already built by the Comrade Governor. Godwin Obaseki and Philip Shuaibu, were they part of this vision, were they part of the implementation of this vision? The answer is yes. Obaseki was in the Executive arm, I am in the legislative arm. Obaseki as chairman of the Economic Team was part of the blue print, he knows where the projects are, knows areas we have worked and areas where we have not worked. He knows areas where jobs are ongoing.

And from the legislative arm, I ensured that we approved the jobs while I was in the House of Assembly knowing full well that it will touch the lives of our people and the vision of the Comrade Governor and the development of APC. Because we are part of that vision, the Comrade Governor has taken it so far from ground zero to gear four, we are now going to engage gear five. And by the special grace of God we will make sure that the development gets to the next level. The governor has created environment for employment.

How do governments create the environment for employment? Through infrastructure. Comrade governor has built infrastructure and by the grace of God, Godwin and I are now going to make Edo State an industrial state through agriculture and other means, to generate 200,000 jobs.

Just like some regard Oshiomhole as a radical, you are equally regarded that way in some quarters and there is this fear that you may want to commence war with some persons when you get there?

I think if there is going to be a fight which we don’t pray for, the fight will be against those who don’t want development in Edo State. We have always stood our ground and we have always fought them. I am not always scared of fighting those who want to put our development in reverse gear. So if there is going to be any fight it is going to be against those enemies of democracy because it is going to be forward ever and backward never. So the government of Godwin will be a government that will sustain development, taking it to the next level of industrialisation. So anybody that would not want development for Edo State, we are ever ready to fight such people. It is going to be a progressive fight because fighting for development is a fight that I enjoy getting involved in.

Shuaibu

It seems your party members from Edo Central are not too happy, what is your party doing to appease them?

I think PDP are the ones blowing up this Edo Central thing. It is a creation of the PDP. Edo central is APC, they use to be PDP before the election of the Comrade governor but after the election of the Comrade governor, you saw we got 18/18. I am telling you that in this election, Edo Central, North and South are all APC, and those ethnic cards they are trying to play up - have interacted with the youths of Edo Central, with the women

Obaseki as chairman of the Economic Team was part of the blue print, he knows where the projects are, knows areas we have worked and areas where we have not worked. He knows areas where jobs are ongoing. And from the legislative arm, I ensured that we approved the jobs while I was in the House of Assembly knowing full well that it will touch the lives of our people and the vision of the Comrade Governor and the development of APC

and progressive traditional rulers from Esan land, they are for development - so it will not work. Esan people love development, they don’t want retrogressive government, they don’t want a government that will under-develop them like the PDP, they want good things and because they love good things they are now all in the APC. Some of them who are just there are now leaving to join APC; so it is this imagination of the PDP that they can play a smart game to create crisis among the people. I can tell you that Oshiomhole has broken the jinx by winning in all the 18 Local Governments of the state. Since then, no part of Edo State belongs to PDP and you will see it in the next election.

It is being said that the APC leadership is scared of the emergence of Ize-Iyamu as PDP candidate?

How can we be sacred of Ize-Iyamu? Electorally, Philip Shuaibu alone can take care of him.

I don’t see him as a match to me not to talk of a match to Obaseki or the Comrade Governor. IzeIyamu was redeemed by the Comrade Governor when he was with us, before then he could not walk the streets of Benin. Ize-Iyamu boasts about Grace Group; I was a member of Grace Group, Moris and I wrote the mission statement of Grace Group. Lawrence Orka was a leader of Grace

But are you sure people will vote APC with the current economic situation in the country?

Yes, Nigerians are aware of the issues. They can never be deceived. Have you ever seen in the history of this country since 1999 where Federal government will decide to increase the price of fuel and the masses on their own will agree that they should increase it. That shows that Nigerian people understand the issues. Nigerians are aware that the economic crisis we are in today was masterminded by PDP; and President Buhari has come to fix the problem created by PDP. And as you are aware, to destroy is easier than to build. Buhari took over at a critical time when PDP looted the treasury and ran down the economy. That was the same way the Comrade Governor inherited Edo state when he came. All infrastructure were down, funds looted and price of oil is at the lowest level at the international market, and to worsen it are the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers.

So you see the pain the man is going through to fix the country. Our people are aware of what PDP has done and they will punish them with their votes come September 10, 2016.

Our people are aware of the issues, and by the grace of God they know that Buhari is one man that says the truth and he is prepared to fix the economy. Today our GDP that is on the paper is the real thing on ground, so we are in an economy that was destroyed by PDP. The PDP created a muddy situation before Buhari came and what Mr President is doing now is taking one step at a time. Mr President is fighting corruption and like he said corruption is fighting back and those propaganda you are seeing against him today are being sponsored by those people. But with the prayers of Nigerians to a man that is truthful to them, we will get there. Nigerians know that APC tells them to the truth no matter how bitter it is and they will continue to vote APC. Enough of pretence of the PDP. In Edo we have always dealt with them because they were so wicked to Edo people and in this election, whether it is Pastor or Iduoriyekemwen, we will defeat them with a large margin.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

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CICERO/ISSUE

Makarfi

Sheriff

How PDP Can Break the Stalemate Onyebuchi Ezigbo, in Abuja, looks at what the main opposition party can do to resolve the current disagreements threatening to tear it apart

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ew weeks ago, the former ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, came close to resolving the crisis and controversy surrounding its national chairmanship post. The crisis followed the dissolution of the National Working Committee at the party’s last national convention on May 21 and subsequent appointment of a national caretaker committee headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi. The national convention itself was marred by series of court litigations, which literally prevented it from proceeding with the set goal of electing new national officers. The drama that accompanied the illfated national convention held in Port Harcourt also saw the then national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, hurriedly addressing a press conference in hotel room, ostensibly, to postpone the event while many delegates had already gathered at the venue of the convention.

Litany of Litigations

However, Sheriff did not succeed in stopping the convention. Thus, the dissolution of the NWC and appointment of a caretaker committee did not go down well with the former national chairman. From that time the PDP has not known peace, as both the Makarfi-led caretaker committee and the Sheriff-led group have continued to lay claim to the leadership of the party. Members of the party have been treated to different court rulings. At the last count, the party had not less than six court judgements from various courts, though, of coordinate jurisdiction, some of which ran counter to each other.

The crisis in the PDP almost disrupted its participation in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State, as both factions of the national leadership came up with governorship candidates produced from parallel primaries. It was the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the governorship candidate of the Makarfi-led PDP caretaker committee, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, that tended to break the stalemate. A late evening text message from the commission’s deputy director of publicity and voter education, Mr Nick Dazang, was what put an end to the controversy.

Dazang said the commission had received names of 19 governorship candidates from 19 political parties, including the candidate of the PDP, Ize-Iyamu, as at the end of the deadline. He stated, “As at this evening, we received 19 candidates from 19 political parties for the Edo State governorship election. This includes the candidate of the Makarfi-led faction of the PDP. We received the candidate of the Makarfi-led faction because of the Port Harcourt court

judgement, plus the fact that we monitored its primaries.”

However, the recognition conferred on the Makarfi-led leadership by INEC seems to be only a temporary relief for the PDP. Leaders of the party have made efforts to persuade Sheriff and his group to try to secure their support and ensure total reconciliation that would see to the withdrawal of the many cases still pending in the courts. This is as a result of the defiant position taken by Sheriff, who seems determined to continue with his cases in court.

Settlement

But the chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin, told journalists penultimate week after the party’s national caucus meeting in Abuja that as part of efforts to achieve reconciliation, he and other leaders of the party spent a lengthy time discussing modalities for peace with Sheriff. Jibrin said the fact that a prominent member of the Sheriff camp, Senator Buruji Kashamu, has accepted to re-join the mainstream PDP and support the caretaker committee was a clear sign that the crisis in the party was coming to an end.

Jibrin said, “If you see Kashamu coming to our side, fully embracing our national caretaker committee, whatever

It was learnt that Sheriff had been offered a concession to produce the party executive in his home state of Borno and to also nominate a candidate for election as the national vice chairman for North-east zone at the next convention

this group says will be acceptable to him. We have been meeting with Sheriff. And there is progress with Sheiff. He is a human being and I am sure he will follow suit.”

On the withdrawal of the court cases and whether peace could be achieved in the party before the August 17 date for a new convention, Jibrin said, “What other kind of concession than for somebody to come on his own to announce that he is in support of the caretaker committee. We have been meeting with Sheriff. At the appropriate time Sheriff himself will be with us.”

Apart from the efforts to reconcile with Sheriff and his group, PDP has made some progress in settling the rift that almost tore apart the South-west chapter of the party.

Notable leaders of the party, such as Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, and Kashamu met at the Ondo State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja where they agreed to drop their differences to allow peace to reign.

Efforts to secure a peace deal with Sheriff were also made by the PDP governors at a meeting held at the Taraba State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, a few days before the national caucus meeting.

While narrating what went on at the reconciliation meeting held between Sheriff and the Makarfi caretaker committee before the national caucus meeting, Kashamu said there was an agreement to convene an expanded national caucus meeting. He said it was also agreed that a harmonised National Convention Committee should be set up.

Kashamu said, “After series of meetings with many of our respectable leaders, a larger meeting was held with Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Makarfi at the Taraba State Governor’s Lodge. They both agreed that the two of them will address the nation and members of the party at the national convention. In effect, the two great leaders showed that they have the interest of the party at heart.

“However, the only point of divergence was who should preside over the expanded national caucus meeting and constitute the National Convention Committee. It was then proposed that they both Co-chair the expanded national caucus meeting and jointly constitute the National Convention Committee.

“Other proposals were made. It was at this stage that I decided to attend the expanded national caucus meeting and join hands with other well-meaning leaders to see through the reconciliation process. As a true party man, I could not but support the reconciliation process in order to move the party forward.”

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

CICERO/TRIBUTE/ISSUE

Adamu Joins the Septuagenarian Club Adams Abonu

I

t was Lula da Silva, erstwhile President of Brazil, that remarked, “To enhance influence, one must build bridges across divides. The ability to build and maintain such bridges distinguishes an individual and the synergy created makes service to accrue.” The inspirational leader whose transformative prowess held sway in the Southern American nation for over a decade was adducing to a viable virtue of greatness.

The bridge builder analogy captures the very essence of the person of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, a testament to the strength of character that an individual could portray.

Adamu’s personality has been a subject of broad analysis by pundits, well-wishers and antagonists alike, as they examine the phenomenon of a man who has become triumphed in a life of public service to become the moral conscience of the senate.

For a personality whose star shines bright in a clime with a dearth of elderly mentoring, Adamu’s rise through the ranks in the national scheme of things has distinguished him as a veritable rallying point for national development. His inspiring political trajectory, the quality of his political virtues, which are viable lessons in leadership, and his humane disposition to issues that affect the wellbeing of his people and Nigerians at large speak volumes that makes this tribute as he joins the septuagenarian rank worthwhile.

A glimpse into the early days of Adamu reveals an erudite preparation for a future of distinctive service to humanity. Born on July 23, 1946 to a farming family in Agwada, in presentday Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, he had his earliest education at Senior Primary School in Keffi before proceeding to Government College, Makurdi, between 1960 and 1962. In the intervening period before 1965, he was at the Government Technical College, Bukuru, near Jos, Plateau State, for a Certificate in Technical Education. He was later to enrol at the Kaduna Polytechnic in 1968 and graduated in 1973 with a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Engineering.

Adamu’s quest for learning and urbane disposition created in him the hunger for a law degree, which he actualised between 1987 and 1993 upon graduation from the University of Jos. He was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar as Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Adamu He says, “My education at Government College, Makurdi, actually prepared me for the life ahead. By the alphabetical arrangement of my name, I became the first student in my set and it was the more interesting.

“The engineering discipline also prepared me for successful enterprises. I have a lot to thank Allah for, for making me have the exposures I had while studying to become an engineer. But my mind has always been attracted to the cause of justice and further learning of the ways to improve the society. I enrolled into the university to read law because of the penchant to better serve the public from a more learned and informed point of view.”

Adamu came into national consciousness in 1977, when he was elected into then Constituent Assembly for the drafting of a new Nigerian constitution, which heralded the short-lived Second Republic. Prior to this time, he had worked variously as an engineer with the Electric Company of Nigeria (ECN) from 1967 to 1973 and the Northern Nigerian Development Company (NNDC). He was Project Consultant in the construction of the prestigious Durbar Hotel and Murtala Muhammad Square, both in Kaduna.

A pioneer member of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Adamu was later to serve as secretary-general and then chairman of

the Plateau State chapter of the party between 1978 and 1983. He doubled as chairman of the Benue Cement Company in Gboko while serving as state chairman of his party.

When the General Sani Abacha junta mooted the idea of returning the country to civil democracy with a new constitution, Adamu was appointed into the 1994 Constituent Assembly.

The same junta appointed him as Minister of Works and Housing in 1995, a post he held until November 1997.

Regarding his role in the infamous Abacha junta, Adamu says, “It was a call to serve the nation and I heeded it. It was an opportunity to bring my humble experience to bear and I did my sincere best in serving the people of Nigeria.”

When the ban on political activities was lifted by the regime of General Abdulsamami Abubakar, who took the reins of power after the demise of Abacha, Adamu joined other Nigerians, like late Solomon Lar, Sunday Awoniyi, and others, to form the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He became the party’s candidate for a successful bid for Governor of Nasarawa State in 1999.

His tenure as governor of Nasarawa State for two consecutive terms, the politics of that era and the giant strides of his stewardship have remained subjects of real political analysis long after he left office. He has to his credit essential projects like the Nasarawa State University in Keffi, the Farin Ruwa Water Project and key socioeconomic infrastructure, which demonstrate his concern for posterity.

The launch in 2005 of his Free School Feeding Programme designed to provide nutritionallyfortified diets to primary school pupils to encourage enrolment and boost educational interest became a model for many states of the federation. Such legacy projects have come to endear him to his people who flock to him in their numbers for leadership. The Sarkin Yaki Keffi, a traditional title of valour bestowed on him by his people, remains the undisputable leader of Nasarawa people.

When Adamu became Secretary of the Board of Trustees of then ruling Peoples Democratic Party under the chairmanship of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, many attested to the viability of the advisory organ of the party in power. The sense of duty and mutual respect between him and the former president brought considerable respect to the PDP BoT. But the maverick politician resigned from the position when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) made an attempt to probe

• How PDP Can Break the Stalemate • Continued from Pg. 72 Defiance

But Sheriff has rejected the entreaties made to him, insisting that the only condition for an

end to the crisis is for the party to dissolve the Makarfi-led national caretaker committee, which he said is illegal and unknown to the PDP constitution. He went further to state that the party must to agree to hold a fresh national convention in Abuja – rather than Port Harcourt. He also suggested the formation of a harmonised convention committee with 10 members each from his group and the Makarfi committee.

The uncompromising stance of Sheriff has not gone down well with the caretaker committee and most leaders of the party.

Although the leaders are supportive of continuing with the dialogue process, most of them are of the opinion that the party may need to call the bluff of Sheriff and his group since they seem to have very slim prospects of securing any legal victory against the party. Perhaps, it was in the light of this reasoning that the caretaker committee went ahead with the resolutions reached at the national caucus meeting to organise a fresh national convention on August 17 in Port Harcourt.

The party unanimously resolved to zone the post of the national chairman to the South, just as it reaffirmed its earlier decision that the North should produce its presidential candidate for the 2019 general election. Speaking on the role of the commit-

tee, Makarfi assured that they would keep to the timeframe given to them to organise a national convention and leave. He also spoke on the need for stakeholders of the party to reignite the spirit unity of purpose for which the party was known in order to win more people over ahead of the convention.

While receiving stakeholders of the PDP from Kwara State who paid a courtesy visit to the national caretaker committee, Makarfi said the recommended approach would help the party win more states in the 2019 general election. “We don’t belong to sit-tight leaders.

We have been saying that even if by today our services are no longer required we will quit. Others left before us and others will leave after us.”

On the issue of reconciliation, Makarfi said the party was making progress. He said, “What we want is an all-inclusive PDP, an equitable, fair and just system in the PDP, where the right of everyone commensurate with their own level is protected and preserved. We equally have set up a special committee led by Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, to further cement the reconciliation within the South-west so that all issues that must have led to the division in the South-west would be resolved accordingly.”

Concession

It was learnt that Sheriff had been offered a concession to produce the party executive in his home state of Borno and to also

Ekweremadu nominate a candidate for election as the national vice chairman for North-east zone at the next convention.

While offering his opinion on the way forward, the immediate past national legal adviser of the PDP, Mr. Victor Kwom, advised the party to go ahead with plans for a fresh national convention and disregard Sheriff.

According to Kwom, “Sheriff has been kicking and kicking against the party’s position but he is doing so in his hotel

his role as chief executive of Nasarawa State in a rare demonstration of accountability.

As leaders of thought in Nasarawa West senatorial district shopped for a worthy representative ahead of the 2011 general election, they found a better choice in Adamu, whom they prevailed on to volunteer his experience and lead them. Though the then governor, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, whom Adamu had helped to emerge as governor, tried unsuccessfully to use the party machinery against him, the race was a done deal as massive support accrued to Adamu from the people of the district. Adamu served in the seventh National Assembly, playing very strategic roles in the maturing senate and acting as an unseen hand in the stability of the legislature. He led the bloc of former governors who formed a huge size of the senate.

