Tuesday 30th August 2016

External Reserves Rise by $595m as Offshore Investors Stake $327m on Bonds

No reprieve yet for eight banks banned from FX market Oil prices fall on glut, Nigerian rebels

Obinna Chima with agency report Nigeria’s external reserves, which have plummeted for about two months, pared some of the losses in recent weeks when they rose by $595 million in just five days to

$26.196 billion yesterday.

The marginal accretion represented an increase of 2.26 per cent, compared with $25.601 billion as of August 24.

The development was

attributed to the inflow of funds into the country’s fixed income market. THISDAY reported yesterday that there had been renewed interest by both foreign and local investors

in the fixed income market given the attractive yields.

This was largely buoyed by a single $270 million transaction at N345 per dollar

by Citibank Nigeria which

bought 11-months treasury bills on behalf of offshore investors.

But other transactions were carried out at between N314.50 to N317.34 to the dollar.

High Grade Nickel Discovered in Nigeria… Page 8

The FX market registered $327 million worth of trades yesterday, about six times more than its usual volume, the Chief Executive Officer of FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, Mr. Bola Onadele, disclosed.

Continued on page 8

Tuesday 30 August, 2016 Vol 21. No 7795. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Nigerian Economy Has Never Been This Terrible, Okojie Writes Buhari… Page 9

B’Haram Stalls Prisoner Swap with Abducted Chibok Girls Joseph Ushigiale

Fresh facts have emerged on why President Muhammadu Buhari has remained steadfast on his position that the federal government would only negotiate for the release of the abducted Chibok girls with those who are directly

holding them.

It has emerged that two recent attempts in recent weeks by the Federal Government for prisoners swap with the so called representative of the terror group may have reached a Continued on page 6

N’Delta Peace Talks: MEND Recants, Agrees to Work with Clark’s Team Avengers slam Buhari over Boko Haram ‘treatment’ threat Troops sustain operations in oil region Senator Iroegbu in Abuja, Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa and Idowu Sylvester in Warri Citing the need for the Niger Delta to forge a common front in the proposed peace talks between the federal government and militants

in the region, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) yesterday pledged its allegiance to the Edwin Clark negotiation team.

But MEND, which had Continued on page 6

PDP BoT Grants Sheriff's Request to Hold Convention in Abuja… Page 10

President Muhammadu Buhari (right), in a conversation with the Group Chairman of First Holdings Plc, Mr. Oba Otudeko, during the session on Dialogue with the Private Sector at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), held in Nairobi, Kenya… weekend

2

TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016 T H I S D AY

Simple Banking for every Nigerian

Quick Links Airtime (Self) Airtime (Third Party)

*737*AMOUNT# *737*AMOUNT*PHONE NO#

Transfer to GTBank

*737*1*AMOUNT*NUBAN A/C NO#

Transfer to Other Banks

*737*2*AMOUNT* NUBAN A/C NO#

Bill Payment (Startimes)

*737*37*AMOUNT*SMART CARD NO#

Internet Banking Details

*737*6*5#

Generate Token Code

*737*7#

Account opening

*737*0#

Balance check/enquiry

*737*6#

For more information, kindly visit www.gtbank.com/737

Just dial *737# to start. +234 700 GTCONNECT or +234 700 482666328, +234 1 448 0000, +234 80 3900 3900, +234 80 2900 2900

Cote d’Ivoire • Gambia • Ghana • Kenya • Liberia • Nigeria • Rwanda • Sierra Leone • Uganda • UK

Connect with us

Wouldn’t you rather bank with us?

T H I S D AY TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016

3

4

TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016 T H I S D AY

SAVE WITH ASSURED SECURITY

Now you can reach your savings goal in no time with the Savings Club on the PayWithCapture App. It's a more co-ordinated and flexible way to save with friends, all it takes is a standing order that debits all participating accounts so everyone can receive payments when due.

T H I S D AY TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016

5

6

TUESday, august 30, 2016 • THIS D AY

page six N’Delta Peace Talks: MEND Recants, Agrees to Work with Clark’s Team earlier threatened to pull out of the negotiations aimed at ending the spate of vandalism of infrastructure in the oil-rich region, resulting in a significant loss of oil revenue, vowed to closely monitor Clark’s group in the next few months.

The group, which also nominated Mr. Ledum Mitee, an environmental activist; Ibanga Isine, a journalist; and Timipa Okponipere, a lawyer, to represent it in the elder statesman’s committee, insisted that the new group must take into cognisance the progress MEND had made in the talks with the government.

Specifically, the group maintained that the concessions it had succeeded in extracting from the government, including the release of those it described as “political prisoners” such as Henry and Charles Okah, who are in prison for their alleged involvement in the Independence Day bombings in Abuja six years ago, as part of the progress.

A statement signed by MEND’s spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, said the group reserves the rights to recall its nominees in Clark’s group within six months if it noticed anything untoward during the negotiations.

MEND had earlier rejected the Clark group, unlike the Niger Delta Avengers, the most violent of all the groups in the Niger Delta region, which had during its ceasefire declaration, picked the Ijaw leader’s group as its only recognised platform for any peace talks with the federal government.

“Thereby effecting the take off of ‘Operation Moses’, which is also hereby suspended. We sincerely thank all the patriots who honoured our invitation to serve and wish them well in their respective endeavours.

“The disbandment became necessary following MEND’s decision to recognise and work with Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, as the leader of a pan-Niger Delta dialogue and peace initiative.

“We have always advocated that the Niger Delta region must speak with a single voice under a single umbrella body,

otherwise the much-soughtafter peace and development shall elude the region, again.

“Therefore, under the new collaborative arrangement, MEND has nominated Messrs Ledum Mitee, Ibanga Isine and Timipa Jenkins Okponipere to work alongside Chief Clark and other stakeholders.

“MEND shall continue to monitor the pace of progress of the Chief Edwin Clark-led team and reserves the right to recall its nominees after six months.

“Nevertheless, MEND is compelled to categorically warn that it is not yet uhuru.

The Chief Edwin Clark-led new initiative should realise that MEND was already in preliminary talks with the federal government as confirmed by President Muhammadu Buhari himself,” the group stressed.

It added: “In fact, we have so far been able to secure a number of concessions, some of which include, but are not limited to the release of political prisoners.

“We expect that Chief Clark and his team shall follow through with the rest of the dialogue and peace process.”

MEND had initially slammed Clark for lacking the moral authority to champion the restructuring of the country, noting that he and other leaders of the region kept quiet during the six-year administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The group also asked the federal government to ignore the resolution reached at a Niger Delta stakeholders consultative meeting held at the PTI Conference Centre Effurun, Delta State, where Clark formally took charge of leading the ceasefire talks.

It said, among other things, that the leaders of the region failed to categorically condemn the criminal and treasonable activities of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), which has claimed responsibility for series of attacks on oil facilities in the region.

MEND Slams ‘General’ Africa In a related development, MEND also accused the Bayelsa State Government

of sponsoring killings in the state, alleging that the government had been using one of the group’s former commanders, General Africa, to commit crimes against innocent people.

“The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) also condemns in very strong terms, the extra-judicial killings and deception by the Bayelsa State Government-sponsored militia under the leadership of our former commander, Mr. Africanus Ukparasia, aka General Africa, an ex-militant whose legal agreement signed under the presidential amnesty programme clearly forbade him to bear arms under any guise.

“In flagrant violation and disregard of the unilateral ceasefire recently declared by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), and previously declared ceasefire by MEND to give ongoing peace talks a chance, these soldiers of fortune calling themselves Bayelsa State Waterways Security Task Force and their military collaborators have been attacking and killing soft targets such as debtors, personal enemies and perceived informants of NDA and cultists, thereafter displaying their corpses and weapons from the military armoury as if those arms and ammunition were recovered.

“Africanus, his thugs and the military are hereby warned to put a stop to their criminal acts and respect the ongoing ceasefire or else he, Africanus, and all his known fixed assets acquired during the fraudulent amnesty period will become legitimate targets.

“Africanus is also warned not to venture close to any MEND camps as our commanders have been informed to see him as an enemy and defend themselves,” MEND said.

NDA Dares Buhari But as MEND announced a new team to hold negotiations on its behalf, in collaboration with the team led by Clark, the Avengers yesterday broke its silence on the military exercise code-named “Operation

Crocodile Smile” in the oil region, saying no amount of troops’ surge and simulation would make the federal government win the oil war.

The militant group maintained that it knows the secret of the terrain and survival of amphibious operations in the region.

According to a statement by its spokesperson, Mudoch Agbinibo, the Avengers also lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari over his threat to give its members the “Boko Haram treatment” should they refuse to dialogue.

On the military exercise, it declared: “The people of the Niger Delta have been living here from time immemorial, so we have the secret of the terrain and survival of amphibious operations.

“No amount of troops’ surge and simulation exercises will make you win the oil war, you can only win battles. You cannot apply the might of the state to restore the people’s confidence in your leadership when you cannot differentiate between genuine demands and being mismanaged by disorganised characters and tribal lords around you in your government.”

NDA said the president can deceive the whole world but not the Niger Deltans with the “glamorised ongoing military operations in the creeks of Ijaw communities in the Delta coded ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’.”

“The world should know that with your pronouncement in Kenya and your attitude to the military build up in the Niger Delta, it is crystal clear that the military has nothing less than pre-determined genocide in the Niger Delta and it is burning more already scarce national resources in the pockets of those that have failed to locate the missing Chibok school girls,” it stated.

The group wondered why Buhari is ever so eager to talk to foreign nations, rather than speaking to his fellow Nigerians about his plan of action.

It challenged the president to tell his foreign nation friends that his troops are

B’Haram Stalls Prisoner Swap with Abducted Chibok Girls dead end as each time security officials arrive at designated locations with Boko Haram prisoners for the swap, Boko Haram representatives fail to show up as they are required to produce at least 50 verifiable Chibok girls for the first wave of the swap, security officials tell THISDAY. Two hundred and seventy six girls were kidnapped from their school dormitory on April 14, 2014, and although 59 were able to escape, one recently, 217 have remained in captivity, sparking global outrage over their abduction.

THISDAY exclusively gathered that the federal government had through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in conjunction with the Directorate of the State Service (DSS), have in the last two weeks reached back

channels agreements with some on the leadership of the sect on the venue, date and other logistics necessary to facilitate the swap of identified Boko Haram prisoners from specific prisons for the Chibok girls.

The source familiar with the back channel deal said at the appointed time and date, when all was set and the identified prisoners were moved to the location slated for the swap, neither the Boko Haram representatives, its commanders nor the Chibok girls were anywhere near the vicinity, prompting the federal government to return the Boko Haram prisoners to their prison cells.

Boko Haram's inability to deliver the girls, the security source revealed is frustrating the federal government’s efforts to recover the girls.

Given its propensity for reneging on its promise, the source told THISDAY that the development informed the president’s insistence that, going forward, although the federal government remains open to negotiations with the sect for the release of the Chibok girls, his administration would only contemplate further negotiations with any group within the sect’s bona fide leadership who are in possession of the girls as that would have to provide proof of life, as well as verifiable guarantees through credible 3rd parties, including the Red Cross, that they know the whereabouts of the girls.

It is the same reason, the source added, that Buhari two days ago asked the sect to nominate an internationally recognised non-governmental

organisation (NGO) that would negotiate on its behalf for the release of the girls.

The president, while addressing the issue in Nairobi, Kenya, on the sidelines of the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), said: “If they do not want to talk to us directly, let them pick an internationally recognised non-governmental organisation, convince them that they are holding the girls and that they want Nigeria to release a number of Boko Haram leaders in detention, which they are supposed to know.”

The federal government, starting with the Goodluck Jonathan administration, has made a number of efforts to rescue the girls since 2014, but all attempts have failed to date.

about to carry out extrajudicial killings in the Niger Delta in violation of Article Four of the Geneva Convention with “Operation Crocodile Smile”.

“All sane minds know the meaning of the words ‘Crocodile Tears’ so by code-naming your military operation ‘Crocodile Smile’ only betrays your motives and attitude to the whole world about the Niger Delta question.

“The whole world will surely applaud you in The Hague when you leave office!

This is not the Nigeria and the world of the 1980s and 1990s under General Sani Abacha and your watch,” the militia group stated.

Military Sustains Operations As it issued its statement, the Joint Task Force (JTF) yesterday sustained its operations with a show of force around Warri and its environs in Delta State.

Fighter jets were seen hovering around Warri and its environs while military hardware, including new amoured tanks drove round the major roads, while boats mounted with machine guns patrolled the waterways and creeks.

The show of force, which started along the 3rd Battalion barracks at Effurun, took the JTF soldiers across major roads in Warri South and Uvwie Local Government Areas.

Speaking on the exercise, the Commander of the Nigerian Army 4th Brigade, Brigadier General Benbella Raji, said it was in line with Operation Crocodile Smile.

After the road show within Warri and its environs, the operation later shifted to the waterways and the air where armed soldiers took to speed boats, during which the newly acquired guns and speedboats and helicopters were on display.

Also, troops of the 4th Brigade sustained their operations against suspected militants, criminals and other armed groups in the Niger Delta region.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, in a statement yesterday, said that troops in gun and speedboats made tremendous progress, having raided suspected criminal hideouts in the creeks around Ajaosolo, Okogho, Opumani and Obodo general area.

Usman said that the troops, while conducting the exercise on Sunday, intercepted a suspected illegal oil bunkerer with a “Cotonou Boat” laden with crude oil, three 40 horsepower Yamaha speedboats and five 200 litres of illegally refined diesel oil.

He said the troops continued conducting the training exercise near Bomadi town, Bomadi Local Government Area and Pendo and Tuomu in Bururtu Local Government Area in Delta State, respectively.

“Two suspects, Mr. Tokolo Sawyer and Miss Showman Ebi-ere, were

arrested at ‘Loveth Plaze’, while Mr. Kingsley Ebidimo and seven others with unidentified mission were equally arrested at Pendo, as they were found to be in possession of substance believed to be marijuana, an axe, two cutting saws and a long iron bender in their hideout.

“The suspects and exhibits have been handed over to the Nigeria Police at Bomadi,” he stated.

The army spokesman added that the troops continued with their field training exercise after taking possession of two more supporting weapons – a main battle tank, two MineResistant, Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and three Scorpion tanks – from the headquarters of the Nigerian Armour Corps.

He said as part of the training exercise, the troops carried out patrols along waterways in the creeks and recovered two “Cotonou Boats” and a 75 horsepower speedboat, 30 of 200 litres plastic drums containing liquid suspected to be illegally refined crude oil in the creeks at Ovwahwa in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State in the afternoon of Sunday August 28, 2016.

Usman said three suspected persons — Messrs College Owahwa, Joseph Katte and Olisa Patrick — found around the vicinity were arrested. They are currently being questioned, he added.

Based on intelligence reports, he also revealed that two illegal crude oil refineries were identified and destroyed by the exercising troops traversing Ayakoromo and Esaba waterways in Burutu Local Government area of Delta State.

“At about 5.00pm same day, two pumping machines and sets of new pipes used for the construction of illegal refineries and siphoning were found in the bush.

“Two suspects were interrogated to ascertain their involvement on the recovered items. The troops have continued their training exercise without hitch,” he added.

In addition to the training exercise, he said the troops equally carried out free medical outreaches in Sapele and near the Olu of Warri’s palace in Warri.

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN % NPFMFB 0.04 0.99 4.2 SEVEN-UP 3.98 116.98 3.5 CHAMPBREW 0.09 2.70 3.4 WEMABANK 0.02 0.66 3.1 HONEYWELL 0.04 1.40 2.9 TOP LOSERS NGN NGN % UNITYBANK 0.08 0.76 9.5 NAHCO 0.17 3.23 5.0 DIAMOND 0.05 1.07 4.4 NEMINSURANCE 0.04 0.86 4.4 UNITEDCAPITAL 0.10 2.27 4.2 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦825.00 Volume: 83.833 million shares N711.123 billion Value: Deals: 2,279 As at yesterday 29/08/16 See details on Page 44

T H I S D AY TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016

7

8

TUESDAY, august 30, 2016 • T H I S D AY

STARTERS

High Grade Nickel Discovered in Nigeria FG evaluating new mineral discovery A private mining syndicate headed by Mr. Hugh Morgan, a mining industry veteran, has made a potentially “high grade” Nickel discovery in Nigeria, The Australian, an Australian national newspaper, has reported.

According to the newspaper, the discovery is unusual because the nickel is found in small balls up to 3mm in diameter of high purity in shallow soils in what could be the surface expression of a much bigger hard-rock nickel field.

Nickel is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. It belongs to the transition metals and is hard and ductile.

The metal is valuable chiefly as an alloy, as about 60 per cent of world production is used in nickel-steels (particularly stainless steel). Other common alloys and some new superalloys comprise most of the remainder of world nickel use, with chemical uses for nickel compounds consuming less than three per cent of production.

Nickel has been widely used in coins, though its rising price has led to some replacement with cheaper metals in recent years.

Some of world’s largest producers of the metal include Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Indonesia, Canada and China.

The nickel balls discovered in Nigeria, which are rumoured to grade better than 90 per cent nickel and thought to be a world first given their widespread distribution, offer the potential for early cash flow from a simple and low-cost screening operation to fund a full assessment of the find that has exploration circles buzzing.

Details on the find are sketchy. When asked to comment last week, Mr Morgan only said that it was for the Nigerian government to

Fayemi make an announcement.

Nickel is no stranger to the Liberal Party bulwark and former Reserve Bank board member. Between 1990 and 2003 he was chief executive of Western Mining Corporation (taken over by BHP Billiton in 2005) when it was Australia’s biggest nickel producer.

What is known is that the Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is listed to speak at the three-day Africa Down Under mining conference at Perth’s Pan Pacific Hotel next month, with past conferences drawing bumper crowds.

Fayemi is to speak first on Wednesday, September 7, while Morgan will follow along with consulting geologist Louisa Lawrance.

Morgan is listed as speaking as a director of the private company Comet Minerals.

The discovery of Titan is rumoured to be close to Dangoma, a small farming town in the outskirts of Kaduna State.

Fayemi is one of 13 African mines ministers to attend this year’s Africa Down Under, reflecting the importance African nations place on attracting Australian mining expertise and funding for mining.

Nigeria itself has a stated ambition to grow its mining sector as an offset to its dependence on the oil industry, which has been ravaged by the slump in prices.

It has said it wants to attract billions of dollars of new investment in the sector, a push that could benefit from likely international interest in the Titan find by Morgan’s private syndicate.

Earlier this month, Fayemi told Bloomberg that about $US5 billion would “kickstart the mining sector”.

“In two to five years, we would have started production of iron ore, lead, zinc, bitumen, nickel, coal and gold at a serious scale,” he said.

Efforts to get to speak to Fayemi on the discovery of high grade nickel in the country were not successful as phone calls and texts to his mobile phone were unanswered.

However, a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development Mr. Mohammed Abbas said the ministry was aware of the occurrence of the mineral in the area in Kaduna State, and appealed to the public to give the ministry more time to arrive at reports on the new discovery.

He said: “Since the first discovery many months ago, technical experts from the ministry have been following up on this development as provided by law.

“We appeal to the general public to allow the ministry to come up with detailed reports on the new find.”

EXTERNAL RESERVES RISE BY $595M AS OFFSHORE INVESTORS STAKE $327M ON BONDS Average trading is around $50 million a day on normal days, but might reach $100 million on days the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intervenes in the currency market.

Traders told Reuters that the central bank sold an undisclosed amount of dollars close to the end of market session, to help prop up the naira.

Yesterday’s surge in trading came after the central bank said on Friday that it planned to offer N212.85 billion treasury bills maturing between 91-days and 1-year this week.

The central bank said it would sell N45.85 billion worth of the 91-day bills, N62 billion of the 182-day paper and N105 billion of the 1-year debt. Payment for the purchase will be effected on Thursday.

The CBN has been selling short-dated open market bills at yields as high as 18 per cent in an effort to attract offshore funds, most of whom fled Nigeria’s bond and equity markets during a financial crisis that began when oil prices plunged.

The crisis ultimately led the central bank to let the naira’s value float in June.

Yet, despite the intervention by the banking sector regulator, the spot rate of the naira fell to N318.83 to the dollar on the interbank forex market yesterday, down from the N314.95 last Friday.

On the parallel market, the naira also fell to N413 to the dollar yesterday, down from the N412 to the dollar last Friday.

The central bank ditched its 16-month-old peg on the naira in June and introduced a flexible exchange rate regime to allow the currency to trade freely on the interbank market.

But dollar liquidity has remained a concern in the system with periodic interventions by the central bank. The situation was exacerbated by the suspension of eight banks from the FX market last week due to their failure to return the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Company dollar deposits to the Treasury Single Account (TSA) domiciled with the CBN. However, at the end of the meeting yesterday between the Body of Bank CEOs that met with

the CBN on the suspension of the eight banks, the central bank still did not readmit the financial institutions into the FX market.

“The ban has not been lifted, but the central bank is looking at it positively and we expect that in the coming days the matter would be resolved,” a source told THISDAY. A bank CEO, who was at the meeting, also confirmed that the meeting was positive and also dwelt on measures to improve liquidity in the FX market.

He said: “I can confirm that we met and it went very well. We discussed the situation in the forex market and the speculative pressure that persists due to insufficient dollar supply.

“On the eight banks suspended from the market, we all agreed that the ban will in itself make it impossible for the affected banks to repay the dollar deposits belonging to NNPC and NLNG, could further hamper the efforts they were already making to raise the funds from offshore sources, and could cause a run on the banks.

“So we are hopeful that the CBN will consider the plea we made so as to prevent a systemic crisis and unintended consequences on the entire economy.”

The bank CEO, who preferred not to be named, expressed optimism that the matter would be resolved soon.

Oil Prices Fall In the oil market, prices settled down more than one per cent yesterday, snapping two consecutive days of gains, on caution over galloping Middle East crude output and a firmer dollar boosted by speculation of a U.S. rate hike by year-end.

A pledge by Nigerian militants to end hostilities against the oil industry also appeared to have paved the way for more crude exports from Africa’s No. 1 producer, which experienced numerous pipeline blow-ups and other disruptions to output earlier this year.

Key Middle East oil producer Iraq, which has exported more crude from its southern ports in August, will continue ramping up output, its oil minister said on Saturday.

The world’s top crude exporter Saudi Arabia has also kept output at around record levels this month, reported Reuters.

The dollar hit a three-week high against the yen after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen bolstered expectations in a speech on Friday that the central bank would raise interest rates soon.

A stronger dollar makes commodities denominated in the greenback less affordable for holders of other currencies.

The focus on production and the strengthening dollar offset data from energy monitoring service Genscape, showing a drawdown of 287,444 barrels at the Cushing, Oklahoma delivery point for U.S. crude futures during the week ended August 26, traders who saw the Genscape report said.

Brent crude LCOc1 settled down 66 cents, or 1.3 per cent, at $49.26 a barrel.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 also finished down 66 cents, or 1.4 per cent, at $46.98.

Oil rallied with few stops from early August until mid last week after hints by Saudi Arabia and fellow members of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that they might agree to an output freeze with non-OPEC oil producers at a meeting in Algeria on September 26-28.

“The market is increasingly likely to discount the outcome of the event, given, even in the instance of a freeze being agreed, compliance will be an issue,” Barclays said in a report.

Despite that, some analysts cautioned investors against taking an outright short position on oil, as OPEC was likely to counteract with production freeze talk.

“While we see high probability of some 80 to 90 per cent of a return to $39 WTI, we also feel that achievement of this objective could still be some four to five weeks away,” said Jim Ritterbusch of Chicago-based oil markets consultancy Ritterbusch & Associates.

Despite a rebound this year, oil has continued to trade at less than half of mid-2014 peaks above $100 due to glut fears. Senior officials at Shell and ConocoPhillips told an industry conference in Norway the oversupply could extend into 2017.

Two-Minute Briefing NEWS Dangote, Bono Consider

Global Partnership to Address Humanitarian Crisis in Northeast Bono and Alhaji Dangote yesterday met with Prof. Osinbajo to discuss the possibilities of a global partnership to address the humanitarian crisis in North-east Page 9

EDITORIAL Missing But Not Forgotten

On July 31 this year, Mojeed Kola Animashaun, a 54-year-old father left his Ikorodu, Lagos residence. He is yet to return. Mr. Hope Ejerovbo was last seen much earlier on July 5 at a restaurant on the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos before he was declared missing, Page 15

POLITICS A Challenge to the Status Quo Why should a state governor provide virtually all the logistics needed for the operations and efficiency of the police and yet does not have any authority over them, asks Davidson Iriekpen Page 16

FEATURES Abuja-Kaduna by Rail

Dele Ogbodo reports on the excitement and trepidation onboard the new Abuja-Kaduna rail journey Page 18

BUSINESS Gas Suppliers: Nigeria Not

a Good Destination for Investment takeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas Stakeholders industry have passed a verdict that following the slash in domestic gas supply by more than half due to the N'Delta crisis…

Page 21

PROPERTY ‘Novare Lekki Mall Brings

Over $83m FDI to Lagos’ The Novare Lekki Mall in Lagos is an iconic project, and it brings with it foreign direct investment of over $83 million, according to the Chairman of the company, Professor Fabian Ajogwu.

Page 28

INTERNATIONAL Brazil: Rousseff Begins Defence

in On-going Impeachment Trial President Dilma Rousseff yesterday took a stand yes- terday, insisting that she had committed no crime and said she was proud that she’d been “faithful to my commitment to the nation.”

Page 35

SPORTS TSA Delaying Siasia’s Five-month Wages, Says Sanusi Dr Mohammed Sanusi has revealed that the five-month salary arrears owed Samson Siasia is caused by the procedures involved in releasing money from theTSA introduced by FG last year.

Page 46

9

TUESDAY AUGUST , 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Dangote, Bono Consider Global Partnership to Address Humanitarian Crisis in North-east Tobi Soniyi and James Emejo in Abuja

Rock star, Paul David Hewson, (aka Bono) and Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, yesterday met with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa to discuss the possibilities of a global partnership to address the humanitarian crisis in North-eastern part of the country through international advocacy.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, said Osinbajo told the delegation that the federal government would welcome a global partnership that would ensure a concerted and focused international response to the humanitarian crisis in the North-eastern region.

Bono leads the ONE campaign group, an advocacy organisation with more than seven million people around the world taking action to end extreme poverty and preventable diseases especially in Africa.

It has on its board people like Mo Ibrahim, Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg among others. It was founded in 2004.

Addressing members of the delegation that included former UK Development Secretary Douglas Alexander, Osinbajo said: “It is very important that you chose to come and offer some partnership. This is great and we are pleased…Partnership is certainly the way to go.”

He said no matter how prepared a country could be, handling the kind of crisis in

the North-east with two million displaced people including children would prove a difficult task.

According to him, a global partnership to address the situation should be coordinated and more focused on what was required to be done, for instance, in addressing the issue of malnourished children and not attempting to do too much things at once.

Speaking earlier, the Irish-born artist, Bono, said he had visited some of the IDPs, saying “We want to be useful to you.”

Bono added that what he saw in the region was “deeply disturbing.”

He also commended the social investment programmes of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, saying: “We have heard of the incredible plans, the social investment funds,” adding also that the level of transparency already seen in the administration is both “very exciting and transforming.”

Meanwhile, Dangote, yesterday at the meeting, disclosed that a total sum of N4.5 billion had so far been spent by the Dangote Foundation in trying to provide succour to IDPs in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, which have been ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency.

He added that the foundation would continue to reach out to the victims until the end of the current programme by government to restore normalcy to the people.

Bono, who is currently in the country to draw international

support for victims of insurgency in the North-east said funding to the region needed to be scaled up in order to achieve maximum impact.

Bono further lamented that of the estimated $300 million required as part of the reconstruction programme, only about $100 million had so far been realised, stressing that going by the magnitude of destruction and deprivation in affected areas, there’s need to scale up resources to cope with the humanitarian crisis.

He said working with the Dangote Foundation, he would use his ONE Campaign NGO platform to garner global support

towards addressing the plight.

According to both Dangote and Bono, the new partnership will focus on the most marginalised citizens, particularly girls and women, who face the brunt of poverty and help empower those most at risk from extreme poverty, extreme climate and extreme ideology.

Specifically, Dangote said: “I am in ONE and partners across Nigeria to strengthen civil society and help the government respond to our ongoing health needs and the urgent malnutrition crisis in North-east Nigeria.

ONE’s extensive network of youth groups and its 2.3 million members will help

bring international attention to and action on these issues. All of us can and must do more.”

On his part, Bono, an ambassador for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the leader of the rock group, U2, said: ”I am proud to be standing alongside Dangote, whose foundation works for the future of Nigeria and Africa through its young people. The youth of Nigeria, Africa and indeed everywhere are like rocket fuel- there are no limits to how far they can go, they can transform the continent-or they can blow up in your face. Harnessing their energy

requires investment in their education, employment and healthcare.”

Bono said he was particularly heartbroken at the condition of displaced persons-some children never knew their parents and some severely malnourished.

A particular account was painted by Dangote, where Bono asked a woman in Borno State why she had not breastfed her child - only for the woman to strip her chest bare, revealing her breasts and telling Bono she had no milk to give to the child - once again, depicting the horrible condition of the humanitarian crisis at hand.

A VISIT TO ASO ROCK

L-R: President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Rock star, U2 lead singer, Paul David Hewson, (aka Bono); Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment, Mrs. Mariam Uwais, during a courtesy call on the Vice President by Dangote and Bono at the Presidential Villa in Abuja ...yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI.

Yakubu: 100 INEC Staff under Nigerian Economy Has Never Been this EFCC Probe Terrible, Okojie Writes Buhari between the INEC Chairman Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and media executives as he Says country risk descent to anarchy, corruption The Chairman of the visited the offices of four Independent National Electoral national newspapers, namely: Commission (INEC), Professor The Tribune, Punch, The not restricted to one party Mahmoud Yakubu, has said so far not less than 100 staff of the commission have been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He said based on the revelations, the number facing investigation has kept increasing.

In a statement issued by the commission yesterday, Yakubu said though the list of staff has kept increasing, the commission was co-operating with the anti-graft commission and that ultimately staff who were culpable would “be shown the way out.”

According to him, “So far, over a hundred staff of INEC have been invited. At a point, we toyed with the idea of speaking to the EFCC to see the weight of evidence they have so that we can take administrative action against our staff, but they are innocent until they are proven guilty.

They have to be charged to court, but we have taken notice and we have a complete list.

Any nation that does not punish violators is doomed.”

This refrain was the thread that ran through the interactions

Nation and The Guardian last Thursday and Friday.

Yakubu who made clarion calls for the establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission and Tribunal as prescribed by the Justice Mohammed Uwais and Ahmed Lemu Commissions at each of his visits, noted that inconclusive elections were brought about largely by violence and that the only way to put to rest this spectre of violence that continues to haunt elections is to put in place a mechanism that punished offenders, arguing that “there are people who believe that they can do anything and get away with it.”

On the vacant positions in the INEC board, Yakubu expressed optimism that following representations made by the commission to the presidency, the outstanding six (National Commissioners and 21 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) would soon be appointed to replace those whose tenures have lapsed.

He stressed that the prerogative of nominating or appointing the commissioners was that of the president.

Paul Obi in Abuja The Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Olubumi Okojie yesterday in a worded letter to President Muhammadu Buhari said the Nigerian economy has never been this terrible as compare to the present situation under the incumbent government.

Okojie warned that if drastic actions are not taken to rescue the country from the prevailing crisis by the Buhari’s administration, Nigeria risk a descent to anarchy.

He stated that it was wrongheaded for the administration to continue to lay blame on former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.

Okojie said: “The Nigerian economy has never been in a state as terrible as this. You as president are like a pilot of an aircraft flying in turbulence.

Turbulent times bring the best or the worst out of a pilot.

“We can no longer blame the turbulence on past administrations. You know quite well that some of the officials of your administration served in previous dispensations. Blame for

what we have been experiencing is in fact bipartisan in character.

“The entire political class needs to come together, irrespective of party differences, to acknowledge its collective guilt and to seek ways of saving the sinking ship that our country has become.”

Okojie observed that “this cannot be done if some officials of your administration demonise and alienate members of the opposition.

Today, cries of ‘hunger’ could be heard across the length and breadth of our vast country.

Nigerians hunger, not only for food, but also for good leadership, for peace, security and justice.

“This letter is to appeal to you to do something fast, and, if you are already doing something, to redouble your effort. May it not be written on the pages of history that Nigerians die of starvation under your watch. As president, you are chief servant of the nation. I therefore urge you to live up to the huge expectation of millions of Nigerians. A stitch in time saves nine.”

On the way forward, the retired Archbishop of Lagos said: “This is the second year

of your administration. You and your party promised to lead the masses to the Promised Land. It is not an easy task to lead. But by campaigning for this office, you offered to take the enormous task of leadership upon yourself.

Nigerians are waiting for you to fulfill the promises you made during the campaign. They voted you into office because of those promises.

“The introduction of town hall meetings is a commendable idea.

But in practice, you, not just your ministers, must converse with Nigerians. You are the president.

You must be accountable to them.

The buck stops on your desk.

Even if your administration has no magic wand at least give some words of encouragement.

“On this same score, please instruct your ministers, and insist that they be sincere and polite at those town meetings. Their sophistry will neither serve you nor Nigerians. Mr. President, if you want to leave a credible legacy come 2019, in all sincerity, please retool your administration.

Change is desirable. But it must be a change for the better. Let this change be real. Change is

not real when old things that we ought to discard refuse to pass away.”

According to Okojie, Buhari “needs to take a critical look at your cabinet, at the policies and programmes of your administration, and at those who help you to formulate and execute them. You will need to take a critical look at the manner of appointments you have been making.

“It is true that commonsense dictates that you appoint men and women you can trust. But if most of the people you trust are from one section of the country and practice the same religion, then you and all of us are living in insecurity.

“If a large portion of the blame for the present situation is to be laid on the doorsteps of the entire political class, the search for solution must involve everyone. That is why no one should be alienated. All hands must be on deck. This is the time to revitalise moribund industries, reinvigorate our agriculture,

Cont’d on Pg 40

10

TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Present Economic Recession in Nigeria a Blessing, Says Utomi Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City A renowned political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, has described the recession presently facing Nigeria as a golden opportunity and not a problem, saying it is an opportunity to finally get the Nigerian economy right.

Utomi who spoke during the ground breaking ceremony of Integrated Produce City (IPC), a private initiative championed by him and other investors at Ugbokun community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, added that without appearing to scandalise

anybody, he actually prays for oil prices to stay down for a long time for Nigerians to come to their senses to know that the country is really rich.

His words: “Let me shock you by saying that the recession we face in Nigeria is a golden opportunity. It is not a problem; it is an opportunity to finally get the Nigerian economy right.

“So without appearing to scandalise anybody, I actually pray for oil prices to stay down and stay down for a long time.

Then, we will come to our senses and we will know that Nigeria really is a rich country.

“Right now, we are not

PDP BoT Grants Sheriff’s Request to Hold Convention in Abuja Give Makarfi-led caretaker committee thumbs up Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has yielded to one of the demands by the former National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to hold its next national convention in Abuja.

The BoT yesterday directed the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee to consider Abuja as the venue for the next national convention as part of efforts aimed at resolving the lingering leadership crisis rocking the party.

While passing a vote-ofconfidence on the National Caretaker Committee, the BoT charged the committee to as soon as possible convene a meeting of the National Executive Committee to accordingly approve proposals for moving the party forward.

The embattled former national chairman of the party had given some conditions as part of the conditions to resolve the crisis in the party, one of which is to hold the national convention in Abuja.

Sheriff also demanded the removal of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State as head of convention planning committee.

In a communiqué read by its Chairman, Senator Walid Jubrin, shortly after its meeting which lasted for about four hours, the BoT directed that a new convention planning committee be immediately constituted by the caretaker committee.

However, Jibrin said the planning committee, BoT should be approved by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) this time around.

The BoT communique read: “The next convention should be held in Abuja. To ensure a credible, transparent, free and fair convention, a new convention planning committee should be constituted by the national caretaker committee and approved by NEC.” As part of the plans to seek alternative funding platform for the convention, Walid said the BoT had accepted to facilitate the raising of adequate funds

for the party.

He said the board had resolved that the reconciliation committee headed by Prof.

Jerry Gana should continue with all its efforts to achieve full reconciliation.

Meanwhile the Sheriff-led faction of the party has defied the latest peace overtures made by the PDP BoT and has continued to pursue its own agenda.

The group claimed that its faction of the National Working Committee had directed a comprehensive review of the outcome of primary it held for aspirants for the Ondo State governorship election.

In a statement issued by its National Organising Secretary, Mr. Okey Nnaedozie, the faction said it had received series of serious phone calls and petitions regarding the processes of the primary it ordered for the Ondo State governorship election, which was held in Ibadan yesterday morning.

According to Nnadozie, while the result from the exercise is at best tentative, until approved by the NWC, “the NWC wishes to assure all aspirants, stakeholders, members and teeming supporters of the party in the state that it will comprehensively review the processes and circumstances of the exercise accordingly.”

Nnadozie said the decision was as a result of serious reports claiming that proper accreditation was not done for the exercise.

“The review therefore will enable the NWC take an informed decision on whether to conduct a fresh primary or uphold the result from today’s (August 29, 2016) exercise.

“The NWC notes that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given political parties up to September 19 to conduct primaries for the Ondo governorship election.

“Finally, the National Chairman, Sheriff, assures all aspirants, members and supporters of our great party in Ondo State and across the nation that the NWC will come out with the best possible position on this matter,” he said.

behaving as we should be behaving. Competitively-driven industrial policy in select value chains will be helpful in confronting the misery index and bringing hope to millions.”

He said Integrated Produce is unique first, because it aims to confront the biggest monster facing agriculture in Nigeria, which is yield losses - the poor returns that farmers get, as middle men scoop everything up, the profits that slip away in these kinds of disarticulated markets and the poor infrastructure challenge that face people in agriculture.

According to him, “With a well organised trading platform, accessing commodity exchanges, efficiencies increase at a pace that increases global competitiveness on the produce in which our factor endowment are strong.”

On his part, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State who performed the ground

breaking ceremony, described the Integrated Produce City (IPC) as a sheer commitment by the investors to combat poverty, noting that it is the first produce city in the heart of Benin kingdom.

“Today we are having the first produce city right in the heart of Benin Kingdom few minutes’ drive from Benin City. I want to appreciate you, your wife, your boss because we know that the neck controls the head.

“This is an event that will kick-start what will add meaning and value to thousands of people both within and outside here.

What you have done by this initiative is to demonstrate that there are Nigerians who have those qualities that we celebrate elsewhere. All those who teach can also practicalise what they teach and practically in the country you are one of those teachers.

“This gathering couldn’t have

been better not just what we have been telling people in the past three months that our candidate said he would create 200,000 jobs many believe that it is not possible and that brings you to two divides of Nigerians that we have those who believe that our future lies in that lazy tradition of extracting the liquid gold and exporting it with little or no value to it, bring dollar home, quarrel over sharing it, do some symbolic public toilets and buildings, and then privatise the rest and import more,” he said.

Oshiomhole who thanked all the foreign partners to IPC for showing confidence that they can come and invest in the state, also enjoined the host community to regard the project cited in their community as their own and defend it as their own as they stand to benefit more.

In his welcome address, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural

Resources, Joe Plague, saluted the courage of IPC, saying the project was timely because it is in line with the agricultural policy of the state, more so with the concept of combining farming with industry.

He therefore promised that the state government would do everything possible to ensure the purpose of the project is achieved.

Also in his speech, the representative of Ugbokun community said his people would ever remain grateful for the project because it is going to open the forest that has become a hideout for hoodlums who use it to attack unsuspecting travellers.

He therefore requested that government should establish a police station in the community to help safeguard the investment, while calling on the management of IPC to take care of the interest of the host community.

