Thursday 4th August 2016

Military: We’re Not Bothered About Boko Haram Leadership Change Troops arrest high profile sect member

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja and Zacheaus Somorin in Lagos with agency report The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said that the

military was not in the least bit perturbed about the latest change of leadership in Boko Haram.

Yesterday, the BBC reported that Islamic State

had named a new leader, Abu Musab al-Barnawi, for Boko Haram. Al-Barnawi, who was once the spokesman for the insurgent group, has replaced Abubakar Shekau.

According to BBC, alBarnawi was featured in the latest issue of an ISIS magazine. The magazine made no reference to Shekau.

But DHQ spokesman, Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, said yesterday that the military was not interested in what happens in what he described as “nearly dead”

Boko Haram terrorists, including a change of leadership or alliance with ISIS. Continued on page 6

Orubebe in Fresh Trouble, Accused of Diverting N1.9bn Compensation for Residents on East-West Road… Page 50 Thursday 4 August, 2016 Vol 21. No 7769. Price: N250

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Jonathan Keeps Mum on Corruption Cases Against Former Aides, Officials Meets Buhari, sues for unity, peace in Nigeria, N’Delta Says he makes nocturnal visits to State House Holds meeting with PDPBoT Tobi Soniyi in Abuja Former President Goodluck Jonathan has continued to refuse to speak on the ongoing corruption cases against some of his former

aides and officials who worked for his government, insisting that he would speak about the issue at the “appropriate time”.

Continued on page 6

Gowon Backs Nigeria’s Restructuring, Says He Did Same in 1967

Says he became head of state by accident Davidson Iriekpen with agency report Former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon has thrown his weight behind those clamouring for the restructuring of the country, saying there was nothing

wrong with restructuring, provided it is done within the “context of one Nigeria”.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Gowon stated this when the Deputy Chairman of the Senate Continued on page 6

BEFITTING FAREWELL TO A SON OF DELTA Budget Scandal: Clamour for Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left), presenting the Nigerian flag used to adorn the casket of former Delta governor, the late Chief Felix Ibru, to the deceased’s son, Paul, during his father's funeral held in Agbarha-Otor, Reconvening of House Heightens… Page 10 State Ughelli North Local Government Area in Delta State… yesterday

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Naira Falls to N390/$1 on Parallel Mkt, Rises on Interbank Obinna Chima

The naira crashed to N390 to the dollar on the parallel market yesterday, lower than the N382 to a dollar from the previous day.

A currency analyst, who preferred to remain anonymous, blamed the continuing slide of the nation's currency on the parallel market to demand pressure.

According to him, demand for FX for most of the 41 items that had been excluded from the interbank market was still being met with dollars bought from the parallel

market.

The source also attributed the development to the fact that banks that act as agents of international money transfer operators were yet

GOWON BACKS NIGERIA’S RESTRUCTURING, SAYS HE DID SAME IN 1967 Committee on Foreign Affairs, Sen. Shehu Sani, visited him in Abuja yesterday.

He recalled that Nigeria was restructured under his leadership as military head of state through the creation of 12 states from the regional structure in 1967.

“We can restructure within one Nigeria context. I did it in 1967. We created states to stop Eastern Nigeria from seceding,” he said.

“We had to do something to ensure the fear of their secession did not exist – a serious issue of a part of the country wanting to breakaway when we already lost a part to Cameroun.

“If we had allowed the

Eastern Region to go away, the map of Nigeria would have looked funny, it would have been tilted one way.

“So we decided overnight to break the fear through the creation of states. If we had to save the country, that was the only way to do it.

“We also ensured that no state was too big or too small to threaten the unity of the country,” he said.

The creation of the 12 states from the former regional structure was the masterstroke that the Nigerian government used to breakup the old Eastern Region that was threatening to secede

in 1967.

With the breakup of the Eastern Region, the defunct East Central, Rivers and South Eastern States were created.

However, the 12-state structure did not stop then Col. Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, a few weeks later, from declaring the old region the ill-fated Republic of Biafra, leading to the 30 months Nigerian Civil War. Little did Ojukwu know that by creating Rivers and South Eastern States, he would not get the support of their citizens who were only too happy with the new state structure.

Also speaking on being made military head of state, Gowon said he became head of state 31 years ago by an accident of history without nursing the ambition.

Gowon was reacting to calls by some Nigerians for a reduction of the age limit to 30 years for eligibility to contest for the presidency in the country.

“What happened was an accident of history. When you have lost your leadership and there was a crisis and you didn’t know what to do and it happened that those within your constituency chose you, what would you do?

COLLABORATING FOR SAKE OF UNITY

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) and former President Goodluck Jonathan, when the former president visited the State House, Abuja... yesterday

MILITARY: WE’RE NOT BOTHERED ABOUT BOKO HARAM LEADERSHIP CHANGE Abubakar, who spoke to THISDAY, said that the military was singularly focused on the complete destruction of the terror group, irrespective of leadership and administrative changes.

He said: “The leadership change in Boko Haram, as purportedly stated, does not in any way bother us, as the group is nearly dead in Nigeria and other countries within the Lake Chad Basin.

“So whether there is a change in leadership or not, we are sure of total annihilation of the group.

“Our focus is to clear them from their hideouts which we have been doing through the ongoing Operation Crackdown and Operation Gama Aiki with the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

“It’s (leadership change) not anything to us and we will continue to reduce them to nothing.”

Abubakar said the military has been capturing members of the terror sect on “a daily basis, so the change is not anything to us”.

He said the military was certain that Boko Haram was

“in disarray and collapsing”.

“So they are trying to behave like a dying person who will hold on to any thing in his desperation to stay alive.

People should not take them seriously, as they no longer pose a threat. We dismiss this change of leadership as child’s play,” he added.

Shekau was last seen in a Boko Haram propaganda video in March 2015, one of many footages released in his years of leading a brutal campaign against Nigeria.

In one of the videos, Shekau pledged allegiance to ISIS, which was originally based in Syria and Iraq. ISIS has several offshoots now in other countries, including Libya.

Al-Barnawi, who has been named as Boko Haram’s new leader, is something of a mystery.

When he appeared in a Boko Haram video in January 2015 as the group’s spokesman, he wore a turban and his face was blurred out and it was filmed as a sit-down studio interview Unlike former leader, Shekau, his delivery in the Hausa language was

considered and softly spoken.

Shekau was often filmed in the open, surrounded by fighters, loudly proclaiming his threats, victories and giving rambling ideological lectures.

However, al-Barnawi pulled no punches, warning that towns which resisted Boko Haram in its mission to create an Islamic state would be flattened.

He also spoke of being against democracy and foreign education. In his most recent magazine interview, he again objected to the name Boko Haram, by which local people call the group, as it means “Western education is forbidden” in Hausa He maintained ISIS was still strong in the region and promised to continue fighting West African governments.

But as the identity of the head of Boko Haram was revealed, the Nigerian Army said yesterday that its troops with the assistance of civilian vigilantes, on routine checks, identified and arrested a high profile member of the sect.

Army spokesman, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, said in

statement: “On Tuesday, 2nd August 2016, at about 8.30 a.m., troops of Operation Lafiya Dole with the assistance of vigilantes, on routine checks, identified and arrested a high profile suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Mohammed Mohammed Zauro, at Sabon Gari, Damboa Local Government Area, Borno State.

“Preliminary investigation shows that the suspected terrorist kingpin was arrested as he was trying to flee to Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, from Sambisa forest.

“The troops recovered a Gionee brand of mobile phone handset and a fake SAIE/JIBWIS identification card to perfect his escape and the sum of N7,900.”

Usman said the troops also intercepted another suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Lawal Aboi, along Damboa-Bale Road.

“According to him, he was on his way to voluntarily surrender to the troops in Damboa because he was tired of fighting for no just cause. Both suspects are being further interrogated,” the army spokesman said.

to comply with a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive instructing them to sell foreign currency remittances to licensed bureau de change (BDC) operators.

On the interbank market, on the other hand, the naira strengthened to N311.03 to the dollar yesterday, higher than the N316.83 to a dollar from the previous day.

“I was lucky enough within the military at that time and all the officers knew me by reputation.

“I had no intention of becoming head of state but it was an opportunity. If the opportunity presents itself and people ask you to do it, then you do it.

“What I have achieved is (because of) God. I never thought of becoming head of state, but there was a coup and all my senior colleagues were killed and I was the only one that survived.

“My plan was to rise in my profession and hopefully become a head in my profession but that did not happen.

“I didn’t know what happened, but I had a duty and responsibility to ensure the coup in Lagos did not succeed,” he said.

The former head of state advised younger Nigerians to prepare themselves academically and morally to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.

JONATHAN KEEPS MUM ON CORRUPTION CASES AGAINST FORMER AIDES, OFFICIALS Jonathan, who spoke to State House correspondents yesterday in Abuja after meeting with President Muhammdu Buhari, said: “I don't want to talk about that, because there are too many cases that are in court, it will not be fair to make comments.

“I will talk at the appropriate time when most of these things are resolved.”

The former president said he was in the State House to brief the president on his mission to monitor the upcoming elections in Zambia and called on Nigerians to work towards a united country.

He also solicited for peace in the Niger Delta, saying that there could be no development without peace.

Jonathan said: “It’s not just about me but about all the traditional rulers, elders and opinion leaders that are of the Ijaw ethnic nationality.

“We have been in touch to see that peace reigns in the country. Those of you who have followed my stand when I was here; my emphasis was that we need a united Nigeria and I always emphasise that Nigeria is great not just because of oil.

“So many countries produce more oil than Nigeria, but nobody notices them. We are great because of our size, the human resources we have, the diversity we have, so if we fragmentise the country into small components we will be forgotten by the world.

“That has been my focal position and without peace there cannot be development anywhere in the world, we are all working collectively to see that issues are resolved.”

Providing further insight on his visit to the State House, the former president said: “You asked why I came to see the president today; one key thing is that having been a head of a government, a former president, you become state property.

“That’s the privilege you have, but every privilege has its corresponding responsibility, and once you become state property, your

international engagements that have to do with public addresses and some international assignments becomes national assignments, so you must brief the president.

“Even when I was here, former presidents used to do that and came to brief me. I have been coming here; most times I come at night, that’s why you don’t see me.

“So I came to brief the president on some of my engagements. As you are aware, I will be leading the AU elections monitoring team to Zambia. I came to brief the president about some of these external engagements.

It is the tradition.”

After leaving the State House, Jonathan was reported to have held a meeting with the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last night in Abuja.

Although details of the meeting were sketchy, party sources said the meeting was slated to discuss the protracted crisis in the PDP following the removal of its former national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, and how to resolve the problem.

The division within the PDP and a retinue of court orders and counter-orders pose a serious threat to the future of the party as a counter-balance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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STARTERS

Death Toll in Adamawa Herdsmen Attack Rises to 20

Two-Minute Briefing NEWS Budget Scandal: Clamour

for Reconvening of House Heightens There appears to be no end in sight to the crisis currently engulfing the House of Representatives over the alterations made in the 2016 budget, as several members …

Page 10

EDITORIAL The Travails Of CiTizen

Korede arrest last week of Mr. Francis Taiwo, a Celestial Church of Christ pastor who starved and kept his nine-year-old son, Korede, in chains for months, in an attempt to “cast out the evil spirit” testifies to the fact of…

Page 15

POLITICS Ize-Iyamu: Edo is Back in the

Stone Age The he governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu recently gave an update on his gubernatorial ambition, where he situated some of the issues…

Page 18

FEATURES Ekweremadu Gives Back

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu recently met with widows, the indigent and less- privileged members of his EnuguWest Senatorial zone and splashed more than N40 million on various empowerment programmes, writes Christopher Isiguzo Page 20

BUSINESS NCC: Multiple Taxes Crippling

Telecoms Industry Prof. Umar Danbatta has raised the alarm that multiple taxes on telecom- munication infrastructure by the various tiers of govern- ment was a major impediment to the growth of the Information and CommunicationsTechnology (ICT) sector.

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Governor Jibrilla Bindow of Adamawa State

Daji Sani in Yola The death toll in Monday’s attack on Kodomun community, Demsa Local Government Area in Adamawa State by suspected Fulani herdsmen has risen to 20, with many more injured.

Confirming the new casualty figure, the head of the hunters and vigilante group in charge of the council area, Mr. Hyniel Giwa, who was at the scene of the attack, said five more corpses were discovered on Tuesday, bringing the number of deaths from the attack to 20.

He said the first 15 corpses were found inside the bush, while five more were recovered from the houses burnt by the marauding herdsmen when they attacked the community.

Giwa said the attack started on Sunday and lasted still Monday morning, adding that it took the intervention of the security forces and vigilante groups to halt the herdsmen from burning the entire Kodomun village to the ground.

“When they heard the sirens of the brigade commander and commissioner of police coming into the village, that was when they abandon their operations and ran away,” he said.

He said the herdsmen destroyed property worth millions of naira, expressing concern, however, that the response to the distress calls by the security forces was very poor and appealed to them to always respond promptly to avert the loss of lives.

Giwa said most of the villagers affected by the attack had since fled the area, adding that some were seen fleeing to Numan town and to Yola, the state capital.

He said some of the injured victims were taken to the specialist hospital in Yola by their relatives who were able to flee with them.

Dead victims of the attack were buried by locals in the area yesterday.

Also confirming the incident, the police spokesman of the state command, a police superintendent, Abubakar Othman, said 11 people died in the attack by the Fulani herdsmen at Kodomun village, with several others injured.

He said it was the prompt intervention of the police and the military that brought about the end of the killings and burning of homes in the areas.

Othman confirmed that when the herdsmen saw them coming,

they stopped burning houses and escaped into the bush to an unknown destination.

He said when the state Commissioner of Police (CP) spoke to some journalists on Monday morning, he was yet to be informed of the casualty rate until later in the evening of the same day.

Othman said it was for this reason the CP could not state with certainty the number of persons affected by the attack and expressed surprise that some newspaper reported that he said no one was killed in the attack.

The state Coordinator of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Saad Bello said yesterday that his agency was yet to ascertain the exact casualty figure because the area was not safe for his team.

He said security personnel were mopping up the area, adding that his men were on standby to be deployed in the area as soon as they are given clearance that the area is safe.

Bello said security personnel were on top of the situation, expressing confidence in the capacity of the military to comb the area.

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INTERNATIONAL Passengers Escape as Emirates Jet Catches Fire in Dubai Three hundred passengers and crew escaped yesterday when an Emirates pas- senger jet arriving from India caught fire after a hard landing in Dubai that brought…

Page 43

SPORTS Dream Team VI Begins Search for another Glory Nigeria’s quest for another Olympic football glory 20 years after the Nwankwo Kanu-led generation won at Atlanta, USA, begins in the early hours of tomorrow…

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NEWS

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

Budget Scandal: Clamour for Reconvening of House Heightens Revealed: Abdulmumin insisted on Dogara’s ouster during meeting with APC leadership

Damilola OyedeleinAbuja

There appears to be no end in sight to the crisis currently engulfing the House of Representatives over the alterations made in the 2016 budget, as several members are increasingly clamouring for an emergency reconvening of the lower legislative chamber, in order to deal with the budget scandal that has tarnished the image of the House.

The National Assembly is currently on recess and is not scheduled to reopen till September.

House sources told THISDAY that lawmakers who are in support of House Speaker Yakubu Dogara are in support of the chambers reopening, so that they can lay the matter to rest and pass a vote of confidence on the speaker and other principal officers of the lower chamber.

Anti-Dogara members are however pushing for the reconvening to begin impeachment proceedings against the speaker, even though they do not seem to have the numbers to oust him.

The House has been embroiled in crisis following the removal of the Chairman of the Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Jibrin Abdulmumini by Dogara.

Abdulmumini, employing a scorched earth policy after his ouster, accused Dogara, Deputy Speaker Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun, Chief WhipAlhassanAdo Doguwa and Minority Leader Leo Ogor of allocating N40 billion to themselves out of the N100 billion appropriated

for the National Assembly, and making “senseless insertions into the 2016 budget”.

He has also petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police Force, demanding the arrest and prosecution of the speaker, three principal officers, and 11 committee chairmen for corruption and abuse of their offices.

Speaking on the push for the reconvening of the House, an anti-Dogara member informed THISDAY that: “We want to try to bank on the fact that the several caucus meetings aimed at saving Dogara have not yielded much assurances for them. So we want to take advantage of the fact that people are disgruntled.”

THISDAY gathered from credible sources that a meeting of members seeking the reconvening of the House was held in Abuja on Tuesday night. While some members claimed that the number of those who attended was over 100, others said the number was well below that.

A lawmaker who attended the meeting, however, clarified that even though several members did not attend, they were aligned with the agenda of the meeting.

“Yes, debates at the meeting were heated as we wanted the House to reconvene for an executive session for different reasons. Those who attended cut

across party and caucus lines,” the lawmaker from the North-central caucus revealed.

He, however, clarified that the bid to reconvene the House may be a difficult one, as several members are abroad on summer vacation.

The lawmaker, who is proDogara also confirmed THISDAY’s report that some members were making demands for membership of so-clalled “plum” committees before agreeing to join others to pass a vote of confidence on Dogara. “ Yes, it is true members are making demands, but that is negotiable, it is normal in politics. Dogara has more than 300 members comfortably on his side.

“What we would do is that those who have declared that they may support, we would take from those who are clearly

opposing and give to them,” he explained.

Speaking with several members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), THISDAY deduced that the caucus might not be as united on the crisis as presented by Minority Leader Leo Ogor.

Some members who are still smarting over Ogor’s distribution of the slots he was granted for “plum” committee membership, are gearing to show their dissatisfaction with the window provided by this crisis.

A PDP member from the South-south said there was also dissatisfaction in the caucus, as it was not providing the necessary opposition in the APC-led House.

“It seems like the House is an All Progressives Congress (APC) House. Apart from a few issues, we have not opposed their policies.

Even the ones which we have

championed, such as the immunity clause amendment is actually for the benefit of the APC leaders,” the member said.

Another member said he would vote for Dogara to be impeached if it comes to that.

“If I have to vote, I think Dogara has to step aside. Yes the allegations have not been proven, but they should not have come up in the first instance.

“You do not need to prove an allegation before you step aside, because your character is being impugned as the presiding officer of such an institution that ordinarily should always come with clean hands.

“So you must step aside and say I am ready to be probed. It takes nothing from you if you are truly serving the country,” the lawmaker said.

He also held the view that all the

principal officers were culpable in the allegations of budget alterations.

“All the principal officers should step aside. Even those that are not being mentioned – Gbajabiamila and others – they all inserted.

Somebody has mentioned some of them, but others should mention the others involved.

“However, I see the principal officers as a team. Would anyone of them have just sat there, while the other principal officers were inserting? It is not possible,” the lawmaker added.

Abdulmumun Insists on Dogara’s Ouster Meanwhile, details of the deadlocked meeting between the leadership of the APC and Dogara, and another one with

Cont’d on Pg 50

Felix Ibru Laid to Rest in Ughelli Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The remains of the first civilian Governor of Delta State, Senator Felix Ovuodoroye Ibru, was laid to rest yesterday at his home town, Agbaro-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state with prominent Nigerians witnessing the event.

A guard of honour was mounted by which detachment of the Nigerian Police performed 21-gun-salute in honour of the deceased as his remains were been lowered to mother earth.

Earlier at a funeral service held at the All Saints Cathedral of the Anglican Communion, Ughelli, the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, described the deceased who once represented Delta Central senatorial district as “a very special man in our lives as a people and as a state, we thank God for the life of our political icon; he was a jolly good fellow.”

Okowa used the occasion to challenged Nigerians to always assist people in need and ensure that they do the right thing, asserting: “Do not use the opportunity you have to abuse the privilege God has given to you.

“It is our prayer and belief

that Olorogun Ibru has gone to live with the Lord, flags will fly at half mast in the state till he is buried,” the governor stated.

At the valedictory cum tribute session earlier held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, the governor had renamed the State Secretariat complex as Felix Ibru Secretariat, assuring the state that the Senate Building at the Delta State University, Abraka would also be named after the deceased.

Earlier in his sermon at the funeral service, the Primate of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, urged Christians to always have in mind where they will spend their eternity in whatever they do and used the occasion to challenge the Ibru family to avoid actions capable of causing disunity among them.

“The name, Ibru is too great for it to be scattered, it is a great family in this country,” the Primate said.

Immediate past Governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, former Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama; Pa Edwin Clark; General Alex Ogomudia (rtd), Senators James Manager, Peter Nwaoboshi, Ovie Omo-Agege, among others also attended the funeral service.

NEED TO DISCUSS NATIONAL ISSUES

President Muhammadu Buhari (right), receiving former President Goodluck Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja... yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

FG: $1tn Lost to Tax Evasion, Avoidance Multinationals to file returns on operations abroad FEC approves construction of bigger port in Badagry

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

corporate taxation, Mohammed stressed that the government The federal government yesterday approved an agreement to compel announced that it had lost about all multinationals operating in $1 trillion to tax evasion and Nigeria to file accounts on their avoidance by multinational operations in other countries, companies. so as to enable the Nigerian The Minister of Information tax authorities determine that and Culture, Lai Mohammed, such multinationals are not hiding who dropped the hint after the taxable incomes from Nigeria.

Federal Executive Council (FEC) Mohammad who addressed meeting in Abuja yesterday, journalists alongside the Minister said to address the problem, for Power, Works and Housing, multinationals operating in Babatunde Fashola, and Minister Nigeria would be compelled for Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, to provide reports on their said two memoranda were operations in other countries. approved by FEC. The federal government also The first, he said, was the approved the construction of a Multilateral Competent Authority bigger seaport in Badagry, Lagos Agreement on the exchange of State, which will be built by the country by country report. private sector.

This, he said would enable the On the stricter regulation of government to stop tax evasion

and avoidance by multinationals.

He said: “In respect of the first memo, which is the memo for Multilateral Competent Agreement and the exchange of country by country report, the whole essence is to give the government a better grip on its tax laws and also prevent tax evasions and avoidance by multinational companies.

“Where multinational companies operate in more than one countries, it is quite easy for them to move profit from one territory to another territory where the tax law is very favourable to them and what has happened over the years is that the revenue authorities have lost a lot of money. As at the last count over $1trillion has been lost

over a period of time and the revenue authorities have found that they were losing more money in terms of tax evasion and avoidance than what they were even receiving as grants from multinational agencies.

So this is a law that provides that if a company like MTN or Nestle for instance, is operating in Nigeria, not only must it file returns on his activities in Nigeria, it must also file returns on its activities in every other country that it is doing business so that you can see from there whether there is any attempt to hide figures.

“Apart from shoring up our finances, I think it is part of the fight against corruption and it also enhances transparency.”

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COMMENT

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

LIKE A BOLT FROM THE BLUES

T

The hike in the base interest rates will impact the cost of credit in the economy, argues Boniface Chizea

he Communique of the 108 MPC meeting came like a bolt from the blues in consideration of the fact that the major decision took most commentators by surprise. It was expected that the fact that the Nigerian economy has gone into recession following negative growth rates for two consecutive quarters that the MPC would be more concerned with reflating the economy which is not consistent with the resulting tightening posture which was subsequently announced as an outcome of the meeting. It is also a fact that the Governor of the Central Bank himself following his briefing of the Senate just a few days before the meeting did serve notice that he was going to focus on growth instead of fighting inflation and therefore the expectation was that there is going to be a hold decision at worst, even if a hold decision was returned after the last meeting in May with the proviso that the decision was taken with a view to allowing the fiscal authorities some time to kick-start fiscal measures for a reflation of the economy. Though reflexively most economists would recommend tightening in the face of rising inflation but sometimes it is ideal to take a step back to consider the objective circumstances that have accounted for the rising and persistent inflationary spiral which in our particular situation had shown an upward trend since the month of February.

It is obvious that the cause of the persistent inflationary spiral is due to structural factors i.e. the monoculture reality of the Nigerian economy whereby the country is overly dependent on the oil sector to earn foreign exchange inflows; the rising energy cost as a result of the removal of subsidy with its pass through effect on transportation costs and therefore farm produce and other related costs; the electricity tariff which has now been beclouded by some uncertainty as the courts has ordered a reversal of the recent hike in tariffs of 45% which increase was effected to commence the attainment of cost reflective tariffs to meet the clamour and demand of the private sector investors; which is then capped with the rising costs and uncertainty due to the volatility of the exchange rate and massive loss in value as the country embarked on the flexible exchange rate regime in deference to the clamour by most stakeholders that the peg regime was not aligned to the fundamentals of the economy.

With the unsavoury fallout of increasing the risk profile of the economy as international rating agencies proceeded to delist Nigeria thereby reducing the availability and at once increasing the cost of credit. What is somehow reassuring is that we are at one with the MPC in the correct diagnoses of the cause of the rising inflationary spiral as it observed that, ‘’The rising inflationary pressure was largely a reflection of structural factors, including high cost of electricity, high transport cost, high cost of inputs, low industrial activities as well as higher prices of both domestic and imported food products.” And therefore to most informed analysts and commentators it beggars belief that in spite of this correct reading of the situation that a decision to hike the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 200 basis points was returned based on a vote of five for and three against.

What must be admitted is that in spite of the fact that cost push factors would seem to account for the rising inflationary spiral that monetary targets were also exceeded implying that we cannot wholly discount excess liquidity as a contributory factor. When annualised, M2

THE RISING INFLATIONARY PRESSURE WAS LARGELY A REFLECTION OF STRUCTURAL FACTORS, INCLUDING HIGH COST OF ELECTRICITY, HIGH TRANSPORT COST, HIGH COST OF INPUTS, LOW INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS HIGHER PRICES OF BOTH DOMESTIC AND IMPORTED FOOD PRODUCTS

(The broad measure of money) grew by 16.52 per cent in June 2016 against the provisional growth benchmark of 10.98 per cent for 2016.

Also net domestic credit grew by 12.52 per cent in the same period; annualised at 25.04 per cent. The increased credit to the private sector is a welcome development as it aligns with the desire to boost productivity in the economy as the private sector remains the veritable engine for economic growth.

But the decision to hike the MPR has been rationalised as due to the consideration that the core mandate of the central bank is the maintenance of price and exchange rate stability and therefore in attempting to prioritise, it was felt safe to keep fidelity with this core mandate by concentrating on fighting inflation. It has been argued that the central bank has limited capacity on its own to facilitate the growth of the economy in spite of its imperatives and therefore should be better advised to calibrate its intervention as it deploys available instruments by fighting first inflation which also indirectly could boost productivity as the value of money is increased. Then there was of course the palpable concern that the recently introduced flexible approach to the determination of the exchange rate which has precipitated further weakness on the exchange rate attributed to the normal reaction to a new regulatory reform has been slow in delivering the anticipated low hanging fruits of resumed inflow of portfolio investments which meant that there is some work to do to achieve this objective. Therefore the hike in interest rate would also in addition to the attempt to remove the bemoaned uncertainty in the hitherto adopted pegged approach to the determination of the exchange rate, improve on the attractiveness of the fixed income securities. And if perchance by means of this policy we can improve dollar liquidity in the economy leading to more stability in the exchange rate which could in turn boost productivity and therefore facilitate the much desired growth of the economy.

The immediate consequence of the hike in the base interest rates is obvious as it will immediately impact the cost of credit in the economy which based on demand elasticity will be passed on to borrowers thereby impacting negatively the prevailing price levels. Therefore in the interim the salary earners would be grossly affected as their purchasing power is reduced leading to contraction in productivity; loss of jobs and an overall elevation of the misery index in the land.

The domestic money banks will be negatively impacted as rising interest rates would normally precipitate rising credit defaults with the consequent effect of undermining bank profitability as equity capital is eroded. The Stock Market will be impacted as investment flows from the money market to fixed income securities to capitalise on enhanced returns often to the disadvantage of equities probably undermining critical indices for the measurement of the viability of the stock market. It is also a known and acknowledged fact regarding the imperatives of coordinated action between the monetary and fiscal authorities, anchored by fiscal policy, to initiate recovery at the earliest possible time which must not be underestimated. Therefore the federal government is encouraged to fast track the implementation of Budget 2016 which held out so much promise for the reflation of the economy to resume productivity and growth to enable the country spend itself out of the dangling sword of Damocles of recession.

Dr. Chizea is a management consultant

WITHER AVIATION SECTOR WITHOUT ROAD MAP?

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here is no doubt that political developments in the polity have preoccupied the minds of commentators and pundits.

Sensational stories like 2016 Budget scandal rocking the House of Representatives, the unending PDP crisis - fuelled by contradictory rulings of learned justices, the Niger Delta imbroglio, and other pressing national issues, have succeeded in shifting the focus of the populace. But there is need to also look elsewhere, particularly the economy, especially now the nation’s economy is in dire need of resuscitation and revival.

One of the sectors that caught my attention is the aviation industry. The deteriorating state of infrastructural facilities at the nation’s airports, the gradual erosion of landmark legacies of the previous administration in revamping this all-important sector and the inability of current managers of the aviation industry to come out with well-articulated master plan in line with the change mantra of President Buhari-led government are worrying.

Not too long ago, there was national uproar on the status of Port Harcourt International Airport as one of the worst airports around. The use of make-shift tents to house passengers arriving from different countries of the world into Nigeria via this airport, brought the insufferable decay in the country’s aviation sector to limelight. If a nation that prides itself as the largest economy in Africa could not maintain its airports—which serve as good image maker to visitors, is it in sophisticated issue of safety that it could guarantee her citizens and visitors?

As a result of policy summersault, the farreaching reforms in aviation sector, embarked upon

Nwobodo Chidiebere is worried that the aviation sector is again being left to rot

by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, which was spearheaded by former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah have been abandon by the current government. Over one consecutive year in power, Nigerians are eagerly waiting to see the aviation road map of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government rolled out, either to continue where the past regime stopped or map out entirely new master plan for the industry.

I can recall that former President Jonathan hit the ground running immediately he was sworn in after the general election of 2011. He appointed capable hand to head the aviation ministry—in the person of Princess Stella Oduah (now a serving senator).

Before her appointment, the Aviation Ministry was reserved for stooges of political godfathers, as an avenue to recoup money spent during elections. Our airports were nothing to write home about and the entire sector overtly became a shadow of itself due to long years of neglect. No one saw the urgency of transforming this industry not only into an economic hub—that would create job opportunities and wealth for our teeming unemployed graduates, but remodel the industry into a brand that would help uplift the image of Nigeria in the eyes of comity of nations.

Immediately after her call to serve as aviation minister, Stella Oduah sat down with tested aviation consultants with world class expertise and came out with well-conceptualised aviation master plan, which was subsequently approved in January 2012 by former President Jonathan. Armed with the road map, Oduah kick-started massive transformation of the nation’s moribund industry to what would have been 21st century aviation industry, if not for

her premature exit as aviation minister, after the hullabaloo of purchasing bullet-proof cars for official assignments.

Be that as it may, Princess Oduah was able to leave indelible footprint within a short period she presided over the sector. For instance, the nation’s airports witnessed facelift via remodelling of 22 airports across the six geo-political zones. Additional five new international terminals were being constructed across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kano International Airports simultaneously.

Outside these, different perishable goods terminals were in the pipeline. It is very unfortunate that all these landmark projects were aborted immediately Oduah resigned her appointment. It is now obvious that the much-hype about the cars emanated from those who were not happy with her reforms in the industry.

Few years down the line, Nigerians have realised that they threw away the baby with bath water.

Aviation reforms project lost its steam with her exit.

Years of neglect have returned in full gear. Senator Oduah’s transformational strides which inspired International Standard Organisation (ISO) to recognise Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) in 2013, as the only certified meteorological agency in West Africa is being diminished by the non-sustainability of the aviation road map conceived by her.

Recently, during public hearing of the defunct Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Aviation, representatives of the ministry led by Permanent Secretary, Ms Binta Bello made an emotional statement when she said: “She (Senator Oduah) started a very good job. Every airport was opened up. Well she’s sitting here. She may tell us where she got the funds. But

records showed she got the money from intervention funds. Since she left, these intervention funds stopped. We depend on budget—capital project, we got very amount of money which can in no way take care of over 150 projects in our airports”. This assertion sums it up—the Nigerian aviation industry lost its gleam with the exit of Princess Stella Oduah as minister.

Successive ministers of aviation have not found the vision and political will to sustain these reforms because where there are no clearly spelt out vision and mission, the sector is bound to suffer policy convulsions and infrastructural degeneration. If the aviation road map initiated by Senator Oduah was sustained, income capability from aeronautical and non-aeronautical businesses from the remodelled airports would have skyrocketed. This would have helped to boost Nigeria’s economy in the face of dwindling prices of oil in the international market which is grossly affecting the nation.

Income from remodelled airport was estimated to increase by 400 per cent as a result of revenues that would have accrued from the non-aeronautical businesses such as bookshops, eateries, and other business structures that could house banks. The completion of the upgrade of Akanu Ibiam International Airport would have opened up the South-East to world of commercial activities and opportunities, owing to the fact that 80 per cent of Nigerian importers are from this geo-political zone.

It could have reduced pressures put on Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos by travellers from Eastern region and assist in decongesting Lagos State as the economic capital of Nigeria.

Chidiebere wrote from Abuja

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2016

EDITORIAL THE TRAVAILS OF CITIZEN KOREDE

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The unintended cost of child abuse is high on the country

he arrest last week of Mr. Francis Taiwo, a Celestial Church of Christ pastor who starved and kept his nine-year-old son, Korede, in chains for months, in an attempt to “cast out the evil spirit” testifies to the fact of poor parenting and dysfunctional families in our country. But while the law must take its course on the abusive parents who nearly murdered Korede by their action, questions must be asked as to what happens to other Koredes since child abuse is a common phenomenon in Nigeria.

“It is true that I stole a pot of soup and a bowl of eba in our house,” said Korede. “My father’s inability to give money to my stepmother for the upkeep of the family caused it. When I was chained, my father and stepmother fed me twice a day. Some days, I was not given any food. I want to go back to school because I want to be a doctor in future. I do not want to go back to my father’s house.” But the father, in his police statement wrote: “I chained Korede because he is possessed. An THE SOCIAL DISHARMONY evil spirit makes him IN MANY NIGERIAN to steal. He needs HOMES HAS BECOME A deliverance.”

VERITABLE THREAT TO THE The irresponsible SURVIVAL OF THE FAMILY father could not unINSTITUTION IN NIGERIA derstand that there is no “evil spirit” greater than hunger for a child but he is not alone in this kind of delusion. That is why we must look beyond this particular case to recognise the challenge that we face. Nigeria has ratified the United Nations child’s rights convention and enacted the Child Rights Act. But 16 states have not adopted the act while child abuse is rampart even in states that have adopted the law and criminalise child rights abuse. To compound the crisis the authorities have failed to censor films that project children who are physically challenged as witches and wizards in a society that glorifies the

Letters to the Editor

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supernatural.

Child marriage, child trafficking, child labour, genital mutilation and rape of underage boys and girls are on the increase in many parts of the country.