When crisis erupted in the PDP in 2013 due to what he described as “the unbridled ambition of those within the corridors of power and a politics of selfishness and grandstanding,” Adamu joined other aggrieved party chieftains to defect to the All Progressives Congress alongside five serving governors and more than 20 of the 62 PDP senators. This defection was one of the major factors behind PDP’s defeat at the last general elections.

Adamu said he made frantic effort to salvage the situation in the PDP, including meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan, but to no avail. The entry of Adamu into the formative processes of the now ruling APC added to the credibility of the new party and helped it to garner a great deal of public goodwill.

“With leaders like Senator Abdullahi Adamu joining APC with his years of experience and political capital, the issue of APC taking power across board in the coming election is clear. It is clearly to our advantage that such people of known sagacity would embrace the change we seek,” Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura said of the famous defection in November 2013. The people of Nasarawa West returned their leader to the red chamber during the last general election in a smooth process that saw the opposition candidate, Aliyu Wadada of PDP, graciously conceding defeat. Adamu saw “another opportunity to further improve the lot of my people and the generality of Nigerians.”

Adamu is the senate committee chairman on agriculture in an era when the nation seeks a return to the land as a result of dwindling crude oil revenue. He is a leader worthy of emulation. Nigerians wish him Allah’s continuous blessings.

room and, meanwhile, the party is moving ahead. There is nothing he can do about it.

If you observed, the party did a primary election for Edo State that the INEC came to monitor and it finally gave us recognition and the party is moving on after that. We also feel that where the issues fail to be reconciled peacefully, then the courts and appellate court will be allowed to adjudicate on the matter and the party will go on with its affairs afterwards.

“I feel that the party is bigger than anyone and that everyone should able to sacrifice his or her ambitions in the interest of the party and not the party doing so for the interest of a man. The party is a common platform that serves the need of everyone but we must protect that platform so as to continue to play that role.”

A member of the caretaker committee and the spokesman of the Makarfi-led leadership, Dayo Adeyeye, is also of opinion that the issue of leadership tussle should be laid to rest based on the recognition given to them by INEC. Adeyeye said the days of the media feasting on the crisis rocking the PDP were over, as the all the stakeholders were now willing to resolve the contending issues in a peaceful atmosphere.

What remains to seen is how and when the party will attain full reconciliation between the mainstream leadership headed

by Makarfi and the aggrieved faction led

by Sheriff. For now it seems the media still has some time more to feast on the PDP leadership controversy.

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CICERO/ REPORT

Niger and the ReturningViolence Laleye Dipo, in Minna, writes on the recent ethnic and religious conflicts in Niger State as fratricidal violence gradually returns to the state

I

t is not for nothing that Niger State is nationally recognised as one of the most peaceful states in the country.

The state is seen as a safe haven for indigenes and non-indigenes, while the business community has not found any reason why it should fear to invest in any part of the state.

Political and religious leadership in the state have also been very tolerant and accommodating of each other. Government on its part, too, has been proactive in ensuring it nips in the bud any crisis that might want to rear its ugly head. The ability of the last administration to quickly dislodge the Islamic sect, Daru Islam, from their enclave near Mokwa ensured that the state was not turned to the headquarters of the now dreaded Boko Haram Islamic group, which has made the north-eastern part of the country and, in particular, Borno State, its headquarters.

Past Incidents

It is not that the state has not had its share of religious crisis. The bombing of the Catholic church on Christmas eve at Madalla and another explosion at the Government Secondary School during a senatorial campaign rally also in Suleja, followed by another explosion at the Local Government Independent National Electoral Commission office by Boko Haram adherents are some of the violent incidents that sent several non-indigenes out of Suleja Local Government Area.

But the administration of former Governor Babangida Aliyu quickly put the necessary machinery in motion to contain these crisis and also funded the security agencies to ensure they performed their role as peace keepers and enforcers.

Suleja local government itself was placed under close security watch for almost a year before peace returned to the area.

Non-indigenous people, most of them traders, who fled the town, have since returned and the area now bubbles as it used to be before those bloody occurrences.

Returning to Violence

However, recent happenings in Pandogari, Suleja, Lambata and Bosso towns, all in four out of the 25 local government areas in the state, are signals that the once peaceful state is gradually being turned to a theatre of religious and ethnic war, which for a state grappling for economic survival, may be counterproductive.

The incident in Pandogari saw the beheading of a non-indigene of the state, 24 year-old Methodus Emmanuel, and three others, for allegedly posting on the social media images that did not represent the great Prophet Mohammed in good light.

As if the beheading was not enough to satisfy the blood thirsty appetite of the Muslim youths who carried out the dastardly act, they also went after all non-indigenes in the area, destroying and looting their property. In the end, the non-indigenes had to flee the town. Some relocated with their kith and kin to nearby Kagara and Tegina towns while others left the state totally.

This was also after several churches had been destroyed, as if it was the leadership of the churches that directed the vexed image to be posted on the social media.

Though government has assured that those behind the ignoble act will be apprehended and brought to book, it is still expected that such action will be taken, especially after 42 youths were arrested, taken to court, and granted bail. Some of the affected non-indigenes have refused to return to Pandogari, leaving the economic life of the town in shambles.

CAN’s Allegation

The Christian Association of Nigeria reacted swiftly to the attack on its members and churches by the Muslim youths and the remarks by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello that the incident was not a religious conflict. CAN’s state chairman, Reverend Matthias Echioda, said the government statement was an indirect way of shielding the Muslim youths that perpetuated the act.

“I want to remind all that life is sacred and we must respect individuals and their religion. Those who took laws into their hands are now being shielded from facing the wrath of the law,” Echioda alleged.

Two months after the incident in Pandogari, the committee set up by the state government to investigate the matter and make recommendations to the administration has not completed its work, at least to the knowledge of the public.

“The proper procedures should be followed in settling crisis between Christians and Muslims and not the way it is being swept under the carpet by the government,” the CAN leader said.

Muslims Youth Go on Rampage in Madalla

Just a week ago, in another part of the state, Barkin-iku, near Madalla, in Suleja Local Government Area of the state, Muslim youths went haywire, destroying part of St. Philips Catholic Church and the church’s musical instruments after beating to pulp some security men on duty and women praying inside the church. The grouse of the Muslim youths, who also took over the streets, attacking innocent people, was that the church had the impetus to pray on a Friday, a day they claimed had been dedicated to Muslims to have their prayers.

The church leadership has been counting its human and material losses. Those injured during the attack by the Muslim youths have been admitted at a hospital they do not want to disclose.

However, the police who intervened to restore law and order claimed nobody was injured in the fracas.

The incident penultimate Friday, just like the one at Pandogari over two months ago, has affected the economic and social lives of the people, especially non-indigenes who are afraid to properly settle down after the disturbance because of fears that there could be a repeat of the incident.

Bloody Clash Between Farmers and Herdsmen Not less than eight persons were killed within 48 hours, with several others injured, in clashes between Fulani herdsmen and their Gwari counterparts in Bosso and Paikoro local government areas of the state.

The incident in Paikoro Local Government Area was as a result of some Fulani youths who allowed their cattle to stray into the farms of the Gwari thereby destroying several hectares of cultivated farmland.

Some Gwari elders who arrested the Fulani youths sought compensation from the elderly Fulani men but negotiation reportedly broke down, leading to a free for all during which dangerous weapons were used by both sides. The incident degenerated to burning of thatched buildings, forcing the Fulani to vacate the community where they had lived for decades.

At the end of the day, three Fulanis, one of them an 84-year-old man, were killed while one Gwari man lost his life. The Mayetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, the umbrella body for the Fulani, said they were still searching for at least three people.

Twenty four hours after the incident, the Fulani, in an apparent reprisal, descended on Barakuta village, near Beji in the Bosso

Burnt Motorcycles

Special adviser to Niger State Governor, Mr. Solomon Nyaeze commiserating with Baruka village head, Alhaji Muhammed Maigari over the incident

Local Government Area, with AK- 47 rifles, machetes, and cutlasses, killing three Gwaris, while one Fulani man lost his life.

Eight vehicles, 17 motor cycles and several houses belonging to the Gwari were burnt.

Not less than 450 Gwaris have also been rendered homeless in the last incident.

The state government has opened an internally displaced persons’ camp at the premises of the Bosso Primary School, some 40 kilometres from the place where the disturbances occurred. Government and the Niger State Emergency Management Agency are trying to give succour to the IDPs, who are mostly women and children.

The economic and social lives of Beji town, known for its large market where different agricultural products, goats, sheep and cows are sold, has been truncated because the market has not opened for business since the crisss occurred. Natives and non-natives retire to the comfort of their homes as early as 5pm each daily.

The police and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps are also on the ground to provide security to the people both in the village and at the IDP camp. They are also combing the forests in search of those behind the attack on Barakuta village.

Taking it in Their Stride

Leaders of the communities mostly affected by these incidents are trying to move on from where they stopped.

Chairman of the Igbo Community in

Pandogari, Chief Chukwumanyi Chuzzy, told THISDAY, “We have forgotten the incident of the past; we are moving on with life, life is like that.”

Chuzzy noted that most of them had stayed over 40 years in Pandogari. “We gave birth to our children here, they are schooling here, some of them married here, we are going nowhere.”

The Gwari in Paiko and Beji are, however, still sad as a result of the incident, which they said has forced them out of their farms.

“We can no longer go to the farm for fear of being attacked by the Fulani,” one man said.

Chairman of the Gbegnu Boknu Yankwo, a Gwari cultural association, Mr. Danjuma Steven Paiko, has already directed his people to stop admitting Fulanis in their communities, especially those without cattle. Paiko described the incidents at Paiko and Bosso local government areas as “senseless and barbaric killings of innocent peoples.”

The governor also condemned the attack and vandalism at St. Philips Catholic Church by those he described as “a group of miscreants who paraded themselves as Muslim youths”. Bello warned that his administration will not tolerate anyone that wants to turn the state to “a theatre of religious war”.

There is a groundswell of opinion in the state that the security agencies and the government are handling the perpetrators of the recent killings with kid gloves, thereby encouraging a wave of religious and ethnic clashes.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

CICERO/ TRIBUTE

Eulogies for Umaru Shinkafi Ahmad Raji

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aba Marafa was a unique person.

His uniqueness started from his birth; which was noble, his life; which was distinguished on to his passage; which was full of honour. He was in the class of revered Kings and leaders. The final resting place of his mortal body is hubarre, where Usman Dan Fodio and his successors were laid to rest.

It is against the background of his unique nature that the various tributes from both the north and the south of Nigeria have come; not surprisingly.

Following are some of the tributes: “…an expert, whose contributions to the development of the security architecture of Nigeria would remain indelible.

“I call on the family members, friends and associates of the departed community leader who held the Marafan Sokoto traditional title to take solace in the fact that the late Umaru Shinkafi played the parts assigned to him diligently, conscientiously and patriotically. I pray Almighty Allah to grant Shinkafi’s soul eternal rest. I enjoined Nigerians to emulate the good virtues that he left behind” – President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR “As a politician, it is, indeed, noteworthy that he was constant on Nigeria’s political scene for the better part of the past two decades... Late Shinkafi was indeed an avid chronicler of our evolution as a people and a nation. This eminent Nigerian has left us at a crucial stage in our nation’s history and he will be sorely missed.” – Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR “Umaru Shinkafi was a dependable public servant and high achiever who was driven by an inherent belief in the unity and peaceful coexistence of our people. It is this belief that underscored his selfless commitment to sensitive national assignments where he gave his best shot to the task of improving the security profile architecture of the nation” – Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR

“…a remarkably decent and disciplined politician who would be greatly missed by Nigerians.

“Shinkafi was one of the most intelligent, visceral and deeply informed and principled Politicians. The late Shinkafi was so independent-minded that he and his political associates were denied registration by the General Sani Abacha military government. He was never timid to express his opinion on national issues.

“Shinkafi would be greatly remembered as one of the brightest stars in the galaxy of Nigerian politics for his total commitment to democracy and the rule of law. The deceased always inspired respect not only for being a repository of knowledge, but also for being a consummate public servant and one of the best of his generation.” – Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON “The Marafan Sokoto was a consummate politician who had large followership across the country.

He was a bridge builder. He was revered by his supporters and opponents; a man who will always say the truth at every point. He helped in mentoring many political office holders now occupying top positions in government at various levels. He was also a man who embodied the tradition of his people and that is why he held the important title of Marafa in the Sultan’s council” – Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“Shinkafi was a true democrat who contributed immensely towards the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999. In all his years in the public service, Shinkafi distinguished himself as a patriot, committed and dedicated Nigerian.”

“He served the nation with distinction as a lawyer, police officer, federal commissioner of internal affairs and intelligence chief in the National Security Organization before joining politics.” “The late Shinkafi was a bridge-bulder, cosmopolitan and lived exemplary life worthy of emulation.” – Rt. Hon.Yakubu Dogara.

“Marafa’s death has closed a chapter in the life of one of Nigeria’s most valuable public officers, who made his mark in both the public and private sectors.

He was a truly passionate Nigerian whose invaluable contributions to issues of national interest will be greatly missed.” – Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal.

“He was a detribalized Nigerian who was passionate about the unity and progress of Nigeria.

He was a man of great integrity and stable character

Shinkafi as I have come to know him over decades. Shinkafi served as a foremost security expert helping Nigeria to establish an intelligence and security structure that serves the country up till today. His death is a great national loss. He was a leading northern leader and mobilizer and he built a network of friends across ethnic and religious divides. Soft-spoken but deeply knowledgeable and considerate, he was one not to let up on his conviction that the political elite must team up for the task on nation building. He will be sorely missed.” – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu “He had been my very good and dependable friend since he was Oyo State Commissioner of police... He very much desired that south-west and north-west political collaboration was essential for the stability of Nigeria. He demonstrated that passion most sincerely during the founding of APP in 1998.

It is sad that he has been on one sick bed or another since the south-west and the north collaboration resulted into power with Buhari’scivilian federal government. Marafa is not immediately replaceable among the Nigerian patriots and his death is a shattering blow to the efforts towards unity and peace in Nigeria.” – Chief Bisi Akande “Umar Shinkafi was one of the finest Nigerians in recent time. He was highly principled, believed in the rule of law, had love for all and was dedicated to accomplishing any assigned clarion call with the fear of Allah.” – Senator AliyuMagatakarda Wamakko “Shinkafi fought well for the survival of democracy during the military era and his leadership qualities would be greatly missed.” – Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa “The demise of Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi is a huge loss to the nation considering his contributions to the social, economic and political development of Nigeria.

Having served in different capacities, especially in the public sector, he died at a time his counsel on national issues was most needed. Alhaji Shinkafi was a detribalized Nigerian and he built friendships and relationships beyond the boundaries of the north. The demise of MarafanSokoto has created a big vacuum in political circles.” – Orji Uzor Kalu “Personally, I have lost a close, dear brother, and Nigeria has lost a consummate security expert, excellent administrator, a bridge builder across all tribes and one of the Presidents Nigeria never had.” – Chief Alani Bankole “In addition to his several roles in public administration and as a politician, the THISDAY Newspaper Group would not forget the role he played as a friend of the house, his mentorship and wise counsel when the newspaper was at its infancy in 1995.

His guidance and mentorship were invaluable and helped the THISDAY to remain on course in the face of daunting challenges.” – Editorial Board of ThisDay Newspapers.

His footprints are in many areas; most outstanding of which are in the areas of Security, Traditional Institutions, Politics and Law. As the Director General of the Nigerian Security Organization (NSO) in the 2nd Republic, it was a golden era in terms of intelligence gathering. So efficient was the outfit under him, that nothing happened without the government

of the day having a prior knowledge. Not even the 1984 coup did not come as a surprise to the government.

Baba was a deeply religious person who constantly had in mind the hereafter. It has been confirmed that he encouraged a lot of people to be good Muslims.

In this regard, he sponsored many to perform the holy pilgrimage to mecca which is a major pillar of Islam. But most importantly, he lived the life of a true Muslim; he would never joke with his five daily prayers at the right time and in congregation. No matter what he was engaged in, once it was time for prayers, he would get up and join the congregation.

Iwitnessed this several times in the past three decades.

It was reported that he built a number of mosques, including the one in Ikoyi prison.

On my way to Saudi Arabia for Umra in June this year, I called on him in London. He was still recuperating. Before I left him, he asked me to find out if the hotel I was going to stay in Medina had facilities for the physically challenged as he could not walk. I then asked him if he would like to perform the Umra and he answered in the affirmative. We spoke a few times from Saudi Arabia, his eagerness to come and worship his God was clearly uppermost in his mind. On one of my visits to him in hospital in The United Kingdom, I asked him if he could still remember Ayyat Qursy in the Quran and he said yes. He brought out his hands and I saw his rosary clutched between his fingers in spite of all the gadgets on his body. May Allah admit him into AljannaFirdausi. (Amen) He had so much regard for the Traditional Institution and this confirmed the excellent judgment of late Sultan Abubkar Saddiq, (The father of the current Sultan) in conferring on him the prestigious title of Marafan Sokoto. This cycle of honour was completed by the current Sultan, who graciously and

most uniquely honoured his body to be buried at Hubarre in Sokoto.