WE CAN NOW DO BUSINESS

L-R: Government and Industry Relations, Ericssion sub-Sahara Africa, Mr. Shiletsi Mkofhane; Managing Director, Head of Ericssion Nigeria, Mr. Johann Jemdahl; Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone Limited, Mr. Yusuf Kazaure; and Company secretary/General Counsel, Galaxy Backbone, Mr. David Lanre Leke, during the partnership and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ericsson and Galaxy Backbone in Abuja....yesterday

Two Killed in Collapsed Abuja Building Olawale Ajimotokan and Dele Ogbodo in Abuja Disaster struck in Abuja in the early hours of yesterday when two construction workers were killed in a building that collapsed in the city.

The structure under construction at Plot 444 in Wupa District of Gwarimpa, is said to be located at Gwarimpa, one of the biggest estates in West Africa.

The four-storey building went down, trapping the construction workers in mangled irons and concrete slabs.

Two of the rescued labourers were rushed to the hospital where they are responding to treatment.

Sources at the scene gave the names of the rescued workers as Timothy and Hakeem.

Support agencies led by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Julius Berger and Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps

and Development and Control Department of FCDA rushed to the scene to rescue those trapped in the rubble.

Construction giant, Julius Berger brought in heavy tractors and crane, while police dogs were sniffing around for vital signs of those still alive.

THISDAY was informed at the scene by the Special Assistant, Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abubakar Sani, that the structuremight have collapsed because it was built with substandard materials.

The building was said to be under the supervision of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) which allocated the plot in 2009.

According to Sani, the developers violated what was approved in the plan by erecting a four-floor structure, as against the original plan which only permitted for a suspended floor and a car park.

He also disclosed that the FCDA only found out that the land where the structure was built was a green area reserved for recreation activities, saying that FHA did not inform FCTA until the unfortunate incident yesterday.

“When FHA found that there was a violation of the building plan, they gave an immediate order for work to stop, but unfortunately the developer refused to comply. Unknown to FHA, the developer was using sub-standard materials, which compromised the structure, resulting in its collapse. We have commenced rescue operations and full investigation into the incident,” Sani said.

But a statement signed by Managing Director FHA, Prof Al-Amin Mohammed, stated that they approved the plan for the developer for a shopping mall.

The authority, however, added that early this year, its development

control personnel discovered that work had commenced on a structure behind the mall which was not covered by the earlier approved plan.

It said three contravention notices were issued to the developers, followed by a stop work order, prompting a final demolition notice to be issued on the ill-fated structure in line with established protocols. ‘’We are in consultation with Development Control Department of FCDA for its support in handling the contravention and a follow up meeting was scheduled for this week before the structure came down. FHA is working with the relevant government agencies in the on going rescue operation,” Mohammed said.

Mohammed said FHA complied with established building plan approval and development procedures at all its locations and enforces same with all developers operating on its sites.

T H I S D AY TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016

11

12

TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

NPower Project: Nigerian Manufacturers Cry Foul over Plot by Osinbajo’s Office to Favour Foreign Firm Davidson Iriekpen As information and c o m m u n i c a t i o n technology (ICT) companies in the country jostle for a fair share of the supply of 500,000 computers to empower Nigerian youths in the federal governmentsponsored NPower project, some local firms have accused the office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo of trying to favour a foreign firm and its proxy.

The NPower programme is an ambitious project of the President Muhammadu Buhari government which hopes to buy 500,000 computers for the 500,000 unemployed graduates it is about to recruit and deploy to schools and other sectors.

The Office for Nigerian Content in ICT as well as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have voiced their preference for the patronage of local computer manufacturers in the course of executing the project, arguing that it would not only arrest capital flight but also help to create jobs within the country.

However, some members of the Certified Computers Manufacturers of Nigeria (CCMON), the umbrella body of indigenous computer manufacturers, have accused

the office of vice president of orchestrating a plot to award the contract to a foreign firm through its Nigerian proxy.

Impeccable presidency sources said three firms namely: Brian Systems, Zinox and Softcom, had been shortlisted in the bid process.

While Brian and Zinox are members of CCMON, the third company is said to be fronting for Samsung of South Korea.

Industry sources said they have information that some persons in the vice president’s office are hatching a plot to award the contract to the agent of the foreign firm which has no known pedigree and experience in delivering critical jobs of this magnitude.

The plot to award the contract to a foreign company against the ongoing campaign of the Buhari government to patronise local manufacturers has enraged some indigenous firms.

A chief executive of an indigenous company (name withheld) which was not short-listed in the bid, said he was not bothered by the fact that his company did not make it in the bid process but he did not hide his disgust at the news that the promoters of the NPower project are contemplating awarding the

contract to a foreign company.

“It will be a disaster and disgrace to the reputation of President Buhari if the office of the vice president goes ahead to involve a foreign company in a project in which there are qualified and certified indigenous companies who can effectively deliver world class products and support services. Giving the job or any part thereof to a foreign firm will only help to grow the economy of that country, create jobs for its youths while the Nigerian economy continues to shrink with attendant job losses.

Whoever that is scheming to involve a foreign company in the deal is an enemy of Nigeria,” he said.

The federal government’s Npower project seeks to empower and engage Nigerian youths and build a new legion of technologysavvy Nigerians.

Osinbajo while promoting the programme recently at a forum, said: “The key to change and our future prosperity lies in innovation and is critical to our development.”

He said government would establish an Innovation Fund this year that would deploy significant resources for the aim of creating opportunities for the youths to access fund for innovation and entrepreneurship.

CURRENT POLL IN SOCIAL POLICY THE FEDERAL AND MANY STATE GOVERNMENTS ARE STARTING PROGRAMMES TO REDUCE POVERTY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHO THE POOR ARE. DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD MEASURE THE LEVEL OF POVERTY IN NIGERIA A)YES B)NO

9% RESPONSE RATE 141,511 RESPONDED OUT OF 1,581,871 POLLED

2 QUESTIONS POLLED ON THIS TOPIC AUG 24, 2016

AUG 24, 2016

Do you think we should measure the level of poverty in Nigeria

Mention three household items which no family in Nigeria should be without.

AUG 24, 2016

Mention three household items which no family in Nigeria should be without.

AUG 24, 2016

81,634 responded out of 140,917 polled RESULT

Do you think we should measure the level of poverty in Nigeria?

141,511 responded out of 1,581,871 polled

STATISTICS LOCATIONS GENDER

AGE

.............................................

NO

YES

....

1. WATER 2. A STOVE 3. FOOD 9% JOIN U-REPORT. TEXT "JOIN" to 24453

90%

.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY

13

T H I S D AY TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016

SUCCESS STORIES OF THE BOI-NYSC GRADUATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP FUND (GEF) “ The Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund from the Bank of Industry has been wonderful.

BOI has done remarkably well by giving young, business-minded people like myself, the opportunity to be able to set up our businesses, create jobs for ourselves as well as other youths thereby making our dreams and ideas come to reality” Aniele Bobby Ndubisi

“...A lot more can be done for thousands of youth corps members across the country since there are three batches in a year” Waheed A. Olagunju

Ag. Managing Director & CEO, Bank of Industry

BobSlick Logistics and Laundry | NYSC Batch A, 2015

THE BOI-NYSC GRADUATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP FUND

…supporting youth entrepreneurship

14

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

COMMENT

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

NEED FOR EFFECTIVE PRISON REFORM

T

Henry Udutchay argues government must pay more attention to the prisons

he recent jailbreaks at Koton Karfe Prison in Kogi State and Nsukka Prison in Enugu State, where about 32 inmates serving various jail terms escaped, once again, reinforced the clamour for effective reform of the country’s prison system.

What is particularly disturbing is the frequency of jailbreaks in our prisons. For instance, prior to the recent jailbreak at Koton Karfe Prison, it had recorded two previous jailbreaks. The first occurred in 2013, while the second took place in 2014. The Kuje Medium Prison in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, recorded an embarrassing jailbreak and there was an attempted jailbreak in Abakaliki Prison in Ebonyi State where 10 people, including some notorious criminals, were shot dead. Similar jailbreaks also occurred in Enugu, Lagos and other parts of the country. These jailbreaks have no doubt exposed the porosity and rottenness of our prison system. They also call to question about the commitment of the government towards effective prison administration.

A visit to any of the prisons in the country will reveal their deplorable state. Virtually all the prisons in the country lack basic amenities. Even the newly established ones are operating in dilapidated structures which are not conducive for human habitation.

Apart from infrastructural decay, there is also the problem of accommodation. Available records showed that all the prisons in the country have been stretched beyond their capacity. For instance, the Kuje Medium Prison, which has capacity for about 500 inmates, is now harbouring nearly 1,000 inmates. This, no doubt, has far-reaching security implications, especially considering the fact that the overcrowding of prison facilities would make it difficult to effectively monitor the activities of the inmates.

Closely connected to the issue of inadequate accommodation is that of poor welfare and feeding of the inmates. It has been observed that allocation for the feeding and general welfare of the prisoners had been declining over the years.

This has been attributed to dwindling government revenue.

But the truth is that a hungry man is an angry man.

Therefore any threat of hunger in the prison can precipitate a desperate action such as trying to escape from custody.

Another issue of concern is the poor welfare package and incentives for prison workers. Considering the very sensitive nature of their work, prison officials deserve to be well remunerated and provided with necessary tools and good working environment that would enable them to discharge

APART FROM INFRASTRUCTURAL DECAY, THERE IS THE PROBLEM OF ACCOMMODATION. AVAILABLE RECORDS SHOWED THAT ALL THE PRISONS IN THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN STRETCHED BEYOND THEIR CAPACITY. THE KUJE MEDIUM PRISON, WHICH HAS CAPACITY FOR ABOUT 500 INMATES, IS NOW HARBOURING NEARLY 1,000 INMATES

their duties efficiently.

When they are not properly motivated there is the likelihood that they would become vulnerable to compromise.

Indeed, an assessment of the pattern of the jailbreaks, especially the recent ones, pointed to a strong indication of possible complicity or deliberate negligence by prison officials. It is obvious that no such major jailbreak could have occurred without the knowledge and cooperation of prison officials.

One of those who hold strongly to this view is the governor of Kogi State, Mallam Yahaya Bello, who has called on the federal government to set up a commission of inquiring to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Koton Karfe jailbreak. The governor who visited the prison shortly after the incident was of the opinion that the jailbreak could not have succeeded if the prison officials were not complicit. In a clear move that indicated the willingness of the administration to take necessary corrective measures against the incessant jailbreaks, the board of Customs, immigration, Prison and Civil Defence, after its emergency meeting on August 11, 2016, announced the dismissal of 23 prison officials from services for their suspected role in the saga.

The decision to dismiss the affected officers was taken after a thorough investigation of the incidents. Equally, 11 prison officials at Nsukka prison have been sent on suspension pending the outcome of investigation on their role in the jailbreak. Similarly, the new Controller- General of Prison, Ahmed Ja’faru, also convened an emergency meeting with command officers and officers- in- charge of prison in the country to assess the incident and map out a comprehensive strategy to forestall future occurrence. The prison boss while assuring the officers of the commitment of his administration to encourage and motivate those who were ready to work hard, he made it clear that those who were found wanting would not be spared. These are very commendable proactive measures, but a lot more needs to be done.

Our prison system requires total overhaul and reform to bring it in line with the global standard. It must however be acknowledged that the task is quite enormous considering the long period of degradation in our prison system. The incessant jailbreaks in recent times are product of many years of neglect. If necessary attention had been given to our prisons by recognising the strategic position they occupy in our criminal justice system, we would not have been in this mess.

Chief Udutchay wrote from Abuja

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

The 56th NBA Annual Conference in the Garden City is further proof the state is ready to welcome investors, writes Simeon Nwakaudu The 56th NBA National Conference offered the people of Rivers State another opportunity to prove to the world that the state is safe for investments. For a week, August 19 - 26, 2016, the people of Rivers State played host to over 10,000 lawyers from the 36 states of the federation and Abuja. The NBA Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, tagged Garden City 2016, was a resounding success.

The security network before, during and after the conference was second to none. Conferees moved round the different conference venues freely. The transportation system was near perfect while the hotels provided quality accommodation.

The conference helped to further stimulate the growing Rivers economy as thousands of business concerns benefitted directly and indirectly from the presence of the lawyers in the state.

One of the most outstanding benefits of the conference in terms of infrastructure is the remodelled Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre. Governor Nyesom Wike revived the infrastructure at the facility and made it world class to serve as the main venue of the NBA annual conference. At the end of the conference, the Civic Centre would be used as an indoor sports facility for different games.

Several other associate conference venues were upgraded by the Rivers State Government to ensure that the conference was hosted in a befitting environment. These facilities will continue to serve the people of the state.

The theme of the NBA Conference: “Democracy and Economic Development” was exhaustively treated at the different

sessions. The highpoint was the successful transition from the immediate past President Augustine Alegeh to the new President, Abubakar Mahmoud. Without doubt, the conference afforded Nigerian lawyers the direct opportunity to assess one of their own, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike .

The lawyers were able to observe that Governor Wike has touched the lives of the Rivers people through projects that have enhanced the economic well-being of the people of the state.

They further observed that Rivers State is one of the few states that are up to date in terms of the payment of salaries and pension in addition to the sustained funding of development projects.

Governor Wike on Thursday, August 25, 2016 led over 300 lawyers from all the branches of the NBA on a detailed project tour across three local government areas. These selected lawyers who cut across all ages were able to assess the governor’s development philosophy and its practical implementation on the field.

Projects inspected include: NBA Law Centre, Federal High Court, Dr. Nabo Graham Douglas Faculty of Law, RSUST; Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, Second Nkpogu Bridge, Elelenwo-Akpajo road and the Second WOJI-AKPAJO Bridge.

Among the lawyers were the Immediate past NBA President, Alegeh (SAN) and the President, Mahmoud (SAN).

President of the NBA, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) said that the lawyers were impressed with the performance of Governor Wike. He commended the governor for executing projects that promote

legal practice such as the Law Centre, Law Faculty at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology and the Federal High Court.

The NBA President urged Governor Wike to ensure that he drives ongoing projects to completion to the benefit of the people Immediate Past President of NBA, Augustine Alegeh ( SAN) was particularly impressed with the Law faculty which he said would help in grooming fresh lawyers with modern facilities and enhanced human resources.

Alegeh urged the students of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology to show appreciation to the governor by becoming worthy ambassadors of the school. Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) also lauded the governor for living up to the expectations of the people of the state. A nun, Rivers Sister Darlingtina Ifeanyichukwu said the governor was an example of good governance and the judicious application of resources.

She said that he was impressed by Governor Wike’s popularity and humility as he moved round the streets of Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor and Eleme Local Government Areas. He charged the governor to continue to respect the rule of law as he serves the people of the state.

The immediate past president of NBA, Alegeh launched the Dr. Peter Odili Road constructed by the Wike administration on Saturday, August 21, 2016.

He said that Governor Wike has lived up the expectations of the people of Rivers State by implementing quality projects . “We are proud that Governor Wike has delivered

what he promised his people. This road is necessary for the economic development of the state, “ he said.

Nigerian Women Lawyers on August 24, 2016 recognised the efforts of Governor Wike geared towards the promotion of the welfare of women and children. This award was presented to the governor at the Government House, Port Harcourt. Presenting the award of recognition to the governor on behalf of FIDA, former FIDA Nigeria President and judge of the African Court of Human and Peoples Rights, Justice Elsie Nwanwuri Thompson urged the governor to sustain his commitment to the welfare of women and children.

Justice Thompson was backed during the presentation by the National Executive Officers of FIDA, Nigeria, led by the National President, Mrs Inime Aguma. Mrs Aguma said that Governor Wike’s contributions to the improvement of the living standard of women and children should be encouraged.

Hajiya Laraba Shuaibu, Regional Vice-President for Africa of FIDA lauded Governor Wike for standing up for women and children, saying that he deserved the award of recognition.

Representative of Association of Women Judges, Justice Patricia Mahmoud commended the government and people of Rivers State for their kindness, warmth and friendship all through the NBA Annual General Conference.

The praises showered on Wike stemmed from the verified projects and programmes executed by the governor for the people of the state.

Nwakaudu is Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media

15

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

EDITORIAL MISSING BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

O

Government, at last, seems determined to address the challenge of missing people

n July 31 this year, Mojeed Kola Animashaun, a 54-year-old father left his Ikorodu, Lagos residence. He is yet to return. Mr. Hope Ejerovbo was last seen much earlier on July 5 at a restaurant on the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos before he was declared missing.

These are just two of the several cases of Nigerians who leave home every day without returning. As the world marks the International Day of the Disappeared today, it is important for us to draw attention to all the people within our various communities whose whereabouts remain unknown.

For the affected families, living through the ordeal of having a relative missing can be a most traumatic experience. The anxiety generated in such situation is far worse than in established cases of kidnapping, wherein the release of victims could be conditioned on the possibility of reaching a deal with the abductors.

At a time the nation is grappling with the challenge of human trafficking, it is worrying that many THE SHEER NUMBERS OF Nigerians are leaving HITHERTO UNACCOUNTED their homes and FOR PEOPLE EMERGING workplaces without FROM TERRITORIES coming back. Indeed, RECLAIMED FROM THE the sheer numbers of INSURGENTS IN THE hitherto unaccounted NORTH-EAST IS A POINTER for people emerging TO THE GRAVITY OF THE from territories SITUATION reclaimed from the insurgents in the North-east is a pointer to the gravity of the situation.

Available records reveal that while some missing persons have been found after some days, weeks or months, sometimes in locations far away from home, others are never found, thus prolonging the anxiety of their family members who would forever wonder: were they kidnapped or involved in road accidents? Were they victims of rituals?

Did they suddenly miss their way? Did they step into a dangerous drain hole? Are they dead? Are they alive?

However, it is reassuring that the relevant authorities are finally paying attention to this growing challenge of missing persons in our society. The federal govern-

Letters to the Editor

T H I S DAY

EDITOR IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU DEPUTY EDITORS BOlAJI ADEBIYI, JOSEph UShIGIAlE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOlA BEllO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOlAfE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OlUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

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

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOlA BEllO, KAYODE KOMOlAfE, ISRAEl IWEGBU, EMMANUEl EfENI, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OlUfEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS pETER IWEGBU, fIDElIS ElEMA, MBAYIlAN ANDOAKA, ANThONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEh ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS hENRY NWAChOKOR, SAhEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOlA TAIWO, UChENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GENERAL MANAGER pATRICK EIMIUhI GROUP HEAD fEMI TOlUfAShE ART DIRECTOR OChI OGBUAKU II DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION ChUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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.

IMO POLICE AND INSECURITY IN OHAJI The sister oil producing communities of Assa, Obile, Awarra and Ikwerrede in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State have been under serious siege in recent months resulting from the incessant attacks and killings of innocent indigenes by suspected cultists in the area. These incidents were widely reported in some national dailies early this week.

In their respective reports, the Nigeria Police through the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Taiwo Lakanu, claimed to have deployed riot policemen to the troubled area. He also said that the police were working with the military to deploy troops to the area, claiming that the “terrain” of the area was posing a great challenge to fighting the cultists. How long this will take to materialise is unknown to anyone.

However, contrary to Lakanu’s claims, Ohaji generally and the communities in the old Awarra Court Area in particular have a level topography.

The terrain is not as swampy as what

ment, under the auspices of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), recently established the National Technical Committee on Missing/Abducted Persons Database in Nigeria headed by Mrs. Maryam Uwais, Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments.

The committee comprises representatives from the Nigeria Police, Office of the National Security Adviser, National Information Technology Development Agency, National Identity Management Commission, National Population Commission, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Orientation Agency, the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) coalition, National Bureau of Statistics and the International Committee of the Red Cross, with the NHRC serving as the secretariat.

The committee is expected, among other things, to establish a platform for public engagements, as well as come up with a comprehensive a database registry of missing and unaccounted for persons in Nigeria. The idea is to enable integration with the existing database, continuous updating, as well as for the collection, verification and sharing of useful information aimed at bringing relief and closure to families and the missing persons, in conformity with the standards on the protection of personal and sensitive information.

The committee is also expected to carry out other measures necessary to investigate and verify pertinent information, including the recovery and identification of human remains; and engage with relevant stakeholders for appropriate measures to be taken in resolving cases of missing persons. That would necessitate follow up, assessment and clarification, as well as providing information to the relevant enquirers (families or authorities) relating to the fate of missing persons and, if found dead, the location of the human remains.

Meanwhile, for the managers of the database, their core mandate would be to come up with preventive mechanisms and practical measures, in order to reduce the likelihood that people would continue to go missing in our country. But beyond this commendable initiative, it is important for every citizen to be their brother’s keeper.

On a day such as this, we must come together to ensure that citizens who remain unaccounted for, are never forgotten!

we have in the Niger Delta area or as mountainous and arid as the Sambisa forest yet military operations are still going on against the Niger Delta Avengers and the notorious Boko Haram respectively.

Besides, as we speak, there is no single policeman in any of these communities. The claim by the state police boss is not only false but misleading. As if that was not enough, he was quoted as saying that the crisis was not as serious as it was being portrayed. More than 10 people have lost their lives in the last one week alone; the communities have been deserted by their inhabitants leaving the apprehensive aged men and women to the mercy of these unrepentant cultists. The people of the area can no longer go to their farms, their source of livelihood, and hunger has set in. Schools, markets, churches in the communities have been closed down yet the police said that the issue was not as “serious as it was portrayed”. One begins to wonder if

the police are waiting for the entire indigenes of the communities to be killed before they can know that we have a serious security crisis in these oil rich communities.

From the state capital, Owerri, to these communities is less than 30 minutes’ drive by car. The most recent attacks on these communities have lasted for more than one week and the police are still on the level of “mobilisations” and working out the logistics.

The Governor Rochas Okorocha-led government in Imo State has not helped matters. The state government has been indifferent to the plight of the people of the area. One would have expected Okorocha to come to the rescue of the people who decided, in his favour, his fate of becoming the state governor in 2011 in the so-called supplementary election after the main election was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission. .Chamberlin Okechukwu, Ohaji, Imo

CBN’S BIG STICK AND THE NAIRA The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) wielded the big stick on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 by suspending nine banks from the foreign exchange (forex) market for their failure to remit a total of $2.334 billion Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/ Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Company’s dollar deposits to the federal government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA).

The implication of the ban is that the affected banks’ customers, especially those who import and export goods would not have access to the interbank forex market to make payments or issue letters of credit.

The expediency of such a decision at a time as this, when the economy is under serious threat has been the subject of debate since the announcement. Many are perplexed at the haste by the CBN in adopting such a measure that further complicates the precarious economic state of the nation.

Unsurprisingly, the naira has been on a free fall since then, hitting an all- time low of N412/$ on the parallel market by Friday as against N397/$ on Tuesday. More worrying is the fear that a further slide of the currency is on the cards if the issue is not quickly resolved.

The suspension of a bank’s foreign exchange licence in an import- driven economy as ours is akin to a death sentence. It is a severe punishment that not only impairs a bank’s earnings and whittles down its sustainability credentials, but also capable of dealing a heavy blow on the confidence level in the sector as a whole.

Kene Okoye, Lagos

16

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

POLITICS

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

EXECUTIVE BRIEFING

A Challenge to the Status Quo Why should a state governor provide virtually all the logistics needed for the operations and efficiency of the police and yet does not have any authority over them, asks Davidson Iriekpen

R

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, last Wednesday stirred the hornet’s nest, when he held the federal government responsible for underdevelopment of states across the country due to its overbearing attitude. He argued that the dysfunctional agencies of the federal government were responsible for the slow pace of development at the state level.

Addressing the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 9 at the Institute of Security Service (ISS) in Abuja, in a paper titled: ‘Institutional weaknesses and challenges of development in Rivers State,’ Wike said state governors should no longer be addressed as chief security officers, but mere chief logistic officers, who only provide logistics for federal security agencies and do not get anything in return. The governor called for the reforms of relevant federal and state institutions to ensure that they contribute to development rather than impede it.

He contended that the federal government agencies had been turned against state and local governments as they merely constitute themselves into a stumbling block because they deliberately embark on unconstitutional activities that stall development. He noted that the centralisation of security and the poor use of the security agencies have negatively impacted on the development of Rivers State, with several anti-people measures instituted to work against the peace of the state.

Wike reiterated that the manipulation of the electoral process by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has become extremely worrisome, with the state denied representation at the National Assembly while the state House of Assembly has not been fully constituted. He pointed out that the most shocking is Tai Local Government Area, where INEC has plotted to sneak in concocted results for cancelled polls.

“The federal government is simply too overbearing with too much powers and resources at its disposal. We know the recurrent rifts between the federal government and the states over development issues, including revenue sharing, resource control, excess crude oil account, appointments into federal

What the governor has done – which is also what almost all the state governors are doing – has no doubt indicated that the federal government is unable to equip the police properly to safeguard the lives and property of the citizenry. This funding aspect of police administration is, among others, the strongest argument in support of multi-level police

Governors Nyesome Wike, Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti) and Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta)...can they mature for multi-level police

agencies and arbitrary location or withdrawal of federally-funded projects.

“Developments in Rivers State in the last few months point to the capture of the state’s security system by some special interest groups in their attempt to overawe the state government and achieve their political agenda.

“Thus, frequent transfer of the Commissioner of Police and other Director of the State Security Service has become a norm. I am presently working with the fifth commissioner of police since I assumed office barely a year ago. Indeed, things have gone so bizarre that senior officers, who have had political brushes with me, now head every sensitive police formation in the state.

“Federal government agencies have been turned against state and local governments, and have constituted themselves into a stumbling block by deliberately embarking on unconstitutional activities that have been stalling development in states.”

Wike’s fears manifested last February when in one fell swoop, Fulani herdsmen killed over 400 persons and burnt scores of houses in Agatu, Benue State, over grazing rights.

Thus, the hapless villagers became internally displaced persons in their own land. The state Governor, Samuel Ortom, was just as helpless as the victims.

Finding himself in the horns of a dilemma, he raced to Abuja to brief the presidency. Ortom demanded improved security to contain the contagion. “I think the situation in Benue, especially in Agatu, is getting out of control,” a bewildered Ortom told journalists in the State House. Yet, as governor, he is the chief security officer of his state without as much any control.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State had a similar experience on April 25, when the same Fulani herdsmen descended on Nimbo community in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area, killed over 40 people and razed a church to the ground, in an early morning raid. Ugwuanyi wept when he visited scenes of the attack.

Motivated by the seeming helplessness of all the security agencies, he set up a Neighbourhood Watch or vigilance group as some choose to call it, to protect his people.

Two months after the mayhem, the police have yet to explain how a planned massacre of which they received an intelligence report, illustrated at an emergency state security meeting the governor presided over, still took place.

Ugwuanyi’s demonstration of loss of faith in the federal police is being copied by his peers.

Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has had to mobilise hunters in his domain for self-help when he saw that police and other security agencies in his state have failed him in helping to protect lives and property.

Since 1999, governors have been at the mercy of the federal government and its security agencies.

While they provide virtually all the logistics needed for the efficiency of the police, they do not in most cases get anything in return than what can pass for sheer intimidation.

These logistics which run into billions of naira include operational vehicles, communication equipment and armoured personnel carriers, amongst others. Yet, the commissioners of police and heads of security agencies are not answerable to them. Sometimes, so obdurate are some of the security chiefs that they tell the governors to their faces that they take orders from ‘Abuja’ and not them.

It is against this background that many analysts are today calling on the federal government to restructure the country by amending the constitution to allow for a multi-level police system rather than a police force, whose boss sits in Abuja and hardly on the ground to know what is happening in the states.

In the case of Rivers State, since he assumed office, Wike has provided every logistics needed to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the police and other security agencies in the state even far more than the federal government itself, which owns the agencies. This is in spite of the politicisation of security in his state by the federal government particularly during elections.

Nevertheless, the governor has not relented in his quest to make the state safe and peaceful with the provision of logistics for the force.

Some of the governor’s direct initiatives and investments in the last 14 months to advance the protection of lives and property include the procurement and donation of over 67 patrol vehicles fitted with communication gadgets to the security agencies.

There were also the repairs of Armoured Personnel Carriers for the police and further directive to local government councils to institute direct release of logistics to Divisional Police Officers to enable policemen promptly respond to security challenges. No doubt, these logistics which come with huge financial costs have enhanced the visibility and operational efficiency of the police in the state.

Other initiatives meant to curtail the increase

in cult-related violence across communities, armed robbery, kidnapping and oil theft are the amendment of the Rivers State Kidnap (Prohibition) Law No. 3 of 2009, to provide additional penalties such as the confiscation of assets derived from kidnapping and other related activities; instituted a N1million reward for any person that gives useful information that leads to the arrest and successful prosecution of kidnappers, armed robbers and other homicidal crimes in the state.

He also instituted a N5million compensation for families of any police personnel, who lost his or her life while fighting kidnapping and armed robbery in the state; provides regular logistics support, including fuelling of vehicles to the security agencies for their operations in the state; and ensured the re-opening and functioning of the courts to guarantee the prompt trial of criminal cases.

The governor is working to improve the state’s criminal justice system by sending an executive bill on the state’s criminal justice reforms to the state House of Assembly. The law, when passed will strengthen the criminal justice system and ensure the prompt and fairer dispensation of criminal justice in the state.

He has also directed and encouraged all local government caretaker committees to give priority attention to crime fighting and the maintenance of peace and security in the local government areas in collaboration with security agencies, traditional rulers and vigilante groups, even as he has inaugurated the State Security and Peace Committee with improved funding to all military and para-military agencies.

To curb the destructive predispositions of cult groups and the threat they constantly pose to peace and security in the state, Wike recently requested security agencies to carry out a total clampdown on cultists and related criminal behaviour in communities across the state.

He directed heads of tertiary institutions to take measures, including arrest, prosecution and summary expulsion, to stamp out cult and related activities in all state-owned tertiary institutions; requested traditional rulers to join forces with the security agencies and local government chairmen to enforce the state’s anti-cultism law and eliminate cult activities in their communities.

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

17

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

ONTHEWATCH

As Kogi Waits on the Supreme Court With bated breath, supporters of both Governor Yahya Bello of Kogi State and Hon. James Faleke, are waiting earnestly on the Supreme Court as it gives a final judgment on the governorship crisis in the state, writes Shola Oyeyipo

Bello...the storm isn’t over yet

“

We strongly condemn the judgment and believe that the Supreme Court, that is the custodian of Nigeria’s Constitution and the court of the people, will do justice to our case”.

Those were the words of Hon. James Faleke, the running mate to the late governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State in the 2015 elections, Alhaji Abubakar Audu, who died in the course of the election.

Faleke has taken the option to challenge the process that led to the emergence of Governor Bello as replacement for Audu, claiming that it was illegal on the grounds that he, and not Bello, should benefit from his principal’s sudden exit from the race, when he died of heart attack at a time he was believed to have literally won the election.

While the Justice Jummai Hannatu-Sankey-led five-man panel of the appellate court dismissed the appeals by a former governor of the state, Alhaji Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Faleke, the latter is banking on the possibility that such a dissenting position by a member of the panel, Justice Ita George Mbaba would be espoused by the apex court in declaring that the governor should not be there, which would then pave the way to decide, who actually should have been the candidate of the APC. Upholding Wada’s appeal, Mbaba voided the Certificate of Return that was issued to Governor Bello by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and disagreed with the declaration of Bello as the duly elected governor, saying there was no evidence that he participated in all stages of the gubernatorial election that held in the state last year.

The judge took the position that INEC acted in breach of section 141 of the Electoral Act by declaring Bello, who only participated in the December 6, 2015, supplementary poll, as duly elected governor of the state. His position, however, runs contrary to the other

Faleke...in search of justice

four members of the panel, who upheld the judgment of the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that previously affirmed Bello’s election. They dismissed the appeals for want of merit.

What Faleke is taking to the apex court as

According to the Faleke legal team, the Appeal Court fell into “serious error by relying on an isolated provision of INEC’s Manual of Election Officers (updated), to affirm the tribunal judgment. So, they want the Supreme Court to either support or disagree with the Appeal Court position that Bello could ‘appropriate’ the votes cast for Audu/Faleke, having regards for the provisions of sections 179, 182 and 187 of the Nigerian constitution

contained in his brief of argument presented to the Supreme Court in appeal no: CA/A/ EPT/357/ 2016 by Chief Wole Olanipekun, who is leading 13 other lawyers including eight Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), is that Faleke and Audu garnered the majority of votes cast among all the candidates in the November 21, 2015 governorship election in Kogi State and score over one-quarter of all votes cast in all the local government areas in the state. Governor Bello and INEC were joined in the suit.

They are contending with the Court of Appeal verdict which affirm the election of Governor Yahaya Bello on the basis that Bello did not allegedly participate in the November 21 election either as a voter or a candidate of any party; the he (Bello) was allegedly not registered to vote in the Kogi State 2015 election either as a voter or candidate of any political party and that even at the December 5 supplementary election, Bello only polled 6, 885 votes whereas his victory was predicated on the 240, 867 votes cast for the Audu/Faleke ticket.

They are asking the apex court to determine that in the view of the issues on the ground and consideration of the provisions of sections 179 (2) and 181 (1) of the constitution and relevant sections of the Electoral Act, whether the Appeal Court acted rightly in its decision to dismiss Faleke’s claim to the 240, 867 votes that Bello benefited from, which were actually in favour of the Audu/Faleke ticket.

According to the Faleke legal team, the Appeal Court fell into “serious error by relying on an isolated provision of INEC’s Manual of Election Officers (updated), to affirm the tribunal judgment. So, they want the Supreme Court to either support or disagree with the Appeal Court position that Bello could “appropriate” the votes cast for Audu/Faleke, having regards for the provisions of sections 179, 182 and 187 of the Nigerian constitution.

Faleke had appealed the Election Petition Tribunal’s verdict that affirmed Bello

as governor. His lead counsel, Olanipekun, challenged the tribunal’s decision, except the part of the preliminary objection resolved in his favour – he protested that the tribunal erred in law by refusing to grant his client’s reliefs, particularly an order directing him to be sworn-in as governor for the reason that there was no declaration made after the election.

“One of the major reasons why the appellant instituted the petition at the lower tribunal was the failure of the first respondent (Independent National Electoral Commission) to make a declaration and return from the election of November 21, 2015. The lower tribunal failed to consider whether there was any constitutional justification for the failure of the first respondent to make a return from the election. It failed to consider whether there was any constitutional basis for the declaration of the November 21, 2015 election as inconclusive”.

Among other arguments, Faleke, who is the member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives, has persistently argued that the reason given by INEC for declaring the election as inconclusive on November 22, 2015 was baseless because the margin of win between the joint ticket of Audu and appellant and the Wada/Awoniyi ticket, which was 41,353 votes, was less than the total number of registered voters in the 91 polling units, where the electoral umpire decreed a supplementary election to hold.

It is, however, important to note that the handlers of the issues must not be oblivious of the fact that with the ongoing legal tussle, the existing mutual distrust among the three senatorial districts would only further fester.

The people of the Central senatorial district, where the incumbent governor comes from consider Faleke’s actions as an attempt to take away an opportunity that had eluded them for many years as well as the West, where Faleke comes from. It is the more reason the Supreme Court must not only ensure justice in the case but also set a precedent.

18

TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016 • T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Abuja-Kaduna by Rail Dele Ogbodo reports on the excitement and trepidation onboard the new Abuja-Kaduna rail journey

F

or Mr. Yakubu Bako, a disbursement officer with African Development Bank (ADB), his experience onboard the train service back and forth between Kaduna and Abuja, can never be forgotten in a hurry. For the ADB staff, it is bye gone to traveling by road between the two cities. Asked why? With upwelling excitement on his face, he retorted "This is my fourth trip since flag off of this train service between Kaduna and Abuja and has not been an emotional roller-coaster for me. It has been wonderful, safe, convenient and I pray the management and government will keep this up and take this development to other regions of the country.”

The experience of the Ofodiles, on the 240 minutes train trip from the Idu Mega Station in Abuja, to Rigasa station in Kaduna, was not by means different as they shared the same sentiment on Nigeria's first standard railway operation. Mrs. Stella Ekwy Ofodile, is a 61-year-old grandmother based in Onitsha, who boarded the train with her husband from Idu, she commended the government for the remarkable achievement in opening up the country through rail transportation.

Recalling her memories on the use of train services in the United Kingdom (UK) and U.S., she said: "Whenever I visit my children in UK and U.S., I'm used to train services and I see wonderful things happening there.

When I heard from the news that the AbujaKaduna has commenced service, I decided to use it, otherwise, I would have made the journey by air.

"Now, I have seen the convenience of this train and that is why I have been busy taking pictures which I intend to send to my children abroad to see, to tell them that we have something good happening in the country. I'm so happy with the government for this." While still savouring her excitement in a chat with THISDAY, as our train halts at Asham Station, Kaduna State for the five minutes 'dwell-time' the grandmother in a relaxed mood, said, she can beat her chest that what operates here now is better than what obtains in train service in U.S., adding though that the bar is empty as she cannot locate the kitchen. She said: "If you travel first class train in the U.S., you will be entitled to light refreshment."

Her husband, Pa Martin Ofodile, retired from CBN 17 years ago, also in appreciative mood for making the train service a reality in the country said, "Government should try and replicate the Abuja-Kaduna train operation in other parts of the country." According to him,

This is my fourth trip since flag off of this train service between Kaduna and Abuja and has not been an emotional rollercoaster for me. It has been wonderful, safe, convenient and I pray the management and government will keep this up and take this development to other regions of the country

Passengers boarding the train from Rigasa station, Kaduna to Idu Mega Station, Abuja Photos Kingsley Adeboye

Passengers boarding the train from Idu Mega Station, Abuja to Kaduna

a well organised train system in the country means that haulage will be cheaper in the country, adding “I cannot imagine traveling from Abuja to Kaduna and just spending N900 which is about seven litres of fuel and your safety cannot be guaranteed on road trips.”

With more railway lines across the country, Ofodile, said Nigerians would have access to cheap food, the roads will last longer, transportation will be cheaper and the unnecessary road accidents will be averted.

Does train travels relieve one of stress? Bako, has this to say, "The hazzles I go through on Abuja- Kaduna road is gone and averted.

I live in Kaduna and work in Abuja, with this train, my children now say, daddy, you don't look overworked, your eyes are not red because I now look relaxed each time I arrive home.

However, the ADB staff, Bako who is getting addicted to train ride had reservation on security arrangement, which he said needs to be improved on. According to him, the Nigeria Railway Corporation should replicate what obtains in the airports on sale of tickets, adding: "Just as it is done at the airports, identity card should be presented at the counter when passengers are buying tickets, also names should be printed on the tickets, though, we are not hoping for any havoc, in case anything happens, NRC can track the identity to that person through the manifest issued with identity card."

Unlike the Ofodiles, Mohammed Buba

expressed reservations after 20-minute ride from Rigasa Station in Kaduna. “Though, I'm excited but I have my reservations about this trip. Asked why? The 20-year-old Geography undergraduate from the University of Maiduguri, said: "Look at me, I don't have a seat on this trip, I'm going to remain standing till we arrive Abuja, but I at the same time commended them for the music, film, cool ambience of the environment and it is safe.

Miss Zainab Bala, nine years old, a primary 4 student of Turkish International School in Abuja, boarded the train from Rigasa Station with her mum, Mrs. Surabaya Bala. There is no doubt that the Balas belong to the noveau-riche as each of the seven kids has a seat to him or herself. Asked why she was on the train, the beautiful 'Angel' tucked in innocence, looked at her mother obviously seeking approval, said "My mummy brought us here to take train to our house in Abuja.

She admitted that the environment is attractive and safe, adding "I'm happy, this is my first time on a train."

As Western music filled the air in the train and children walking freely unlike in air transportation, THISDAY ponders if ticket fare of N200 for minors and N600 for adult on second class coach will remain same for a long time to come? Responding, the Deputy Operations officer of NRC, Mr. Akin Osinowo, said the transport fare may be reviewed upward by management in no distance time. However, he admitted that there

is hardly any train service in the world where passengers traffic break-even not to talk of making profit. It is always heavily subsidised by government.

He said: "The N200 and N600 charged between Abuja and Kaduna is introductory fare, as time goes on it may be reviewed.