That perhaps also explains why we have no fewer than 15 million children of the poor roaming the streets, the highest figure in the world!

Indeed, that Nigerian children are becoming endangered in the hands of those who should protect them was yet again reinforced with the recent rape of a seven-year old girl who was reportedly chased out by her parents for losing the recharge card they sent her to buy. The case is now before an Apapa Magistrate Court, Lagos, where the culprit has been charged with “unlawfully defiling a seven-year old girl, thereby committing an offence under Section 138 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.”

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esides, the social disharmony in many Nigerian homes has become a veritable threat to the survival of the family institution in Nigeria. Ostensibly bowing to pressure of work and social activities, many of the working parents in big Nigerian cities have practically outsourced their parental responsibilities and by so doing abandon the training of their children and wards to their housemaids. The damaging effects of this gross neglect have unsurprisingly been colossal. Without proper parental love and upbringing, many of these abandoned children end up as societal delinquents and never-do-wells.

It is a notorious fact that many street children in Nigeria today come from families uprooted in rural areas and implanted in urban cities with the prospect, or mirage, of a better life. That perhaps explains why many Nigerian children are increasingly becoming victims of child trafficking, child labour, child prostitution and modern child slavery. Worst still, several cases of cruelties against children are being uncovered in many Nigerian families. The authorities must find a way to deal with this growing challenge.

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

LAGOS’RENEWED ENTREPRENEURIAL DRIVE

igeria, the most populous Black Country in the world and the largest economy in Africa with a population of over 150 million, is endowed with diverse and infinite human, material and capital resources. But years of mismanagement, negligence and inconsistent policies have hindered the country’s economic growth.

Although unemployment is now a global phenomenon, but due to the aforementioned reasons, available resources in the country have been underutilised. This has complicated unemployment and poverty situation in the country. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria unemployment rate was 12.1 per cent in first quarter of 2016, up from 10.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2015, the highest since December 2009. Realistically, 65% of Nigerian population is made up of the youths and this segment of the population is generally unemployed.

While secondary school leavers are predominantly affected in the rural areas, making up about half of the unemployment rate figure, universities and polytechnic graduates make up the overall figure. What seems to be more worrisome is the fact that the nation’s universities and polytechnics continue to churn out more than 150,000 graduates annually and job creation has been inadequate to keep pace with the expanding working age population. Recently, the Nigeria Police put up an advertisement for recruitment to fill 10,000 vacancies, but over 1 million Nigerians applied!

The age-long craze for white collar job is still a fad among the youths. Rural-urban migration in search of the Golden Fleece has also continued unabated. Urban centres are now over populated by youths in search of so-called well-paid jobs. This has led to an increase in socio-economic challenges in metropolitan areas in cities like Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt, etc.

Various governments, both at the federal and state levels had attempted to tackle unemployment, but all efforts at creating jobs for the growing number of the unemployed have yielded little or no result.

This is because government alone cannot shoulder this problem.

With a population of about 20 million, Lagos State is burdened with the provision of essential infrastructural facilities including employment for the ever growing army of the unemployed. Although, unemployment is a national challenge, the metropolitan nature of the state complicates its situation. In order to proffer solutions to the lingering crisis of unemployment, the present administration in Lagos State under Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode cemented its desire for an entrepreneurial spirit in the citizens of the state by establishing the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment.

Established on June 17, 2015, the ministry is vested with the responsibility of promoting and sustaining entrepreneurship and employment through the effective use of wealth creation’s strategies and resources by collaborating with all stakeholders. The ministry’s activities are geared towards creating employment through the creation of enabling environment for the expansion of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in the state.

In fulfillment of one of his campaign promises and in seeking to redefine solutions to generic challenges of unemployment and wealth creation, the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on January 5, 2016, signed the state Employment Trust Fund into law and also set up a N25 billion Employment Trust Fund. The employment fund initiative, applauded by all, is set up to bridge the deficit skill and policy gaps, as well as tackling inadequate financing. The fund is disbursed to residents with innovative ideas that can translate into viable businesses which will promote self- employment as well as the creation of

employers of labour. And for the next four years, the government will commit N6.25 billion annually to loan given out with moderate interest rate of 3% per annum. It provides financial support to residents for job and wealth creation and also gives equal opportunities to all citizens, as part of his all -inclusive governance strategy in the state.

Similarly, it is a known fact that Nigerian youths, particularly, university and polytechnic graduates usually lust after white collar jobs, but the prevalent unemployment situation in the country has redirected their focus towards embracing self-employment. Hence, in order to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of young Lagosians, the Ready Set Work project was put in place. The aforementioned is an entrepreneurship and employability initiative aimed at equipping final year students in the state -owned tertiary institutions, namely, The Lagos State University, Lagos State Polytechnic and Lagos State College of Health Technology with critical skills to either become employable or become employers of labour. The capacity building programme, an initiative of the State Ministry of Education, is expected to run for 13 weeks (Saturdays) during the second semester in each of the participating institutions, and will be subdivided into three distinct components, employability, entrepreneurship and general module.

Although the above mentioned interventions are laudable, particularly the skill acquisition part, but for effectiveness, entrepreneurial finance training should be organised, where corporate organisations and financial institutions would be invited to enlighten the youths on ways of financing their projects. Although, Bank of Industries (BOI) is doing a lot in this direction, other financial institutions should also launch products that would tackle the challenge of financing of entrepreneurs.

Bilkis Bakare- Ogunnubi, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

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THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2016

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Ize-Iyamu: Edo is Back in the Stone Age The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu recently gave an update on his gubernatorial ambition, where he situated some of the issues that are germane to the contest. And in spite of the hurdles before him, the pastor-turned-politician is very optimistic that given a free and fair poll, the September election is his to lose. Olawale Olaleye presents the excerpts:

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ou sounded so optimistic and confident about winning this election, despite the fact that you are contesting against the ruling party both at the state and the federal level. What could have informed such optimism?

I honestly believe that by the grace of God if we have a free election, PDP will win this state. The reason is obvious. The present APC government in Edo has not done well. They have had the opportunity to prove themselves in eight years – for two terms. Today, people are very disillusioned and very dissatisfied. Just some days ago, our pensioners went to protest at the Government House. Even though the governor was in his office, he refused to see them. He refused to grant them access but it is interesting to hear what he said.

The pensioners mentioned that many of them have not received their entitlements and that in the past seven months at least nine pensioners had died because of the frustrations and sufferings they were going through. The pensioners are a critical number in the state. They have families and dependants and I can bet you that with this situation, a majority of the pensioners will not vote for them even if they decide to start paying pensions now, which is not even possible.

To make it even more difficult, he (Oshiomhole) has closed the pension office, which means they cannot process pension papers and send to him. Of course, these are experienced retired civil servants. They understand the game the governor is playing. Judicial service workers have not been paid their entitlements for over a year now. They went on strike, asking that government should obey the court ruling which says they should enjoy financial autonomy.

Even when they called off their strike, the

The reason you were elected was to correct what you felt was wrong with the PDP administration and you have eight years to effect that correction. If after 8 years, you are still complaining, it means that you have no clue.

I can understand you are complaining a year or two after, but eight years after you are still blaming PDP, then, it means that you are not the right person for the job

Ize-Iyamu...APC has lost it

governor declared that their entitlements should not be paid for the period they were on strike and it runs into months. The judicial workers, as at today, are complaining. Students who voted for him believing that he would make education more accessible, not only has he reduced the standards of education, he has increased school fees. So, on what basis are students going to vote for him?

Okada riders, who were at the forefront of the agitation to get him re-elected into government, the moment he came in, he banned them. But worse was the fact that he does not plan for them. There is no attempt to create an alternative for them. The only people he employed throughout his tenure were those youths he took under Edo Youth Empowerment Scheme. The moment the second term election was in the kitty, he sacked them – over 7,000 youths. They are not going to vote for him.

The farmers of the state are not going to vote for him. So, who are the people that will vote for him apart from his party members?

Even within his party, look at the way he has conducted himself. A man, who openly accused his deputy of planning to assassinate him, you can imagine the gravity of such an allegation. His deputy was attacked in his own local government, yet not one word of condemnation or sympathy from Oshiomhole.

So, even his party is a divided house. Our confidence is the fact that he has failed woefully and you can see that every campaign he has gone to, rather than show Edo people his scorecard, he has resorted to name-calling; insulting Ize-Iyamu, insulting Chief Tony Anenih and everybody in PDP. But the truth about it is that PDP is no longer in government. So, to continue to talk about the PDP when they were in government many years ago is laughable.

The reason why you were elected was to correct what you felt was wrong with the PDP administration and you have eight years to effect that correction. If after 8 years, you are

still complaining, it means that you have no clue. I can understand you are complaining a year or two after, but eight years after you are still blaming PDP, then, it means that you are not the right person for the job.

Edo people sincerely believe that Adams Oshiomhole knows nothing about governance.

It was a tragic mistake to have allowed such a person to be the governor of a state. At the best, maybe one of our unions can make him chairman but certainly, not the governor of Edo State. So, I can assure you that we believe we will win. If you take your mind back to the 2015 presidential election, APC was demystified in Edo, which has resulted in PDP having two out of three senators.

We have five out nine members of the House of Representatives. Many people do not know that of the 17 local governments that were announced in that election, PDP won 15 while APC managed to win only two. That result tells a story. I believe that in the forthcoming gubernatorial election, if the election was free and fair, I think PDP will do better than what they did during the presidential election.

At what point did the Edo people realise that Oshiomhole was a mistake, having voted for him twice?

To be honest with you, in the first term, a lot of people applauded him. There appeared to be a lot of work in progress. Let me reveal something a lot of people are not aware of.

The greatest achievement of Oshiomhole in his first term was the cosmetic renovation of schools. I call it cosmetic because when you renovate schools and there are no chairs or tables, no science laboratories, no teachers’ classrooms, then it is cosmetic. But even that renovation was a UBE scheme. Eighty-five of the schools that were renovated were primary schools under the UBE scheme.

The UBE scheme was an initiative by former President Goodluck Jonathan. Under that scheme,

the then PDP-led federal government contributed 60 per cent of the funds that were used for that renovation. What many people did not realise was that the 40 per cent counterpart funding that Edo State government brought was actually contributed by Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor, a PDP governor before the court removed him as governor. Before Osunbor left office, he had paid the 40 per cent needed to access the 60 per cent.

So, when Oshiomhole came in as governor, he had billions waiting for him because the federal government had just released the money. After that money was spent, what has happened? His second term is almost over, how many schools were being renovated during his second term?

The reason is not far-fetched. The counterpart funding was not paid so, the federal government did not release money. His second term has been a disaster. On road construction, when you do one road people will expect that another one is coming, but the roads were deliberately chosen to deceive.

He deliberately chose roads that a casual visitor will want to pass through without going deep into the city. So, if you land at Benin airport and you drive to Government House, and then you drive back to the airport, you might have a very good impression about Benin on the state of roads. But if you take the pains to go outside the city, you will find out that the roads that have been done are less than three per cent. It will shock you to know that the road to the palace is in a deplorable condition.

If not for the rains, I have contacted a construction company to go and fix it because it was a disgrace. We are planning a coronation of the new Oba. Visitors are coming into the state and the road to the palace is impassable.

If the road leading to the Oba’s palace is bad, you can imagine other roads. Before he came in as governor, we had pipe-borne water. Ikpoba River Dam was functional. Ojirabi Dam was functional. Today, they are no more. Even the pipes that were procured with ADP loans for the Benin water expansion, they have mysteriously disappeared.

We have been told that they were sold but the money is nowhere to be found in government coffers and nobody has raised any eyebrows about it. In the course of rehabilitating the so-called roads, a lot of water pipes were destroyed. For any government now to bring water to Benin, it’s going to cost trillions because all the pipes for water have been destroyed. For the first time, we now have a government that has no plan for pipe borne water. Everybody in Edo now have to rely on self-help; either you can sink a borehole, go to the River or wait for the rain to come.

We are back to the Stone Age in Edo and that is why you can imagine the kinds of diseases that we have because the waters from the boreholes were not tested or treated. So, in the absence of water, light, jobs, what is going to make Edo to be interested in the continuity of this government? The second term has been a disaster and Edo people cannot wait to push him out. In fact, they were hoping that the election which was done four years ago will be in July. They were very disappointed when INEC announced that the election will be in September. So, everyday, Edo people are waiting; they are counting the days. Every Edo worker wants this government to exit and they are praying frantically for that Election Day. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

INTERVIEW

‘President Buhari Must Restructure Nigeria’ At 58, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress in Kogi State and former House of Representatives member, who represented Okene/Ogori Magongo federal constituency, Hon. SuleimanAbdul Kokori, is yet to see the Nigeria of his dream. In this interview with Shola Oyeyipo, he enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari to heed the call for the restructuring of the country. Excerpts:

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war, which some have criticised as selective?

I want to believe seriously that that there is nothing selective about the war on corruption being executed by the Buhari government. If anyone is sure that somebody is not being prosecuted for one thing or the other, come out and report with your fact to the EFCC. President Buhari should go ahead with the war on corruption and we should be patient with him. Things will eventually be alright.

s a former federal lawmaker, would you say you have seen the Nigeria of your dream at 58?

No. I have not because in Nigeria, the ethnicity problem is very major. For instance, Buhari being from the North is causing the Niger Delta Avengers to be blowing our pipelines because he is not from the South; they are trying to discredit his government. So, the earlier we sit down and talk restructuring of Nigeria the better What do you consider the way forward?

There is no point trying to stay as one Nigeria and all these are still happening and drawing the country backwards . It is either we go back to the regional government system; with a ceremonial president or every region forms its own country . Enough is enough.

We should call a spade a spade. Each and every region has one advantage over others, so let everyone make maximum use of theirs and move on .

But restructuring seems as a very tall dream because like previous governments, the Buhari administration does not want to go that way That is why we are not progressing the way are supposed to progress till today. We need to sit on a round table and talk amicably. Is UK not pulling out of EU, did the heaven fall?

Have you any message for President Buhari on the debate?

He should seriously think about it.

Do you think enough has not been done in improving agriculture in Nigeria?

The Governor Yahaya of Kogi State is embattled within his party, what is your take on the issues and how do you think the party can address some of the issues?

The emergence of Yahaya Bello as governor in Kogi state is one of a kind in this country.

It has never happened before that someone from outside the political bloc of powers to just come and take the power.

So, most of the old politicians from whom power has been taken are still trying to fight from every angle to stop him because they think it is not possible and to cap it all, he is a young man, who had no godfather . So, my advice is that everyone should come to terms with the fact that this young man is the governor today. We should all join him to move the state forward.

Kokori

Agriculture is a big time venture that we should also face very seriously. It is not a child’s play. Government should organise us better. They need to go about it the right way. Look at the crises going on with the cattle rearing in people’s farm resulting to killings all over the country. Cattle farming

all over the world is well done. It is not just to rear your cows on someone else’s farm and destroying their farms . The herdsmen should have their farms, where they can rear their castles and not to be roaming about.

But how do you really assess the APC government, particularly the anti-corruption

What are your future political ambition. I have heard some of your people say someone like you should go to the senate. Are you considering that?

Yes, my people are wishing that I should go to the senate but I think it is rather too early to start on it now. It is also not a bad idea.

‘Founding Fathers are Responsible for PDP Crisis’ A former Commissioner for Agriculture in Ogun State, Mr. Tunji Akinosi told Femi Ogbonnikan that the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party are responsible for the crisis in the party. He also spoke about the governorship bid of the Yewa/Awori people of Ogun West. Excerpts:

A

s a former South-west zonal youth leader of the PDP, is there any hope in sight at resolving the current intracrisis rocking your party?

I am sure the leaders of the party are trying their best in resolving the problems that we have in the party. I must say, personally, I am disappointed with the so-called leaders of the party. I watched with dismay, the so-called interview Prof Jerry Gana granted. And it was adisappointment on his part as a leader, and the so-called elders of the party, who are supposed to hide themselves or put themselves in a corner and lock themselves up for the disappointment of the 2015.

They were the players that failed us, severally, and they are still the ones that are shamelessly putting this party in disrepute.

It is shameful, but I hope, that they have the last ditch of chance to bring this party back.

And if they don’t, it would be unfortunate, that the so-called founding fathers that have held various offices and taken so much out of this party to put it back after 16 years.

Aren’t you considering defecting to the oppositionAPC to remain relevant politically?

I have always been telling so many people that relevance is relative. I have never changed party from 1999 till date. I am a founding member of the PDP in my ward and I have been in the PDP ever since. The APCthe people are running to has not got any dime while serving in the current government. And so, I do not need to run into any party. The APC is not a better party in comparison to the PDP, as it were today in Abuja. My senatorial district (Ogun West) has not got anything in terms of development from the APC-led government.

My ward is worse. So, if as it is today, you are asking me, if I am not contemplating join APC, definitely there is nothing I am going to do there. Is it the economy that as today a dollar is N370 from N160 or N180 about a year ago? Is that what would make one happy, that I am moving into another party?

No! I have not considered orseen anything that would make one say you are jumping ship even when the PDP, like I said, is in the way it is.

Isn’t what is happening now an ominous sign of the death of the PDP? Well, like I said earlier, the people that pride themselves as founding fathers and I dare say, the founding fathers have been over-blown and over-rated. If you sit down in Abuja, and say, you are a founding father, I am also a founding member of this party, in my own ward. So, if they had got into the party, like I said, and they want to kill it, there is no

Do you foresee Ogun West producing governor in 2019?

Well, I am from Ogun West Senatorial District as you said, and I have often been telling my people that something good does not come easy.

Akinosi

problem. Once this party dies, the likes of those leaders, politically are also dead. So, they are digging their graves.

Like I said, there is a tiny light at the end of the tunnel that is still giving us hope, but some of us will not be the ones to lose out if

this party dies. If it dies for the purpose of us bringing back a new political party that will be devoid of these traders – those that call themselves leaders –definitely we will take from the Holy Bible, which says, “the dry bone shall rise again”.

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

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016 • T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Ekweremadu Gives Back Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu recently met with widows, the indigent and lessprivileged members of his Enugu West Senatorial zone and splashed more than N40 million on various empowerment programmes, writes Christopher Isiguzo

F

or the widows, indigent and less-privileged undergraduates as well as adult learners from the five local government areas that make up Enugu West Senatorial zone as well as Enugu North and Igboeze North Local Government Areas in Enugu East and Enugu North Senatorial zones, Saturday, July 23 would remain indelible in their hearts. The day clearly marked a turning point in their lives, especially for the over 250 widows and about 500 undergraduates presently studying in different universities and polytechnics across the country.

Ordinarily, most of them who have lost their benefactors and bread-winners may have given up on life, but mother luck smiled on them as they made the list of those who benefited from the empowerment programme of the Deputy Senate President and the senator representing Enugu West Senatorial zone in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

It was the third edition of the Ikeoha Foundation Adult Literacy Day and 2015/2016 Scholarship and Bursary Award ceremony which took place at Aguobu-Owa headquarters of Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State. Though the event was intermittently punctuated by downpour, but the lucky beneficiaries felt the impact of heavier downpour that came in form of different empowerment facilities.

The Deputy Senate President at the occasion splashed more than N40 million on his constituents on various empowerment programmes, including bursary of N40, 000 to 300 undergraduates, full scholarship of N400, 000 each to 16 undergraduates, 250 sewing machines to widows and 200 grinding machines to 200 first school leaving adult graduands and 50 motorbikes to 50 of their tutors. The adult learners from the 32 adult literacy centres who participated in the march past that added colour to the event also received mouth-watering gifts in form of cash and facilities.

Ikeoha Foundation is the pet project of the lawmaker founded in 1997 but registered

I can honestly tell you that it is not easy for somebody to release such an amount of money to people who are not even related to him. This money will go a long way in facilitating my academic pursuit especially at the university level and he has even promised to do more for us as the years go by.

It takes somebody with such milk of human kindness to engage in this type of empowerment

A cross section of widows carrying their sewing machines

Ekweremadu's wife, Nwanneka, presenting sewing machine to one of the widows

in 2004 with a specific mission to provide for the basic educational and health needs of families living in poverty and below the radar of government-sponsored interventions.

The foundation achieves its mission through enhancing their access to quality education and healthcare and by building their capacity to participate in mainstream social, political and economic activities of their communities.

Prior to the event over 10, 000 women and youths had received basic education in the 32 adult literacy centres, 2, 572 students had completed their university education courtesy of the foundation's bursary scheme while 32 undergraduates are enjoying full scholarships.

Also, 4,250 women and youths had been trained in agro-farming, 1000 participated in ICT training while 6000 widows were supported with household equipment, agro-inputs and

financial assistance since 2007.

It was with that in mind that thousands of people from the senatorial zone temporarily relocated to the Ezeagu headquarters to be part of yet another history. Most of them according to sources had thought the empowerment programme had been suspended since the advent of the All Progressives Congress-led administration at the centre with their benefactor being in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They were however wrong as the senator took his charity works a notch higher in its third edition with a pledge to even do more.

Notable leaders of the zone and beyond including Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who led members of his cabinet to the event, members of the National Assembly and State Assembly, council chairmen, PDP leaders including Chief

Anayo Onwuegbu, Ambassadors Goddy Agbo and Fidelia Njeze, were part of the event.

Over 30 traditional rulers from various communities in the state showed more than a passing presence as they showered encomiums on the lawmaker vowing to stand by him throughout his trying moments. Led by their Chairman, Igwe Hafford Agana, the royal fathers also presented him with the traditional Ofor, symbol of authority of the Igbo people.

The Executive Director of the foundation, Mrs. Cindy Ezeugwu in her welcome address, said the programme was one of the cardinal approaches through which the foundation fulfills its mission of building people and empowering communities through reintegrating men and women who do not initially have opportunity for formal education into mainstream activities by providing them the

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• T H I S D AY THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

FEATURES platform to become literate.

"Today, the adult learners have learned so much and are now able to function effectively in different domains of learning including cognitive, affective and psychomotor: they can now manipulate their phones and communicate with their loved ones, perform some arithmetical operations that can help them to enhance and grow their businesses, trade and vocational operations, they can now engage in various other crafts and skills that can help to sustain them and their families as well as being able to perform their civic, social and religious duties," she said.

On her part before handing over the facilities, the wife of the Deputy Senate President, Dr. Nwanneka Ekweremadu, said the empowerment programme was "a passion and feeling my husband and I nursed many years ago and we are happy to see it blossom."

She noted that no matter the situation, they would continue on that part as that was the only way they could easily express appreciation to God who "has led us thus far."

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Senate president, Ekweremadu said the charity works were his own way of appreciating God for his kindness to his family over the years, adding that his present travails would not constitute a setback in the charity works.

While shrugging off his ongoing trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged forgery of the Standing Rules of the Senate the lawmaker reaffirmed his innocence insisting that his traducers would meet a brickwall as nobody would remove him from office.

He noted that his trajectory was from God and as such he would survive the sea billows.

"I decided to handover N400, 000 to each of the 20 students as scholarships for their education for four years. Ordinarily, it would 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.

"Whether they succeed in chasing me out or not, you will continue to go to school.

But, I have to assure you that nobody will remove me. It is not by power or by might but by the grace of God. Our trajectory is from God. Nobody will do us anything. No matter what is happening, I can assure you that we shall survive them all," he said.

He praised the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for his achievements especially the prompt payment of the monthly salaries of workers in the state noting that he would continue to partner with the governor.

"Be assured that we will continue to support you; whoever is your friend will be our friend; whoever is your enemy will have us to contend with," he told the governor.

On his part, the governor said the event marked a milestone in the promotion of literacy in the state, adding that it was a welcome complement to the efforts of the state government in improving education.

"Education is the bedrock of any society, that's why we have continued to channel resources to that sector, "he said, while urging other well to do individuals to follow in the footsteps of the senator. He pledged his administration's readiness to continue to support the foundation.

Other speakers at the event including Ambassador Njeze, chairman of Ezeagu council, Chukwudi Ezinwa, chairman of the PDP in the state, Augustine Nnamani among others prayed God to continue to shower his blessings on the senator.

One of the beneficiaries, Uka-Offor Justice, a 100-level law student of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus expressed appreciation to the lawmaker for his magnanimity noting that the with the scholarship she had no other obstacle in her quest for education.

"We went through a rigorous process of screening before we got to this level and luckily enough, I made good results at my O'level which put me in better stead to make the final list of those selected to benefit from this programme of Ikeoha. I can honestly tell you that it is not easy for somebody to release such an amount of money to people who are not even related to him.

"This money will go a long way in facilitating my academic pursuit especially at the university level and he has even promised to do more for us as the years go by. It takes somebody with such milk of human kindness to engage in this type of empowerment. I feel more than excited to be given this rare opportunity to

L-R: Hon. Dennis Amadi (Udi/Ezeagu), Toby Okechukwu (Aninri/Awgu/Oji-River), Ekweremadu, Executive Director of Ikeoha Foundation, Cindy Ezeugwu and Ugwuanyi, with the dummy cheque of N40, 750, 000 covering the total money spent for the event

Ekweremadu, taking salute during the match past by the students of his Adult Literacy programme

achieve my dream of becoming a lawyer. We have a saying in my place, 'you have to first of all throw the bone to the dog and watch him wrestle with the spirits'. Our senator has played his part and I can assure you that we will equally play our own part by not disappointing him," Justice noted.

Another beneficiary of the bursary scheme, a-500 Civil Engineering student of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Eze Jude Ejiofor who hails from Umuogbo-Agu in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, said his joy had no boundaries at the gesture by the lawmaker. He said he was more excited to be a beneficiary of the bursary programme because the lawmaker extended the goodwill to those that are not within his senatorial district. Igboeze North is

Unlike in the past when he gave us money to take care of oursleves, you can see what we got today and no doubt, these would go a long way in changing our lives.

He has decided to show us not only how to fish but he has also given us the fishing tools

in Enugu North senatorial zone with Senator Chuka Utazi as the lawmaker representing the area.

"For years now, Ekweremadu has been extending his empowerment programme to our area. Countless number of students have benefited from the programme from my area here and am glad to have made the list. Ordinarily, one would say Ekweremadu owes us nothing, we didn't vote for him; he's not representing my area but because he sees the entire Enugu State and even the South-east as his constituency, he has continued to extend this to us.

"Am more than excited and my prayer for him is that the good Lord will continue to take him to greater level, " he said while applauding the senator's undying love for education.

Also, another student from Enugu North Local Government Area in Enugu-East Senatorial zone, Edwin Ugwu, a-HND 2 Electrical Electronics Engineering student of Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Anambra State expressed appreciation to the senator for extending his Foundation's empowerment programme beyond his senatorial zone.

"Ikeoha is representing Enugu West senatorial zone, while my own senator is Senator Gilbert Nnaji. A total of 25 of us from this local government are benefitting from his programme. That goes to show a clear demonstration of love for the people.

Apart from this programme, he is one of the most outstanding senators this nation has ever produced.

"All of us are praying for him to keep going higher. Those presently seeking for his downfall must know that they are up against the less-privileged people of Enugu State who have received hope and help from Ikeoha.

They should know that the God of the poor will never forsake his own people. We are praying for him and I know that nothing untoward would happen to him. He shall serve out his tenure as the Deputy Senate President and still go higher," Ugwu who

hails from Enugu-Ngwo noted.

One of the graduands of the Ikeoha foundation Adult Learning Programme from Enugu Ahu Achi Study Centre in Oji-River Local Government Area, Mrs. Josephine Iloka, said she was happy to have finally graduated with a First School Leaving Certificate courtesy of the Deputy Senate President.

"My son let me tell you, I can now read and write. I can now spell words correctly. I can even name the 36 states and their capitals now. I never knew there would be a time when I, Josephine Iloka will be reading and writing. I even operate handsets now. I am very happy and as you can see, Ikeoha has changed our lives forever. Today, I can do so many things I couldn't do in the past. My prayer is that our good Lord will continue to keep Ikeoha for us the women and for our children he has given free education," the elderly woman noted amidst excitement.

Madam Odenigbo Francisca, one of the beneficiaries of the Widowhood Empowerment Initiative from Ezeagu and Mrs. Ekperechi Agbo from Udi who also got a sewing machine from the scheme poured encomiums on the senator for the gesture. According to them, the Grinding and Sewing machines would positively changed their lives.

"Unlike in the past when he gave us money to take care of oursleves, you can see what we got today and no doubt, these would go a long way in changing our lives. He has decided to show us not only how to fish but he has also given us the fishing tools. We are not going to take care of ourselves. This sewing machine will give birth to another machine by the Grace of God. And it will go a long way in assisting us to take care of our children.

Odenigbo specifically praised Ekweremadu for remembering the widows in his empowerment scheme, stressing that "the God of the widows will remember him. Whoever that wants to bring him down will go down while Ikeoha will keep rising."

22

IMAGES

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

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

L-R; Deputy Chief Whip, Honourable Yemi Taiwo ; Deputy Speaker, Hon. Akintunde Adegboye; Commissioner of Police, Osun Command, CP Femi Oyeleye; Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salam; Leader of the House, Honourable Timothy Owoeye and Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Honourable Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, during the CP’s Courtesy Visit to the State House of Assembly in Osogbo...recently

L-R; National Chairman United Progressive Party UPP, Chief Chekwas Okrie; National Chairman, Independent Democrats, Hon. Edozie Madu; New Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council( IPAC), Alhaji Mohamed Lawal Nalado and the former Chairman IPAC/ National Chairman, People Democratic Movement PDM, Alhaji Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim, at the National Election of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), of 2016,in Abuja...recently

L-R; Energy Consultant, Hon Taofiq Tijani; Chairman, Waltersmith Petroman, Abdulrazaq lsa; MD/CEO, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Austin Avuru and President, South south/South east professional, Emeka Oju-Ogwu during the opening ceremony of Society of Petroleum Engineers Nigeria Annual lnternational Conference & Exhibition in Lagos...recently ABIODUN AJALA

L-R: Director, EDC, Peter Bamkole; Managing Director/CEO Sahara Group,Tonye Cole; Managing Director/CEO, No Left Overs, Ayodeji Megbope; Country Director, Enactus Nigeria, Michael Ajayi; Managing/CEO Cardinal Developers, Bernadine Okeke; Acting Managing Director/CEO Bank of Industry, Waheed Olagunju; and Managing Director/CEO MobilityArena.com, Yomi Adegboye, at the Enactus Nigeria innovation summit held at the Civic Centre,Lagos... recently

L-R: Head, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Olayiwola Onafowokan; Specialist, Teen Segment, Oyindamola Ademosu and Manager, Teen Segment, Ifeoluwa Oyeyipo at the award presentation to Etisalat for Product of the Year (Education) at the 2016 ICTEL Expo Award and Gala Night in Lagos...recently

L-R; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed;Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige at the South-east edition of the Federal Government’s Town Hall Meeting in Enugu...recently

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY,AUGUST 4, 2016

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BUSINESSWORLD NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

R A T E S 4.5833 15.2916

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

A S 17.6379 19.7737

A T

NITTY 1-MONTH 2-MONTH 3-MONTH

Group Business Editor ChikaAmanze-Nwachuku Email: chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157, 08057161321

J U L Y 15.5180 16.0890 16.2215

2 9 , 6-MONTH 9-MONTH 12-MONTH

2 0 1 6

18.4206 19.6637 20.0408

EXCHANGE RATE N321.16/1 USDOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Stakeholders Hail NCS

PRODUCT LAUNCH

L-R: Country Manager, InnJoo Mobile, Rakesh Rocque; Co-founder, TecSync Technology Co. Ltd., makers of InnJoo Mobile, Tim Chen; Special Guest of Honour and a former CEO, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe; President, TecSync Technology, Jack Lee and Chairman of the occasion, Leo Stan Ekeh at the official launch of the InnJoo Max 3 in Lagos...recently

NCC: Multiple Taxes Crippling Telecoms Industry Sheriff Balogun in Abeokuta

ICT

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta has raised the alarm that multiple taxes on telecommunication infrastructure by the various tiers of government was a major impediment to the growth of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

Danbatta, who spoke in

Abeokuta during a courtesy visit to Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun said the issue is a major threat to the wellbeing of the ICT sector, saying something urgent should be done to address the problem.

He said: “We have our worries about the continuous growth of the sector. There have been recurring cases of multiple taxation, which threatens the

operators and by extension telecommunication services.

“Various tiers of government, including local councils and state government agencies have created enormous challenges to the sector and some of the agencies often threaten to shut down base transceivers stations over alleged refusal of the Telecoms’ companies to comply with a tax regime which the operators see as grossly excessive.”

He also noted that activities of vandals and thieves are disrupting operations of the telecom companies and urged authorities concerned to come to the rescue of the industry.

Responding, Amosun underscored the need to explore Information and Communication Technology to generate employment opportunities for the teeming youths in Continued on page 24

Concerns Mount over Appointment of New CPN Head Emma Okonji The Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), the government agency responsible for registration of computer professionals and computer technology practices in the country, has picked holes in the recent appointment of a new administrative head for the CPN, by the federal government.

The federal government had on Monday, terminated the appointment of 17 chief executives of agencies, parastatals and departments (MDAs) in the Federal Ministry of Education, and immediately appointed 17 new heads to oversee the affairs of the affected agencies, which include CPN. Prior to the development, CPN had an acting Registrar, Mr. Idowu Olusile, who was the administrative head of CPN, because the agency is not controlled by chief executive, according to the 1993 ACT

ECONOMY establishing it.

The pronouncement by government on Monday automatically puts a stop to the administrative powers of the acting Registrar of CPN, following government’s immediate appointment of Mr. Afolabi Aderinto as the new head of CPN. The Chairman, Compliance and Enforcement at CPN, Mr. Rogba Adeoye, said the federal government acted in error because it was ill-advised on the operations of the CPN. While calling for the reversal of the appointment, Adeoye told THISDAY it was wrong for the federal government to have included CPN on the list of the other 16 MDAs. He said the 1993 Act establishing CPN, clearly stipulated that the Council of CPN must consist of 25 members, out of which, five must be nominated

by Secretary to the Board of Technical Education, from the

Federal Ministry of Education, and that the Secretary to the Federal Ministry of Education, which CPN belongs to, must be a council member.

Adeoye further said that the Act clearly stated that the CPN Council must appoint a Registrar who must have 10 years post call to the profession, indicating that the Registrar of CPN must be a registered financial member of CPN and appointed by council members.

He insisted that Aderinto is not qualified to head CPN because he is not a registered member of CPN and has not been paying his dues, even when he claims to be a practicing computer scientist.

This he added, amounted to defrauding of the federal government and that such person should not be made to head CPN, since he does not belong to CPN. “The pronouncement of Aderinto as the new head of CPN, clearly shows that

government did not study the CPN Act very well, or that government chose to be misled by someone else,” Adeoye said.

He added: “The Federal Government prides itself as a custodian of the rule of law and should not be seen as violating the Act of Parliament as enshrined in the CPN Act of 1993. It should be noted that this instance should not come into play under the change mantra of the present administration.”