More than a decade ago, Baba Marafa asked me whether the Alaafin of Oyo knows me and I replied by saying that the Iku Baba Yeye knows my uncle.

Baba retorted by saying that he was not talking about my uncle. He asked, “Does the Kabiesi know you in person?” I said no. He then counseled me to find my way to the palace. I did and I will forever thank him for the advice. This paid off very well as Kabiesi even honoured me with his royal presence at my call to the inner bar in September, 2012. Baba Marafa was so happy that the Alaafin came to the event. It is on record that the Alaafin has never honoured any Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in that way. The credit goes to Baba Marafa.

A lot has been written about his politics. He was a compass and a great encyclopedia of Nigerian affairs.

He taught us about Nigeria; her history and heritage.

Though a Yoruba man, my great appreciation of Baba Obasanjo was from my knowledge of him through Baba Marafa. Baba Marafa had great respect for Baba Obasanjo. When Baba Obasanjo sought to visit him as part of his consultations towards the 1999 elections, Baba Marafa offered to go to Baba Obasanjo in Ota, out of abundant respect for the great Ebora Owu who often called Baba Marafa by his first name, “Umoru”.

The meeting later held at Sheraton hotel in Ikeja. The rest of this is for a future date.

He was not sectional in his politics and his office at Ribadu Road, Ikoyi was a meeting point for all Nigerians from all the corners of Nigeria. You would see such great Nigerians as Etim James, Pere Ajuwa, Victor Odili, Hyde Onuaguluchi, Zachariah Idris, Kura Mohammed, Adamu Augie, Kaloma Ali, Hamed Kusamotu, Arisekola Alao, Bola Afonja, Alani Bankole and many others.

-Ahmed Raji is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

CICERO/TRIBUTE

Celebrating Victor Ike-Oye at 60

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Frank Okafor t was celebration galore for the national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Victor Ike-Oye, last week as the seasoned politician celebrated his 60th birthday and 30th wedding anniversary with an Ozo title and Charity Day. Without any iota of doubt, a man like Ike-Oye, who has distinguished himself in different aspects life, deserves the triple celebration.

Having touched many lives positively, the celebration was an opportunity for his political and business associates, friends, Ndigbo leaders and people from different spheres of life to celebrate their own. That was why Awka, the capital of Anambra State, stood still penultimate Saturday as prominent politicians joined Ike-Oye for his triple celebration at St. Patricks Cathedral, Awka.

The APGA national chairman has proved that the reward for hard work is more work. That is why in the last few years he has been saddled with different responsibilities in both the public and private sectors.

Apart from achieving remarkable success in his political career, Ike-Oye, who emerged national chairman of APGA last year, has also shown that he is a successful businessman, reputable philanthropist and respected community leader. He is also a committed and caring husband and father, considering the way he has managed his family and marital life in the last 30 years.

Ike-Oye is a disciplined and principled man, who has not allowed things of the world, peer group pressure, deviant attitude and indiscipline to affect his divine mandate.

Considering the height that Ike-Oye has achieved politically, business wise and martially, he has proved that he is a diligent and committed man, who can be entrusted with critical activities in private and public offices.

Politically, Ike-Oye has shown that he is a reliable political ally and someone that is not excessively ambitious. His patience and perseverance were central to his emergence as APGA national chairman.

In an era when many politicians, especially those in opposition parties, are regular guests of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Code of Conduct Bureau, and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Ike-Oye has stood tall without any corruption charges.

For many years, APGA was in a leadership crisis, as different people laid claim to the position of the national chairman of the party. But since the emergence of Ike-Oye as the party’s boss in June last year, the party has remained united and focused, not only in the South-east states but also in the entire Nigeria. Today,

Ike-Oye APGA has become a new bride for many politicians in Nigeria.

When the mantle of leadership fell on Ike-Oye last year, some people thought he might find it difficult to steer the boat of the party. But those who knew him and his antecedents knew that he would make APGA successful and spread the party’s tentacles beyond Igboland, where the party has registered its presence in many years.

On assumption of office on June 2015, he promised to take the party to greater heights by “building a new and cohesive political movement founded on mutual love, peace and fraternity, devoid of bitterness and acrimony.” He has been working in line to his promise.

Ike-Oye has in less than one year transformed APGA in many ways. He shocked the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, and the major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, during the April local government election in the Federal Capital Territory by winning the chairmanship seat in Gwagwalada Local Government Area. Against all odds, the APGA candidate, Hon. Adamu Mustapha Danze, was won the

council poll, in APGA’s first electoral victory in the northern part of Nigeria since the creation of the party.

According to the results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission on April 14, the APGA candidate polled 15, 738 votes, while his closest opponent, the APC candidate, got 14, 560 votes.

Commenting on the victory, Ike-Oye, said it was a proof that APGA was a national party, adding that with the victory the party recorded in Gwagwalada, it can take over the leadership of the country in 2019.

“Though enemies will work to divide the party, we caution members, of the enemy’s ploy to prevent them from realising the objectives they have set for the party,” he advised. His advice seems to be working as there is no visible rancour within the party today.

Ike-Oye has also successfully played the role of opposition party chairman by criticising the ruling APC on issues he perceives not to be in the interest of the average Nigerian. At a point he called on the federal government to evacuate Boko Haram suspects relocated at that period to Ekwulobia prisons in Anambra State. He said government’s relocation of the terrorists to Anambra State posed a danger because Ekwulobia prison was a minimum prison, which lacks the appropriate security infrastructure and even personnel to handle detainees like Boko Haram suspects.

Family wise, Ike-Oye should be commended for being able to celebrate his 30th wedding anniversary, considering the rate of divorce in Nigeria. Celebrating 30 years of union with his wife deserves commendation. He is a role model to many youths in the society. He is a loving, caring, passionate and committed father and husband because without those qualities there is no way he would have celebrated 30 years in marriage.

The triple celebration, which included Ike-Oye being honoured with an Ozo title and organising a Charity Day is also a proof that apart from being good at home, he is also good outside. He has touched many lives within his community and given hope to many through selfless service and empowerment.

Apart from being successive politically, business wise and martially, Ike-Oye has also distinguished himself academically.

He has a master’s degree in communications and is a doctoral fellow in communications at Oxford University. Apart from being a seasoned journalist, he has also performed and served passionately in various private and public offices.

May the Good Lord continue to bless and prosper him.

––Okafor, the managing director and chief executive officer of Marcopolo Companies, writes from Lagos.

Victor Umeh: A Dogged Fighter at 54 Michael Jegede

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ormer national chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Victor Umeh, clocked 54 years on July 19. Umeh, an estate surveyor by profession, is an astute politician that has made significant impact in the sustenance of Nigeria’s democracy.

Widely known for his philanthropic initiatives, the benevolent politician with sundry traditional titles for his enormous contributions towards the advancement of humanity, started his voyage in politics in 1998. He was then a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, before joining forces with other progressive minds to form APGA in 2002.

As APGA national chairman for over a decade, Umeh, an unwavering fighter and warrior, recorded landmark achievements, winning several political and legal battles for his party. For three years, between 2003 and 2006, Umeh, a consistent, loyal and dependable politician, stood solidly behind former Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State to regain APGA’s mandate from the then Governor Chris Ngige of PDP. Umeh’s role in the case instituted for the reversal of the impeachment of Obi soon after he assumed office by the then PDP-controlled Anambra State House of Assembly on November 2, 2006 and the celebrated tenure interpretation suit in 2007 was momentous.

A successful estate surveyor turned politician, Umeh was seen by his admirers as the most vocal, vibrant and outspoken party national chairman in the country during his time. The late Ikemba Nnewi and great leader of APGA, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, admired him so much that he could not hide his feelings after the triumphant outing at the polls that brought in Obi for a second term as governor in 2010. That was the first time such was happening in the history of Anambra politics. OdumegwuOjukwu, in a congratulatory message on March

Umeh 17, 2010 described Umeh in glowing terms saying: “The might of a warrior is tested only in battle.

On this historic occasion of the inauguration of Governor Peter Obi for a record second term of office, I salute your tenacity, your courage and resilience. APGA has always known what has now become widely acknowledged… kudos.”

Umeh’s indefatigable spirit was likewise seen in APGA’s protracted leadership crisis. He doggedly fought and defeated Chief Chekwas Okorie, the founding national chairman of the party, in various suits up to Supreme Court to remain the authentic national chairman. The matter by decided at the apex court on March 25, 2011.

While Umeh was still basking in the euphoria of his triumph in the over six-year legal wrangle with Okorie, Obi, for reasons only known to him, decided to open another round of leadership tussle by aligning with a clique in APGA to try to send him packing. That led to the emergence of Barrister Maxi Okwu as a factional national chairman of the party.

Nonetheless, the Ohamadike Ndigbo, who was recently conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by Tansian University, Umumya, Anambra State, rose to the challenge. The Court of Appeal on July 15, 2013 ruled in Umeh’s favour in one of the different cases instituted to kick him out by the Okwu faction with the full backing of Obi. All other such cases equally went in favour of Umeh up to the Supreme Court.

After the appellate court ruling in 2013, Obi, realising that the Umeh factor was key to the victory of APGA and his anointed candidate in that year’s governorship election in the state, quickly had to mend fences with the Dike Anagbaluizu of Abagana and the Ikenga of Oba. Despite Okwu’s refusal to be part of the reconciliation and his insistence on continuing with the court cases, the timely reunion Obi had with Umeh saw APGA emerging victorious in the 2013 Anambra guber election that produced the incumbent Governor Willie Obiano. The outcome of that election was obviously a further indication that the erstwhile APGA helmsman is undoubtedly a strong force to reckon with in the political firmament of Anambra State.

Speaking on the stupendous feats of Umeh as APGA boss, the man who took over from him last year, Dr. Victor Oye, confessed that the shoes of his predecessor were seen as too large for whoever would succeed him. Ifeanyi Afuba in a piece quoted Oye as saying in an interview, “Three things could account for the success of the party in the 43 court cases. First was the uncommon love of God for the party. The second was the flimsiness of the reasons…for the cases. And the third was the indomitable fighting spirit of Chief Victor Umeh. He was everywhere galvanising support for the legal team. His elephantine memory and capacity for details singled him out during the trying moments.”

When Umeh succumbed to pressure from his people to contest the Anambra Central senatorial election last year, many political watchers predicted his victory because his records speak volumes. He

was the most formidable candidate. His campaign was the most robust and elaborate in style with a strong support base from within and outside Anambra State. Various groups, communities and individuals across the South-east were lining up to endorse him as the candidate to beat. They believed he was fully equipped to represent not just the Anambra Central people but also serve as a powerful voice for Ndigbo in the Senate.

However, the 2015 general election came and the PDP candidate, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, was announced winner of the Anambra Central poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Convinced that the election was manipulated to favour the PDP candidate, the peace-loving politician with an unalloyed faith in the judiciary, gathered his evidence and headed to the tribunal to seek justice.

When the tribunal dismissed his case, he did not give up. He moved to the Court of Appeal, which is the last stage for National Assembly election matters. The 1984 graduate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Principal Consultant of V. C. Umeh & Co, a firm of estate surveyors and valuers, succeeded in getting the appeal court to nullify Ekwunife’s election in December 2015. The appellate court ordered a rerun and barred Ekwunife and the PDP from taking part.

While INEC was about to conduct the rerun on March 5 this year and Umeh was set to clinch victory, an Abuja High Court ruling came, compelling the electoral body to include PDP in the exercise. Confident that its decision to exclude PDP was guided by law, based on previous Supreme Court verdicts, INEC postponed the rerun indefinitely and appealed the High Court ruling. Umeh, who believed the electoral umpire was right, asked to be joined in the appeal as an interested party.

–– Jegede, a media professional, writes from Abuja.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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JULY 24, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

PERSPECTIVE IBB Presidential Library: Preserving a Nigerian Presidency for Posterity Baba Yunus Muhammad

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residential Libraries exist in a world all of their own. Though, they are as the name implies, research and reference centres, they are not libraries in the usual sense. They are archival centres which bring together in one place the documents and artefacts of a President of a country and his administration and presenting them to the public for study and discussions without regard for political considerations or affiliations. These documents are known as presidential documents and artefacts.

Presidential documents may be defined as any documentary material, or any reasonably divisible portion thereof created or received by the President, his immediate staff, or a unit or individual of the Executive Office of the President whose function it is to advise and assist the President in the course of conducting activities which relate to or have an effect upon the carrying out of the constitutional, statutory, or other official or ceremonial duties of the President.

These could be records of the tragedies, the problems, the successes, and the evolution of policies that affect the nation and the world during a particular administration. Presidential libraries also document the most personal and private thoughts and feelings of a President to the most formal foreign or economic policy memorandums on presidential decision-making. The records include the classified memos and files of the National Security and Executive Councils as well as the files documenting domestic issues, and audio-visual files. Presidential gifts that are accepted on behalf of the country and a range of objects that have been received from foreign governments or citizens and foreign citizenry are all housed in a Presidential Library.

Concerned mainly with the presentation and preservation of records and the memories of national and international events, a presidential library is very much a part of, and a reflection of the local environment in which it is located. As such, A Presidential Library offers a unique glimpse into how a country’s history is preserved and presented to both the general and academic publics.

The IBB Presidential Library, located in Minna, the Capital of Niger State, on the grounds of the palatial residence of General Ibrahim Babangida, the man who ruled Nigeria as Military President from 27th of August 1985 to 27th August, 1993, fits well in the city’s culture that mixes the legacy of history with the promise of tomorrow. A first time visitor to the Library would be surprised by the modest facility which houses the collections. Even though the present facility, said to be temporary is small when compared to Presidential libraries in the United States of America, it is no less intriguing.

Established in 1998 as the first presidential library in Africa, the IBB Presidential Library possesses a huge wealth of materials, comprising thousands of presidential gifts and artefacts and hundreds of thousands of textual, electronic, and audio-visual records, which document the inner workings of General Ibrahim Babangida’s military government, the Armed Forces Ruling Council, at its highest policy level that historians will for decades mine as they write and judge the history of the period.

Tracing the history of the Library, Alhaji Muazu Wali, a retired National Librarian, who is currently Director/Archivist of the IBB Presidential Library told this writer that the idea of the Library originated way back in 1991 when the Babangida administration established a committee led by Professor J.M. Amodu, which visited the United States of America to understudy the Presidential Library System of that country. Upon the recommendation of the Committee a Presidential Libraries Decree was drafted for the establishment of Presidential Libraries for Former Nigerian Presidents. Even though the Decree was never promulgated before General Babangida left office in 1993, the National Library Board of Nigeria in 1996 formally requested access to the Presidential records for their organisation into a Presidential Library.

Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida

Inside view of IBB library Given the huge resources involved in the establishment of a standard presidential library and the budgetary constraints of the National Library, the project remained a dream pipe until 1998, when the Library was formerly established as the General’s personal and private project. The promulgation of the Presidential Library Decree would not only have made it obligatory for the Federal Government to establish and fund Presidential Libraries for a every former Nigerian President, but would have enabled the Federal Government through the National Librarian to assume the legal ownership, custody, and responsibility for the presidential records of retiring presidents immediately at the end of their administrations.

Safely and professionally moving and tracking of General Babangida’s presidential documents and artefacts from his private collection in his residence to the Library in an organised format for preservation may sound simple on its face but it has been a complex job that has involved careful planning and coordination with many different agencies and professionals. According to Alh Wali, the process of moving the presidential records and artefacts from the private collection of the former President which commenced 18 years ago is still ongoing, an indication of both the ever increasing volumes of materials involved and complexities of the record types.

Since opening its doors to researchers and members of the public the IBB Presidential Library has welcomed hundreds of visitors, mainly researchers and scholars. Thanks to its strategic location, only a few meters walk from the private residence of the former President, it has always been a rare privilege visiting this library and enjoying the experience and gaining new insight into the life and times of the eighth Nigerian President and his administration.

As a vibrant tribute to General Ibrahim Babangida as he turns 75 next month, the IBB Presidential Library Foundation, a Non-Governmental and non-Partisan Organisation that administers and supports the IBB Presidential Library has added another first by launching an online version of the Library: www.ibbpresidentiallibrary.org. This new online Library possesses hundreds of web pages of presidential resources about the General and his administration. Prior to the launch of the online version of the Library, its collections could only be accessed physically at the Library in Minna. Now, thanks to technology the collection can be accessed online around the world. The site also posts highly and well researched articles on security, politics, society, business and economy, energy and environment, education, arts, culture, health and medicine written by scholars with a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences on its Featured Posts section. The website also features two sub-domains:

‘Digital Archives’ (darchives.ibbpresidentiallibrary.org) and a ‘Presidential Forum’.

The Digital Archives provides access to a collection of searchable digitized historical documents, images and recordings of the General Babangida and his regime. Several archivists are said to be currently working to digitize and make available to the public all of its archival holdings in the fullness of time.