However, there is need to balance the cost of transport by road, because most of our stations are in remote areas, so all these costs have been added."

According to him, the management of NRC is up to set new standard through observing some of the lapses on the trip and to make the experience for passengers much better.

"I think that there are things that NRC can do in terms of security and access to the stations especially as they are in remote areas which is usually taking developments to meet rail,” he said. He said NRC would soon commenced running reversed services from Kaduna to Abuja, which will serve people also increasing the capacity of the coaches, adding that NRC will move quickly to expand the lounge at the Rigasa station, because of its large crowd eager to board to Abuja.

Responding to Ofodile's query on the absence of Service-on-Board (SoB), Osinowo, said NRC was working hard on that and the compliment of a trolley service inside the train. Osinowo, added that qualified service providers will be hired and properly vetted

by NRC to get the best catering service for passengers on board. While beaming with

19

• T H I S D AY TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

FEATURES Just as it is done at the airports, identity card should be presented at the counter when passengers are buying tickets, also names should be printed on the tickets, though, we are not hoping for any havoc, in case anything happens, NRC can track the identity to that person through the manifest issued with identity card Passengers arriving Idu station, Abuja from Kaduna

smiles on the adherence to timing of take-off of train and arrivals at the various stations, he admitted that NRC will improve on its speed. According to him, more coaches will be available in the first quarter of 2017 and the capacity would have been tripled.

"Train operators make their money from freight, but government has to subsidized train service because of its social benefits of being able to move people and open up new settlements like Jere, Asham, Rigasa etc etc across the country, and farm products can be moved to the cities while generating economic activities and jobs, Osinowo said."

On Police officers carrying arms on the train, he said: "NRC is conscious of the safety of the environment as that is responsible for armed men inside the train. This can be a soft target for attack, so we need to bring it to the consciousness of the people that they are secured and we are committed to averting any security challenge in the course of movement.”

Ahmed Ibrahim, is a Masters degree holder in Web/Cloud Computing from Sheffield University, also having a first taste of the train operation in the country. On how train operates in UK, he said: "I just returned for my NYSC, from UK, I'm used to boarding train between Leeds, Manchester and London, what I find here is good." While advising on the need to step up security at the point of entrance, he added that online booking for tickets should be introduced.

"I'm on this trip with my five children for adventure sake. This is my first time on a train and I'm excited and my children are happy, said Mrs. Chika Pius, the mother of five who lives in Apo area of Abuja.

While she is concerned on the absence of catering service onboard the train, she said she armed herself with food for her children after visiting Idu to make enquiries few days to the trip. However, she observed that the absence of cab from Idu to Abuja needs urgent attention because of security and the loneliness of the road between the 5 a.m and 6 a.m when passengers are expected to be at the station for the ride. Dr. Sulaiman Buba, the Registrar, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, shared same sentiments on the poor road linkages connecting Rigasa and Idu in Abuja.

“The major problem currently being experienced is the Idu connection to the town as the stretch of the road lack operational taxi cabs, the linkage road connecting Rigasa also experience similar problem,” Buba noted. He said the difficulty in manouvering through these roads may lead to passengers missing their train schedule. On security apprehension, he said: "I don't have any fears at all because I have travelled on trains in other climes like London and it was from there that I started experiencing the good side of this mode of transportation, it is really a good thing, it is cheap and it can take care of both the wealthy, the middle class and the poor.

"I have enjoyed the privilege and the comfort of the trip and I will want to commend this government for expediting the completion of this project, and I want them to set it in other parts of the country. I want to believe that they will soon settle the issue of refreshment to passengers which has been lacking.”

Passengers onboard the train enjoying the comfort of second class coach from Kaduna to Abuja

Mr. and Mrs. Martin Ofodile, enjoying the ambience of first class coach from Abuja to Kaduna

Deputy Director, Operations, NRC, Mr. Akin Osinowo, attending to passengers inside the train

Acting MD, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Engr. Fidet Okhiria

20

IMAGES

L-R; CEO/MD Manufacturers Resource Centre, Doris Onwugamba; Category Global Marketing Director, Africa Region, GSK, Rajiv Das; Managing Partner, Brandzone Consulting, Chizor Malize and, Managing Director, Jumia Travel Nigeria, Kushal Dutta at the 1st Edition of the Nigerian Small Business Summit in Lagos...recently

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

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

L-R; Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed; Director General, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Prof. Lincy Ogbedu and Coordinating Director of the Agency, Mr. Josiah Habu during a courtesy visit to the Governor in llorin...recently

L-R: Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal; Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari; Chief Executive officer Erisco Foods Ltd, Chief Eric Umeofia; and Deputy Governor, Katsina state , Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, at the launch .of Erisco foods multi billion naira project in katsina state...

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters, Hon Gideon Sammani; representative of INEC Chairman, Prof, Anthonia Okossi-Simbine ; outgoing Chairman, Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), Mallam Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim and Chairman IPAC, Hon. Mohammed Lawal Nalado during the inauguration of the new IPAC National Executive Committees in Abuja...recently ENOCK REUBEN

L-R; President, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company PPMC, Mr. Rasheed Kolawole Bello; Executive Director, Shared Services PPMC, Alhaji Muhammed Diso;and Former Treasurer, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, Mrs. Mary Ofem; during the Ground Breaking Ceremony of Golden Wheel Estate, PPMC Staff Multi-Purpose Housing Scheme Kagini in Abuja,...recently

L-R: Head Business Banking, Providus Bank PLC, Mr. William Wakama; Executive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo and Chief Executive Officer, Obakef Intergrated Company Limited, Mr. Adesina Shittu, during the graduation ceremony of batch 3 gradaunts for zero to export capacity programme by NEPC in Abuja...recently .ENOCK REUBEN

L-R: Head, Client Coverage, Corporate & Investment Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Dele Kuti; Executive Director, Corporate & Transactional Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Yewande Sadiku; Managing Director, FMDQ OTC Plc, Mr. Bola Onadele; and Director, Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce (NSACC), Mr. Osayaba Giwa-Osagie; at the Monthly Networking Breakfast Forum of NSACC in Lagos...recently

Oshun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, during the 25th anniversary celebration of Osun State at the Osogbo City Stadium...recently

21

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

R A T E S 18.1583 16.4521

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

A S 17.7293 20.2207

A T

NITTY 1-MONTH 2-MONTH 3-MONTH

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

A U G U S T 14.4332 15.1358 15.2408

2 6 ,

6-MONTH 9-MONTH 12-MONTH

17.5623 19.28 21.3438

2 0 1 6

EXCHANGE RATE N314.95/1 USDOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Japan Pledges $30bn for Africa

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told African leaders on Saturday that his country will commit $30 billion in public and private support for infrastructure development, education and healthcare expansion in the continent.

Resource-poor Japan has long been interested in tapping Africa’s vast natural resources, even more so since dependence on oil and natural gas imports jumped after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster shut almost all of Japan’s nuclear reactors.

Abe, in the Kenyan capital Nairobi to attend the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), said the package would be spread over three years from this year and include $10 billion for infrastructure projects, to be executed through cooperation with the African Development Bank.

“When combined with investment from the private sector, I expect that the total will amount to $30 billion. This is an investment that has faith in Africa’s future, an investment for Japan and Africa to grow together,” he told a gathering of more than 30 heads of state and government from across Africa.

The $30 billion announced on Saturday is in addition to $32 billion that Japan pledged to Africa over a five-year period at the last TICAD meeting in 2013. Abe said 67 percent of that had already been put to use in various projects.

Sinopec’s Profit Slumps 21.6% in Q1

BEAUTIFYING OUR ENVIRONMENT

R-L: Business Executive, Commercial, North East Region, Sterling Bank Plc, Abbas Yerima; Plateau State Commissioner for Agriculture, Lynda Shekinah Barau; Branch Manager, Sterling Bank Plc, Jos, Augustine Okwuagwu and Relationship Officer, North East, Sterling Bank Plc, Michael Nwachukwu at the tree planting exercise sponsored by the bank in Jos, Plateau State …recently

Gas Suppliers: Nigeria Not a Good Destination for Investment Ejiofor Alike Stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry have passed a verdict that following the slash in domestic gas supply by more than half due to the Niger Delta crisis, Nigeria is no longer a good destination for investment in the sector.

Speaking at a special session of the 2016 conference organised by energy reporters in Lagos, the operators declared that with the renewed attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s operating environment has become a high-risk environment that

ENERGY is not suitable for investment.

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, represented by the Managing Director of National Engineering and Technical Company Limited (NETCO), a subsidiary of the corporation, Mr. Siky Aliyu raised the first alarm when he told the session that militant attacks have curbed gas supply to the domestic market by more than a half.

According to him, the current supply of about 700

million standard cubic feet per day is less than the domestic supply before the militants first bombed the gas infrastructure in February this year.

Also speaking at the session, the Chairman of Geometric Power Limited and former Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji insisted that Nigeria must secure gas infrastructure to guarantee electricity supply.

“Gas-to-power is critical for electricity generation. Brazil generates 100,000 megawatts.

If Brazil has 100,000 megawatts and we aspire to be like Brazil by 2020, then a lot has to be done on gas-to-power,” Nnaji

said.

In his contribution to the session, the Chief Executive Officer of Frontier Oil, suppliers of gas to Calabar, Alaoji and Ibom Power Stations, Mr. Dada Thomas said the only solution to the Niger Delta crisis was good governance, which he said was lacking in Nigeria.

Thomas, whose company’s gas supply to the domestic market accounts for 450 megawatts of power generation, advocated for both the use of the full weight of law and the involvement of the Continued on page 24

PwC to Audit TCN’s Account for First Time in 10 Years Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said that it will open its books to external auditors to review for the first time in the last 10 years.

TCN, which recently reverted to the federal government’s management, admitted at a recent briefing in Abuja that it had not opened its operations for external audits in the last 10 years.

The company has however, revealed that it has now engaged PricewaterhouseCooper (PwC) Nigeria to undertake an external audit on its accounts.

TCN’s Executive Director in charge of Finance and Accounts, Mr. Sonny Iroche disclosed at the meeting that the audit

ENERGY would span between 2006 and 2014, a period of 10 years.

He noted that TCN has though been undertaking internal audits but now needs to do external audit.

Iroche said the audit would be followed with the migration of its accounting system to conform to the international accounting standards.

He did not specifically state if the audit would include the activities of TCN during its management contract under Canadian power firm, Manitoba Hydro International (MHI).

However, given the audit would be covered, it is obvious that the activities of MHI would also be audited.

The government reportedly made financial commitments worth $34 million to MHI. Similarly, TCN’s acting Managing Director, Abubakar Tambuwal Atiku disclosed that since the government took over the management from MHI, the Nigerian managers have recorded some commendable milestones.

“TCN is continuously bringing back to service unavailable equipment to boost and strengthen the grid and make it more reliable. It is on record that as at 31st July, 2016, we have a total of 20 unavailable equipment, comprising transformers, reactors and transmission lines. As at date, we have successfully restored the following critical equipment

hitherto neglected before we took over on 1st August 2016, thus bringing down the number of unavailable equipment.

“The equipment restored to service from 1st August, 2016 include: 75MX reactor restored back to service at Lokoja, Kogi State, installation of 60MVA transformer at Okene transmission station after three months of outage and second 330kV line from Shiroro to Katampe which has been restored to service,” Atiku explained.

He also said that: “60MVA transformer restored back to service at Owerri transmission station after one month of outage, newly installed 60MVA Continued on page 22

China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation, or Sinopec Corp, said on Sunday its net profit fell 21.6 percent in the first half of 2016, hurt by a steep decline in international oil prices.

The state-controlled energy firm, Asia’s largest refiner, said in a separate statement that Dai Houliang had replaced Li Chunguang as company president and become vice chairman of the board. It said Chunguang had resigned due to his age.

During the first six months of the year, Sinopec posted a net profit of 19.9 billion yuan ($2.98 billion), down from 25.4 billion yuan a year earlier.

Sinopec’s peers PetroChina and CNOOC Ltd , both heavy on upstream oil and gas production, were hit badly by falls in crude oil and natural gas prices.

Sinopec’s operating income in the first half was 35.1 billion yuan, according to IFRS accounting standard, 13.3 percent lower than a year ago. The refiner said its oil and gas output fell 6 percent in the first six months on-year, with crude oil production down 11.4 percent, as it was forced to cut output at loss-making fields.

While fuel demand growth in China, the world’s secondlargest consumer, moderated along with the broader economy, domestic competition heated up after more than a dozen independent refineries were allowed to import crude oil for the first time since late 2015. As these independents boosted refinery throughput, state majors came under pressure to reduce operations.

Sinopec said its first-half refinery operations fell 2.51 percent on-year. The firm, however, boosted total domestic refined fuel sales by 3.1 percent.

US Drilling Rigs Count Steady

The number of oil drilling rigs in the US was unchanged last week after eight weeks of consecutive rises, according to a closely followed report on Friday, although traders and analysts expect the rig count to keep rising given the recovery in crude prices.

The rig count remained steady at 406 in the week to Aug. 26, compared with 675 a year ago, energy services firm Baker Hughes Inc said.

Before this week, the rig count rose by 76 since the week ended July 1, the most in a row since April 2014, after crude prices hit the key $50-a-barrel mark that made a return to the well pad viable.

“If Brazil has 100,000 megawatts and we aspire to be like Brazil by 2020, then a lot has to be done on gas-to-power”

Chairman of Geometric Power Limited, Prof. Bart Nnaji

22

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD GAS SUPPLIERS: NIGERIA NOT A GOOD DESTINATION FOR INVESTMENT

political leadership of the oil-rich region in resolving the crisis.

He argued that criminality should not be rewarded to avoid creating more criminality.

“A high-risk environment like Nigeria is not a destination for investment. We are not a fantastic investment destination. Good governance is the only answer to vandalism but this is lacking in Nigeria since independence.

The short-term solution is to apply the full weight of law.

When you reward criminality, you create more criminality.

But the government should also get the political leadership involved in the negotiating table,” Thomas explained.

Thomas argued that Poland had also experienced similar crisis when the people in the eastern part of that country like the Nigeria’s Niger Delta felt that the western part of the country was exploiting their God-given resources.

Thomas further disclosed that the Polish government resolved the crisis through good governance, adding that Scotland also had the same issue.

PWC TO AUDIT TCN’S ACCOUNT FOR FIRST TIME IN 10 YEARS

transformer at Okene transmission station commissioned to service and an additional 2x60MVA transformers at Akangba transmission station.”

Atiku added that the transmission system has so far remained relatively stable with zero system collapse. He added that the TCN was working to ensure avoid system disturbances that could lead to collapses.

Also, the Executive Director, System Operations, Mohammed Gumel disclosed that the company has entered into an agreement with Egbin, Olorunsogo and Delta power generation companies to provide the network with spinning reserves in cases of system collapse. He said the power stations would act as the network’s balancing factors in this regard.

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 (Maritime) Ejiofor Alike (Energy) James Emejo (Nation’s Capital) Obinna Chima (Money Mkt) Reporters

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (Cap Mkt)

NEWS

Investors to Inject $14bn into Nigerian Economy Crusoe Osagie International investors, under the aegis of Greenstone Capital International Africa and Tacnero Global, have announced the approval of $14billion for Nigeria out of the $200billion that would be injected into five African countries.

The money is to be warehoused in Standard Chartered and two other Nigerian banks for immediate project execution in Nigeria.

The group’s legal adviser, Greg Anumenechi, who made this known in a statement said the investors were still committed to strategic sectors of the country’s economy including sectors like Agriculture, Aviation, Medicals, Solid Minerals, Marine, Power and Petroleum.

The investment tagged AMPLE, will be extended into real estate, Industries, Information Technology, Parks, Education and the expansion of Nigeria’s version of Silicon Valley. Other African countries to benefit are Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and South Africa.

Anumenechi noted that the investors had already gotten the approval for a Silicon Valley University in Lagos State, adding that they were also investing in the development of clean energy to serve the entire country as well as building an ultra-modern modular refinery for oil and gas development.

He noted in the statement that the Silicon Valley Charis International University has been described by Anthony Owens, a British Chartered Accountant from the UK group as being the first in Africa for ICT Industrial Park.

With the release of part of the funds it is expected that

the project will commence immediately. Anumenechi said “It will create jobs as many Nigerians will be engaged in the construction process and upon completion, the project will in turn boost the internally generated revenue for the country.”

It is expected that the

injection of such massive funds into Nigeria and the other African countries for business development will generate over two million employment opportunities in Africa, with Nigeria taking the chunk because of its enormous potential.

Anumenechi said: “some of

the projects already earmarked and approved for Nigeria include the construction of massive housing schemes in Festac and Ibeju-Lekki areas of Lagos; agriculture development projects in Osun and Ogun states; an international airline and a world-class pharmaceutical industry also in Osun State.”

CUSTOMER FORUM

L-R: Director, Brands and Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Daniel; Director, Radiologist, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Iniobong Ekanem; Idara Etuk from the Teaching Hospital and Head, Retail Sales, South-south and South-east Region, Etisalat Nigeria, Embassey Taiwo, at the Etisalat Customer Forum held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State...recently

Providus Bank Earmarks N100m as NEPC NERC: FG Has Made Adjustments to Promote Intensifies Efforts to Boost Non-Oil Exports Renewable Energy

James Emejo and Chukwuemeka Maduagwuna in Abuja

The Executive Director, Providus Bank Limited, Mr. Kingsley Aigbokhaevbo said the bank has set aside the sum of N100 million to support the Zero to Export initiative of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

The zero to export scheme is one of the flagship programmes of the council, which focuses on creating a new generation of Nigerian exporters through practical and theoretical training of business executives, bankers, civil servant, unemployed graduates and retired citizens with interest in export business.

This is as the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive, NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo said it would continue to create opportunities for Nigerians to imbibe the culture of exportation through capacity building training programmes.

He also said the first export activity by the new exporters is expected to take place in October, buoyed by the new financing lifeline from the bank.

Both spoke in Abuja at the passing out ceremony of 38 trainees in Batch 3 of Zero to Export capacity building programme.

Providus Bank is one of the newly licensed commercial banks operating in the country.

Awolowo added that the scheme had been part of the Council’s efforts to reposition the non-oil sector, re-write the narrative of the Council through job creation and inclusive growth - thereby making it a major contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He said:”There is no doubt that the essence of our gathering today underscores the crucial role that non-oil export sector is expected to play in the present administration’s effort at diversifying the Nigerian economy away from over reliance on oil as its main stay, especially now that the continuous fall in price of oil has thrown the world economy in recession.”

He said the graduants are better prepared to boost the country’s export capabilities, adding that the export business is for seriously commitment people and not a hubby.

He said:”They’ve gone through the rudiment and seen that Export cannot be a hubby but a full time job that requires you to get your company and start to export.

We are thrill by these crop of exporters that know the A-Z of export.

“These are the set of exporters that are going to help take Nigerian goods abroad. Today, we have Providious Bank, a new bank that has come in and said the first thing we want to do is export and

they’ve set up an export desk and are now going to be working with these crop of graduants that have formed themselves into a cooperative and they are going to be helping them.”

He said: “And they’ve told you that their first export will be done in October and Providus Bank has come to help them to the tune of N100 million. These are the kinds of strategy and partnerships that we are looking for in order to transform the country’s economy.”

The programme is anchored on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement led by the Consultant Mr. Kola Awe of EPT Logistics International Limited with support from Fidelity Bank Plc. Head, Corporate Communications (NEPC), Mr. Joe Itah in a statement said the programme has so far trained and graduated over 100 trainees from the Lagos and Abuja centers and most of the trainees have formed registered Cooperatives, and are already exporting.

The Batch 3 graduates have also registered the Integrated Exporters’ Cooperative Society Limited and it’s hoped that the programme would bring about a high value addition to non-oil products and services in the country at a time when the nation needs to revive its manufacturing, agricultural and industrial sectors.

Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said that it has made remarkable adjustments to accommodate and promote investments in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector.

In a presentation at the recent second edition of the Nextier Power Dialogue in Abuja, the regulatory agency identified some of the adjustments to include: a very attractive renewable energy feed-in-tariff, and a regulation that ensures that local electricity distribution companies (Discos) source for up to 50 per cent of their power from renewable sources.

The agency also described the long-term cost recovery cycle as another significant incentive to make the country to become a choice destination for renewable energy investors.

NERC’s acting chairman, Dr. Anthony Akah, who was represented by the commission’s Deputy General Manager in charge of Renewables, Research and Development, Dr. Haliru Dikko said the country’s challenges with conventional power generation gave renewable energy a perfect condition to become the energy source of choice for consumers.

He stated that though there were still challenges in developing renewable energy projects in the country, the commission’s regulations

had largely ameliorated the challenges and unlocked investment opportunities in the sector.

Akah described the ‘Feed-in Tariff Regulations for Renewable Energy Sourced’ , which targets at least 1,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity from renewables by 2018, and also allotted respective volumes of renewable energy procurement to Ikeja, Ibadan, Eko, Kaduna and Kano Discos, as a remarkable piece of law enacted to woo investments in the sector.

“The Act gave NERC the authority to issues licenses for power generation over 1MW and also empowered NERC to set tariffs for operators.

“NERC had streamlined the licensing process so any applying investor meeting the new requirements would be issued a power generation license expeditiously.

Changes have also been made to the feed-in traffic mechanism, and this is important for investments in the market to address the high demand and low supply of electricity in the country,” Akah said.

Similarly, other speakers such the Technical Lead for Britishfunded Solar-Nigeria project, Tinyan Ogiehor and Head of Power and Procurement at Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), Yesufu Alonge made presentations on how the country could maximise her renewable energy potentials.

23

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

ENERGY

Can OPEC’s Output Cuts Stabilise Oil Prices?

With the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) controlling only about 30 per cent of the global crude oil market, coupled with the discordant voices among the members of the cartel, Ejiofor Alike posits that it is doubtful if OPEC’s output freeze will guarantee the recovery of prices

T

hough the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was established at the Baghdad Conference of September 10–14, 1960, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, the cartel actually rose to international prominence in 1973 when the Arab members, declared an oil embargo against the United States.

After OPEC’s formation, the initial five founding members were later joined by nine other members- Qatar (1961); Indonesia (1962); Libya (1962); United Arab Emirates (1967); Algeria (1969); Nigeria (1971); Ecuador (1973); Angola (2007); and Gabon (1975).

In a development that was regarded in the global oil politics as the beginning of the rise and at the same time the fall of OPEC, the Arab members had in 1973 placed an oil embargo against the United States for supporting Israel in a war with Egypt.

Israel had in a six-day war of 1967 defeated Egypt, thus gaining control of territory four times its previous size.

While Egypt lost the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip; Jordan lost the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and Syria lost the strategic Golan Heights.

However, on October 6, 1973, Egyptian and Syrian forces launched a coordinated attack against Israel on ‘Yom Kippur,’ the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, in a bid to win back territory lost to Israel during the third Arab-Israeli war of 1967.

As Israelis were observing ‘Yom Kippur’, the country’s defence forces were taken by surprise, as Egyptian troops swept deep into the Sinai Peninsula, while Syria struggled to sack Israeli troops from the Golan Heights.

But with the assistance of the United States military, the Israeli forces routed the invading Egyptian Army and crossed the Suez Canal into Egypt and recaptured the Golan Heights, before a cease-fire was declared on October 25, 1973.

In retaliation, the Arab members of OPEC declared an oil embargo against the United States, and embarked on series of production cuts that tripled the prices of crude oil in the international market.

It was from that point that crude oil became a political tool and an instrument of war.

Though OPEC assumed an influential position in the global energy dynamics by this singular action, the development also marked the beginning of the fall of the cartel.

This action actually spelt doom for OPEC because having forced the United States economy into recession by this action, the US commenced search for alternative sources of energy supply.

Consequently, all the successive administrations of the United States beginning from presidents Gerald Ford to the present Barack Obama focused on energy independent to stop the country’s reliance on OPEC and its oil.

The result of the efforts of the United States towards the attainment of energy security is the Shale gas/oil, which has today crashed the price of conventional crude, driving the economies of most OPEC members into recession.

Having succeeded in extracting shale gas commercially, based on years of technological development, the United States is no longer dependent on OPEC’s oil, thanks to the lessons of the 1973 oil embargo. Apart from the advancement in Shale gas, increased production of crude oil by non-OPEC members has also reduced OPEC’s market’s share as the cartel, which controlled 55 per cent of the world market in the 1970’s now controls less than 30 per cent.

Even the western countries that used to be traditional consumers now have billions barrels of crude oil in strategic reserves.

All these developments have placed OPEC’s strategic position in the global oil politics in jeopardy.

Current drop in oil prices Even before OPEC was formed, crude oil as a

OPEC Secretary General, Muhammad Barkindo

Saudi’s Khalid al-Falih

commodity that is traded globally had seen several price cycles.

More recently, oil prices have seen booms from an average of $14 per barrel price in 1986 and $91 per barrel in 2008.

When Japan experienced the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, the incident led to price rise.

On the other hand, the impact of shale gas, oversupply by non-OPEC, and the lifting of sanctions on Iran and Iraq have led to drop in prices.

As supply was increasing, demanding was decreasing due to what the outgoing Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited, Mr. Babs Omotowa described as weakened economies, tough environmental standards, automotive fuel efficiency, and surge of renewables, which led to up to 50 per cent reduction in fuel usage in some sectors.

From $115 per barrel in June 2014, crude oil price had crashed to $27 per barrel in January this year, before its current recovery around $48 per barrel.

While politics, speculation and oversupply played a role in crashing the prices, the underlying factor was that supply exceeded demand in the international market.

Due to its advancement in Shale gas production, the United States, which used to import 40 per cent of Nigeria’s crude oil, had at a point imported zero per cent as a result of increased production of Shale gas, coupled with the country’s abundant conventional oil.

The implication is that OPEC and its oil are no longer as powerful as they used to be in the 1970’s and Western economies have also become less vulnerable.

Apart from Shale and other willing substitutes, which keep oil producers in check and prices low, non-OPEC members have also increased crude oil production, thus offsetting any output cuts by OPEC. What this means that if Saudi Arabia decides to cut production, Mexico, Russia and Canada will quickly increase production to bridge the supply gap.

the move on the grounds that they would lose market share to Shale gas producers and non-OPEC if they cut supply to the market.

Rather than curb output, Saudi Arabia had initially flooded the market, thus driving the prices further down in a bid to force the high cost Shale producers out of the market.

Iran had also opposed the output cuts, insisting that it would raise production to the pre-sanction level before joining the talks on output freeze.

At their April meeting, OPEC failed to agree a clear strategy as Iran insisted on raising its own production.

Tensions between the Sunni-led kingdom and the Shi’ite Islamic Republic had frustrated efforts at several previous OPEC meetings, including in December 2015.

The failure of the group to agree on formal output target for the first time in years in December 2015 led to the slump in prices to an all-time low of $27 per barrel in January 2016.

Discordant voices Apart from the external challenges against OPEC, the rows among the members have also hampered efforts to ensure price recovery.

While Algeria, Nigeria and other poorer countries had insisted on output cuts to stabilise prices, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies opposed

Reconciliatory moves With the price crash taking its tolls on the economies of Saudi and her Gulf neighbours, the new Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih had indicated that Riyadh wanted to be more conciliatory, while his Iranian peer, Bijan Zanganeh kept his criticism of Riyadh to an unusual minimum.

Though the market recorded 15 per cent recovery of crude oil price since the beginning of August, there are no strong indications that OPEC’s output freeze in their next month’s meeting would stabilise prices due to signs that disrupted production in Nigeria, Iraq and Libya would be ramped up.

Iran is however sending positive signals that it may support joint action to prop up the oil market.

But speaking at a recent conference organised by energy reporters in Lagos, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu had hinted that the proposed talks on output cuts by the OPEC would have limited influence on the prices as the cartel controls only about 30 per cent of the global oil output.

“OPEC controls only 30 per cent. So, even if we shut down, it will have limited impact because the 70 per cent producers are more powerful. Only a handshake between OPEC and Non-OPEC can solve the involving by inviting Russia, Mexico and the United States,” he said.

“Are we cutting volumes? I don’t see that happening. Will that meeting help lift the price?

Well yes if we succeed in having conversations with Russia, the USA and Mexico. If there is a handshake with individuals across the aisle that would be the beginning,” kachikwu added.

OPEC has stabilised oil prices in the past but it is doubtful if its decision would be as effective as it was in the past unless with the collaboration of non-OPEC. According to the United States’ Energy Information Administration (EIA), oil production from countries outside the OPEC currently represents about 60 per cent of world oil production.

However, actual supply in the market is less than 30 per cent because of conflicts in member countries.

Key centres of non-OPEC production include North America, regions of the former Soviet Union, and the North Sea. In contrast to OPEC oil production, which is subject to central coordination, EIA said non-OPEC producers could independent decisions about oil production.

Also, in contrast to OPEC, where oil production is mostly in the hands of national oil companies (NOCs), it is the contention of EIA that international or investor-owned oil companies (IOCs) perform most of the production activities in non-OPEC countries.

“IOCs seek primarily to increase shareholder value and make investment decisions based on economic factors. While some NOCs operate in a similar manner as IOCs, many have additional objectives such as providing employment, infrastructure, or revenue that impact their country in a broader sense.

As a result, non-OPEC investment, and thus future supply capability, tends to respond more readily to changes strictly in market conditions.

Producers in non-OPEC countries are generally regarded as price takers, that is, they respond to market prices rather than attempt to influence prices by managing production. As a result, non-OPEC producers tend to produce at or near full capacity and so have little spare capacity.

Other things being equal, lower levels of nonOPEC supply tend to put upward pressure on prices by decreasing total global supply and increasing the “call on OPEC.” The greater the call on OPEC, the greater is its likely ability to influence prices,” EIA explained.

Events of the next few months will test the relevance of OPEC in today’s global oil market.

24

TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016 T H I S D AY

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN SELECTED SECTORS OF THE RIVERS STATE ECONOMY UNDER PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP ARRANGEMENTS

The Rivers State Bureau for Public-Private Partnerships (BPPP) hereby invites individuals, reputable and experienced investors, and or developers either as a rm or consortium, to nance, design, build, operate and manage one or more of the proposed under-listed projects in Rivers State on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) basis.

PROJECT CODE

PROJECT NAME

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT FGM/CD/01 Development of Port Harcourt Fruit Garden Market SM/CD/02 Completion and Concession of Port Harcourt Shopping Mall OMD/CD/03 Oroworukwo Market Re-development CRM/CD/04 Creek Road Market Re-development ABT/CD/05 Construction of Abattoirs CC/CD/06 Civic Centre Re-development GF/CD/07 Establishment and Management of Rivers State Garment Factory RMC/CD/08 Resuscitation of Moribund Companies owned

by Rivers State Government DCC/CD/09 Development of a Convention Centre HOSPITALITY IAH/HOS/01 Concession of Port Harcourt International Airport Hotel DHL/HOS/02 Re-development and Concession of Delta Hotel Limited OWCC/HOS/03 Concession of Dr. Obi Wali Conference Centre ENVIRONMENT PTP/ENV/01 Construction and Operation of Public Toilet IOGF/ENV/02 Establishment and Management of Integrated Oil & Gas Facilities AGRICULTURE SRI/AGRI/01 Concession of Songhai Rivers Initiative RFP/AGRI/02 Establishment of Rice Farm Projects GF/AGRI/03 Concession of Government-Owned Farms FF/AGRI/04 Concession of Fish Farms INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IPE/ID/01 Development of Industrial Park and Estate POWER ELEC/POW/01 Establishment of Electricity Generation Projects EDUCATION SCH/EDU/01 Operation and Management of Rivers State Primary & Secondary Schools, and Technical Vocational Colleges CSH/EDU/02 Construction of Students' Hotels in Stateowned Tertiary Institution HEALTH MF/HTH/01 Establishment of Medical Facilities TRANSPORTATION CMF/TRANS/O1 Establishment of Car Park and Motor-Park Facilities BT/TRANS/02 Rehabilitation of Bus Terminals in Rivers State WASTE MANAGEMENT MSWM/WM/01 Municipal Solid Waste Management NOTE: The foregoing projects are NOT FOR AWARD OF CONTRACTS but developments and service delivery under public-private partnership arrangements.

In a public-private partnership arrangement, the private party is granted rights to nance, design, build, operate and maintain a public infrastructure or deliver a public service for a period likely to provide return on investments.

In return, the private party (investor) will meet agreed environmental, social, economic, nancial, development, operating and service obligations to the people and Government of Rivers State. At the end of the agreement term, the facility reverts to Rivers State Government.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Application must be clearly marked “EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR (Project Name(s) and Code(s)” and should be submitted along with relevant th annexure not later than 4:00pm on Friday, 30 September 2016 either by hand or by courier or by registered mail to the address given below: The Executive Director Rivers State Bureau for Public-Private Partnerships 6A Harley Street, Old GRA, Port Harcourt Rivers State Tel: +234 (0) 706 040 4241 Interested investors are requested to furnish the following details (provide for each member of a consortium): DETAIL HEAD

1. Name of Company/Entity/Person 2. Legal Status (Company Public/Private, Partnership, Limited Liability, Sole Proprietorship, etc.)

3. Incorporation Documents 4. Date of Establishment of Firm (in DD/MM/YY format) 5. Address of Principal Place of Business 6. Contact Details of Designated Representative: Name: Designation: Address: Phone Number: Email Address:

PROVIDE DETAILS OF THE ENTITY(S) WHICH IS/ARE SUBMITTING THE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE PROJECT

MINIMUM QUALIFYING CRITERIA The rm or consortium should have, at least: (i) Experience in project nance, design, construction, operation and management in the sector of the economy in which it is interested. (ii) Audited nancial statement for the last three years. (iii) Details of project(s), either completed or in progress. (iv) Tax Clearance Certicate for the last three years. (v) For some of the projects, the investor must meet the requirement of proof of nancial capabilities through Bank Guarantee of up to $1,000,000.00 (One Million United States Dollars) only or its Naira equivalent.

SELECTION PLAN: (1) The Rivers State BPPP will prepare a short list of qualied EoIs and the investors and or rm with the best qualications and relevant experience will be issued a Request for Proposal (RfP) including a PPP Project Proposal Template.

(2) The private investors or entities may at their own discretion provide any supporting information on their competencies and nancial capabilities, which may enhance their submission.

This Call for EoI does not constitute a commitment on the part of Rivers State Government (RVSG) and BPPP to enter into a partnership arrangement with any person, rm or consortia expressing interest. Furthermore, the submission of documents shall not entitle any of the interested parties to any claims against either the RVSG or BPPP by virtue of such person, rm or consortia incurring expenses in responding either to the Call for Expression of Interest or Request for Proposal.

Signed Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack Executive Director Rivers State Bureau for Public-Private Partnerships

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

THE NBA CONFERENCE SPECIAL EDITION

30.08.2016

A BRAVE NEW BAR EMERGES AS MAHMOUD TAKES OVER AS NBA PRESIDENT

NBA President, A.B. Mahmoud SAN taking his Oath of Office administered by the outgoing President, Augustine Alegeh SAN at the swearing-in ceremony in Port Harcourt, last Friday

2/DASHBOARD

30.08.2016

An Accused Person Can Be Convicted on the Basis of an Unattested and Retracted Confessional Statement PAGE 3

NBA-SBL Elects Akpata Chairman as Ighodalo Bows Out PAGE 4

NBA Lawyers in the Media Elect New Officers PAGE 4

‘I Will Re-Engineer and Re-Position the Nigerian Bar’ PAGE 5

The Road to a Brave New Bar

QUOTABLES ‘On the issue of lop-sidedness in the fight against corruption, I think the question should be, is there any reasonable ground for suspicion of the commission of an offence? It is not about whether the offenders are PDP or APC members’ – Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN A ‘ s lawyers, you have at your disposal the Freedom of Information Act and the right to seek for support for the prosecution of those suspected to have committed any offence.’

– Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami SAN

PAGE 6

Funding of Legal Education in Nigeria PAGE 7

The 2016 Annual General Conference in the Garden City: a Resounding Success PAGE 14

MAY AGBAMUCHE-MBU EDITOR JUDE IGBANOI DEPUTY EDITOR TOBI SONIYI ASSISTANT EDITOR AKINWALE AKINTUDE REPORTER TUNDE BUSARI GROUP HEAD OCHI OGBUAKU II ART DIRECTOR

LAW REPORT/3

An Accused Person Can Be Convicted on the Basis of an Unattested and Retracted Confessional Statement

I

t is trite that the mere denial by the accused of his making a confessional statement ipso facto is not enough to affect the admissibility of the confessional statement. Additionally, the attestation of a confessional statement by a Superior Police Officer goes towards strength of the evidence rather than admissibility. The Supreme Court in applying the said principles held that the lower court was right in convicting the Appellant on the basis of the Appellant’s unattested and retracted confessional statement.

FACTS On the 8th March 2012, Mr. Galvagni Renzo, an Italian National, working with Davnotch Nigeria Limited arrived for work in his office in Asaba, Delta State at about 6.45 am. As he alighted from his vehicle, he was accosted by some persons who tried to abduct him. He raised an alarm and the said persons scampered away after dispossessing him of some valuables (i.e. two laptops, an international passport, one Zenith Bank cheque booklet, two hard drive discs, and two Flash drive disc). He thereafter went to lodge an oral report at the Police Station, where he was joined by a police officer.

Afterwards, he returned home to freshen up. Upon arrival at his residence, he was waylaid by three persons who abducted him. Two of the kidnappers drove Mr Renzo away in his Toyota Hilux vehicle, whilst the Appellant (“accused at the trial court”) drove behind in a grey Honda. At a stage, which the Toyota slowed down to make a turn, Mr. Renzo was able to jump out from the vehicle and escaped.

With a description of the stolen vehicle, the police were able to chase after the kidnappers. The Appellant then had an accident in the Honda vehicle. He abandoned the car and tried to escape on foot, at which point he was arrested. The police thereafter recovered an AK50 gun, two magazines and 29 rounds of ammunitions from the Honda car.

The appellant was arraigned before the trial court on a five count charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms. At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial Court discharged and acquitted the appellant on the counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery but convicted him on the other three counts of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms. On appeal to the Court of Appeal (“lower court”), the Appellant’s appeal was dismissed. The Appellant, being dissatisfied with the judgment of the lower court, filed his notice of appeal now before the Supreme Court on the 15th day of December, 2014.

The lone issue for determination raised in the Appellant’s brief of argument and subsequently adopted in the Respondent’s brief of argument was as follows: “Whether the lower court rightly affirmed the trial court's decision that the prosecution proved the charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms against the appellant beyond reasonable doubt.”

On this issue, the Appellant submitted that the burden of proof for a criminal case was not discharged against the Appellant for the following reasons: (a) The victim did not identify the Appellant to the police as the offender with regard to the alleged offences. (b) The Exhibit ‘A’, being an alleged confessional statement by the Appellant, was not in fact made by the Appellant and therefore, the court of appeal was in error in relying on said exhibit. On this reason, the Appellant submitted that it was untenable for the prosecution’s witness (a police officer) to say that he had forgotten to endorse or counter-sign the alleged confessional statement because the case was handed to him at 3pm; and that the statement lacked a police endorsement, being one of the fundamental requirements of a valid confessional statement. The Appellant further submitted that the Exhibit ‘A’ confessional statement, which was pivotal to the findings of the Court of Appeal, was not valid and should not have attracted any weight. He relied on the case of OGUDO v STATE (2011) LPELR 860 (SC) (c) The prosecution’s case was riddled with material doubts which ought to be resolved in favour of the appellant. One of which included the evidence of identification by the 2nd prosecution witness, which, it was submitted, was not cogent as the identification was not made by the victim himself. (d) Regarding the charge of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, the appellant submitted that the prosecution did not discharge its burden to prove not only the inchoate or rudimentary nature of the offence but also the meeting of the minds of the accused persons with a common intention and purpose to commit a particular offence. Relying on HAUSA vSTATE (1994) 6 NWLR (Pt 350) 281 or 322, the Appellant contended that no such evidence of a meeting of minds was placed before the court. (e) On the charge of possession of a firearm, the Appellant drew the court’s attention to the discrepancy between the AK 47 said to have been recovered from the appellant and recorded in the charge and the AK 50 tendered as evidence in court.