Furthermore, he said that the Federal Ministry of Education might have been ill-advised on the matter, since CPN does not have chief executive, but a President who is elected and a Registrar who is appointed by council members.

He said the announcement clearly stated that the federal government is under-rating the Council of Computer Continued on page 24

Information and Communications Technology stakeholders have commended the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) for the successful hosting of its 2016 annual conference on National Safety and Security.

The 900 plus attendees said the conference was a remarkable success based on feedback.

Attendees, speakers and exhibitors gathered in Abuja from July 19 to 21, 2016 for Technical Sessions, Cyber Defence Competition, Youth and Innovation Platform, Annual General Meeting, IT Competitions, Tech Exhibitions, Networking Events and learning sessions of NCS. It was described as amazing three days of expert learning, experience sharing, policy examination and networking! Over the course of the conference, attendees heard from dynamic speakers with practical tips, advice and experience that highlighted the theme and sub themes, as well as high-level views of where IT in national safety and security is going.

The Guest of Honour, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political Affairs Office of the SGF, Ambassador Olukunle Bamgbose, commended NCS for choosing a topical theme that is a priority of the federal government, while the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu in delivering his keynote speech emphasised the need for NCS to proffer solutions in this area being the nation’s professional authority in information technology field.

Diamond Bank Excites Customers

Diamond Bank has continued to excite its customers with the introduction of an online loan application platform that allows customers to request for a loan, monitor and receive automatic feedback on the approval process anywhere, anytime without hassles.

With this, the Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to continue to drive financial inclusion of the unbanked in the economy.

The new Diamond loan application is a convenient, hassle free application and it is not limited to Diamond customers only.

According to the bank, the online loan application platform is in line with its vision to be at the forefront of using technology to deliver quality customer service that goes beyond banking.

One of the key features of the online loan application platform is that one does not need to have an account with Diamond Bank before people can apply for loan.

Head, Corporate Communications Division of Diamond Bank, Ayona Trimnell, stated that the digital transformation offers invaluable benefits and advantages to the customer, pointing that the new online loan platform is simple and user-friendly.

She said: “It gives the customer greater control of the loan application process because the customer is able to monitor the loan requests and the interactive loan calculator helps the customer to plan his/her monthly repayment.

Also, the online loan platform provides access to information on personal and business loans”.

British Airways Rewards Loyalists

British Airways (BA) has commenced an instant rewards scheme for customers in Nigeria, with all travellers who are non-members of the airline’s Executive Club loyalty programme receiving frequent flier miles upon check-in.

Speaking on the mechanics of the new initiative, which began last week at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Regional Commercial Manager, West Africa, at BA, Mr. Kola Olayinka, said customer details would now be automatically registered for BA Avios, whether or not the customer is a member of the Executive Club.

“It would be superfluous to say at this point that Nigeria is experiencing challenging economic times. As an active corporate citizen that cherishes its customers, we will keep doing all we can to help” Olayinka said.

“The level of sophistication required in GovernmentPeople Communication today demands a ‘tight’Public-Private Sector collaboration” President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Mr. Kayode Oluwasona

24

T H I S D AY •THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD NCC: MULTIPLE TAXES CRIPPLING TELECOMS INDUSTRY the society.

He said ICT was a veritable tool to be harnessed and tapped into towards providing job opportunities for the youth.

He added: “If we must get it right, we must begin to work smart.” According to the governor, one of the ways to work smart is to embrace ICT initiatives and the opportunities it offers, just as he pledged that his administration would continue to do its bit in creating enabling environment for all businesses in the state to thrive.

He also lauded the NCC for its role in opening telecoms space to Nigerians, promising that governments will look into their challenges.

CONCERNS MOUNT OVER APPOINTMENT OF NEW CPN HEAD Professionals in the country and making it an all-comer affairs.

Adeoye advised the government to strictly abide to the rules setting up CPN and reverse the appointment order.

He said he was surprised at the announcement because CPN had earlier informed the Ministry of Education of its plans to appoint a new Registrar, following the advertisement it placed in newspapers on April 1, 2016, advertising the position of CPN Registrar.

He said CPN Council was in the process of employing a new Registrar and other management staff, and had informed the Federal Ministry of Education about it.

Deputy Director on Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Benjamin Goong, had on Monday this week, announced the appointment of 17 chief executives of agencies, parastatals and departments in the Federal Ministry of Education, which include CPN, and approved

by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The 17 new chief executives had on Tuesday August 2, presented themselves in the office of the Minister of Education for further briefing on their new appointment.

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Crusoe Osagie

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (Maritme)

NEWS

US Firm to Build 300MW Solar Plant in Enugu Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu A US-based renewable energy power firm, Motir DuSable Power Investment Limited, is to build 300MW solar plant in Enugu State. The first phase of the project, estimated at about $200million will inject 100mega watts of power into the national grid, which will subsequently be increased to 200MW in the second phase.

The drivers of the project which is a joint venture between two US-based power firms have already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government of Nigeria to site the project in Enugu State with the goal of making the state the hub for renewable energy generation in sub-Sahara Africa.

The chairman of the firm, Mr. Emmanuel Irono, on Tuesday, made a presentation of the company’s planned take-off of the project during a performance review retreat of the Enugu State Executive Council holding at Nike Lake hotel, with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in attendance.

According to Irono, chairman of Motir DuSable Power Investment Limited, “We have a joint venture that would enable us to bring this project to Nigeria and we are licensed and have gone through all the processes and procedure in terms of the power purchasing. Also, we have an alliance that can help us go through the various segments necessary for this project to be successful.”

“So, today is the first day that we are meeting with the governor and his executive council members right here in Enugu and we are very pleased that it turned out a positive meeting”, he explained.

He further stated that the project comes in phases, adding that the first phase will cost about $200m while another phase that will come thereafter would also cost 200m dollars.

“Depending on the capacity we can do as they allow us but our partners are willing to consummate the project.”

On the gains of the gigantic project, he said: “Our intention is to be able to bring more jobs, more opportunities, more innovations to Enugu State and to Nigeria. We believe that this

will be a fantastic project for job creation and a mission critical for the Federal Government of Nigeria and Enugu State.

“This is because we can empower Enugu State people to have access to power. If everybody wins, it becomes a win-win situation for all of us.

“The state will be a collaborating partner in terms of making sure that our investment is safe and that the money we are bringing in is safe. They are not a financial partner. So the money we

are bringing in is hundred percent to enable us fund this project.”

Commending the governor for his warm reception and frankness, he said the fact that the governor invited them to the open floor to talk about the project was ‘simply amazing’, noting that this was despite having not met him before.

Speaking earlier while declaring the 3-day performance retreat for members of Enugu State Executive Council open, Governor Ugwuanyi com-

mended the development partners in the state for their successful contribution towards the actualisation of his administration’s reform agenda.

The governor noted that the retreat was in line with his pledge made during his inaugural speech in 2015 to give the people a new lease of life with regard to good governance, enhanced social services, rural development, improved security, justice, among others.

BOOSTING LOCAL PRODUCTION

L-R: Chairman, Star Auto Industries Ltd, Mr. Chidi Ukachukwu; Director General, National Automotive Design and Development Council, Aminu Jalal; Chairman of the occasion, Kayode Akinsowon; and Managing Director, Star Auto Limited, Mrs. Ngozi Ukachukwu, during the commissioning of Star Auto Brake Pads and Linings Factory at Navy Town, Lagos…recently

Nigeria Leads Africa, Israeli Negotiations on SMEs Cybersecurity:FinancialInstitutions Growth Fret over DDoS Attacks Chineme Okafor in Abuja Nigeria is leading in a new trade and commerce cooperation between African countries and Israel, which will see small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) based in Africa benefit from the economic competencies of Israel.

According to the facilitators of the partnership, the Africa Leadership Summit (ALS), a new platform, the Africa-Israel Chamber of Commerce (AICC) was inaugurated recently in Abuja to oversee the planned economic relationship between the continent and Israel.

The Convener of ALS, Mr. Olusegun Olanipekun told journalists at a leadership conference where AICC was formally unveiled that AICC would concentrate its efforts and resources on tapping from Israel key and tested start-up knowledge with which SMEs in Nigeria and other African countries can use to re-invent themselves and grow their profitabilities.

Olanipekun equally noted that other than helping SMEs grow their economic values, the AICC will impact in owners of such ventures, quality and time-tested ethical values which they can apply in relating with and adding values to

their business environments.

He explained that platform would not immediately be seeking for big multinationals to come on board, adding that its priorities will be on SMEs which have the capacity to immediately impact on the lives of local citizens.

“The African Leadership Summit (ALS) is about raising the standard of leadership on the continent of Africa and benchmarking ourselves with the best in the world, particularly Israel.

“You know that Israel is the number one start-up nation in the world, it is not only Nigeria or Africa that is learning from them, the whole world is learning from them.

“Israel supplies the highest percentage of patents to the world. Europe buys patents from Israel, America does and we are saying, why do we always buy from America and Europe when we can go directly to the source – Israel,” said Olanipekun.

He further stated: “Israel also imports from other parts of the world but not from Africa because the systems are not in place for that.

The ALS is developing application tools like the Africa-Israel Chamber of Commerce (AICC) where

people of like mind can meet and connect and a highway of business can be built between the various cities of Africa and Israel.”

He said on the decision to concentrate on SMEs: “Africans have had to wait for investors to come and invest and we observe that the result of that is that profits are repatriated maximally and communities are not developed.

But if we partner with a nation like Israel where in 60 years, they have developed their economy and made the desert to blossom like a rose, and developed their communities through their businesses, then we can also learn that it is not enough to have big businesses with big financials but their communities of operation is not developed.”

Olanipekun’s partner, Dr. Ike Neliaku also explained that the AICC will be driven by Nigeria which he said has the capacity to take Africa along the path holistic prosperity if she gets it right.

Neliaku noted that modalities on how the AICC will operate from Nigeria have been designed, with relevant stakeholders already hooked to the platform for prompt delivery of set goal.

Emma Okonji Financial institutions, especially the banks, are getting more worried about the increasing rate of a new cyber attack called Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), that has caused huge financial losses running into billions of naira to banks. Financial institutions expressed worries about further loss of funds to DDoS attacks at a security forum organised by MainOne and Radware in Lagos this week and called for technology solutions that would address the threat. During a panel session, Head, Infrastructure Services at Skye Bank, Mr. Tagbo Nnoli, said banks suffered major attacks last year from DDoS attacks on banks and that since then, the banks started seeking solutions to address the issue. Aside DDoS attacks, Nnoli said banks also suffered attacks from phishing and social engineering last year, resulting to huge financial losses.

Head, Industry Security Services, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBBS), Mr. Olufemi Fadairo, who confirmed that banks suffered huge financial losses to cyber attacks last year, however said the rate of losses due to online attacks, were

beginning to reduce in 2016, following proactive measures taken by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the NIBSS to address financial losses to cyber attacks. According to Fadairo, “NIBSS tries to protect organisations and in the past five years, there has been improvement on financial security.We do benchmarking to find out any disruption of a normal pattern of an organisation. By January 2016, we discussed about DDoS attacks on banks where 63 per cent of banks said such attacks would increase, if not mitigated on time.” Following the threat, we decided to focus on data companies like MainOne that provides data solution for the financial sector, Fadairo said.

The Chief Information Security Officer at MainOne, Mr. Chidi Iwe, however raised the hopes of financial institutions at the forum, when he revealed that MainOne had partnered RadWare, a global security company to mitigate DDoS attacks in the country’s financial sector, by redirecting organisation’s traffic to the MainOne DDoS mitigation platform, from where it keeps organisation data fully protected at all times and maintaining the normal operations of organisations on-premises infrastructure.

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Of Rural Connectivity and Digital Inclusion in Africa Accelerating mobile access for a digitally inclusive society is imperative for connecting millions of underserved communities in Africa, writes Emma Okonji

Panelists discussing Africa’s digital inclusion and mobile connectivity at the GSMA M360 Africa event in Tanzania...recently

Despite the large population of African countries, mobile connectivity that is expected to drive digital inclusion is still low among rural dwellers. The 2016 Mobile Economy report for Africa, which was released by GSMA during the GSMA Mobile 360 Africa event in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania last week, showed that at the end of 2015, 46 per cent of the population in Africa, subscribed to mobile services, which is equivalent to more than half of a billion people. Africa’s three dominant markets- Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa, together accounted for about a third of the region’s total subscriber base.

The report, however, explained that subscriber growth rates are now beginning to slow, occasioned by affordability challenges in mobile devices and broadband connectivity.

In the light of this development, GSMA is of the view that migrating to mobile broadband is the key to accelerating access for a digitally inclusive society for Africa.

Mobile broadband Subscribers across Africa are beginning to see the need to migrate to mobile broadband services, driven by network rollouts and mobile operator device and data strategies. According to GSMA 2016 Mobile Economy report for Africa, mobile broadband connections accounted for a quarter of a total connections at the end of 2015, but would rise to almost two-thirds by 2020. The report said that by mid-2016, there were 72 live Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks in 32 African countries, half of which had launched in the last two years.

The launch of new mobile broadband networks across the African region coincides with the growing availability of low-cost devices.

The number of smartphone connections has almost doubled over the last two years to reach 226 million, accounting for a quarter of total connections in the region.

“This reflects strong uptake in the established mobile markets in Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt and South Africa, as well as some relatively new 3G markets in Algeria, Cameroon and Democratic Republic of Congo. Over the next five years, the region is expected to add a further half a billion smartphone connections, taking the adoption rate to more than half of total connections,” the report said.

Mobile money In order to drive digital inclusion through

mobile connectivity in Africa, the GSMA forum called for affordable technology that would boost mobile money in Africa.

The forum said a reduction in the cost international remittances would boost the growth of mobile money in Africa, and it would create opportunity to bring in more people into the financial inclusion and also boost regional trade in Africa.

The forum, however, identified some challenges of mobile money in Africa to include harsh government policies, poor infrastructure, and regional regulatory challenges. It is becoming extremely difficult to carry out international money remittance because of issues of policy compliance across borders. Over $54 billion is transferred globally in one year using mobile money and Africa accounts for only $12 billon of the amount, the forum said, adding that the cost of remitting money across African countries is about 30 per cent of the volume of money transferred, because of high interest rates for regional money transfers.

The GSMA forum suggested that transfer cost should be reduced from the present 30 per cent to five over cent, to enable more people involve in mobile money in Africa, and to boost digital inclusion in Africa.

The forum argued that access to financial services is a fundamental right, and that mobile money remittance is the only accessible way of transferring and receiving money among other channels, and called on regional regulators to have complete understanding of how mobile money operates.

Women and mobile money transfer It has been established that 225 million women in Africa do not have mobile money account.

Mobile money transfer among African women is growing but the gap between men and women involvement in mobile money transfer is huge as there are more men involved in mobile money transfers than women. The situation will continue to frustrate the efforts and vision for digital inclusion in Africa, as currently being canvassed by GSMA, if urgent steps are not taken to address the issue.

There is therefore the need for mobile money operators across African countries to target young women in rural communities to get actively involved in mobile money transfers.

A recent study by GSMA carried out in Kenya and Rwanda, and some other African countries, shows that women have less access

to money and they are reluctant to do mobile money transfer because of high cost of remitting money through mobile money platform.

African Women have less trust for mobile money than the men and African women prefer to save money in banks and use bank services for financial remittance, instead of using mobile money channel, the study said.

Innovation fund To further drive digital inclusion in Africa, through mobile connectivity, the GSMA has launched innovation fund that would be used to boost digital inclusion for Africa.

The GSMA Ecosystem Accelerator Innovation Fund, which was launched during the GSMA M360 Africa Series in Tanzania last week, would support innovative start-ups in emerging markets and is open to start-ups from and operating in Africa and selected countries in Asia. The Fund is backed by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and supported by the GSMA and its members.

Director General of the GSMA, Mats Granryd, said: “Through our Mobile for Development team, the GSMA has a proven track record in delivering life-enhancing mobile solutions at scale in critical areas such as mobile money, health and nutrition, agriculture, utilities and many others.”

According to him, “the launch of the Ecosystem Accelerator Innovation Fund is an exciting opportunity for the mobile industry to work with entrepreneurs in developing markets to create services that will deliver important socio-economic benefits to their communities.

I anticipate that we will see some incredible applications and I look forward to seeing the first selected start-up businesses flourish.”

The Fund will help identify innovations with the greatest potential for growth and provide best practices for stakeholders within the ecosystem on the ways in which they can use mobile to drive positive socio-economic impact. The Fund will provide funding and mobile-focused mentoring and technical assistance to selected start-ups, and establish partnerships between operators and start-ups to increase the reach of innovative mobile services.

The Fund will also run several rounds between 2016 and 2020, with each round having specific areas of focus. During the first funding round, which will disburse approximately £2 million,

applicants are expected to align solutions that will define as any mobile-based platform, product or service which enables low-income citizens in emerging markets to generate income from ‘under-utilised assets, such as free personal time or vehicle use, by sharing those assets with their peers. Their solutions are also expected to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets that will unlock improved productivity and growth.

Unrealistic UN 2020 goal The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) has expressed strong doubts over the United Nations’ (UN) objective to provide universal affordable access to the internet by 2020, especially for African countries, suggesting it could take decades to reach this goal.

Chairperson, Alliance for Affordable Internet, and a former Nigerian Minister of Communications, Mrs. Ombola Johnson, raised the concern, while delivering a keynote paper at the 2016 GSMA M360 Africa event. According to her, more than half of the world’s population could not take advantage of the internet.

Johnson suggested it could take until 2042 for the UN to achieve its goal. “The reality is we have a long way to go,” she stated.

“Key to improving matters is driving down the cost of accessibility. We must set out to work towards 1Gb of data being priced at 2 per cent of monthly household income,” Johnson said, noting that in many African countries such a bundle costs upwards of 5 per cent of income. We need to take action now. We need to seize the opportunity the internet has provided. As the world steams ahead our continent is being left behind. The digital divide threatens to exacerbate existing inequalities among women and the young. These are the areas we need to grow,” Johnson said.

She stressed that connectivity must become a priority at the highest level of government.

And different parties should collaborate for wider industry success, while also ensuring that content created for the internet is developed locally.

Based on issues raised about achieving digital inclusion in Africa, it is obvious that there is much work to be done before Africa could close the digital divide. The internet has brought Africa close to the world and there is need for African governments to work closer together to ensure that no African country is left out in the global digital revolution.

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Makhofane: Technology Solutions Will Drive Digital Transformation Vice President, Ericsson sub-Saharan Africa, Mr. Shiletsi Makhofane, spoke with Emma Okonji in Tanzania on Ericsson’s commitment to transform Africa with its latest technology solutions. Excerpts: producing the mobile devices, and that makes the devices affordable for the masses.

What is the state of development in Africa, since the campaign on digital transformation for the African continent?

The campaign for digital transformation in Africa is ongoing, and Ericsson is at the forefront of the transformation, just like the GSMA group. Ericsson has developed technology solutions that will transform several sectors in Africa and we see Information and Communications Technology (ICT), cutting across all the sustainable development goals in Africa.

From us at Ericsson, we are working hard to sustain the transformation process currently going on. Sectors like Energy, Transport, Safety and Security, including Smarter Cities, need to adopt technology that will drive development in these sectors.

The broadband plan by most African countries must not look at the supply side alone, but the holistic strength of broadband capacity to drive technology transformation on the continent. Broadband facilitates ICT transformation, industry transformation and Ericsson is currently doing a lot of work in these areas. The energy sector for instance, has a challenge and the biggest challenge for Africa is energy. If we connect the grids and then connect the homes with smart metres, it will go a long way in supplying uninterrupted energy to the African people.

How can Ericsson’s solution address the issue of road congestion and high volume of traffic on the roads of most African countries like Nigeria, and Tanzania?

Another area that Ericsson is interested in is about transportation. Everyday people move from place to place. They go to work, meeting, market, keep appointments in offices, among others and they are using transport to move around. Most times they find it difficult to move around because of inefficiency in the transportation system, resulting in heavy traffic on the roads. Our approach to this challenge is on connected transportation such that we are able to use technology solution to connect vehicles and vehicular movements so that the commuters are able to have information of the movement of cars and buses and be able to plan out their time in a most profitable way.

Most times people go out with the hope of getting transportation quickly and they end up spending their time waiting for buses because they do not have the slightest information on the arrival of the buses. We see this as the height of inefficiency in the transportation system and we have developed technology solution to address that. Again, the bus or cab driver also may be driving with the hope of getting passengers, without having the slightest information on the location where passengers are clustered. That inefficient way of not knowing how much demand and supply are available, is what we are addressing with our technology solution. With our technology, a better movement schedule is achieved. The solution also addresses the issue of heavy traffic on the roads, as well as the issue of parking space for cars and buses. Most cars and buses do not find places to park when they want to do so and they kept roaming, looking for parking slots. Our technology solution addresses all of that and the issue of congestion on our roads.

What about public safety and security that you earlier mentioned?

On public safety and security, we are looking at a situation where there is an emergency situation and the Police are needed for rescue operation. With the kind of technology that we have, it goes beyond placing voice calls to the police, because our technology allows people to send video clips of accident victims and this will spur security operatives to be on alert and make better decision, and through this means, lives could be saved promptly.

So we are saying that these are some of

Aside technology harmonisation, what is your view on technology neutrality?

Technology neutrality is key to technology development. Today there are still some African countries that license operators separately for 2G, 3G, and 4G. The truth is that the licensing should not be segregated because it does not really matter, what technology is used to deliver services, whether it is 2G or 3G or 4G or even 5G that is currently being canvassed in Europe.

For example, it does not really matter what kind of channel or the type of vehicle through which courier operators deliver parcels. What actually matters to the customer is that the parcel was delivered safe and timely. Some countries will tell operators that they have to license 3G separate from 4G but that is not necessary because operators with 3G licence can still scale-up to 4G, which is about higher speed of connectivity. So there is need for technology neutrality to enable operators scale-up with less financial burden whenever they want to do so. If this is achieved in Africa, them it will go a long way to drive digital inclusion and transformation. That an operator has a 3G licence does not stop the operator from giving its customers a 4G experience. If there is technology neutrality, a 3G operator does not need to get a 4G licence in addition to its 3G licence before it can offer 4G services to its customers.

Makhofane

the critical industry issues that needed to be addressed with technology solutions, and I am glad to say that Ericsson is thinking fast and have developed solutions that will address the issue.

We are also concerned about communication as part of the digital transformation. Currently we have more mobile phones than television sets in Africa. So we are looking at how the visual content could be delivered through the mobile phone. Before now, people gather at a particular location to watch special episode of television content, but with the advancement in technology, where contents are streamed live to mobile devices, people now watch their television programmes and movies, while on the move and at their own convenience and it has made life extremely easy for people.

Is your solution also addressing the African challenges in financial inclusion?

Our solutions address the challenges of the financial inclusion and we have made announcement with some African countries, during the previous Economic Forum for Africa and we are working with most African governments to digitise money flow in their countries. We have solution that can address interoperability between systems to boost seamless financial flow. This will help government to reduce cost of printing and moving money, as well as create safety of money. In the absence of technology, people will prefer to keep money at their homes and it will not add value to the economic growth of the nation.

Are there specific solutions for digital inclusion for different African countries since countries have different specific challenges?

When you talk of technology solution, it covers certain quality test and different regions have different needs and challenges. For us at Ericsson, we are looking at solution that addresses specific needs in different countries. So we build the solution to solve certain challenges. We are currently looking at how we can deploy out solutions to address the needs of the consumer.

So our solution is built to be able to address specific challenges in different African countries.

Ericsson solutions for digital inclusion, ride on broadband and in Africa, broadband availability

is limited. How can the solutions thrive with limited broadband?

Yes, we are aware that there is the challenge of broadband availability in Africa, but our concern is even on the spectrum that will drive broadband penetration. We need the right spectrum licence that will drive broadband penetration in Africa, and when this is achieved, it will help our solution to excel and address the needs of Africans with ease, because technology solutions are meant to bring ease of life to the people. So it is important that African governments endeavour to make spectrum available to the telecoms operators, who need the spectrum to rollout broadband services. There is also a very key element for the African continent, which is harmonisation of policies. How African governments harmonise policies is the key to technology development on the continent. For example, the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, which was hitherto used by telecoms operators to provide fixed telecoms services in most African countries like Nigeria, faced serious challenges, because government policies on CDMA were not harmonised in Africa. At some points, it became proprietary that the mobile phones used for CDMA operations cannot be used on another network outside CDMA operations. So that alone contributed to the death of CDMA operations in Africa and the GSM operators took advantage of that singular issue that was peculiar to only CDMA operations, to rollout out their 3G, 3.5G and 4G technology on the GSM network in a more speedy way, because the mobile devices were not restricted only 3G or 3.5G or 4G networks.

What lessons could be learnt from all of these?

There are several lessons to be learnt. If we take lessons from the scenario of the African CDMA operations that I just painted, and African governments begin to harmonise and standardise their policies on telecommunications, it will reduce the complexities of the phone device.

GSM technology is rolling out fast because the same mobile device can be used on any network and in any country. I can travel with my GSM handset from one country to another and still use it effectively because there is harmonisation of policies on GSM networks.

Apart from reducing the complexities, harmonisation also helps in reducing the cost of

What is your view on digitising government activities in Africa?

Most government activities in Africa are not digitised and that is a challenge for digital transformation in Africa. If governments in Africa begin to put their activities online, then the citizens will not bother to flood government offices or the offices of government agencies to carry out some transactions. Government should upload all its activities online and make broadband bandwidth available for people to access government activities online. It will save the stress of queuing up in government offices for certain registrations like vehicle registration, land use registration and payment of taxes.

All these could be done online. Again, it will save cost of transporting oneself to government offices as well as the risk of movement.

What should be the role of African government in the whole exercise of digital transformation in Africa?

African governments must come up with policies that will not stifle technology growth on the continent. Government must take a holistic view of broadband and come up with policies that will help deepen broadband penetration in Africa. Ericsson recently published a report about a guide for policy makers in a networked society, and the report emphasised on the need for African policy makers to think about different kinds of approaches to policy formulation around technology development. The Minister of Telecommunications/Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in various African counties should see the need for governments to drive the entire digital transformation process.

Policies should be geared towards transformation of other sectors, using ICT as the driver.

The minister of finance for instance, is interested in raising money and driving GDP growth, but technology should be the driver of the activities in the finance sector as well as other sectors.

What should be the role of telecoms operators in the digital transformation exercise?

The operators themselves have critical roles to play in the entire transformation exercise. There is need for collaboration and shared infrastructure among the operators. They must be open to one another in solving common challenges of the African consumers.

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CWG Introduces Product to Boost ATM Usage Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) Plc has launched a product aimed at enhancing the growth and usage of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in Nigeria.

The product is known as ATM-as-a Service (AAAS) and it is expected to address the challenges of ATM deployment, maintenance, security and efficiency.

With the launch of the AAAS, CWG Plc further strengthened its expertise with the employment of Ridwaan Hansia, a global expert in Information and Communication Technology.

Hansia joined CWG in June 2016 as ATM Services Director.

The company said AAAS would enable banks to focus on core banking operations while increasing bank ATM deployment and coverage to ensure cost savings based on ATM volumes.

“CWG can provide all these with the infrastructural setup the business has to ensure efficient service delivery. These infrastructures cover technical service centre (ATM repair centre); Tier 3 data centre; satellite uplink facility; customer service centre; monitoring centre; training centre; application delivery and support team, and software development team,” Hansia said.

According to him, having such expertise housed in CWG Plc ensures that the company would be able to provide several services including ATM deployment, monitoring solution, logistics, handling of spares and parts replacement, secondary power solution and support, value added services, call centre services, multiple vendor management and software upgrades.

The Nigerian financial landscape has shifted dramatically

in almost two decades with the introduction of ATM services making banking transactions easier, thus easing the pressure experienced by all parties within the banking halls. Prior to 2006, there was low usage of ATM in Nigeria; between 2007 and 2009, Nigeria added 10,000 ATMs until CBN imposed a policy on Off-site ATMs which hampered further growth.

In 2011, the CBN Policy was lifted, yet Nigeria has only added 5,945 ATMs till date due to inadequate capital from

the banks; which has led to long queues at the few ATMs and congestion within banking halls as the number of ATMs across the country cannot meet customers’ demands Hansia said AAAS will help banks surmount existing challenges with ATMs and further deepen the financial inclusion agenda of the government.

Meanwhile, Hansia has several years of experience and understands CWG’s need to enable growth, having worked in varying technical capacities

across various African regions.

His commitment to exceptional service, and passion for technology has seen his career progression since 1994 with IBM South African as the Service Operations Manager - Middle East and Africa, from where he moved to Diebold South Africa as Service Director in 1997; then went on to work with Diebold International as the Service Partner Operations Manager - Europe, ME & Africa; overseeing over about 35 countries.

Glo Excites Data Users with Free Smart Phones Telecoms giant and grandmasters of data, Globacom, is offering its customers more value for money with the introduction of a promo that gives a subscriber who buys a data plan a smart phone for free.

According to a press release from the company’s head office over the weekend, when a subscriber buys a data plan for N18,000, he automatically gets a smart phone worth the same amount at no extra cost.

A subscriber who buys a data plan worth N18,000 gets 1.7GB data per month for the next 12 months, thereby gathering a cumulative data of approximately 21GB, and a free smart phone worth same amount.

Globacom said the promo is open to existing subscribers who wish to upgrade their phones, as well as, to first time data users on the network.

The company advised its

subscribers wishing to take advantage of the extraordinary offer to visit any of the Gloworld outlets spread around the country, adding that the promo will create huge excitements.

“Glo Mobile is an ingenious telecom company making Nigerians proud by offering the most innovative services at pocket-friendly rates. We give our subscribers more data than any other network. With this promo, we have further demonstrated why we are the game changers in the data market. Apart from the huge data at the most competitive price, subscribers, who buy this offer will get a free Smartphone; nothing can be better than that”, the company said.

The company urged telecom users to take advantage of this offer, which it described as incomparable in the country’s telecom sector.

ChatPay Launched in Nigeria, Targets 100bn Social Media Users Emma Okonji Social media in Nigeria, last week, got a boost with the launch of ChatPay, which targets 100 billion social media users in the next few years.

ChatPay, which comes with innovative banking solutions, uniquely allows everyone with a social media account to carryout various transactions from the comfort of their homes, offices or wherever they are located.

Uniquely different from almost similar applications, ChatPay is built on the artificial intelligencetructure which allows it to engage users intelligently directly from their social media channels. With ChatPay, Nigerians now have the opportunity to perform various transactions ranging from funds transfer, airtime purchase, bill payment, , location of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) nearby, purchase of cinema tickets as well as viewing movie listings and trailers, all with the assistance of ChatPay. Speaking at the launch of the e-banking app platform in Lagos, the Chief Evangelist of

ChatPay, Mr. Gbenga Adams, described the platform as a fusion of advancement in robotics and artificial intelligence to create a unique and very personal experience in managing finances.

“Think of ChatPay as your personal financial assistant and this is why we’ve named her ‘Kiki.’ She will help you run all your financial errands which include transfer of funds to any bank in Nigeria, purchase of airtime, payment of your utility bills, hotel, flight tickets and much more. Kiki will help you find the closest ATM should you need direction with voice navigation,” he said.

The beauty of ChatPay, according to him, is that it is open to everyone irrespective of the bank where their account is domiciled.

Adams said: “As long as you have a Verve, Visa or MasterCard, all you need to do is download ChatPay from the Play store or iTunes app store and connect with any of the social media platforms presently available- WeChat, Facebook messenger, Telegram, Skype, or Twitter. More will be added as we go on.”

CRS IN ACTION

L-R: A beneficiary of the Etisalat Community Skills Set Programme, Preye Timothy receiving starter packs from Women Leader, Yenizuegene Community, Chief Sinifamo Oyaba; Head, Government and Community Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Mohammed SulehYusuf and President, E.O.Bella Resources, Francis Wokoma at Yenizuegene Community, Bayelsa State … recently

Etisalat Empowers 100 Entrepreneurs with Life Skills, Equipment Nigeria’s most innovative telecommunications operator, Etisalat, in partnership with O. A. Bella Resources, has empowered 100 individuals with basic life skills and basic equipment to help them maximise their potential through the establishment of startup businesses.

The beneficiaries were pulled from six communities in four states in the South-East and South-South regions. These include Oromeruezimgbu, Rumuokuta and Awalama Communities in Rivers State, Yenizuegene Community in Bayelsa State, Usogun community in Auchi, Edo State and Uburu community in Ebonyi state. Speaking during the presentation of certificates of participation and starter packs to the beneficiaries, Head, Government and Community Relations, Mohammed SulehYusuf said the Community Skills Set Programme was tailored towards creating entrepreneurs and setting up community-based enterprises in the beneficiary states.

“Etisalat believes in building sustainable societies and empowering communities which is what we are doing with the Community Skills Set Programme. We are complementing the vision of the respective states to empower their youth to become selfreliant and socially responsible entrepreneurs who will in

turn set up community-based enterprises,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr. Francis Wokoma whose organisation, E.O. Bella Resources, conducted the training, described the initiative as heart-lifting and a timely intervention that will guarantee a future for the beneficiaries particularly in the face of instability and rising unemployment rate across the country. One of the beneficiaries, Amaka Amadi from Rumuokuta community in Rivers State also spoke about the impacts of the initiative on her, describing it as an eye-opener.

“I believe in creating useful things my hands and not carrying my certificates about looking for someone to employ me. I do not know how others see opportunities, but when I am given one, I take it a step higher. I have been trained in soap and floor cleaner making, and I will do more research on soap and cream making. I have been given some useful tips which I want to build on, and I am really grateful for that.

Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate is put at 38% according to a recent World Bank statistics. However, there are arguments that the figure realistically is 80% with secondary leavers mostly found among unemployed rural population accounting for about half of this figure while University and Polytechnic graduates make up the population.

Programos Foundation Advises Manufacturers on Tech Adoption Emma Okonji Programos Foundation, a Nigeria based non-governmental organisation, which specialises in the grooming of entrepreneurs has advised manufacturers in the country to adopt Information Technology (IT) tools in enhancing production and production processes.

It insisted that IT adoption could be used to address most of the challenges bedeviling the manufacturing industry.

The President of the Foundation, Mr. Amos Emmanuel, gave the advice on the occasion of the 31st Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter in Sango-Ogun State.

According to Emmanuel, who spoke as a guest lecturer on the topic ‘Industries and the Economy: Problems, Prospects and the Way Forward’, though the challenges facing the manufacturing industry are not peculiar, the deployment of IT tools has proven to boost output and ultimately increase revenue for manufacturers.

Emmanuel who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Programos Software Group, an indigenous Capital Market software provider and designers of CloudIntegra Investment Trading solutions, believes that the manufacturing industries play pivotal roles in any economy, engendering rapid growth, jobs and wealth creation, which lead to improved

standard of living. He insisted there was a need to leverage on technology to meet the demand of the manufacturing industry.