The IBB Presidential Forum (forum.ibbpresidentiallibrary.org) is an exclusive Forum for the benefit of outstanding men and women from a variety of academic disciplines and professional backgrounds who have a clear interest in presidential studies and analysis of public policies, and a commitment to fostering discussions and research on a diverse range of historical, political and economic issues reflecting the legacy of General Ibrahim Babangida and his era as President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Signed-up members receive a password to get access into this exclusive community which includes a discussion blog, articles and so much more.

According to the Foundation, three reasons underlie the launching of this website: First, as a public service, a way of further enriching the various reflections and interpretations of the policies of the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida. The digitization of the presidential records of the General is essentially to create a national and international platform that allows the public greater access to Nigeria’s political history via a treasure website and the social media or the growing area of mobile applications.

Second, because General Babangida was last in public office about 23 years ago and his most vociferous critics and commentators are either in their late twenties or early thirties and may not have experienced first-hand, the Nigeria he inherited in August 1985, when he became President and the high points of his contributions as a leader. It is dangerous to leave national discourse of a historical nature in the hands of people with inherited prejudices and second-hand wisdom. As young people increasingly rely on the Internet as their primary source for information, the Library’s online version will allow the new generation of Nigerians to learn about the Babangida era as a chapter in Nigerian history. And as they discover the strides that were made towards the nation’s development during that period, they too can be inspired to ask of what they can do for their country.

Third, assessments of his eight year tenure as President of this country between 1985-1993 need to be grounded in fact, not partisan fiction and fashionable impressions. To say that, Babangida is

easily the most documented past Nigerian leader, weighing in almost equally in both positive and negative directions would be an over exaggeration.

Passionately loved and viciously despised, almost in equal measure, but never comfortable to ignore.

Equally over documented is the controversial essence of the man himself, his political method and indeed his overall relationship with the various realities that he has had to deal with in the course of an eventful life.

The fact however, regrettably, remains that only few, very few Nigerians really understand the man himself, the currents of his times and ideas, their relationship to the wider national and international community, and how they were shaped by historical and cultural factors. This initiative will open new areas of learning and discovery through the library’s digital archives and will preserve precious documents on digital media for future generation of researchers and scholars to rely upon to write about the underlying principles and structural forms of the life of General Babangida’s administration, and to generate theoretical formulations in areas of political, social and economic problems.

According to the IBB Presidential Library Foundation, the purpose of the website is neither to rehash Babangida’s numerous reform initiatives, initiatives that others have either built upon, out rightly obliterated, mischievously disfigured or cleverly stolen and renamed or brazenly appropriated or misappropriated nor to enumerate the various landmark achievements of his administration. Without a doubt, no leader is perfect, and General Babangida like any other leader made mistakes. It may probably take countless volumes of books or thousands of webpages to address everything that the former President is perceived to have done wrong.

The strategic significance of the site however is that it provides a critical but scientific and objective analysis of events, issues and problems, which characterised the Babangida regime by putting them in a proper historical and intellectual perspective digitally. In addition, the site provides a first-hand source and reference materials on how Nigeria was governed between 1985 and 1993 – a central portal for manuscripts, memos, files, reports, transcripts, research materials, video and audio recordings of proceedings of high level meetings, etc, and news related to the Presidency of General Babangida and his family.

In the long term, the website hopes to be Africa’s richest online resource for information on the Nigerian presidency and Presidential leadership Studies.

––Baba Yunus Muhammad is President, Africa Islamic Economic Foundation, Tamale, Ghana.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

Asset Recovery in Nigeria: Experiences from the Past Nuhu Ribadu

I

am happy to be part of this epoch making workshop that is most timely and appropriate given the atmosphere in the country as far as the fight against corruption is concerned. It is very thoughtful for the organisers of this event to bring experts together and brainstorm on important aspects of the war against corruption with a view to streamlining whatever is in existence and strengthening what needs to be strengthen. For me, this period is an important episode for this work being a time that we have the most vital tool needed in this war, namely political will. I see in the present political leadership the will to allow the war to be fought and there is the need for all of us to support it in whatever way possible. This is immensely needed.

We are also lucky to have a set of people that are very passionate and committed in charge of the process.

Added to this, we have a plethora of practitioners, intellectuals, activists and the media that are keen and supportive of the campaign. This opportunity has to be seized by setting a very serious, strategic and focused direction to secure the future of this work and address the major impediments once and for all. It is almost a similar condition that I enjoyed when I chaired the EFCC which enabled us to modestly set a very good foundation that the country still look at with pride.

The decision by this committee to create a platform for discussions on asset forfeiture proceedings and management is very commendable. Asset recovery or forfeiture is an integral component of the anti-corruption work as it serves many purposes within the work. First, it serves as restitution in the sense that what was ill gotten is returned to the right owners. It also functions as deterrence to others as those who illegally enrich themselves get stripped of that wealth overnight.

Similarly, through proceeds of final asset forfeiture, government can make extra money that can be channelled to projects that would enable growth and development of the state.

As a specialised element of this work, asset recovery requires professional and dedicated people comprising of investigators, prosecutors and managers to handle it jointly for effectiveness and to drive the maximum benefits. A point therefore has to be made on the importance of diligent investigation to successful and fruitful asset recovery and management. Whatever success that is made of forfeiture or recoveries depend on the thoroughness of investigation and diligence of prosecution and ability of investigators to trace whatever is traceable and recoverable. The success of asset forfeiture begins with the investigation.

Surprisingly, however, in spite of the lack of adequate legal guidance and other limitations, Nigeria is perhaps the most successful country in terms of asset recoveries from foreign lands.

Over time, a lot of money has been successfully returned to us in assets laundered in several countries.

Efforts at Recoveries in pre-EFCC days The most significant case of assets recovery prior to the establishment of the EFCC is perhaps the Abacha loot recovery which began not long after his death in June 1998.

As a legal officer and prosecutor then with the Nigeria Police, I was attached to the team that worked on the Abacha case. With paucity of laws regarding criminal and civil recoveries and forfeiture, we relied on procedure

relationship later proved invaluable and is being harnessed till date, enabling us to often times bypass long queues of bureaucracy to help each other in joint investigations. This initial ground work also assisted us in evolving creative ideas including bypassing hurdles such as immunity.

Notably, the EFCC Act is the first to treat asset forfeiture in some details. Even though it was also fairly inadequate, it was still good enough for a start. What we therefore explored largely was informal assistance to get the work done.

It was this help and understanding that we benefited from in handling the cases of people like former governors DSP Alamieyeseigha and James Ibori as well as the fraudster Emmanuel Nwude. Because these cases involved extensive network of assets in different jurisdictions we had to rely on our allies in those countries to enforce forfeiture orders we obtained from here through Mutual Legal Assistance and otherwise.

Ribadu we termed Administrative Confiscation, a mechanism of confiscating assets through non-judicial means. Within the first few months, we recovered billions domestically from such forfeitures.

Subsequently, the federal government hired foreign lawyers, notably Enrico Monfrini, to begin forfeiture procedures from other jurisdiction, especially the Swiss government. This foreign aspect of it was largely handled by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

However, I was partly involved with the negotiations with the Swiss authorities which presented us with some unique experience at the time. Under Swiss laws, forfeitures, irrespective of origin of the illegal funds, is made to the Swiss government and Nigeria had to therefore negotiate with Switzerland on getting our money back. Their condition was that the money had to be used for some specified intervention projects, under their supervision. However, we got a way around it by involving the United Nations and the World Bank as intercessors. Eventually significant amounts were returned to the country which was used in budget financing.

EFCC: Early days and foundation for Recoveries The most important step that helped us tremendously with our work on recoveries and other areas of the work generally is the olive branch we extended to various stakeholders early enough.

At home, we ensured that from the very beginning EFCC started off as a multi-stakeholder organisation and we therefore brought in professionals from agencies such as the Police, FIRS, CBN, NDIC, Customs, SEC, among others. We leveraged on this hybrid composition to handle diverse aspects of the work and make modest success of technical areas that would have otherwise posed a challenge. We also brought the Code of Conduct Bureau close to us and gingered them up which enabled us to assess their records of asset declaration forms for public officers.

As a tracking tool and best practice step, we came up with the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit within the EFCC to help us keep tab of what is going on and compare notes with others.

With these, I went out of my way to link up and establish and sustain good working relationship with sister organisations in different countries like the Metropolitan Police, FBI in the US and Scorpions in South Africa. This

Management of Proceeds: The primary principle of assets recovery is to ensure that proceeds and character of the subject matter of the crime are preserved and protected pending the final judgement on the matter. This is important because a case can be decided either ways and where a property is finally forfeited or returned to a suspect, it should be in a good condition as to be of value to the beneficiary of the judgment.

Secondly, it should also be made sure that the right of the individual to enjoy the ownership and use of his property is guaranteed. This calls for flexibility so as not to be harmful to the society in the process of restraining an asset by way of eviction of tenants or sending innocent people off their means of livelihood.

Therefore, as a process that involves money and other valuables, and given the misunderstandings or suspicions it generates sometimes, it is only apt that asset forfeiture/recovery process and management is looked at critically.

These suspicions usually arise because we don’t have adequate provisions in the laws to guide the process. Those of us who happened to work on issues like that largely apply our own discretion to the little provisions in the extant laws. Such a law, I believe, is most needed.

However, forestalling any suspicion or false alarm require transparent handling of recoveries through effective management which will safeguard the recovered assets from depreciation, movement or destruction, especially before final forfeiture.

In the early days of our work at the EFCC, the management of recovered assets was made part of tasks of each team handling the case. Though a manager is appointed to manage the real estate, the supervision was left for each team. For movable assets, we had exhibit keeper who takes stock of all such recoveries from every case. I initially resisted the idea of setting up a section to look after these forfeitures to avoid ending everything into bureaucracy. However, as the work expanded, we had to come up with the Assets Forfeiture and Recovery Section to be the custodian of such assets and be our liaison with asset managers.

For businesses that were running, as I pointed out earlier, we prioritized saving the businesses by considering the larger picture than just shutting down the premises. It was the same restraint we exercised in handling cases involving Globacom, Honda Place and The Sun newspapers.

Considering the care we took in handling whatever was in our custody,

I find it baffling and disheartening when I hear people make insinuations about how we handled recovered assets. It is the most unfair remark but certainly not totally unsurprising giving that the fight against corruption is essentially a thankless job.

Contrary to such insinuations, it was some people not us or even the government that made money from some of those cases. A case in point is the Halliburton investigation where after we had done the bulk of the work it was turned into a milking cow for some senior lawyers who made millions of dollars out of it.

Conclusion Owing to the limitations of the existing laws as regards asset forfeiture, the current attempt at enacting a law to cover the spectrum of issues around forfeiture is a welcomed development.

On a larger scale, I like to suggest that a high level serious consultations be held between all the three arms of government to discuss steps and measures of evolving a very comprehensive national strategy on the fight against corruption that would enumerate the roles expected of the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.

We should have a strategy that is a product of a consensus. Out of this strategy we can agree on having new laws or institutions with clear mandate and responsibilities of each arm of government for easy operation and buy-ins from the beginning.

The federating units should also be persuaded to sign on to this strategy so as to ensure that whatever emerges is what everyone consents to.

There is also the need to come together and make the best use of what we have, presently. We have adequate mechanisms and tools to fight corruption through the instruments of such laws and agencies as ICPC, EFCC, NEITI, BPP, AMCON, NDIC, CCB, among others.

From my personal experience, and from the example of EFCC as an organisation, this work is better managed when we have all components under one roof that caters for everything, instead of having several agencies with overlapping and duplicating functions. Divided agencies tend to create problems, when investigators, prosecutors and custodians of assets are from different places. There is bound to be missing links and confusion.

Lastly, I like to appeal to Nigerians to give the current government’s fight against corruption a chance and shun the undue politicisation of issues.

This war is about the survival of our country and the right environment has to be created for malfeasance to be cleaned and the right foundations and tools set for greater Nigeria.

Unfortunately, emotions are often put forward before national interest thereby rubbishing what is otherwise noble and patriotic undertaking.

Those of us that have done this work and those presently doing it have been unduly vilified for nothing other than daring to confront the corruption monster. This attitudinal change is needed first if we are to make enduring headway in this all-important battle.

-Being a presentation by the pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the National Stakeholder Workshop on Recovery and Management and Management of Recovered Assets organized by the Presidential Advisory Committee

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

True Patriotism and Not True Federalism Miss Okon

A

s a physical and social psychologist, I study people and society behavior and how the society at large responds, grows, and develops within itself. Nigeria has been a very interesting case for me because I ended up learning so many things about life and humanity in general. One of the valuable lessons I’ve learnt so far is acceptance.

You can only develop, grow, think outside the box, and learn new things when you keep an open mind. This is the very problem with roughly 75% of Nigerians.

Closed mindedness is what has given most Nigerians this false idea that True Federalism, where regions/states can control their resources is the answer to the plagues befalling us as country which is a big fat lie manufactured from the covens of our corrupt elites to ensure that the masses remain divided and focus is diverted from our immediate societies. That’s why we have people more interested in the regions/religions of a President’s appointees rather than their track records and what they are able to achieve within their tenure.

Nigeria is much more than just North East, North West, North Central, South East, South West, and South South. There are over 300 ethnic groups in Nigeria, over 75% of which have never been given a chance in the fore front of National service. The way we keep harping on regions, we forget that regions like the South South, North Central, and even the whole North is just a geographical land mass of people with very diverse languages, cultural histories, etc. Most people do not even realize that although Hausa is like the ‘legal tender’ language in the whole of the North, the North actually not only has a large chunk of Christians but the highest number of ethnic groups in Nigeria, followed by the South South.

Excuse me please but as an Oron lady why should I be satisfied with the appointment of an Ijaw man? What relationship do we have in the South South? How does an Aniocha man

Buhari represent me please? Do we speak the same language? Do we have the same delicacies, do we come from the same lineage or cultural history?

What exactly is the correlation? That we are in the “South South”? Is it fair that while an Ijaw man has been the President of Nigeria, an Oron man has not even started dreaming of being the Governor of Akwa-Ibom state? So where exactly does this so-called agitation on marginalization start and end please? Do we now see that we aren’t really being sincere with ourselves because if we are so concerned about proper representation, then it should go round all tribes of all languages and not just a select few in the name of “regionalism”?

True Federalism will not work in Nigeria because of the very reason why centralism is not working now. The answer is simple; because the problem with Nigeria is Nigerians themselves. Let’s assume we have our true federalism now. Tell me, which region can boast of enough self-less leaders who will be trusted to properly harness the region’s resources? As for my dear South South region, please is it the same greedy leaders who have been our Senators, Representatives, Governors, etc. over the decades but have not seen fit to provide any meaningful development to the region despite the

fact that our states receive the highest FG allocations, 13% derivatives, Ministry of Niger Delta, NDDC, Niger Delta institutions, etc. Militants have been made billionaires for blowing up pipelines.

Militants who after receiving billions in “contracts” did not even deem it fit to donate even water taps to their localities, the very people they claim to be trying to “liberate” from the FG. How it has not yet crossed the minds of my people baffles me and being proud of coming from that region, I refuse to believe it’s because we are not very smart people.

The average Nigerian mind is very fertile and especially receptive to negative teachings. Most of our politicians know this and use it to divide and rule over us. Their favourite tools are ethnicity and religion.

For those of us who are secessionists, I have this for you. You should prepare to have the former giant of Africa being broken into at least 100 countries. The reason is an extension of why Regionalism and true Federalism and whatever fancy names some political analysts like to use to describe their ideal Nigerian situation. Let’s take a look at a break-up scenario. Let me take the “Niger Delta Republic” as an example. Is it the Ijaws and the Ishekiris that will live peacefully in one country? With the Ijaws being the dominant and the most aggressive tribe in the ND would we not be slipping into another “born-to-rule” case again? It will only be a matter of time before other tribes will start breaking away. Akwa-Ibom and Cross River are likely to form our own country.

As someone from this section of the country I can authoritatively say that there is supremacy battle going on in those states due to the dominance of the Ibibios and Annangs in Akwa-Ibom and the Efiks in Cross River. Especially in Akwa-Ibom. The Efiks released their hold on Cross River after the Donald Duke era a little bit and gave chance to other tribes to produce Governors but are still very much in control of background politics in the state.

The Oron people are at the fore front of protests against the Ibibio/Annang dominated scene in Akwa-Ibom and have in fact pushed to have a different state. In a country where the Ibibios, Annangs and Efiks are rotating top rank positions amongst themselves, it will only be a matter of time before the others revolt. So there we have it,

tiny little countries trying to figure out who they really are and struggling with small country issues. Yes, small countries have a lot of challenges like low GDP leading to galloping inflation, little or no relevance in the international scene resulting in little or no international investors, and more. You really do not want such issues for yourselves, trust me. Don’t compare Bahrain and Qatar with us because they have the right leaders and the right attitude while we simply do not.