The Respondent, in response, pointed out that in relation to the confessional statement, when the prosecution sought to tender the

C.B Ogunbiyi, JSC

In The Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On the 24th Day ofJune, 2016 Before Their Lordships Mahmud Mohammed Suleiman Galadima Clara Bata Ogunbiyi Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun John Inyang Okoro Justices, Supreme Court SC.838/2014 Between Bello Okashetu ............ Appellant And The State ...... Respondent Judgment Delivered By Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, JSC Appellant's statement at the trial court, the Appellant's counsel raised an objection that he was not the maker of the statement.

He further stated that the Court examined the reasons given for why the police officer did not counter-sign the statement and subsequently admitted the statement in evidence as Exhibit 'A'. Thereafter, he submitted that the Appellant could not now make admissibility of the said statement an issue before the court. Relying on EGBEHONOME v THE STATE (1993) 7 NWLR (pt 306) 385, he further submitted that it is not the law that a confessional statement must be attested to by a Superior Police Officer before the Court can rely thereon.

On the issue of whether the prosecution proved that the Appellant was among the people who kidnapped the victim, the Respondent submitted that the evidence of its witnesses at the trial court, successfully pinned the Appellant to the scene of crime; and that the said evidence was not challenged at the Court of Appeal by the Appellant.

On the inconsistency between the AK 47 in the charges against the appellant and the AK 50 tendered as evidence in court, the Respondent submitted that this was a matter of oversight by the Police. He further submitted that the principle of law that any inconsistency or contradiction in the case of the prosecution be resolved in favour of an accused person is subject to two conditions; the inconsistency must be material to the determination of the case; and there is no explanation from the prosecution regarding the inconsistency or material contradiction. He relied on ONUBUOGU v STATE (1998) 1 ACLR; and IGBO v STATE (1975) 11 SC 129, Court’s Judgement and Rationale In determining whether the lower court rightly affirmed the trial court's decision that the prosecution proved the charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms against the Appellant beyond reasonable doubt; the Court, relying on section 135 of the Evidence 2011 Act and several cases including STEPHEN v THE STATE (2013) Vol. 223 LRCN (Pt.2) 215, stated that there are three ways or methods of proving the guilt of an accused person, i.e. direct evidence, circumstantial evidence and by relying on a confessional statement.

In relation to the offence of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, the court highlighted the need for the prosecution to prove the existence of the consensus of criminal design or agreement

between two or more persons to do or omit to do an act which is criminal in nature, which must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. Relying on NJOVENS v STATE, the Court held that this may be done by direct evidence or inference from illegal act of the accused persons.

On the charge of kidnapping, the Court, referencing the case of R v CORT (2004) 4 All ER 137, pointed out that in order for the prosecution to succeed on this point it must prove the following beyond a reasonable doubt; that the victim was seized, and taken away by the accused person; that the victim was taken away against his consent; that the victim was taken away without lawful excuse.

The Court thereafter held that based on the evidence given by the victim, it was the other accused persons that had carried the victim away, whilst the Appellant drove behind them.

On the offence of illegal possession of firearms, the Court held that to prove the said offence, the law requires the prosecution to establish the following ingredients; that the accused was found in possession of firearms; that the firearms were within the meaning of the Act; that the accused had no license to possess the firearms. (STATE v OLADOTUN (2011) Vol.199 LRCN 66).

Thereafter, the Court, relying on the cases of ADEBAYO v A-G OGUN STATE (2008) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1085) 201 at 221; USMAN v THE STATE (2011) 3 NWLR (1233) 1 at 11 and OSENI v THE STATE (2012) 5 NWLR (Pt.1293) 351 at 387, stated that the law is settled that there is no evidence stronger than a person’s own admission or confession. The Court further stated that law is also well settled that a free and voluntary confessional statement of an accused person alone is sufficient to sustain his conviction where such voluntary confession of guilt is proved to be direct and positive and the Court is also satisfied as to its truth. The court relied on the following YESUFU v THE STATE (1976) 6 SC 167 at 173: The court thereafter held that mere denial by the Appellant that he did not make the confessional statement cannot, without more, render the confessional statement inadmissible evidence. The court further held that an accused person may still be convicted on the basis of a retracted statement. However, the Court held that it cannot act on a confessional statement without first applying the test for determining its veracity and correctness. The Court thereafter applied the tests laid down in R v SYKES (1913) 1 Cr. App. R.233, which is to seek any other evidence however slight, or circumstances which make it probable that the confession is true. In applying the said test, the Court considered the reasoning of the trial court and court of appeal, which agreed with the prosecution counsel, that the fact that the bio-data (i.e. state of origin, date of birth and religion) in the confessional statement was corroborated by the Appellant on cross examination ascribed probative value to the statement. Thereafter, the Court in agreeing with the lower court held that weight could be ascribed to the evidence of the confession statement.

Additionally, the Court dismissed the argument presented by the Appellant, that the Police had not endorsed/counter-signed the confessional statement making it invalid. The Court thereafter agreed with the Respondent that the Appellant could not make the lack of endorsement of the confession an issue when no arguments were presented when the police explained the reason for its omission at the trial court.

On the issue of the contradictory evidence presented by the prosecution, the Court stated that it had been clearly established that the Appellant was in possession of a firearm. The court further stated that whether this firearm was an AK47 or an AK50 was not substantial. The court thereafter held that for a contradiction to sustain and be resolved in favour of the accused, it must be substantial or fundamental to the main issue in question before it could create some doubt in the mind of the Court.

Based on this, the Court held that the principle of law that any inconsistency or contradiction in the case of the prosecution be resolved in favour of an accused person did not arise in this case. The court thereafter held that inconsistency in the make of the riffle was explained by the prosecution and accepted by the trial court, and based on the trite principle that the Supreme Court cannot interfere with the finding of lower courts except where the findings are perverse, the issue of contradiction was resolved against the Appellant.

The Court affirmed the judgment of the two lower courts and held that the appeal was devoid of any merit and consequently dismissed it.

The conviction and sentence of the Appellant for the offences of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms were affirmed.

REPRESENTATION For Appellant: Ohwovoviole, Esq., with P.O. Dafiaghor For Respondent: O.F. Euenmo. Esq., (Director, Civil Services Unit, Ministry of Justice, Delta State), with C.O. Agbagwu, Esq.( Assistant Director) Reported by Ibukunoluwa Omotorera Owa, Aluko & Oyebode, Lagos

4/NEWS

30.08.2016

L-R: New SBL Chairman, Mr. Olumide Akpata, Mr. Okey Egbuchu, Dr. B. Ajibade SAN, Ms. Bunmi Fayokun, Mr. Seni Adio, Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo SAN and Mr. Mena Ajakpovi

New NBA-SBL Chairman, Mr. Olumide Akpata and the outgoing Chairman, Mr Asue Ighodalo

NBA-SBL Elects Akpata Court Prevents Chairman as Ighodalo Bows Out Gadzama Jude Igbanoi

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law last Wednesday at the just concluded Annual General Conference elected a new council with its erstwhile Secretary Mr. Olumide Akpata emerging as Chairman.

Other officers elected include Mr. Seni Adio Vice Chair, Mrs. Priscilla Ogwemoh, Secretary, Mr. Sam Aiboni, Assistant Secretary, Mr. Ayuli Jemide, Treasurer, Babatunde Ajibade, SAN, Advisor, Research and Training and Mena Ajakpovi, Advisor, Communications.

Mr. Soji Awogbade, Olubunmi Fayokun, Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, Chinyere Okorocha and Okey Egbuchu became Council Members.

The election was at the Section’s Annual General Meeting which was held immediately after the Section’s working session during the 56th NBA Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

In his acceptance speech as Chairman, Olu Akpata stated, “The outgoing council worked together as a team and I assure you that as a section, there will be continuity. There is a clear direction on the way forward and we will communicate what this plan is very shortly.

“We are very grateful for the leadership we have had for the last four or five years. We have been privileged to have Gbenga

Oyebode and Asue Ighodalo take us through these last few years and now the mantle has fallen on my shoulders. With the help of Council, we will hit the ground running and ensure that this Section is a shining example not just to the association but also to the legal profession and the business community, we serve,” he stated.

While presenting other members of the 2016/2018 Council, the new chairman announced further plans to have additional co-opted members join the council in line with the byelaws of the association. He thanked members for attending the AGM and promised to keep everyone apprised of developments as they unfold.

Also presented at the AGM, was the Section’s financial report, which revealed that the section was closing on a very healthy note, as a huge surplus was recorded for the first time in the history of the SBL. Speaking about this development, the outgoing chairman, Asue Ighodalo attributed this surplus to the enormous support of his council and committees, with special regard to two new committees – Training; and the Research and Publicity Committee set up at the beginning of his administration to drive the vision of the section.

In his vote of thanks to his

team and members of the Section, Ighodalo stated that, "Being my last AGM as chairman of this great and distinguished section of our NBA, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of Council, Committee Chairpersons and our committed members for the opportunity given to me to serve as Chairman of Council.

“I have been extremely privileged to lead our section over the last 2 years and to work with such a dedicated team of hardworking, cerebral and committed professionals who all 'pay to serve'. I feel humbled and grateful. I ask you all to please accord even greater commitment and support to the incoming chairman and Council. I know that our section will grow from strength to strength and attain much greater heights. God bless the SBL, God bless the NBA, God bless Nigeria."

Earlier, the SBL breakout session themed, “Lawyers and 21st Century Wealth Creation Powered By Technology”, addressed the realities of doing business in the 21st century, the basics in applying technological innovations to legal practice, software patentability, and competing favorably in a global market.

The Lead Speaker of the session, Chief Leo-Stan Nnamdi Eke of Zinox Technologies, explained the concept of technology-based wealth creation to participants

at this session. According to him, wealth creation in the 21st century is about learning, Knowledge, power, skill and knowing how to improve business digitally.

He emphasised that, “Today, as much as 40% of Nigerian lawyers have gone digital, while the other 60% remain analog.

The digital growth of the legal profession is not as a result of training in Computer Science but because these lawyers have become compliant with the 21st Century. It is all about a positive mindset.

“In the 21st Century you can alter your destiny. The miracle of the 21st century is technology and that is the secret to many recorded successes in business.

Knowledge is a right in this century. And this knowledge (Not necessarily formal education) can be found everywhere and anywhere. All you need is to show an interest,” Eke stated, enlightening delegates about developments in information technology and how to create wealth in the 21st century.

The SBL breakout session was well-attended as the venue with a capacity of 500 was filled with participants standing at the doors and terraces in a bid to join the conversation on wealth creation. The session recorded an overflow of over a hundred participants, a feat unachieved by any other session at the AGC.

NBA Lawyers in the Media Elect New Officers Jude Igbanoi

Officers of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Lawyers in the Media Forum last Tuesday at the just concluded NBA-AGC in Port Harcourt elected new executives to run the affairs of the forum for the next two years.

The Law Editor of BusinessDay Newspaper, Ms Theodora KioLawson emerged as Chair of the forum while Mr. Emeka Eze was elected Secretary.

Other officers include, Ms. Wunmi Obabori of AIT, Abuja as Vice Chair, Mrs. Vera Chinwuba of NTA, Lagos is the new Treasurer, Law Editor of Daily Trust Newspaper, Mr. Adelanwa Bamgboye is Legal Adviser, Adam Adedimeji is Welfare Officer, Francis Famuroti is Publicity Secretary while the Law Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Dayo Benson is Assistant Secretary.

In her acceptance speech,

the new NBA-LIM Chair, Ms Kio-Lawson urged members to give their optimal support to the new EXCO as the forum is set to take on new challenges and innovative programmes that would ensure that it effectively plays its role in the parent body, the NBA. The forum had earlier in the day held its annual lecture at the AGC with the theme ‘The Media, The Law and Economic Development.’ The session which was chaired by Honorable Justice

Cletus Nweze of the Supreme Court had Mr. Femi Falana SAN as lead speaker and his paper was presented by Mr. Mike Igini, a former INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo and Cross River States.

Discussants at the session include, Chief Layi Babatunde SAN, Professor Ernest Ojukwu SAN, Chairman Multi-Choice Nigeria, Mr. Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Mr. Emeka Eze and Ms. Wunmi Babatope.

from Stopping Mahmoud’s Swearing-in

Efforts by a candidate in the just concluded Nigerian Bar Association elections, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN to stop the swearing in of the purported winner of the presidential election, Mr. A.B. Mahmoud SAN by the NBA President, Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN) in Port Harcourt has suffered a temporary setback as the FCT High Court was unable to hear the motion as all necessary parties to the suit were not served the with the processes and motion on notice filed by Gadzama.

Lead Counsel to Gadzama, who is the Plaintiff in the matter Chief Nnaemeka Ngige (SAN) announced his appearance and informed the Court that all the Respondents in the matter had been served with the processes including the motion on notice except the 13th Defendant which is Grace Infotech Nigeria limited, owners of LawPavilion whose Abuja office was locked and therefore made it impossible for it to be served with the Originating Processes in the suit.

Mr. Paul Erokoro SAN announced his appearance for the 15th Defendant in the matter, Mr. A. B. Mahmoud SAN and stated that he was just briefed on the matter yesterday night on the telephone by his client, who he has not been able to see because the client is attending the Annual General Conference of the NBA in Port Harcourt.

Erokoro stated: “There is absolutely no way the motion can be heard because the 13th defendant is fundamental to the motion.”

After some argument among the counsel to both parties, counsel to the plaintiff requested the court stood the matter down to allow counsel conclude the process of filing an ex-parte motion for substituted service on the 13th defendant and allow counsel to harmonise their positions on how to continue with the matter.

At the resumed sitting, coun-

sel to the plaintiff moved the motion for substituted service on the 13th defendant, the motion was supported by a14 paragraph Affidavit. The motion was granted and the matter adjourned to September 8 to assess the parties' positions and go into the substance of the case.

Counsel to the Plaintiff urged Mr. Erokoro to give an undertaking that the 15th Defendant will not be sworn in tomorrow so that it does not destroy the res, Mr. Paul Erokoro while refusing to give the undertaking on the part of the defendant stated that the 15th defendant would be sworn in, but he accepted that the principles of lis pendens applied, so the fact of swearing in was not material as the 15th defendant would relinquish the position if the court subsequently found that he was wrongly or improperly elected.

The Plaintiff was represented

by Chief Nnaemeka Nigige SAN, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN, Chief Pius Akubo SAN, Sebastine Hon SAN and a host of other lawyers The 15th Defendant was represented by Chief Paul Erokoro SAN, S. I. Ameh SAN and many other lawyers.

J.K Gadzama SAN

30.08.2016

/5

‘I Will Re-Engineer and Re-Position the Nigerian Bar’ Inaugural Address of the new President of the Nigerian Bar Association – Mr. A.B. Mahmoud SAN at the Port Harcourt Civic Centre, Rivers State on August 26th, 2016.

W

hat we are witnessing today is more than just a change of baton.

The Nigerian legal profession, by this election, has signified its intention to turn a new leaf. It has chosen to re-invent itself. It has chosen to win back the confidence of the Nigerian people.

Throughout the campaigns in the last few months, everywhere we visited across the length and breadth of this country we realised that the majority of our colleagues were eager and determined to build a new legal profession.

They want a legal profession that is respected and that enjoys the confidence of the Nigerian people. Our campaign messages with the hashtag #ABraveNewBar, #ACleanJudiciary, a judiciary that will deliver consistent and predictable outcomes; our messages of #NoToCorruption, whether in the Executive, Legislative or Judicial branch of government resonated very well with most of our members. It became clear to us that, for the legal profession in Nigerian, it can no longer be business as usual. Lawyers want to be respected. They want a country that works and that works for everyone. Lawyers want to be prosperous, therefore they want a country that is ready for business. The majority of our members are beginning to appreciate that there cannot be rich lawyers in a poor country. They realise that their prosperity is somehow linked to the prosperity of the country. It is clear to our colleagues, that to have all these, the legal profession must play its part. There appears to be an appreciation that to regain the confidence of the Nigerian people, the legal profession needs to go back to its core values of ethics, courage, integrity and professionalism. This election, it appears to me, signifies the clear resolve by our members to turn a new leaf and to begin to build a brave new bar.

Let me admit however, that this journey did not just begin. The outcome of this election was only possible because of the role played by our past leaders. President Augustine Alegeh must be singled out here for special commendation.

His innovation, his foresight and doggedness made this election possible. The introduction of universal suffrage for lawyers, on a new and innovative electronic platform is clearly a revolution of some sort. Universal suffrage gives a voice to every member. It changes the dynamics of the association. Although the legal profession is steeped in tradition and respect for seniority, one lawyer, one vote compels leaders of the association to respond to the specific issues affecting all segments of the membership. The electronic platform means that our members could cast their vote from virtually any location.

Several of colleagues cast their votes from the comfort of their homes, offices and hotel rooms across the country and from different continents around the globe. Here is a testimony from a senior lawyer: Mr. Asamah Kadiri <asamahkadiri@ aol.com> posted on the internet on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 5:37 PM with Subject: Re: NBA 2016 National Election: “This is amazing! I can't just believe that I could just cast my vote in the NBA national election from my hotel room in a faraway country overseas. This e-voting is the best revolution in NBA for years to come.

Thanks to the Augustine Alegeh led NBA presidency, for making this revolution a reality.

Even the online voters’ verification exercise I did about three weeks ago, as well as the final online accreditation exercise I did yesterday, were very easy, smooth and seamless. As soon as I received the email from the "elections@ nba-agc.org" email address, requesting me to complete the accreditation exercise, I just clicked the button and did it smoothly, without any hitches.… We all have to support this laudable

The outgoing NBA President, Augustine Alegeh SAN and NBA President, A.B. Mahmoud SAN at the swearing-in ceremony in Port Harcourt, last Friday

jet age system of voting, which is surely the best way to go, if indeed, we must move our country Nigeria out of the doldrums. Perhaps, those that have had challenges with logging into the NBA e-voting system to do their verification and/or accreditation, and voting, should actually first check the capacity of their own internet service systems. Universal Adult Suffrage through Electronic/Internet Voting has come to stay. Good riddance to the archaic and anachronistic erstwhile "Delegates Conference"!

Yusuf Asamah Kadiri, Esq. FCIArb (UK); LLM (BU, Boston, USA); DipICArb (Oxford, UK); LLB (Benin, Nig); BL (Nigeria); Int'l Comm Mediator (CEDR, UK)” This is only one of the several messages which commended the innovation that made it possible for lawyers to reject the old system built on inducement, undue influence and other Machiavellian tactics that some of our colleagues had perfected. It made it possible for our lawyers to reject form over substance.

It made it possible for our positive messages to reach the vast majority and for the majority to express their rejection of negative and divisive messages. I therefore wish to specially congratulate Mr. Alegeh for this transformational initiative.

But perhaps the real heroes of the campaigns were the very determined young men and women, who worked on our campaign. They manned our secretariat, our technical and situation rooms, reaching our many colleagues via social media, or worked on our help desk educating colleagues on the electronic voting processes.

We also have the foot soldiers who walked from door to door in all the major law firms in Lagos, Ikeja, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Jos, Kano, Maiduguri etc. I thank all you most sincerely.

Your Excellences, distinguished colleagues, the elections are now over. Though admittedly the dust is yet to settle. At many campaign speeches, I have heard my brother JK Gadzama SAN boast of his several qualities one of which is that President Goodluck Jonathan learnt from him how to accept electoral defeat. I did say to him teasingly, at Ilorin during our visit there a few weeks ago in July that I will be holding him to his promise to accept defeat graciously in the spirit of sportsmanship just as I had also publicly committed myself to that. As a senior member of the bar, I am sure that he appreciates that, in situations like this, it is imperative for us to put our personal disappointments behind us and move on. Any prolonged contestation can only hurt our association and indeed the country. I will therefore once more appeal to him to join hands with me as we work to uplift the Nigerian Bar Association and the legal profession in general. As President Alegeh will say, we are all one big Family. The Nigerian people

are watching us. As I said in my acceptance speech on the early morning of 1st August, for every contested position, one person gets elected, but everyone is a winner.

Permit me at this stage to congratulate my fellow colleagues who were elected to serve with me as national officers of our association for the next two years. I am confident that we will commit to working together collectively in spirit of brotherhood to discharge our mandate and deliver the promise of #ABraveNewBar. The Tasks Ahead Undoubtedly, the task ahead is arduous. In the course of my campaigns I pledged to put in my sincere best efforts. I am sure with your continuing support and the help of Almighty God, we will succeed. Let me therefore reaffirm my commitment to work assiduously to pursue our programs and implement our campaign promises in line with our constitution. We will do this working collectively with other elected National Officers, with a high sense of responsibility, honesty and integrity. The NBA is without doubt the foremost professional body in Nigeria. The entire nation looks up to the NBA for leadership and guidance in all matters of national importance and interest. We will pursue our mandate with only one sole objective: promoting the welfare and development of our members and the pursuit of the overall national interest of our country.

Before I speak to the vision and direction for the next years, let me first again pay tribute to my immediate predecessor Mr. Augustine Alegeh SAN. We have made giant strides under his able leadership. I pledge to continue his progressive programmes and build on them. Many of his initiatives stand out. The Stamp and Seal program has been a great innovation. It has helped to bring about sanity in the profession where entry by quacks had become common place. We are now reclaiming the legal market not only from quacks, but also from intrusion by other professionals. The Completion of our National Secretariat is without doubt a monumental achievement. It provides us with a benefiting and modern infrastructure that we can deploy effectively for the development of the profession.

The introduction of electronic voting and the Universal suffrage for all lawyers may perhaps be the President’s greatest legacies. Once again I congratulate the President.

Our Vision for #ABraveNewBar Let me in the next few minutes attempt to set out even if with a broad brush, our vision for a brave new Bar and to speak to some of our programmes. As set out in our campaign manifesto, our programs will be anchored broadly along four areas: Reform of the Regulation of the

legal profession, enhanced representation of our members’ interests, the reform or reengineering of the NBA as an organisation and finally the greater and more active pursuit of the public interest.

Our country is today at cross roads! With deepening economic crises fueled by unprecedented corruption, widening inequalities, increasing inter-communal conflicts, threats of secession, insurgency and other forms of criminality, it is clear that we face daunting challenges. These challenges belie our potential as a country richly endowed with human and natural resources. A few days ago, we listened to the President of Rwanda, HE Paul Kagami, speaking through his Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Busingye Johnston how he has led his country out of the depth of human tragedy to now emerge as one of Africa’s model countries in reforms and transformation that is ushering in a new era of prosperity and national pride for all Rwandese. Rwanda is a small country of about 11.8 million people. Put in context Nigeria, with a population of nearly 170 Million, Nigerians do not have to wait until we sink to the depth that Rwanda did, or follow other tragic examples in Africa like Somalia or even South Sudan before we get our act together, before we make that singular concerted effort to rescue our country from further decline.

Perhaps no other profession has the potential to really impact on national development and transformation as the Legal Profession. Our motto “Promoting the Rule of Law” is at the heart of securing security, good governance, development and prosperity. Our skills in a variety of fields of legal knowledge place us uniquely in a position to understand and impact positively in various spheres of national development and guaranty the security of our citizens and the prosperity of our country.

Historically, lawyers in various capacities and the legal profession in general has played a pivotal role in crucial phases of our national development. We played a key role in the anti-colonial struggles, in the struggles against military dictatorship. The question we must ask ourselves now is what is the challenge of modern day Nigeria. How can we assist as lawyers in meeting this challenge. I think in a nutshell that challenge can be summarised as ‘Nigerians’ right to Development’. The right to live in peace, in security and in prosperity.

What can lawyers and the legal profession do to usher in this era? I think it is precisely this sort of realisation that has informed the choice of this year’s annual general conference: “Democracy and Economic Development”. Positioning the NBA and the Nigerian Legal Profession to play this role of ushering in a new era of social and economic transformation and providing the legal support or structure for this transformation of our country is what the #ABraveNewBar is all about. In other words, to enable the legal profession play its key role in the next phase of our National Development, the NBA must reinvent itself. The legal profession must retool itself. It must reestablish its core values whilst at the same time realigning itself with new global trends, equipping members with new knowledge and new skills needed to operate in an increasingly integrated yet competitive world.

In our campaign manifesto we articulated four broad thematic areas around which we will pursue our agenda for #ABraveNewBar. These are Regulation, Representation, Re-engineering and Public Interest. And hence we reduce them to 3Rs and a P. I will try to elaborate on this.

With respect to Regulation, it appears that the regulatory architecture of the legal profession is out of date and out of sync with modern day Nigerian realities and indeed the size and complexity of the legal profession today. We must interrogate this and build a consensus

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

6/

30.08.2016

The Road to a Brave New Bar Ernest Ojukwu

I

attended the just concluded Nigerian Bar Association’s 56th annual conference at Port Harcourt. One of the engaging sessions was a showcase on “The future of the Legal Profession in Nigeria”. The Lead Speaker at this event was the new President of the Nigerian Bar Association- A.B Mahmoud, SAN. AB Mahmoud highlighted his road map for a brave new bar, using his 4 themes- Regulation, Representation, Public Interest and Re-engineering.

Re-Engineering the Bar President Mahmoud in his manifesto confidently asserted that “What the NBA needs is strong institutions and organs; not strong persons. Leaders of great institutions have realised that one can only achieve results when there are strong institutions that are focused on execution, closing the gaps between the result they promise and the results they deliver.” This is actually the foundation for a new Bar- building the NBA and its Institutions on the bases of democracy, openness, transparency and accountability. Only a brave leader will do this and I am excited that AB Mahmoud has pledged to do this. Some of our past Presidents had stifled the development of a professional Bar by imposing deep rooted dictatorship and control. Some Presidents and General Secretaries have run the Bar like their one-man-owner law firms. This has fundamentally inhibited the growth of the Nigerian Bar Association. The NBA has shown a very bad example for democracy and members have been intimidated, cowed, and held hostage and the growth of the NBA stunted by the enthroned culture of dictatorship, impunity and abuse of power.

I therefore earnestly look forward to seeing as President Mahmoud has promised a Bar Secretariat manned by skilled technocrats and managers, the autonomy of NBA institutions such as the Institutes of Continuing Legal Education and Human Rights, Bar Sections/ Forums, and NBA Branches. I look forward to Bar Executive meetings where issues are openly considered and debated; where all elected officers are given the opportunity (not out of sycophantic loyalty) to think, talk and work with the President in the Bar’s interest.

I look forward to the end of abuse of power and impunity of Presidents. I look forward to an immediate reversal of annexations of NBA branches, undue interference and imposition of leaders.

Regulation: Independence President AB Mahmoud believes “Central to the Independence of the Bar is its ability to self-regulate and self-govern without undue interference” and he has identified the need for a new Legal Practitioners Act that will anchor this independence.

I am excited that the new President sees the enactment of a new Legal Practitioners Act as an urgent task for a brave new Bar! It is a shame that the entire legal profession has been unable to get a bill (that concerns it primarily), pass through the Legislature for the last 12 years. In 2004 we drafted a new Legal Practitioners Act towards the end of President Wole Olanipekun SAN’s tenure and up till 2006 we were unable to even send it to the National Assembly. In 2007 under Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN we drafted another bill and sent it to the National Assembly and it did not pass the Committee stage at the National Assembly for nearly 6 years. In 2012 under JB Daudu, SAN we sent a new draft bill to the National Assembly. That bill of 2012 is still pending at the National Assembly up till today.

Trust A brave new bar requires trust. We have to trust the Bar. Trust is at its lowest ebb for the leadership of the Bar now- from, how we manage our funds, to appointments, to elections. President Mahmoud will need to urgently open the system so that we can build or rebuild lost trust. The Bar must openly demonstrate how the new election process works or should work. The Bar must proactively publish on our websites and other media all the information public institutions are required to publish under the Freedom of Information Act, including our budgeting process, budgets, financial regulations, expenditure levels for all categories of officers including the President, audited accounts, donations, grants, staff salaries, procedure and advertisements for appointment of staff, etc. And we must lead in this respect and make NBA branches follow. We cannot keep complaining about our Legislators, Local Governments, States and Federal Governments, Institutions and Political Parties when the Bar has not been up front about corruption and corrupt practices and secrecy.

Discipline and Corruption So much is known by many about the culture of corruption pervading the country. Lawyers and the legal profession are a major sector where corruption and unethical practices have become cultural too. I think that the Bar would be wasting time and just pretending, claiming it will help fight corruption in the country generally. The new Bar should just focus on its members. The job of making the Bar ethical and disciplined is just too great to divert attention from. We have no business talking about, for example fishing out corrupt Judges when the telltale signs are all over our institutions and offices. It will be good to enact new Rules of Professional Conduct for the Bar- President Mahmoud has promised to, but it would bring a better outcome if we also focused our energy on ethics education and ethics enforcement.

The key to these include: urgent enactment of the new Legal Practitioners Act to provide for simultaneous sitting of many panels of disciplinary committees to deal with the numerous complaints against lawyers; reactivation of the mandatory Continuing Legal

NBA President, A.B Mahmoud SAN

Education program and enforce annual compulsory attendance at ethics courses. The enactment of the new Legal Practitioners Act that provides for mandatory Continuing Legal Education is also very important. Other actions include the introduction of an ethics course in the LLB degree programs of the Universities and the enactment of a Legal Services Commission Bill into law. It is sad to learn that in 2016 ethics is not a course in the 5 years LLB degree program of our Universities and yet we want our lawyers to be ethical. Ethical lawyers are not born, they are made. President Mahmoud during his speech at the Bar conference alluded to the practice in other jurisdictions where discipline at the Bar is maintained by legal services commissions or like bodies. We produced a draft bill for a Legal Services Commission in 2012 and my last recollection was that it was submitted to the National Assembly but no word has been heard of it since 2012.

There is the notion and practice that unless there is a petition against a lawyer, the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary powers cannot be activated. Under the Legal Services Commission Bill, the Commission will be empowered to investigate/report/ prosecute disciplinary cases whether or not a formal petition or complaint has been made. This is how other jurisdictions have been able to stem the tide of indiscipline, corruption and unethical conduct in the legal profession. If you pick up the Nigerian Law Reports for example, you will see a litany of cases where lawyers were indicted by courts but because no person formally took those matters up in petitions to the Disciplinary Committee, those cases have remained un-investigated till date. The strongest impetus for impunity is a failed sanctions system, policy and culture. Many lawyers have debased the legal profession and administration of justice by heinous acts of indiscipline and corruption. The system we have for ethical education/orientation and enforcement is just too weak. The Bar should just get serious with cleaning ourselves and our system first.

Legal Education I keep wondering why the NBA has been unable to deal with the issues of Legal Education. I have not known any other Bar that has shown so much disinterest in Legal Education.

Our Bar has so far only paid lip service to it and we have continually shed crocodile tears for the falling standards of Legal Education and the legal profession. In other places the Bar, even when it does not have direct supervisory role in Legal Education, is proactive in engaging legal education managers and providers. The entire problem of the legal profession and in fact any profession start with its education standard. For example- the National Universities’ Commission (NUC) worked on new benchmarks and minimum standards for all disciplines including law between 2012 and 2015. Sometime in 2015 these draft benchmarks and minimum standards were posted on the NUC website where people were given time to make suggestions concerning them. The Nigerian Bar Association made no input whatsoever even though it has a standing Legal Education Committee. No individual lawyer made any input either, yet every year at the Annual Conference the Bar will release communiqués saying so much about Legal Education.

In 2006/2007 the National Committee on the reform of Legal Education submitted its report to the Federal Government and also the NBA. The report included a new Legal Education bill.

The Bar never discussed it. In 2006 under President Odogiyon, the Bar held a summit on the future of Legal Education in Nigeria.

The summit report had many proposals on Legal Education.

The communiqué from the summit was the last we heard of the outcome from the summit.

In 2012 a committee of the Bar produced new Legal Education bill. The bill separated the Council of Legal Education from the Nigerian Law School and made other far reaching changes on the management of Legal Education. The Bar has done nothing with it up till date. In August 2014 the immediate former President of the Bar (then new) announced a committee to organise an urgent summit on Legal Education. The names

of the chairman and secretary of the committee were announced but we never heard the names of the rest of the Committee members and the summit never held.

From 2010-2011 the Bar’s Legal Education Committee went round the 4 campuses of the Nigerian Law School to evaluate the infrastructure and facility of these campuses. The report of the Committee ended at its distribution at the National Executive Committee meeting. The Bar is not playing any auditing roles at the law faculties. The Bar is not playing any supporting role at the faculties. What is the relationship between the Bar and the Law Teachers Association? The Bar is not playing any mentoring role for law students such as sponsoring or organising competitions on skills development in areas like client interviewing and counselling, advocacy, moot and mock trials, ethics projects, writing skills competitions, social justice and human rights competitions, etc.

What about the rising culture of sexual abuse and harassment in our law faculties and Universities? How about “sorting” (grades for money)? What has the Bar done on these issues?

What has the Bar set as its goal for Legal Education? What has the bar communicated to legal educators as its goal for Legal Education? What has the Bar communicated to legal educators regarding teaching methodologies, clinical legal education and practice based learning? What role has the Bar played in setting the emoluments of law teachers as the medical association has done for its medical teachers?

I am happy that our new President has identified “an alarming fall in standard of legal education” and promised that “the NBA under my leadership shall promote the highest quality of legal education.” The actions of the next few months should speak louder than words.

Promoting the Rule of Law The NBA’s motto is Promoting the Rule of Law. I have not seen real NBA actions on this, other than introspective talk shows when we run conferences. The new President has said that “the NBA under my leadership shall speak out freely against abuse of power” and “... undertake a monitoring work that has as its objective, the promotion of Rule of Law. This will include monitoring and reporting in different areas that impact on the Rule of Law.” Right now we are facing a growing trend in the disobedience of court orders and judgments by various organs and Institutions of government. The NBA in addition to speaking out should confront this scourge frontally and radically. No kid gloves.

Young Lawyers and Lawyers in the Ministry of Justice The new President has promised many welfare packages for the Bar and the Young Lawyers. I am sure that he will make efforts to fulfil many of them. One thing that we cannot afford to continue to paper over is the way Young Lawyers are treated in our Law firms. Many Young Lawyers are treated shabbily and paid very poorly. The Bar must set employment rules for law firms and a mandatory minimum salary must be prescribed and enforced. No ostrich games anymore. The Bar has not supported its members who work in the Ministry of Justice. There is no reason why the Bar should not fight for better emoluments for its members in the Ministry of Justice particularly now that we expect so much from them in the fight against corruption.

Public Interest Roles The new President has promised robust public interest roles for the Bar. One of the public interest roles we have not played is the role of educating the populace on basic law and human rights. It is our responsibility to conduct public outreaches in town halls, communities and through the media on basic rights and responsibilities. It is our responsibility to inform and educate the populace on how and where to lodge complaints against legal practitioners. This is one major reason why the Bar needs to have a Legal Services Commission Act. The Commission’s objectives will include: give consumers and users of legal services an independent, timely, fair and reasonable means of redress for complaints; promote, monitor and enforce high standards of conduct in the provision of legal services and advance integrity in the legal profession; protect and promote public confidence in the legal system, the legal profession, the administration of justice and the Rule of Law; improve access to justice; encourage an independent, strong, diverse and effective legal profession; increase public understanding of the citizen’s legal rights and duties; and promote and maintain adherence to the professional principles.

It is the Bar’s responsibility to encourage obedience to laws by public institutions especially strategic laws that help in developing good governance such as the Freedom of Information Act and the Child Rights Act. The NBA as the personification of the Bar should take steps to get public Institutions to proactively comply with the mandatory requirements of these laws. Since access to justice and Human Rights are in the public’s interest, the Bar must set up standing court monitoring programmes and the outcomes used effectively in advocating for access to justice and enhancement of administration of justice.

A brave new Bar needs a lot of work on the President’s part. It also requires work and cooperation of the Bar and its members at all levels and from our branches. A brave new Bar cannot manifest unless we also have brave new branches who do things right, fairly, openly, transparently, accountably, justly, and democratically; Bar chairpersons who build institutions and not themselves; who lead and not rule. We reap what we sow.

Professor Ernest Ojukwu SAN is a former Deputy Director General of the Nigerian Law School

30.08.2016

/7

Funding of Legal Education in Nigeria Paul Obo Idornigie

A

Introduction

s at 10th August, 2016, on the Roll of Legal Practitioners at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, we had one hundred and seventy thousand (170,000) Legal Practitioners called to the Nigerian Bar. The nature of legal training has been to qualify as a Legal Practitioner whether the person intends to practice either as a Barrister and Solicitor or simply as a Solicitor.

At the beginning tertiary education was properly funded in Nigeria. Academic staff were properly trained and the Universities were really universal as lecturers were recruited from all over the world. I recall when the National Universities Commission (NUC) had offices in London and Ottawa and direct appropriation was made to these Universities for staff development.

There were research grants - internally and externally. Every academic staff was entitled to attend local and international conferences yearly.

I also recall that as students, there were all forms of scholarships, bursaries, grants, loans and incentives for University education.

I still remember when University hostels were like hotels where even one’s beddings were maintained. I also remember when relations from ‘town’ used to come to the students’ canteen to eat our balanced diet. That was when University education gave one a meal ticket.

Today, things have changed. Hostels are like refugee camps (a little better than IDP camps); a balanced diet is now O:O:1 or O:O:O, libraries are not properly equipped, buses are derelict and catering completely abolished, except by private food vendors. Lecturers ‘take home pay’ cannot take them home. Even basic salaries are owed and despite the intervention of entities like the Tertiary Education (Special) Fund, buildings are dilapidated and it is now difficult to differentiate undergraduates from other ‘apprentices’. I still recall when the second generation Universities were established in 1978 and how the NUC coordinated their funding, physical development, staff and students’ welfare.

Budgeting was centrally coordinated by the NUC and Universities were ivory towers. Then we were begging for ‘gown’ and ‘town’ to mix. Today, we are begging for ‘town’ and ‘gown’ to mix.

In other climes, financial endowment has been a major source of funding for the Universities.

There are scholarships, grants, bursaries and loans. Non-governmental organisations (or not-for-profit organisations) have supported the funding of Universities. We must, therefore, commend the sponsor of this event, OB LuluBriggs Foundation for its contributions towards tertiary education as a whole and law students in particular.

As at today, we have 143 Universities in Nigeria comprising of 40 Federal, 42 State and 61 Private. Similarly, from a humble beginning of having one Law Faculty at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 47 (44) Universities have been accredited to offer Law Degrees.

In this paper, we will trace the history of University education in Nigeria with particular reference to the funding of legal education. I must add that other than attending the Nigerian Law School, funding of legal education is not different from funding of tertiary education in Nigeria.

Historical Perspectives Legal training in Nigeria has traditionally been divided into three phrases, namely 1876 – 1914, 1914-1962, and 1962-till date. In 1876, the Supreme Court Ordinance was enacted to regulate the legal profession and to define those who would engage in the practice of law in the then colony. The Ordinance provided that those who had already been admitted as barristers or advocates in Great Britain or Ireland, or as solicitors or writers to the signet, in any of the courts at London, Dublin, or Edinburgh were to be allowed by the Chief Justice to practice as barristers and solicitors in the colony. Similarly, those who, by close contact with legal practitioners, were deemed

amply conversant in the law could also be admitted to practice as attorneys.

It was apparent that there was a shortage of qualified persons and the colonies could not afford the luxury of separating barristers (those who appear in court) from solicitors (those who are confined to office work), as is the practice in England. This marked the beginning of a fused legal profession in Nigeria. It was apparent that this arrangement would prove to be inadequate because having only qualified either as a barrister or Solicitor in England and other places with no fused profession they were not vested with local laws and customs. In effect, many of these foreign trained lawyers abandoned their profession and went into other vocations. During this era, it was observed that there were two categories of lawyers, namely, the local attorney and the professionally qualified attorney who undertook legal work in Nigeria.