According to him, “It is a known fact that our world is technology-driven and any country with the necessary technological knowhow leads directly or indirectly in the committee of nations. As a country striving to become more industrialised, a new breed of technologists must come onboard to meet the demands of the manufacturing industry, a situation that will then position us in our desired status among our peers.”

He noted that though some manufacturers disagree in a survey conducted by Programos Foundation that lack of automation and technological knowhow is a contributory factor to the problems facing industries in the country, he said it remained to be disputed that the processes of quite a number of Nigerian manufacturers lack the necessary automations that would make work easy and more efficient.

He said as daunting as the challenges may be, they were not insurmountable. He said apart from technology deployment, the solutions to the enumerated problems would include improvement in Nigeria’s infrastructural base, especially electricity supply, adding that no nation on earth can industrialise without stable power supply.

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Smile’s New Application as Game Changer With a friendly rate and advertising support to deepen the market penetration of the Smile brand in the telecoms market, Raheem Akingbolu, argues that the company’s offer may change the game

Efeurhobo

Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, a broadband service provider has begun to run a new campaign tagged: ‘unlimited possibilities’ to build publicity around its new bumper package for subscribers. In a newspaper advert published in some national dailies this week, handlers of the brand reels out the benefits of its SmileVoice App. The advert is a follow-up to last week’s launch of a new tariff package for its patrons. As stated at the launch, the advert also pointed out that the company has concluded to crash tariff to, as low as, 8 kobo/seconds to all networks. However, there is a strong emphasis on the need for customers willing to enjoy the new offer to get smile voice app.

Significance The 2003 story of Globacom and the introduction of per second billing has almost become overkill but every day, it becomes a reference point when issues related to competition in the telecom industry arise. As the news of Smile new offer hits the market recently, the story of how Glo used it to change the game in the GSM market reechoed.

When the early players in the telecom market Econet and MTN, rolled out the first batch of lines in 2001, the initial battle they fought, albeit acrimoniously, was that for the soul of the subscriber. At that stage, the struggle depended on who was spending what.

Then, in terms of market share, there was no operator that could say it was having any advantage over the other player. Both came in at the same time and had virtually a virgin land to till in terms of marketing drive. What then mattered was what each was offering in terms of services to sway a rather gullible subscriber and by extension, how deep the pocket of campaign funds was.

And this played a very major role in the advantage a particular operator had over the other.

In terms of positioning and battle for brand equity, there is nothing that presented challenges for the brand manager than pushing through a market, a service such market was never aware of. The first challenge was convincing prospective consumers that they needed your services or products and the second one will be creating identity that would distinct your brand from the rest. It was then a battle and a two-horse race between two brand managers, who have suddenly found

Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communication

themselves in a virgin land.

But the game changed in 2003, when Globacom threw caution into the winds and challenged the existing operators. By then, MTN was having a smooth sail because of the boardroom politics that was affecting the fortune of the then Econet negatively.

The brand thus changed the game with the introduction of per second billing, which many had thought was impossible.

With this background, it is easy to predict that if Smile Communications fulfilled the new brand promise of giving subscribers unlimited possibilities through SmileVoice App, it may become the winning tool for the brand. According to the company, the app allows its customers to make calls at 8kobo per second to any network from within and outside the country at the same rate, using SmileVoice App. “The SmileVoice allows thousands of Nigerians to enjoy seamless, SuperClear voice and video calls to their loved ones to and from anywhere in the world,” the company stated at the launch.

Features The Managing Director of Smile Nigeria, Godfrey Efeurhobo told a gathering of stakeholders in the industry who converged in Lagos that the world-first free mobile app would give customers the opportunity to have access to SuperClear voice calls over 4G LTE network, without the need for a VoLTE handset.

As the news of Smile new offer hits the market recently, the story of how Glo used it to change the game in the GSM market reechoed

“I am proud to announce the lowest call rate in Nigeria, using the very latest 4G LTE technology. Yes Nigeria! It is true. You can make calls at 8kobo per second to any network in Nigeria. You can also make and receive calls at the same rate from any country in the world,” Efeurhobo said. He added that it was the brand’s innovation and a promise.

The app is structured to function exactly like SIM card in a mobile phone. He said: “Having the SmileVoice app on your mobile is like having a second SIM card in your phone,” the MD of the innovative telecoms company said.

Our customers can use their data plan to make SuperClear voice, video calls and send SMSs to any number locally and internationally.

There is no need for the recipient to also have SmileVoice.”

He pointed out that the new app has come to wipe the era of “roaming bill shock” that hitherto makes it impossible for Nigerians to make calls with their local numbers abroad.

What that means is that registered subscribers on the network can now make undisrupted calls anywhere in the world at the unprecedented rate of about N5 per minute.

“If home is where the heart is, you never have to be far from home again! On the Smile network, you take home with you everywhere you go,” said Efeurhobo while stating that registered customers can now do video calls and send SMS using the SmileVoice App. It doesn’t get any better,” he stated.

To enjoy the SuperClear calls at 8k/sec that connect the first time, Smile’sGroup Head Corporate Communications and Marketing (South Africa),Nicolene Vanzyl, said customers are simply required to use a VoLTE handset with their Smile SIM card or download the free SmileVoice App to their mobile phones.

“SmileVoice ONLY plan is available at N1000 with 200 minutes at 8k/sec - again another industry first,” she said.

The new innovation is a milestone for the telecom company because it has a SuperFast Internet access on the go with a 4G LTE network that delivers fastest Internet, available anywhere.

It “significantly faster call setup times than on a 2G/3G network,” she said.

Among other distinct features, the app was said to have the flexibility to use one data bundles for calling and messaging. With this, subscribers, according to the Group Head, Corporate Communications and Marketing,

will have opportunity to have two numbers on one mobile phone, select which one he or she want to call from, while the subscriber can also use data bundle for what he or she needs.

This can either be internet, voice or SMS. It was further stated that the app can make HD high definition calls when calling from Smile’s network to another Smile person on Smile’s network.

Reliability But how reliable is the app? This was the question many analysts asked at the launch.

Reacting, Vanzyl said it has network capacity to ensure quality and reliable service. He also said he was confident that it would not lead to failure network connection or dropped calls.

The company’s boss said plans are on the way to roll out services in more cities of Nigeria to offer the best SuperFast 4G LTE mobile broadband and voice services in its expansion drive beyond the current eight cities under its operation.

Meanwhile, the UnlimitedPremium Plan, which has brought a lot of excitement to customers, gives the customers internet freedom where they can download unlimited movies, watch unlimited videos, play unlimited games online, enjoy unlimited social media at the same price of N19, 800.

The company disclosed in a statement that existing customers using the current Unlimited Plan would be automatically upgraded to UnlimitedPremium to immediately benefit from the new innovation.

“All existing Smile customers can recharge online with XpressRecharge and pay with their credit cards. They can also recharge via MySmile and pay via approved third party payment channels or at any of the numerous Smile touch points. New customers can order UnlimitedPremium plus SMiFi or UnlimitedPremium plus Router online and pay with their credit card for delivery to their doorsteps. Alternatively, they can visit any Smile outlet where they are assured of best in class customer service, the statement added,” the statement stated.

Giving the importance of brand promise to consumers’ loyalty, if the company fulfills its promise, the new offer may soon begin to give handlers of other competing brand sleepless nights but if they fail, promoters of smile might as well dig their grave.

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FIRS and the Increasing Need to Boost Customer Service Raheem Akingbolu writes on how easy payments can increase the revenue drive of the Federal Inland Revenue Service

FIRS Chairman, Tunde Fowler

As government revenue collector, much is expected from the Federal Inland Revenue Service. In these days of decline in oil revenue, with the global slide in prices and the bombing of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region, the federal government agency is under very intense pressure to up revenue and make up for arising shortfalls.

The FIRS had, in the past, chiefly relied on its legion of field enforcement teams to drive tax compliance. But as awareness on the need to pay taxes and the dire consequences of failure, electronic payment platforms have been created that ensure voluntary payments are made a lot easier for individuals and companies.

Three firms have been appointed to handle this. They are; Interswitch, Systemspecs and the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS). What this means is that a firm or individual that wants to pay tax has only to log on the FIRS website and is easily linked to any payment platform of his or her choice to facilitate payment.

As things are, the whole idea of e-payment is to make payments of all sorts easy and convenient for the customer. Whether a payee is making a purchase or paying tax or transferring money to a loved one, e-payment makes it easy.

FIRS landing lage Those who design such platforms also work hard to ensure easy navigation by just about anybody that has the ability to navigate a smartphone. The stress free nature of this

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun

mode is a major attraction and, in case some do not know, that is the key reason behind the growth of e-commerce in Nigeria as in elsewhere in the world.

Many observers feel there is a conspiracy on the part of e-payment platforms in the country not to make it easy for people to pay their taxes electronically. It is also believed

To boost revenue, many observers have called on FIRS to encourage Nigerians to make their payment without hassles. It is expected that the government agency should have engaged its service providers on the need to make payment simple for customers

in some quarters that perhaps the promoters of the various platforms are not ready to provide such service.

This reporter alongside others recently took a look at the FIRS space when they saw the “E-TAX” payment window and decided to explore it and the outcome? At the end of the exercise, it was observed that only Remita, the e-collections product from Systemspecs looked like it had the customer in mind in designing its solution. Others like Interswitch and NISS appeared to be interested in using the FIRS window to advertise their online portals than anything else.

Interswitch When an intending payee click on the “E-TAX window on the FIRS portal, it takes him or her to another window where the links to the three payment platforms are located. On clicking the Interswitch link, a new tab will immediately take the payee to the Interswitch website. It is like logging into the site directly. One has to start afresh to take a tour to find where and how he or she can rig up to the payment window. With this, it appears Interswitch is not making the “switch” easy for FIRS customers This is not essentially what the customer wants at this stage. The customer does not want a tour of Interswitch. He wants to make payment to FIRS and if he does not get that, the experience would be enough to frustrate him.

NIBSS Pundits have urged NIBSS to do better

than provide a link that takes customers to nowhere. According to Alhaji Rufai Shittu, the process at NIBSS is almost the same as that of Interswitch.

“One has to get unto the NIBBS space and then begin a fresh search for how and where to click and then follow other prompts before you get to where you fill a coupon for payment. The firm even makes it harder by asking for log in details from customers.

“NIBSS even asks for customer log in details.

Meaning you have to first register and become a customer before searching for where you can begin the process of making payment.

But are the guys here NIBSS customers or FIRS customers? Only the revenue hunters can answer this,” he said.

Remit Remit’s approach appears to be friendlier to customers than others. When the firm’s window is opened at the FIRS, one is immediately taken to a very simple tab where the form the intending payee would use to make payment will be displayed. It then takes one direct into a tab ready to receive payment information If there is anything the company has done well, it is easy accessibility. It answers questions immediately and lead customers on tour of the site for other opportunities.

To boost revenue, many observers have called on FIRS to encourage Nigerians to make their payment without hassles. It is expected that the government agency should have engaged its service providers on the need to make payment simple for customers.

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Okoli: Retail Banking is the Future of Nigerian Banking Head, Retail Banking, Skye Bank Plc, Nkolika Okoli recently fielded questions from journalists on how the bank is empowering the banking public through the ‘Reach for the Skye’ reward scheme. Raheem Akingbolu brings the excerpts: rewards, we offer financial advisory services, especially to the winners who request for it, to ensure that the funds are not spent frivolously.

How is Skye Bank meeting the needs of both prospective and existing customers that are showing interest in its products and services given the benefits that come with the ‘Reach for the Skye’ reward scheme?

The Reach for the Skye reward scheme was introduced in June 2015 and as you rightly mentioned, we have seen growth in terms of customer base and deposits because of the interest generated by the campaign. Aside from the monthly cash rewards given to the customers, we offer attractive monthly interest rates on our savings products as well as third party access through customised cheque books for our flagship savings account. This gives our customers convenience to carry out their banking transactions without having to visit our banking halls. They can also take advantage of our electronic and card services to carry out transactions anywhere and at anytime especially through their mobile phones.

Is the reward scheme open to everyone with any type of account with Skye Bank? Could you tell us more on how the promo works and what it takes?

The reward is not open to all account holders.

Interested customers have to own either a Skye Save Plus (generic Savings account) or Skye Ease (savings account for the under-banked with no means of identification). All that is needed to qualify is to open either of these accounts with N2, 000 while existing customers are required to fund their accounts with a minimum of N2, 000 every month, to qualify So many banks are using savings promo to win new customers, especially in the face of tough regulations by the CBN which have depleted lenders’ deposit base. Tell us what is really driving Skye Bank into the promo project?

If you know the history of Skye Bank and the banks that formed the institution like Afribank (Mainstreet Bank), Eko International Bank, Prudent Bank and others, you will understand that the institution has historically had a strong focus on retail banking over the last 50 years or more. The primary motive is to reward loyal customers and build a trusting relationship with them. Over time, the customers will reward us with their patronage.

What has been the impact of the reward scheme on your deposit base and what new steps are you taking to ensure that the phase two of the promo produces better results?

The reward scheme has improved our Banks’ deposit base-not just for the two savings products involved in the scheme, but it has also impacted other savings products in our portfolio. However the reward is primarily targeted at promoting customer loyalty and driving financial inclusion. We are happy to see that we have created 36 millionaires in 1 year only!

Many banks previously known for specialising in commercial banking are now moving into the retail end of the market. What do you think responsible for this and how long do you think the quest to serve the retail end of the market will last?

Retail banking is the future for the Nigerian Banking system; the country has a population of over 150 million people. With 39.5% of this population still financially excluded (EFina), this presents a great opportunity for Banks.

Also, retail deposits represent a stable source of funds for banks unlike corporate funds which can be volatile. For Skye Bank, our aim is to see every Nigerian carry a Skye bank cheque book or debit card in their pockets.

Many bank customers have complained that banks only go for retail savings, but find it difficult to lend to SMEs. How is Skye Bank different in this perspective and tell us what you are doing to support SMEs in terms of lending to the sector?

We have adopted a solution-based approach to lending to SMEs by tackling the challenges they have, which make people to view them as high risk, such as; lack of collateral and poor business structure. First, let me address what I mean by lack of collateral. In order to address this, working with IFC we launched our SME methodology loan that places less emphasis on tangible collateral, but on cash flows and borrowers’ ability to repay. In effect this methodology helps us gauge a small business owners’ ability to generate enough cash flow from its business to repay the loan and the lending decision is based on this. To mitigate the risk of default owing to death or permanent disability, we incorporated credit life insurance into the lending framework.

Now, on poor business structure, SMEs generally lack structures so we introduced support services like business name registration service, Sales book journal to help with record keeping, business seminars to train business owners on skills required to improve their productivity and long term performance, However, our consumer banking strategy is interwoven with our SME strategy as most individuals are either entrepreneurs or employed by entrepreneurs so we cannot

Okoli

neglect SME’s.

Despite steps taken by the CBN and banks to boost financial inclusion, the number of the unbanked and under-banked within the country is still very high. What further steps do you think is needed to get more people into the financial system?

I believe that Agency banking and automation is the best way to reach the unbanked and under-banked in the country in a sustainable manner. No bank can be physically present in every nook and cranny of the country.

It’s impossible. However, there are agents who can play a role in this regard. They live in these villages, towns and are recognized by the community and can assist with basic

Retail banking is the future for the Nigerian Banking system; the country has a population of over 150 million people. With 39.5% of this population still financially excluded (EFina), this presents a great opportunity for Banks

banking transactions (deposits and withdrawals) that customers want to carry out. We are partnering with some agents to reach more people, we have also recently launched our ussd banking service so anybody can open a simple savings account using ussd (what we call text message) from anywhere in Nigeria.

Skye Bank is said to have made 36 customers millionaires in the course of the reward scheme phase one. What are the expectations in the second phase of the promo, and what is likely to change?

We don’t intend to change a winning formula, every month; customers who have a minimum of N2, 000 in their savings accounts stand a chance to become one of three (3) millionaires we would be rewarding. The monthly consolation prizes also remain the same – Four (4) customers will win N250, 000 and ten (10) customers will win N100, 000.

What has been the impact of the promo in the lives and businesses of the winners and what steps are you taking to ensure that the funds are well deployed into businesses of the winners or other projects?

During the first anniversary celebration of the promo, we invited customers who had won all categories of our cash rewards to give testimonials on the impact of the prizes. A truck driver (Mr. Job Abiona from our Ogudu Branch) used the money he collected to purchase a new truck to improve his business. A retired civil servant/Pensioner-Mr. Bashiru Adeyemi from our City Hall branch also told us that his cash reward went into the completion of his personal home as well as the business endeavours of his children so he wasn’t the only one who benefited from the campaign.

A woman who resides in an area with no access to pipe borne water used her own to install a borehole and other residents also enjoy free water with her now. The young people in this neighbourhood will grow up to associate this with Skye bank.

On steps to ensure wise investment of

Skye Bank acquired Mainstreet Bank, which is typically a grassroots bank. How have you been able to benefit from the new customers that are the product of the merger?

As you rightly noted, Afribank (Mainstreet Bank) was a typical retail bank and with our focus on the same ideals it has been a seamless migration for those customers and prospects.

We have been able to increase our branch spread and customer base as a result of the merger and we are doing our best to provide them with the same excellent services Skye bank has come to be known for.

How do you define customer loyalty and how does Skye Bank ensure that it retains bulk of its customers in this era of low customer satisfaction?

Customer loyalty is the tendency customers’ display to show their attachment or favour towards your brand/product. This is either due to satisfaction with the product/service or the convenience or rewards given by the organization. This ongoing campaign is a strategy geared towards the sustenance of customer loyalty which is also supported by a pleasant service experience across our platforms. In addition, our customers know that our emphasis on best in class technology enables them transact via mobile phones, online and other channels at their convenience.

What is your view on the state of the economy, especially in this era of low crude oil prices? How can government and private sector operators benefit from the decline in crude oil prices?

I believe the decline provides an opportunity for Government and the private sector to turn towards other areas that can also provide sustainable and stable sources of income to the country. Having been a mono-product economy for so long, other sectors suffered, so it is time to return to Agriculture, mining, real estate and other alternative sources of revenue. The fall in oil prices is a blessing in disguise as it will make us think outside the box and focus on other sources of revenue to grow our economy. It may not be ‘quick money’ like oil revenue, but will provide the stability our country requires.

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The Economist, What?

Ebun Asagbe Philomath Everyone who puts pen to paper, who deigns to call himself a writer must first be a lover of knowledge. When all is said and done, what you write should be an outpouring of what you have learnt to be true and right, and most importantly, accurate. It is here that I have found The Economist’s blog, The Economist Explains lacking.

Usually, when one sees the word ‘explain’, the expectation is that clarity and understanding of the facts are in the works. Not so for this article written, and more annoying, published

by The (now infamous) Economist. It doesn’t take so much to put a few words together; I mean even those with a fair knowledge of any language can do a passable job at giving an explanation.

The way I see it, The Economist Explains, a blog hosted by The Economist offers a potpourri of poorly investigated articles that do little more than cast aspersions on individuals and governments in a way that leave readers wondering where their focus is.

One of their June 26, 2016 articles attempts to talk about how Nigeria is ‘fighting corruption’.

And how do you suppose The Economist approaches this important topic? With the same careless banter a sleazy tabloid would take on a gossip story.

I don’t know if I should be more insulted about the derogatory tone used in the entire piece or by the writer’s assumption that the people who read the article will actually not see through the writer’s laziness and lack of

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed

commitment to carrying out a thorough research on the issues raised.

I begin to wonder if this is not some image laundry stunt by the present government in a bid to boost their fast dwindling support. I hope that The Economist understands the implication of crapping all over what could have been a very good piece of writing. Their credibility too begins to wan till the blog goes from ‘The Economist Explains’ to ‘The Economist, what?’

It would be ludicrous of me to deny that Nigeria does have its fair share of challenges, however, like many Nigerians, I will not endorse an article filled with allegations that have no bases in thorough investigations and is laden

with badly reported and misinterpreted facts.

In this article, the current finance minister is attributed with tenacity; something which the writer says has helped her clamp down on spending of governors and implement several strategies to save already depleting funds, such as the widely popular Treasury Savings Account [TSA]. These sound great, heroic even, if only they were accurate. ‘Her TSA’ is, in fact, the pet project of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Adeosun’s predecessor. How a magazine like The Economist could have missed that baffles me. A simple two-minute google search would have helped this apparently mentally lazy writer get the actual facts and

state them as they are.

However, as with the mentally lazy, the task may appear daunting, so I shall set them straight.

And this, I choose to achieve through the citing of an article published by a Nigerian national daily in April 2016 (long before Kemi Adeosun dreamt of becoming Minister of Finance).

Okonjo-Iweala said: “With the treasury single account, we have a tool that helps us to see the balances of governments at one time from all government agencies because we are drawing resources into the central bank.” And another published as part of a congratulatory message delivered by Goodluck Jonathan when Dr. Okonjo-Iweala was appointed GAVI Chair: “Through your vision, the nation was able to implement some rewarding reforms in public financial management including the launch of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to boost dwindling revenue, as well as the introduction of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), which eliminated thousands of ghost workers from the public service system”. As for the acclaimed tenacity of Mrs. Adeosun, many will bear witness that she is now popularly known for her attempt to drown Nigeria further into debt than any other finance minister before her, especially since the debt bailout spearheaded by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

A blog that is the offshoot of renowned The Economist should not be found spewing such stories that have no truth. If this is a PR job, as we have seen others do in the past, then, it was poorly executed.

- Ebun is a Public Relations professional. She writes from Ado-Ekiti

Building a Sustainable, Profitable Business in Volatile Times Afam Nwabueze On Monday the 20th of June 2016, Nigeria hosted one of the world’s most respected, proficient and accomplished business leaders Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Unilever Global, Paul Polman, to an interactive session organised by Unilever Nigeria Plc and the Lagos Business School (LBS) in Lagos.

That day, the audience made up of key stakeholders in the Nation’s business sector were left enthralled, not only because of the extemporaneous nature of the delivery, but also because of the absolute qualification of the speaker and the practical application of the delivery to building sustainable and profitable businesses especially in volatile times.

Starting on a rather positive note Polman appraised the times we live in through the eyes of a confident optimist but not without identifying the prevailing challenges, saying we are truly in volatile times as well as the best of times. Never for once in the history of mankind has there been a better time to be born than now. People born in this generation are healthy and have more chances of education, it is a good time to be in this world, but at the same time, there are enormous challenges than in the time past that need to be addressed” he begins.

Reflecting on the opportunities and challenges associated with building profitable businesses in volatile times. Polman identified globalisation, digitisation and the era of abundance resulting from climate change as three global trends creating volatility with accelerating change, while calling for an all round support of the Sustainable development goals to help tackle the prevailing challenges.

“In September, 2015, 193 countries came together at the United Nations and signed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); these are the continuation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). We now have more opportunity to irreversibly eradicate poverty in a more sustainable way in the next 15 years and that is what the Sustainable development agenda is all about. It is about people, planet, peace, partnership, prosperity and common good,” he said.

Explaining the important role of the SDG’s

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah

in building profitable businesses, Polman continued “it is very important that businesses get involved in the SDGs, because business is 60 per cent of the GDP, 80 per cent of the financial flow and 90 per cent of the job creation. It will be ludicrous to think that government alone can handle this agenda. Any business that doesn’t contribute to the development of the society, block its own progress by doing so. It is very simple, the society cannot support a business that doesn’t contribute to the society.” .Polman then revealed that providing green energy, empowering women and building youth capacity are three key areas that deserve deliberate attention and can yield rich rewards.

“Giving women the same opportunity as the men in this world is an opportunity to unlock the global economy by 28 trillion dollars. Providing green energy for everybody will unlock discountenance by $12 trillion and the more we create an environment where, we can unlock the potential of the young by simply including them in the design of their

future; the better we are off,” he maintained.

Commenting on how Unilever has successfully built a record of sustainability over the years, Polman said: “At Unilever, we have determined to be a company that positively contribute to the society if we want to exist long time. We have been around for over a 100 of years and we are going to be around for a hundred of more years, but only if we make a positive contribution to the society.

CSR is fine but it only brings you so far. We need to be sure that our business models truly address some of the major issues in the society, issues of sanitation, hygiene, food security, youth unemployment and access to water. The more you look at these issues, the more you see the enormous opportunities that are being offered to you. At Unilever, we have set our business models called ‘Unilever Sustenance Living Plan.”

According to Polman, these adopted business models have seen the company grow to greater heights across national boundaries.

“Since we started that, not surprisingly, we

have seen our business do better, because we are becoming more relevant, people feel more motivated by doing more relevant work. We are attracting the right investors who want to invest in relevant long-term businesses.

Our reputation has gone in globe scale; many of the countries that we operated in have seen us as either the most responsible or the most desired employer. People want to be part of a company that has a purpose and is making a difference,” he said.

Polman also highlighted the place of purpose and partnership in driving successful businesses, declaring that purpose drives businesses.

“We are a consumer goods company so we sell brands. All of our brands need to live the purpose. Lifebuoy helps a child reach the age of 5 by a simple act of hand washing.

Knorr brings nutrition to people, in this part of the world; lack of iron has led to big issues like anaemia. Every brand with its social purpose is an enormous opportunity.

The more you tap into these opportunities; the better you do. It is important to also cultivate partnership that works a partnership for prosperity,” he said.

Underscoring the role of transparency in achieving successful sustainability, Polman said: “We need business models that are more transparent, trust is low in this world, if we want to solve these problems and work together; you need to have a higher level of trust that comes from transparency. Transparency builds trust and that trust is the basis of prosperity. If you seek prosperity just to enhance yourself, you miss its purpose, but if you seek prosperity just to help others, you are fulfilling purpose. My simple message to you is - go with purpose,” he added.

Polman’s concluding words may have earned him an enduring and resounding applause amidst a standing ovation, but the overall effect of his delivery will sure have a lasting impression on his listeners and indeed the business sector in Nigeria, providing the needed pedestal to build profitable and sustainable businesses especially in the volatile times that we live in.

- Nwabueze, a freelance journalist, wrote from Lagos

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IDPs and Sanitation: UNICEF’s Rescue Mission

Since the increase in the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as a result of the insurgency in the North East part of Nigeria, UNICEF has devoted most of its interventions to address critical issues of water and sanitation for better healthcare of IDPs. Paul Obi writes

G

rowing cases of malnutrition, lack of access to clean water and poor sanitation have remained the greatest challenges facing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), particularly, in the North Eastern part of Nigeria where Boko Haram insurgency held sway.

Over time, it has been proven that government intervention is not enough to address most of the plights and inadequacies in such IDPs camps.

United Nations (UN) agencies have rather tried to fill the void, providing succour and ensuring that minimum level of healthcare and hygiene are maintained within the camps.

UNICEF Intervention At the forefront of the drive to ensure proper sanitation and scale up access to clean water is UNICEF; an organisation that has remained steadfast amid the enormous challenges, including the recent attack on its officials. According to UNICEF officials, sanitation and clean water are very crucial in ensuring that IDPs’ healthcare is assured. To put teeth to action, UNICEF through some of its interventions, has also extended the provision of water and toilet facilities to some of the IDPs camps in Borno State.

Lucky Communities In Galtimari ward, located in Jere LGA (which forms part of Maiduguri) of Borno State, subdivided into four main areas namely Galtimari, Fori, Abbari and Molei each overseen by a Lawan, UNICEF footprints in provision of clean water and sanitation are obvious. The four areas are further sub-divided into 25 units under the traditional guidance of the Bulamas. These units can generally be referred to as communities.

Galtimari has an estimated population of 75,420 with 27,856 IDPs living in 3,502 households. From records, services required by the IDPs include availability of adequate potable water within reasonable distances; availability of latrines and awareness on proper sanitation and hygiene practices. The needs also include IDPs to maintain personal hygiene and water handling /storage.

To give hope to IDPs in view of the need for clean water and sanitation, UNICEF initiated the ECHO project as a vehicle that will tackle some of the challenges in the camps.

ECHO Project The ECHO Project is aimed at ameliorating poor access to water, and level up hygiene among displaced population in Borno state. In addition, ensuring access to safe water to IDPs living in informal camps and with host communities; access to adequate latrines in informal camps; and sanitation and hygiene promotion. It also includes strengthening WASH in emergency sector co-ordination at the state level.

In line with the above mentioned objectives therefore, UNICEF in collaboration with the state RUWASSA under ECHO WASH in emergency programme provided access to safe drinking water to 29,024 people affected by the Boko Haram insurgency through the provision of 42 hand pump boreholes in Galtimari, Fori, Wudiya, Jiddari, Juddumri, Mammanti Umrari, Alakaramti, Mammanti Molai, Shuwari, Molai, Ka’a; mari, Molai and Kura communities.

Rehabilitation of a motorised borehole in Galtimari Primary School Informal IDPs camp benefiting 468 people affected by conflict was also initiated. At the moment, construction of two motorised boreholes one each in Galtimari and Fori is also on-going, and when completed to benefit over 10,000 IDPs and host over 2,800 IDPs reached with access to safe sanitation facilities through the construction of 140 household latrines.

Consequently, more than 4,460 households hosting 26,669 individuals reached with key hygiene messages including dangers of cholera and benefitted from the distribution of 4,460 sets of NFI’s labelled with European Commission/ UNICEF stickers for visibility.

In an effort to promote sustainability of WASH programmes UNICEF, in collaboration with State RUWASSA, built the capacities of 60 artisans/mechanics drawn from 3 clusters (Galtimari cluster 20: Juddumri: 20 & Molei: 20)

Women at a borehole built by UNICEF at Jere

in Galtimari communities hosting IDPs, built on VLOM Concept leading to the rehabilitation of six hand pumps (Galtimari: 2, Mammanti: 2, and Jiddari: 2) boreholes.

Promoting Safety Prior to ECHO/UNICEF intervention, IDPs were living in host communities and households without access to safe sanitation facilities leading to open defecation practiced in communities. In the area of water supply they depend mainly on vendors and sometimes women and children spend much time and energy walking long distances to the river to fetch water. This situation put the community under risk of being infected with cholera and diarrhoea.

But now with the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities through the construction of hand pump boreholes, household latrines, distribution of non-food items with proper hygiene education has helped, leading to reduction of diarrhoea and rapid sanitation uptake. With this development, children are now seen washing their hands before and after using the toilets.

Strong Feedback Speaking to journalists on the importance of the projects initiated by UNICEF, Community leader of Galtimari, Bulama Bamai said: “We thank God for ECHO, no doubt, before now we used to have difficulty getting water for our domestic use. Initially we used to have problem of water here and with the coming of the IDPs,

House on Fire Like one popular saying goes, when it rains it pours. And that saying is so apt regarding what is going on at the National Assembly right now. The Legislature, which is the second arm of government saddled with making laws and appropriations for the country’s governance process, is currently in uproar like a house on fire, and the irony is that the heat is being generated from within the hallowed chambers.

It started with allegations of false assets declaration and bending of the rules among the leadership

the system was further over stretched. We used to buy a truck of water (14 Jerry-cans of water) N300. But now ECHO came and assisted us and all day round we have water and even neighbours around us come to get water from us here.

“We also thank ECHO for the toilet facility provided to us here. There were cases of open defecation because the IDPs lack latrines considering also that the ones owned by host communities were over stretched and faeces could be seen littered all around. But now with the intervention of ECHO through the construction of 226 household latrines, we don’t see cases of open defecation and we don’t see case of diarrhea any longer with the awareness and sensitisation campaign embarked upon by ECHO. All these had resulted in the drastic decrease of diarrhea cases in the community,” Bamai stated.

The community leader also informed journalists that “ECHO has provided us with rubbish bins.

Before now, you will see beggars stepping on food all around, but now, we have safe areas of disposing our waste. This has also reduced the incidences of cholera in this community.

ECHO used to visit us at intervals to give us some drugs and also check our wellbeing and even our neighbours used to come here and get drugs and for their own treatment. I used to take my family to the hospital frequently, but now due to this intervention, all this has reduced drastically,” Bamai stressed.

Beyond Insecurity

Notwithstanding the security challenges that IDPs faced in Nigeria’s conflict zones, provision of adequate health services and improving on water accessibility and sanitation should be the duty of all stakeholders involved in the business of governance and humanitarian service.

Provision of water and clean environment may not be too far to attained, and in turn improve the lives of IDPs. According to UNICEF Head of Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programmes, Sanjay Wajeserkera, “now that we can test water more cheaply and efficiently than we were able to do when the MDGs were set, we are coming to terms with the magnitude of the challenge facing the world when it comes to clean water.

With the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) calling for ‘safe’ water for everyone, we’re not starting from where the MDGs left off; it is a whole new ball game,” Wajeserkera said.

Thus, as government and UN agencies battle malnutrition ravaging the North East, ensuring that water and sanitation are also keyed in as major component of the rehabilitation package is very important to saving IDPs beyond good nutrition. The spiral effect of water-borne diseases will be so enormous, if not unstoppable. The best approach is to first, provide water and sanitation services and programmes that will keep epidemics afar.

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

RANDOM THOTS of the Senate, the upper house, which has resulted in court trials and steamy sessions in the red chamber with brick-brats being exchanged among Senators. From there the drama moved to the lower house, where three honourable members were accused of indecent behaviour while on a recent trip to the US; a matter which is yet to be cleared up successfully.

As if this wasn’t enough, now the leadership of the same lower house is being accused of alleged fraud and budget padding, with the honourable members striving

to out-do each other in washing their dirty linen in the public space.

To top it up, the house decided to go on a long recess, although the slugfest has continued outside the hallowed chambers. Now, with all these happenings in the legislature, who will help the executive and judiciary lift this country out of the present economic, social and religious doldrum? Where are the new laws or pending bills waiting to be passed? Surely a cause for concern…

Abimbola Akosile

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEvELOpmENT/ISSUESINBOx

Scene of mayhem, typical of an unsettled Nigeria

Is There Any Way Out of the Current Mess?

Nigeria is arguably facing one of the bleakest periods in her history since independence in 1960, with inflation rising alongside destructive acts of Niger Delta militants, pockets of insurgency in the Northeast, upheavals in the National Assembly, allegations of coup plot; cash crunch at all government levels, spate of kidnapping, higher costs of living and mutual mistrust between the executive and the legislature, which have all greatly hampered the pace of development in the country? In your own view, what is the best way out of this current mess?

Abimbola Akosile * Nigeria is strange; at a time everyone from government to individuals are complaining of a lack of liquidity, inflation is rising. I’m no economist, but the normal thing done is to reduce spending and encourage saving. This is counter-productive to an economy that needs investment as well as massive infrastructural development. As government, we must spend our way out of this recession to get us back into growth. We are currently feeling the effects of a year of doing nothing in terms of capital projects or continuing with ongoing projects, oil production reduction and little or no foreign or local investment. Until these change, we would still be in the woods for quite some time.

- Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * Yes. To fix inflation, our financial policies must change proactively. Food availability, preference over exotic foods, beverages and food security must be provided. Unity and mutual transparency must be emphasised against insecurity variously. We must do all these step by step and patiently instead of mass approach too soon. I see Nigeria regaining balance quickly.

God bless Nigeria.

- Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State * Yes, but the real issue is leadership carefreeness on the part of our privileged few public office holders at the corridors of power who unfortunately turn their backs on the electorate often and amazingly at crucial times. Our leaders must work assiduously with all honestly and unite selflessly to lift Nigeria very high.

- Ms. Saiki Ometere Tina, Gboko, Benue State * All the kidnappings and other related crimes are part of a global issue that should be addressed by world leaders. Our president is trying his best to end activities of kidnapping and other related cries to move the nation forward. This security problem is the handiwork of mischiefmakers who want to make the PMB (President Muhammadu Buhari) government ungovernable with their kidnapping and other vices. It is very sad and it is not good for our democracy because it is a threat to the system. All should allow PMB to concentrate on governance because he knows where our shoes pinch and to deliver the dividends of democracy Nigerians voted for.

- Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State

THE FEEDBACK Top tip:

Review financial policies

Second:

Tackle corruption proactively

Third:

Display stronger leadership

Radical tip:

Nail some sacred cows!

Total no of respondents:

12

Male:

8

Female:

4

Highest location:

Lagos (7)

* The solution is God; until our leaders ask for divine direction we are going nowhere in Nigeria.

- Mrs. Oluwakemi Jegede, Lekki, Lagos * The government needs to be more combative in fighting corruption in the war against the mafias, cabals and bring them under subjection.

If we just arrest people, charge them to court, recovering funds and properties and no one is convicted and jailed as a deterrent to others who may like to emulate them, then corruption will not stop. Mere recovering of funds or properties does not deter others.

- Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna * Whenever I read various comments of many Nigerians on prevailing national issues, I think about majority of Nigerians who are virtually illiterate in mind and soul which I usually refer to as “poverty of knowledge” They don’t understand the true state of many matters in this country. We ought to be in the street by now not minding the moribund labour unions and publicly demand for some amendments and removal of many sections in the constitution.

Let’s make up our minds and sensitise ourselves in various languages and take it from there and see if the three arms of government would begin to sit right and put achievable policies on ground. God bless Nigeria.

- Mr. Oyekanmi Oladele, Lagos State * Yes, by systematically, patiently and honestly

overhauling our financial policies proactively and strictly. The time to act fast is now. Food production must be stepped through microfinancing using small-scale farming at the grassroots. We must control glut.

- Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State * With all problems facing Nigeria today, there is indeed a way out if this is done by Nigerians because it is only them that can make it right.

Our leaders aren’t helping matters; if offenders are dealt with, all these crimes will be reduced.

We can’t deceive ourselves as there is no law today in the country, as people operate the way they want. Nigerians want no-nonsense leaders, not tribalistic or religious or selfish leaders. Indeed in prayers, all shall be well.

- Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna * Well, what is happening now is the handiwork of enemies of Nigeria who don’t want President Buhari to succeed in his government to move the nation forward. It is very unfortunate and sad moment over the kidnappings, coup rumour and other vices that will lead Nigeria nowhere.

Let everyone give peace a chance because investors would not come where there is no security guarantee for their investments. We cannot develop under insecurity lapses, period.

The Presidency should take proactive action to address all these ugly happenings so that Nigeria will not be the laughing stock in the eyes of the international community.

- Mrs. Ijeoma Nnorom, Lagos State * I think Nigeria needs strong leadership at all levels. When FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt) was the US president, different crises - a World War, economic recession e.t.c. raged. However, he exhibited strong leadership and pulled his nation through. Also, everyone, both the hoi polloi and the elite - should think Nigeria.

- Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R. Associates, Apo, Abuja * Without over-flogging the issue, the first thing Nigeria should think of is how to make corruption as unattractive as possible by punishing those already caught in the act with long jail terms and total confiscation of assets. When corruption is tackled to a large extent, other vices will slowly wilt and sanity will prevail in Nigeria. PMB is on the right track but he needs to find a big scape-goat to pacify angry

frustrated Nigerians who truly want a change from the norm.

- Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State * No! Until 2019 when the people will make use of their thumb positively, we will remain economically, politically and socially stagnant.

Even though some of us see Buhari as a man who wanted to fix Nigeria, his core henchmen won’t allow that to happen, as they have succeeded in shielding him from the real situation. Nigeria, going by the increasing rate of insecurity, is in a low grade civil war, not because we like it, it is orchestrated by marginalisation, religious bigotry, injustice, inequality, tribalism, sheer hatred for some sections of the country, vision-lessness, and until these stop, and our leaders come out to the people with all sincerity and address the matter, peace will never reign again. Also, Buhari’s graveyard silence on insecurity in Nigeria will lead us to unimaginable destruction. I just pray for God’s intervention!

- Mr. Sonny Okobi, Lagos State

Next Week: Is it Time to Start Recalling Erring Legislators?

The media space has been awash with allegations of fraud and budget padding at the National Assembly, especially at the House of Representatives; even as the Senate leadership is still reeling from allegations of forgery and questions on assets declaration.

To restore peace and sanity to the Legislature and ensure needed development at this point in the nation’s history, is this the right time for the electorate to exercise their mandate and start recalling any errant representatives? please make your response direct, short and simple, and state your full name, title, organisation, and location. Responses should be sent between today (Aug 4 & monday, August 8) to abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.com, AND abimbola. akosile@thisdaylive.com. Respondents can also send a short text message to 08023117639 and/or 08188361766 and/ or 08114495306. Collated responses will be published on Thursday, August 11

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Honest contribution to an ailing economy

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

Pilot Initiative in Kaduna to Boost Inclusive Growth in African Food Industry Abimbola Akosile As Nigeria embraces a challenging economic diversification process, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDG-F) is working in Kaduna to pilot an innovative approach aimed at revamping the food sector to creating new jobs for young people, increase farmers’ revenues, improve productivity, enhance nutrition, and reduce food loss through more sustainable production practices.

UN Goodwill Ambassadors, brothers Joan, Josep and Jordi Roca of restaurant El Celler can Roca, ranked among the best chefs of the world, UN Agencies, the Sahara Group and Nigerian government authorities are to partner on the Food Africa project.

Launched in Jere, the initiative is set to revolutionise the food industry in Kaduna and beyond. For the project kick-off Josep Roca met with young women and men that will be the driving force of

this programme. A Centre of Excellence, specialised on agriculture and agro-processing training, will contribute to expand it to other regions in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa through regional exchange of best practices, according to a UNIC release.

Nigeria has been an avid proponent and early adopter of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were approved at the United Nations in September.

Under the leadership of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Victoria Orelope-Adefulire, plans and policies are now underway to achieve these goals by 2030, the release noted.

In Africa, agriculture remains a vital source of employment and income generation. In Nigeria the sector contributes to an estimated 70 per cent of employment in Nigeria, but only 22 per cent of GDP, thus indicating a significant potential for productivity gains. Despite a strong reliance on farming and agriculture, malnutrition

is often prevalent in many regions and invariably an estimated 50 -70 per cent of harvests can be lost due to the lack of appropriate storage facilities and limited market information.

On top of that, climate change could result in falls in output of up to 30 per cent, according to the World Bank estimates.

The recent state of emergency declared in Kaduna over tomato shortages and soaring prices caused by the moth tuta absoluta exemplifies climate and environmental pressures to agricultural production to come.

In order to tackle these pressing challenges, the SDG Fund, a mechanism established by the UN to advance the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is engaging governments, UN Agencies, civil society and the private sector on issues critical to enhancing food security and nutrition.

The pilot Food Africa project in Kaduna will provide a backward and forward integration

approach for food supply chain management. The programme will introduce more sustainable practices in the value chain, reduce crop waste and improve smallholder farmers’ profitability, the release noted.

Recognising the link between the gaps in skills and structural unemployment in the region, the project will promote income generating opportunities and technical support to promote trade of local goods and services.

The programme will feature an agro processing facility and serve as a Centre of Excellence to increase farmers’ receipts and reduce food loss. The centre will provide training in the food industry on issues linked to food safety, business planning and product diversification. Designed as a hybrid public-private facility, the programme will eventually be sustained and managed by the communities’ local farmers.

UN Goodwill Ambassadors Master Chefs Roca Brothers will contribute their valuable knowledge in sustainable

conservation, food preparation and distribution techniques.

The Rocas will provide skills training for young women and men as well as providing technical oversight and sharing best practices. The renowned chefs will play a key role in showcasing how local food production can be cultivated for new markets and consumers.

Several specialised UN Agencies will provide expertise on food production (FAO), labour and employment (ILO) and international trade (ITC). An early warning Geographical Information System (GIS) will also be available to connect farmers with agricultural extension services and provide real time market data.

Sahara Group, a leading African energy conglomerate and member of the SDG Fund Private Sector Advisory Group and major co-financer of the project will bring its business perspective to the programme to ensure the viability of the facility’s operations.

“We are excited to showcase

this new project which will go a long way to shine the spotlight on the links between agricultural training, food security and improving nutritional livelihoods in our communities” said Tonye Cole, Executive Director and co-founder of the Sahara Group.

Kaduna State Government will provide the land for the constructed facility as well as farmland and personnel.

The state government will collaborate with other state-level stakeholders to improve local infrastructure including rural roads to allow greater access to the facility and farmland.

It is expected that 5,000 women and men of Kaduna will be directly impacted with new job prospects, increased income and additional skills to compete in the thriving food industry. In addition, an estimated 500,000 residents will indirectly benefit from the Food Africa Project which is designed to be scaled-up in the region and eventually replicated in other parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

IPC Launches Initiative on Community Devt on Social Media Oluwafunke Lasisi The International Press Centre (IPC) has launched a short video of IPC Community Journalism initiative on twitter and other social media to showcase their activities on how communities can fight for their rights to acquire the necessary development from

the government.

The reason for the launching is to engage media houses in community reporting and give room to both the journalists and communities’ members to monitor what the governments are doing about development meant to be given in each and every community area.

The communities include

some local areas in Lagos Mainland, Surulere, AmuwoOdofin, Shomolu among others mentioned in the video.

At the programme, the Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said another reason for the launching was to engage media houses on community reporting at an appropriate time, not only

writing about political issues but also putting the grassroots into consideration and letting the inhabitants feel important as part of the society.

He lamented that many media houses are not doing proper reporting and investigating on community issues, adding that all they do is political issues, whether

during campaign, election period or not.

He stressed that communities most especially the rural areas do not have the privilege and access to development such as good roads, health centre, schools, potable water among others, which bring in the media houses to come to their aid

and let them know they can request for the necessary needs in their areas to make a passable living for young and old.

UKaid, ActionAid and World Association Christian Communication are in support of the initiative activities to build good communities around the state of Lagos.

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Everybody must go back to agriculture. Every political appointee must own a farm. The youths would also be encouraged to take to agriculture. Schools including universities, polytechnics and secondary schools in the state must own farms. The Community Government Council (CGC) must be strengthened for the sake of this agricultural programme. Two billion naira has been set aside at the micro-finance bank for the purpose of this ‘Back-to-Land for Agriculture’ policy so that those willing can access it” - IMO STATE GOVERNOR, CHIEF ROCHAS OKOROCHA, SPEAKING IN OWERRI

NGO Presents Devt Charters to Imo Communities Amby Uneze in Owerri

Poll: Domestic Violence Heightened by Economic Hardship in Nigeria A recent public opinion poll conducted by NOIPolls Limited in partnership with Project Alert on domestic violence has revealed an increasing prevalence of domestic violence across Nigeria in recent times as reported by about 8 in 10 (78 per cent) respondents.

NOIPolls Limited is the number one for country specific polling services in West Africa. It conducts periodic opinion polls and studies on various socio-economic and political issues in Nigeria.

This prevalence, according to the poll released in Abuja on Tuesday, is highest in the South-west geo-political zone (86 per cent) and lowest in the South-south zone (70 per cent). More findings revealed that 54 per cent of Nigerians have suffered a form of domestic violence or know someone that has experienced domestic violence in their homes with majority of the victims being women as stated by 75 per cent of respondents; although ‘men’ (16 per cent) and ‘children’ (9 per cent) are also known to be victims of domestic violence.

Moreover findings from a similar poll conducted by NOIPolls in 2012 which revealed that 4 per cent of the respondents were victims and 29 per cent indicated they know victims of domestic violence, portrays an increase in the occurrence of domestic violence in Nigeria when these figures are compared to recent figures.

An evaluation of the causes of domestic violence in Nigeria revealed that Nigerians perceive ‘economic hardship’ (42 per cent), ‘misunderstanding between couples’ (21 per cent) and ‘impatience’ (9 per cent) as the main causes of domestic violence in Nigerian homes.

Furthermore, the poll revealed that victims of domestic violence do not take any action about their cases, implying that most domestic violence cases go unreported. These victims do not take any action mainly ‘to avoid stigmatisation’ (34 per cent), while in other

Protesting against domestic violence

cases it could be as a result of ignorance and illiteracy of victims (21 per cent), emotional attachment to their spouses and partners (18 per cent) and fear of threat or insecurity (17 per cent).

While several individuals, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other relevant stakeholders have risen to fight against the prevalence of this evil in the Nigerian society, Nigerians have suggested that the fostering of mutual understanding in marriages and relationships as well as proper enlightenment on marriage amongst other suggestions will play critical roles in reducing the prevalence

www.venturesafrica.com

of domestic violence in Nigeria.

The opinion poll was conducted in the week of June 13. It involved telephone interviews of a random nationwide sample. 1,000 randomly selected phone-owning Nigerians aged 18 years and above, representing the six geopolitical zones in the country, were interviewed.

Project Alert is a non-governmental women’s rights organisation set up in January 1999 to promote and protect the rights of women and young girls. Project Alert seeks to influence society by actively advocating for zero tolerance for all forms of violence against women / young girls.

Determined to increase the level of participation of citizens in the electoral process, a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) Development Dynamics has presented Village development charters to communities in Aboh Mbaise Local government area of Imo State. The three pilot autonomous communities were Mbutu, Olaelem and Nguru Nweke. The Programme Director of Development Dynamics, Dr. Jude Ohanele urged people to engage their leaders for the development of their communities. He stated that development of any society does not come by chance but is rather the collective efforts of the citizenry, adding that the Village Charters contain the areas of development priorities that the people earmarked when the NGO visited them earlier. The Programme Director explained that the formal presentation of the Village Charters was in fulfillment of the promise they made to the communities to assist in articulating their identified areas of need into a book form, which will serve as a reference material.

According to Ohanele, the project is in eighteen communities across the state, stressing that three of the communities were chosen from each of the two pilot LGAs in each of the geo-political zones of Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe.

Continuing, he revealed that the aim of the programme is to increase the capacity of the citizens at the grassroots level to engage and participate in the electoral process, saying that men, women and the youths should awaken their leaders to the reality of their development.

He cautioned that the time that politicians tell the people what they will do for them is over and called on the citizens to always use the Village Charters to direct politicians on what they (citizens) want from them.

Ohanele decried the spate of abandoned projects all over the state, saying that such projects are abandoned because the people do not present a common need to the political leaders as the politicians come up with diverse things they think the masses need, which differ from one administration to the other.

In his remarks, Mr. John Obasi from Olaelem called for teamwork by the people and their leaders to ensure that they use the books to achieve results. Another community leader, Chief (Mrs.) Florence Ibegbulem while commending the NGO decried that the people they vote for during elections are not the people that eventually lead them. She promised to mobilise the people, especially the women to work as a team to put the Village Charters to good use.

In his contribution, Chief Desmond Aririguzo stated that if the people from the communities will use the books and advice of Development Dynamics to work, it must surely lead to development of their communities.

Another participant at the event, Mr. Nnamdi Nwokoma from Nguru Nweke bemoaned the lack of communication between the legislator representing them at the Imo House of Assembly, adding that he should be having town hall meeting with his constituents in order to keep them abreast of his activities as their representative.

The project is part of the Strengthening Citizens Engagement in the Electoral Process (SCEEP) initiative between Development Dynamics and her partners, UKaid and ActionAid. Highlight of the event was the formal presentation of the Village Charters to the men, women, youths and physically-challenged members of the three pilot communities by journalists on behalf of Development Dynamics.

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Saving Nigerians from Hepatitis As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark World Hepatitis Day, Martins Ifijeh writes on the role of stakeholders and the citizens in addressing the silent killer in the country

W

hile most countries, including Nigeria, put more premium on tackling the Human Immuno Virus and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and other known global health concerns, little is being done to address Hepatitis, a relatively unknown disease, which infects 50 to 100 times more than HIV/AIDS and most other global health issues.

Statistics by the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that about 28 per cent of the 7.4 billion persons worldwide are infected with Hepatitis, which means almost two billion people are at one point or the other positive to the disease, while over a million persons die yearly from the scourge, with low and middle income countries, like Nigeria bearing the highest burden of the indices.

For instance, in Nigeria alone, the Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria (SOGHIN), has reported that over 20 million persons were infected with Hepatitis in the country, while the death from it is also on a large scale, noting that at least one in every 10 Nigerians is chronically affected by the various types of Hepatitis, leading to liver disease, cancer or even death.

WHO says Hepatitis is an inflammatory disease of the liver which can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer, adding that it may start and get better quickly or may become a long lasting condition that could ultimately lead to death.

Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause Hepatitis.

But with the increased prevalence of the scourge in Nigeria, experts believe the only way out of the high incidence level of the scourge in the country is if priority is given to its prevention and management by the stakeholders, various institutions and the Nigerian populace.

Speaking at this year’s World Hepatitis Day (WHD) organised by the Nigerian Military in partnership with Roche Products Limited, the Corps Commander Medical of the Nigerian Army, Major General Abimbola Amosun, said the prevalence of Hepatitis was increasingly becoming a national health emergency, hence the need for an institution like the Nigerian Army to take leadership in reducing the scourge through awareness campaigns.

She said if people were aware of the causes, prevention and management of the disease, it will go a long way in reducing its prevalence, as well as deaths. “As we are marking WHD here in Bonny camp, Lagos, same symposium is also taking place simultaneously in Enugu and Kaduna. We intend to continue this campaign until there is a drastic reduction of the disease in Nigeria,” Amosun added.

But why is Hepatitis common in Nigeria and how can it be managed, prevented, treated and possibly cured? Dr. Oluwadare Rotimi, a virologist with Roche provides a guide. He believes an awareness on personal hygiene, vaccination, treatment procedures and general management were keys to preventing and surviving Hepatitis.

While noting that there exist several types of Hepatitis viruses, ranging from A,B,C,D,E and CMV, he explained that Hepatitis B, a common type of the disease, is a silent killer, and could be deadly, as it does not show visible signs until it has spread to the organ.

Adding, he said Hepatitis C, one of the strands of the disease, was referred to as the slow killer because infected persons could look healthy while the damage is being done to his or her organs.

According to him, the Hepatitis infectionis caused by acute illness; which resolves itself

Hepatitis can be prevented through vaccination and healthy lifestyle

quickly without causing long term liver damages, and chronic illness; which lasts for more than six months, and in some cases can result in cirrhosis, (hardening of the liver), liver cancer, liver failure and ultimately death, adding that about 200,000 Nigerians die annually from Hepatitis B. “Every hand must be on deck to tackle Hepatitis B virus as it is 100 times more infectious than HIV. It is also very dangerous because it contains carcinogens which leads to liver cancer. It also has the capacity to survive outside the human body for at least seven days.

“On mode of transmission, Hepatitis B can be transmitted from mother to baby at birth, child to child or through transfusion of contaminated blood products. It could also be transmitted through injection drug use that involves sharing of needles, as well as

In Nigeria alone, more than 20 million persons are infected with Hepatitis with death toll from it also on a large scale ...at least one in every 10 Nigerians is chronically affected

by Hepatitis, leading to liver disease, cancer or even death

through contact with blood or open sores of an infected person,” he added.

For Hepatitis C, Rotimi explained that some of the easiest ways of transmission include blood transfusion, re-use of inadequately sterilised needles, syringes or other medical equipment, circumcision and tattooing with inadequately sterilised equipment, as well as through sexual transmission.

He called for increased awareness on vaccination, as it represents a strongwall against the scourge. Adding, he said Nigerians should be aware that viral Hepatitis was eminently preventable and by embracing the preventive strategies it would be easy to control it.

The Commander, 81 Division Garrison, Brigadier General Joseph Ejeh, while lending his voice to marking of the WHD, said the idea of bringing the campaign to the Nigerian Army was a welcomed one, adding that if a soldier, officer or any member of their family was down with the disease, it would in no small measure impact the productivity of such soldier or officer.

Ejeh, who represented the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Major General Isidor Edet, expressed optimism that if the awareness campaign on Hepatitis is decentralised to other members of the public, including the wider Nigerian Army community, it would help in reducing the scourge among the institution and by extension the country at large.

In a related commemoration of the WHD, organised by SOGHIN in Lagos, the President of the Society, Prof. Musa Borodo said the neglect of Hepatitis B and C could lead to complications like swollen organs, vomiting of blood, yellowing of the eye and tiredness, among others.

While advising patients to go for checkup and if positive,seek urgent medical attention, he said negligence and late presentation has stalled the intended progress against the health condition.

He stressed on the need for the country to adopt a comprehensive research presentation on Hepatitis and liver related health issues, adding that diseases associated with the liver were wide, hence requires detailed knowledge

and skill for addressing them. “Globally, Africa has about 75 per cent of liver diseases and Nigeria has the largest population with over 23 million persons infected by the scourge,” he added.

He advised Nigerians to go for screening to know their status, adding that, “people should do screening at least once in a while, and if infected, they should get treated immediately.

If not infected, they should get vaccinated against being infected,” he said.

Borodo also called on pregnant women to go for regular screening for Hepatitis so that if infected, mothers do not pass the virus to their unborn children.

Nigerians were also advised to stop the spread of the virus by avoiding the sharing of personal items such as razor, toothbrushes, needles, straws or other related objections to reduce the spread. Other notable acts to avoid are transfusion of unscreened blood, casual and unprotected sexual intercourse.

The WHO in one of its recommendations called for early vaccination, adding that this should be done as soon as possible after birth, preferably within 24 hours. It also said the birth dose should be followed by two or three doses to complete the vaccine series.

“Those who are at increased risk of Hepatitis should be vaccinated. These categories of people include those who frequently require blood or blood products (for example dialysis patients), healthcare workers, people who inject drugs, household and sexual contacts of people with chronic Hepatitis B, and people with multiple sexual partners,” WHO recommended.

Studies show that safe and effective vaccination can prevent Hepatitis B for life, as it can be taken by both infants, children and adults.

The health body also called on member countries, including Nigeria to educate the populace about Hepatitis B and C especially on the need for its prevention.

Unlike HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria are backed by donor funds, but control is not yet subsidised for Hepatitis, as patients have to bear the cost of their testing, vaccine and of course treatment for those who must be on treatment.

37

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

NEWS

Manpower Shortage Stalls WHO HIV/AIDS Programme Wole Ayodele in Taraba Lack of adequate manpower has continued to stall the implementation of WHO’s ‘test and treat’ care for HIV victims nationwide.

The programme, which was scheduled to commence since last year, according to the team leader of Taraba State Programme Implementation Unit (SPIU) for HIV, Dr. Musa

Obadiah, was initiated to ensure every victim of the dreaded disease had unfettered access to treatment and care.

Addressing journalists in Jalingo recently, Obadiah said the SPIU has been doing its best to take care of HIV victims but lack of manpower has been a major hindrance to the implementation of WHO’s recommendation to treat every victim that have been tested

positive.

According to him, “we have been trying our best in terms of care for HIV victims but we are yet to comply with the WHO recommendation of test and treat for victims because of manpower issue,” adding that, “the wide disparity in the remuneration of doctors working with the federal and state governments have led to mass exodus from state

to federal health institutions anytime the opportunity arise.

“There are not enough doctors that could do clinical clearance and administer treatment on victims both at federal and state levels. The case is even worse at the state level because of the remuneration gap between state and federal governments in the health sector.”

Obadiah however revealed

that the recent withdrawal of support by some donor agencies for the treatment of HIV victims has not created any vacuum in the treatment and care for the victims.

He stressed that before the withdrawal, government had planned adequately in anticipation, based on the agreements reached in the memorandum of understanding signed with the donor agencies.

“The withdrawal of the donor agencies have not created any vacuum. Grants are still coming to the National Action Committee on Aids (NACA) who in turn sends drugs and money for logistics in carrying out HIV related activities. The state took delivery of drugs that would last for at least three months few days ago, so there is no vacuum,” he stated.

A’Ibom Assembly to Enact Law on Healthcare Development Okon Bassey in Uyo Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly will soon pass into law the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency Act to strengthen healthcare delivery system in the state.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, disclosed this in Uyo at the 2016 Annual General Meeting/Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) AkwaI Ibom Branch.

Speaking on the theme ‘Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges’, Luke called on doctors to contribute to the process of strengthening primary healthcare delivery system in the country.

He said the State Assembly was currently understudying the national primary healthcare development agency act with the intention of domesticating it so as to give strength to primary healthcare delivery in the state.

According to him, the legislative process for the actualisation of the act was expected to commence as soon as the lawmakers resume from recess.“For me, the foundation for universal healthcare access is the strengthening of primary healthcare delivery system in the states with well trained personnel,” he said.

The Speaker stressed that an effective and efficient primary healthcare delivery system backed by adequate

funding would go a long way in helping the state and country meet the standard for universal health coverage.

Luke equally called for the provision of better working condition for doctors and other medical personnel, as well as the establishment of a special unit in the hospitals to handle the health needs of doctors.

The Speaker argued that if a medical doctor was not mentally sound, less fatigue and stress free, he or she would not be able to take care very well of his patients and deliver on his core mandate.

“The doctors are giving all their best, sacrificing their comfort to care about the comfort of their patients, but who are those that think about the comfort of the medical doctors. If a medical doctor is not mentally sound, less fatigued and stress free, he may not be able to take care very well of his patients and deliver on his core mandate.

“So I am here to advocates for a special unit in our Specialist Hospitals to handle doctor’s health,” Luke said.

Also Speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Bassey Attih, lauded the state NMA for a successful hosting of their AGM, stating the commitment of the state government in ensuring improved healthcare for the citizenry.

Oyo Reconstitutes AIDS Board, Targets 90% Prevalence Reduction Ademola Babalola in Ibadan In a bid to reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Oyo State, the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led administration has approved the inauguration of the Board of Oyo State Action Committee on AIDS, OYSACA. Chairman of the Board, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, while constituting the committee at the OYOSACA office, in Ibadan recently, stressed that the formation of the state SACA board was imperative for the smooth operation of the agency and to achieve the vision 90:90:90.

She said it was to ensure that at least 90 per cent of people had access to free testing, 90 per cent of those tested positive were given adequate support and drugs for viral suppression,

achieve zero transmission and reduce the prevalence by 90 per cent.

The OYSACA chairperson urged the members of the board to be more committed and aggressive in their approach towards the fight against the scourge.

Earlier in his opening address, the Acting Project Manager, Mr. Olufemi Oyeniyi said the state SACA was established to coordinate the overall response to HIV and AIDS. Oyeniyi asserted that the pandemic virus has wreaked havoc on the productivity of the people, especially the youths, thus requiring the collective efforts of all in combating it. He appreciated Governor Ajimobi’s commitment to ensuring HIV/ AIDS free generation in the state.

WAGING WAR AGAINST HEPATITIS

L-R: Project Manager, Lagos West, Roche Product Limited, Nwanbueze Nwosu; Corps Commander Medical, Nigerian Army, Major General Abimbola Amosun; Key Account Manager, Roche, Mr. Olayode Babarinde; Commander, 81 Division Garrison, Brigadier General Joseph Ejeh and Product Manager, Virology, Roche, Dr. Oluwadare Rotimi, during the commemoration of World Hepatitis Day in Lagos …recently

Controversy Trails NMA Election in Lagos

More Women Susceptible to Danger during Child Birth in Oyo

Martins Ifijeh

Ademola Babalola in Ibadan

The outcome of the election of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Lagos State chapter has thrown up two different executives, with each faction asserting claim to the leadership of the body in the state.

The two elections which were held separately in the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), threw up Dr. Odusote Olumuyiwa and Dr. Omojowolo Olubunmi respectively, with both arguing that they are the authentic chairman of the Lagos chapter of the association.

In a press briefing, the Olumuyiwa led faction said the elected executives from the election held in NIMR were the authentic NMA executives that would pilot the affairs of the association for the next two years, adding that it met all guidelines as stated by the constitution of the association.

Olumuyiwa, who noted that there were issues prior to last Thursday election, said the national body intervened by directing all parties to hold the election in a neutral venue apart from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and the College of

Medicine, University of Lagos, said that was why the electoral body and the Lagos doctors settled for NIMR, adding that other guidelines as stated in the constitution and directives from the national body were all adhered to strictly.

“It is unfortunate that some few minds went to LUTH to do a fake election. We will do all within our mandate to unite members of the association so that we can be able to deliver on our promise of giving global healthcare standards to Lagosians.”

He said six members of the outgone executives fully participated in the NIMR election, while only four were at the LUTH election which were held simultaneously, adding that the national body has given their backing to the NIMR election since it complied fully with the guidelines.

Meanwhile, the Dr. Omojowolo Olubunmi faction, who were inaugurated last Saturday, has insisted that it represents the real executive that would lead the affairs of the association.

Olubunmi, in his acceptance speech, called on all members of NMA in Lagos to unite so that the his tenure can bring progress to the health sector in the state.

From the researches conducted by the Development Communication Networks (DevComs) in conjunction with Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI), Oyo State, came a revelation that pregnant women in the state still face grave dangers during delivery unless urgent attention is put in place to arrest the ugly trend.

The two bodies at a workshop for media practitioners in Oyo State, said the attention of the State House of Assembly has been sought to allow for a smooth passage of the Reproductive Bill, which has been gathering dusts in the parliament.

Exuding confidence that more lives would be saved if the bill; a strategic policy document of family planning to create enabling environment for quality healthy living and ensure socio-economic growth among the residents of the state, is given accelerated passage, the bodies said ‘there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel.”

The above assertion followed the position of the state House of Assembly, which has now expressed commitment to the passage of the Reproductive Bill to save mothers and young

girls of reproductive age.

The bill when passed into law, according to them, would also address the urgent need to reduce extreme poverty and hunger in the land and promote sustainable development in the state.

The Speaker, Hon. Michael Adeyemo who received a delegation of the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI), led by the state team leader, Mrs. Stella Akinso, said he was glad that more people and organisations are investing in the development of reproductive health which hold promises for maternal health and constructive development of the nation.

He assured the delegation of the commitment and passion of the lawmakers to the speedy passage of the bill to accelerate development of motherhood and child in the society.

Earlier, Akinso, who called for urgent need to enact enabling laws relevant to family planning provisions in Oyo State, said family planning can reduce maternal mortality rate by 40 percent in Nigeria.

According to her, the total fertility rate of 4.5 per cent in Oyo State is detrimental to socio-economic growth of the state.

38

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

HEALTH

Curbing Medical Tourism in Nigeria Godbless Eduviere The story of baby Aisha Nazeeph can best fit a Nollywood script. At 28 weeks, weighing less than 1kg and her mother’s blood pressure struggling to surpass the 300 mark, the world looked bleak for the Nazeeph’s. They were just waiting for death to take over.

Mr. Nazeeph Mohammed wanted an emergency abortion to save his wife, Hadiza’s life having experienced two stillbirths in quick succession. “My wife lost two children due to high blood pressure which has been a challenge for her since we got married,” he says.

“It all started as a joke when she told me she was pregnant” he recanted. I had mixed feelings because we had lost two babies in a row because of my wife’s high blood pressure.

I was apprehensive,” Mohammed recalled.

But his worries turned into joy with the intervention of the Nigerian Turkish Nizamiye Hospital. And today both mother and child are in perfect health.

The Mohammeds have been to some of the best hospitals in Kaduna and Abuja, but help wasn’t near sight especially with a pregnant wife that had her blood pressure reading above 280/190 and a fetus weighing less than 1kg and too tiny in size. “The baby was too small. At that point, my concern was for the safety of my wife and not even the baby. I wanted my wife alive and repeatedly made calls for the pregnancy to be aborted,” he stated. But his request was turned down by the team of doctors at the hospital, led by Dr. Lokman Cinar, a consultant pediatrician.

According to Dr. Cinar, Mrs. Mohammed’s case was indeed critical, as she had a 50/50 chance of survival and the baby had a 30/70 chance of survival. “We were confronted with an extremely dangerous situation. Our professionalism and expertise were called to question; our passion was also ignited, and we were determined more than ever to ensure that the mother and child were alive,” Dr. Lokman stated with both hands stretched in the air.

For the Mohammeds, the journey started from Kaduna. Mohammed recalls how they went to hospitals in Kaduna, but nothing could be done. “A friend of mine told me about the Nigerian Turkish Nizamiye Hospital, and I had wanted to bring my dad for treatment, but unfortunately he passed on before arrangements could be finalised. I was more than determined to take my wife to the hospital, but the doctors who were attending to her in Kaduna wouldn’t agree.”

Mrs. Mohammed was eventually transferred to a private hospital in Abuja, but the treatment she got was depressing. “I was brought to the hospital in an ambulance, and when we got there, I could not walk so I was assisted with a wheelchair. But I was not allowed into

Hadiza and Mohammed Nazeeph with baby Aisha, flanked by Nizamiye doctors

the hospital. A nurse came out and asked me to wait for a doctor to come and see me outside,” she said.

She further stated that “a physician came out and met me outside. He demanded the referral letter from the hospital in Kaduna and the process was so depressing. At that point, I lost hope, and my husband was enraged with the shabby treatment of a critical case in a supposedly premium hospital.”

She was eventually admitted and was lined up for surgery. “She has been prepared for surgery until they came up with another demand; they wanted an incubator with Ventolin for the baby.

“They then requested that my wife be transferred to another hospital that has the said incubator, but I disagreed and insisted that my wife be moved to the Turkish Hospital,” Mohammed’s wish was granted finally.

“To our amazement, a medical team was at the gate to receive us at the Turkish Hospital.

I thought it was a dream considering the journey so far for us,” Mohammed said.

Adding, “For the first time, I saw life began to return to my wife who was apparently waiting to die.”

The medical team that received the Mohammeds was led by Dr. Cinar and five others.

“She was immediately wheeled into one of the wards, and there were about eight people attending to her at the same time; taking blood samples, fixing all sorts of equipment on her and the likes. I was dazed,” Mohammed said.

In less than 30 minutes, they reassured me that all was well and that for her fast rising blood pressure they were going to handle it and that mother and child would be fine.” ‘’Located in Abuja, the hospital is wellequipped, and with top-notch staff. Though a Turkish hospital in name, 70 percent of the staff, are brilliant and experienced Nigerians. The emphasis at the hospital is proper investigation and diagnosis, having in mind that many lives have been lost due to misdiagnosis,” said the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Mustafa Ahsen.