Let’s not forget the recent Brexit drama. In less than 24 hours after voting to leave Britain stock markets plummeted, the Pound sterling took a nose dive, and many Brits fanatically and belatedly googled more on the EU. Hate is not enough reason to wish to leave a country or an already established union. You need something more concrete and you need to be fully armed to the teeth and prepared to weather whatever resulting storms. How would Nigerian units cope if we break up now? What do we have in place yet? How prepared are we? The idea of going to war is also out of question because you cannot carve out a successful country by going to war. It has never succeeded anywhere in the world. The effects of the war will always come back to haunt them. America is where it is today because the average American is patriotic.

Serving in the army is because they can give up their lives for their country and not because they are just looking for a way out of poverty.

America has definitely has her share of world super powers issues but has remained strong and resolute through it all and has maintained most powerful country in the world status longer than any other country ever.

We need to begin now to be more tolerant, more appreciative of what each region, state, and ethnic groups can bring to the table of a great Nigeria that should be the pride of Africa. Let’s purge ourselves of corruption, let’s become more accountable to our immediate societies and teach our young ones responsibility. The change we seek begins with us because our leaders are not from Mars, they are products of our society.

––Okon, a socio-political analyst, is based in the United States

CompetenceVs Zoning:The Ondo Succession Discourse

A

Ayomade Okediji

s the discourse on which of the three senatorial districts in Ondo State should produce the next governor to succeed a competent and high performing governor whose excellent record of achievements speaks for itself begins, this piece offers my modest views in this worthy debate especially to remind our people on the need to reflect deeply and cautiously in the choice between a competent and credible candidate as opposed to a zonal one, on the need to look beyond this primitive and primordial zoning cliché that has bedeviled our democracy and divided rather than unite us, but rather look for a credible, competent and experienced candidate to deliver the goodies of democracy.

Given the tension and complexities of our contemporary society, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), which was the ruling party at that time, introduced zoning into Nigeria’s polity during the second republic as an arrangement whereby political offices at the national, state and local government levels are distributed to ensure that no part of any political configuration is short-changed or marginalized.

Zoning as is being construed finds no support in our law or any party constitution, the closest to it is the principle of federal character as supported by s.14 (3) of the 1999 constitution which states that “the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or any of its agencies”.

A calm review of this section will reveal an arrangement in which political offices at the national, state and local government levels are distributed to ensure that no part of any political configuration is left out, it is not intended to spell out zonal succession but rather that key positions, such as that of the office of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, the Speaker and deputy, and the secretary to the state Government be occupied by people from different senato-

Mimiko rial district or ethnic group.

Competence on the other hand has been defined as a cluster of related abilities, commitments, knowledge, and skills that enable a person to act effectively in a job or situation. Competence indicates sufficiency of knowledge and skills that enable someone to act in a wide variety of situations.

Governance follows election, if after all the politicking and elections, a zone succeeds in producing a candidate who is incompetent but elected based on zoning, then unfortunately the whole state has to bear the reward of such incompetence, face the associated challenges and possible reversal of the achievements and modernization witnessed so far under a competent leader. We all share a common collegiate cause which is the ultimate development of our state and a better life for our people.

Yes our democracy is not as matured and our diversity as some would argue doesn’t permit us to overlook this unwritten arrangement, but ultimately, we as a people must look beyond this archaic cliché in our collective interest. For me, I would rather have a competent class

room teacher teach my children in school as opposed to a teacher who is from my senatorial district or would anyone refuse a competent and experienced medical doctor to deliver his pregnant wife of a child just because he is not from his senatorial district? These are the salient issues we as a people must reflect upon as we approach this election, competence rather than zoning.

The incumbent governor is from Ondo town and the level of development witnessed under him across the state is unmatched. The key thing here is service to the people. We must be careful to ensure that the challenges currently been faced by other states who have towed the path of zoning and are now groaning as they experience the difference between a competent leader and an incompetent one who was elected based on zoning now advertise ignorance.

It is high time we develop immunity against this virus of prejudice and discrimination and jettison the elitist arrangement that has not advanced our national development. We must stop denying candidates with the required ability the opportunity of impacting the society positively. Yes our plurality calls for a delicate balancing, but it is difficult to see how a serious society that wishes to really develop will continue to elevate zoning over merit and elect people based on sentiment as opposed to competence. All these years, we have continued to rely on zoning, yet no real change has taken place in our socioeconomic life as a nation, we cannot continue doing the same thing all the time and expect a different result.

Ondo State is known to take the lead on national issues and this must not be an exception. We must as a people take the lead in deliberately diluting this potency of zoning and as the complexities and challenges emerges, find the right man with sophisticated intellect who represent the best in terms of moral rectitude, who can cross-pollinate and contest ideas of development to continue sustaining the unprecedented free school shuttle and free mother and child healthcare even in the height dwindling revenue, thereby ensuring that our children do not walk miles to get to school and our mothers deliver safely. We must at the same time not pretend as if some people are clever enough to take power while others are not good enough to have it so as to be sensitive to the mood of those who have been deprived especially if they produce a shining light in the interest of equity and equality.

Okediji ia a public affairs analyst

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 24, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

As UgwuanyiTakes Development to Rural Areas Louis Amoke

A

critical review of the development trajectory of the present administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Enugu State points to the fact that its governance policy thrust centres on rural develop-

ment.

Unlike in the previous administrations when development seemed to be concentrated in the urban areas, Ugwuanyi has made giant strides towards advancing good governance and socio-economic development in the rural areas. The governor’s vision is anchored on the fact that the majority of the people reside in the rural areas and pass through queasy experiences in their daily struggles to survive because of dearth of infrastructure and other basic amenities.

Ugwuanyi, as a grassroots politician who values the people and appreciates their worth in a true democratic setting, where power belongs to the people, his decision to focus development on the rural areas is not only apt but also central to the vision and progress of his administration.

As an empathetic leader who feels the pains the people at the grassroots are going through, Ugwuanyi’s development agenda in the rural areas has no doubt given the rural dwellers a sense of belonging and rekindled their confidence in participatory democracy. It has also given credence to his vision to recommit himself “to employment generation, enhanced social services and good governance, rural development and indeed, security and justice,” in an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

The governor’s grassroots development vision, aimed at taking development to the door steps of the rural dwellers, is not only a paradigm of visionary and all-inclusive leadership, it also draws analogy to his vision to “deploy government services to create fair and equal opportunity for every willing citizen to make a living and create wealth, educate our children, and enjoy life in a peaceful and secure environment.”

Ugwuanyi Consequently, one may not be surprised to note that most of the development projects being undertaken by the present administration in Enugu State, such as construction of roads, bridges and drainages, renovation and rehabilitation of public schools, rural electrification, maintenance of water facilities, healthcare delivery and agricultural projects, among others, are located in the rural areas.

His administration’s vision to open up rural areas for rapid socio-economic growth and link up communities with quality road network, bridges, electricity and other basic amenities, in spite of the daunting economic challenges, is no doubt a sign of good governance and a step in the right direction. The governor has embarked on massive construction and rehabilitation of more roads and bridges in the rural areas than in the urban areas.

For instance, his administration has em-

barked on the construction of the Inyaba Bridge in Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state, which when completed will link adjoining communities of Uzam -Amaechi Idodo- Inyaba-Umunevo and Amagunze and enable the people of the areas access their council headquarters.

Ugwuanyi’s administration, in the spirit of development, has also opened up the popular 9th Mile Corner with the construction of two by-pass roads (one completed) that will serve as alternative roads to the major road in the area, in order to decongest and allow easy movement of vehicles on the roads, especially during the yuletide.

The same goes for the university town of Nsukka and its environs, where the governor has shown his hand as a pragmatic leader with uncommon zeal and penchant for the advancement of development in the rural areas. As part of its grassroots development initiative, Ugwuanyi’s administration is about to award contracts for the construction of 25 new roads, including three bridges, across the 17 local government areas of the state.

It is also worthy of note that the first project the governor executed few weeks after his inauguration was the 15km Inter-Town-Connection (ITC), 2.5MVA Injection Sub-Station at Ezi-Nze in Udi Local Government Area, which currently supplies electricity to communities in Udi, Uzo-Uwani and Igbo-Etiti local government areas. The project, which was in keeping with the governor’s vision to extend development to the frontiers of the rural areas, will also activate businesses in these rural communities and power the Adada Dam project as well as the Greater Nsukka Water Scheme that has also been in the proverbial pipeline for decades.

Apart from procuring 20 tractors to be hired out to genuine farmers at very low rates, the government recently acquired 750 hectares of land to be distributed to youths and women for use in commercial agriculture in the rural areas.

It has made efforts towards the revival and expansion of the Adani Irrigation Scheme as well as the construction of

feeder roads and other critical infrastructure in the rural areas that will catalyse agricultural development in the state.

The administration, through the office of the wife of the governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, has embarked on people-oriented programmes aimed at empowering and alleviating the sufferings of the rural dwellers, especially the women.

While achieving these, civil servants in the state still receive their salaries on or before 25th of every month.

Ugwuanyi has, through his grassroots programmes and impetus to champion a new order and paradigm shift in the concentration of development in the urban areas, demonstrated his commitment to paying a special attention to rural development, which he promised the people of the state.

It would be recalled that Ugwuanyi in his inaugural address did promise thus: “Enugu State under us will pay a special attention to rural development because majority of our people live in the rural areas. We will create more urban areas to boost economic growth.

“In line with this, we must equip and modernise Nsukka – a university town founded over half a century ago – to compete with other university towns in attracting technology and knowledgebased businesses and other industrial support ventures, bearing in mind that Nsukka is the second largest town in Enugu State.

“In the same vein, the 9th Mile Corner is a long overlooked economic hub that we need to harness to enjoy the full benefits of our newly acquired status as a Free Trade Zone. We will give attention to these places to speed up urban development, create fresh economic opportunities and reduce pressure on Enugu metropolis.”

It is, therefore, the responsibility of the public to appreciate and support the lofty vision of Ugwuanyi as he transforms the core of the rural areas into modernity using critical infrastructure. This will greatly aid the people at the grassroots to enjoy the full dividends of democracy.

––Amoke writes from Enugu.

Vandalisation and Power Supply

Adams Aliyu

A

program on Channels TV recently highlighted the awfully negative effect of vandalisation of gas pipelines , nationwide , on the poor state of electricity generation and distribution in Nigeria . While security agencies bosses interviewed on Channels insisted that they were doing their best to protect Nigeria’s vital power assets they admitted that they faced an uphill task in guaranteeing the security and functionality of these very important pipelines .Experts on the TV program were at pains to point out that the pipelines carried gas needed to generate electricity for transmission and distribution to Nigerian electricity consumers and this would just be impossible in the face of such successful and persistent vandalisation bordering on economic sabotage with impunity.

Given such a bad situation on generation of power which is bound to affect its transmission and subsequent delivery , one is really taken aback by the insistence of a section of the power industry especially the trade unions to vilify the distribution companies involved in electricity delivery for poor electricity supply and going on to accuse them of exploitation of the Nigerian masses for the new tariffs approved for them some time ago . Undoubtedly the Labour

Unions influenced the Senate in stopping the new tariffs which has led to the regulator of the electricity industry the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission , NERC, taking the Senate to Court . With the Unions hailing the Senate with which it never sees eye to eye on anything as quite patriotic in illegally stopping the tariff approved legitimately by the body empowered to do so legally in Nigeria .

The Channels program has been an eye opener to many Nigerians who smelt a rat in the ever ready and incessant castigation of the distribution companies called discos . From experience on privatisation matters we thought it was just a case of sour grapes stemming from resentment of the new disco owners because of the huge capital they had put into the business.

We thought that the unions wanted to show the new owners of the discos that unions have to be recognised as before when the distribution was a public sector affair even though the unions know fully well the owners of discos were hard-nosed Nigerian businessmen who had put their huge investment into the power sector because they believe in the Nigerian economy . No one expected the labour unions ,in full knowledge of the problem of vandalisation nationwide to be leading the fight to call the dog a bad name in order to hang it in the way and manner they have championed the cause of vilifying

the discos for poor electricity supply in the face of rampant vandalisation of pipe lines expected to be used to generate electricity in the first instance .

To Nigerians who watched that Channels program the unions have been misleading the Nigerian public in painting the discos as power sharks exploiting Nigerians in the supply of electricity when indeed it is fellow Nigerians vandalizing the gas pipelines nationwide who should be held responsible for a sheer act of sabotage or outright hostility and felony or even high treason .

As patriotic and much respected public institutions in the labour market , the union leaders are enlightened enough to know that without regular electricity Nigeria can never make it in terms of economic development .

Without economic development the fate of the Nigerian worker is to suffer and struggle to live always on subsistence level . Yet the objective of trade unions is to promote the progress and economic welfare of the Nigerian worker . The unions will do this better if they join hands with the security agencies in stopping those vandalizing our pipelines and making the generation of electricity an uphill if not impossible task . They can mobilise their millions of workers positively in this regard so that they can keep their jobs in the dwindling numbers of industries and factories with spiralling fixed and running

Fashola costs of running their generators and standby generators to produce goods and services to keep our economy running . If the gencos and discos work well the electricity tariffs will be more beneficial to workers and the economy and such success will rub off on the trade unions which will be seen as champion of the masses . Which will be a more honest and commendable way to promote the fortune of the Nigerian worker far more productive and patriotic than the present deceit of blaming discos for poor electricity supply when we all know that vandalisation of our gas pipelines by fellow Nigerians is the real culprit .

––Aliyu, an engineer, writes from Abuja

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

GAVEL TO GAVEL

Melaye

Edited by Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com

Mrs. Tinubu

Melaye and Tinubu in a Week of Spats

Omololu Ogunmade looks at how the battle of wits between Senators Dino Melaye and Oluremi Tinubu unfolded and deteriorated last week

T

hroughout the week the country was entertained with the ugly scene playing out in the Senate between Senators Dino Melaye (Kogi West) and Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central). Both senators had for almost two weeks been locked in a battle for supremacy following a sharp disagreement between them at the Senate’s executive session of July 12.

How it Began The executive session had been called by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to deliberate on the forgery suit filed by some aggrieved senators, notably Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North), Kabir Marafa (Zamfara Central) and Ajayi Borrofice (Ondo North) against their presiding officers.

However, trouble started when Melaye stood up at the meeting with his loud voice, and in a seeming commanding tone, asked the plaintiffs to proceed to the court and withdraw their suit, failing which he called for their immediate suspension.

No senator was bothered by Melaye’s threat except Tinubu who appeared to have an axe to grind with the trouble pulling Kogi senator. Tinubu was said to have been angered by Melaye’s threat as she described the comment as childish and warned against allowing Melaye to reduce the apex legislative institution to a body of the kindergartens. Not done yet, Mrs. Tinubu was said to have accused Melaye of cultivating the habit of always harassing her.

The matter however, climaxed when Mrs. Tinubu allegedly described Melaye as “a dog” and “thug,” which the Kogi senator said was unacceptable to him and thus prompting him to pour venom on her, saying she was “stupid.” The matter therefore degenerated into a shouting match between both senators as Melaye further threatened to beat her up while Mrs. Tinubu poked her hands towards him as both of them became more aggressive.

Melaye was alleged to have at the height of his provocation said “I will fuck you up,” a seeming uncultured language used by trouble

makers to imply they would deal with their opponents ruthlessly. But this statement was interpreted by Mrs. Tinubu to imply Melaye threatening to rape her. Some online newspapers also interpreted the expression to mean a threat by Melaye to impregnate the wife of a former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu.

It was however, learnt that when Mrs. Tinubu seemed to have emphatically insinuated a threat of rape against her by his colleague, Melaye was said to have dismissed such claim as needless.

Melaye while further dismissing the allegation of his threat to impregnate Tinubu at a press briefing 48 hours after the altercation, said the allegation was misplaced because the female senator had already “arrived at her menopause.”

Melaye’s Account At the briefing, Melaye said the executive session was meant to deliberate on the forgery case instituted by some of their colleagues. He said he only stood up to talk with the intention to pacify his colleagues who had initiated suits in the court on the forgery allegation to withdraw their suits.

He also claimed that when he made his submission at the session, he didn’t use any rude or uncomplimentary expression neither did he mention anyone’s name when Tinubu suddenly stood up and alleged that she was being harassed by him.

Melaye said he first exercised restraint when she made the allegation but his patience was exhausted when she described him as a “dog” and “thug” who must be “tamed.”

He said it was at this level that he stood up and said, “she was stupid.”

Melaye who said Tinubu kept shouting “dog, thug” repeatedly, described as untrue reports that some senators shielded her from his assault, saying he never made any attempt to come close to her neither did any senator interfere in the shouting match between them. He added that no senator attempted to caution him during the shouting match because everyone was irritated by Tinubu’s action and utterances.

He alleged further that his trouble with the senator and her husband started after they called him several times and asked him to withdraw his support for Saraki during the struggle for Senate presidency last year, a demand which he said he rejected.

He also denied the allegation that he threatened to impregnate Mrs. Tinubu, arguing that such insinuation was unnecessary because Tinubu could no longer be impregnated because she had “already arrived at her menopause.”

Tinubu’s Account Mrs. Tinubu last week narrated her story in separate letters she wrote to constituted authorities. First, she wrote theActing Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, urging him to provide her with police officers for protection against imminent assault from Melaye.

In the letter dated July 18, 2016 which she personally signed, Tinubu explained that the request had become imperative in view of Melaye’s threat to assault her during the Senate’s executive session of Tuesday July 12, 2016.