The Supreme Court Ordinance (No 4 of 1876) empowered the Chief Justice of Nigeria to grant temporary licence to admit fit and proper persons to practice as local attorneys (to include experienced court clerks). To qualify, the applicants must sit for an examination to test his general education as well as principles and practice of law and show good moral character testified to by a judge or two District Commissioners. The professionally qualified lawyers were those who were qualified to practice as Barristers or Solicitors in England and enrolled in the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

To qualify to practice as a Barrister in England at that time, a person must pass the Part I and Part II of the Bar Examination, join one of the four Inns of Court (Gray’s Inn, Inner Temple, Lincoln’s Inn and Middle Temple.) and keep terms by dinning in his Inn. Also, to qualify to practice as Solicitor a person must enrol as a student with the Law Society, serve a period of pupilage articled for a minimum of four years with a practising solicitor and pass Parts I and II of the Law Society qualifying examination.

In the second phase, that is, 1914-1962, against the backdrop of the first phase, the government began to consider the need for an autochthonous system of legal education capable of responding to the peculiar needs of Nigeria’s indigenous community. It became clear that barristers who were trained in the ancient Inns of Court in England and Solicitors who had emerged from foreign law firms were of a totally different orientation from that of an African setting, for instance training in the UK did not take into account the Nigerian Legal System especially our customary law and Islamic Law. In 1914, the Supreme Court Ordinance 1914 repealed the Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876. During this second phase, the professionally qualified lawyers monopolised legal practice in Nigeria.

This was so because enrolment was restricted to qualified lawyers only. Thus in 1960, the British Government appointed a Committee on Legal Education for African Students headed

by Lord Denning. The Committee was asked to review the suitability of the legal training offered in the Inns and the needs of African Commonwealth countries. The Report of the Committee stressed the need for the training of lawyers within Africa. In Nigeria, things had moved faster than the Denning Committee.

The Unsworth Committee on the Future of the Nigerian legal profession, which was set up in April 1959 by the Federal Government of Nigeria made some recommendations. The recommendations of the Committee included setting up of the Nigerian Law School in Lagos and establishing a Faculty of Law in University College, Ibadan. Based on the recommendations, in November 1961, a board was constituted to make arrangements for the establishment of the Nigerian Law School. This was accepted by the Government and the Legal Education Act, 1962 was passed under which the Council of Legal Education was set up. However, in 1961, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka established the Faculty of Law, this was the first in the country.

The development of the Unsworth Committee gave impetus to the establishment of Law Faculties in the Nigerian Universities and the necessary professional institutions and legislations were in place, i.e., the Council of Legal Education and the Legal Education Acts of 1962. This was the beginning of the third phase, that is, 1962 till date. These two Acts have remained substantially the same since 1962.

During this golden era, legal education in

Nigeria was properly funded and the Universities were ivory towers.

Constitutional Provisions Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, amended provides thus: (1) Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels.

(2) Government shall promote science and technology (3) Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy; and to this end Government shall as and when practicable provide (a) free, compulsory and universal primary education; (b) free secondary education; (c) free university education; and (d) free adult literacy programme.

The critical question is when will the realisation of this objective be practicable given the fact that these provisions are non-justiciable?

Statutory Role of the National Universities Commission The National Universities Commission (NUC) as part of its statutory functions is ordinarily saddled with the responsibility of receiving and allocating funds to all Federal Universities on behalf of the Federal government. Section 4(1) (e)(f)and (g) of the NUC Actprovides inter-alia4 (1) The Functions of the Commission shall be to: (e) inquire into and advise the Federal Government on the financial needs, both recurrent and capital of university education in Nigeria and in particular, to investigate and study the financial needs of university research and ensure that adequate provision is made for this in the universities (f) to receive block grants from the Federal Government and allocate them to Federal universities, in accordance with such formula as may be laid down by the Federal Government (g) take into account, in advising the Federal and State Governments on university finances, such grants as may be made to the universities

by State Governments and by persons and institutions in and outside Nigeria.

Pursuant to these provisions, the University System Annual Review Meetings (USARMs) in which all Federal Universities were mandatorily in attendance was set up. USARMs served as a platform where all universities defended their respective budgets and gave account of how funds previously allocated were spent.

The meeting also provided an avenue for the Universities to furnish updates on financial needs in respect to projects, teaching and research, library, staff development and welfare of staff and students.

The presence of revenue experts at the meeting afforded Universities the opportunity to learn best practices on revenue generation, management, utilization and accountability. USARMs provided for a win-win approach to financial management and prudent utilisation of public funds in universities as it advanced the process of prioritization of projects jointly by NUC and University administrators.

However the Government has honoured the above provisions of the law in breach in the last 15 years. The government no longer seeks advice on the financial needs of the Universities from NUC. Funds that ordinarily ought to pass through the NUC to Federal Universities are now paid directly to Universities. The current practice of the Federal government in the disbursement of funds to tertiary institutions has several implications.

In the first place, the gesture of the Federal government has undoubtedly hampered the monitoring functions of the NUC. The Commission can no longer monitor and analyse the actual resource utilisation costs as well as financial projections and plans in Nigerian Federal Universities. As a result, the Commission no longer carries out periodic review of university funding polices so as to make recommendations on same to the Federal government.

In the absence of the monitoring and advice on university funding, Universities are left without a watch dog to ensure that funds are judiciously utilised for the purpose they are meant for.

Misappropriation of funds within the University system has thus become rampant. This has an adverse effect on the Federal Government’s investment in tertiary education.

Professor Paul Idornigie SAN

Another repercussion that arises from usurping the statutory mandate of the commission is that it obstructs the collection and collation of data on staff, students and facilities in Nigerian Universities for inclusion in an NUC data bank.

Although these facts and figures are very relevant for planning and research purposes.

The Universities no longer see the need to submit these information since they are no longer mandated to submit their projections and planning for the purposes of funding approval.

While University autonomy and academic autonomy should be respected, we think that this issue should be re-visited.

Statutory Intervention by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Section 6 of the Tertiary Education (Special) Trust Act, provides, inter alia: The Board of Trustees shall— (a) monitor and ensure collection of education tax by the Service and ensure transfer of same to the Fund; (b) manage and disburse the tax imposed by this Act; (c) liaise with the appropriate ministries or bodies responsible for collection or safe keeping of the tax ; (d) receive requests and approve admittable projects after due consideration; (e) ensure disbursement of funds to various public tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria; (f) monitor and evaluate execution of the projects; (j) do such other things as are necessary or incidental to the objects of the Fund under this Act or as may be assigned by the Federal Government; Consistent with this mandate, the Tertiary Education (Special) Trust Fund, between 2008 and 2016 sponsored a total of 15,961 PhDs and Masters Programme while between 2010 and 2016, a total of 39,891 were sponsored to attend Conferences by the TETFund.TETFund has been involved in the physical developments of Universities.

Other Statutes a. Petroleum Technology Development Fund The Petroleum Technology Development Fund was established under section 1 of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund Act, 2014. Section 2 of the Act provides for functions of the Fund. Although the Fund was not set up for studies in law but any postgraduate degree in law connected with the petroleum industry can be funded by the Fund. The Fund offers scholarships and bursaries; makes endowments to faculties in Nigerian Universities; provides for books, training and equipment; constructs buildings; sponsors seminars and conferences. b. Niger Delta Development Corporation The Niger Delta Development Corporation was established under the provisions of section 1 of the Niger Delta Development Corporation Act, 2014.

The Corporation, as part of its mandate for the development of the Niger Delta Region, awards scholarships and bursaries for postgraduate studies.

The Sustainable Development Goals The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), officially known as “Transforming our World”: The 2030 Agenda, are new universal set of goals, targets and Indicators that UN member

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

8/COVER

30.08.2016

A Brave New Bar Emerges as Mahmoud Takes Over as NBA President The two-year tenure of the Mr. Augustine Alegeh SAN led administration of the Nigerian Bar Association came to a successful end last Friday in Port Harcourt at the Association’s Annual General Conference. Jude Igbanoi was there to report on the proceedings.

The outgoing NBA President, Augustine Alegeh SAN and NBA President, A.B. Mahmoud SAN at the swearing-in ceremony in Port Harcourt, last Friday

W

ith the theme ‘Democracy and Economic Development’, this year’s conference, the 56th in the Association’s history commenced on Friday August 19th 2016 amidst apprehension that the court might stop the focal event on the conference agenda which was the swearing-in of Mr. A.B. Mahmoud SAN as the new NBA President. In spite of this and in the face of other challenges, Nigerian lawyers had a relatively good conference and most importantly, there was a smooth handover of leadership for 160,000-strong member Association.

The conference commenced in earnest with a Thanksgiving Church Service at Christ Church Port Harcourt with the outgoing president Augustine Alegeh SAN and other lawyers in attendance.

Thereafter the pre-conference National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the Chief Judges Chambers in the Rivers State High Court Complex. Alegeh gave an account of his two-year stewardship of the association to NEC and the commendations that followed thereafter were quite overwhelming for the out-going president whose tenure has been described as outstanding.

Senior lawyers took turns to shower the outgoing president with encomiums and well wishes.

The welcome cocktail party hosted by the Rivers State Chief Judge, the Hon. Justice Adama Iye Iyayi-Lamikanra set the tone for the conference as delegates were thoroughly entertained before proceeding to the Port Harcourt Civic Centre for the Opening ceremony.

In attendance were the host governor, Nyesome Wike and his Sokoto State counterpart, Aminu Tambuwal. President Muhammadu Buhari was represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami SAN.

Tambuwal in his opening remarks recounted the humble strides his administration has made so far, including massive investment in education, paying civil servants and pensioners promptly, free Medicare for children and pregnant women in Sokoto State and getting beggars off the streets (his pet project).

Wike’s Charge to Lawyers Governor Wike who headed the conference planning committee gave a thought provoking address to the gathering of lawyers.

Wike’s stated that ‘‘First, it is a rare privilege and honour to chair the Local Organising Committee of this all important general conference and to address such a critical segment of the Nigerian society, lawyers, magistrates, judges, academicians, business moguls and administrators all converged as distinguished members of the legal profession.

Second, as your learned colleague, I most sincerely admire and respect each and every one of you for the things that you do to earn your living and the values that we all signify as members of the noble profession.

This year’s theme: “Democracy and Economic Development” is thought provoking. Although I am not one of the keynote speakers, my interest in the topic impels me to share some of my thoughts on the subject matter with you even as I wait to drink from the knowledge fountain of the conference speakers and discussants.

There is a consensus that liberal democracy fares better at fostering political freedoms and economic prosperity. Although countries have different political trajectories, ours is a constitutional democracy, which not only guarantees basic democratic rights but also constrains the actions of political authorities.

Also, Nigeria, like several other countries, has accepted the ideal of democracy just as the founders of our Constitution believed in the positive correlation between democratically

inclusive political systems and successful economic development. Perhaps, that was why they inserted the nation’s economic objectives under chapter two of the Constitution. Furthermore, as an incurable optimist, I think that everyone of us also believes that it is still possible to achieve economic prosperity under our democracy.

Arguably, the phenomenal economic progress and prosperity enjoyed by citizens in liberal western democracies lends credence to the hope we easily invest in the connection between democracy and economic development, notwithstanding the fact that non-democratic systems in places like China have also proven to be beneficial to economic development.

However, after 17 years of experimentation, can we truly say that Nigeria’s economy has prospered under our constitutional democracy?

My answer, which I believe, is shared by most of you, is a straight no. Most of us hold the view that Nigeria is not fulfilling its potential in economic development despite the huge human and material resources at its disposal.

As I had earlier mentioned, our Constitution provides and guarantees fundamental democratic platitudes. However, constitutional guarantees, no matter how progressive, are barely a collection of words. It is the government; nay, a responsible government and the people that will make them effective to affect positive economic, social and political outcomes.

So, the mere fact that we are now a democracy would not translate to economic prosperity without more. This must be coupled with a practicable vision driven by viable policies, targeted investments, and trade, which in turn must be supported by appropriate economic incentives such as legal protection of business and property rights, adequate public infrastructure, and security of lives and capital investments.

Thus, while the correlation between democracy and economic development is strong, the missing link, in relation to Nigeria, lies more in our

inability to leverage on the democratic system and its values to drive economic development through a synergetic partnership and shared responsibilities between governments at all levels and the private sector.

Clearly, we make mistakes whenever we fail to recognise that democracy is never a mechanical condition. Besides distributing political voices more broadly with the common good as the measure, democracy also entails a host of complex demands, including responsible governance, respect for the rule of law, respect for human rights, including socio-economic rights, and an independent judiciary.

Democracy also allows for the proper exercise of democratic rights, including voting and having the votes count, peaceful protests and criticism from opposition parties and other elements as a necessary stimulus for effective service delivery and accountability.

Therefore, our inability as a nation to entrench and practice the bedrock values and demands of democracy is largely responsible for most of the development challenges confronting us as a nation.

In law, we say the fact speaks for itself. And so, how democratic is Nigeria when governments at all levels do not have any sense of responsibility; when the law and the justice system is easily compromised and incapable of protecting the weak from the powerful; when the electoral process is fraught with impunity; when security agencies become overly partisan; when viable opposition parties and voices are frequently emasculated; when those who defy the law easily escape accountability; when our courts readily become the centre rings of a circus for either the State or the powerful to abuse the judicial process.

The point must not be lost that as Nigerians, we all want to live in a country that is safe, secure and prosperous, a country where all are equal before the law, where we all enjoy our

30.08.2016 God-given freedoms of thought, religion and action, where no one or region is deliberately left behind and the benefits of economic growth are justly distributed, and where we exercise our democratic rights to freely and fairly hire and fire our leaders.

But 56 years after independence our country is still largely enmeshed in the throes of economic, social, and political conflicts and violence just as some of our political leaders freely personalise power, literarily expropriate public resources, and operate either above or outside the law to deny us our democratic rights, including development to the people. There are too many examples to recall on this, but let me mention a few.

River State is the only State of the country not represented in the Senate due to recurrent failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct peaceful, free and fair elections in the State since 2015. Yet, the National Assembly and the rest of the country are unperturbed by this development, maybe because, as Rivers people and a minority, we do not deserve to have our voices raised and heard in the National Assembly in the first place.

I wish to emphasise that part of our individual and corporate roles, as members of the NBA, is to protect our democracy from being destroyed by leaders who hold the system in contempt, using our voices, the law and the justice system as our basic tools.

Indeed, we elevate society and our profession when we fight to uphold democracy; when we fight at all times for the independence and integrity of our justice system, when we fight to protect universal access to our courts; when we fight for free and fair elections; and when we defend the constitutional rights of all Nigerians to peacefully congregate for lawful purposes.

At the same time, we stand condemned when we take our democracy for granted and do nothing when undemocratic forces subvert the rule of law, assault our democratic freedoms, hold everyone of us down as captives; and when we keep mute in the face of continuing injustice and repression.

There was a time when the NBA not only acted as the conscience of the nation, never afraid to take principled positions on critical national issues, and was never tired of fighting to entrench the rule of law, judicial independence, electoral reforms and public accountability.

Therefore, at a time when trust in our democratic institutions, including the National Assembly, the Justice system and even the legal profession has been shaken, I wish to remind you that your roles as members of the NBA, as officers of the Court, and as the stewards of the law and justice is more important now than before.’

Outgoing NBA President Alegeh Speaks In his own opening speech outgoing NBA President Alegeh SAN berated the judiciary for giving a lot of conflicting judgments in the past few weeks and called on the Attorney General of the Federation and the National Judicial Council to call such judges to order.

Alegeh stated that ‘The NBA AGC affords us with the opportunity of discussing a myriad of topics which are critical to national discourse and which form the basis of several governmental policies on various sectors of the economy.

Deliberations at the NBA AGCs have been instrumental to the promulgation of laws and policies that have promoted and helped shape the economy of our country at various stages of its nascent democracy.

As members of the NBA, the foremost professional body in Nigeria and the leading proponent of the Rule of Law, we have an obligation to properly advise the Government of the day on the way forward on issues that border on Human Rights Observance, Rule of Law, Administration of Justice and others.

Every major developmental plan or project undertaken by any nation in any sector of its economy requires a great deal of legal planning and framework. Consequently, lawyers are an indispensable factor in the economic prism of any country.

Anti-Corruption The NBA restates its zero tolerance for Corruption as well as its commitment to work with the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and all willing FGN Agencies to contribute its quota in the battle to kill corruption before corruption kills Nigeria.

We must also stress that the war against corruption must be fought within the ambit of the law and rule of law must at all times be given primacy. The war against corruption can only be won within the ambit of the law. There is no need to resort to any other means other than

COVER/9

The National Officers taking their oath of office administered by the new President, A.B Mahmoud SAN

legal means to win the war against corruption.

Lawyers have a huge role to play in the anticorruption war of the Federal Government. The NBA has played and will continue to play an active role in the fight against corruption at every level of government. We have collaborated with various agencies of government in this regard.

Our Anti-Corruption Commission headed by two distinguished Senior Advocates of Nigeria have organised several programmes and seminars to draw attention to the menace called corruption and the various measures which Government can pursue to effectively curb it.

State of the Economy Our Economy is in dire need of an intervention. Our major source of revenue, crude oil has dropped to an all-time low, the lowest in the past decade. The value of our Naira against the dollar has fallen astronomically thereby leading to the implementation of various stringent policies and regulations by the Central Bank of Nigeria to save the day. However, these measures although designed for our common good has caused severe hardships in several quarters.

Of increasing concern is the worrisome trend of backlogs of unpaid salaries and pensions by several States of the Federation. The financial situation of most States is pitiable and their economies can best be described as hanging by a thin thread. We are hopeful that the Federal Government will take urgent steps to salvage the situation by taking drastic steps to diversify the economy and reduce our dependence on Oil as the sole source of sustenance.

Conflicting Judgments We have been inundated recently with a barrage of conflicting judgments of our superior courts of record. This is a worrisome trend that the NBA has continued to push to the front burner and to agitate that steps are taken by our Courts to ensure uniformity in its decisions.

We are aware that most instances of conflicting judgments are principally as a result of forum shopping by litigants and lawyers which is totally unwarranted and avoidable. Oftentimes, the Courts are coerced into giving these conflicting judgments by a few lawyers who refuse and neglect to disclose the pendency of actions in the same court or the existence of a contrary judgment to the Judicial Officer in contravention of our Rules of Professional Conduct.

To resolve this issue, the NBA had proposed for our courts to have an effective and efficient means of case reporting and centralisation of judgments to make them readily available and accessible to other divisions of the Court. This, in our view, will cure the defect in the system and reduce considerably instances of conflicting judgments in our courts. Additionally, Lawyers found culpable in this act have been made to face disciplinary proceedings before the LPDC. Usurpation of Powers We are aware of the recent indictment of several persons by the National Human Rights Commission on alleged commission of electoral offences and the threat by the NHRC to prosecute these persons before the law courts.

Whilst we commend the NHRC for the good work they have done and will continue to do in the area of human rights abuse in the country, we wish to emphatically state that the encroachment by the NHRC into the powers of INEC in areas of investigation and prosecution of electoral offences is unwarranted and unconstitutional.

NHRC should focus primarily on its mandate and not abandon same to perform the task of another agency. INEC is the only body clothed with the constitutional powers of investigation

and prosecution of electoral offences.

We have over 4,000 cases of persons awaiting trial in our prisons. This should be the primary focus of the NHRC. Boko Haram Insurgency The efforts of the FGN and the Nigerian Security forces are beginning to yield positive results. The Boko Haram Insurgency is fast waning but the battle is not yet over. We commend the efforts of the FGN so far and urge Government not to relent. We know that the case of insurgency in the North East will soon be a thing of the past.

Militancy in the Niger Delta We note with dismay the resuscitated agitations by some Militants in the Niger Delta going by the name of the Niger Delta Avengers. We are aware that the demands and views of this group does not reflect the general perception and thinking of the Niger Delta region. We urge the Military and the Joint Task Force to ensure that this mindless group of disgruntled elements are subdued and that every form of insurrection in that region is quelled.

We commend the prompt intervention of the Chief of Army Staff and hope that this issue will soon be a thing of the past as this group has caused severe economic losses to the entire nation via their incessant bombing and vandalisation of pipelines.

Appointment of New Justices to the Supreme Court The NBA is in receipt of a letter from the Chief Justice of Nigeria for recommendation of persons for appointment into the Supreme Court. We commend the CJN for consulting with the Bar on major appointments into the Judiciary and wish to assure him that the NBA is a willing ally and will continue to collaborate with the Judiciary on its initiatives and policies.

State of the Bar NBA House Project Our new Secretariat has been completed and is presently being painted. We are proud to announce that we have been able to fulfill our solemn promise to this august gathering and indeed all our members that the sprawling edifice would be completed by this administration.

We will soon announce the date for the grand opening and commissioning of the Building. We urge you to take time out of your busy schedules to visit the site and observe the progress of the project prior to the commissioning. We have also sent out letters to eminent Bar Leaders, Senior Advocates and select lawyers for the inclusion of their names in the ‘Honour Roll’ of the project. Many people have either paid or signified interest to pay the NEC approved sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira). We urge those who are yet to pay to take steps to make their payments before the commissioning of the Building.

The NBA National Secretariat Building Committee would present a Report to this NEC meeting.

We are indeed grateful to them for their dedication and commend them for their industry.

Effects of the NBA Constitution We wish to state that the provisions of the NBA Constitution and Uniform Byelaws for Branches are sacrosanct.

We are aware that the provisions relating to dates for elections, qualification for elections and tenure limitation have generated a lot of controversy especially within the branches. It was on the strength of the perceived fallout and expected disagreements on this issue that necessitated NEC’s approval to inaugurate the NBA Branch Election Monitoring Committee. Part

of the Committee’s mandate was to supervise the modalities for the conduct of elections into offices at the branch level and to formulate guidelines for the conduct of such elections.

We will therefore not recognise persons elected into office in contravention of the NBA Constitution unless and until such branches comply with constitutional provisions.

Discipline at the Bar The NBA restates its resolve to deal with all cases of professional infractions and misconduct with dispatch and without favour.

Lawyers are hereby warned to desist from making disparaging comments against the Court simply because the Judgments were not in their favour or because they do not like the Judge.

Lawyers must imbibe the practice of decorum and civility while commenting on a judicial pronouncement. It is quite disheartening to see very senior and respected lawyers who ordinarily should set examples for their juniors to be the ones who engage in this unprofessional conduct. We must look inwards and tackle issues of professional misconduct before we can make meaningful progress in tackling societal issues.

Conferment of New Senior Advocates of Nigeria We are in receipt of the list from the LPPC of applicants for the conferment of the rank of SAN. We have forwarded the list to our General Practice Committee chaired by JB Daudu SAN and we are aware that the Committee has written to the Branches for their comments on the respective applicants.

As always, we will conduct a transparent process before making our recommendations to the LPPC. We wish the applicants the best and pray that they scale through the exercise.

2016 General Elections We introduced electronic voting to the NBA elections. I commend the Electoral Committee for their hard work as I am aware that the eyes of every lawyer and indeed all Nigerians were on them to observe how they will deliver on electronic voting.

Demise of Members The NBA has, within the past few months, recorded huge losses occasioned by the unfortunate demise of some of its resourceful members.

These include James Enojo Ocholi SAN, Former Minister of State for Labour & Employment; Bon Nwakamma SAN, Former Attorney General of Imo State; Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, late Human Rights Activist and Politician. We pray for the repose of their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed. A minute silence was observed.

Distinguished NEC Members and Learned colleagues, we thank you once more for your immense support throughout the lifespan of this administration.

We assure you that we shall remain focused in our bid to protect and safeguard the provisions of the Constitution of our noble association by taking proactive steps to improve the welfare of lawyers and raise the standard of legal practice in Nigeria. We urge you not to relent but to further support and assist us at all times to enable us achieve our solemn mandate to reposition the Bar.’ Keynote Speaker This year’s Keynote Speaker was the AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice, Republic of Rwanda, Mr. Busingye Johnston. He shared experiences from his home country, which after years of genocide and a bitter civil war rose from the ashes and built a strong democracy and judicial institutions.

10/COVER

30.08.2016

Lawyers Express Their Thoughts Dr. Akpor Mudiaga-Odje The elections held by the Nigerian Bar Association on the 30th and 31st July, 2016 albeit conclusive, has generated some issues and agitation regarding the transparency of the process adopted for voting i.e. Electronic Voting!

Without prejudice to the present action instituted

by J. K Gadzama SAN, challenging the validity of elections and results announced therein, one can still commend both contestants or combatants as it were, for availing themselves of the channel of due process in challenging the validity of the elections.

This is a better option than the electoral tragedy that plunged the NBA into an unpleasant interregnum during the Gen Abacha era regarding the Kuye and Dalhaltu, NBA presidency elections in the same Port Harcourt.

For the above reason of the Suit now pending, it is legally wise to refrain from discussing in detail the validity or otherwise of the elections.

My Expectations of the New NBA Exco Of course he has fired the first salvo by partnering with the Federal Government in its fight against the incubus called corruption in Nigeria.

That is a very commendable pledge, but I pray he follows it up with the patriotic and courageous zeal it requires, because fighting corruption in Nigeria is not a coffee party at all.

Corruption has permeated and perforated every facet of the Nigerian society.

He has to be a progressive and also proactive as the late Chief Alao Aka Bashorun and Olisa Agbakoba SAN, when the Bar championed the cause of society and the down trodden.

He should at all cost avoid patent and latent fraternity with Government at all levels including their Agents and Agencies.

Above all, he must ensure that Government upholds the Rule of Law at all times, and protect courageous and incorruptible judges from intimidation by Government and even lawyers too.

The NBA should address and advocate for urgent reforms in the judiciary as well as the prisons.

The Administration of justice should be on the front burner, whilst the Niger Delta and the vexed issue of resource management and control can be properly expressed and driven by a vibrant Bar. There are high profile corruption cases which need to be properly monitored by the Bar so that, the three way criminal justice traffic, i.e. the public, the accused and the prosecution will all be assured of fair trials and justice.

We also expect a totally radicalised Bar. My late father, Dr Mudiaga Odje SAN OFR of blessed memory usually accentuates that: “A militant Bar, Produces A Vibrant Bench”.

Mr. Dafe Akpedeye SAN – former AttorneyGeneral of Delta State Having promised a brave new bar, I expect that steps would be taken to ensure an all-inclusive bar, starting with dousing the hostilities that arose from the last elections. Again, I anticipate that the new administration would be brave and bold to confront salient national issues, particularly in these tough times. An important issue that craves for immediate attention, is the issue of incessant conflicting judgments that have constantly brought ridicule to our judicial system. I am optimistic that the next administration would as a matter of urgency constitute and strengthen the Judiciary committee, in line with the extant provisions of the NBA Constitution, to frontally engage the leadership of the bench in addressing this issue. I would further suggest that my Brother Silk and his Exco also pay attention to the issue of lawyers’ welfare across the nation.

The out-going administration has started with the introduction of the lawyers’ insurance scheme, but a lot can still be done to improve the welfare of lawyers. On the whole, I am optimistic that the A.B Mahmoud administration would build on the gains of the outgoing president and take the Bar to enviable heights!

I must first start by stating that the NBA conference held annually, has remained an improvement of what was done in the past. The conference this year with the theme Democracy and economic development, is coming at a time that the economy of Nigeria is struggling to remain afloat. The conference has indeed presented legal practitioners and perhaps the entire nation with an opportunity to espouse on a number of ideas

and concepts that can be developed towards evolving our nascent democratic dispensation.

Indeed, our strength and will as a democratic nation has never been this tested and only a collective effort which stems from a discourse like this can provide the much needed assistance and encouragement which the Buhari Administration deserves. Nonetheless, it hasn't been without minor glitches, in terms of logistics. Again, I must applaud the choice of the various speakers who have made presentations on the carefully selected topics for the several sessions conducted. The organisation might not have been perfect, but I think lessons have been learnt. With the huge enthusiastic participation witnessed, I am certain that with the right temperament and direction, the profession will attain commanding heights.

Chief Layi Babatunde SAN I appreciate and commend the kind gesture of the President and his Executives, in specially inviting and facilitating the attendance at the conference of elders who have paid their dues. It is a gesture, that will go a long way in raising the bar of our sense of appreciation as an association.

It is indeed a lesson to politicians, that the past cannot be all bad. However, moving forward, our conferences need better organisation. It does not speak well of us, that conference materials including bags are not given to delegates until late into the conference. Allowing the platform of our conference to be used, as an avenue for the sale or distribution of fake and counterfeit primary legal documents (Statutes and other practice resources) may amount to lending our Noble association to the promotion of impunity. On the whole, there have been gains made and many lessons for the future. The incoming executive should hit the ground running.

Mr. Monday Ubani – NBA 2nd Vice President Again, we had issues with registration and obtaining materials for the current conference.

Apart from that, every other thing went on beautifully, the guest speakers were well chosen and they gave good presentations. Participation was also very robust.

The incoming administration should take note of the shortcomings of the present administration especially with regards to the registration process of our conferences and try to correct them and make our conferences flawless. It is doable because we are witnesses of flawless conferences in other climes. This is not failing to acknowledge the good works of Augustine Alegeh's administration in innovations and comprehensive interventions on many areas of lawyers' complaints about Nigerian Bar Association. The completion of the NBA building, the stamp and seal project, insurance policy etc are some of his commendable projects especially the E-voting that is unprecedented. The outgoing administration has done really well and the incoming administration needs to sustain and if possible surpass these achievements.

An Anonymous (Physically Challenged) Lawyer It is unfortunate that over the years and till date the NBA has failed to recognise and make arrangements to accommodate lawyers with disabilities in its conferences; and we are supposed to be chief promoters of human rights.

Dr. Joseph Nwobike, SAN In terms of the quality of representation of lawyers in the past year, I think that the Alegeh led administration tried its best within the web of limitations which submerged its stream of programs. As we can all acknowledge, they introduced a number of integrity building and professional development focused models. The Bar should be grateful for that.

As for the in-coming administration, I expect that they would quickly work towards providing solutions to the problems introduced and escalated by the various programs introduced by the Alegeh administration. These include the problems which arose in the implementation of the stamp and seal policy and the electronic voting mechanisms. They should also try to adjust and possibly make more realistic and beneficial, the lawyers' seal project. In respect of continuous legal education, the administration should find a means of encouraging the branches to engage in extensive continuous legal education of their members. In this regard, the various law faculties should be brought in as stakeholders, etc.

Another issue which requires the substantive policy outlay by this administration is the issue of welfare and remuneration of juniors in chambers. It is quite disheartening to see juniors in chambers earn less than N50,000 per month.

That is very ridiculous, considering the cost of living in the country and the dignity associated with the position of lawyers in the society. The administration must find a way by which its decisions can be enforced. The administration should work very hard to protect lawyers against unwarranted attacks. As it is at the moment, lawyers are not only orphans but endangered species in the public domain.

Mr. Okey Egbuchu I only attended a day of this year's conference so far. The few sessions that I have seen have been robust. The conference could be better organised.

There are just too many complaints. The NBA appears not to have found a way to manage the large number of delegates efficiently.

Now, I expect the A .B. Mahmoud administration to be at the forefront protecting the rule of law and the fundamental human rights of Nigerians. This government seems to have little regard for human life. There are just too many killings in which the government is complicit in its silence, action and inaction. The NBA must not be found wanting.

Mr. Paul Ebiala – former NBA 1st Assistant Secretary I will assess this year's NBA conference, first from the organisational angle, then from its content in terms of themes, topics and delivery.

On organisation, I'll give kudos to Lawpavilion for improving on its performance this year compared to the rowdy and riotous situation we had in 2015 in Abuja owing to its shabby handling of the distribution of tags. The sorting out of the tags this year into the various Branches made collection much easier. However, there were still lapses with regards to Lawyers who registered individually. Gaining access to collection points to pick their tags was a herculean task, resulting in anger and frustration.

Coming to distribution of conference bags and other materials, it was a total failure. A situation where Lawyers could not pick their tags, bags and other conference materials at the same time is a complete failure and unacceptable, especially after all the apologies and promises

by President Alegeh to improve on last year's woeful outing. Thousands of Lawyers who registered and indicated that they will receive their materials individually did not get conference bags on time. It is a huge sham! Worse still, even when bags were distributed to Branches for their members who indicated to collect through them, no conference material was found in the bags, only a miserable hand towel & key holder were found in some. That is a big flop.

In terms of content, however, the selected theme and sub-themes were quite topical, and their handlers were also carefully selected. That is commendable.

On the whole, a lot needs to be done by the next administration to improve the organisation of the next conference. Any conference where participants cannot seamlessly pick all their materials on arrival on a day before the commencement of the conference is a failure. Most participants judge the success or otherwise of a conference from the distribution and quality of conference materials, especially after paying so much to register.

I'll rate this year's conference 55%.

Mr. Obinna McKenzie For me, this year's conference was just a sham in spite of the huge sums of money paid by Lawyers for same as well as the money committed to same by the host government and other donors.

This is supposed to be a ritual that comes every year yet the Alegeh led NBA could not organise a decent and befitting conference for a profession that is supposed to be a pace setter in Nigeria.

Therefore, he lacks the moral locus and justification to criticise INEC in respect of the spate of inconclusive elections in Nigeria. So, if he could not conduct a hitch free conference for his constituency then he lacks locus to criticise INEC or the Federal Government.

However, for the incoming Exco I suggest that they should critically study this out-going

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

Dr. Akpor Mudiaga-Odje

Dafe Akpedeye SAN

Chief Layi Babatunde SAN

Monday Ubani

Dr. Joseph Nwobike, SAN

Okey Egbuchu

30.08.2016

/11

'I WILL RE-ENGINEER AND RE-POSITION THE NIGERIAN BAR' on the direction to go. We need a more rigorous and effective framework for establishing professional and ethical standards, reigning in erring unethical lawyers and rebuilding confidence in the legal profession. In doing this we will look at current global trends and trends on the African Continent. We cannot assume a leadership role, regain our respect, nationally, across the continent and indeed globally if we do not change the current perception of the profession.

We will review all current models of regulation and attempt to adopt new models or revamp the existing model. But this in our view is something we must do in our overall best interest. If the Nigerian Bar Association must retain its self-regulatory status, sufficient internal mechanism must be devised and adequate resources deployed to ensure that regulatory responsibilities are carried out effectively and efficiently and in line with accepted global standards. The major task of the Bar should be in enhancing its standards at professional and ethical levels and ensuring that bad eggs do not find sanctuary in its ranks.

With regards to the Representation aspect, our objective is to enhance the protection of our members’ interests. We will quickly establish programmes and strategies necessary to enhance the welfare of our members particularly the young members of the profession. A major aspect of this will comprise educational and professional development of our members. We will bring proposals to establish a Legal Education and Development Programme that will be IT driven and will be structured to reach as many lawyers as possible. We will establish a mentoring programme both at Individual and at firm levels. Senior lawyers and more developed firms will be encouraged and incentivised to mentor younger lawyers and smaller firms to take on complex and sophisticated legal work as a strategy of enhancing legal capacity across the country. The Nigerian Bar Association under my leadership shall also focus on preparing its members to meet the new challenges of globalisation, creating new opportunities and preparing the economy for greater investment and wealth creation. We will also work to develop a minimum standard and practices for the employment of younger lawyers in law firms across the country. We hope by the next meeting of our National Executive Committee in November proposals will be in place for the consideration and approval of the National Executive Committee.

With regards to Reengineering the NBA, the broad objective is to quickly transform the NBA to come better structured and more efficient. It is only a well-structured and efficiently managed institution that can drive our programmes and activities. We will quickly commission a needs assessment and organisational and human resource audit of the National Secretariat to see what needs to be done to position the Secretariat to deliver on our programmes. A major component of the reengineering of the NBA will also comprise the review of the structure and functioning of our branches. With 120 branches across the country, the branch structure appears unwieldy and cumbersome. Whilst the idea is to bring the association closer to its members, yet this current structure of branch proliferation does not allow for efficient utilisation of resources. We would encourage branches to work in every State to achieve greater synergy. The Branches should become the main delivery agents for our programmes and services. These will be more effective if there is greater coordination and synergy at State level. We will devise strategies for achieving these goals. In addition to this, we will review the activities of the Sections and fora and see how best to encourage them to do more to aid the attainment of their specific mandates and also the broader objectives of professional development of our members.

The Public Interest dimension of our programmes will focus on certain key areas. First is the promotion of a Clean Judiciary.

The NBA will work closely with the Judiciary to attain this goal.

President Augustine Alegeh in his speech at the opening ceremony of the AGC 2016, decried the spate of conflicting Judgments as we have seen most recently in our courts. I am aware that the Body of Senior Advocates has expressed a similar concern and has been working on specific proposals. The development brings the Nigerian judiciary and the legal profession in general to ridicule and contempt and undermines the Rule of Law. We will galvanise the concerns of all Stakeholders and confront this problem. Judges found complicit in this must be sanctioned.

On our part, we will constitute a high powered committee to review all such cases in particular with respect to the role and conduct of our members. Any member found complicit in this will face disciplinary action and will be sanctioned appropriately.

Your Excellences, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, several programmes of my predecessor Mr. Alegeh align very much with our vision. The Stamp and Seal programme for instance has been very successful in assisting us to reclaim the legal market both from quacks and from intrusion by other professionals. I am aware however, that there are a lot of complaints from our members regarding some practical matters on the operational aspect of the programme. In fulfillment of our campaign promises, I will constitute a committee immediately to review the operations of the Stamp and Seal programme and to recommend ways of enhancing it to serve our members better.

I have already commended the Alegeh-led administration for the introduction of electronic voting. We are all agreed that this is the only direction for the NBA. There is no going back on this. We will as part of a general review of the NBA electoral process however, undertake further studies with the objective of enhancing electronic voting and generally improving the electoral process where possible. NBA electioneering campaigns have remained expensive, tasking and risky. Even more importantly they have become acrimonious and divisive. Needless to say, as a professional association, this is not good for us. We must conduct ourselves with the highest regards for ethics and demands of our professional calling. We are neither a political

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

NBA President, A.B Mahmoud SAN

party nor trade union. I will engage Bar leaders to examine how we can further reform the process and make it more in line with what happens in other more mature law societies and bar associations.

One of the major legacies I will be inheriting from my predecessor is the new imposing NBA National Secretariat Building in Abuja. I want to assure all our colleagues that we will put the edifice to good use. We will set up a framework for the efficient management and maintenance of the building to ensure that it remains a veritable resource for us and a symbol of pride for all lawyers.

Distinguished colleagues, In the course of the coming weeks, we will engage in extensive consultations with all segments of the membership of the association to fine tune and roll out our programmes. We will count on your support and participation as we move forward. I am aware that there are some rumblings here and there especially involving some branches following recent elections of branch executives. We will appeal to all parties involved to put the overall interest of the Association first. We will take appropriate steps to achieve speedy reconciliation in the affected branches.

Let me now move to broader public interest matters. I want to speak on four key problems, the fight against corruption, the reform of the judiciary, the Insurgency and reconstruction of the North East and the Resolution of the crisis in the Niger Delta. As Nigerians, as lawyers we are all directly affected, alongside millions of our compatriots by these major challenges our country is facing.

The Nigerian Bar Association commits itself to the fight against corruption in Nigeria. We will put our knowledge, our skills and all resources to combat corruption and reclaim the dignity of Nigerians and of our country. We recognise however that the fight against corruption can only be achieved if we do so within the frame work of the rule of law and by strong institutions.

The critical institutions involved must be repositioned and reequipped and retooled to confront the problem of corruption on a consistent sustainable basis. As a start, we commend the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for the work it is doing and for its modest achievements. However, going forward the NBA must demand the reform of the institution itself. We need to define its mandate more narrowly and more clearly. In my view its broad operations as an investigative and prosecutorial agency should be reviewed. I recommend strongly that the EFCC be limited to investigation. The decision to prosecute and the conduct of the prosecution must be by an independent highly resourced prosecution agency. In addition, the EFCC and the prosecution agency must be secured from political interference in their activities. There is absolutely no reason for it to report operationally or otherwise to the Presidency. The NBA Anti-Corruption Commission will be mandated to develop clear recommendations towards enhancing the fight against corruption and improving the effectiveness of all the agencies involved. We will present these to the Federal Government.