Nizamiye, according to him has performed over 100 surgeries in its short time of existence, adding that the hospital was at the forefront of healthcare provision in the country. “One of our aims is to encourage patients to come for treatment here because when they go abroad, their relatives and friends cannot support them during or after the operation. So that is one benefit of coming to this hospital; you have your family and a regular doctor at hand,” he said.

Baby Aisha’s case is one of the many

complicated cases the Nizamiye Hospital handles on a daily basis.Baby Aisha is not only healthy today, but the mother is also doing very well; her escalating blood pressure has been adequately controlled. “After the surgery, when I saw my daughter, she was so tiny and weighed 750 grams and was immediately placed in an incubator because she was just 28 weeks old. I was again skeptical whether she will survive, but she did,” Mohammed said.

According to Dr. Cinar, after the surgical process that lasted about 25 minutes, Mrs. Mohammed recovered fully in less than 12 hours.

Mohammed never seizes to appreciate the management of the hospital for the rare display of professionalism and competence.

“This hospital is world-class and indeed a blessing to Nigeria, but for their intervention, I am sure I would have lost my wife and baby,” he said.

The Nigerian Turkish Nizamiye Hospital is the healthcare arm of the Nigerian Turkish International Colleges (NTIC). As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, the hospital has carried out major health interventions in rural communities in the FCT.

Rotary Urges Nigerians to Team Up Lagos State Inauguarates CCU to against Polio Perform Open Heart Surgery Martins Ifijeh The Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metropolitan, Lagos, has called on Nigerians to team up against elimination of poliomyelitis in the country.

In the last two years, Nigeria has not recorded any polio case, however, she is not yet certified a-polio free country by the World Health Organisation (WHO) until after three full years without any incident.

According to the international standard and requirement, if Nigeria is able to sustain the campaign and maintain a clean record till 2017, the country would be officially certified polio free, leaving behind Afghanistan and Pakistan as the only countries of the world not polio free.

As part of efforts to maintain the tempo against the disease in Nigeria, the Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metropolis, last weekend, during the installation of its new President, Mrs. Florence Fayikemi Ayoola-Egbeyemi, vowed to do everything within its power to ensure that Nigeria sustains the progress recorded so far against the dreaded disease.

Emphasising the need for all hands to be on deck, the Chairperson, Rotary Foundation, Mrs. Ify Rita Ejezie, said the club could not have achieved such feat, but for the voluntary donations from people across the world to halt further spread of the disease.

She stated that millions of children across the globe, especially in Africa and Asia, had

been dealt with by the disease, which prompted the club to kick-start the campaign through sensitisation and vaccination, adding that it was not yet time to celebrate until Nigeria was given a clean bill of health by the world health body.

The new President, AyoolaEgbeyemi, pledged to continue to give the fight against polio high priority.

Apart from prosecuting the war against polio through huge monetary donations to the foundation by Bill Gate, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Emeka Ofor and host of others, she said Rotary also priotised maternal healthcare.

She advised that one doesn’t need to be a millionaire before giving a helping hand to the needy.

Rebecca Ejifoma The Lagos State Government has inaugurated a state-of-theart critical care unit (CCU) at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), as efforts to perform open heart surgery and reduce the number of persons flying abroad to seek medical checkup.

Speaking at the inauguration, the State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambodesaid the facility would save about $3 billion spent annually on foreign medical tourism, adding that the government was strongly committed to the establishment of a world-class Medical Park at the site of the old School of Nursing in Ikoyi.

According to him, “this medical facility by design and operation will be deployed in the care of those in dire health condition that hitherto predisposes our people towards foreign medical tourism. It will complement the capacity of the existing Intensive Care Unit (ICU) established over a decade.

“The combined capacity of two healthcare facilities will enhance the status of LASUTH and the Lagos State University College of Medicine as true centres for medical training and research,” he added.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, he assured of the state’s continuous commitment towards strengthen

its health institutions and up scaling the human capital.

“We have concluded plans to revamp and upgrade the health facilities in the state through the injection of 10 billion naira in the next few weeks. Primary focus will be on the procurement of critical modern medical equipment and infrastructure upgrade.”

Meanwhile, the Medical Director of the Unit, Dr. Ade Tinubu, said the CCU was originally an idea of Dr. Leke Pitan (former Commissioner for Health, Lagos). “But after the first surgery I was conscripted into running the unit for the hospital.”

He assured his availability in the CCU if there was any issue that may come up regarding patients’ satisfaction.

39

T H I S D AY THURSDAY,AUGUST 4, 2016

HEALTH

Deepening Accountability, Leadership in the Nigeria’s Health Sector Martins Ifijeh Over the years, Nigeria’s healthcare system has been characterised by low coverage of basic health interventions, driven primarily by limited supply of quality Primary Healthcare (PHC) services and low demand for these services.

This low-level health system equilibrium translates into approximately 900,000 children and mothers dying annually, largely from vaccine-preventable diseases such as pneumonia, malnutrition, malaria, among others.

Given Nigeria’s suboptimal health systems performance, a lot of attention has been placed on increasing equity in access and utilisation of basic health services. Despite significant investments in the health system to improve health outcomes, a commensurate increase in coverage of key reproductive, maternal and child health indicators have not been recorded.

This paradigm suggests that a ‘black box phenomenon’ exists, which may be underpinned by critical governance, management, quality improvement and leadership capacity gaps that detract health system and service delivery performance.

In several states in the country, although interventions to align with the Primary Healthcare Under One Roof (PHCUOR) and other policies are underway, there is dearth in capability that needs to be built to manage a rapidly growing and changing State Primary Health Care Develop-

ment Agency (SPHCDA) with increasingly complex roles and responsibilities.

These new roles are expected to be delivered by existing staff who do not have the skills, capabilities, and mindset to operate under the new mandate. Some of these limitations already manifest as poor budgeting, poorly executed contracts, suboptimal and fragmented supply chain system and limited financial management capacity within the PHC system.

Previous attempts at addressing critical governance and management capacity gaps have employed traditional training methods, which usually results in a small incremental and reversible change. This however necessitates the need for a bold, disruptive and dynamic approach that is needed to cause a transformative systemic change in an evolving health system.

Following recent engagement with SPHCDAs, State Ministries of Health (SMOHs), private sector corporates, academic institutions and partners across the country, the Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) -which is a collaboration of the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PHN), Health Strategy and delivery Foundation (HSDF) saw the need to develop the Leadership Enhancement and Accountability for the Public Sector (LEAPS) Programme.

and execution capacity of senior healthcare administrators and policymakers operating at a state or regional level in a bid to disrupt the current poor health system performance.

The 18-months fellowship programme is targeted at high performing managers (midlevel and senior) in the public sector (SPHCDA and ministries of health) with a focus on building the capacity of managers, policymakers, and administrators in areas such as management, effective commissioning of care, payment systems, performance management, health-care financing, and quality assurance and improvement.

Each LEAPS cohort consists of committed participants nominated by Federal or State Governments, with representation that includes Executive Secretaries, Directors and Managers of State Primary Health Care Development Agencies, Directors at State Ministries of Health and, Executives of Professional Provider Associations amongst others.

This maiden edition, participants of the LEAPS

program were senior healthcare administrators & policymakers drawn from State Ministry of Health, State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and State Ministry of Budget & Planning from Lagos, Imo, Cross River, Delta, Niger, Nasarrawa and Kaduna.

Federal government, health expert view The Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole revealed that the LEAPS programme was a welcome development that seeks to enable healthcare leaders and policy makers expand into their roles, transform organisational structures and create an enduring impact on health sector strengthening Adewole, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Amina Bello Shamaki, said that there was need to develop the right capacity in human resource development given its overall impact in the health sector.

According to him, “the local and state governments should be in tandem with the positioning and training of PHC

professionals for the States’ Primary Healthcare Development Agencies (SPHCDA). The federal government is already giving the leadership in primary healthcare. We are trying to change the pyramid. The foundation of healthcare should be at the primary level through the save one million lives. It is a loan from the World Bank but we are giving it as loan to the states. States are giving the funding intervention based on the results they achieved.

We started with $1.5 million.

The states get funding based on the outcomes of certain healthcare indices.”

On his part, the CEO, Health Strategy, Delivery Foundation and HLA Advisory Board Member, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, hinted that the LEAPS programme was an attempt to address the complex challenges that face Nigeria’s healthcare system in a bid to advancing towards achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals SDGs).

Ohiri maintained that the primary role of LEAPS was to build leadership among the private and public sector

mobile resources and address the gaps in the sector.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. LEAPS targets policy makers driving reforms in their states. In doing so, we selected the first group of states across the geopolitical zones so we can capture different states with different issues and complexities,” he added. Lending his view, the CEO, Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PHN),Dr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, disclosed that the alliance led by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. AigbojeAigImoukhuede ,Mr. Jim Ovia, Mrs. Sola David Borha, and other corporate leaders have come together to leverage private sector management techniques and capabilities to support states to accelerate improvement in health outcomes.

Sadiq noted that the HLA was a partnership between PHN and HSDF to create a platform strategy to strengthen the capacity of policy makers and private finance particularly around leadership, financial management, quality improvement and overall health outcomes.

LEAPS programme The LEAPS is a bespoke fellowship programme designed to enhance the leadership acumen

Guinness Nigeria Revamps Eye Hospital in Onitsha In keeping with Guinness Nigeria Plc’s commitment to supporting Guinness Eye Centres across the country, the company has revamped the Eye Centre in Ontisha with renewed vigour to provide quality eye care to Nigerians.

Stating this during the inauguration, the Managing Director, Peter Ndegwa, said the inauguration was in line with sustaining the original vision and to ensure that facility remains the reference point in the training of professionals and the provision of excellent eye care in Nigeria’s health sector.

“As a company, our focus on eye care reflects our recognition of the far-reaching impact that good eyesight can have on the overall health and wellbeing of everyone. We are here to celebrate the notable accomplishments which the Guinness Eye Hospital, Onitsha, has delivered to many Nigerians.

Our investment in the various eye hospitals is keeping in line with our commitment to make a positive impact on the communities in which we operate.

By helping Nigerians to preserve their sights, we play a strong role in enhancing their ability to learn, earn and get the best out of life,” he said.

The Guinness MD, who announced a donation of eye equipment worth five million naira to the hospital, thanked past and present staff of the

hospital for their unwavering sense of duty and ensuring the sustenance of the institution for over three decades, and urged them to enhance their service delivery to reach more Nigerians.

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, poured glowing accolades on Guinness Nigeria for its long standing involvement in the provision and management of quality eye care centres in the country.

He said the eye project was in tandem with the key enablers of his government. “I would like to heartily commend Guinness Nigeria for their huge investment and commitment to providing world class eye care solutions across the country. As a testament, this facility and the equipment which Guinness Nigeria Plc has bequeathed to the Eye Hospital ranks among the very best in the world.

Therefore, Anambra indigenes do not need to go abroad again to get treated for eye problems,” the governor said.

Governor Obiano also used the occasion to announce the launch of a public-privatepartnership driven health insurance policy, funded by the government and citizens in the diaspora to ensure that doctors get paid for treating patients, as well as the state’s government plan to provide free eye screenings for 1000 citizens at the hospital.

SAVING NIGERIANS FROM PAIN, FEVER

L-R: Executive Director, USP Limited, Mr Muyiwa Kayode; EDG, Emzor Pharmaceutical, Dr Uzoma Ezeke, and Group Managing Director, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Dr Stella Okoli, at the 30 years anniversary of Emzor Paracetamol and the unveiling of Special Anniversary Pack in Lagos ...recently

Akinwunmi Joins the CHIP Doctors on Air Medical Board Mission to Offer Free The Board of Directors of School. For several years, he for Integrated Health was also a board member and Treatment to 3000 Patients Centre Programs has announced the ap- English West Africa coordinator Doctors on Air, one of Nigeria’s most authoritative health programmes on radio, and organisers of the annual Doctors on Air Medical Mission has announced that this year’s medical mission, slated for 6 August, 2016 at the Alimosho Local Council Development Area will offer free qualitative consultation, diagnosis and treatment to over 3,000 residents in and around the area.

The organisers, who made this known at a meeting with officials of the LCDA, led by the Sole Administrator, Honourable

Ganiu Quadri, recently, said that over 25 corporate bodies were partnering with the major promoters of the healthcare initiative this year.

A consultant pathologist with PathCare Laboratories, Dr Olawale Olusanya, called on the people from Alimosho LCDA and its environs, who may be unable to afford quality healthcare in specialized clinics to take advantage of the medical mission initiative, which brings quality medical service to their neighbourhood at no cost.

pointment of ‘Lolu Akinwunmi as a non Executive Director of the organisation. Akinwunmi, who is the Group CEO of Prima Garnet Africa, is also the Executive Chairman of 141 Worldwide, MediaShare (Media Management), Cutler Communications (PR), Lampost (Experiential Marketing) and other companies within the Prima Garnet Africa Group.

He sits on the boards of other companies and organisations like Premier Music, CHAMSWITCH (a division of CHAMS Plc.), and the Meadow Hall

of Ogilvy Africa, a part of global Ogilvy & Mather, and WPP. CHIP is a leading indigenous non-governmental organization established to promote better health outcomes for Nigerians through creation of strong and sustainable health systems.

The organization evolved from Columbia University’s International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs (ICAP) in 2011 and has continued to support family-focused, comprehensive high-quality, HIV/AIDS care and treatment activities in Nigeria.

40

THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2016

41

42

THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2016 T H I S D AY

THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2016 • T H I S D AY

43

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Passengers Escape as Emirates Jet Catches Fire in Dubai Three hundred passengers and crew escaped yesterday when an Emirates passenger jet arriving from India caught fire after a hard landing in Dubai that brought the world’s busiest international airport to a halt.

Video purportedly showed a tower of flame bursting from the front of the Boeing 777-300 jetliner, and then a thick black plume of smoke rising into the sky. Reuters was unable to verify the footage independently.

Photographs on social media showed a plane lying crumpled on the tarmac with black smoke pouring from its upper section.A spokesperson for operator Dubai Airports said everyone aboard flight EK521 coming from Thiruvananthapuram had been evacuated and emergency services were managing the situation.

A man waiting for relatives on the flight said he had spoken to them by phone. “They said they’re safe and alright, but that they felt a great panic as the plane was on fire.” Another man said his family had also told him they were OK and

there had been a problem with the landing gear.

“It was actually really terrifying. As we were landing there was smoke coming out in the cabin,” passenger Sharon Maryam Sharji said.

“People were screaming and we had a very hard landing. We left by going down the emergency slides and as we were leaving on the runway we could see the whole plane catch fire; it was horrifying.”

All arrivals and departures at Dubai International were suspended and an update on the status of operations at the airport was due to be issued at 5 p.m. (1300 GMT). The government’s Media Office later said flights would resume at 1830 local, with priority given to larger aircraft.

According to air traffic control recordings cited by Aviation Herald, a respected independent website monitoring air accidents, controllers at Dubai reminded the crew of the Boeing 777 to lower the landing gear as it came into approach.

Shortly afterwards, the crew announced they were aborting the landing to “go

around,” a routine procedure for which pilots are well trained. But the aircraft came to rest near the end of the runway instead, Aviation Herald reported.

It was not clear whether the landing gear was extended when the aircraft touched the ground at 0845 GMT. A family of passengers who declined to be named said the equipment did not deploy and the jet landed on its belly.

Emirates airline initially said there were a total of 275 passengers and crew aboard the plane, a Boeing 777-300 delivered to the airline in 2003, but later updated that number to 282 passengers and 18 crew.

Both the airline and aircraft have a solid safety record. It is the first time an aircraft operated by Emirates appears to have been damaged beyond repair since it was founded in the 1980s and is only its third serious safety incident.

The crash is a blow to the Dubai carrier weeks after it was voted the world’s top airline by Skytrax at the Farnborough Airshow, taking the crown from Gulf rival Qatar Airways. Emirates carried 51.3 million passengers in 2015 and is the world’s fourth largest carrier in terms of passenger numbers adjusted for the length of each trip.

It has a fleet of over 250

aircraft, including the world’s largest fleet of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 jets, and uses its Dubai hub to link the United States or Europe to Asia. Airline chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum said in a statement the flight had been involved in an “incident”.

“We do not have all the information but thankfully there were no fatalities among our passengers and crew,” he said. Planemaker Boeing said in a statement it was monitoring the situation in Dubai and it would be working with Emirates to gather more information.

Safety experts said it was too early to pinpoint any cause for the crash. Investiga-

tors will scour the wreckage and interview pilots, controllers and witnesses for clues to any technical malfunctions, human error or weather-related problems.

Judging by footage of the aircraft’s intact tail section, where the ‘black box’ flight recorders are located, vital voice and data recordings should be available for investigators. Online weather reports before the crash reported Dubai was relatively windy, with dust blowing and “wind shear” reported on all runways. Wind shear is a potentially hazardous condition involving sudden and u n p re d i c t a b l e c h a n g e s in wind direction or speed.

Many Arrested as Turkish Police Raid Science Council Turkish police yesterday raided the offices of the national science research council, broadcaster NTV said, widening an investigation into followers of the U.S.-based cleric suspected of masterminding last month’s coup attempt.

Many people were detained in the raid on the offices of the Scientific and Technological

Research Council of Turkey (Tubitak) in the northwestern province of Kocaeli, NTV said, without giving details.

Tubitak funds science research projects in universities and the private sector and employs more than 1,500 researchers, according to its website.

More than 60,000 people in the military, judiciary, civil

service and education have been detained, suspended or placed under investigation following the July 15 coup attempt, prompting fears that President Tayyip Erdogan is using the events to crack down on dissent.

Turkey’s government says the coup attempt was orchestrated by followers of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric who has lived in

self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999. Gulen denies the charge and has condemned the coup.

More than 230 people, not including coup plotters, died and thousands were wounded as mutinous soldiers commandeered fighter jets, helicopters and tanks in the failed attempt to topple the government.

44

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FCMB, Diamond Bank Plan Fresh Capital Raising Obinna Chima with agency report Diamond Bank Plc and First City Monument Bank Limited (FCMB) have disclosed plans to raise fresh capital.

Diamond Bank said it is considering raising fresh capital and selling some assets in order to strengthen its capital base, its chief executive said on Wednesday.

Uzoma Dozie said the bank’s capital plan will ensure it meets all regulatory requirements both in the short term and in the future.

Diamond Bank’s capital adequacy ratio had fallen to 15.6 percent of assets by mid-year from 18.6 percent a year ago.

“We are doing a capital management plan and that will determine how much capital we want to raise, tenor and size,” Reuters quoted Dozie to have told an analysts’ conference call.

“We don’t have any need to grow our branch network any more. We are also looking at some assets that we can dispose of and we are a long way into that,” he said.

Diamond Bank’s nonperforming loan ratio rose to

8.9 percent in the first half, above the central bank’s target level of 5 percent where it stood a year ago. It expects to bring down the ratio to 7.5 percent by year end, he said.

In a related development, FCMB plans to raise N10 to N15 billion ($47 million) of tier II capital to boost its balance sheet and will target its retail investors for the offering, its chief executive officer, Ladi Balogun, said on Wednesday.

Balogun said its capital adequacy ratio was close to the regulatory limit of 15 percent of assets at mid-year, and that it was undertaking the capital raising to provide an additional cushion.

He said the bank was also slowing down loan growth, adding that a rate of increase of 14.8 percent in the first half was largely due to the 40 percent drop in the value of the naira against the dollar since the dollar exchange rate peg was removed in June. Otherwise loans declined by 1.9 percent, said Balogun, whose term as CEO ends next year.

“For the Tier II we would be looking at anywhere in the range of 10 to 15 billion naira. It’s really

going to be targeted at retail because we feel that the rates from institutions will be high,” Reuters quoted Balogun to have told an analysts’ conference call.

“We have interest from some depositors who want higher yields.”

Balogun said the bank would also retain profits in addition to the bond sale to boost capital and tap into buffers at its holding company, if necessary. FCMB, which closed 19 branches in the first half to cut costs, had $225 million in retained earnings, he said. The central bank has told lenders to set aside extra provisions against their dollar loans in the wake of the sharp fall in the naira since it floated the exchange rate in June.

Balogun said its dollar loans were fully covered as of the end of June and that the bank expects to restructure 25 percent of loans to the oil and gas sector in the third quarter after it restructured 50 percent of those loans last year.

FCMB Group Plc has reported a profit before tax (PBT) of N16.3 billion for the six-months ended 30 June 2016, showing an increase of 70 per cent from N9.6 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2015.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

FEBRUARY 2016

Heritage Bank Promotes Financial Literacy Heritage Bank Plc has been commended by the Lagos state government for the bank’s financial literacy initiative aimed at driving financial inclusion of young persons in the country.

The commendation, which came through the office of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule recently, referenced major components of the bank’s financial literacy initiative and entrepreneurial support which it had embarked on in its very short period of existence as a bank. One of the specific areas the deputy governor referenced was the launch of a comic book, “The Protectors” by Heritage Bank.

According to a statement, the book was developed to drive financial inclusion among children. In a letter of appreciation to the Managing

Director of Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, the Lagos deputy governor, who was represented at the comic book launch by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi,stated that “the launch of the financial literacy comic book for young persons by the bank recently, spoke volume about her (Heritage Bank) organisational abilities and the resolve to reposition the bank to capture young people through various initiatives, programmes, events and resource kits to increase awareness of the world of finance and the creation of wealth.”

The deputy governor noted that “your policy of equipping young people with the requisite financial skills to drive a vibrant economy as exemplified by the extension of financial literacy

framework to primary and secondary schools pupils/students, university undergraduates, NYSC members in the past are very commendable.”

She declared, “you are surely on the right track and we urge you to remain steadfast in the pursuance of this laudable goal.”

A statement from the Corporate Communications Department of the bank listed other components of the financial literacy and youth empowerment initiatives and collaboration as including the N3 billion Central Bank of Nigeria Youth Innovative Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YIEDP) in which Heritage Bank is now the sole partner-bank with the CBN and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)with about 1500 NYSC and post-NYSC youth as beneficiaries in the first phase; among others.

EFInA Supports Lotus Capital with $250,000 Lotus Capital Limited has received a technical assistance grant of $250,000 from Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA) to support the Lotus Health is Wealth Savings Plan (LHIWSP).

EFInA is a financial sector development organisation that promotes financial inclusion in Nigeria.

On the other hand, Lotus Capital Limited is the pioneer provider of non-interest financial services in Nigeria. The company provides a broad spectrum of fund/portfolio management services for individual, corporate and retail clients.

The LHIWSP is a dynamic non-interest, fixed income savings product that will also offer health insurance.

The Plan is structured around monthly collections of deposits from customers which will be invested in non-interest, low-risk instruments, and non-interest fixed term investments to give

customers returns on their savings. A small portion of customers’ deposits will be allocated to pay the monthly premiums for health insurance.

The project will be piloted in Lagos, Abuja and Kano States.

Lotus Capital will target traders, market associations, religious associations, service companies and women pressure groups.

Speaking about the grant, a statement quoted the Chief Executive Officer of EFInA, Chidinma Lawanson to have explained that the EFInA Access to Financial Services in Nigeria 2014 survey revealed that 16.8 million adults representing18 per cent of the adult population who do not use non-interest banking products stated that they are likely to take up such products if they are readily available.

“The Lotus Health is Wealth products add to the diversity and range of affordable financial products to low and middle

income segments of the population who may be unbanked and under-banked,” she said.

She added: “Through the project, Lotus Capital will drive awareness on noninterest finance and enhance financial literacy among the low income targets; given that the company’s direct sales agent will interface with customers to showcase the product.”

On her part, Managing Director of Lotus Capital, Hajara Adeola said: “Since our founding, we have being dedicated to creating wealth ethically for our clients. Our firm belief is that with the right financial plan and education, everyone can and should improve the quality of their life. Through this project, we hope to encourage the development of an investment culture among the low income and financially excluded segment of the population.

Broad Money (M2)

20,489,166.72

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,095,578.34

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,377,483.11

---- Demand Deposits

7,682,095.23

-- Quasi Money

11,429,588.38

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,471,351.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

15,017,814.94 22,414,322.75

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC) ---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,424,029.62

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

4,807,604.55

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

1,383,574.93

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

18,990,293.13

--Other Assets Net

7,396,507.81

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,095,380.23

--Currency in Circulation

1,711,623.51

--Banks Reserves

3,383,756.72 • Source - CBN

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Price (N) Stanbic Balanced Fund

Buying Price(N)

Selling Price

1,660.29

1,685.29

Stanbic IBTC NEF

1,000.00

11,002.32

11,326.67.11

Stanbic SIBond

20

120.47

120.47

Stanbic IBTC Ethical

1

1.10

1.13

Stanbic IBTC GIF

142.90

143.38

UBA Balanced Fund

1.2563

1.2493

UBA Bond Fund

1.3443

1.3443

UBA Equity Fund

0.8205

0.8074

UBA Money Market Fund

1.1510

1.1510

ARM Aggressive Growth Fund

N13.0544

N13.4480

ARM Discovery Fund

N288.2515

N296.9425

ARM Ethical Fund

N22.5268

N23.2060

ARM Money Market Fund

13.1030 (Yield % ) • Monetary Policy Rate - 14%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT TUESDAY, 2 AUGUST, 2016 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $38.97 a barrel on Friday, compared with $39.79 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Rabi Light (Gabon), Minas (Indonesia), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

45

T H I S D AY • thurSDAY, AuguSt 4, 2016

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

20-July-16 19-July-16

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

01 Dangote Cement Plc

183.00

183.00

0.00%

3,118,412,855,115.00

11.57

15.82

6.03

4.37%

4.47

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

132.55

133.13

-0.44%

1,051,002,322,704.40

5.37

24.69

3.80

2.72%

6.17

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

24.06

24.09

-0.12%

708,114,172,129.44

3.38

7.12

2.37

7.36%

1.63

820.00

816.20

0.47%

649,978,126,640.00

29.95

27.38

4.30

3.54%

17.10

05 Zenith Bank Plc

16.45

16.80

-2.08%

516,472,322,779.70

3.33

4.94

1.23

10.94%

0.83

06 Lafarge Africa Plc

51.00

53.07

-3.90%

232,299,992,310.00

5.93

8.60

0.87

5.88%

1.32

07 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

12.30

12.34

-0.32%

225,699,479,944.50

0.71

17.39

0.42

5.04%

0.45

167.22

167.00

0.13%

217,800,890,043.66

4.58

36.51

1.71

2.06%

4.74

09 United Bank for Africa Plc

4.54

4.77

-4.82%

164,709,049,501.88

1.64

2.76

0.52

13.22%

0.50

10 Access Bank Plc

5.60

5.68

-1.41%

161,996,641,133.60

2.48

2.26

0.48

9.82%

0.42

11 Presco Plc

38.85

38.85

0.00%

154,253,033,198.25

1.10

35.40

2.13

3.35%

3.67

12 Guinness Nig Plc

93.99

94.00

-0.01%

141,538,430,790.12

3.70

25.42

1.25

0.00%

3.19

255.36

282.94

-9.75%

141,293,321,527.68

23.48

10.87

1.25

6.23%

0.50

14 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

13.25

13.41

-1.19%

132,500,000,000.00

2.04

6.51

1.12

0.75%

1.18

15 Unilever Nigeria Plc

35.00

35.00

0.00%

132,415,368,750.00

0.32

111.05

2.24

0.14%

16.55

3.30

3.30

0.00%

118,454,466,213.60

0.30

10.83

0.24

4.55%

0.19

126.35

133.00

-5.00%

80,938,592,365.05

11.12

11.36

1.04

1.74%

3.37

6.65

6.52

1.99%

79,800,000,000.00

0.96

6.92

0.79

7.52%

1.30

206.00

200.40

2.79%

69,941,498,422.00

11.92

17.28

0.34

6.80%

4.31

5.56

5.58

-0.36%

66,912,481,050.64

0.50

11.12

0.12

13.49%

0.42

21 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

48.39

48.39

0.00%

63,874,800,000.00

1.85

26.18

0.48

3.10%

2.63

22 International Breweries Plc

19.34

19.34

0.00%

63,710,781,075.20

0.64

30.26

3.44

1.29%

5.29

162.00

162.00

0.00%

58,416,432,444.00

13.51

11.99

0.91

4.44%

3.80

20.43

21.50

-4.98%

53,613,165,730.41

5.50

3.72

0.16

9.79%

0.56

1.26

1.19

5.88%

48,788,456,755.50

0.05

24.02

1.20

0.00%

0.56

20.00

20.00

0.00%

38,417,287,740.00

2.70

7.41

0.53

5.00%

0.52

27 Sterling Bank Plc

1.28

1.22

4.92%

36,851,735,201.28

0.36

3.58

0.33

7.03%

0.39

28 Diamond Bank Plc

1.58

1.55

1.94%

36,593,414,569.44

0.18

8.61

0.17

0.00%

0.17

29 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

35.00

35.00

0.00%

33,386,850,000.00

2.76

12.69

3.43

0.29%

2.77

30 Fidelity Bank Plc

1.07

1.11

-3.60%

30,989,966,690.44

0.47

2.30

0.21

14.95%

0.17

31 Wema Bank Plc

0.75

0.72

4.17%

28,930,849,560.75

0.06

12.43

0.63

0.00%

0.63

32 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

13.90

13.90

0.00%

26,107,008,356.00

3.21

4.33

0.78

9.35%

2.52

33 Cap Plc

37.00

37.00

0.00%

25,900,000,000.00

2.49

14.89

3.67

3.11%

17.04

34 FCMB Group Plc

1.29

1.33

-3.01%

25,545,496,907.49

0.06

22.64

0.17

7.75%

0.16

35 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.99

4.00

-0.25%

23,468,638,138.05

0.72

5.52

0.74

3.51%

0.85

36 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

18.50

18.50

0.00%

22,123,715,028.00

0.72

25.82

0.72

1.62%

1.65

37 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

8.00

8.00

0.00%

21,195,507,024.00

0.79

10.07

1.31

6.88%

2.99

38 Mansard Insurance Plc

2.00

2.08

-3.85%

21,000,000,000.00

0.16

12.63

1.27

2.50%

1.21

39 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

19.00

18.45

2.98%

19,000,000,000.00

3.28

5.79

1.67

0.53%

0.85

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.52

1.60

-5.00%

12,053,900,440.16

0.14

10.76

0.25

10.53%

0.56

41 Unity Bank Plc

1.01

1.02

-0.98%

11,806,231,321.42

0.54

1.86

0.19

0.00%

0.14

42 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.02

1.02

0.00%

10,580,199,198.24

0.19

5.31

0.52

11.76%

0.64

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.70

0.70

0.00%

9,716,210,987.00

0.85

0.82

0.07

42.86%

0.07

44 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

6.32

6.32

0.00%

7,942,203,481.12

0.96

6.61

0.61

1.58%

0.78

45 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,126.00

0.10

5.16

0.94

6.00%

0.45

46 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

4.00

4.00

0.00%

6,496,875,000.00

0.26

15.57

0.79

5.00%

1.06

47 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

3.55

3.55

0.00%

6,101,562,482.25

1.81

1.96

0.54

19.72%

0.19

48 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

4.68

0.11

0.02

0.00%

1.89

49 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.72

0.73

-1.37%

4,989,747,225.60

0.28

2.60

0.15

6.94%

0.51

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

1.99

1.90

4.74%

2,985,000,000.00

0.31

6.49

0.44

2.51%

0.47

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc

08 Forte Oil Plc.

13 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

16 FBN Holdings Plc 17 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc 18 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc 19 Total Nigeria Plc 20 Oando Plc

23 Mobil Oil Nig Plc 24 Flour Mills Nig. Plc 25 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc 26 U A C N Plc

TOTAL

8,927,475,315,303.87

TOTAL MARKET CAP

9,509,358,901,447.94

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

93.88%

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion) Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Open Close Change % 19-July-16 20-July-16 28,488.56 9.78

28,221.18 9.69

-0.94% -0.94%

117.95 9.18

116.80 9.09

-0.98% -0.98%

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open Close Change % 19-July-16 20-July-16

Skye Bank Plc Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc Flour Mills Nig. Plc Nigerian Breweries Plc Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

0.72 6.65 21.50 135.04 22.05

0.78 6.80 21.70 135.10 23.20

8.33% 2.26% 0.93% 0.04% 5.22%

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change % 19-July-16 20-July-16

Oando Plc Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc Fidson Healthcare Plc Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

5.96 1.52

5.39 1.41

-9.56% -7.24%

14.92 2.12 1.57

14.20 2.02 1.50

-4.83% -4.72% -4.46%

Market Index moves further south by 0.52% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Wednesday, August 3, 2016 closed bearish as the stock market closed red caused by an enduring cautious trading as investors risk appetite wanes. This was further highlighted by negative performances from all the NSE sub-sectors: Banking, Insurance, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas. Trading activities increased in volume as 301.15 million shares worth N2.34 billion in 3,681 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 275.74 million shares worth N3.15 billion in 4,126 deals exchanged on Monday. Topping in volume terms was Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc while Ecobank Transnational Incorporated and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed negative with a 0.52% (-144.15) decrease to close at 27,687.80 from 27,831.95 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization depreciated in tandem to N9.51 trillion from N9.56 trillion of prior trading day. The Thisday BGL 50 Index also followed suit with a decrease of 0.57% to close at 114.66 from 115.32 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N8.93 trillion from N8.98 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 17 stocks gained on the bourse today while 24 stocks declined, 58 leaving stocks unchanged. Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc emerged the day’s toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 5.88% to close at N1.26 per share. It was followed by Sterling Bank Plc with a gain of 4.92% to close at N1.28 per share. Others on the gainers list include: Fidson Healthcare Plc, Wema Bank Plc and PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, while on the decliners’ list; Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd led with a loss of 9.75% to close at N255.36 per share. It was followed by 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc with a loss of 5.00% to close at N126.35 per share. Others on the losers list include: Honeywell Flour Mill Plc, Flour Mills Nig. Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc.

REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

46

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

MARKET NEWS

Dangote Cement Reaps Benefits of African Expansion Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie The diversification of Dangote Cement Plc into other part of Africa has started yielding positive results, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Onne Van der Weijde has said.

Weijde, who disclosed this yesterday at the company “Fact behind the figures” presentation

ceremony in Lagos noted that Dangote Cement increased its top line by 20.6 per cent to N292.2 billion in six months to June 30, 2016, from N242.2 billion in the corresponding period of 2015.

According to him, Nigeria grew by 4.2 percent to N216.6 billion, West & Central Africa grew its revenue significantly by 192 per cent from N17.1 billion to N49.9 billion for the first half

of 2016. South & East Africa, he said, grew its top line by 50.9 per cent to N26.1 billion from N17.3 billion recorded for the corresponding period of 2015.

The company ended the H1 with a profit after tax of N103.4 billion compared to N121.8 billion declared in H1 2015. And in a move to boost its profitability, Weijde said the company will begin 100 per

cent coal production in the fourth quarter of 2016. This, he said, will help to solve the problem of gas shortage and foreign exchange volatility and increase profitability.