According to her, Melaye resorted to vulgar abuse against her personality and would have assault her but for the timely intervention of her colleagues which she said shielded her from Melaye’s onslaught.

Not done by the letter to the IGP, Mrs. Tinubu addressed another letter to the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on July 19, calling for a sanction against Melaye by the party. She accused him of threatening to rape her while describing her ordeal in the hands of Melaye as unfortunate, noting that they are both members of the same party.

“I am both a ranking senator and a woman.

But Senator Melaye took neither into consideration as he issued threats of rape and assault, whiIe boasting that he would face no consequence even if he fulfilled these criminal threats,” she wrote.

Again, Mrs. Tinubu petitioned the Senate President, Saraki, alleging that Melaye’s attempted assault against her on July 12 constituted a gross misconduct.

She said her letter to Saraki was meant to seek his protection against a criminal assault from him adding that the Senate must take disciplinary actions against the vocal senator. “ln summation, unless Senator Melaye is appropriately disciplined, he remains a danger to me and to the Senate at large. He has promised twice within one week to attack me,” she said.

Saraki Wades in During the week, Saraki made certain moves to reconcile the feuding senators as he met separately with them in his office on Tuesday, imploring them to sheathe their swords in the spirit of reconciliation.

Tinubu was said to have spent over an hour in Saraki’s office in his bid to placate her to put the matter behind her and let the sleeping dog lie. It was also learnt that Mrs. Tinubu had hardly gone out of Saraki’s office when Melaye also walked in as the senate president continued with his fence mending crusade.

Protests and Counter-protests All through the week, from Lagos to Kogi and Kogi to Abuja, there were protests and counter-protests by both pro-Tinubu and proMelaye agitators, who resorted to name calling in favour of their benefactors. The height of the protests was the visit by members of Lagos State House of Assembly led by Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sani to both the APC secretariat in Abuja and National Assembly to protest the alleged attack of Melaye on the wife of their benefactor, Tinubu.

They were accompanied by some leaders of APC in Lagos State including a former senator, Muniru Muse. They condemned Melaye’s utterances and encouraged Mrs. Tinubu not to be discouraged by the trend in her pursuit of “qualitative legislation for the development of the country.”

Another protest was led to the National Assembly by a former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Lagos State, Mrs. Kemi Nelson.

However, some Nigerians had described the protesters as a bunch of unserious persons who did not raise their voices against seri-

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

GAVEL TO GAVEL/THE LAWMAKER

House Consolidation Group: Falling Apart

Erstwhile allies, Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Hon. Jibrin Abdulmumin, clash and upset the peace in the House of Representatives. Damilola Oyedele writes

T

he plenary last Wednesday at the House of Representatives was smooth with no inkling of what was about to happen. That was before Speaker Yakubu Dogara made the announcement, which, though, certainly, unsurprising to many lawmakers, was not quite expected. He announced the removal of the chairman of the Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Jibrin Abdulmumin, and replaced him with Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki.

Pressure The Speaker had been under pressure from lawmakers, particularly, the committee chairmen, to remove Abdulmumin on allegations of unilaterally awarding to his Kiru/Bebeji constituency of Kano State projects worth N4.1 billion, while his committee was working on the budget. This had contributed to the impasse between the legislature and the executive over the budget.

President Mihammadu Buhari had refused to sign the budget into law on the ground that the legislators had removed several key projects and inserted theirs. Abdulmumin and his senate counterpart, Senator Danjuma Goje, came under fire for what many termed mishandling of the budget, leading to calls for his removal.

Dogara, in making the announcement, said the decision was already reached to replace Abdulmumin, who coincidentally had offered to resign.

“He met me and said he does not think he can continue as the committee chairman due to pressure of the work. But the notification came too late, as the House leadership had already concluded plans to remove him from the position,” Dogara said.

Abdulmumin, who had left the chambers before the announcement, addressed a press conference where he explained that he had voluntarily resigned after “consultations with my family”, saying his relationship with the Speaker remains a cordial one.

But the cordiality lasted less than 24 hours, before the bubble burst between both men.

Erstwhile Allies Both men, ranking members, were close allies, a situation that came clearly during the tussle for the leadership of the House, when Abdulmumin stood solidly behind Dogara. Abdulmumin had stepped down from contesting for Speaker and thrown his weight behind Dogara, against Femi Gbajabiamila. Dogara emerged Speaker, but the rift between the Consolidation Group, Dogara’s

Dogara

Abdulmumin

platform, and the Loyalists Group, which backed Gbajabimaila, continued.

Abdulmumin was the spokesman for the Consolidation Group. He was, apparently, rewarded with his appointment as chairman of the appropriation committee, which is considered one of the juiciest committees in the NationalAssembly.Abdulmumin was one of the few who had the ears of the Speaker.

Abdulmumin added that he had explained to his colleagues how the N100 billion for the National Assembly was allocated at one of the private sessions, and had since been blocked from briefing members on the matter.

According to him, “I gave Mr. Speaker statistics of 2,000 new projects introduced into the budget by less than 10 committee chairmen without the knowledge of their committee members. He did nothing about it because he was part of the mess, yet he is talking about improving the budget system.

I did nothing wrong. I worked within the rules of the House and instructions of Mr. Speaker.”

Abdulmumin said Dogara also took offence at a meeting the Buhari had with the chairmen of the Senate and House committees on appropriation, while working on the budget.

“Speaker Dogara took it extremely personal that we saw the president without his knowledge and went on to scuttle all our efforts to help the president during the budget process because he wanted to be seen by the president as the only good man,” he said.

Allegation On Thursday, Abdulmumin released a stronglyworded statement where he accused Dogara, the deputy speaker,Yusuf Sulaiman Lasun, Chief Whip, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, and Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, of allocating to themselves N40 billion, out of the N100 billion earmarked for the entire National Assembly. The lawmaker claimed that his refusal to cover up the deal and remain silent over the allocation of wasteful projects worth N20 billion to the principal officers’ constituencies put him at loggerheads with the House leadership.

“My inability to admit into the budget almost N30 billion personal requests from Mr. Speaker and the three other principal officers also became an issue,” Abdulmumin alleged.

These,Abdulmumim noted, resulted in attempts to blackmail him by Dogara, who he said constantly reminded him that occupying the coveted position of chairman of appropriation committee was a favour.

Melaye and Tinubu in a Week of Spats ous issues such as the brutal killings of two innocent Nigerians, Mrs. Bridget Agbahime and Mrs. Eunice Olawale, in Lagos and Abuja respectively without committing any offence only to find trivial issues such as a mere quarrel between two senators as the reasons to lead protests from Lagos to Abuja.

Like Melaye, Like Mrs. Tinubu However, a number of persons had taken the feud between both Melaye and Tinubu with a pinch of salt as a result of the antecedents of both senators. Throughout the week, there were comments that both senators had not conducted themselves well as representatives of people who ought to be statesmen in their own rights. For instance, many were swift to upload the photograph of Melaye with his torn attire while engaging in a physical combat in his days in the House of Representatives.

Therefore, they asked protesters to spare them a breathing space, saying they could not be surprised if Melaye opted to repeat what he once did in the lower chamber. Others were also quick to describe him as one man whose life has never ceased from controversies for once.

On the other hand, records of Mrs. Tinubu’s ugly scenes since her first advent in the Senate were itemised during the week. Some workers in the National Assembly had lamented that of all female senators in the upper chamber, she has been the only one conducting herself in manners not befitting for a woman of her status.

For instance, they recalled how Mrs. Tinubu was pouring venom on Senator Musiliu Obanikoro without any provocation at the lobby of

Denial The House has, however, deniedAbdulmumin’s allegations, describing them as untrue. The chairman of the Committee on Media and PublicAffairs, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, described the allegations as wild and non-issues. He queried why the embattled

lawmaker did not make his facts public before now, insisting that they are manufactured because the House removed him.

Namdas insisted that Abdulmumin was not removed because of his opposition to the immunity bill. Namdas stated, “After all, he is not the only one who opposed the bill. The bill is still pending before the committee on review of the constitution and it has to be voted upon by each and every member of the House, get Senate concurrence, be endorsed by two-third of the 36 state Houses of Assembly and be assented to by the president.

It is a cheap blackmail on the part of Hon. Jibrin to even insinuate that he was removed because he opposed immunity bill.”

Dogara, in a series of tweets, said he would not engage in political mudslinging.

“I won’t respond to jokes. I’m not a mud wrestler.

I owe a word on the subject to my friends on this platform. The rest would be dealt with by the Institution,” he said.

Ogor also refuted the allegations and said Abdulmumin “is singing different tunes because he has lost his committee.”

A Fractured Camp There are indications that the Speaker would not take the accusations levelled against him lying low. Sources told THISDAY that if not well handled, Abdulmumin may be suspended.

“He is fond of issuing threats. One single person cannot hold the House to ransom, it was not very unexpected that this would happen,” a lawmaker said on condition of anonymity.

Another legislator noted that the Speaker would have simply hinged his announcement on the fact that Abdulmumin resigned.

“The Speaker should not have announced that the decision was already reached to remove him, since he has offered to resign. In this clime, we all know resignation means you know you are about to be sacked. We need peace and stability in the House and he is not someone who would go down quietly, without a fight.”

From the beginning of this year things seemed to be quiet in the House, with an air of unity pervading the lower chamber. Many, however, insisted that peace among politicians was always a fragile one, as friends become foes within easily. Yet the current development in the House is surprising, coming from an unexpected quarter.

Nigerians are watching to see how the present controversy would unfold in the coming days and weeks.

Cont’d from Pg. 81

the National Assembly when the latter visited the Senate for confirmation as a ministerial nominee last year. Some persons noted that if Obanikoro were to be an impatient person like Melaye, both of them might have assaulted each other that day. But Obanikoro was calm.

Besides, it was the same Tinubu who rose from her seat to take over the seat of Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, last year in a manner which her colleagues decried as unparliamentary. Mrs. Tinubu defied calls by her colleagues to leave Ekweremadu’s seat until the action became headlines in a newspaper, a manner said to be unbecoming of a woman who ought to be a role model in the chamber.

Also, it was only Mrs. Tinubu among all the senators sworn in by Saraki who rejected an offer of handshake from him in June last year. Not even Senator Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North) who was aggrieved for losing the seat of Senate president to Saraki and other aggrieved senators such as Marafa and Hunkuyi rejected Saraki’s offer of handshake like Tinubu while being sworn in.

It was also Madam Tinubu who surprisingly accused Saraki of demoting her during one of the recent Senate’s plenaries this year because he had asked her to second a motion for adoption of votes and proceedings moved by Senator Andy Uba (Anambra South).

Mrs. Tinubu had protested, claiming that she was superior to Uba and should not have been called for such an assignment, despite both of them being ranking senators who were elected into the parliament same time in the seventh Senate. This protest by Tinubu

was found to be bizarre to her colleagues as no senator had ever claimed to be too big to second a motion. But her colleagues including Uba ignored such protest, perceiving that it was exclusive to her.

It is against this background that some persons were irritated by persistent media reports of the quarrel between both senators, saying the polity should have been fed with more important issues that could be beneficial to them especially this period when Nigeria is faced with acute economic crisis.

Saraki Pacifies Marafa, Tinubu with ‘Grade A’ Committees In another development, before the Senate proceeded on its annual long vacation, Saraki inched towards total reconciliation with aggrieved senators as she named combatant Senator Kabir Marafa (Zamfara Central) as the new Chairman of Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream).

Marafa who was last year appointed as the Chairman of the Committee on National Identity had rejected the office, saying the composition of new committees by Saraki was illegal. Saraki had raised the number of the committees from 56 to 65.

Marafa also proceeded to the court to contest the new committees constituted

by Saraki, asking the court to declare them illegal. But Marafa did not reject his new appointment yesterday as he did last year.

She also acceded to the demand of Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) by crowning her as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and replaced her in the

Women Affairs Committee with Senator Binta Garba Mashi (Adamawa North). Until her new appointment, Mashi was the Senate Committee Chairman on Tertiary Education.

The Senate president also named Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North), another feuding senator as the Chairman, Senate Committee on National Identity.

Saraki also moved Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abi South) from the Committee on Information and National Orientation to Power Committee hitherto headed by Senator James Manager (Delta South).

Manager now chairs the Committee on Solid Minerals.

He also moved Senator Hope Uzodinma (Imo West) from Aviation Committee to Nigeria Customs, Excise and Tarriff hitherto headed by Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) and redeployed Aliero to Aviation.

However, Saraki tactically dropped Senator Babajide Omoworare (Osun East) as the Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business as he replaced him with Senator Baba Kaka Garbai (Borno Central) and redeployed Omoworare to yet to be constituted Committee on Legislative Compliance.

Others who were made committee chairmen were Tijani Kaura (Federal Character); Suleiman Adokwe (Information and National Orientation) and Barau Jibril (Tertiary Institutions).

Also announced as vice committee chairmen were Ahmed Ogembe (Marine Transport); Ovie Omo-Agege (Land Transport) and Philip Aduda (Downstream Petroleum).

The Senate will resume in September.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

GAVEL TO GAVEL/THE LAWMAKER

Nwachi: Thinking of Her Constituents First and Courting Controversy In a rare, yet controversial, exhibition of selfless service to the community, the minority leader of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Maria Ude Nwachi, trades in her official SUV for badly needed amenities in her constituency. Benjamin Nworie, in Abakaliki, reports

W

hen on July 7 Governor DavidUmahiof Ebonyi State distributed brand new latest version of Toyota Prado sport utility vehicles to the 24 members of the House ofAssembly as official vehicles, he certainly meant to facilitate their legislative activities. He wanted a befitting and more comfortable transportation system for the legislators. But one lawmaker, Hon. Maria Ude Nwachi, who is the member for Afikpo North East state constituency and Minority Leader of the Assembly, elected to trade in her own comfort for the welfare of her constituents.

Nwachi decided to sell her official SUV to raise additional funds for projects in her constituency.

Nwachi gave herself a pat on the back. But she drew flaks from some who saw her action as a mark of ingratitude for Umahi’s gesture.

Blotch Umahi had faced criticism in some quarters for his government’s inability to provide official vehicles for lawmakers more than one year after he took over from former Governor Martin Elechi. Although, the governor acknowledged the need for the vehicles to facilitate the oversight and other activities of the lawmakers across the 260 communities in the state. He appealed for patience and understanding on the part of the legislators, some of whom were said to be taking the commercial motorcycles and tricycles to official engagements.

The legislators’ poor transportation system was seen as a blemish on Umahi’s widely commended record of performance. It was rumoured that the lawmakers were so aggrieved by the lack of official vehicles that they threatened not to consider any memo or request from the governor until he met their transport needs. Some of the aggrievedlawmakers,itwaslearnt,evenreminded the governor of the saying, “The teeth with which the dog plays with its master can still bite.”

Umahi has been generally applauded for making great strides towards the human and physical development of the young state since he was sworn in on May 29 last year. He has embarked on massive transformation works in critical sectors, such as education, health, agriculture, and urban renewal, despite the lean resources of the state. Ebonyi, like other states in the country, has of late groaned under the weight of dwindling federal allocations and general economic downturn occasioned by the fall in crude oil prices.

Vice President Yemi Osibanjo and former President Olusegun Obasanjo are among prominent Nigerians that have praised the Ebonyi State governor for his ability to rise above economic limitations and deliver good works for his state.

However, the non-availability of official vehicles was seen as a hindrance to the oversight functions of theAssembly members in the largely rural state.

Pleasant Surprise But Umahi surprised and thrilled the lawmakers on July 7, when he gave an SUV to each of them for their official duties. Commending the governor for the gesture, the chairman of the house committee on information, Chike Oguji, said the official cars for the lawmaker was their entitlement, though, any legislator had the right to reject the vehicle. He said the beauty of the official cars was the unison it offered, at least for “people to identify the honourable members of the house and to ease their official duties.”

The governor was said to have taken a soft loan of N1.2 billion, to be paid in four months, to enable the government purchase the vehicles for the lawmakers. He said his aim was to aid the oversight functions of the legislators and to complement the efforts of the state government in its aggressive transformation mission.

While distributing the vehicles, the governor noted that the Speaker, Hon. Francis Nwifuru, was privy to all arrangements on the choice and cost of the vehicles, explaining that the unit cost of the vehicles is the cheapest in open market.

to be a national change. To those wondering if our governor pays salaries, our governor is not among the state governor not paying salaries of workers…

“Every elected (member) should be able to do what they want with their entitlement. I chose to do this because it is convenient with my lifestyle.

It coincides with my person.And it is my personal choice. Do not judge others based on my personal choice because they also have their own way of doing good things for those they’re representing.”

Nwachi said she would use only N200, 000 of the proceeds of the SUV for herself, while the rest would be spent on the people of her constituency.

Commendation A community leader in Afikpo, Francis Orji, praised the action of the lawmaker as a show of love and exemplary leadership. Orji recounted, “Nwachi restored electric light in her community, which no other politician from the area has considered necessary. Her commitment towards the uplifting of the welfare of her constituency is unmatched.