On the Reform of the Judiciary, the NBA will advocate for urgent reforms that will reposition our judiciary and equip it to play its future role. A clean, efficient, knowledgeable and effective and transformative judiciary is at the foundation of building an orderly, peaceful and prosperous society. It is the only way we can guarantee the rule of law and an egalitarian society for our people. The notion that a judge could be bribed either by a lawyer or litigant is completely obnoxious and unacceptable. In many countries it is unthinkable! The NBA under my watch will fight judicial corruption. We shall also make the legal profession unattractive for corrupt lawyers.

We will ensure that the NBA does not become a sanctuary for miscreant lawyers.

As a strategy for rebuilding public confidence in the Judiciary and the legal profession, we will encourage greater public interest representation in our activities. Therefore, whether in the Judiciary or at the Bar, there must be sufficient infusion of public participation or public interest representation in our activities.

What happens in the legal profession must be everybody’s business. Appointment of judicial officers should be more open and subject to public scrutiny. The affairs of the Judiciary need

to be conducted in a more open and transparent manner. The public should be aware of what goes on at all levels. We must devise ways of identifying and flushing out bad eggs at all levels of the Bar and the Bench. And this we must do as a matter of urgency. In the two years of my presidency, we shall advocate for the reform of the method of appointment of judicial officers across the country. Promotion to higher appellate courts should not be a ‘cab rank affair’. That is every one awaits his turn.

The method should be more open competitive and transparent based on intellectual ability, integrity and competence. We shall also advocate vigorously that the Appellate Courts be enriched with the appointment of outstanding Lawyers and Academics into its Bench, The Judiciary should evolve a credible system of review of judicial performance. To this end we shall set up a high powered committee to assess the state of justice delivery in all the States of Nigeria with a view to drawing the attention of all governments and stakeholders to areas of concern.

The North East Region of Nigeria has remained a flash point of conflict and theatre of humanitarian crises as the country struggles to contain the insurgency in that region. We have in the course of our campaigns visited the region after my initial visit led by President Alegeh on 30th November, 2015.

I have been back in the North East at least twice since then.

The destruction and human suffering cannot be overstated.

Millions of Nigerians have been affected and others displaced.

The internally displaced persons in the region are estimated to be 2.3 Million which is the third largest in the world after Syria and Colombia. The NBA will set up a North East Task Force with the following mandate: i. To assist our members affected by the conflict ii. To provide pro bono legal services to individuals and communities in the region who are victims of the conflict to aid the process or rehabilitation, resettlement and reconciliation. iii. To provide expert services to Federal and State Governments of the States in the region and the National Assembly on devising an appropriate legal framework and other legal services for the reconstruction of the region. iv. To advise on broader issues of transitional justice to assist the process of reconciliation and reconstruction. v. To monitor the region especially human rights’ observance and flag issues requiring the attention and engagement of the Nigerian Bar Association.

With regards to the situation in the Niger Delta we note the devastating impact of the conflict on the various communities and citizens living the region. It is clear that the environmental destruction and the human suffering and the general impact on the national economy are huge. The NBA will similarly put at the disposal of all communities and all parties to the conflict in the Niger Delta, its resources, knowledge and skills towards achieving a resolution, reconciliation and rebuilding of the region. I will constitute an NBA Niger Delta Task Force with the following mandate: i. Providing legal assistance and support to our members affected by the conflict; ii. Providing pro bono legal assistance to individuals and communities within the region affected by the conflict; iii. Providing pro bono legal assistance to all parties in the conflict working towards a negotiated resolution and reconciliation; iv. Providing legal support to advise on the general challenges in the region with a view to enhancing environmental protection and the quality of life in the region; v. Monitoring developments in the region especially human rights observance and flagging issues needing immediate attention and engagement by the Nigerian Bar Association.

These Task Forces will be manned by volunteers from our membership. The NBA will also mobilise resources from donor agencies and development partners to support the work of the Task Forces. We hope that these initiatives will help in addressing the humanitarian crises in the two regions and lead to a lasting solution and reconciliation.

Your Excellences, Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, colleagues.

I assure you, the NBA under my leadership will be vigilant, will speak up courageously on all matters of national interest and in the overall best interest of our country.

Conclusion Ladies and gentlemen, I want to assure you that 2016-2018 will be a shift for the NBA as we will do all within our powers to re-engineer and re-position it into a bigger, better, more efficient, more responsive, cohesive and globally competitive Bar Association.

Nigeria needs a new and robust legal profession fully conscious of its pride of place and historic obligations. The NBA must position itself to lead the change required in our country and this requires the right leadership. The legal profession has a crucial role to play in setting the stage for the next phase of our journey in democracy and development. We must guarantee the right to development for all our citizens by ensuring the right institutions, systems and processes that guarantee good governance and balanced sustainable development. This is our mandate for the next two years and I must say be rest assured that we will work assiduously to achieve these goals. I wish to state clearly, that we shall run this new administration on the core values of integrity and ethical Lawyering; Nigerian Lawyers have voted for #ABraveNewBar and indeed “it shall no longer be business as usual”.

Before I take my seat let me place on record my depth of gratitude for the unflinching support I have received from my wife Justice Patricia Mahmoud on this project. She has spent endless days fasting and seeking for divine protection and guidance for me and my colleagues in the campaigns and in the election. I thank her very much. I must also thank our children Salim, Sadiq, Zainab, Zubaida and Hauwa and indeed their friends who all made it their project by contributing in various ways.

12/

30.08.2016

FUNDING OF LEGAL EDUCATION IN NIGERIA States are expected to use to frame their agendas and political policies over the next 15 years .The goals which are 17 in number has 169 targets. The goals include: • Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere.

• Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

• Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

• Promote sustained inconclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

It is expected by 2030, some of these goals should have been achieved. Without proper funding of education, all these goals may not be attainable.

Fees Charged by Universities for Law Programmes The fees charged by Universities for law programmes can be categorized as follows: Faith-Based Universities i. Bowen University – N650,000 per semester ii. Covenant University – N640,000 per semester iii. Benson Idahosa University – N500,000 per semester iv. Madonna University – N500,000 per semester v. Babcock University – N450,000 per semester vi. Redeemers University – N450,000 per semester vii. Ajayi Crowther University – N350,000 per semester Federal Universities i. University of Benin – N12,000.00 ii. Ahmadu Bello University N29,000.00 iii. University of Maiduguri – N21,000.00 iv. University of Jos – N45,000.00 v. Obafemi Awolowo University – N19,700.00 vi. University of Nigeria – N46,000.00 vii. University of Calabar – N35,000.00 viii. University of Abuja – N22,000.00 ix. University of Ilorin – N23,000.00 State Universities i. Delta State University – N50,000.00 ii. Anambra State University – N197,000.00 iii. Imo State University – N20,000 per semester iv. Nasarawa State University – indigenes – N20,000.00 – Others N30,000.00 Private Universities i. Baze University – N2,000,000.00 ii. Afe Babalola – N1,200,000.00 Nigerian Law School i. Bar Part I – N260,000.00 for Nigerians and N600,000 for Non-Nigerians ii. Bar Part II - N295,000.00 How many indigent students can afford the fees especially in the faith-based Universities where they had sowed seeds and made several special offerings? Even some of the private Universities have not been accredited either by the NUC or Nigerian Law School. Yet their fees are prohibitive and exclusive. At the level of the Nigerian Law School, deliberate intervention by States and Local Governments is imperative.

Accredited Nigerian Universities The Nigerian Law School has accredited the following Universities: S/N INSTITUTION 1 Abia State University 2 Adekunle Ajasin University 3 Ahmadu Bello University 4 Ambrose Alli University 5 Anambra State University 6 Bayero University 7 Benue State University 8 Delta State University 9 Ebonyi State University 10 Enugu State University 11 Igbinedion University 12 Imo State University 13 Kogi State University 14 Lagos State University 15 Madonna University 16 Nnamdi Azikiwe University 17 Obafemi Awolowo University 18 Olabisi Onabanjo University 19 Rivers State Uni of Science & Tech.

20 University of Abuja 21 Ekiti State University 22 University of Benin 23 University of Calabar 24 University of Ibadan 25 University of Ilorin 26 University of Jos 27 University of Lagos

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

28 University of Maiduguri 29 University of Nigeria, Nsukka 30 University of Uyo 31 Usman Danfodiyo University 32 Niger Delta University 33 Babcock University 34 Nasarawa State University 35 Benson Idahosa University 36 Afe Babalola University 37 Katsina State University 38 Yobe State University 39 Osun State University 40 Katsina State University 41 Yobe State University 42 Nigeria Turkish Nile University 43 America University of Nigeria 44 Edwin Clark University 45 Bowen University 46 Ajayi Crowther University 47 Lead City University Requirements for Accreditation It is instructive to state at this point, why proper funding of Universities is imperative.

The Universities should be properly funded so that they can, amongst others, meet the accreditation requirements of the NUC and the Nigerian Law. In the the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards for Undergraduate Programmes in Nigerian University (BMAS) 2007 published by the NUC, it is clearly stated that the requirements are two-fold: personnel and physical facilities.

In terms of personnel, every academic staff must be intellectually and morally capable to teach and conduct research and provide leadership to the students; adequately supplied and well remunerated. Secondly the academic staff must have adequate opportunity for self retraining through research, attendance at conferences and training programmes.

There are several positions in the academic ladder starting from that of Assistant Lecturer, Lecturer Grade II through to Professorial cadre.

Really the entry point is that of a Graduate Assistant, fresh from the Nigerian Law School with a good honours degree. However, to be an Assistant Lecturer, BMAS expects a candidate to hold a good honours degree in law and be called to the Nigerian Bar. Furthermore, such a candidate should be confined to tutorial assignments for the first two sessions of his appointment. It is expected that every department of a law faculty should have a minimum of five (5) academic staff, and every law faculty should have at least one Professor and the staff-student ratio should be as per NUC guideline (i.e Ratio 1:30).

With respect to physical facilities, BMAS provides that every law faculty should have its own building separate and distinct from others. In designing such a building, the factors given below should be taken into account. In the first place every law faculty should have offices for the Dean, Heads of Departments, academic and administrative staff, general offices, stores, conference/seminar room, amongst others. There are specific space requirements for Heads of Departments and Professors. However, in the following is the requirement for the Dean’s Office.

• Dean’s office, excluding space for toilet and Secretary’s office, should measure approximately - 10m x 7m • Secretary’s office 6m x4m • General Office 12m x 8m • Conference/Seminar room to accommodate 50 people • Faculty Officer’s room 6m x 4m • Room for faculty Officer’s Secretary 4m x 4m • Stores - 5m x 4m Machine room - 4m x 3m These are some of the requirements that the Universities have to meet to be accredited. We all know that even Graduate Assistants can teach almost all the courses from the first year to the final year and that Assistant Lecturers start teaching all courses as soon as they are employed. There are now limited opportunities for scholarships, grants and loans. Furthermore we also know that Adjunct Professors are used to meet some of these accreditation requirements in relation to staff-student ratio and engaging Professors.

Sources of Funding: Universities and Students

In the past, apart from relying on savings by students and support by parents and guardians, there were various support programmes for University education. This can again be broken down into funding of Universities generally and support to the students as follows: Sources of Funding Available to the Universities are: i. Subventions ii. Interventions – TETFUND, NDDC iii. Endowments iv. Scholarships v. Tuition Fees vi. Alumni Contributions vii. Donations viii. Grants ix. Books and Journals Sources of funding available to the undergraduate students are: i. Interventions – TETFUND, PTDF, NDDC ii. Scholarships iii. Grants iv. Bursaries v. Dean Honours Roll vi. University Scholars Scheme vii. Loans viii. Parents, guardians, etc Sources of funding to Law School Students are: i. Scholarships ii. Bursaries iii. Grants iv. Loans v. Parents and Guardians, etc These sources have proved inadequate given the number of students seeking such assistance.

In a country where the official minimum wage is N18,000.00 per month, many students will be financially excluded from access to University education on the one hand and professional training for law students at the Nigerian Law School, on the other. Also, what some states pay as bursaries is also inadequate especially at the Nigerian Law School level.

It is also common knowledge that the academic staff are most times overstretched – an Assistant Lecturer teaching from first year to final year students. Similarly due to poor remuneration, some academic staff engage in private legal practice to the detriment of their primary assignment in the Universities while the creation of Adjunct Status is unhelpful – some academic teaching in more than one University. With the political climate coupled by high level of unemployment, the signals that the younger ones get is that there is no future in schooling beyond secondary school. This is so because politics has become the most lucrative job – even with entry qualification of ‘Education up to School Certificate Level’ The Place of Endowment Financing in University Education Endowment Financing has been a source of funding for Universities. A financial endowment is a donation of money or property to a notfor-profit organisation for the ongoing support of that organisation. Usually the endowment is structured so that the principal amount is kept intact while the investment income is available for use, or part of the principal is released each year, which allows for the donation to have an impact over a longer period than if it were spent all at once. An endowment may come with stipulations regarding its usage.

The total value of an institution's investments is often referred to as the institution's endowment and is typically organised as a public

charity, private foundation, or trust. Among the institutions that commonly manage endowments are academic institutions (e.g., colleges, universities, and private schools), cultural institutions (e.g., museums, libraries, and theatres), service organisations (e.g., hospitals, retirement homes, the Red Cross), and religious organisations (e.g., churches, synagogues, mosques).

The earliest "endowed chairs" were those established by the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius in Athens in AD 176. Aurelius created one endowed chair for each of the major schools of philosophy: Platonism, Aristotelianism, Stoicism, and Epicureanism.

Later, similar endowments were set up in some other major cities of the Empire.

The practice was adapted to the modern university system beginning in England in 1502, when Lady Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond and grandmother to the future king Henry VIII, created the first endowed chairs in divinity at the universities of Oxford (Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity) and Cambridge (Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity). Nearly 50 years later, Henry VIII established the Regius Professorships at both universities, this time in five subjects: divinity, civil law, Hebrew, Greek, and physic—the last of those corresponding to what we now know as medicine and basic sciences. Today, the University of Glasgow has fifteen Regius Professorships.

Private individuals soon adopted the practice of endowing professorships. Isaac Newton held the Lucasian Chair of Mathematics at Cambridge beginning in 1669, more recently held by the celebrated physicist Stephen Hawking.

Globally, the financial endowment of the top 20 Universities is as follows: a. Harvard University - $32.7 billion b. University of Texas - $25.4 billion c. Yale University - $23.9 billion d. Stanford University - $21.4 billion e. Princeton University - $20.7 billion f. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology - $20 billion g. University of California System - $13.41 billion h. Massachusetts University of Technology - $12.4 billion i. Texas A & M University - $11.1 billion j.Northwestern University - $9.78 billion k University of Michigan - $8.27 billion l. University of Cambridge - $8.1 billion m University of Pennsylvania - $7.7 billion n. University of Chicago - $7.55 billion o. Washington University in St Louis - &7.2 billion p. Duke University - $7 billion q. University of Notre Dame - $7 billion r. University of Oxford - $7 billion s. Emory University - $6.7 billion.

Out of these Universities, I would like to reproduce the remarks about Harvard University.

With a current endowment of over $32.7 billion, Ivy League Harvard University is the wealthiest university in the world. Founded in 1636 as New College, it was quickly renamed in honor of John Harvard, a Cambridge-educated clergyman who donated $1,285 and a large collection of books. Since then, Harvard has continued to accumulate land, books, artwork, valuable documents, and—especially in recent years—money. In 2014, alumnus and Citadel founder Kenneth C. Griffin donated $150 million, making him the largest single-gift donor in university history. Other major donors include the NFL Players Association, David Rockefeller, Emily Rauh Pulitzer, and Bill and Melinda Gates, all of whom have donated totals of

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

30.08.2016

/13

LAWYERS EXPRESS THEIR THOUGHTS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Paul Ebiala

Obinna McKenzie

Dr. Gbenga Odutan

Adaobi Egboka

administration with a view to correcting them.

governing elite classes) and Solomon Arase just retired Inspector General of police.

ways things are organised but we seem not to learn from our colleagues out there. Why can’t we send the programs to members in electronic form before the conference. Why haven’t we taken advantage of IT and have a more functional portal that deals with relevant information and enquiries? Why not give meal vouchers to members and let them choose what they desire from accredited caterers.

The new president has to make a conscious effort to unite the different factions from the fallout of the election. The restoration of confidence of the average Nigerian in the legal profession in Nigeria cannot be over emphasised. The Nigerian Bar Association under his administration must serve to ensure that the rule of law is at all times respected in Nigeria irrespective of whose ox is gored.

Mrs. Adaobi Egboka The conference had a very good turnout of lawyers, there were outstanding presentations from very renowned speakers. The major challenge faced by participants was the late arrival of the hard copies of conference materials which created confusion with venues and time coupled with the distance traveled to locate breakout sessions.

The rain did not help matters.

Epilogue As would be expected, this year’s NBA Annual General Conference came with its fair share of challenges, including the logistical nightmare of collecting conference bags and materials.

The torrential rains which Port Harcourt city is associated with and the consequent traffic gridlock left delegates with mix feelings of pain and pleasure.

Dr. Gbenga Odutan – University of Kent, UK This is the largest gathering of lawyers in the same bar anywhere in the world and it shows in the scramble for food and drinks. Over 150000 lawyers were registered and between 10 and 20 thousand showed up.

But more importantly the exchange of ideas is as usual robust and rich. It is the intellectual equivalent of the wildebeest migration for which Eastern Africa is well known.

The papers have been well received and they include presentations on the Justice sector from Wale Fapohunda LRC chair an ex Attorney General, Ekiti State; John Orakwe a straight talking Prison Comptroller General (who took no prisoners in his comments on the Nigerian

Mr. Jonathan Ikiebe While I acknowledge that organising a conference of the NBA within our environment with its peculiar limitations comes with a lot of challenges, I expected a far better and well-coordinated conference. How does one explain that more than 50% of the conference attendees did not get copies of the programmes until Wednesday afternoon? Those who could afford to waste their precious time to queue for bags got empty ones without conference materials. I personally consider it the height of insult to see colleagues being served food in cheap plastic bowls to be eaten with plastic spoons. I know as a fact that most if not all the Exco members go for the IBA and they see the

FUNDING OF LEGAL EDUCATION IN NIGERIA more than $100 million. Harvard University is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the second-best university in the United States.

• Endowment: $32.7 billion • Average Cost per Student: $14,445 per year • Average Salary of Full-Time Faculty: $151,262 • Annual Research Budget: $799.4 million The only University outside the United Kingdom and United States of America in the top 20 is King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia which is No. 6. It is noteworthy that this University was established in 2009. Its rapid success can be partly attributed to Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz A-Saud, who reigned from 2005 until January of 2015.He gave the University $10 billion upon its founding.

In Nigeria, I am aware that many philanthropists have endowed various Chairs in Nigerian Universities and prizes in both the Universities and Nigerian Law School. I believe that we can do more to assist the funding of legal education.

I believe that we have many King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Sauds in Nigeria. It in this context, that I would like to single out one organisation for mention – The OB Lulu-Briggs Foundation.

It is pertinent to add that this ranking is based on endowment financing only. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the performance indicators are: a. Teaching (learning environment – staffto-student ratio; doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio; institutional income) b. Research (volume, income and reputation – research income, research productivity) c. Citations (research influence – number of times a University’s published work is cited by scholars globally, contributions to knowledge) d. International Outlook (staff, students and research – international-to-domestic students; international collaboration e. Industry Income (knowledge transfer – University’s ability to help industry with innovations, inventions and consultancy) In the World University Rankings 2015-2016, using the above performance indicators, the top 20 Universities are: • California Institute of Technology • University of Oxford • Stanford University • University of Cambridge • Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Harvard University • Princeton University • Imperial College, London • ETH Zurich-Swiss Federal Institute of Technology • University of Chicago • University of California, Berkley

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

• University College, London • Columbia University • University of California, Los Angeles • University of Pennsylvania • Cornell University • University of Toronto • Duke University The rest of the top 10 is a little more predictable but perhaps the most striking development this year is that Harvard University sits in sixth place – its first time outside the top four in the rankings’ 12-year history. Meanwhile, the University of Oxford, Stanford University, the University of Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology take second, third, fourth and fifth place, respectively.

Imperial College London takes eighth position and the University of Chicago sits in 10th place.

At the top of the table, the California Institute of Technology holds on to pole position for the fifth year in a row.

Intervention by NGOs – The OB Lulu-Briggs Foundation The O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation founded on the 21st day of 2001 is a privately funded Not for Profit organisation actively involved in various humanitarian and developmental programmes within the Niger-Delta region. She commenced operation with the Care for Life intervention and over the years this programme has devolved into five (5) programme fields to wit: the Care for Life, Education and Scholarships, Free Medical Mission, Micro-credit & Entrepreneurship, and the Access to Clean Water Programme. For the purpose of this presentation, we shall focus on Education and Scholarships.

This programme was designed to encourage students acquire basic education at all levels of their academic pursuit, with a special focus on students with low socio-economic status by assisting in paying their school fees and also collaboration with the State and Federal government, like minded NGO’s, and other stakeholders in providing standard and conducive learning environment in regional and remote communities. Over the years, the Foundation has awarded several grants and scholarships to students in various categories and equally built and equipped schools to aid learning. In addition, this programme aims to facilitate the modelling of future leaders, opinion formers and decision makers.

With the increase in the tuition fees of the Nigerian Law School, the Foundation initiated the Nigerian Law School Grant to restore hope and bridge the widening gap between an aspiring student’s goal and the reality they face.

This grant was initially extended to students of Kalabari/Ijaw ethnic extraction. Each student

receives a scholarship grant of #120,000 and a Laptop. From the flag off of the Nigerian Law School Grant in 2009 till date, the Foundation has assisted four hundred and forty-five (445) law students in the Nigerian Law School.

We urge other NGOs and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) to emulate OB Lulu-Briggs Foundation and support legal education in Nigeria.

The Consequences of Inadequate Funding On 10 August, 2016, the National Universities Commission (NUC) released the list of unaccredited courses in Nigerian Universities. According to the 2016 accreditation status report by the NUC, the unaccredited courses are domiciled in 37 of 143 universities in the country.

According to this report, all certificates issued for these unaccredited courses will be rendered void henceforth and will not be recognised officially. The NUC says, for a course to be accredited, it must meet the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) that has been drawn up by the NUC. Some of the requirements include qualified faculty members, good learning environment and adequate teaching materials – equipment, books and journals. For instance, every Law Faculty must have a Faculty Building, separate and distinct from others. Similarly every Law Faculty must have offices for the Dean, Heads of Departments, academic and administrative staff, general offices, stores, conference/seminar room. There are space requirements for offices of Dean of Law and Heads of Departments.

Every Professor must have an office with a toilet attached and Secretary’s Office.

Some of the high profile institutions that there were negatively affected by the accreditation exercise include University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Benin, University of Jos, University of Calabar. The biggest casualty seems to be the University of Abuja which has 15 of its courses, including Law, unaccredited.

On the part of students, the consequences of inadequate funding include lack of access to tertiary education, poor learning facilities, lack of support for food, hostel accommodation, books, transport, field exercises and poor learning habits. While other students may end their studies with a first degree, law students are further faced with the extra requirement of attending the Nigerian Law School. Some students are so poor that without the support of their states, they cannot afford the Law School Admission Form, let alone the tuition fees and maintenance at the Nigerian Law School.

The ranking of Universities by the Times Higher Education is based on teaching, research, citation, international outlook and industry

income. The highest ranked Nigerian University is the University of Ibadan. Ibadan is in the range of 601 and 800. No Nigerian University is in the top 500. This is regrettable and totally unacceptable. The Governments at all levels and proprietors of Private Universities in Nigeria should intervene and ensure that Universities are properly funded. In all rankings whether is in education or transparency or doing business, Nigeria ranks so low. However in the Corruption Perception Index, we rank so high.

Concluding Remarks The picture of the Universities and indeed that of Nigeria at the moment is gloomy. One major engine of growth and human capital development is access to education. As a deliberate policy, the Federal, State and Local Governments should devote more resources towards education. This can be done by direct subvention, scholarships, bursaries, grants and loans.

On the part of not-for-profit organisations and other philanthropic organisations, more resources should be made available to support tertiary education.

We are aware that some State and Local Governments have scholarships programmes and grant bursaries to their students at the Nigerian Law School. We urge all tiers of government to accelerate action on this.

Many of us are what we are because of the opportunities that we had to acquire legal education. It is payback time. As is often said ‘nothing is too small’. You can pick one student and either pay the tuition fees or support in the payment of the tuition fees.

The NUC should continue to set standards for the establishment and accreditation of courses in Universities. Such standards must be maintained and erring University administrators should be sanctioned. For instance, why should a University embark on the admission of students for law bearing in mind that the programme has not been accredited? Why should a Vice-Chancellor, knowing the quota for the University for a course in law, admit more students? Why should students be allowed to graduate when their courses have not been accredited? These are some of the questions that we need to address as a nation.

The NUC should be allowed to carry out its statutory mandate by coordinating the funding and physical development of Federal Universities.

Being a Paper Presented by Professor Paul Obo Idornigie, SAN, PhD, FCIS, FCIArb (UK), Chartered Arbitrator, at The Nigerian Bar Association, Annual General Conference held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State; 21-26 August, 2016.

14/

30.08.2016

The 2016 Annual General Conference in the Garden City: a Resounding Success

L-R: Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike at the NBA Conference in Port Harcourt

Ibrahim Mark

T

his year’s general conference of the Nigerian Bar Association will continue to be a reference point in the years to come in many respects.

Over 12,000 delegates attended the conference in Port Harcourt. Accommodation, transportation, local hospitality, security of human and vehicular movement were well organised.

The programme of the conference was well-crafted to meet the needs of the present time. The quality of attendance, participation and contribution met with international standards.

What really showcased the host city was the hospitality in diverse areas of the city. Class or call mates had a field day celebrating yearly reunions.

The local business community benefitted in no small measure but their gains left delegates with worn out pockets.

The widely publicised concern about insecurity in the state was smashed to smithereens as there was no reported case of theft, kidnap or robbery. The western world’s report of insecurity has been proven to

be a farce, it shows a premeditated condemnation or deliberately working towards a desired result.

Regarding the venue provided for the conference, the civic center was completely refurbished, it adequately catered to the needs of the delegates.

The House of Assembly, Ministry of Justice and Chief Judge ceremonial court provided adequate support for the main venue.

The hotels were affordable for different pocket ranges and fit into the budgets of delegates. Transport was also readily available to take delegates to the conference center from the hotels.

The friendship center was a beehive of activities from day one. The artists who performed rendered soulenriching danceable music.

It was gratifying to see delegates having a good time. There was standup comedy and abundant humour by the Okey Bakassi family.

Delegates that enjoy clubbing were satisfied as there were a variety of venues such as the Okey wine bar, platinum, cubana, cosmos and so many others too numerous to mention.

Delegates that enjoyed sports had a scintillating football tournament and there was golf to be played. It was nice seeing lawyer- coaches giving instructions from the bench and

supporters of the competing teams.

On the more important topics, the halls from the civic center, House of Assembly Auditorium, Chief Judge ceremonial court and Ministry of Justice Auditorium were filled to capacity. Delegates’ participation was overwhelming. We had several topics such as the Military and Human Rights, Administration of Justice, Niger Delta, Access to Justice, ICT with respect to case filing, women’s rights all subsumed under the conference theme, Democracy and Economic Development.

The attendance of international delegates enriched the conference . The President of Rwanda ably represented by his Attorney General and Minister for Justice was the key note Speaker. His Nigerian counterpart was also present to declare the conference open and participated in other programmes and finally both graced the Dinner hosted by the Governor in honor of the delegates.

The near absence or unavailability of conference bags and materials nearly marred the beautiful and well-organised conference.

Regarding our expectations of the new NBA President Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud SAN. We will hold him to his election promises. He has promised to help young lawyers improve on their practice of law.

He has promised to rid the profession of corrupt lawyers. He has promised to pursue a deliberate policy of legal education that will bring the Nigerian Lawyer to par with colleagues all over the world taking into cognisance the World Trade Organisation’s regime. He campaigned on a four Cardinal policy which we will hold him accountable for.

We will also expect him to strongly urge the various tiers of government to support infrastructure and human capacity building. More importantly, to increase budgetary allocations to the judiciary. Many states’ court buildings are dilapidated. It does not speak well for an arm of government to be neglected. Training for staff of the judiciary is worthy of his attention.

We have no doubt that he will run a government the Bar and Bench will be proud of .

The stamp and seal project has to be improved and the misgivings by lawyers not in full private practice addressed.

The Branches must be strengthened and allowed to operate and he should not foist a unitary policy.

Regional integration is a policy worth the attention of the new President of the Bar and we will urge him to have a deliberate policy direction towards same.

Mark is a former NBA General Secretary.

30.08.2016

NBA CONFERENCE 2016 IMAGES/15

L-R: Former NBA 1st Vice President, Mr. Francis Ekwere, former NBA President, Mr. Augustine Alegeh SAN and former NBA General Secretary, Mazi Afam Osigwe

Keynote Speaker, Mr. Busingye Johnston

Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Emmanuel Aguma SAN (left) and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike

L-R: Former SLP Chairman, Mallam Yusuf Ali SAN, former NBA Presidents, OCJ Okocha SAN and Olisa Agbakoba SAN

Former Ekiti State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda (left) and former NBA President, Mr. J.B. Daudu SAN

L-R: Former NBA President, Chief T.J. Okpoko SAN, former Delta State Deputy Governor, Professor Amos Utuama SAN and former Edo State Attorney-General, and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Charles Edosomwan SAN

Chief Layi Babatunde SAN Cleft) and Mr. Mike Igini

Former Deputy Director General, Nigerian Law School, Professor Ernest Ojukwu SAN (left) and Mr. Emeka Eze

L-R: Chief Richard Ahuonaruagho, Ms Rosalin Baimegh and Chief Akuro George

Pa Tunji Gomez (left) and former NBA General Secretary, Chief Afro Fayokun

16/IMAGES NBA CONFERENCE 2016

NBA President, Mr. A.B Mahmoud SAN (left) and Managing Director, LawPavilion, Mr. Ope Olugasa

30.08.2016

Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Adeniji Kazeem and his Kebbi State Counterpart, Mrs. Rakiya Tanko Ayuba

Former NBA President, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN and Lady Derby Obodoukwu

Chief Layi Babatunde SAN and his wife, Adejoke

Former Ekiti State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda (left) and Dr. Gbenga Odutan

L-R: Chief Gweke Akudihor, Mr. Kelechi Onu and Mr. Oluwaseun Ajoba

L-R: Mr. Chino Edmund Obiagwu, Hon. Justice Harrold Obi Eya of Enugu State High Court, Emeka Etiaba SAN and Mr. Emeka Okpoko

L-R: Former Chairman, NBA Ikeja Branch, Mr. Omole Adebamigbe, NBA Welfare Secretary, Mr. Adesina Adegbite and NBA 2nd Vice President, Mr. Monday Ubani

L-R: Mr. Oladejo Lamikanra SAN, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda, new LIM Chair, Ms Theodora Kio-Lawson, Mr. Augustine Alegeh SAN, NBA Executive Director of Administration, Mrs. Ifueko Alufohai, SBL new Chairman, Mr. Olumide Akpata and Mr. Okey Ohagba

L-R: Anwadike Juliet, Chile Woke, Aisha Ado and David Onyema

L-R: NBA Port Harcourt Branch Chairman, Mr. Victor Frank-Briggs, N.J., Oyegbanren, J. Onyebuchi, J.C. Eze, R. Ogbonna, N.E. Worugji and Mr. M.O. Anagor

L-R: Ms. Wunmi Obamori, Mr. Emeka Eze, Chief Layi Babatunde SAN, Mr. Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Ms. Theodora Kio-Lawson, Mr. Mike Igini, Mrs. Vera Chinwuba, Mr. Adelanwa Bamgboye and Mr. Gbolahan Gbadamosi

25

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

INDUSTRY

Friesland Commits to Growth of Dairy Industry Efforts being made by Friesland Campina of the Netherlands to develop the dairy industry, in partnership with the federal government, is a model step, Crusoe Osagie reports Dazed by the severe impact of revenue loss due to depressed crude oil prices, the Nigerian economy at the moment is practically groping.

The good news however is that massive potential exists in various sectors of the economy including; solid minerals, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, healthcare, technology among several others that can transform the nation’s fortunes.

The sectors mentioned also have various untapped sub sectors embedded within them.

Agriculture for example comprises multibillion dollar sub sectors such as aquaculture, rice, wheat, tree crops, fruits and vegetables, dairy each valued in hundreds of billions of dollars globally.

As for the dairy industry, which entails cattle raring for milk production and all the associated manufacturing processes from the farms to the tables, it is projected to hit a value of $442 billion by the year 2019. As at 2014, the dairy industry was worth $ 336 billion In Nigeria’s quest for a diversified economy, one question the economic managers must ask themselves is what share of the $442 billion dairy business, for instance, can the massive West African nation capture by 2019.

At the moment, the value of Nigeria’s dairy business is about $1.5 billion, with over 90 per cent of that amount accounting for importation of milk, packaging it and distributing to consumers.

For the larger part, Nigeria is not involved in the more productive aspects of the industry which amount to the $442billion.

The nation’s cattle raring is at best still at primitive levels with the herders mostly nomadic and their cattle producing milk at rates over 20 times lower than their average counterparts in other countries like Denmark and the Netherlands.

However, the fortunes of the Nigerian dairy industry seem to be on the verge of transmogrification considering the level of interest now being shown by world leading dairy experts and investors, FrieslandCampina.

The global Chief Executive Officer of Royal FrieslandCampina, which is represented in Nigeria as FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Roelof Joosten, two weeks ago, paid a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, indicating a renewed interest of one of the worlds largest dairy firms in Nigeria.

The Netherlands-based company is looking at taking diary business in Nigeria beyond just importing and trading to full scale integrated production and distribution.

Joosten’s discussion with the President centred around Royal FrieslandCampina’ s expertise as the lead partner to develop Nigerian dairy sector, importance of Nigeria to Royal FrieslandCampina and FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s commitment to tackling the country’s challenges through the unique initiative of its sustainable Dairy Development Program model (DDP program)– currently the only dairy manufacturer sourcing part of its raw milk requirement locally for production.

Buhari, while addressing Royal FrieslandCampina executives said the goal of his administration was to develop the nation’s assets on a permanent basis. He decried the failure of past administrations to develop the nation’s asset, reiterating his determination to address the deficit.

He pointed out that the culture of waste foisted on Nigeria was due to lack of means of preservation of agricultural products.

According to him, a situation where cattle farmers throw away milk from their animals, because there is no means of preserving and processing the product is unfortunate.

“We have failed to develop our assets on a permanent basis. This, we are determined to work on,” the President promised.

He urged Friesland Campina, in its collaboration with Nigeria, to educate cattle farmers that “quality matters more than quantity,” and help them organise into cooperatives for better business.

On his part, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, who

Dairy Farm was also at the event, promised that herdsmen would soon be organised into ranches.

“They will be organised with special grasses and water, which would give better yield, and make the animals healthier,” he said.

He added that special flasks, which could preserve raw milk for up to six hours, would soon be made available, enabling cattle farmers to get the product to dairies in good quality.

Giving his remarks, Joosten said that Friesland Campina was a cooperative owned by 19,000 farmers, and was 145 years old.

It began business in Nigeria in 1973 as Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria and wants to partner with the federal government to build a healthier populace through better nutrition, collaborate in the School Feeding Programme, and promote dairy development in Nigeria.

It has also been providing nutrition support for Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria’s northeast, a region ravaged by over six years of insurgency.

Also on the delegation of the Global CEO was the Managing Director of Friesland Campina WAMCO, Mr Rahul Colaco.

Supporting IDPs FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc during the period also made a product donation to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) living in Kuchingoro camp, Abuja. This is to increase the nutritional status of about 250 vulnerable children living in the camp.

The donation was made by Joosten, during the two-day official trip to Nigeria where he was accompanied by Jacobs Ajekigbe, Chairman Board of Directors, Rahul Colaco, Managing Director and Ore Famurewa, Corporate Affairs Director.

Following this donation, each child will receive a daily provision of Peak Evaporated milk in 30g sachet as part of the Recommended Dietary Allowance. The supply is planned for a period of 10 weeks, from August 10 to October 26, 2016.

FrieslandCampina WAMCO made this donation to the camp through the Nigerian Red Cross Society who will be fully accountable for the distribution of the products and also deliver the project with utmost professionalism.

Dairy Development Programme Meanwhile, FrieslandCampina WAMCO has made significant progress in the development of local milk production capacity in Nigeria

with the engagement and training of over 1,600 (920 women and 726 men) Fulani milk producers and potential small holder dairy farmers in Oyo State.

The company continued to invest in the maintenance of its facilities: the Milk bulking Centre in Iseyin and four functional Milk Collection Centres (MCCs) in Fasola, Alaga, Maya and Iseyin. The company has in its fleet, five insulated milk trucks of varying capacities for the conveyance of raw milk from the Milk Collection Centres to the Milk Bulking Centres en route the factory in Lagos.

Moreover, the company provided boreholes (mostly solar powered) to twelve communities in DDP locations and all the milk suppliers were given aluminium milk cans of 30,000L capacity to improve the quality of raw milk being supplied.

Working in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and International Fertilizer Development Centre- Towards Sustainable Clusters in Agribusiness through Learning in Entrepreneurship (IFDC-2SCALE), the milk producers were immensely supported through consistent trainings and demonstrations to upgrade their milk supply in terms of quantity and more importantly quality. Thus improved pasture cultivation demonstrations of improved pasture seeds from South Africa was carried out in four learning plots in DDP locations which thrived well while we plan to roll out these to other locations in the coming years while we partner with National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) to develop propagation of local pasture in Nigeria. We also demonstrated and trained farmers in the use of crop residues and fortification as sources of good feed to cattle, feed preservation through silage and hay making was also demonstrated, crossbreeding through artificial insemination was carried out as well as an instructive and continuous Quality Improvement Programme (QIP) put in place. The total volume for the year was slightly over three million litres while one of the most important quality parameters, total plate count was improved to about 800,000cfu/ml. The DDP team also worked in partnership with Nigerian Institute of Trypanosomosis Research (NITRE) to control the prevalence of tsetse flies and therefore reduced trypanosomosis disease infections in the locations where DDP is active.

The Fulani women in collaboration with

IFDC-2SCALE were engaged in vocational trainings and also linked up with WAMCO sales team to retail peak and three crowns products serving as additional sources of income to them.

Partnership with FG The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) FrieslandCampina WAMCO have recently also renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on dairy development in the country. Ogbeh and Colaco, signed the MOU at a ceremony held in Abuja FrieslandCampina WAMCO is the first dairy company in Nigeria to sign such a pact with the federal government. The minister and his team had visited the Netherlands in May 2016 to see how the Dutch dairy chain is organised from “grass to glass” and how FrieslandCampina guarantees the safety and quality of her products.

In a statement issued by the company’s Corporate Affairs Director, Ore Famurewa, explained “This is an enormously positive development for FrieslandCampina WAMCO and we see our partnership with the Federal Government as key in rolling out new dairy programmes designed to safeguard food and nutrient security in Nigeria.

“Five years ago in 2011, we signed an MoU with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to improve dairy farming and we made good progress in areas such as networking of milk suppliers, training of dairy farmers and improving the quality of raw milk. Today, we are restating our mutual commitment to developing the Nigerian local dairy industry by creating a sustainable value chain that contributes to food security, provides jobs and prosperity” she said.

Famurewa confirmed the company’s decision to invest N3 billion in its small holder dairy farmer programme in Nigeria and has also agreed to provide support to a FMARD subsidiary, Milcopal, in Kaduna.