According to him, some of the company’s plant in Obajana in Kogi State and Ibese in Ogun State have already started using locally purchased coal for operation, blending with imported

coal to assure optimal quality.

“Our investment in coal is enabling us to reduce our dependence on both oil and gas as fuel sources, thus protecting our production from disruption and improving margins. The devaluation of the naira will obviously have an impact on costs and our priority will be to protect margins,” he said.

Commenting on the year’s

outlook, Weijde said they are confident of delivering good growth this year despite the challenging economic conditions facing Nigeria and the rest of Africa. “We have achieved strong sales growth in Nigeria and are readying more coal-burning facilities that will improve our fuel security, reduce our dependence on LPFO and even gas and help to restore our margins.

DAILY STOCK MARKET REPORT T H E

N I G E R I A N

STO C K

Prices for Securities Traded as of 19/04/2016 Printed 19/04/2016 16:42:26.026

40

Price List (Equities) PRICES FOR PREMIUM BOARD SECURITIES FINANCIAL SERVICES S/N 1 BANKING S/N 2 OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRIAL GOODS S/N 3 BUILDING MATERIALS INDUSTRIAL GOODS PREMIUM BOARD TOTALS Price List (Equities) PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES AGRICULTURE S/N 5 6 CROP PRODUCTION S/N 7 FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING S/N 8 LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES AGRICULTURE CONGLOMERATES S/N 9 12 13 14 DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES CONGLOMERATES CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE S/N BUILDING CONSTRUCTION S/N BUILDING STRUCTURE/COMPLETION/ OTHER S/N 18 INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION S/N 20 REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT S/N REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE CONSUMER GOODS S/N 24 AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS S/N 25 26 27 28 30 BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS S/N 32 BEVERAGES--NON-ALCOHOLIC S/N 33 34 35 37 38 39

E XC H A N G E

FOOD PRODUCTS BANKING ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FBN HOLDINGS PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

361,687.61

11.52

1.95

363

29,713,738

363

29,713,738

TRADES

VOLUME

S/N 46

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

119,890.28

3.34

1.21

BUILDING MATERIMARKET ALS CAP(Nm) DANGOTE CE2,743,521.69 MENT PLC

CROP PRODUCTION OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC FISHING/HUNTING/ TRAPPING ELLAH LAKES PLC. LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC.

S/N

207

6,119,620

207 570

6,119,620 35,833,358

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

161.00

-0.02

49

517,962

49 49 619

517,962 517,962 36,351,320

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

51

-4.75

17

92,552

-

MARKET CAP(Nm)

8 25

10,400 102,952

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

511.20

4.26

-

0

0

53

0

0

54

52

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1,900.00

0.95

-1.04

39

4,571,285

56

39 64

4,571,285 4,674,237

57

3.95

5

70,000

2,573.31

3.96

-

1

100

40,657.05

1.00

4.17

68

3,159,111

35,401.53

18.43

-5.00

49 123 123

474,908 3,704,119 3,704,119

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

BUILDING STRUCTURE/COMPLETION/OTHER

0

0

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

TRADES

VOLUME

1

38,721

DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC P S MANDRIDES & CO PLC.

PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CONSUMER GOODS FINANCIAL SERVICES

35.01

0.79

FOOD PRODUCTS

49

30.48

2,091.36

BEVERAGES-NON-ALCOHOLIC 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC.

48

29,075.18

VOLUME

BEVERAGES-BREWERS/DISTILLERS CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC.

S/N

35,010.00

TRADES

AUTOMOBILES/ AUTO PARTS DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES

50

%CHANGE

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)

FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED

VOLUME

PRICE

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED

44

S/N

MARKET CAP(Nm)

MARKET CAP(Nm)

INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC.

43

%CHANGE

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

56,760.00

43.00

-

6

19,910

6

19,910

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

6,875.00

4.00

-

8

14,068

8

14,068

TRADES

VOLUME

0 15

0 72,699

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,386.33

0.50

-

3

528,000

3

528,000

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

24,271.44

3.10

-

5

44,869

242.22

0.89

-

1

1,000

150,347.88

99.84

0.35

43

123,324

65,884.99

20.00

-

1

500

812,732.84

102.50

-1.91

131

769,295

181

938,988

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

94,166.78

147.00

-

12

9,320

12

9,320

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

62,040.00

5.17

-

16

154,689

50,805.23

19.36

-

46

252,519

55

58 59 60 BANKING S/N 61 62 63 65 67 70 73 74 77 80 83 87 INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES S/N 89 MICRO-FINANCE BANKS S/N 91 94 MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES S/N 95 96 98 102 103 OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES HEALTHCARE S/N HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

10,547.16

1.33

-3.62

34

2,388,046

1,185.03

6.65

-

1

3,000

19,605.84

7.40

-

34

553,393

S/N

214.00

5.35

-

2

100

108

S/N MEDICAL SUPPLIES

TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC FOOD PRODUCTS-DIVERSIFIED CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. HOUSEHOLD DURABLES VITAFOAM NIG PLC. PERSONAL/ HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC.

12,050.00

MICRO-FINANCE BANKS NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC

4.78

23

1,030,185

156

4,381,932

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

27,741.04

14.77

-

21

59,932

507,307.93

640.01

-

63

37,119

84

97,051

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

5,326.78

5.42

-

2

203

2

203 VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

80,799.21

20.35

-4.10

18

95,908

110,661.42

29.25

-

38

114,024

56 494

209,932 6,165,426

MARKET BANKING CAP(Nm) ACCESS BANK 107,033.50 PLC. DIAMOND BANK 31,034.92 PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL 269,738.40 INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK 33,900.51 PLC GUARANTY TRUST 462,069.51 BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC 14,157.91 STERLING BANK 44,913.05 PLC. UNION BANK NIG. 76,888.56 PLC. UNITED BANK FOR 119,722.44 AFRICA PLC UNITY BANK PLC 7,948.75 WEMA BANK PLC. 28,545.10 INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC

2.41

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

3.70

2.21

188

6,139,279

1.34

-4.96

34

2,608,620

14.70

5.00

71

1,153,190

1.17

-0.85

69

5,918,400

15.70

2.28

288

29,811,746

1.02

0.99

56

3,104,469

1.56

-

23

576,721

4.54

-4.82

25

286,712

3.30

3.13

251

62,208,549

0.68 0.74

-2.86 1.37

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

10,292.50

0.50

-

1

1,000

4,781.84

0.69

-

10

549,318

22,050.00

2.10

2.94

7

105,293

10,683.93

1.03

1.98

14

850,400

7,000.00

0.50

-

27

5,085,907

3,070.00

0.50

-

1

16,800

3,661.72

0.50

-

0

0

1,924.91

0.56

-3.45

50

9,713,044

4,224.40

0.80

3.90

32

10,627,354

3,334.38

0.50

-

1

50

3,070.54

0.50

-

2

2,100

6,691.37

0.50

-

3

8,840

148

26,960,106

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2,652.50

1.16

-

10

318,000

10

318,000

16 5,214,403 13 6,539,600 1,034 123,561,689

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

7,370.87

0.50

-

3

150,100

4,179.69

4.28

-

2

500

5

150,600

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

5,000.00

2.50

2.88

61

1,158,851

22,939.27

3.90

-

6

27,745

18,812.58

0.95

1.06

84

8,033,669

143,000.00

14.30

-

8

7,734

8,880.00

1.48

1.37

125

9,734,304

284 18,962,303 1,481 169,952,698

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

PHARMACEUTICALS FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm) 3,225.00

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0

0

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

2.15

2.38

10

163,315

THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2016 • T H I S D AY

47

NEWSXTRA

Asian Bookings of Nigerian, W’African Crude Oil to Drop in August OPEC output disrupted in July on Nigeria attacks, Libya dispute Cargoes of West African crude oil sailing east are on track to fall in August on fierce competition, shaky demand and disruptions in Nigerian loadings that forced at least one cancelled cargo, according to Reuters.

A total of 55 cargoes for 1.685 million barrels per day (bpd) are booked to sail to

Asia this month. The total is just under two per cent lower than the planned bookings in July, but is more than eight per cent lower than August last year.

Overall buying in Asia is in question as refinery margins hit five-year lows last month due to a growing excess of refined products.

N’Assembly Committee Laments 90,000 Shortfall in Nigeria Police Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abu Ibrahim, has disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force operates in deficit of 90,000 police officers, notwithstanding the ongoing move to recruit 10,000 personnel into the force.

Ibrahim made this remark during a meeting of the Joint National Assembly Committee on Police Affairs with the Acting Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, in Abuja.

According to him, the current recruitment exercise is still far insignificant when compared to the number of police personnel needed by the country to combat the rising wave of insecurity.

“I am aware that this number is insignificant compared to what the police needs in order to adequately face these challenges especially when it is realised that the police is in deficit of about ninety thousand officers and men,” he said.

He listed various criminal activities rocking the country to include herdmen’s violence, kidnapping, insurgency and armed robbery, pointing out that the increasing crime rate in Nigeria calls for sizeable number of police officers to match the crime wave.

“There are also the disturbing challenges of insecurity all over the country, particularly insurgency, farmers/herdsmen

violence, the Niger Delta Avengers destruction of economic facilities, kidnapping and armed robbery, among others,” he said.

He regretted that the acting IG was coming into office when the country was witnessing acute financial crisis as he assured the new police boss that the committee would offer him the necessary cooperation that will be required to address the security challenges confronting the nation.

He also informed the acting IG that the joint committee on police affairs of the National Assembly in accordance with Order 97(46) of Senate Standing Rules was saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the activities of the Nigeria Police including the budget for operation and maintenance of police department.

He also listed the jurisdiction of the committee in the Nigeria Police to include recruitment, promotion, benefits and privileges of police officers as well as fire arms control and maintenance of law and order.

Responding, Idris assured the committee that he would work assiduously to put the security challenges facing the country under control, promising to co-operate with the National Assembly Joint Committee on Police Affairs in the overall bid to ensure that law and order are maintained across the country.

The Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Prosecution, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has alleged that over N9 billion was released by federal government to successive administrations in Cross River State for the resettlement of the displaced people of Bakassi peninsula after the territory was ceded to Cameroun following the October 10, 2002 judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Obono-Obla, who stated this against the backdrop of insinuation from many quarters that the federal government has neglected the displaced people, therefore, called for probe of how

survey has shown that crude oil output from members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was disrupted in July by militant attacks in Nigeria and political disputes in Libya.

Output from the 13 established members of the OPEC, excluding new entrant Gabon, fell by 80,000 barrels a day last month, a Bloomberg survey of analysts, oil companies and ship-tracking data showed.

Nigeria led the decline with a 70,000-barrel-a-day monthly drop to 1.52 million, while Libya and Saudi Arabia reduced output by 20,000 and 40,000 barrels a day respectively.

Gabon joined OPEC on July 1, becoming the smallest member with average output of 210,000 barrels a day.

Because the group expanded to 14 nations, total production in July actually increased to 33.24 million barrels a day from 33.11 million the prior month. Gabon initially joined the group in 1975, but ended its membership 20 years later.

Nigeria has suffered steep crude output losses this year as militant attacks targeted oil infrastructure. Production in May fell to the lowest level in more than 27 years. While output recovered in June, it fell again in July following the disruption of supplies to the Qua Iboe terminal, which

shipped an average of 342,000 barrels a day last year.

Libya’s production fell by 20,000 barrels a day to 300,000 in July. The Arabian Gulf Oil Co. halted output at the Sarir field last month after a protest by oil-facility guards shut the Eastern port of Hariga, blocking exports. The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord reached a deal with guards last week to reopen Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, two of its biggest oil terminals that have been closed since 2014, although shipments have yet to resume.

Output disruptions helped raise West Texas Intermediate crude

RENDERING ACCOUNTS TO SHAREHOLDERS

L-R: Chairman, Oando Plc, Oba M. A. Gbadebo; Group Chief Executive, Jubril Adewale Tinubu; Chief Finance Officer, Olufemi Adeyemo, at the 39th annual general meeting of the company in Lagos....yesterday

Obiano, Obi Reconcile at Burial of Former CKC Principal, Fr Tagbo Promise to work towards growth of Anambra

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State yesterday displayed a rare sense of humility when he reconciled with his predecessor, Mr. Peter Obi. Delivering a rousing eulogy at the funeral mass of the former the money was applied by the Principal of Christ The King College, Onitsha, Rev. Fr. N. state government.

Obono-Obla was reacting to C Tagbo, Obiano took the an invitation by former special congregation by surprise when adviser to the president on he intoned: “May I use this National Assembly Matters, opportunity to ask the former Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, that governor of Anambra State, my he should join in the campaign for friend and brother, Chief Peter the resettlement of the displaced Obi, that whatever I may have done to him, he should forgive.” people of Bakassi.

Speaking further, the Ita-Giwa had extended her invitation to Obono-Obla following governor who noted that the the remarks he made in an earlier late Father Tagbo had taught statement tagged: ‘The Hypocrisy them to love and pursue of Senator Florence Ita Giwa on unity with one another, said Bakassi,’ on her alleged roles it was only proper for him to in various processes put in apologise, although he did not place by the past regimes in know what the actual cause of the country and state towards the rift between him and his the resettlement the Bakassi predecessor was.

Demonstrating the spirit of people.

Obono-Obla wants N9bn Bakassi Resettlement Fund Probed Bassey Inyang in Calabar

Some refineries are already processing less crude oil, while others are preparing for maintenance later in the third quarter.

At the same time, nearly all crude oil sellers are targeting Asia. Imports of Iranian crude oil from China, India, Japan and South Korea increased markedly in June, the latest month of data available, as Iran’s efforts to regain market share lost during years of sanctions paid off. As a result, some West African oil has been edged out. The biggest difference from a year earlier was in bookings for India, due in part to the unpredictability of Nigerian oil loadings.

Meanwhile, a Bloomberg

sportsmanship, Obiano further lauded his predecessor and reminded the audience that his campaign promise was anchored on continuity assuring that he was giving his best in the service of the state as he was taught by the late father Tagbo.

Paying glowing tributes to the late principal who helped mould notable Nigerians as principal of the renowned CKC, Obiano described Fr. Tagbo as “One of the greatest shepherds of our time!”

According to him, the former principal’s death was a personal loss because he was the last of his many sons to become a governor while he lived.

“Of course, before me, there was a former governor, Dr. Peter Odili and my brother, former Governor Obi. But I was the one he saw last before Fr. Tagbo moved on to the ages. How I wish Fr. Tagbo had lived longer to see what his many other sons would become tomorrow,” he reasoned.

Speaking further, the governor Obiano said: “I don’t know if my experience approximates the experience of others but I must confess that the values Father Tagbo gave to us in our formative years have refused to be eroded by time. I have not surrendered those values and I will never surrender them.”

On the impact the late principal had on the community, Obiano declared that “ If truly we measure a man by the impact he has had on his environment, Fr. N.C Tagbo stands taller than almost all his contemporaries.

He never condoned any unruly behaviour and never failed to put in a word of encouragement or to make us realise that we can be better than our best.”

Concluding his eulogy, Obiano reasoned that in truth, “Tagbo did not die, he merely assumed a more dignified position in our lives because he now lives in us.”

Responding to Obiano’s

olive branch, Obi who pointed out that what was at stake was beyond him and his successor, said as a Christian, he was under obligation to forgive whenever there was cause to.

He pledged his total support to the Obiano administration in its efforts to build a better Anambra for the younger generation whom he noted that the leaders of today must give account of their stewardship to.

In his own remarks the Catholic Archbishop of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, Most Reverend Okeke, who observed that even in death Tagbo had remained a bridge builder, thanked the duo for putting aside their differences and uniting to work for the growth of the state, describing them as true Christians.

Other old boys who spoke at the event including Prof. Pat Utomi, Dr. Peter Emetulam and Dr. Mike Ejiofor, took turns to eulogise Tagbo as a master molder of men.

48

THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Ignore August 17 PDP Convention, Sheriff Urges Supporters Makarfi: Ousted chairman bent on destroying party INEC expresses ignorance over Sheriff’s letter on party’s convention Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The ousted National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has asked members of the party to disregard the plans for a fresh national convention on August 17 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

This came as the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has said the latest attempt by Sheriff and his cohorts is not only to scuttle the forthcoming national convention but also another clear evidence of his determination to destroy the PDP. Sheriff has also written to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), asking the commission to completely ignore a letter by the Makarfiled PDP caretaker committee notifying it of a proposed PDP national convention.

In a letter dated August 2, 2016, the former governor of Borno State, reminded the commission that the Makarfiled caretaker committee is illegal and has no powers under the PDP constitution to convene the party’s national convention.

The letter which was submitted at INEC yesterday pointedly informed the commission that the only body that can call for and ratify activities culminating to a national convention of the party is the National Executive Committee (NEC) headed

by Sheriff as the National Chairman as enshrined in Article 31 (2)(a) of the Constitution of the PDP. Sheriff said the commission and the public should know that the PDP is not planning any national convention as he has not been so authorised by the NEC. He cautioned that any person or group of persons planning for an event is doing so as an illegal body and in direct contempt of valid court orders.

The letter titled: “Re: ‘Notification of Ward Congresses and National Convention’ which was signed by Sheriff and the PDP National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, stated “Kindly refer to a letter dated

July 20, 2016, by the illegal PDP Caretaker Committee purported to notify INEC of a proposed ward congresses to nominate 3 ad-hoc delegates on August 10, 2016, and local government congresses to nominate national delegates on August 12, 2016, for a repeat of the national convention, and slated for y August 17, 2016.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the only body that can call for and ratify activities culminating to a national convention of our great party, the PDP, is the NEC of the party headed by Senator Sheriff as National Chairman.

“This is enshrined in Article 31 (2) (a) of our party’s constitution-The National Executive Committee shall ‘convene the national convention and appoint a convention organising committee which shall circulate the convention information in advance and ensure that the concerns of the membership are reflected on the agenda.

Prepare reports and budgets for approval of the national convention.

“The Sheriff-led PDP is not planning any national convention as he has not been so authorised by the party’s NEC. Any person or group of persons planning for an event is doing so as an illegal body and in direct contempt of valid court orders. This letter is to kindly put you on notice to ignore any such notifications by the illegal Makarfi-led caretaker committee.”

Meanwhile, Makarfi, in a statement issued yesterday by the spokesman of the caretaker committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, urged the INEC to disregard the protest letter submitted by Senator Sheriff against the holding of the August 17 PDP national convention.

“We call on INEC to disregard the letter from Sheriff and his cohorts. It belongs to the garbage bin. He is merely acting the script of his paymasters.

The caretaker committee will continue with its dogged determination to organise the best national convention in the history of our great party.

“The ruling of Justice Okon Abang which Ali Modu Sheriff is relying on is a mere narrative of the Case before the Federal High Courts in Lagos and in

Jemibewon’s Mother for Burial Tomorrow Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The mother of former Minister of Police Affairs, Major General David Jemibewon (rtd), Mrs. Emife Jemibewon, will be laid to rest on Friday, at her country home in Iyah Gbedda in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Aged 106, the funeral rites of Madam Jemibewon, who died on July 22, is expected to kick-off with a night of poetry and rendition yesterday, while

today will be for the wake keep.

According to a statement issued by the burial organising committee, former President Goodluck Jonathan, dignitaries from the military, sports and political circles and other walks of life are expected to grace the outing service at the Jemibewons’ residence.

Late Madam Jemibewon is survived by two children; General Jemibewon and his sister.

Port Harcourt Divisions. It does not set aside or nullify the Judgment of Justice Liman which has authenticated the May 21 national convention and the resolutions emanating therefrom.

“The ruling did not anywhere direct INEC to do anything or not to do anything, to discharge or not to discharge any obligation; to perform any function or not to perform any function.

“In essence, it is a mere legal tale and the Order having been made without any application before him by either of the parties has no foundation in law.

“Hon. Justice Valerie Arshi had in a Judgment nullified the appointment of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as Chairman of the Party. That Judgment has not been set aside. It is still valid and subsisting. And no Court of Coordinate Jurisdiction including the Federal High Court can make any other Order with the intention of rendering that Judgment ineffective.

The National Convention which held in Port Harcourt on May 21st 2016 which resolutions were confirmed by Justice Liman of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt on July 4, 2016 dissolved the National

Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Working Committee (NWC) and affirmed the National Caretaker Committee as the Supreme body to run the affairs of the Party until another Convention was held within 90 days.

“That being the case, it was therefore the last Convention that in fact convened the forthcoming one slated for August 17, 2016, and not the National Caretaker Committee parse. The National Convention is superior to all other Organs of the Party,” he said.

However, the INEC has said it is yet to receive any letter from Sheriff.

INEC’s Director in charge of Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwala Osaze-Uzzi, said in a telephone interview yesterday evening that the commission would study the various court orders regarding the leadership crisis before deciding whether to monitor the convention or not.

“When we consider the judgements and orders given by the courts we will decide whether to monitor it or not,” he said.

Osaze further added: “If there is a letter calling for valid convention we have the duty to go but if there is a court order stopping us from going then we have to obey court order.”

RECONCILIATION MEETING

L-R: Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano; Bishop of Onitsha Arch Diocese, Valerian Okeke; and former Governor of the state, Mr. Peter Obi, at the burial mass of former Principal of CKC, Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Nicholas Tagbo, in the state... yesterday

Rivers Re-run: Be Apolitical or Face the Peoples’ Wrath, Wike Tells New CP

PDP petitions INEC over alleged plan to announce Tai results

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has advised the state police command to remain apolitical during the forthcoming rerun elections or face the wrath of the people.

He stated that the people would resist any plot to use instruments of state to rig elections.

This came as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the alleged moves by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to force the commission to release the cancelled results of the rerun election in Tai Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday when the new state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Odesanya, paid him a courtesy visit, Wike charged policemen not to take sides

in the discharge of their security duties.

He advised the police to work professionally to create the right atmosphere for the people to exercise their franchise without molestation.

“If anyone uses instruments of state to rig elections, we will not fold our hands,” Wike said.

He reminded the police of the need to weed out compromised officers with political affiliation, pointing out that he has written to the Inspector-General of Police on the issue.

Wike however maintained that the state government would continue to support the police to fight crimes at all levels.

He said: “For the past one year, we have bought over 100 vehicles for security agencies.

We will always support the police to improve security.

“We have to work together to fight crime. I am happy with the level of policing in the state which has reduced the level of crime.”

The governor announced that the state government would supply additional vehicles to the police. He also directed the local government councils in the state to provide logistics support to police divisions across the state.

Earlier, the police commissioner, Odesanya, said the police under his leadership would ensure the mop up of arms to promote security of lives and property.

He said the state would not be home to crimes as measures are being implemented to root them out, adding that he would be apolitical and professional in the discharge of his duties.

Odesanya is the fifth police chief to work with Wike since he assumed office on May 29, 2015.

In the meantime, the PDP in the state has petitioned the INEC over alleged plans by the APC to force the commission to announce the March 19 cancelled legislative

re-run election in Tai Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt by his media aide, Jerry Needam, the state Chairman of the PDP, Felix Obuah, who signed the petition, said the PDP was dismayed by the desperation of the APC to compel INEC to pronounce a result for an election that was cancelled by same commission.

According to the statement, Obuah reminded the INEC chairman of an earlier petition by a concerned Rivers indigene to the House of Representatives that no election took place in Tai Local Government Area on that day which he (INEC chairman) also re-stated before the National Assembly, assuring the lawmakers that the entire election will be rescheduled in Tai, a position he also publicly acclaimed at a stakeholders’ meeting at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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NEWSXTRA

Another Nigerian Convict was Kept in the Dark for Hours about Indonesia Execution Reprieve Ten drug convicts whose executions were delayed during a chaotic process in Indonesia were only officially informed of

the temporary reprieve hours after they had expected to face the firing squad, a lawyer said yesterday.

I will Hand over Corrupt Lawyers to Anti-corruption Agencies for Prosecution, Says NBA President-elect Tobi Soniyi in Abuja The President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud, has said he will set up an anticorruption commission that will investigate lawyers involved in judicial corruption and hand them over to anti-corruption agencies for prosecution.

Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, Mahmoud also called on the present administration to always obey courts orders.

According to him, the refusal to obey court orders is a deficit on the part of the present administration.

He said the association under his leadership would engage the government and ensure that all government agencies obey courts orders.

He said: “The NBA under my watch will set up anticorruption commission charged with the responsibility to (i) identify all those invoked in the unwholesome and indeed criminal practice of judicial corruption, (ii) investigate same and refer the outcome to the relevant anti-corruption law enforcement agencies for prosecution, and other action they may deem fit to take in conjunction with the Chief Justice of Nigeria.”

In addition to the ongoing fight against corruption, he advised the federal government to initiate measures that seek to prevent corruption from occurring.

When asked how he intended to deal with senior lawyers often alleged to be involved

in corrupt acts, he answered, “We will not tolerate senior lawyers undermining the fight against corruption but lawyers whether senior or junior must be allowed to carry out their responsibilities. But we will deal with any lawyers who violate the rules of professional conduct.”

He called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to operate within the ambit of the law.

Mahmoud called on government to do more in ensuring security of lives and property.

He identified kidnapping, terrorism, insurgency, cybercrime and incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers as the new faces of crime which had resulted in monumental loss of lives and properties and called on government to up its game in managing conflicts.

He said: “While we commend the efforts of the federal government in tackling the security challenges which we are facing, we urge the government to spare no efforts at ensuring peace, security, law and order in Nigeria.”

He also called on Chief Joe Kyari-Gadzama (SAN) who contested the election with him to put the elections behind him and team up with him to move the bar forward.

“No reasons to call for cancellation. We are happy to work with Gadzama and every lawyer. We are calling on Gadzama to accept the results in good faith,” he added.

Despite international protests, one Indonesian and three Nigerian convicts were put to death shortly after midnight last Friday on a prison island — Jakarta’s first round of executions for over a year.

But another 10 death row prisoners — Indonesians as well as nationals from Pakistan, India, Zimbabwe and Nigeria — were not executed, although authorities have suggested they will face the firing squad later.

It is still not clear why the group was spared at the 11th hour aand the process has attracted strong condemnation, with one lawyer calling it a “complete mess.”

Authorities have not given a clear explanation. Theories have ranged from concerns over legal problems with several cases to a major storm that hit Nusakambangan prison island

way readers behave in news consumption and assimilation. Moreso that news are now more intrusive and accessed online through different handheld devices.

Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp and others are considered to be particularly engaging, interactive and have become a veritable means of information dissemination in corporate organisations and between individuals.

Yet, there are purists who believe that newspapers in its hardcopy form will continue to exist for a long time to come, if only because, newspaper have kept an unassailable track record in news reliability and credibility.

Ajibola said it is in view of the above that MediaEdge Polls is undertaking a

“Guessing that they would not be executed, they walked out of the doors and hugged each other in joy.”

They were then informed by officials that they would not be executed but were not given an explanation, she said.

Only hours earlier, a prison warden had told Utami, whom activists have claimed was innocent and was tricked into becoming a drug mule, to get ready to leave her cell.

However moments later the warden told her to stay put — leading her to suspect the execution might not go ahead.

“She had put make-up on and was ready to die,” Singgih said, adding Utami had spent the previous day reading a prayer book.

“She said that she had never felt that calm before in her life.”

Ricky Gunawan whose

Nigerian client, Humphrey Jefferson Ejike Eleweke, was among those tied to a post and shot in a jungle clearing last week, slammed the “cruel and inhumane treatment” of those left waiting for hours to learn they would be spared.

“Imagine the psychological suffering,” he told AFP. Last week’s executions were the third under President Joko Widodo since he took office in 2014.

The last round was in April 2015 when authorities put to death eight drug convicts, including two Australians, sparking international outrage.

Widodo has defended dramatically ramping up the use of capital punishment, saying Indonesia is fighting a war on drugs and traffickers must be heavily punished.

SEEKING THE WAY FORWARD

L-R: Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachiukwu; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi; and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the Federal Executive (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja...yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

Firm Calls for Participation in Public Opinion Survey on Offline, Online Media An Abuja-based media communications company, CBD MediaEdge Limited, has call for an opinion poll survey to understand the newspaper readership and behavioural pattern in Nigeria with particular reference to internet incursion in the last five years.

The objective of the survey, according to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Isiaq Ajibola, is to understand the depth of migration into the online platform and the impact it has had on news production and consumption overtime.

The global view on this matter is that the omnipresent nature of online news has continued to shape the

as officials were about to carry out the sentences.

Adding to the sense of chaos, a lawyer for one of the 10 said they were not officially informed their executions were being halted until around 6:00 am on Friday (2300 GMT Thursday) — about five hours after the four others were shot and four hours after authorities had announced the initial executions to the media.

Lawyer, Arinta Singgih, who represented one of the convicts, Indonesian woman, Merri Utami, said as the hours passed, the group suspected they had been spared but this did not become clear for some time.

“At six o’clock, the doors of the isolation cells were opened,” Singgih told AFP, referring to the cells where death row convicts wait before being executed.

public opinion poll survey to understand the specific trend, pattern, depth and other important variables in the different variants of behaviour on this subject.

The survey, he said would be based on online and direct questionnaire approach and administered to a fairly large population.

He survey will cut across all strata of the society with special focus on critical stakeholders such as media professional, lawmakers, businessmen, lawyers, labour, academia, political parties, women, youth organisations.

He called on those interested in the survey to go to www. s u r v e y m o n k e y. c o m / r / offline-versus-online-newshow-will-it-end; www. s u r v e y m o n k e y. c o m / r / offline-versus-online-whoblinks-last.

My Husband Won’t Abandon Biafra Struggle, Nnamdi Kanu’s Wife Tells FG D a v i d - C h y d d y E l e ke i n Aw ka The wife of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mrs. Uchechi Okwu-Kanu, has said her husband, Nnamdi Kanu, will never abandon the Biafra struggle even at the expense of his life.

Kanu in a statement she signed and made available to THISDAY in Awka by the Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Mr Emma Powerful, stated that she knows her husband very well, and that he is a strong willed person and would not go back on the struggle as he had told her.

She said the recent allegations against her

husband where he was said to have accepted to trade the Biafra cause for his freedom were incorrect and insulting.

Part of the release read: “Anybody thinking that my husband will renounce Biafra is certifiably insane. MEND does not speak for my husband.

“This type of news as distressing as it is laughable because no group can postulate what my husband can or cannot do or say. This is not only an insult to our belief but also a despoliation of our rights as a people perpetrated by dishonourable minds.”

Speaking further, Mrs. Kanu said: “It is now apparent that the charges

against my husband are politically-motivated and not a judicial process as President Buhari would have the world believe.

“This singular act of tyranny and injustice against my husband amongst others is reprehensible to every reasonable mind and is one of the critical reasons for the emergence of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) who have in their quest, consistently called for the release of my husband which President Buhari has underplayed.

“Subsequently, Nnamdi Kanu should be present at any negotiations and I can refer President Buhari to F.W. de K l e r k o f S o u t h Africa on how to negotiate with the freedom fighters.”

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THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Orubebe in Fresh Trouble, Accused of Diverting N1.9bn Compensation for Residents on East-West Road Tobi Soniyi in Abuja The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed new charges against the former Minister of Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe, before an Abuja High Court, alleging that he diverted close to N2 billion meant for the dualisation of Section IV of the East-West Road.

He was charged alongside Oludare Lawrence Alaba, Ephraim Towelde Zaki and Gitto Construction Limited on a five-count charge bordering

on alleged corruption, diversion of funds and perjury.

He was accused of circumventing a Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval for the dualisation of the Eket-Oron Road, part of the East-West Road which runs from Edo to Bayelsa State by allegedly instructing the contractor, Gitto Construction, to rehabilitate it instead.

Orubebe and the co-accused persons are also charged with conferring undue advantage on the construction firm when they caused the money meant for compensating residents whose

properties were marked for demolition paid to Gitto.

The court papers stated that the sum N2,320,686,826 approved for payment of compensation to owners of properties that were to be demolished to make way for the dualisation of the road was paid to the contractor instead of the beneficiaries Orubebe was also accused of making false statements to the ICPC claiming that the decision to rehabilitate the road rather than dualise it was taken after he had left office as the Minister of Niger Delta.

BUDGET SCANDAL: CLAMOUR FOR RECONVENING OF HOUSE HEIGHTENS Abdulmumini over the budget scandal have come to light.

The APC had invited both men for separate meetings in an attempt to diffuse the tension and reconcile them.

Sources told THISDAY that Abdulmumini at the meeting outlined the allegations against Dogara and the other principal officers, and also presented more damning allegations to the APC committee.

“They were shocked at some of the things that they heard,” an APC chieftain privy to the discussions at the meeting said.

The chieftain, who preferred anonymity, added that the APC committee demanded to know the way forward, and what could be done to placate him, Abdulmumini.

“He insisted that the speaker has to be removed,” the chieftain said, adding that the committee members assured him that they would consult with other stakeholders on his demand.

Zakari Abdulmumuni

Challenges

But as Abdulmumuni continues to make mind-blowing allegations against his colleagues, the Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education, Hon. Zakari Mohammed has disclosed that he warned Dogara against appointing Abdulmumini as the appropriation committee chairman.

Mohammed, who is one of the 11 committee chairmen fingered by Abdulmumini as having inserted 2,000 projects into the 2016 budget, said his position offended the embattled lawmaker.

“My offence has been my opposition to the choice of Jibrin as the Chairman of the Appropriation Committee. I believe he has not forgiven me for my incisive

forewarning that the speaker will regret Jibrin’s appointment,” Mohammed said in a statement.

Mohammed, alongside the Chairman of the Committee on Interior, Hon. Jagaba Adams Jagaba, and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Hon. CID Maduabum, denied that they have been distributing $25,000 to each member of the House as inducement to sign the register for a vote of confidence on Dogara.

Abdulmumini, in a series of tweets yesterday morning alleged that each member was being induced with $25,000 to pass a vote of confidence on the speaker by Mohammed, Jagaba and Maduabum.

“I challenge Jibrin to come to equity with clean hands. Let him release any proof at his disposal to the public on the $25,000 bribery allegation.

“As far as I am concerned, Jibrin is obsessed by his latter day anti-corruption paranoia.

The so-called bribe-for-vote of confidence exists only in his imagination.

“Once a member does not buy into his destructive agenda, such a person must be brought down,” Mohammed said.

“Why can’t Jibrin allow the law to take its course on the allegations before the police and anti-graft agencies? Recourse to self-help, name-calling, maligning of members of the House have revealed his personal agenda against me and some selected members of the House,” Mohammed said, adding that all accused persons were committed to defending all allegations against them.

Also, Jagaba, in a text message said: “Hon. Jibrin’s wrangling is that of an empty vessel that appears to be living under a genetic spell. I cannot continue

to join issues with someone who has neither culture nor character.”

Maduabum, in a statement said Abdulmumini’s claim exists in his demented and diseased imagination.