“Nwachi’s decision to sell the car is the best choice any politician who is committed to the welfare of his people in a state like Ebonyi would make. She has the right to determine what she would do with the car.”

Orji advised other lawmakers to emulate the minority leader in her giant strides to better the lives of her constituency.

Nwachi

On that Thursday, July 7, the lawmakers were in high spirits, as they received the keys to the brand new SUVs. The Speaker was overwhelmed that at last, the murmuring and bitterness among his colleagues over official vehicles would stop.

Nwifuru was happy that with commitment and perseverance, he was able to stand his ground to ensure that his colleagues got the best.

Radical Ideas But Nwachi had a different idea about the use of her own official vehicle. She sold it on arrival to, according to her, fund projects in her Afikpo North East constituency. Nwachi’s confirmation of the sale has generated criticism and controversy.

Justifying the sale, Nwachi wrote on her Facebook page, “As yum-yum as the car looks, as baddest as the car looks, I will not drive it. The spoils of this car must be enjoyed by every living being and organism in Afikpo and even beyond.

ForAfikpo so love their daughter/mother, BCEL, that they stood their ground, made national history, by electing a political nobody like me, a person without a single political structure, no godfather, limited mula, no nothing, via a party, PPA, that did not even have an office in Ebonyi State.

“Unheard of! I remain the only elected member of PPA in the whole federation and the only member of a minority party in the entire Ebonyi State House of Assembly. So what are we talking about here, this hot ride is yours biko.

“This ride will be turned into liquids! The proceeds will be used towards massive empowerment, revolving loans, and to aid those in need of small funds to start businesses or kick life into their businesses.

“A portion of it will go towards some of my on-going projects for the sweetest people of

Afikpo.”

She continued, “This ride is our official entitlement. Literally every state in the federation has already given their honourable members their cars; Ebonyi is basically the last to do this. Our governor was even under fire from various quarters for not having yet given us our own.

“This has been the norm since the advent of democracy in this nation. Ebonyi cannot be different. If any change has to be made; it has

This ride is our official entitlement. Literally every state in the federation has already given their honourable members their cars; Ebonyi is basically the last to do this. Our governor was even under fire from various quarters for not having yet given us our own

Controversy However, some people feel the action of the lawmaker may cause a rift between the legislature and the executive. As at the time of going to press, none of the principal officers of the House of Assembly was available to speak on the sale of the minority leader’s official vehicle. But the Speaker’s media aide, Mr. Tony Nwizi, said that matter was still under investigation. Nwizi noted that there was no need to jump into conclusions without hearing from the lawmaker, saying if at the end it is discovered that Nwachi actually sold the car, the House of Assembly would apply the necessary house rules to deal with the matter.

Nwizi stated, “Let’s not jump into conclusion that she sold the car. A matter that concerns a lawmaker is always handled gently. We have to be careful so that we don’t jump the gun.AHouse of Assembly is a sacred institution that does not act on hearsay. The matter is under investigation and if it’s true, the house rule is there.”

He added, however, that if the lawmaker had any need to sale her car, it should not have been her official car, which the state government laboured to procure for the legislators.

Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Fred Agbaje, said Nwachi’s choice of selling her official vehicle was “a criminal offence,” saying, “She should be arrested and prosecuted.”

Ebonyi State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria has condemned Nwachi’s decision to sell her official vehicle. The state president of NYCN, Comrade Sam Igwe, described the lawmaker’s action as a show of ingratitude, alleging it is a calculated plot to smear the image of the Umahi administration.

Though, on her social networking websites, Nwachi sent, A” special thank you to HE. Engr.

David Nweze Umahi, my Right Honourable Speaker, and my fellow honourable members.”

Igwe contended that Nwachi should have sold her personal property if she was so committed to the welfare of her people rather than selling her official car barely one week after it was given to her.

According to him, “The youths condemn it in its entirety. She should get back the car or return it to the House of Assembly. She has right to reject her inclusion in the Car before it was procured.

In fact, at what point did she make up her mind that she was no longer interested? The Governor laboured day and night to get this vehicles and the only appreciation was to sell it on arrival.

What impression does it send? That the state government is insensitive to the plight of her people or what, when the governor is touching the lives of his people?”

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

84

High Life M

with LANRE ALFRED 08076885752

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

For Obasanjo, Its Love Actually!

About Bola, The Apple of His Eyes

any a man in love with a dimple makes the mistake of marrying the whole girl, said Stephen Leacock, late Britishborn Canadian writer and economist, in his famous work, Literary Lapses. Leacock’s words unarguably strike a point in the life of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Baba is in love!

After the devastating death of Stella, former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s wife, in 2005, conjectures and speculations arose as to who would step in as first lady. Trust Baba, as the former Head of State turned democratic president is popularly known, he did not publicly announce that he had chosen a new wife. For the

Emmanuel Kachikwu

THE HERO WITHIN... EMMANUEL KACHIKWU’S ENVIABLE EXPLOITS AS NNPC BOSS He snatched the lightning shaft from tyrant magnates and the sceptre from industry titans, and by the time Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu was done with his brief as Group Managing Director (GMD), Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), he had virtually revitalised and sanitised the oil sector.

There is no gainsaying Kachikwu’s gallant strides in the NNPC. By sticking to his principles and elevating the culture of due process, he stepped on a lot of toes.

Highlife recalled that he incurred the ire of the infamous oil cabal at the inception of his

remainder of his time in office, he was without an official first lady but those who knew his appetite for bright and beautiful women knew that he just didn’t want to rock the boat.

Since he left office though, one woman has become a permanent fixture in his episodic existence.

Her name is Bola. In her early 60s, Bola used to be based in England before she returned home after their hush-hush wedding in 2009 to take firm and full control of Baba’s vast household. Said to be in the good books of Baba’s many children because of her matriarchal appeal, Bola cooks the former President’s meals and is always on hand to attend to his endless stream of guests and Baba’s many needs. administration. Many oil magnates were unhappy with the changes he made in the NNPC. Even political leaders like Bola Tinubu lost their patience with Kachikwu.

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took Kachikwu on over certain controversial appointments that he made while he was NNPC’s head honcho but Kachikwu like a cat with nine lives, has weakened Tinubu.

Kachikwu fought so many cabals and won. But despite his sterling achievements as NNPC boss, Kachikwu, who is also the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, was recently relieved of his position as NNPC boss.

However, his successor, the new GMD, Dr. Maikanti Baru, will report directly to the Minister of Petroleum Resources, President Muhammadu Buhari, instead of Kachikwu. But Kachikwu should not despair, argued pundits. The latter believe that he can make the best of his situation by ensuring the total economic and structural reform of the oil industry.

Kachikwu should exploit his persuasive powers, and gift of oratory to pursue and implement far-reaching policy revolution in the oil industry.

ON THE TRAIL OF GBENGA SOKEFUN In the beginning, Gbenga Sokefun’s claim to fame was that he was the manager of defunct girl-band, KUSH, comprising his younger sister, Toyin Sokefun (now TY Bello), Emem Ema, and

Olusegun Obasanjo and Bola

Lara George. However, many would find out later that apart from being in the entertainment industry where he would also co-found Questionmark Records with his friend, Kevin Lucciano, Gbenga is educationally solid. A US-trained lawyer, his wife Ronke, was at a time the Chief Legal Officer at Oando PLC. As time went by, however, gangling Gbenga was eased out of Questionmark. He would also be eased out of Ronke’s life in due course. The reason for their separation was not made public. While Gbenga has withdrawn totally from the social scene - having lost his estranged wife and beautiful mother of his son, Ronke to a violent gust of ego-tripping and juvenile

quirks - Ronke is garnering accolades as a Commissioner in Ogun State. Like strange bed-fellows, Ronke and Gbenga, a veteran socialite stuck as one. Wedlock seemed a promising enterprise to the contrasting personalities in the thick of their love. Then reality dawned like daylight of storms and bad mojo and Ronke decided to call it quits. Consequently, she is a husk of uncontainable joy as she savours her success at quitting the discomfort of her marriage to Gbenga. Her joy stems from her eventual separation from her funloving husband. And the reason is hardly far-fetched: she had been enduring his lifestyle, hoping that her man would change his ways. But alas, leopard hardly changes its spot. The marriage crashed.

BLISS ACTIVATED! WHY IBIDUN IGHODALO TREASURES HER INLAWS

•THE WONDERFUL THINGS THEY DO TO HER

Gbenga Sokefun

Ibidun Ajayi-Ighodalo is well loved, unlike most women with her condition.

The wife of the founder of Trinity House, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, enjoys better fate than most women. Her inlaws are not breathing down her neck neither do they harass her for her inability to get pregnant. Thus while most other childless women are despised like the dehydrated sea of infertility and scorned like the postmenopausal part of the earth, Ibidun’s husband and her in-laws accord her utmost Cont’d on pg. 64

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

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HIGHLIFE

Bedazzled! How Susan Hart-Kuku Tames and Titillates Hubby, Olorogun Sunny Kuku •The enviable stirrings of their friendship and love

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usan Hart-Kuku is gifted in love.

Like the fabled enchanteur from the renaissance era, she has got Olorogun Sunny Kuku forever pacing the Hadrian’s wall of her shoulder and dreaming of her maiden castle. In the same breadth, she has got him perpetually hooked on her cocktail of love. Since his eyes held with hers and they experienced their first touch, she sent shockwaves of love through his veins like radiant energy. Thus Olorogun Kuku became a string to be played by the nimble fingers of Susan, his beloved wife.

Very few women are capable of such feat.

Indeed, very few wives are able to keep their husbands fulfilled and perpetually devoted to their wedlock.

Susan is capable of such

deed. As you read, the ravishing beauty savours blissful matrimony with her husband. She relishes every minute of her garden-fresh union, basking in the glory of being an elegant consort of the renowned Olorogun Sunny Kuku.

The stunning winner of the MBGN 1994 is currently glowing and carrying on with a contagious glow found only among fulfilled society ladies, having found love in the hands of her heartthrob, Olorogun Kuku.

Ever since the couple announced their union as husband and wife, they have stuck together like Siamese twins. To prove their pliable and unshakeable love for each other, they have been touring the world together, enjoying every moment of their marriage as if every day is honeymoon. choose this family in every life because they are simply awesome. I celebrate the best In-laws ever…the Ighodalos.”

FRANKLY SPEAKING! DID OBA AKINRUNTAN JUST STIR THE HORNET’S NEST? •MONARCH CLAIMS OWNERSHIP OF YORUBA KINGDOM

Ibidun and Itua Ighodalo

loyalty and love.

Thus even though she is yet to be gifted with the fruit of the womb, she is under no pressure to get pregnant and her husband is under no pressure to take a second wife. It is for this reason that Ibidun celebrates her inlaws. She appreciates their support and love towards her knowing that several other women in her shoes are going through hell in the hands of their husbands and in-laws.

They make life unbearable for the woman, not putting into consideration her personal struggle and suffering.

“The depth of their kindness is like none other. A rare kind of love called unconditional.

Despite my challenges with infertility, I have never been discriminated against. If I had to do it again, I would

Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear. Courage makes it both a moral duty and pleasure to speak one’s mind.

And the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, understands this immutable fact. The highly sophisticated Yoruba monarch is known for his penchant to speak the truth no matter whose ox is gored. Recently, in an interview, the Olugbo claimed to be the owner of the Yoruba

Oba Akinruntan

Susan Hart-Kuku and Sunny Kuku

nation. The late Oba of Benin wrote his autobiography which he titled ‘I Remain, Sir, Your Obedient Servant.’ He revealed everything in the book. Oba of Benin said, the Olugbo is the only recognised Yoruba Oba. I am the owner of Yoruba nation. Oba of Benin says Ugbo, very close to Okitipupa, is the owner of the South-West. I know many Obas would be asking ‘why is the Olugbo saying this?’ But I am only saying the truth. We have some similarities with the Benin.”

The current chairman of the Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Committee owns impressive stakes in the oil industry that make him arguably the richest African king. In 2014, Forbes Magazine put Oba Akinruntan’s net worth at $300 million.

JACK OF ALL TRADES...ORJI UZOR KALU GOES INTO SHIRTMAKING BUSINESS There is no gainsaying Orji Uzor Kalu is an astute businessman. The former governor of Abia State understands the wisdom of daring mighty things, like a battle-hardened general spoiling to win glorious triumphs. With his peculiar genii, he livens up industry; the exploits he dares burnishes the business world even as it dulls the pointed edges of the cutthroat blades of commerce.

Within a short period of time, Kalu has made a huge success of SLOK Holdings, a conglomerate comprising a number of successful companies, including the

Orji Uzor Kalu

Ojialex Furniture Company, SLOK Nigeria Limited, SLOK Airlines, The Sun and New Telegraph newspapers.

As you read, the former governor of Abia State has his eyes set on another line of business. He has plunged into the fashion business and has decided to leave his imprint on the sector. He recently launched a collection of packaged shirts which he named OUK collections, saying that his desire to invest in the textile industry was borne of the need to reduce excessive importation of goods that can be produced in Nigeria. With the determination and hard work he put into his other ventures, one can be sure that his new baby will grow into a behemoth any time soon.

ONE SENATE, TWO

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

86

HIGHLIFE

Still On Pastor Sunday Adelaja’s Troubles

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o trouble hardly spares even the anointed men of God. That is why the case of Pastor Sunday Adelaja, who oversees the largest congregation in Ukraine, remains a subject fit only for the passing sigh. A few years ago, it was Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo who was in the eye of the storm when he ran into troubled waters with state authorities in the United Kingdom over KICC’s mode of operation and his siting of the church in an area controversially marked as a reserved location for London 2012 Olympics Games.

At the end of the impasse, Ashimolowo may have been given a clean bill of health but things are never the same for the man of God whose inspirational ministry thrived before his activities were brought under scrutiny.

Now the attention has shifted to Pastor Adelaja. According to some information pieced

together, it has been gathered that the shepherd of the flock, which has over a hundred thousand persons at his Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God For All Nations in Kiev, is under serious investigations by Ukrainian authorities as a result of some fraudulent transactions reportedly traced to a member of his church.

Not that this is new, as he (Pastor Adelaja) has been under intelligence surveillance for about three years for alleged sundry misdemeanours, bordering on his life affluence, for which he is yet to be found wanting till date. But the intensity of recent investigations has assumed a wider and more serious dimension. His larger-thanlife influence appears to be waning while he has been battling tooth and nail to maintain his innocence in all the allegations for which he is being investigated. It is hoped that he will emerge victorious and unscathed by the time the whole issue winds down.

Sunday Adelaja

apologise to Melaye because she can’t just call someone else’s husband a dog just because they are colleagues.

They also said they were ‘proud’ of Melaye for not letting Senator Oluremi and her supporters bully him into silence. The women printed banners with words like “Remi Tinubu must apologise to Dino Melaye” and “Lagos is not superior to Kogi” and “Kogi Women support Dino Melaye” among others. Dino’s protesters also said Senator Oluremi needed to be called to order because her actions on the floor of the House were becoming unbearable.

Oluremi Tinubu and Dino Melaye

LAWMAKERS... ON SENATOR DINO MELAYE’S SHAMEFUL SPAT WITH OLUREMI TINUBU There is something wrong with certain segments of the womenfolk in Nigeria’s south-west region. In Lagos, Ondo and Kogi states to be precise. Like career clowns jostling for the applause of their principals in power, they recently trooped to the streets to protest perceived slights against Senator Oluremi Tinubu and controversial drama queen, Dino Melaye. Lagos and Ondo women thronged the streets brandishing placards to denounce what they termed Dino Melaye’s rude, ungentlemanly conduct to his colleague, Oluremi. The latter, who is currently representing Lagos Central Senatorial

Constituency, was allegedly bullied and disrespected

by Dino who reportedly threatened to beat her up and impregnate her, a statement that has been denied. But while Senator Oluremi’s apologists thronged the streets to defend her honour and demand apology from Senator Melaye, the latter ’s fans in his Kogi constituency also trooped to the streets to launch a counter protest and demand an apology from Senator Oluremi.

Kogi women have also come out saying, Dino Melaye will not apologise to the wife of the two-time governor of Lagos State and All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to them, Oluremi should be the one to

SO SAD! AS NDDC BOSS, IBIM SEMENITARI, BOWS OUT She is too old to cry and definitely too hurt to laugh.

When the possibility of becoming substantive MD of NDDC slipped from her hands, like a dog-eared rainbow fading from the skies, Ibim Semenitari was forced to quietly accept the fact that some dreams are far more charming and enjoyable in the realms of desire.

She now has to deal with the sad, bitter truth of her unattractiveness to President Muhammadu Buhari as a worthy candidate for the position. Ibim has lost the position to Obong Nsima Ekere. This is indeed, a sad stroke of reality for Ibim who had until her replacement been courted and feted by the creme of Nigeria’s high society in frantic bid to curry her favour prior to her emergence as the NDDC substantive head honcho.

Suddenly, Ibim’s coterie of

friends increased and she became a darling to every notable politician, technocrat and entrepreneur seeking desperately to befriend her.

But now, like a dull actress that persistently forgets her part, Ibim has exhausted her bounds of grace, now reality bites. Indeed, for Ibim, the time for humouring her bulk is unarguably over. And this grim reality is ruthlessly roost in her psyche as you read.