The Dairy Development Programme (DDP) is an initiative of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC. It is a private-public partnership that will trigger growth in the agro-economic sector of Nigeria. The DDP is significant to the history of FrieslandCampina WAMCO “and we believe it will enhance dairy farming in Nigeria as it affirms our unwavering commitment to the provision of quality dairy nutrition to Nigerians” Famurewa said.

26

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

INDUSTRY

Policy Mismatch as Bane of Manufacturing Earlier in the week, strategic stakeholders and private sector players converged on Abuja to proffer solutions for the real sector of the economy. They x-rayed the state of manufacturing and their verdict was that official policy mismatch has remained a hindrance to the sector. Ndubuisi Francis reports State of the Economy It is now beyond mere conjectures to official confirmation that the Nigerian economy has ‘technically’ slipped into recession.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP), capacity utilisation and all the macroeconomic indicators that gauge a robust economy have journeyed south. It was therefore, not surprising when various players from the Organised Private Sector (OPS) took turns on Wednesday to paint a rather gloomy picture of what has become the lot of a once fledgling economy.

The forum was at a ‘Stakeholders’ Dialogue on the Manufacturing Sector in Nigeria’, organised

by NOIPolls in collaboration with the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA).

The dialogue saw eggheads from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), NOIPolls and CSEA x-ray developments in the real sector, in recent times.

For the participants at the forum, a major area of concern was the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) policy on 41 items restricted from the official foreign exchange window.

As part of overall measures to strengthen the naira in the face of acute shortage of the much-needed foreign exchange, the CBN had last year placed a lid on 41 items from the official forex window.

Since the policy evolved, not a few watchers of economic trends in the country had shouted themselves hoarse that it had stymied the real sector and sounded the death knell of many budding enterprises. The OPS players at the dialogue did not detract from the same clarion call that the apex bank must urgently rethink that policy, and toe the path of reversal.

The policy, in their conviction, is injurious to the manufacturing sector in such a way that could no longer be sustained.

The forex restriction, they contended, had led to the closure of many companies, the exit of many more to Ghana and other neighbouring countries, as well as resulted in the refusal to repatriate over $10 billion held offshore by Nigerian businesses. MAN, NASME, LCCI and NOIPolls stated that about 272 manufactures are either ailing or have closed shop over the last couple of months, while thousands of jobs are being cut on a daily basis.

LCCI Submission In his submission, the Director, Research and Advocacy, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Vincent Nwani, lamented that the CBN announced the 41-item list without consulting the sector, adding that the chamber had made several representations to the apex bank without the desired results.

“We did press releases; we did stakeholders engagement; we engaged with the CBN at all levels, at least three times; we met the directors twice–up to the CBN Governors on this same matter of the 41 items- giving them examples of product-by-product.

“There must be an urgent review of the CBN’s policy on the restriction of access to foreign exchange placed on 41 items, as about16 of the total items in the list, serve as critical raw materials for intermediate goods produced in Nigeria, especially as the country lacks the capacity for optimal production of the items,” he said.

Pointedly, he affirmed that the ban on oil palm had led to the loss of about 100,000 jobs over the last couple of months, with major blue chip companies in Nigeria relocating to neighbouring countries.

In the same vein, Nwani noted that the ban on glass and glassware had culminated in the loss of 80,000 jobs mainly in the pharmaceutical industry, as companies in this sector now find it difficult to package their products.

Local production of oil palm is put at about 600 metric tonnes annually, but the total demand of the country is at about 1.8 million metric tonnes. Presco Oil has orders of up to December 2017 to fill, and is presently hard pressed with

Buhari demands.

Nwani contended that listing oil palm among the restricted items meant a shortfall of about 1.2 million metric tonnes.

“Some of the items placed on the restriction list by the CBN should be reinstated until the country develops the capacity to produce them locally. Some of the items need a period of between three and seven years for the country to develop self-sufficiency in their production.

“For instance, it takes a minimum of five years for oil palm to be planted and for harvest.

The CBN should have given us more time. The manufacturing and industrial sectors lost about N1.4 trillion as a result of foreign exchange issues, while about 780 raw materials needed by the sector were affected by the restrictions placed by the CBN. “I have talked about palm oil, I have talked about glass and glassware, I have talked about rubber and rubber ware. Glass and glassware, rubber and rubber ware, you need about three years gestation period. “The palm oil, we need five years gestation period before we can have the local capacity to be able to supply the

In the case of cement, Nigeria used to be a net importer of cement, but the government set up a policy over a five-year period, which made it possible that today, we are a net exporter of the commodity

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun 1.2 million metric tons that is in deficit, as we speak. I will not be able to remember all the items off hands but we have the list and I can simply make it available.

“We have sent it to CBN before, they were resistant about it and we are ready to send it again. You know the challenge the organised private sector had initially was that we were not able to understand the magnitude of this challenge.

“We are making this demand on the basis that we don’t have local capacity for the affected items on the list. Even if we are having scarcity of foreign exchange some of these list needs to be supplied and because of that, few of our members who have been able to earn export credit or export income in dollar have refused to bring it in or repatriate it.

“We have about $ 10 billion stuck in one country or the other earned by our members.

Some of them are not manufacturers, some are agriculturists or merchants of different products. They cannot bring it in because the business confidence, the manufacturing confidence, industrial confidence is negative.

“Until we do something to boost this confidence, all of these money will be stocked abroad; even Nigerians that are living in the Diaspora that were able to bring in $ 23 billion in 2013 . Last year, we saw about $5 billion.

This year, it is going to be less than $3 billion.

These are what negative confidence can do to an economy,” he said.

NASME Speaking in the same vein, the Executive Secretary of NASME, Mr. Eke Ubiji, stated that recently, about 222 of its members have either collapsed or are ailing, even as he blamed lack of access to credit, foreign exchange challenges, high interest rate, multiple taxation and poor infrastructure, among others, for their woes.

Ubiji recounted the experiences of NASME members in manufacturing, adding that In February 2016, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment asked the association to furnish it with a list of members having ailing and collapsed manufacturing industries.

Accordingly, Ubiji said NASME responded and contacted its members around the country.

Data gathered from 11 states following that exercise, he disclosed, showed that eight

industries in Abia State were either ailing or had collapsed while 20 suffered the same fate in AkwaIbom; Anambra (8), Bauchi (34), Enugu (4), FCT (12) , and Kano (25).

Others are Lagos (22), Nasarawa (3), Ogun (67), and Rivers (19), bringing to a total of 222 , the number of either collapsed or ailing industries in just 10 states and the FCT. MAN’s Experiences/Way Forward In his presentation, the Director, Economics and Statistics of the Manufactures Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Ambrose Oruche lamented that the unavailability of productive input is the major challenge confronting manufacturers, stressing that this was as a result of the foreign exchange restriction placed by the CBN on certain items. The current operating environment in the country, Oruche lamented, was harsh for many manufacturers to continue to operate even as he disclosed that some economic policies enunciated by the federal government and the CBN were conflicting and are retarding the growth of the manufacturing sector.

He argued that the manufacturers were not consulted by the CBN and other regulators before the restrictions were placed on the items, noting that many of the products under foreign exchange restrictions were raw materials needed by manufacturers. “Presently, about 50 manufacturers have closed shop, while some have downsized. Some manufacturers are still producing due to their love for this country.

Government policy on cement should have been adopted in this case.

“In the case of cement, Nigeria used to be a net importer of cement, but the government set up a policy over a five-year period, which made it possible that today, we are a net exporter of the commodity,” he said On Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), Oruche picked holes in the decision of the CBN to increase it to 14 per cent, arguing that it had made it difficult for manufacturers to access funds to finance their operations. The fact that the economy is technically in recession, the CBN’s effort should have been directed towards expanding the economy rather than contracting it, he maintained He also listed high interest rates, poor Continued on page 27

27

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

INDUSTRY

Stakeholders Back SON’s Standardisation of Energy Consuming Appliances Crusoe Osagie Stakeholders in the electrical and electronic equipment segment of the Nigerian economy may have given their tacit support to measures by the

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to checkmate sub-standardisation in electrical appliances brought in or sold in the country.

This implies more stringent enforcement exercises and

stiffer penalty for recalcitrant firms and individuals once the SON Council approves the recommendations of a technical committee, which reviewed the standardisation and labels for air-conditioners

in the country.

The committee rounded off its two-day sitting in Lagos yesterday, and among its recommendations were the provision of 1-5 stars labelling model for air-conditioners in

FOR IMPROVED FINANCIAL SERVICES

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access, (EFInA), Mrs. Chidinma Lawanson; Digital Financial Services consultant MFX partners, Mr. Kwame Oppong; Senior Consultant CapPlus, Mrs. Funmi Sodipo and Technical Officer, Impact Insurance Facility International Labour Organization, Mr. Miguel Solana at a recent launch of EFInA’s Request for proposals 7 event held in Lagos... recently

Haske & Williams Signs MOU With French Agric Experts Haske and Williams Limited, a dominant player in the Nigerian agri-business sector has announced its signing of an MoU with FGM Expert Farmer, a global agri-business player based in France.

Commenting on the recent development, Oladipo Williams, Executive Vice President, Haske and Williams Limited said: “The MoU between our organisation and FGM Expert Farmer is a Technical, Operations and Management Support Services Agreement aimed at ensuring that our ongoing and proposed commercial agriculture projects are developed, operated and managed in line with international best practices. Despite several interventions, policies and strategies put in place by the Federal Government of Nigeria to stimulate agricultural production in Nigeria we still find that Nigeria has some of the lowest yield rates per hectare for various agricultural

commodities in the world.”

Speaking further, he said: “After a critical review of the current situation in the country’s agricultural space, it became clear that the problem was not the capacity of farmers with respect to agricultural production instead the problem arose from the lack of capacity to practice agriculture on a commercial scale driven by globally accepted procedures and protocols. It was in view of the aforementioned that we at Haske & Williams decided to engage FGM Expert Farmer due to its vast experience in the conceptualisation, planning, development, operation and management of large scale agricultural projects globally. We are keen to contribute towards the development of smallholder agriculture in Nigeria through the development and implementation of sustainable strategies aimed at boosting smallholder farmer productivity such as

facilitation of access to quality inputs, mechanisation equipment rental, technical capacity building services, irrigation infrastructure development and management and provision of guaranteed markets.”

Through this MoU, Haske & Wiliams will be introducing a systematic and knowledge based approach to commercial agriculture which analyses critical aspects of the agricultural production value chain and troubleshoots existing conditions to ensure bespoke solutions are developed that optimise the value chain.

As a company, Haske & Williams has aligned its goals and objectives with the agricultural transformation agenda of the new government and believes it is important for the organisation to conceptualise and develop model projects which can serve as evidence to Nigerians and the international community that Nigeria can diversify its

economy from oil and gas to other sectors. The company is keen to become pioneers of the new agricultural revolution ongoing in the country and use this as an opportunity to prove to Nigerians that agriculture is big business, and can become a major contributor to the diversification of the Nigerian economy, creation of employment opportunities and a major source of much needed foreign exchange for the country.

Haske & Williams currently has 3 subsidiaries including: H & W Rice Company Limited (Developer of the Demsa Integrated Rice Production Project in Adamawa State); H & W Starch Derivatives Limited (Developer of the Kaiama Cassava Starch Integrated Rice Production Project in Kwara State); and Manomi Support Services Limited (Developer of the Manomi Support Scheme Initiative).

the country.

Not only would this checkmate the dumping of substandard electrical and related appliances and equipment in the country, it would also that only energy-efficient appliances are allowed in the country. Though some representatives from private firms had argued tactically for shift in date for the commencement of enforcement against non-compliant equipment, the committee however favoured the superior arguments from the SON that further shift on the matter would mean endangering the lives of Nigerians the more, a harm on the economy as well as the Nigerian eco-system.

Mr. Richard Adewunmi, who presented the technical committee’s position stressed the importance of managing the little energy available in the country partly by shunning high energy consuming appliances, which were in any case, had been phased out in other countries. He cited the trend in both European Union countries and the United States of America where energy consumption levels had reduced drastically by deliberate policy decisions, despite the availability of sufficient energy for the people, saying Nigeria should not afford to do otherwise.

“It is extremely important for us to set standards in energy consumption in the country thereafter enforcement would commence”, he informed, adding that the standards specifications for refrigerators once approved would be incorporated in the Standards Organisation of Nigeria conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) as well as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP).

The implication of the latest development is that henceforth, there would be labelling for appliances available for sale in the country, from one star to five depending on the energy efficiency level.

“Any appliance less than 2.0 will not be acceptable in the country. So, the more the star, the more energy efficient the appliance, but obviously, the more the cost”, he said, adding that the implication is that there won’t be space for tokunbo appliances which were produced without reference to

the specifications.

Earlier, the Director-General of the SON, Dr. Paul Angya, who was represented by Mrs. Adebayo, described as herculean, the task of elaborating standards for appliances which the SON had been doing in collaboration with the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), with funding from the European Union (EU), expressing the happiness that the journey was almost ending.

He said it had become imperative to have energy performance standards operative in Nigerian as it had been implemented already in about 84 countries of the world.

“I believe once approved, the SON would ensure the implementation.

Already, equipment for the testing of refrigeration equipment has already been installed in SON. Installation for air conditioners will soon follow”, he added.

Head of Unit of Energy Efficiency of the NESP, Dr Charles Diarra said his agency was happy to collaborate with the SON and other agencies to ensure effectiveness of energy use as well as the effective performance of equipment in use in the country, adding that his agency had been involved in the training of energy managers in the country. He said thus far, over 45 participants from about 20 countries had benefitted from his agency’s sponsored capacity building programmes and activities.

NESP’s planks of intervention according to him are in the areas of policy formulation and implementation, rural electrification, capacity development and political reform amongst others.

Other stakeholders who spoke at the event called for more and effective sensitisation of Nigerian appliances and energy consumers on the need to avoid waste and also to buy standardised products, which at the initial time may cost a little more, but on the long run would be more economically wise.

Based on the observation that value systems in Nigerian has been changing overtime, to the point that people no longer avail themselves of the conventional media where some of the critical information on equipment use are passed across, it became necessary to compliment conventional media information with social media communication.

POLICY MISMATCH AS BANE OF MANUFACTURING patronage of local manufactured products, poor supporting infrastructure, such as poor power supply, policy somersault and policy inconsistency, among others, as the challenges confronting manufacturers. To address the declining fortunes of manufacturers, Oruche called for the resuscitation of domestic refining, as this would ensure that certain chemicals imported into the country, can now be sourced locally.

He equally recommended that attention should be paid to developing the infrastructure base of the economy as well as on energy generation and distribution, while the federal government should also grant incentives and concessions to businesses. Oruche, who emphasised the critical role of manufacturing in an economy, said it is best described as the heart of industrialisation, structural change of any economy and catch-up amongst nations in terms of economic prosperity.

Manufacturing, he added, galvanises social regeneration in terms of employment creation

and poverty reduction, which are some of the cardinal pursuits of any government, stressing that this was because a singular robust factory can create multiple jobs for the teeming population and lift them out of the hopelessness of poverty.

“Therefore, based on this backdrop, special attention should be given to the manufacturing sector to insulate it against distortional and more persistent economic shocks. This is the practice in other climes including the high- income/ industrialised economies.

“We feel that the government should extend the same attention to the manufacturing sector in Nigeria so as to always keep it afloat and improving.

“It is important to understand that the challenge of manufacturing is the challenge of the entire economy; therefore if the manufacturing sector is healthy, then the entire economy is healthy,” he stated.

He recalled that since the crash of crude oil prices in late 2014, the unfriendly operating business environment had unfortunately continued to worsen, making manufacturing almost impossible. “The major challenge is the inability of manufacturers to maintain sizeable capacity utilisations due to unavailability of productive raw materials.

“It is noteworthy that the cause of the dearth of raw materials in the country was caused by the acute shortage of forex following the declined inflow of foreign currency into the economy and its depreciating impact on the value of naira, as crude oil prices in the international market plummeted.

“Unfortunately, some of the policies implemented to resolve the eroding Naira value were inimical to manufacturing activities. For example, the continued inadmissibility by the CBN of the 41 items of manufacturing raw materials in the forex market is a huge

challenge to the sector,” Oruche pointed out.

The MAN top official regretted government’s policy mismatch, noting that very often, the policy solutions of the government do not match the challenges they are meant to tackle but worsens it. To buttress this, again, he cited the continued exclusion of 41 items of manufacturing raw materials from the forex market even under the deregulated forex regimes; and the increase in MPR to 14 per cent even when the economy is at the brink of recession, describing the development as incongruous.

NOIPolls/CSEA organised dialogue provided a veritable platform for stakeholders to appraise developments in the manufacturing sector of the economy.

The Chief Executive Officer of NOIPolls, Mr. Bell Ihua, said that the organisation’s survey covered all six geopolitical zones of the country and that urgent actions were needed by the federal government to save the sector.

28

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT ‘Novare Lekki Mall Brings Over $83m FDI to Lagos’ The Novare Lekki Mall in Lagos is an iconic project, and it brings with it foreign direct investment of over $83 million, according to the Chairman of the company, Professor Fabian Ajogwu. He stated that this was made possible by the favourable investment environment the Lagos State Government created. Bennett Oghifo and Fadekemi Ajakaiye report

L-R: President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Nike Akande; Chief Executive Officer, Novare Equity partners, Derrick Roper; representative of Lagos State governor, Benjamin Olabinjo; Chairman, PAN Nigeria, Malam Munir Ja’ afaru; and Chairman, Novare Real Estate Africa, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, during the official opening of Novare shopping mall in Lagos... recently

T

he Chairman of Novare Lekki Mall in Lagos, Prof. Ajogwu believes the prime retail property, which brings into Lagos over $83 million direct investment, “transcends financial value as it has from commencement until date, empowered over 4,650 Nigerians through direct and in-direct employment.”

Construction work at the mall, he said was done in record time, saying “The successful completion of the Novare Lekki Mall, (in record time) is indeed a testament of the enabling environment created by the Lagos State Government to encourage foreign direct investment and the continued visible rapid urban regeneration all over the state.”

The mall’s development...

According to Ajogwu, the Novare Lekki Mall was developed by Urshday Limited, an affiliate of Novare Real Estate Africa - which is an investment portfolio involved in property development across Africa. It is “driven by foreign direct investment and adopts a hybrid financing (a mixture of Debt and Equity financing). The Mall which is valued at over $83 Million (N31.5 Billion) sits on 28,000 Square Metres of space and boasts of an impressive 22,000 Square Metres of gross lettable area.”

He said, “On November 21, 2014, we gathered here for the foundation laying ceremony of the Novare Lekki Mall, and 21 months afterwards, by the special grace of the Almighty God, we have been able to deliver on our promise - to build a world-class retail mall – the Novare Lekki Mall. We are therefore pleased to mark the opening ceremony of the largest shopping mall in Lagos, Africa’s largest city.”

The Novare Lekki Mall, he said already has as its tenants, retail giants such as: ‘Shoprite’, ‘Game’ and Genesis Deluxe Cinemas which has 5 screening rooms. The Mall has close to 100 line shops and 1,000 parking bays. Other existing tenants of the mall include Addidas,

Health Plus, MTN, Tantalizers, Swatch, Levi’s, Spur, Nike and Stanbic IBTC. The mall is easily accessible from the LekkiEpe Expressway for residents from the Lekki Peninsula area. It is the primary retail node for the area and is situated close to the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos Business School and Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate.

He lauded “the vibrant and visionary board of the Nigerian subsidiary of Novare, Urshday Limited whose immense contribution has impacted on the realisation of a world-class shopping complex with state-of-the-art facilities and exquisite architecture built to the highest international standards.”

He also extended the gratitude of the Board to the Novare Group CEO, Mr. Derrick Roper; the CEO, Mr. Jan van Zyl, Technical and Organising Committee, Mrs. Chioma Mordi, among others.

He said, “As we celebrate this milestone achievement, we are also encouraged to do more as we are confident that this would inspire more private sector investor driven development in Nigeria, and across Africa.”

He thanked the Lagos State Government and the Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, “who is positively disposed towards Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the state.”

Job creation...

Ajogwu said, “On the importance of FDIs to job creation and national development, our confidence derives from our belief that Nigeria will get better by creating a minimum adequate economic environment for economic recovery.

“This entails investment-friendly reforms, scale economies in trade and investments, minimizing policy changes and shocks, and building strong institutions. Nigeria’s attitude should be similar to that of South Koreans whose leaders have continually re-stated the fundamental truth that - No one owes us (South Koreans) a living! Indeed, no one

else, but Nigeria owes herself a living; and this must be clearly reflected by creating and implementing innovative strategies that are aimed at turning the economy around.

“We believe that with this in place, Nigeria can realistically expect to have increased inflow of investments or foreign capital.”

He quoted former President de la Madrid of Mexico, who said, “Capital has no heart.

Capital has interests and sees its security and income as fundamental.”

Foreign investment, he said only sees profits, and that real and sustainable profits could only be made in a place with the minimum adequate economic environment.

According to him, “It is evident that the solution does not lie in waiting upon the West for help. Without a doubt, the solution lies with us – Nigerians. This is because help from the West usually comes in the form of aids and policies and their inherent price tags.

“We should ensure that democracy and the rule of law (with the necessary checks and balances) remain. We should embark on judicial reforms, ensure transparency and accountability in government, create strong institutions of restraint (e.g. a strong legal system, civil service, financial system, etc.)

In doing so, Nigeria and indeed Africa will develop a strong competitive advantage that would enable her effectively harness the nation’s natural and human resources, encourage manufactured exports and provide a platform for the transition from the primary (extractive) to the secondary (manufacturing) and even tertiary (service-based) sectors of economic development. Nigeria’s problem is for us to solve – No one, but Nigerians, owe us a living.”

The Group Chief Executive Officer of Novare Equity Partners, Mr. Derrick Roper commented that Novare Real Estate Africa has a strong track record of successful retail and commercial property development across Africa. “Our newest project, Novare Lekki mall

incorporates the latest elements in modern shopping centre design to provide visitors with state-of-the-art facilities in a user-friendly, safe and pleasant environment,” he said.

Lagos government’s promise...

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode reiterated the government’s commitment to increasing the inflow of investment and foreign capital into the state through investment friendly reforms and provision of enabling environment for commerce.

Ambode said the multi-billion Naira project achieved through foreign direct investment was a testimony of his administration’s drive to promote commerce and industry.

The state government, he said would continue to provide enabling environment to attract foreign investments to the state.

The governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Commerce, Mr. Benjamin Olabinjo, urged investors to emulate Novare real Estate Africa and key into his administration’s economic drive.

Novare Fund Manager...

This is a private equity fund manager with a strong track record of managing investments in the real estate sector, both retail and commercial, exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa. Novare Fund Manager manages the Novare Africa Property Fund I and II, domiciled in Mauritius and funded predominantly by South African pension funds.

Novare Equity Partners is the sub-advisor, tasked with sourcing and presenting new development opportunities to the management of the Novare Africa Property Funds.

With a strong on-the-ground presence in all countries in which the funds invest, it has managed to source some of the most exciting new development opportunities across the sub-continent.

29

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

‘There is no Slump in Real Estate Market’ The real estate market in Nigeria is not in recession, says Peter Coker, the Managing Director of PREVIS, a special purpose vehicle of James Cubitt Developments. He believes that prospective investors and property up-takers are suspicious of the dubious claims of some developers. Bennett Oghifo reports The Nigerian property market has experienced a slowdown in recent times, obviously because of the cash-crunch in the economy, and this is compelling prospective buyers and investors to take a second look at the proposals shunned out by developers, said the Managing Director of PREVIS, Mr. Peter Coker.

PREVIS is a special purpose vehicle of James Cubitt Developments’ that was formed recently to deliver a quality stock of Real Estate properties to the Nigerian working professional and mid-sized companies, according to Coker.

“The low uptake we are seeing on many properties now is not indicative of slowing

demand. People have simply had enough of false developers and their false claims,” Coker said, while introducing the new company.

He said “The demand for home ownership in Nigeria far outstrips supply. With the national housing deficit currently pegged at 17,000,000, it is little wonder that developers are springing up everywhere with all sorts of schemes.

“Given that there is no real barrier to setting up a development company and no agreed standard for what it takes to be a developer in Nigeria, the market is currently highly fragmented, and gets worse as you go from the premium to the mid-market and to low

income housing.”

According to him, “With such a high deficit and no proper guideline for developers, the government is constantly playing catchup and is not sufficiently staffed to enforce building approvals and standards. So many people have lost money and even lives as they have been subjected to various schemes from unseasoned and unprofessional developers.

“In recent times, however, reputable construction and development companies have begun to take an interest in the middle income housing market, and are helping to set standards for the delivery of housing to this segment.

“One of such companies is

James Cubitt Developments, which recently formed a special purpose vehicle named PREVIS,” adding that the company is coming to the real estate market with Premiere Apartments and Residences in Lekki and a Builder’s Mall at Ikota, all in Lagos.

“PREVIS is making sense of property ownership by focusing on ease of access to quality lifestyle homes,” Coker said. “The number one consideration when acquiring real estate is not how cheap it is but its potential as a store of value. If you build a cheap house that collapses within a year or two, you lose value; if the house is no longer tenantable within five years,

you lose both income and value,” he further explained.

“Unfortunately, this is what we have been witnessing in the mid-market.”

He said being a member of James Cubitt companies in Nigeria, PREVIS enjoys a heritage of 60 years in Nigerian Real Estate and brings that experience to bear on the home delivery value chain.

The company, he said aims to set new standards of housing delivery, from design to development, fit outs and facility management. Their developments will be offered on flexible payment plans that will disrupt current models in the Nigerian Real Estate Market.

“Our Pay Rent – Own Property product has been called ‘too good to be true’,” said Tolulope Olorundero, the Communications and Media Relations Manager for PREVIS Developments. “The product will help first time home owners to become property owners in well designed and managed estates by simply paying their rent. People will be in a position to acquire any property in our schemes by paying rent with no large upfront payment requirements and no hidden charges. We are true developers and have no interest in owning the properties and earning rent. We aim to grow fast and become central to the Nigerian real estate story.”

Fashola Advises Julius Berger, RCC to Speedup Work on LagosIbadan Expressway Bennett Oghifo The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has advised the two companies, Julius Berger and RCC, handling the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to speedup work and to prepare for the heavy traffic envisaged during the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir, Christmas and New Year festivities.

The minister gave the advice at the weekend when he stopped over on his way from the 5th National Council on Land, Housing and Urban Development, held in Ilorin, Kwara State. Fashola, who also inspected the on-going dualisation of the Oyo-Ogbomosho road, said although the contractors had some constraints, such as unpredictable weather and the fact that they have to work while also managing traffic, but that they should plan their work to ensure a more tolerable driving experience during the festivities and for general safety on the road.

“You must plan your work in such a way that you’re able to accommodate that traffic and also help to make the journey time of commuters better during that period. They will be travelling home and coming back, and I also will like you to improve the safety signs on this highway,” Fashola said.

He said, “Start calibrating your activities to prepare to take in that traffic, it will come, but the big one will come I think sometime in the end of the year when everybody is moving back from home. The target is to make that experience better than last year’s.”

On safety, the minister said, “I need to see more safety signs, if you have to put reflective stickers especially for night time and lighting, please do so. We just want to reduce first, the number of casualties and accidents on the road, especially at night and during the day

as well, and we want to see how this can translate to better motoring experience during the Eid festival which is around the 12th of September plus or minus.”

Fashola said the government was doing all that was necessary to rid the right-of-way of the road of illegal occupation to enable the contractors work faster. He warned all such illegal occupiers of right-of-way along federal highways to voluntarily quit as government was now set to retake all of these spaces across the country.

The Minister, who frowned at the current situation where some people have seized portions of the roads across the country for doing business or other purposes, pointed out that such practice had not only slowed down work on the roads but that it was also detrimental to the smooth and unhindered vehicular traffic and safety of road users.

He appealed to those concerned across the country to voluntarily vacate the right of ways or be forced to do so by government adding that government was already developing strategies for repossessing all the right of way, which, according to him, is 45 meters from the central line. “That is the law.

I am through this medium appealing to all those who are occupying our right of ways to voluntarily vacate them or we will take it by force or compulsion,” he said.

Fashola said the government was planning a meeting with all the Controllers across the 36 states to agree on new guidelines in managing the nation’s highways, saying such guidelines would include those that would promote safety and clearing of the right of way.

To guard against future illegal occupation of the right of ways, Fashola announced plans to also set guidelines for state controllers of works to take ownership of the roads in their states and to work

L-R: Asset Manager, Resilient Property Income Fund, Mr. Dorovan de Lange; Chief Executive Officer, Resilient Africa Limited, Eddie Mcdonald; Baysol Development Company Limited, Prince Leke Aderemi; Asaba Mall Centre Manager, Aimhanesi Orbih; and Chief Executive Officer, Bullnet Brokers, Bayo Akintoye, at the Mall Tenants’ Forum held in Lagos... recently

Asaba Shopping Mall Opens in November Fadekemi Ajakaiye People in Asaba and its environs will have the pleasure of shopping at the Asaba Mall when it opens in November, this year, as proposed by its developers.

The Mall, which is located on the corner of Okpanam - lllah Road and Nnebisi Road, near the Government House, Asaba, Delta State, has various shop sizes- 25 - 400sqm -that are for lease for a minimum of two years with N6,000,000.00 as average rent per annum. All payments are made in Naira at the prevailing Market Naira equivalent. It has 270 parking bays. Shoprite is the anchor tenant at the mall, which has 36 shops available, excluding Shoprite’s. It has a food court with provision for sitting and shop owners may also provide additional dedicated seating within their space.

Asaba Mall is developed as a Joint Venture between Resilient Africa and Baysol Development with the support of Delta State Government.

Prospective lessors who need bigger shops can merge two

shops but such request must be made early enough to accommodate the construction period, company officials said. They said beneficial occupation would be communicated and would be for a period from 30 - 60 days, depending on the nature of the business.

Beneficial occupation, they said means the rent free period tenants are allowed to fit-out their shops. The tenant’s contractors will be expected to move to site and work at this time. They most work and finish the shop within a stipulated time given to them; once this period expires, the tenant’s rent will start counting the next day. Please note that utility consumption charges are payable during this period.

“The User clause of individual retailers in the Heads of Terms and Lease agreement will be strictly adhered to, so that healthy competition is maintained for all categories of retail in the Mall.”

A shop cannot be shared by two retailers. “However, we can deal with one tenant and allow a concession, but this is at the discretion of the Tenants’

Approval Committee.”

The trading date, they said is the date the project management has set as the date the tenant’s shop will start trading.

In the event that the tenant does not start trading on the commencement date, such a tenant may be penalized if the reason for non- opening on the commencement date is the fault of the tenant. In any event, the tenant’s rent starts counting on the trading date.

Service charge paid by shop occupants will comprise cleaning expenses, refuse removal charges, security expenses, air-conditioning running and maintenance cost (for the common areas of the mall, not the shop space) building amenity cost, towel and toiletry services, cost of maintaining indoor and outdoor plants, landscaping cost, maintenance contracts and general maintenance of the common areas of the mall, cost of redecorating and planting, wages and salaries and other employment cost of all the employees of the landlord or its representatives engaged in operation and maintenance of

the building and property.

There is also Fit-out deposit, which is “equivalent to the first month’s basic rent, paid before the Beneficial Occupation commences. The deposit will be used for defraying the levy charged for refuse rubble removal and clearing and cleaning of the premises for non-compliance or damage caused by the tenant or his contractors during fit- out.

If not expended, same shall be offset against the initial rent.”

The tenant, they said would pay deposit together with the submission of its executed Heads of Terms, the required deposits before commencement of the lease upon acceptance by the landlord. The security deposit is equivalent to the last quarter’s rent of the lease period, and the service charge is equivalent to the last quarter’s service charge.

There are two ways a tenant can pay the security deposit (rent).

It can be paid in cash or by providing a Bank Guarantee.

If the tenant opts for the latter, then his Bankers will have to provide the landlord with an irrevocable Bank Guarantee covering the 3 months’ rent.

30

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

PROPERTY NEWS

Akintunde: Awareness Level of Facility Management has Grown Significantly Awareness of the economic benefits of good facility management structure in public and private establishments has improved significantly in Nigeria in the past five years, says Femi Akintunde, MD/CEO of Alpha Mead Facilities & Management Services Ltd (AMFacilities). In this interview with Bennett Oghifo, he discusses the positive role his company plays in the awareness drive, the theme of the World Facilities Management Day, being commemorated, and the hosting by his company of top business decision makers at an annual Nigerian Facilities Management Roundtable.

Excerpt Tell us about the concept of the upcoming annual Roundtable and what it hopes to achieve…

The Nigeria FM Roundtable is a global FM industry event which we have re-enacted in Nigeria to coincide with the World FM day. It’s an event that has been earmarked to achieve greater awareness about FM practice worldwide, celebrate achievements of facility management companies, and educate the market more about new trends and development in the practice of FM; which will help them understand better how to engage the facility management services for their various uses, be it a private or corporate entity. This is the purpose of the world FM day.

In Nigeria, Alpha Mead Facilities started this initiative in 2011. We were the first to actually create the awareness of the world FM day in Nigeria. But today, a lot of other entities have also joined the initiative. We now have virtually every FM Company doing something in their own way, some organize seminars, others have talk shows, media interviews, and so on. The Nigerian FM roundtable is one programme that Alpha Mead Facilities have created and it has helped significantly to improve the awareness of FM. The roundtable also affords us the opportunity to celebrate with our clients and other industry players, where we invite between 100-150 professionals every year to this event, which is fully sponsored by us, and I must say that it’s an initiative that has been well embraced by the market and the industry at large.

In the past four years, Alpha Mead Facilities has been responsible for the Nigerian FM Roundtable what would you say is your biggest achievement so far?

Like I said, the FM Roundtable is an initiative we presented to the FM industry in Nigeria to achieve the entire objective set out for the World FM Day. I can confirm to you that those objectives have been met to a large extent.

The awareness level of facility management has grown significantly in the past five years.

More people, more corporate organisations and even government are now very aware of what facility management means and what value our activities add to their business operations.

The increasing activities in the industry and the growing needs for strategic business support services like FM has laid a lot of frequently asked questions to rest. Today, hardly does anyone ask the questions: how does outsourced FM services compare with the in-house FM team? What are the peculiar challenges that organizations or establishments face with FM provider? There are so much information and knowledge that have taken care of these issues. One of the ways we have checked this is the volume of calls or requests for FM services that have significantly improved.

This year, the Nigerian FM Roundtable will centre on the theme; Empowering People for a Productive World, how do you think Facility Managers can help their clients reach maximum productivity level?

When you talk about productivity, people most times relate it to the workplace, but it clearly goes beyond that. Let’s consider what we refer to as the quality of living, for example. It has multiple dimensions: the level of comfort, the safety of the occupants, and security of the assets and environment. These go a long way to address the state of mind with which people work.

Let’s start from where you live. If you live in an uncomfortable environment, your body and soul cannot be in good alignment to be able to focus and do a good job when you get to work.

So, your productivity actually starts from where you live; the condition of your residence. If you sleep at night and there was no light and you are bitten all through the night by mosquito, when you wake up in the morning you will

Akintunde

be disorientated and your mind cannot be focused. Then, you get out on the road and the condition of the road is so poor – there is traffic, potholes, your vehicle is battered and so on; you will surely get to work worn out.

When you get to work, then you have challenges getting from the ground floor to your office because the elevator is malfunctioning; you struggle to get into your office, then power begins to fluctuate, the air condition is bad, and you decide to use the bathroom, only to discover that it stinks horribly. Then you settle down to work, the security environment is not anything to write home about, you have distractions here and there due to poor access control to the building; and even the lighting of the office is so bad, you have to strain your eyes to read. If you put all these together, who can function optimally in such situation? So, what does FM do to engender productivity?

The first thing is that FM takes care of all the issues that I listed earlier. Just flip the same scenarios; people wake up from comfortable and safe houses, get on good roads to the office and the office environment is enabling enough; then it gives to reason that productivity will increase. So, what we are saying with this theme this year is that we want to focus on how to empower FM to empower the people they serve, so they and the people they serve can be very productive. If you take Nigeria, for example, if the roads are in good shape, people can get from one point to another in good time; this will in turn stimulate economic activities. If given our situation with power and other public infrastructure, Facilities Managers can ensure 100 percent availability of critical equipment; people will be more productive and businesses will become more profitable.

If as a country, we decide to give adequate attention to the much desired infrastructure overhaul of our healthcare system, education, etc; more jobs can be created, more people can be empowered, and our economy can be better for it. These are the dimensions of the theme for this year’s FM Roundtable. At another level, Facilities Managers can also help organizations reach productivity through improved work efficiency, and transparency of cost management, with respect to business support services. This runs on the premise that when efficiency is enhanced, cost improvement can be achieved, value will be enhanced, and all these will impact the business bottom-line. When the bottom-line is impacted, the organization will have enough money to reinvest in providing efficient enabling physical work environment for their workers and everybody can feel the positive impact of an efficient FM in that form. So, effective FM

helps you to improve preventive maintenance system and reduce the frequency of breakdown, which is a very expensive situation.

Despite being perceived as a major contributor to the growth of the real estate industry, feelers are that the Facility Management segment of the property market is not expanding as expected, what could be responsible for this?

The first challenge I see is the inability of FM operators being able to manage the business as an enterprise. I think, from what I have seen in the industry, managing an FM business should not be different from managing any other business. Therefore, the competency you need goes beyond being a professional that can do the work. You must also be able to do it profitably and run the business as a growing concern. A lot of FM companies have not been able to grow their capacity to that level, they lack proper structure – in terms of the organisation’s structure, having the right people to work in that structure, creating the right processes, and systems, and supporting them with the enabling technologies that are key ingredients required to manage an FM business in a sustainable manner. A lot of FM companies do not invest adequately in this and when you don’t invest in capacity, you cannot grow for the challenges of the future. This inability to run FM as a business also impacts the confidence of the customers, because the large corporates would only give business to organisations that have the capacity to run and deliver services as if they are delivering it in their core business. These large corporations expect you to deliver FM for them, to meet their objectives and align with their other processes.

But unfortunately only few FM companies are structure that way.

The deteriorating nature of the country’s public infrastructure is one area that currently needs the attention of Facility Managers. However, not much effort is seen on the part of government to effectively manage these assets, what could be responsible for this?

When we look at infrastructure, we have what we call the social infrastructure and economic infrastructure. Both of them must work hand in hand to provide a vibrant economy for any country. Social infrastructure will include things like good hospitals, good educational institutions, good legal system, good law enforcement agencies such as Prisons, police, all those constitute social infrastructure and they complement the economic infrastructure. When you look at how well we have fared with our social infrastructure everyone admits that there

is still more work to be done. Without good educational systems for example, how do we develop talent for the future? Without good hospital how do you keep a healthy workforce?

Without good law enforcement services, how do you ensure good security? How do you have a legal system that both local and international investors can trust? If we critically examine this, this entire infrastructure set up require physical and enabling work environment: the buildings or assets where these systems will operate. You need facility managers to support from this perspective. Go out today to most of the government ministries at both State and federal and local government they are dilapidated, how do you expect people to function effectively in those environment and have very clear mind to be productive and do their job professional? It’s difficult.

If we cannot have all these questions stated earlier answered honestly, people productivity, business profitability and economic prosperity will be negatively impacted. So, why have these questions remained unanswered? We have not developed the required institutional framework, the mental capacity, the culture, and the philosophy to deal with this challenge.

We haven’t really realigned our orientation to admit these are critical services that we must focus on to drive the economy forward.

However, the good news is this, we came to the realisation that various factors have impeded investment in these infrastructure sectors, and a couple of years ago, we realised that we are not able to invest enough because government does not have enough to invest, therefore we have to embrace the concept of Public Private Partnership (PPP) investment structure. We have seen a few PPPs in the market, but one missing link is the aspect of FM that would guarantee sustainable return and improvement over time, continued efficient delivery of the service and minimum total life cycle cost. Unfortunately so much emphasis is laid on how much will you be giving back to government, and how much is accruable to the PPP promoters, but little or no attention is paid to the Facilities Management component of the PPP projects.