“Drowning Abdulmumuni is desperately grasping at every straw in his deception, campaign of calamity, demagoguery and propaganda which he has unleashed on innocent public officers whose sole offence is that they fatally misjudged his instability of character and unsuitability to hold public office,” he said.

Abdulmumini, in a statement yesterday, refuted claims that he was being sponsored by external forces to distabilise the House and effect a change in its leadership.

“The worthless and laughable allegation is orchestrated by Speaker Dogara and his gang of thieves to discredit my unstoppable mission. No external forces in this matter. If there are any, they deserve commendation for sponsoring a struggle to wipe out corruption in the House.

“In any case, are the external forces responsible for the massive theft and abuse of office by Speaker Dogara and the 12 other members?” Abdulmumini asked.

“He (Dogara) will soon resort to religious blackmail, forgetting I was the one Muslim from North-west that spearheaded and mobilised resources for his election,” he added.

Abdulmumini expressed appreciation to the APC for what he said was their objectivity at the meeting on Tuesday.

“I will continue to cooperate with the party. But I stand by my allegations against Speaker Dogara and his corrupt gang of 12. We shall continue this struggle. There is no going back!!!”

SDP to Buhari: Fight Poverty Before It Kills Us

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Former Minister Power and a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Dr. Olu Agunloye, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently his energies towards tackling the endemic poverty in the land.

He said the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration to shift its concentration on fighting

corruption to deal with the scourge of poverty.

Agunloye also warned the federal government that the ongoing fight against corruption should not be fight of individual but about institution.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja after picking his nomination to contest the ticket of the party, the former minister promised to bring on board integrity, honesty and trust if given the opportunity to be the next governor of Ondo State

According to him, the time has come for the president to take a deep look on his policies and correct some of the mistakes committed so far for the purpose of raising the standard of living of Nigerians.

He pledged that if he eventually become the next governor, empowerment of the people, payment of salary and pension, raising the standard of living without leaving out infrastructural development.

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It’s Absurd, Criminal for Oshiomhole to Owe LG Workers 18 Months Salaries, Says Ize-Iyamu The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, yesterday said he was with the Edo workers at their moment of discomfort and suffering, over the non-payment of their salaries running into 18 months, assuring them that he would stop their weeping when, by the grace of God, he assumes office as governor of the state in November this year.

The candidate of PDP stated this in a statement issued by the media unit of his campaign organisation, while reacting to a peaceful protest by the local government workers over the non-payment of their salaries, which crippled the entire economic and social activities in Benin City.

Dressed in black attire, hundreds of staff members of different local government councils across the state, stormed Benin City in sorrowful and mournful moods and blocked major roads in the city, protesting the non-payment of their salaries.

The Edo State Government had repeatedly said that workers, including local government council workers, were not being owed salaries.

Expressing solidarity with the workers, Ize-Iyamu

described the action of the state governor as ungodly, absurd and inhuman for subjecting the good people of the state to untold hardship, especially at a time Governor Adams Oshiomhole induced some selected innocent women with N120 million for the purpose of election, when pensioners and local government workers have not been paid 10 to 18 months salaries.

According to him, “It is only a wicked, insensitive and irresponsible governor that will deny the workers their salaries, especially when Oshiomhole just donated N120 million to some selected market women at the Dr. Osaigbovo Ogbemudia Staduim, BeninCity, thanking them for supporting his administration.

“How did he spend the $225 million loan he took from the World Bank, which he said would improve the investment climate and increase the internally generated revenue of the state?

“How can the governor justify the N18 million he pays to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Channels Television at every rally for live coverage when workers are being owned salaries?

“Is it right and just for Oshiomhole to be giving each

local government council N18 million anytime he goes for campaign, spends millions of naira hiring touts and hoodlums and yet, the welfare of government workers means nothing to him?’’

The statement added that the situation in the state was so pathetic that many workers

resorted to begging as result of non-payment of their salaries.

“Now that Oshiomhole is talking about corruption and accountability, we challenge him to justify the amount he spent in designing a mere website in a state, when millions of Edo people are languishing in abject poverty,

and hundreds of roads begging for attention,” the statement added.

Ize-Iyamu reiterated that a vote for the ‘’continuity’’ on September 10 as is being canvassed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), will be a vote for never-ending abject poverty,

unemployment, insecurity and stealing of public fund in the state.

He therefore advised the people to completely reject the APC and its candidate in the coming election for subjecting them to severe suffering in the past seven and a half years.

‘New Federal Fire Authorities Have Repositioned to Reduce Disaster’ Sunday Okobi In its efforts to curb fire incidents in the country, a Coalition of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Good Governance (CCSMEGG), has called on Nigerians to support the Nigeria Federal Fire Service under the leadership of the Controller General, Joseph Garba Anebi, for establishing core values of integrity, intelligence fire based response system which it said has reduced the incidence of fire disaster across the nation with particular reference to fire safety tips for homes, prevention campaigns and improved fire control knowledge across the country.

In a statement jointly signed

by the group President, Kenneth Aigbegbele, and Secretary, James Okoronkwo, CCSMEGG stated that the rapid response and improvement against fire disaster management/control has helped Nigeria to curb high incidences of fire disaster, adding that Nigerians should join hands with the fire service authorities and its leadership to bring these malaise to an end finally.

The group stated that they are encouraged by Anebi’s leadership style and more importantly, his remarkable and selfless campaign on risk assessment and general disaster management “including his nationalistic disposition in tackling this menace head-on, raising the stakes in the battle against fire-fighting, mitigation and therefore averting many fire

disasters at our homes and offices across the country in his avowed determination and commitment to rid the entire states of fire emergencies and disaster, which has attracted commendation of all and sundry including the president.”

The pressure group said: “We also commend the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazua’s model market specification driven by FFS, an initiative where the states are required to build, equipped and manned by FFS personnel, and market fire stations aimed at curbing incessant fire outbreak in our markets and enjoined states authorities saddled with safety matters to adopt this model.”

The statement further remarked that the fire service

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boss, Anebi, is a key asset in President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s fight against fire disaster, and as such, should be commended for modernising, repositioning, revolutionising the FFS for professionalism and effective service delivery.

“And in line with President Buhari’s change agenda, Anebi has, through dynamic and innovative policy frame work based on intelligent and aggressive fire prevention campaign architecture, upgraded and expanded critical infrastructure, training and re-training of officers, enhanced collaborations with sister agencies, robust public relations for the service as well as professionalising fire training courses among others.

THE VERDICT

WHEN THE GHOSTS GO MARCHING ON According to Garafini, the consultant discovered that 207 staff duplicated salary accounts into which monthly stipends are paid simultaneously while 565 are under-aged children on the payroll. The Chairman of Chanchanga, Alhaji Inuwa Adamu Fuka, was later to reveal the existence of 22 ghost schools and 24 head teachers within the local government. In the same Niger State, a medical record clerk was found earning N332,000 every month as against N56,821 to which he was entitled. In a state where ghosts operate bank accounts, let us just say the clerk is another miracle worker!

Last month, the Adamawa government announced uncovering 12,609 ghosts in the state’s local government’s payroll. According to Mr. Maurice Vunobolki, who presented the report to Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla, 38,760 workers were cleared as against 51,369 earlier presented to the committee. About 5,000 workers did not turn up for verification while 1,780 among those that turned up were under aged employees. We all know there is child labour in Nigeria but child ghosts is another thing altogether!

In March, the Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akan Okon, said that the state was partnering with a consultant to help tie all civil servants on the payroll to their BVN. “I believe at the end of the day it will help us to reduce or eliminate ghost workers in Akwa Ibom civil service,” Okon said. Let us say Amen to that. Two weeks

ago, Gombe State announced the commencement of the biometric verification of its 60,000 civil servants to determine the exact staff strength. “The aim of the exercise, which will last one month, is to come out with the exact figure of workers in Gombe State and also block leakages.”, said Malam Aliyu Kamara who added rather ominously, “the exercise is necessary because the income of the state is not even enough to serve the said 60,000 workers, much less attending to the social needs of the over three million Gombe citizens.”

In March, the Secretary to the Ogun State Government (SSG), Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa said “Ogun State is unique as we have continued to engage and dialogue with the Organised Labour. As part of our continued discussions, we have both agreed that we should take advantage of BVN system to ensure that our scare resources are not going to ghost workers”. In Nigeria, you have to negotiate everything, including eliminating thieves from payrolls!

In March, 71 ghosts were discovered by the Osun State government. According to the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission, Mr Dayo Olaluwoye “out of the 71 ghost workers, 39 were deceased while 32 were supposed living individuals that collect salaries without coming to the office.” Same month, 1,600 ghosts were discovered in Nasarawa state. And in the same March, the Oyo State government temporarily expunged the

names of 16, 532 workers and pensioners from its payroll.

According to the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Olalekan Alli, “after the forensic computerized data audit, the consultants found many instances of inconsistencies, variations and entry details that did not tally, involving 16, 532 employees, out of a total 100,250 workforce”. To date, not one of those crooks has been apprehended.

Also in March, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, special assistant on electronic media to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers told Nigerians that his boss now denies ghosts N1 billion monthly in the state. Since no further details were provided, we don’t know how many Port Harcourt ghosts were sharing that jumbo sum among themselves. In June, the Taraba SUBEB announced the discovery of N52 million being paid to ghost primary school teachers every month in the state.

Last month, Alhaji Mannir Dan-Iya, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, disclosed that a verification exercise carried out “yielded fruitful result, whereby about 12, 915 workers, comprising of seat-at-home and ghost workers were fished out of the local governments’ staff payrolls.” In May, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe announced that several politicians and businessmen in the state have over the years connived to retain names of ghost workers in the 17 Local Government Councils’

salary system. “My administration has surprisingly uncovered the culprits. Let me use this occasion to caution the perpetrators of hoarding ghost workers in the 17 council pay rolls that all the names of suspects will be made public to face the wrath of law”, warned Geidam. We are still waiting for the disclosure!

To the extent that the ghosts we are talking about are fictitious workers put on the payroll to earn salaries, there is no way there can be this many in our system without a serious collaboration between the political elites and civil servants either in the states or at federal level. In some instances, even the traditional authorities are involved in this huge scam with many of them (as well as other connected Nigerians) allocated certain number of ghosts for the purpose of drawing funds from the public till. So, this scam is one big organized crime.

However, if you didn’t find your state among the foregoing, please don’t think ghosts don’t operate there. What I have simply done is to highlight 2016 cases.

Yet, in all these details that have come to light, how many people have been brought to justice?

Not a single person! But the problem is not restricted to the states as the Federal Government in May announced that “over 43,000 ghost workers have been removed from the payroll.” How did they get there in a nation where citizens have for almost five years now been subjected to multiple biometric data registration? Yet, notwithstanding all the revelations that we have

been treated to in recent years on this payroll padding issue, the only man brought to justice in Abuja was the pension guy who stole billions. At the end, he was convicted and given a miserable fine which he practically paid from his pocket!

What does the foregoing say about our country? The simple answer is that we are running a system with no accountability.

And because of that, everybody is designing for him/herself looting empires. That is what all the salacious tales about budget padding in the House of Representatives is all about and nobody should believe anything will come out of it by the time the drama is over. For instance, in year 2012, Nigerians were for weeks entertained by revelations of the trillions of Naira siphoned into some private pockets in the name of fuel subsidy (you can check out my book on that monumental fraud, The Verbatim Report, on olusegunadeniyi.com).

What happened? Nothing!

In any case, when you talk about budget padding, unilateral insertion of projects, sharing of money meant for the purchase of arms and all that, you are invariably telling the story of Nigeria. Payrolls are padded; census figures are padded; voters’ registers are padded etc.

The reality of the day is that when statistics have financial implications in Nigeria, there are far too many people within the system who would fiddle with it.

Yet, these crimes are committed with impunity because there are almost always no consequences.

On Tuesday, the panel set up by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to look into the crisis in the House of Representatives said it had met separately with the parties involved. ”They are our members; we should know from them directly what is really going on so that we can see how to handle the situation without necessarily making it a town square dance,” said the APC National Deputy Chairman (North), Senator Shuaibu Lawal.

That should give you an idea of how this criminal issue would end.

However, if President Buhari is really serious about fighting corruption, that matter should not become, as it was in the past, another “family affair”. But on the issue of ghosts, there is need for a proper audit of the payrolls of all 36 states and the Federal Government. If we subtract the emoluments of ghosts from what is due to genuine workers, we may get an idea of our national salary obligation so things may not be as bad as we thought.

All said, it is also glaring that Nigeria will not develop until we can manage to conquer the ghosts in all of us. In a set up where the sharing of government money is the single largest industry, far too many Nigerians are ready to create their own ghosts if only to partake in the bazaar. In a sense, Nigerians may have hit another world record not yet known to Guinness: the greatest manifestation of the duality of man and spirit; all for dubious gains!

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THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2016 • T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT Ambode: No More Safe Haven for Vandals, Militants in Lagos IG recommends LSSTF for other states

Gboyega Akinsanmi Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday said pipeline vandals, oil thieves and militants, whose activities had claimed several lives and dislodged hundreds from their homes in the riverine communities in the state, would no more find safe havens in Lagos creeks.

The governor added that if it would require shutting down some locations where the criminals “are operating in terms of any commercial trade,” the state government would not hesitate go by the option in order to guarantee the safety of lives and properties in the state.

He expressed strong will to keep oil criminals off Lagos creeks at a meeting with the Acting Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Idris Kpotun Ibrahim at Lagos House, Alausa yesterday.

Also at the meeting are Deputy Inspector General of Police (South-west), Mr. Foluso Adebanjo; Deputy Inspector

General of Police (Operation, Force Headquarters), Mr. Habila Jushak and Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, among others.

Alongside the Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, the governor said he had been briefed on the fight against the militants and vandals in Lagos creeks, which he said, had already dislodged them.

He added that the state embarked on Operation Awase in the last one week, saying the operation was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said: “We need to sustain and ensure that these people do not ever go back to the creeks.

On our part as a government, we will do whatever we can do to take the militants and vandals off Lagos.

“If it means shutting down some locations where they are operating in terms of any commercial trade, we will do it and make sure that we guarantee safety of lives and properties.

“We will also provide all necessary support to security agencies to sustain the success we have had in the last few days, we will also do it. You have worked in Lagos before.

The Lagos of then and now is different. The population is over 22 million. The land space is not expanding.”

Ambode, therefore, lamented the ration of police officers serving in the state to its population, noting that the ratio was too wide and could not guarantee effective public order and safety.

He urged the inspector-general “to deploy more police officers to the state. We have space for them. We can build more police stations. We have reduced crime in Lagos by about 70 percent in the last six months.”

He observed that some ugly points on the waterways of the state “have been a source of concern. So, we want to partner with you to say that we want to keep our waterways safe by partnering with you. We need a

greater presence of marine police along our waterways.”

Ambode pledged to give all necessary support, assuring that the state government “can even support them by supplying gunboats. We will take care of proper welfare of police officers assigned to Lagos.

Also speaking, the IG who said he was in Lagos to visit some Police formations in the state commended the state government’s support and cooperation to the police and other security agencies in recent time.

He said the synergy between security agencies and the Lagos State Government “is worth emulating. The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) is a model that other states of the federation can take a cue from.

“When I was Commissioner of Police in Kano State, we had to travel to Lagos to understudy the Security Trust Fund. So it has served as a model for other states in the federation,” the IG said.

In Brief

Kidnapped UNIPORT Lecturer Regains Freedom A lecturer in the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Dr. Reginald Ohiri, who was abducted by gunmen on Monday was yesterday released by his abductors. Ohiri, who is a lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry, was abducted on the eve of Monday from his residence in Aluuu community, Ikwerre Local government Area of the Rivers State. The gunmen who whisked Ohiri away at gunpoint, had after the kidnap demanded N2 million ransom for his release. THISDAY gathered that Ohiri returned home yesterday after he was released by his abductors when they realised he was not their actual target. The authorities of UNIPORT confirmed his release. The spokesman of UNIPORT, Dr. Williams Wodi, stated the lecturer regained his freedom last night (Tuesday) and reported to school on yesterday. Wodi did not say if any ransom was paid before the release, but revealed that the kidnappers informed their victim that his abduction was a mistake in identity. “The man has been released, he left my office a few minutes ago. He was a victim of mistake in identity. That is what the man told when he came to my office,” Wodi said.

Police Announces Reward for Information on Killers of Plateau Monarch The Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Adekunle Oladunjoye,

has announced a N10 million reward for anyone who is ready to offer useful information that will lead to the arrest of the killers of Saf Ron Kulere, Chief Lazarus Agai, who was recently murdered alongside two others at Sha while returning from his farm. Oladunjoye made the offer at the Police headquarters in Jos on Wednesday while addressing journalists during a working visit of the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 4, Agboola Oshodi Glover, to Jos. He said: “So far, no arrest has been made in connection to the murder. We want to ensure that the culprits who carried out the killing are arrested.”

Noting that Plateau has had a fair share of crisis in the recent past, the police commissioner added that “there are also cases of homicide, armed robbery and other various crimes which our men are trying to curtail. Our men are working round the clock to clamp down on all criminals in the state.” He however lamented that patrol vehicles and communication systems are inadequate, “we have spoken with the Plateau State governor and he is willing to assist us”, he assured. Agboola, while also addressing officers and men of the command urged them to be more dedicated and professional in discharging their duties.

Woman Commits Suicide in Kwara

WE WANT OUR LEADER RELEASED

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) staged a peaceful protest for the release of Ibrahim El-Zakzaky for medical treatment in Kaduna...yesterday I DRIS EGAJI

Court Remands Agbele, Fayose’s Ally in Kuje Prisons To rule on bail application today Alex Enumah in Abuja A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday ordered that an associate of Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, Abiodun Agbele, be remanded in Kuje prisons pending the determination of his bail application.

Agbele and three others were yesterday arraigned on an 11-count charge bordering on money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the tune of N4.6billion allegedly transferred from the Office of the National Security Adviser

by Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

The other defendants are; Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd, De

Privateer Ltd and Spotless Investment Ltd. Agbele has been in the custody of the EFCC since June 27, 2016.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba made the remand order after taking arguments from counsel on the bail application moved by counsel to the defendant; Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) who urged the court to grant bail to the defendant on self recognition.

Agbele had pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.

Ozekhome, in an eight paragraph affidavit supported by three exhibits deposed to by one Harrison Obi urged the court to admit his client to bail on self recognition.

He argued that the prosecution in his counter-affidavit failed

to raise any legal issue worth addressing at all, other than bare assertion that the applicant is a flight risk that will jump bail if granted.

While noting that the prosecution have not laid any shred of evidence to support their allegations that the defendant is a flight risk, he said, the onus is on them to show that if granted bail the defendant will abscond his trial.

The defence counsel also supported his argument with an earlier judgment by the court in which the court held that it was not enough for prosecution to make wild allegations without concrete evidence to support its case, adding that the offence is bail able.

While informing that the applicant was granted administrative bail by the EFCC, Ozekhome added that the applicant was arrested by the EFCC right in his house and his international passport has been with the commission and was even used as a condition for his administrative bail.

He therefore urged the court to grant the bail application of his client.

However, objecting to the application, counsel to the EFCC, Jonson Ojogbane urged the court to refuse the bail application on the grounds that if granted bail, the defendant will jump bail. He said the applicant is a flight risk and has perfected plans to flee from the country before he was arrested.

The residents of Oloje area of Ilorin in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State was yesterday thrown into mourning, following the reported death of a middle-age woman simply identified as Medina after she jumped into a well in the area.

The deceased, according to THISDAY checks, was said to have left the comfort of her room about 4:30a.m. on Monday without anyone suspecting what she was up to, only for her lifeless body to be found in a well in the morning of yesterday. It was gathered that her body was said to have been discovered by some residents who went to fetch water from the well. Shocked by what they saw, the residents according to sources, raised the alarm which attracted the attention of sympathisers following which the deceased’s body was recovered from the well. No reason was established for her action but sources close to the family said the deceased had for some times exhibited traits of someone suffering from depression.

Police Nab Suspected Child Traffickers in Bayelsa The police in Bayelsa State yesterday said they had achieved a

major breakthrough in the fight against trading in minors, with the interception of two vehicles conveying 12 children into the state for alleged child labour and trafficking. THISDAY learnt that the two vehicles, a Mazda 626 with registration number BC 645 KSF and a Jetta with marked DX 643 PH were travelling from Akwa Ibom to Bayelsa before they were impounded.

Among the children who were rescued by the police were nine females and three males aged between five and 17 years.

While parading the suspects at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Yenagoa, yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, said they were arrested on Sunday during a routine stop and search operation along the Glory Land Drive. He said: “Policemen during a routine stop and search operation at the Glory Land Drive (in Yenagoa) arrested the two vehicles carrying these children.

“When they were interrogated, they could not tell where they were going. They said their parents are here in Bayelsa, but till now, none of their relatives has come to claim them.”

T H I S D AY THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2016

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

T W E N T Y Y E A R S A F T E R AT L A N TA G O L D

Dream Team VI Begins Search for another Glory Duro Ikhazuagbe Nigeria’s quest for another Olympic football glory 20 years after the Nwankwo Kanu-led generation won at Atlanta, USA, begins in the early hours of tomorrow morning (2am) when the Dream Team VI takes on Japan in Manaus, Brazil.

Between Atlanta ’96 and Rio2016, a lot has changed for Nigerian football. Not even the most audacious Nigerian ball fan is expecting anything from this Class of 2016 led by Chelsea and Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi. Yet, the history of Nigeria’s outings at the Olympic is replete with surprises. Nigeria went against history to defeat Brazil and Argentina in semi final and final in 1996 to win the gold, the first time by an African team.

Will Mikel and co similarly prove that Never Say Die Nigerian spirit at Rio2016?

The trip to Manaus to take on the Blue Samurai on Friday morning has been fraught with the usual Nigerian culture of lack of proper coordination.

The Dream Team finally departed their training base in Atlanta, Georgia, for Brazil after three postponements over delayed issuance of flight tickets.

THISDAY checks revealed that the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) failed to remit the needed funds to pay for the team’s chartered flight into Brazil.

Of course, cash-strapped NOC could not have done that without getting the needed funds from Abuja. Until 4.30pm on Wednesday afternoon, Dream Team players and their officials were stuck in their hotel rooms, waiting for money to be remitted for their trip to Manaus.

But officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) always lampooned for not planning ahead for such engagements yesterday washed off their hands from the mess the Dream Team went through to get to Brazil.

“This is not our fault at all.

qualifying group for the AFC U-23 Championship, dispatching Macau, Vietnam and Malaysia with ease by scoring ten goals across the three matches without

We handed over the team to the NOC two weeks ago and started telling officials of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports the need to tidy up arrangements on time on how to get the Under-23 team to Brazil.

Now, see the embarrassment we all have been made to go through before arriving Brazil for our first match on Friday morning,” revealed the football official to THISDAY yesterday.

However, if travel plans are the only problems the team is having, Coach Samson Siasia who is aiming to go beyond the silver he won against Argentina at the final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will not be sighing the way he is doing today. The Dream Team VI coach does not have the full complement of his key players to be in a position of strength. Kelechi Iheanacho, Aminu Mohammed and Taiwo Awoniyi have been stopped from Rio2016 the same way Arsenal asked Alex Iwobi not to play at the Games.

But Mikel who is leading the team in his quest for the Olympic medal he missed in 2008 when he failed to honour Siasia’s invitation may turn out the motivation for Nigeria. And winning against Japan tomorrow may just set the tone of what to expect in the Group B pairing that also have Sweden and Colombia as Dream Team’s next foes.

The Japanese on the other hand are not the type to wave off with the hands. They are at the Games as Asian Confederation champions.

They dominated their

Ahmed Musa Scores Brace against Barcelona Nigerian forward, Ahmed Musa, showed why he was worth all the money spent to lure him to the English Premier League

by Leicester City from CSKA Moscow yesterday as he crafted two excellent goals in the EPL champion’s 4-2 to Barcelona.

Having been undone by ruthless attacking play in the first half of the International Champions Cup tournament in Stockholm by the Laliga giants, Leicester responded with some of their own. Within minutes of the restart, Shinji Okazaki played Musa through to race away and score the first of his brace.

The industrious vice-captain of the Super Eagles was not

finished there either, pressuring the Barca back-line into an error, then collecting Jeffrey Schlupp’s centre to unleash an unstoppable blast for his second goal.

Leicester City showed commendable resolve to go toeto-toe with Barcelona. The Foxes who are gearing up for their first Champions League campaign had been thrashed 4-0 by Paris SaintGermain in California on Sunday and needed a much-improved second-half showing to avoid a similar outcome yesterday.

Claudio Ranieri’s men found Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi in fine form in the first half, teeing up a brace for Munir either side of the former Liverpool forward’s fine individual effort.

any conceding.

Japan continued that good form into the final tournament, winning all three pool games to top Group B and progress

to the quarter-finals.

The Samurai Blue went on to claim the continental title, coming from two goals down to win the final 3-2 against

Korea Republic and will rely heavily on Arsenals Takoma Asano upfront and veteran Hiroki Fujiharu to seal the back at Rio2016.

Mikel...to complete the full circle of playing for all the national teams tomorrow

Phelps, Murray to Lead Team USA, Great Britain as Flag Bearers Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, was selected as Team USA’s flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games, the United States Olympic Committee announced yesterday.

Phelps, who is the first American male swimmer to qualify for a fifth Olympic Games, was chosen by a vote of fellow Team USA members.

Phelps made history at the Beijing Games in 2008 when he won gold medals in eight events and added to his legacy in 2012 when he became the most

decorated Olympian of all time with 22 career medals, including 18 golds. Set to compete in three individual events in Rio, Phelps, will look to add to his historic Olympic medal haul in 2016.

“I’m honoured to be chosen, proud to represent the U.S., and humbled by the significance of carrying the flag and all it stands for,” Phelps said. “For Sydney, I just wanted to make the team. For Athens, I wanted to win gold for my country. For Beijing, I wanted to do something nobody else had done. In London, I wanted to make history. And now, I want to walk in the Opening Ceremony, take

it all in, represent America in the best possible way and make my family proud. This time around, it’s about so much more than medals.”

Making his Olympic debut at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Phelps became the youngest male Olympian since 1932, and his eight gold medals from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games is an Olympic record.

Similarly, Wimbledon champion, Andy Murray, has been named as the Team GB flag-bearer.

Murray, who was nominated for the prestigious role by his individual sport, was then selected

by the British Olympic Association hierarchy from a list of all the others put forward.

Female reigning Olympic champion boxer Nicola Adams, who would have been the first black sports star to carry the GB flag at a summer Games opening ceremony, had been strongly tipped for the role earlier in the week having been nominated by British Boxing.

Murray was unveiled as the flag-bearer at the official reception for the GB team at British House last night where he is made a speech to help inspire the British medal chase.

TR

Thursday, August 4, 2016

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MISSILE Rochas Okorocha to Imo Workers “The issue of annual leave and casual leave is hereby cancelled. Any worker not found on his or her seat between 7.30am and 4pm on the days concerned will be summarily dismissed. Every political appointee must own a farm” — Imo Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, while introducing a three-day working week (Monday to Wednesday) for civil servants in the state

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

When the Ghosts Go Marching on B ecause I know my readers very well, the expectation would most likely be that today, I will go after the PADDINGtons in the House of Representatives. But like my brother, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, I believe it is better to maintain a “dignified silence” over that for now. Therefore, I have elected to be more adventurous by travelling all over Nigeria to help the Governors look for the ghosts that have been consuming huge chunks of their monthly allocations.

Since oil money is no longer flowing as usual, many of them are now waking up to reality by using Bank Verification Number (BVN) and all manner of committees to pursue these powerful ghosts with interesting results.

The Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa said last month that “from investigations done in the Asaba and Agbor zones within one week alone, “we discovered that there are over 28 strange names, 38 dead teachers, 15 retired teachers and other absconded teachers on the payrolls of certain schools.” Against the background that teachers were usually told to await their reward in heaven, it is interesting that in Delta State, some smart “deceased teachers” are still enjoying their own benefits right here on earth!

In May, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Samuel Okoronkwo, announced the discovery of a scam involving 838 cemetery keepers, even when there is no government cemetery in the state. “The only cemetery in the state is in Abakaliki and it is being managed by the Catholic Church, so what are the cemetery keepers doing?” Okoronkwo asked.

I am not sure any of those ghosts who have been clever enough to hide in cemeteries (where else should they be?) has bothered to reply Okonronkwo.

Meanwhile, in the same state, another set of 250 ghosts were also uncovered in the teachers’ pay roll. “We caught somebody, a level 10 officer, who is given three jobs. He is working in UBEB; Civil Service Commission and another ministry and he has collected about 10 million naira,” executive chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, Hyacinth Ikpor disclosed.

Now, that is a proper “Okunrin meta” operating in Ebonyi, an identified crook who is above the law.

But wait for this: “We have also uncovered a case where a teacher got somebody to be teaching for her since 2012 after she left. The person she hired has been in this school teaching and answering her name while she pays this auxiliary teacher N8, 000 monthly and she takes the rest. And neither

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun the teachers nor the head teacher in the school complained and I was told she lives in Abuja,” said Ikpor. With an untouchable Ebonyi ghost living among us in Abuja, we should be afraid.

In June this year, the Abia State government raised a steering committee to automate the state’s workforce. “No matter the intimidation, we will get the issue of padding of salary right and clear the ghost worker syndrome in the system”, vowed Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s Special Adviser on Economic Affairs, Mr. Obinna Oriaku, while lamenting that “we have a lot of people who are in Abuja, London and other places yet receiving salary here (in Abia).” In this era of globalization, it is actually no surprise that Abia ghosts have gone global!

In the same month, the Bauchi State Government announced the discovery of 6,065 ghosts on its payroll. According to the State Accountant-General, Alhaji Abubakar Gabi, “names of children between eight and ten years of age appeared as teachers on the payroll of the state. We also discovered that some of the pensioners duplicated their payment papers; had the same names, same BVN, same GSM numbers and same account numbers but with different photographs attached. Again we discovered instances where deceased families who had earlier submitted death certificates of their heads and were paid bulk pension entitlements, fraudulently work their way back (into the system) and are still collecting pensions.”

A diligent man, Bauchi Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar said: “Those forces (ghosts) will not fold their arms and allow us to put a

When you talk about budget padding, unilateral insertion of projects, sharing of money meant for the purchase of arms and all that, you are invariably telling the story of Nigeria. Payrolls are padded; census figures are padded; voters’ registers are padded etc. The reality of the day is that when statistics have financial implications in Nigeria, there are too many people within the system who would fiddle with it

stop to their activities; so they were fighting us all through. It is not as if it will happen today and stop tomorrow. They are creating all sorts of bottlenecks for the system.” Let us pray for Governor Abubakar that these ghosts will not overpower him with their “bottlenecks”.

On 29th May this year, Governor Simon Lalung of Plateau State disclosed that his government had traced 1,832 ghost teachers to a single individual who is not even a teacher. According to Lalung, the self-confessed thief who resided in the United States for several years admitted to him (Lalung) on phone that he (the intercontinental ghost) had been drawing salaries for himself and many others to fund a charity for widows and orphans. What a Good Nigeritan!

In June, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina announced the detection of names of children and wives of some prominent persons on the payroll of local government councils in the state. “It is unfortunate that these people have been on the list, collecting salaries for over 20 years. It is also disheartening to note that some people who do not live in the state are collecting salaries every month”, disclosed Masari. Who are these people?

In Nigeria, there is a golden rule for that: Don’t ask. Don’t tell!

Last month, the Kebbi Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Alhaji Bello Barade, said 9,258 ghosts were uncovered in the 21 local councils of the state. At about the same period, 9,720 ghosts were also uncovered in the payroll of Kogi State government. The AuditorGeneral in charge of local governments, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo said “in Kogi State University, there was a case of double employment where a man filled two forms signed by him. He is on the staff of the university and also on the staff of its teaching hospital. This man draws salaries amounting to N560,000 each from the two places,” Ododo said. A teacher and healer combined; why is Kogi State so blessed?

In April, the Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board uncovered 248 fake teachers in nine local government areas. Curiously, the Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Education, Hon Friday Okpechi, directed the authorities in the state to “announce amnesty or give timeframe for fake certificate holders to

surrender such certificates to the screening panel or face the consequence of dismissal”! Amnesty for thieves? Nigeria we hail thee!

Just about two weeks ago in July, Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Mr. SerenaDokubo Spiff, said there were discrepancies in their payroll with cases of ghost schools, ghost teachers, fraudulent designation of status/grade level etc. “Some persons with criminal intention are short-changing the system to the detriment of the state. Members of the teaching staff who may be victims of the activities of these criminal gangs are advised to bring same to the attention of the authorities”, Dokubo-Spiff stated. I am not sure any of these ghosts has reported for arrest or has been brought to the attention of the authorities in Bayelsa State.

Last month (July), a total of 3,916 ghosts were discovered in Enugu State, following a staff audit conducted in the 17 local government councils. A month earlier in June, the Kaduna Head of Service, Mrs Alisabatu Dada-Onazi said 13,000 ghosts had been identified, following a verification exercise that reduced the number of workers from over 88,000 to 75,726 in the state. She vowed that those involved would be prosecuted. While Governor Nasir el Rufai is one man who does not run away from a fight, it will be interesting to see how he would take on the ubiquitous Nigerian ghosts.

In February, the Benue State Government said it had uncovered 1,061 ghosts who were previously on the payroll of public schools. Same month, Governor Willie Obiano announced discovering 850 ghosts in the Anambra state civil service in the course of routine efforts to identify areas of waste. It’s either many ghosts have fled these two states or they are too clever to be found.

In May, the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture, Alhaji Umar Faruk, “highlighted the progress made so far in which over 8,000 ghost workers were identified in the interim report.”

A few days later, Alhaji Adamu Garafini, the Permanent Secretary in charge of the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the Niger State, announced the discovery of 7,000 ghosts in the payroll of the 25 LGAs. Continued on page 51

Abuja Teens Career Conference

I

have been receiving calls and messages from readers about the career conference for teenagers in Abuja being organized by my church with the theme “Your Life, Your Future, Not a Laughing Matter” on 13th August. As earlier stated, attendance is indeed FREE of charge. But all intending participants MUST register online. Seats are limited, so once the maximum number is attained, the registration portal, http://www.rccgteaptens.org/ will be closed. All duly accredited participants will be sent mails on 11th August that will admit them to the conference.

The speakers include the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele; the former Chairperson, Federal Inland

Revenue Service (FIRS) and current chair of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru; the Director General of PenCom, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu; ace comedian, Mr. Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere (aka Ali Baba) and Pastor Eva Azodoh, a medical doctor (consultant urologist) and retired colonel of the Nigerian Army.

The objectives of the conference are to teach the teenagers to take responsibility for their future; have their imaginations fired through interaction with accomplished professionals; make them realise that no matter the odds, they can reach their goals and getting them to understand that God still intervenes in the affairs of men.

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