The last months have been tumultuous for the ballsy woman who held sway in the NDDC before her ouster. As the curtain falls on the short era of Ibim, posterity depends on Ekere, her successor, to guard and extol the glory due to Ibim or otherwise.

Ibim Semenitari

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • JULY 24, 2016

87

SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Flying Eagles Lose to Sudan in Lagos, Fail to Qualify for U20 AFCON

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igeria,theWorldUnder-17champions, failed to reach next year’s Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Zambia, fallingtoashock3-4homedefeattoSudan who sealed a famous qualification.

NigeriahostedSudaninLagosleading 2-1 from the first leg, but Sudan - who had a man sent off - came from behind to level the tie 5-5 overall and progress on away goals.

Senegal qualified on Friday after eliminating Ghana, and South Africa went through with a win over Lesotho.

Nigeria,whohaveenjoyedmuchsuccessinyouth competitions both in Africa and globally, went into the return leg of their qualifier against Sudan as favourites to win.

Not only did they hold a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, they also had 15 members of Nigeria’s triumphant Under-17 World Cup winning side from Chile 2015 in their squad - including the top scorer from that tournament, Victor Osimhen.

The Flying Eagles started off well with Samuel Chukwueze putting the hosts ahead after 15 minutes to make it 1-0. Just six minutes later, Sudan equalised through Amghd Ahmed, but Nigeria again went in front when Bamgboye followed up a cross from Chukwueze and tapped in to make it 2-1.

But Sudan’s dogged determination helped them equalise again through HalidAbdamuleem to make it 2-2 at the break, 4-3 to Nigeria on aggregate.

With the pressure mounting on Nigeria, Sudan took advantage and stunned the hosts with a goal after 56 minutes from Walaadihh Musa to make it 3-2 to Sudan and 4-4 overall. Just five minutes later, the goal-scorer Musa was sent off for dissent.

Nigeria took advantage immediately with Orji Okonkwo scoring after 67 minutes to make it 3-3 on the day, but still Sudan ploughed on despite being down to ten men and losing 5-4 on aggregate.

Their reward came seven minutes from time when Halid Abdamuleem scored a shock winner for Sudan, his second of the game. Nigeria were unable to respond, with Sudan famously holding on to win 4-3 and progress on away goals after the tie ended 5-5 on aggregate.

Another country missing from Zambia 2016 will be Ghana who fell to a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Senegal on Friday. Ghana are the only African team to have won the Under-20 World Cup, lifting the trophy in 2009 with a penalties victory over Brazil in the final in Egypt.

However, Senegal’s 3-1 advantage from the first leg in Dakar proved decisive, with Ghana failing to claw back the deficit.

Flying Eagles hotshotVictor Osimhen

NPFL Team to Tour Spain, as La Liga Opens Office in Nigeria

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

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resident of La Liga, Javier Tebas listed the benefits of the three-month-old partnership with the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) when he formally opened the La Liga office in Nigeria located inside the Corporate Headquarters of the League Management Company (LMC) in Maitama District, Abuja.

The La Liga President afterwards spoke at a media conference where he restated the Spanish League body’s commitment to making the fiveyear commercial and technical partnership with the NPFL a success.

He recalled that he led a delegation of La Liga officials to Nigeria in April to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the LMC and noted that “we are here today to open a LaLiga Office in Nigeria in furtherance of that understanding”.

According to Tebas, the benefits of the partnership would be attained in phases citing the coming tour of Spain by a select All-Star team of NPFL players.

In listing the benefits of the partnership, the La Liga President stated, “We have made good progress

At the front office of the La Liga Nigeria Office in Abuja, from left, LMC Chairman, Shehu Dikko; La Liga President, JavierTebas; Spain’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Alfonso Barnuevo; the La Liga Africa Director, Mr. Antonio Baradas; and La Liga Nigeria office, Mutiu Adepoju in the three months of the understanding signed between us and Nigeria football league and in a few weeks, an All-Star team from Nigeria will tour La Liga and we are taking care of the travel and

accommodation of 40 members of the team.

“During this tour, the team will play three matches in Spain and will be watched by the Directors of top La Liga clubs who make decisions and this

may result in some Nigeria League players being invited to the clubs. We also will be sending experts to interact with NPFL Club Managers and share knowledge and also send coaches to work at the grassroots academies for development of youth football,” Tebas added.

He also assured the audience made up of the LMC top executives, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board members, NPFL Club Chairmen and the media that with time, “LaLiga clubs would also visit Nigeria to play friendly matches...yes, Barcelona can come to Nigeria and that will mean that the NPFL is a big league.”

Tebas said the partnership is providing opportunities for mutual benefit of both leagues and concluded, “I am sure that by the time the first five years of the partnership ends, LaLiga and NPFLwill be bigger.”

Ambassador Alfonso Barnuevo said he was happy to see Nigeria and Spain extend cooperation to football and predicted that there is a bright future ahead.

“As Spanish Ambassador, I have to express my satisfaction that one of the strongest institutions in Spain, and probably one of the best known worldwide, La Liga, has established an office in

London Games: Bolt Accuses Moyes Appointed Sunderland Manager Gatlin of Disrespect

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sain Bolt accused sprint rival Justin Gatlin of “disrespect” after the six-time Olympic champion won the 200m at the Anniversary Games in London. Bolt, 29, clocked 19.89 seconds in his first appearance since pulling out of the Jamaican trials. He was picked for the Olympics after getting a medical exemption, leading to comments from Gatlin and others.

“For me I felt it was a joke, I felt it was a disrespect they think I’d back out of a trials,” said Bolt. “I’ve proven myself year on year that I’m the greatest. I laughed when I heard it, I was disappointed, especially in Justin Gatlin.” Bolt Bolt won gold in both the 100m and 200m at the London and Beijing Olympics, and will were he American. defend both titles in Rio next month.

“He’s injured, gets a medical pass, that’s Gatlin, considered his main 100m rival, was what his country does. Our country doesn’t among those who claimed the Jamaican - who do that,” Gatlin, who has twice served doping has struggled with a hamstring injury - got bans, was quoted as saying in the American preferential treatment he would not receive press.

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avid Moyes has been appointed Sunderland manager on a fouryear deal. The former Everton and Manchester United boss, 53, takes charge at the Stadium of Light after Sam Allardyce left to become England manager.

“I have taken over a big British club, with a great support, and I’m looking forward to working in the Premier League again,” said Moyes.

The Scot has been out of work since being sacked by Spanish club Real Sociedad in November. Allardyce was confirmed as Roy Hodgson’s successor with the national team on Friday.

Sunderland chairman Ellis Short said Moyes was “by far and away first choice” to take control of the Black Cats and that he had tried to recruit him several times before. “He is a man whose football pedigree speaks for itself and is someone I have long admired,” said Short.

“I have spoken with him on many occasions and I have always been hugely impressed.

“He was my number one managerial target for the last five appointments, but his desire to

honour existing contracts meant we were not able to bring him to Sunderland previously. To be able to finally welcome him as our manager is fantastic news for the club.”

Moyes, who started his managerial career at Preston North End, was voted LMA Manager of the Year three times during an 11-year spell at Everton.

He succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United boss on his fellow Scot’s recommendation when he retired after a trophy-laden 26 years in charge at Old Trafford. But despite signing a six-year deal with the then Premier League champions, he was sacked 10 months later and went on to manage Real Sociedad in Spain.

Moyes was tipped to take over at Aston Villa earlier in the summer but ruled himself out of the running and the job went to Roberto Di Matteo.

“I look forward to continuing the good work done by Sam,” said Moyes of the Sunderland role.

He will be the club’s fourth manager in less than three years, following Gus Poyet, Dick Advocaat and Allardyce.

Sunday July 24, 2016

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UT H

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Price: N400

MISSILE

Ukeje to Foreign Minister

“Again, I am disturbed that there were no evidences like recordings, videos, DNA, something strong to prove the allegations. Tell the US government that Nigeria too has its rules and we expect them to abide by our own rules and the integrity of our citizens.”

– Co-Chairman of the joint House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, and Foreign Relations, Hon. Nnenna Ukeje, commenting on the remarks by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, that former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, did not have concrete evidence to back his allegation of sexual misconduct against three Nigerian lawmakers

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Where Do We go from Here?

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f you were a lover of reggae music in the 1970s, you would certainly know “Time Hard”, a hit song by The Pioneers, the Jamaican three-man band. “Every day,” they sang, sonorously, “things are getting worse.” That song was released in 1972. At the time, Nigeria was producing two million barrels of crude oil per day and selling at an average price of $1.8 per barrel. We were not yet oil-dependent, so the revenue was basically a bonus. By 1974, oil was selling for $11, six times the 1972 price, and our stomach ballooned. We became helplessly hooked on petrodollars. The only song Nigerians could be singing was: “Things are getting better.”

The Pioneers would not sell.

But their song still became very relevant in the early 1980s. Average oil price fell from $34 in 1981 to $32 in 1982 and $29 in 1983, meaning serious trouble. Oil boom had sent us into an expenditure overdrive and overkill.

We had taken on massive projects, importing recklessly and accumulating debts like medals.

Our foreign reserves began to sink as we struggled to import basic food items, such as rice and milk. President Shehu Shagari tried to stay afloat through a “stabilisation plan” that cut spending, reduced imports and hiked duties. After the 1983 elections, the government could no longer pretend. The economy went berserk. Things fell apart.

This is 2016 and the symptoms persist. In fact, our economy has been on a downward spiral since late 2014 when oil prices started plunging. It became more pronounced in 2015, and it appears we are now breaking records as we wake up every day. Are The Pioneers singing in the background? The naira is officially at its worst since it replaced the pound as national currency in 1973; oil production has plunged from 2.2mbpd to probably its lowest in 10 years; FX reserves are going south; inflation has gone wild; and we are just awaiting figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to confirm that we’re officially in a recession — first since 1987.

There are four points I would like to highlight as we discuss the state of the nation this morning.

One, we cannot deny the fact that the crash in the price of crude oil is what got us into our current gridlock. We classically got carried away by the recent oil boom and failed to learn our lessons. Now history is mercilessly repeating itself. Two, Buhari did not inherit a healthy economy, contrary to whatever the critics say. Three, Buhari may not have been quick enough with his response to the economic crises since he assumed office, but there are no easy answers. Four, and this is the one that scares me silly, we may be in for a prolonged drought.

Here we go. My first point. If Buhari inherited crude oil price at $80 per barrel, with production levels remaining at over 2mbpd, the story would certainly be different. We have to face that fact without sentiments. The exchange rate, both official and parallel, could still be below N200/$1; our reserves would be still be fairly healthy because of the war chest; and — with subsidy — petrol would still be less than N100 per litre. Prices would stabilise. Foreign investors would likely remain attracted to us and the

Buhari stock market would be bubbling. In other words, the relative growth we have enjoyed over the years owed largely to high oil prices.

Indeed, President Goodluck Jonathan was unable to build robust reserves in the time of boom — and this is very significant. Under President Olusegun Obasanjo, the highest price oil sold for was $60, and production was less than 2mbpd for the most part. He parted with $12 billion to settle foreign debts, and still left FX reserves of $43 billion, out of which $9 billion was excess crude savings.

Under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, oil went up and down, hitting $147 per barrel at some point, and sinking to $31 at its lowest.

With that, Yar’Adua raised FX reserves to $62 billion by September 2008 — the highest in our history.

This is where the Jonathan team loses the argument. Oil sold for between $70 and $120 during his first four years in power (2010-2014) before the downward slide to $50 in 2015, when he left office. If our reserve management was anything like what we had under Obasanjo and Yar’Adua (when, by the way, Professor Chukwuma Soludo was the CBN governor), Jonathan could have left at least $100 billion in the reserves. If Buhari had inherited such a hefty kitty, the naira would not be gasping for breath today. Clearly, our failure to build an FX war chest in the time of plenty exposed us to the infectious diseases we are battling with today.

Why couldn’t Jonathan build robust reserves?

One, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former finance minister, kept crying that Nigeria was bleeding from oil theft. Nobody listened. Over 400,000 barrels were being stolen daily. Two, NNPC failed to remit billions of dollars to CBN coffers. The man formerly known as Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, then CBN governor, raised the alarm. We didn’t listen. Three, governors opposed crude oil savings, saying it is unconstitutional. Four, we maintained an artificial value for the naira for long, insisting we had “robust reserves”, but our appetite for imports was more robust.

We failed to curtail the appetite because we were awash with dollars.

Our aggressive spending during the last oil boom is coming back to bite us. Instead of spending the oil wealth to deepen and regenerate

the economy, we ran amok, bloating the civil service and turning political appointments to a sub-sector. The governors were hiring jets every minute to attend political meetings.

Nigerians were buying jets like pure water.

How many people were sending their children to foreign schools in 1999 compared to, say, 2014? We believed we had all the forex to buy the world. We totally savaged the economy.

This is not about Jonathan alone — it was a national pastime: from councils and states to the colossal federal government.

My third point. Though Buhari did not inherit a wonderful economy, his ideological hangovers prevented him from acting on time to stem the tide. It’s like cancer. If you leave cancer stage one untreated, it gets bigger, and moves to stage two. Untreated, it gets worse and moves to stage three. And, finally, it gets to stage four where it has spread to other organs.

The economy was probably at stage two when Buhari took over, but he felt chemotherapy would be too painful for the masses that elected him into office. Now the cancer is spreading and killing jobs and shredding the naira and shrinking the economy. That is the consequence of delayed adjustment.

My fourth and final point. Since we are still hopelessly sold to oil, and production is getting smaller by the day as a result of militant activities, I think The Pioneers will have to do a remix of “Time Hard”. Things will get even worse before they get better. You don’t transit from oil economy to industrial/service overnight. If we couldn’t do it in 40 years, I don’t expect us to do it in one year. Or even four years. Except oil recovers miraculously, this carnage will continue. Sadly, the bad situation is worsening because of socio-political tensions: the herdsmen, the Niger Delta militants and Biafra. Meanwhile, APC, the ruling party, is enmeshed in a civil war.

Where do we go from here? I honestly pity President Buhari. Despite shifting ideological grounds on the exchange rate and fuel price, the economy is still nowhere near recovering.

The truth is that we are in a bad place and there are no easy ways out. It is a peculiar mess. The tasks he must face squarely now are critical. One, how do we first stabilise the economy and stop this bleeding? Two, where is the recovery roadmap so that the average Nigerian can hope for light at the end of the suffocating tunnel? Three, how do we ensure that if there is another oil boom, we will utilise it intelligently and finally escape from what I call the “petropathetic” syndrome?

It is very easy to point accusing fingers at Jonathan for mismanaging the economy or Buhari for not finding a quick fix, but maybe we should begin to look at the mirror as well.

With oil boom, we were living false lives, holidaying in Las Vegas and holding weddings in Dubai with unearned or dubiously earned income, pretending to be rich when it was all a bubble. Now the bubble has burst. We can see clearly now. As Buhari seeks to reform the economy, we too must discipline our appetite and endure the inescapable pains of adjustment.

Without another oil boom, recovery is going to be slow and painful. But in due season we shall reap — if we faint not.

And Four Other Things...

DRUMS OF WAR The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has issued an ultimatum to Niger Delta militants to cease attacks on Yoruba communities— failing which the brigandage will become “an eye for an eye”. In recent times, suspected militants have been unleashing havoc, unchecked, on coastal communities in Lagos and Ogun states, shooting and looting, raiding and raping, killing and kidnapping. The OPC threat, unfortunately, is not the solution. The basic reason there is a government is to provide security for lives and property, and it will be tragic if people have to resort to self-help. That’s a perfect recipe for civil war. Ominous.

OUT OF ORDER Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, the acting inspectorgeneral of police, has ordered the arrest of the killers of Chief Lazarus Agaie, the traditional ruler of Bokkos, Plateau state. Really? Do the law enforcement agents need any order before they unravel crime and apprehend the suspects?

I thought that’s their primary duty! When VIPs are kidnapped, we are usually informed that the IG has “ordered” that the perpetrators be arrested. This “order” business must be unique to Nigeria.

Should we assume that many murderers and kidnappers are yet to be arrested because the IG has not “ordered” the police to do so? Curious.

STUDENT AFFAIRS The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has done the unusual — they have finally spoken about a matter concerning Nigerian students!

They recently asked the federal government to reverse the policy on post-UME tests. I was very happy that for once, NANS is talking about student issues. In the last 17 years, they have been busy defending or promoting politicians. They have been endorsing, dishing out awards to, passing votes of confidence on politicians — and visiting state houses. Very lucrative stuff.

I totally forgot that it was an association set up to fight for the interest of university students! Hilarious.

HIJAB SAGA Honestly, I never knew that Muslim pupils were not allowed to wear hijab in public schools in some states until these court cases started showing up. All my life, I have been seeing female students wearing the hijab and “Deeper Life” scarves, and I have never objected to it. Indeed, it looks so normal to me. I’ve never lost my appetite or sleep because of the way people choose to dress to express their faith. Can somebody please educate me on how hijab is a catastrophe? I would like to implore all agitated parties to allow sleeping dogs lie. Precarious.

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