So, a lot of those contracts are lopsided and what we are seeing is that when you are putting in place an infrastructure concession contract, there is no adequate input and consideration for Facility Management in those contracts because government wants to provide and manage. This is something you can trace to individual interest. Government should not be in the business of trying to manage infrastructure. Government entities should concern themselves with providing the monitory and compliance framework and allow the private sector to manage and maintain. The return to the government should be more in terms of guaranteeing the efficiency of service and providing for those who cannot totally afford the economic variable based on the privatised cost, because not everybody can afford those cost when such services are fully privatised.

For instance, if government has a hospital, there should be differential pricing that enables the private sector to deliver the service and define the criteria for those who will benefit from those services as Social services and those that will benefit from it as a private sector initiative or an enterprise. If those kinds of frameworks are not well defined, we will continue to deceive ourselves that government must be responsible for social service and these services will be run down, the infrastructure will never develop. So, we need to rethink our public infrastructure provision and maintenance; and build in the component of sustainability into them, such that when government provides them, there are frameworks that enable us maintain them efficiently and price them appropriately.

31

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

PROPERTY NEWS

NEPAD-IPPF Strengthens Umahi Launches N2.1bn Operation Water Ebonyi State Capacity to Improve Stock of Ebonyi State Government projects.

Federal University at Ndufu the water challenges in OhaoThe sum, he added, would Alike, supply the local govern- zara. Already, we have water will spend N 2.1 billion on Infrastructure projects the rehabilitation of water be used to fix the Ezillo water ment of Ikwo, supply some treatment plant there. So what The NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility, NEPAD-IPPF, has concluded a two-day workshop that brought together over 20 staff members, representatives from the African Development Bank’s Departments of Transport, ICT, Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Resources Mobilisation and External Finance.

The two-day seminar, held in Abidjan, was also attended by other AfDB Infrastructure Specialists in energy from field offices covering Zambia, Mozambique, Rwanda and Angola, and was aimed at defining modalities for improved delivery aligned to the new NEPAD-IPPF Strategic Business Plan (SBP) covering the five-year period 2016-2020. The SBP seeks to increase the stock of wellprepared bankable infrastructure projects across Africa which can attract financing The first day of the retreat focused on translating the newly approved five-year Strategic Business Plan (SBP), into actionable goals. Under the new SBP, NEPAD-IPPF seeks to prepare between 60 to 80 regional infrastructure projects in energy, transport, trans-boundary water and ICT with reparation costs of between US$150 million to US$250 million over the five-year period and this will require additional resources from existing and potential donors.

NEPAD-IPPF, supports African governments, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and African infrastructurerelated institutions such as Power Pools and to prepare

bankable, investment-ready projects that can attract financing for implementation.

Since inception, NEPADIPPF has awarded 67 grants for preparation of regional infrastructure projects in Energy, Water, Transport and ICT, resulting in investment financing of over US$ 7.78 billion, thus responding directly to Africa’s integration and development efforts.

Discussions at the retreat also focused on strengthening internal capacity of NEPAD-IPPF with new working clusters based on defined roles and value addition through enhanced collaboration and synergies to improve operational effectiveness, efficient delivery and enhanced interface with clients. The four clusters are Project Delivery; Financing and Partnerships; Portfolio Management; and Communications and Outreach.

As a means of augmented its capacity, NEPAD-IPPF has recently recruited four new staff.

These are, Alex Ndiku Mbaraga, Project Preparation Specialist in charge of transport projects; Karine Mbengue-Maingé, Resource Mobilisation Specialist; Monde Nyambe, Infrastructure Project Finance Specialist and Binny Prabhakar, Project Preparation Specialist in charge of energy projects. The new additions to the existing NEPAD-IPPF team is expected to further enhance the operational effectiveness of the Facility so that it is better able to respond to the needs of its primary clients and ultimate beneficiaries, the African countries.

Nigeria Joins over 74 Others for Real Estate, Investment Expo in Germany Nigerians will join over 18,985 visitors, including decision makers, to the 19th International fair on Real Estate and investment scheduled to hold from October 4-6, 2016 in Munich, Germany.

Niche PR & Events, a Lagosbased public relations company is working closely with MESSE MÜNCHEN INTERNATIONAL and Trade and Fairs Consulting, Germany to recruit participation from Nigeria.

Niche PR will recruit participants from Nigeria, handle all logistics required to ensure that Nigeria is well represented at Expo Real 2016.

To attract needed B2B to the Nigerian participants, Niche PR has invited key industry players to sponsor the Nigerian exhibition booth under the African pavilion. The essence of having a booth dedicated to Nigeria is that 75% of visitors are decision makers and will visit the booth to discuss and conclude businesses. In addition there will be forums with 80 conferences, panel discussions and symposia with 400 recognised experts discussing bank financing and refinancing among other topics.

Expo Real is the largest business to business expo for property and investment in Europe since 1998. The focus

this year will be on commercial property: office, retail, hotel, logistics, health, infrastructure and residential property for institutional investors. Profile of attendees include real estate developers, architectural and planning firms, lawyers, investment companies, asset managers, real estate financiers, universities and colleges, banks, fund companies, tax advisors, mortgage finance institutions and property consultants.

According to Niche PR, invitations have been extended to stakeholders in private and public institutions that are related to real estate and financing to take up a stand at the African pavilion to facilitate one-on-one business networking meetings between international financiers looking to doing business in Africa and the Nigerian delegation. For exhibition of products and services, there will be 1,707 exhibiting companies. A projected number of over 37,853 participants comprising 18,985 visitors and 18,872 exhibitor’s representatives will be in attendance.

In 2015, Expo Real launched a conference on Sub-Saharan Africa -its real estate investment markets and urban development projects within the framework of Expo Real.

facilities to meet the water needs of residents of the state.

Governor David Umahi stated this in Abakaliki, recently, while launching the state’s Sustainable Development Goals water projects in the three senatorial zones of the state which he dubbed “Operation Water Ebonyi State.”

Addressing the people during the ceremony, the governor said Ebonyi was among the 10 lucky states that accessed the SDG grant of N600 million each.

According to the governor, the beneficiary states were expected to match the grant with additional N600m each in order to access the fund. He explained that Ebonyi did not only do so, it injected additional N900m into the pool, thereby having the N2.1bn for the water

plant, the Sacamori water station, the Juju hill water scheme and the Ohaozara water station.

A statement on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, quoted Umahi as saying: “Let me put it properly that Federal Government gave N600m and we were expected to match it with another N600m.

“We did and we also provided another N900m.

So all together, the three lots of the projects are going to be costing us about N2.1bn.

So, FG, N600m; Ebonyi State Government, N1.5bn.

“Let me say that the scope of this job is, part one, rehabilitation of Ezillo water treatment plant, and Sacamori pipe line network facilities. We tend to have storage Tanks in Ichichi Forest, which will supply the

areas in Izzi, supply our rice mill and that of Engr. Ugwu as we make efforts to get our rice millers to also take over the UNIDO rice mill.

“The Sacamori pipeline has its network through Ezza North, Ezza south, Ishielu, Izzi, Ohaukwu, and even FUNAI. “We want to do proper integration of Ezillo water scheme and that of Oferekpe to ensure that if we have problem with Oferekpe and it is shut down, Ezillo will start supplying. But most importantly is the distribution network in Abakaliki.”

Umahi also revealed that the 3rd part is to address the water challenges in Ohaozara, stating that already, there is a water treatment plant in the area.

“The 3rd one is to address

we want to do is to build a storage tank at Agukwu and build another storage tank at Ugwulangwu. So with these two storage tanks, we can network the entire Okposi,Uburu and Ugwulangwu.”

The governor, who lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babacir Lawal, for including Ebonyi State as a beneficiary of the grant, the aforementioned projects constituted the first major phase of the “Operation Water Ebonyi State.”

He also disclosed that the Ishiagu water project had been redesigned and re- awarded to a competent contractor at the cost of N1.2 billion, stressing that the arrangement was to integrate all water projects.

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi (middle); Deputy Governor Kelechi Igwe (5th right); and Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Benard Odoh (4th right) with members of the Market Development Committee, who presented their report to the governor in Abakaliki... recently

Evaluate Land to Halt Annual Loss of 24Bn Tonnes of Fertile Soil, Say Experts The world needs to improve the way land is evaluated in order to unlock its true potential and reverse the alarming pace of land degradation, like the loss of 24 billion tonnes of fertile soil and 15 billion trees every year, a new report from the International Resource Panel says.

Erosion, nutrient depletion, acidification, salinization, compaction and chemical pollution have left 33 per cent of the world’s soils either moderately or highly degraded.

If current conditions continue, then 320-849 million hectares of land will be converted to cropland by 2050 at the expense of the world’s savannahs, grasslands and forests. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture may increase from 24 per cent to 30 per cent.

As the global population expands, climate change intensifies and more people move to urban areas, it will become increasingly difficult to sustainably produce enough food, fuel and fibre to meet demand without further depleting the world’s finite land resources.

Released today in Beijing at a high-profile event to mark the World Day to Combat Desertification, the IRP’s latest report says that evaluating the long-term potential of land will help the world sustainably meet this demand.

Unlocking the Sustainable Potential of Land Resources: Evaluation Systems, Strategies and Tools looks at a series of tools that can help policy makers and land managers unlock the full potential of land, allowing them to use resources more efficiently.

“Land potential evaluations must be completed and applied before changes in land use or management are implemented,” says the IRP, which is a consortium of 34 internationally renowned scientists, over 30 national governments and other groups hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). “No farmer or nation can afford to invest in land management systems that ignore existing knowledge and information.”

“Despite this, land conversions to a single crop and

management system continue to occur across areas in which soil, topography, and sometimes climate conditions are so variable that failure across at least part of the project is virtually inevitable.”

A better understanding of the potential of the world’s land resources – at farm, watershed, country and regional levels – could raise food productivity, promote biodiversity, and increase resilience to climate change.

“To feed the world’s people, we will need to get the best we can out of the land,” said Ibrahim Thiaw, Deputy Executive Director of UNEP. “But to make sure that we leave the environment in a healthy state, so that future generations can also feed their people, breathe clean air, build resilience to climate change, and use the resources nature provides to enrich their lives, we need to do the best we can for that land.

“The International Resource Panel, in this study of the benefits of land evaluation, has again shown us a way to do more and better with less,

and, at the same time, deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals that the world agreed to last year.”

Monique Barbut, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, said: “Land degradation and drought affect nearly 170 countries in the world. One of the pivotal targets of the SDGs is achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030. The aim is to maintain or increase the amount of healthy and productive land available today by preventing future land degradation while increasing the efficiency of our current land management practices. Evaluating the land’s potential to ensure sustainable development in the right places, using the right practices is key to achieving this.

“The report by the IRP is a good first step in this direction; it highlights useful tools to achieve land degradation neutrality. The UNCCD and its partners will continue to help build the capacity to ensure that these tools, where appropriate, are consistently applied on the ground at various scales.”

32

TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016 T H I S D AY

UTILIZATION OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE FOR AUG 22 - AUG 26, 2016 S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90

CUSTOMERS TEMITOPE A OJE NAJIB U RUFAI UKWENYA EJEMBI FRANCIS YENVEL, CAROLINE ADEBUKOLA O ADEWUNMI OKEOWO, DANIEL OWOYALE CHARLES O EREGIE SAMSON AIGBEDO SAMSON AIGBEDO CAN CHEMICALS & CO NKECHI J ARIZOR ODUSANYA OLALEKAN SATHYANARAYANAN SAMPATH ANANT A RAO UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA A.A RANO NIG LTD UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC AFRICAN WIRE AND ALLIED INDUSTRIES (NIG) LTD GLOBAL APPLIANCES NIGERIA LTD IKORODU STEEL MILLS LIMITED SNATCH AND PROMPT INTERGRATED SERVICES LTD SNATCH AND PROMPT INTERGRATED SERVICES LTD MATRIX ENERGY LIMITED MTN NIGERIA COMMUNICATIONS LTD IKORODU STEEL MILLS LIMITED STALLION MOTORS LTD STALLION MOTORS LTD GMT GMT GMT SHONGAI TECNOLOGIES SHONGAI TECNOLOGIES SHONGAI TECNOLOGIES SHONGAI TECNOLOGIES SHONGAI TECNOLOGIES SHONGAI TECNOLOGIES SHONGAI TECNOLOGIES SHONGAI TECNOLOGIES SHONGAI TECNOLOGIES UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA LTD MINL LTD ARBITECH NIGERIA LTD KEHINDE VICTORIA OLUWAKEMI ADESUWA EDOKPOLOR PAUL ARINZE GUHA ASHOK ADEFUYE MAYOWA ABIOLA BELLO ABDULRAHMAN CHUKSNWABUISI PROMISE EJIMS LUCKY SADIQ RASHEED GBOYEGA MOMOH OSHIORIAHME OMESI EGUN ELIZABETH OLAITAN ADEKOYA ADENIYI AYOBAMI ODILINYE IFEANYICHUKWU LAWANI ABDULRAHEEM OLADIPO OLATUNJI AISHAT MOJISOLA OMONIYI DEBORAH OLUNIKE AJETUNMOBI OLUWAYINKA TINA JON-SOLO INTL. LIMITED ASIWAJU AYORINDE OMONIYI TAYLOR STEVE LIONEL ERINMWINGBOVO ISOKEN JENNY BABATUNDE-HUESSINON OLUWATOYIN NWANKWO TERESA CHIKENMA EKPAT IQUO NELLO PISERCHIA LESLIE OBANIYI OLAMIDE OLUSOLA NNENNA J CHIKEZIE NNENNA J CHIKEZIE CHOLLOM TENG DAVID SALIHU JIBRIL ABDULLAHI UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA OBANIYI OLAMIDE OLUSOLA GIESECKE AND DEVRIENT AFRICA LTD ELECTRONIC PAYPLUS LTD AUSTIN O OSAGIE SUNDAY S OKWUOKEI AYOKU .A.LIADI BALOGUN OLASHENI OLALEKAN PROMASIDOR NIGERIA LIMITED SAHARA ENERGY RESOURCE NIG LTD SAHARA ENERGY RESOURCE NIG LTD MATRIX ENERGY MATRIX ENERGY ADEDEJI ADEYELURE ADESOLA A YOMI-AJAYI

AMOUNT (US$) 6,396.80 500.00 6,207.31 2,300.00 912.00 15,000.00 10,614.60 8,392.00 8,392.00 5,497.00 2,412.55 14,787.87 2,600.00 19,000.00 43,680.00 23,827.50 2,278,446.26 3,626.00 53,933.07 140,380.00 42,169.80 243,796.70 27,684.90 1,615.26 49,900.00 61,863.01 61,863.01 222,626.25 174,240.00 44,274.16 109,394.64 97,920.00 102,002.68 139,590.00 74,497.00 30,650.68 138,847.50 67,720.00 42,312.00 33,800.00 79,248.00 105,246.40 45,105.60 150,352.00 156,848.00 211,575.49 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 3,616.50 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 2,500.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 4,000.00 3,401.01 1,267.36 673.22 11,550.60 8,470.44 47,363.89 1,283.40 219,489.63 256,680.00 1,100.00 3,762.23 15,000.00 11,190.60 391.55 10,014.76 4,455.06 7,042,000.00 6,398,000.00 3,136.25 8,065.76

PURPOSE SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES IT FEES GAS OIL IT FEES INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL HOT ROLLED STEEL COILS/SHEETS NEW PASSENGER CAR TIRES WEST NEW PASSENGER CAR TIRES WEST DPK/HKK BNG PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST REPAYMENT INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY FOR STEEL I UNIT OF PORSCHE BOXSTER I UNIT OF PORSCHE BOXSTER I UNIT OF PORSCHE BOXSTER INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL MACHINERY MACHINERY MACHINERY MACHINERY MACHINERY MACHINERY MACHINERY MACHINERY MACHINERY PRECIPITATED SILICA MFIL PRECIPITATED SILICA MFIL PRECIPITATED SILICA MFIL PRECIPITATED SILICA MFIL PRECIPITATED SILICA MFIL PRECIPITATED SILICA MFIL TIN FREE STEEL SHEET IN COIL PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES FEES PERSONAL TRAVEL ALLOWANCE INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL SMARTCARDS----UBA STANDARD MC SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES CHOCOLATE FLAVORS E1416551/01 10,000MTS OF JET A-1 10,000MTS OF JET A-2 DPK/HKK DPK/HKK SCHOOL FEES SCHOOL FEES

RATE 336.25 336.25 330.50 330.50 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 315.80 315.50 315.80 315.50 315.50 336.25 309.23 315.80 336.25 336.25 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 321.50 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 330.62 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 336.25 315.00 315.00 315.00 315.00 305.68 315.00 315.00 317.34 317.34 315.00 315.00

DATE 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 23-Aug 23-Aug 23-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 22-Aug 23-Aug 23-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 25-Aug 22-Aug 25-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug

SALES TO BDC AUG 22 - AUG 26, 2016 S/N

CUSTOMERS

AMOUNT (US$) PURPOSE

RATE DATE

1

TIGER BDC LTD

60,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.11 22-Aug

2

MUT-TOSIN BDC

28,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.11 22-Aug

25,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.11 22-Aug

4

HEART-LAND BDC LTD

25,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.11 22-Aug

5

3

TURAKI BDC

MUSSA EMMA BDC LTD

25,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.11 22-Aug

6

LOTUS BDC LTD

25,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.11 22-Aug

7

RAJMAHAL BDC LTD

25,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.11 22-Aug

25,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.11 22-Aug

9

DALEX BUREAU DE CHANGE LTD

25,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.11 22-Aug

10

8

RESOLUTION BDC

25,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.11 22-Aug

11

VAL BUREAU DE CHANGE LTD

BANKETS&BRIO BDC LTD

25,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.11 22-Aug

12

HABDAMOL BDC

25,850.00 SALE TO BDC

352.11 22-Aug

13

DARTFORD BDC LTD

25,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.11 22-Aug

14

1HR BDC

25,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.11 22-Aug

25,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.11 22-Aug

16

IMAM AHMAD BDC

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

17

15

FUTURE VIEW BDC

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

18

ALRAHMA BDC

GOLD HALL BDC

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

19

HUMAIRA BDC

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

20

JANECHRIS BDC

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

21

JOSHJOY BDC

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

22

EVERDON BDC

20,590.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

23

DOYLAN BDC

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

24

DAN BARE BDC

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

25

KURFI BDC

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

27

GOLDEN GATE BDC LTD

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

28

26

INDEXMARK BDC LTD

ADAKAWA BDC

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

SALES TO BDC AUG 22 - AUG 26, 2016 S/N

CUSTOMERS

29

WESTLINK BDC

30

AMOUNT (US$) PURPOSE

RATE DATE

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

MILAN BDC

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

31

PROTRADE BDC

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

32

AMMASCO BDC LTD

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

33

ZITTS AND LORDS BDC

352.24 23-Aug

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

34

RSL BDC

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

35

OPTIMAL TRUST BDC

20,000.00 SALE TO BDC

352.24 23-Aug

36

CHIKATINA BDC

33,000.00 SALE TO BDC

350.35 26-Aug

37

STRETCH-OUT BDC LTD

33,000.00 SALE TO BDC

350.35 26-Aug

38

ALMABROOK BDC

33,000.00 SALE TO BDC

350.35 26-Aug

39

HIGH TOWER

33,000.00 SALE TO BDC

350.35 26-Aug

40

ASHBETH BDC LTD

33,000.00 SALE TO BDC

350.35 26-Aug

41

KNIGHT HALL BDC

30,000.00 SALE TO BDC

42

SUNSTONE BDC

30,000.00 SALE TO BDC

350.35 26-Aug

43

BABAR MADO BDC

33,000.00 SALE TO BDC

350.35 26-Aug

44

SPRINGFIELD BDC LTD

350.35 26-Aug

33,000.00 SALE TO BDC

350.35 26-Aug

45

M.S SECURITIES BDC LTD

33,000.00 SALE TO BDC

350.35 26-Aug

46

K/BULUKIYA BDC LTD

33,000.00 SALE TO BDC

350.35 26-Aug

47

CLIFFPAUL BDC

9,340.00 SALE TO BDC

350.35 26-Aug

SOURCES OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE FOR AUG 22 - AUG 26 2016 S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97

SOURCE AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS INTERBANK AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS AUTONOMOUS

AMOUNT (US$) 40.24 190.27 980.00 175.17 157.50 590.00 55.74 4,000.00 150.00 1,872.00 21,406.13 76,666.67 300.00 1,805.00 2,122.75 100.00 4,800.00 0.36 50.00 166,748.02 334.36 123.06 100.77 189.60 287.35 116.59 248.09 534.53 203.10 272.46 198.60 177.45 101.11 159.75 101.48 884.60 290.00 35.00 30.00 139.00 373.00 86.39 80.97 40.00 3,000.00 1,000,000.00 1,200.00 280.00 354.45 31.57 100.00 70.01 321.62 772.00 10,000.00 1,429.84 2,025.00 1,947.00 1,927.00 60.77 235.47 715.83 257.70 223.34 107.76 390.85 8,905.68 134.00 223.34 267.33 8,821.93 111.67 55,835.00 781.69 212.17 1,116,700.00 893,360.00 2,242.33 679,334.00 185.52 5,000.00 541.14 3,143.00 96.98 24,980.00 980.00 23.00 1,489.18 1,252.79 70.00 1,358.60 1,690.70 3,333.33 8,780.00 13,440,000.00 18,516.43 100,000.00

RATE 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 310.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 305.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 315.50 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 316.84 300.00 305.00

DATE 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 23-Aug 23-Aug 23-Aug 23-Aug 23-Aug 23-Aug 23-Aug 23-Aug 23-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 23-Aug 23-Aug 23-Aug 23-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 25-Aug 23-Aug 22-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug 26-Aug

T H I S D AY TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016

33

34

TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016 T H I S D AY

TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016 • T H I S D AY

35

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Brazil: Rousseff Begins Defence in On-going Impeachment Trial President Dilma Rousseff yesterday took a stand yesterday, insisting that she had committed no crime and said she was proud that she’d been “faithful to my commitment to the nation.”

Brazil’s post-Olympic high came to an end as Rousseff’s impeachment trial began.

Her remarks from the Senate floor suggested the suspended president had no intention of accepting the bid for her impeachment without a fight.

“I’ll plan and fight for democracy,” she said. “I don’t fight for my term for the power, but I fight for the democracy for truth and justice and the

Turkish Forces Deepen Push into Syria Turkish-backed forces pushed deeper into northern Syria yesterday and drew a rebuke from NATO ally the United States, which said it was concerned the battle for territory had shifted away from targeting Islamic State.

At the start of Turkey’s now almost week-long cross-border offensive, Turkish tanks, artillery and warplanes provided Syrian rebel allies the firepower to capture swiftly the Syrian frontier town of Jarablus from Islamic State militants.

Since then, Turkish forces have mainly pushed into areas controlled by forces aligned to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a coalition that encompasses the Kurdish YPG militia and which has been backed by Washington to fight the jihadists.

A group monitoring the tangled, five-year-old conflict in Syria said 41 people were killed by Turkish air strikes as Turkish forces pushed south on Sunday. Turkey denied there were any civilian deaths, saying 25 Kurdish militants were killed.

people of my country.” It’s not clear if an impassioned speech will do any good. The tide of opinion is against her, and the appearance is widely expected to be her last public address.

It’s a jarring return to reality for the South American nation, with the final vote in the drama following the celebrations that came with Rio de Janeiro hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The impeachment process has dragged on for months, predating the Olympic torch lighting ceremony -- a glitzy showpiece that, despite orchestrating, Rousseff was barred

from attending. It’s a political crisis that ordinary Brazilians could do well without -- the country is trying to pick itself out of recession.

Rousseff calls the impeachment an attempt at a power grab by her rivals, saying her government has long been the target of political sabotage. “When Brazil or when a president is impeached for a crime that they have not committed, the name we have for this in democracy, it’s not an impeachment, it is a coup,” she said in May after the Senate voted to launch the

proceedings.

The heir-apparent to former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Rousseff was re-elected by a narrow margin in 2014, but soon a recession and a crossparty corruption scandal put an end to any political goodwill she might have earned.

Rousseff’s term is set to end in December 2018. Right now, she’s suspended for up to 180 days, and Temer is the acting president. If she’s found guilty in the impeachment proceedings, she’ll be removed from office.

She insists she’ll stick around to see out her term, but Tuesday’s

vote will determine that.

Again, like many things in Brazil’s tumultuous political landscape, it depends on whom you ask. But in the country’s lower house, one man had been leading the charge: Eduardo Cunha.

Cunha launched a bid to impeach Rousseff in December.

He was the speaker of the lower house until April when the Supreme Court suspended him from all congressional duties over allegations of obstructing corruption investigations and intimidating lawmakers.

He resigned in July.

Suicide Bomber Kills 54 in Yemeni Attack A suicide bomber killed at least 54 people when he drove a car bomb into a militia compound in Aden yesterday, the health ministry said, in one of the deadliest attacks claimed by Islamic State in the southern Yemeni port city.

The director general of Yemen’s health ministry in Aden, al-Khader Laswar, told Reuters that at least 67 other people were wounded in the

attack in the city’s Mansoura district.

The militant Islamic State group said in a statement carried by its Amaq news agency one of its suicide bombers carried out the bombing.

“Around 60 dead in a martyrdom operation by a fighter from Islamic State targeting a recruitment center in Aden city,” the statement said, without giving further

details.

A security source said the attack targeted a school compound where conscripts of the Popular Committees, forces allied to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, were gathered for breakfast.

Witnesses said the suicide bomber entered the compound behind a truck that had brought breakfast for the conscripts, who had

queued for the meal.

Ambulance sirens wailed throughout the morning as they ferried casualties to a hospital run by medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which was overwhelmed by the number of casualties.

An MSF spokesperson said the hospital received at least 45 bodies and more than 60 wounded people.

36

TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016 T H I S D AY

RC 299647

PUBLIC WORKSHOP ON NIGERIAN CONTENT FOR ZABAZABA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT- SUBSEA PRODUCTION SYSTEM - EPC PACKAGE 1.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) (hereafter COMPANY), Operator of the OPL 245 is organizing in conjunction with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) (hereafter the Board) a one (1) day public workshop for interested Nigerian Service providers, suppliers and OEM representatives, vendors and manufacturers based in Nigeria, supplier trade umbrella/ associations and any other reputable provider of products and services to the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

The workshop is being organized in accordance with the provisions of the NOGICD Act to sensitize the general public on the high-level Nigerian Content Plan associated with the main facilities of the Zabazaba and Etan Deepwater integrated project. In addition, it will provide a platform for local companies to interact with international service providers who are prospective EPCI tenderers for the following works/services: Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of the Subsea Production Systems (SPS) and Aftermarket services COMPANY hereby invites for the one (1) day workshop, representatives of relevant Government Agencies and Regulatory Authorities DPR, Nigerian Custom Service, NPA, FIRS, etc.). Similarly, Company also requests for expressions of interest to participate in the workshop from Nigerian service companies, local manufacturers, vendors/suppliers, and other supplier stakeholders in the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry (e.g. PETAN, NCCF, MAN, etc.) wishing to attend this one (1) day workshop with the International Service Providers, to present their available in-country capabilities and exhibit their expertise under the services scope with a view to forming synergies/alliances with the Subsea Systems providers for the delivery of workscope for the Subsea Production System package. .

The Nigerian Content Opportunities for the Subsea/Wellhead Work Package include but shall not be limited to the following:

Project Management

Detailed Engineering on Subsea Production Systems (Subsea Wellhead, Subsea Completion, Subsea Manifolds, SSIVs and Structures, Tie-in System, Subsea Control System, ROV System, etc.), Fabrication & Construction Engineering, Installation Engineering, Inspection and Testing Engineering, Pre-commissioning/Commissioning Engineering, etc.

Materials and Procurement

Transportation of Subsea Production Systems

Fabrication and Construction o Well Jumpers o Manifold Modules o Manifold Support Structures o Subsea Distribution Unit (SDU) & Foundation Structure o Mud mat o UTAs & Foundations o Gas Export Subsea PLEM o GE SSIV Subsea Assembly o Wellhead/Xmas Trees Assembly from Flat Pack o EFL Deployment Frames o Work-over Landing String Threading o Foundation Anchors & Suction Piles o Pigging Loop & Structures o XT Frames, Structures and panels, ROV panels, Tubing Head Spools and Guidance Frames o Threading of Wellhead Pipes and Conductors

Inspection, Testing and Certification o Material Technology/ Anti Corrosion/ Surface Protective Services o Non-Destructive Testing Services; Pressure Testing Services o Dimensional Control/ Verification Services o FAT, EFAT, SIT, CDT, Hydraulic & Gas Pressure Test

Training

2.

DATE AND VENUE th The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday 6 September 2016, Time is 9.00am prompt.

Venue is Transcorp Hilton, 1 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

3.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS To be eligible for participation in the workshop, interested Service Companies are required to be legally registered in Nigeria by CAC and possess valid DPR permit Registration on the NCDMB NOGIC JQS and in NipeX Joint Qualification System (NJQS) database including being prequalified for one or more NJQS supplier category(ies) related to the Scope of Work in subject would be of advantage.

To attend the workshop, a confirmation of participation request should be sent to the following e-mail address: ncworkshop2016@naoc.agip.it on or before 4pm on Sunday 4thSeptember, 2016 stating: i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi)

4.

Name and registered address of the Company Name and official designation of the nominated representative (please note that only one authorized representative for each Service Company will be admitted to participate) NJQS supplier category(ies) for which the Company is pre-qualified NOGIC JQS registration number CAC certificate of incorporation (attach copy) DPR registration permits (attach copy)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NAE hereby makes clear that all the expenses/costs connected to the participation to the workshop (including but not limited to: travel, board and lodging, etc.) shall be borne by the participants and NAE will not grant any form of compensation..

This announcement of Workshop shall not be construed as a commitment on part of NAE, nor shall it entitle Applicants to make any claims whatsoever seek any indemnity from NAE and/or any of its Partners by virtue of such Applicants having responded to this announcement MANAGEMENT

37

T H I S D AY TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016

RC 299647

PUBLIC WORKSHOP ON NIGERIAN CONTENT FOR ZABAZABA PROJECT DEVELOPMENTPIPELINE, FLOWLINE RISERS & INSTALLATION EPCI PACKAGE 1.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) (hereafter COMPANY), Operator of the OPL 245 is organizing in conjunction with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) (hereafter the Board) a one (1) day public workshop for interested Nigerian Service providers, suppliers and OEM representatives, vendors and manufacturers based in Nigeria, supplier trade umbrella/ associations and any other reputable provider of products and services to the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

The workshop is being organized in accordance with the provisions of the NOGICD Act to sensitize the general public on the high-level Nigerian Content Plan associated with the main facilities of the Zabazaba and Etan Deepwater integrated project. In addition, it will provide a platform for local companies to interact with international service providers who are prospective EPCI tenderers for the following works/services: Engineering, Procurement, Construction & Installation (EPCI) of Production, Water Injection and Gas lift Flowlines; Production, Water Injection, Gas Lift and Gas Export Risers with their Installation, Hook-up and commissioning. The scope also includes the Installation, hook-up and commissioning of Company provided Gas Export Line pipes, Umbilical systems, Christmas Trees, PLEMs, PLETs, ILTs, SSIVs, Well Jumpers and Christmas Trees flying leads.

COMPANY hereby invites to a one (1) day workshop, representatives of relevant Government Agencies and Regulatory Authorities (DPR, NIMASA, Nigerian Custom Service, Nigerian Navy Service, NPA, NEPZA, Nigerian Shippers Council, FIRS, etc.). Similarly, Company also requests for expressions of interest to participate in the workshop from Nigerian service companies, local manufacturers, vendors/suppliers, and other supplier stakeholders in the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry (e.g. PETAN, NCCF, MAN, etc.) wishing to attend this one (1) day workshop with the International Service Providers, to present their available in-country capabilities and exhibit their expertise under the services scope with a view to forming synergies/alliances with the PFRI main bidders for the delivery of work scope of the PFRI systems.

The Nigerian Content Opportunities for the PFRI Work Package include but shall not be limited to the following: Project Management including the provision of personnel for coordination, control, planning and reporting.

Engineering including:Detail Design of the rigid pipelines/risers (including PLEMs. PLETs and ITAs), spools, jumpers and Subsea Isolation Valves (SSIV).Installation engineering of rigid pipeline/risers, rigid jumpers and spools, PLETs, PLEMs, ITAs and relevant foundations.

Materials and Procurement Fabrication & Construction Production, Water Injection, Gas lift and Gas Export Risers system o Production, Water Injection and Gas lift Flowlines o PLEMs, ILTs, PLETs, Manifold, Pig Launchers, Pig Receivers, Flowline joints and spools o Transportation of all materials to offshore sites including other Contractors and Company supplied items.

Installation of rigid pipelines/risers, rigid jumpers and spools, PLETs, PLEM, ITAs, SSIV, Manifolds, Umbilical, Flying leads, UTAs/UTHs/SDUs relevant foundations and execution of Pre-engineering pre-lay/as-built surveys.

Pre-Commissioning of Pipeline system, Risers, Flowlines, Umbilicals, SSIV, manifolds, Christmas trees and Subsea Control system.

Support to COMPANY during commissioning.

HSE Catering Services o Cleaning and Laundry Services o Security Services o Medical Services o Marine Operations and Logistic Services Installation Vessels o Security Vessels o Mechanical testing and inspection services Training

2.

DATE AND VENUE The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, 8th of September 2016 Time is 9.00am prompt.

Venue is Transcorp Hilton, 1, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

3.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS To be eligible for participation in the workshop, interested Service Companies are required to be legally registered in Nigeria by CAC and possess valid DPR Permit, Registration on the NCDMB NOGIC JQS and in NipeX Joint Qualification System (NJQS) database including being prequalified for one or more NJQS supplier category (ies) related to the Scope of Work in subject would be of advantage.

To attend the workshop, a confirmation of participation request should be sent to the following e-mail address: ncworkshop2016@naoc.agip.it on or before 4pm on Sunday 4th September 2016 stating: i) Name and registered address of the Company ii) Name and official designation of the nominated representative (please note that only one authorized representative for each Service Company will be admitted to participate) iii) NJQS supplier category(ies) for which the Company is pre-qualified iv) NOGIC JQS registration number v) CAC certificate of incorporation (attach copy) vi) DPR registration permits (attach copy)

4.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NAE hereby makes clear that all the expenses/costs connected to the participation to the workshop (including but not limited to: travel, board and lodging, etc.) shall be borne by the participants and NAE will not grant any form of compensation.

This announcement of Workshop shall not be construed as a commitment on part of NAE, nor shall it entitle Applicants to make any claims whatsoever and/or seek any indemnity from NAE and/or any of its Partners by virtue of such Applicants having responded to this announcement.

MANAGEMENT

38

TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016 T H I S D AY

RC 299647

PUBLIC WORKSHOP ON NIGERIAN CONTENT FOR ZABAZABA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT- UMBILICAL PACKAGE 1. INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) (hereafter COMPANY), Operator of the OPL 245 is organizing in conjunction with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) (hereafter the Board) a one (1) day public workshop for interested Nigerian Service providers, suppliers and OEM representatives, vendors and manufacturers based in Nigeria, supplier trade umbrella/ associations and any other reputable provider of products and services to the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

The workshop is being organized in accordance with the provisions of the NOGICD Act to sensitize the general public on the high-level Nigerian Content Plan associated with the main facilities of the Zabazaba and Etan Deepwater integrated project. In addition, it will provide a platform for local companies to interact with international service providers who are prospective EPCI tenderers for the following works/services: Engineering and Procurement of the Umbilical System.

COMPANY hereby invites for the one (1) day workshop, representatives of relevant Government Agencies and Regulatory Authorities (DPR, Nigerian Custom Service, NPA, FIRS, etc.). Similarly, Company also requests for expressions of interest to participate in the workshop from Nigerian service companies, local manufacturers, vendors/suppliers, and other supplier stakeholders in the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry (e.g. PETAN, NCCF, MAN, etc.) wishing to attend this one (1) day workshop with the International Service Providers, to present their available in-country capabilities and exhibit their expertise under the services scope with a view to forming synergies/alliances with the Umbilical suppliers for the delivery of the workscope for the Umbilical Systems.

The Nigerian Content Opportunities for the Umbilical Work Package include but shall not be limited to the following:

Project Management

Detailed Engineering on Umbilical System, Fabrication & Construction Engineering, Integration Engineering, Installation Engineering, Inspection and Testing Engineering, Pre-commissioning/Commissioning Engineering, etc.

Materials and Procurement

Transportation of Umbilical

Fabrication and Construction of Umbilical

Inspection, Testing and Certification o Material Technology/ Anti Corrosion/ Surface Protective Services o Non-Destructive Testing Services o Pressure Testing Services o Dimensional Control/ Verification Services

Training 2.

DATE AND VENUE th The workshop is scheduled for Wednesday 7 September, 2016 Time is 9.00am prompt.

Venue is Transcorp Hilton, 1, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

3.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS To be eligible for participation in the workshop, interested Service Companies are required to be legally registered in Nigeria by CAC and possess valid DPR. Permit Registration on the NCDMB NOGIC JQS and in NipeX Joint Qualification System (NJQS) database including being prequalified for one or more NJQS supplier category related to the Scope of Work in subject would be of advantage.

To attend the workshop, a confirmation of participation request should be sent to the following e-mail address: ncworkshop2016@naoc.agip.it on or before 4pm on Sunday 4thSeptember , 2016 stating: i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi)

4.

Name and registered address of the Company Name and official designation of the nominated representative (please note that only one authorized representative for each Service Company will be admitted to participate) NJQS supplier category(ies) for which the Company is pre-qualified NOGIC JQS registration number CAC certificate of incorporation (attach copy) DPR registration permits (attach copy

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NAE hereby makes clear that all the expenses/costs connected to the participation to the workshop (including but not limited to: travel, board and lodging, etc.) shall be borne by the participants and NAE will not grant any form of compensation..

This announcement of Workshop shall not be construed as a commitment on part of NAE, nor shall it entitle Applicants to make any claims whatsoever seek any indemnity from NAE and/or any of its Partners by virtue of such Applicants having responded to this announcement MANAGEMENT

TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016 • T H I S D AY

39

NEWSXTRA

Court Stops Factional PDP Primary as Jimoh Ibrahim Emerges Candidate Ondo APC crisis assumes fetish dimension

James Sowole in Akure Despite the relocation of the Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Ondo State to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Sunday for its primary election, an Akure High Court yesterday restrained the faction from conducting the primary outside the state.

The restriction was contained in an order given around 9a.m.

by Justice Omolara of the Akure High Court, who ordered that none of the aspirants should present him/herself in the parallel primary.

The justice noted that the only legally recognised primary of the party was the one conducted on Monday, August 22, 2016, by the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction that produced Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as the party’s flagbearer.

However, the Sheriff faction under the state chairmanship of Mr. Biyi Poroye, had preempted the court order by relocating the primary election slated for yesterday to the party’s South-west zonal office.

The aspirants, Jimoh Ibrahim, Chief Sola Ebiseeni, Bamiduro Dada, Niran Sule and Mrs. Abiye Ademuyegun had assembled with their supporters at the Premier Hotel, Ibadan on Sunday night.

It was gathered at the time of filling this report that the primary, headed by Mr. Ahmed Gulak, as the chairman electoral committee, conducted the election in the early hours of yesterday.

It was gathered that three other aspirants stepped down for the business mogul, Ibrahim, while Ebiseni declined to contest the party ticket with him.

At the end of the poll, Ebiseni, who is the immediate past Commissioner for Environment in the state, polled 41 votes while Ibrahim polled 502 votes to pick the faction’s ticket ahead of the November 26 governorship election.

Meanwhile, the crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state on the forthcoming primary election of the party yesterday, took another dimension as the surroundings of the party secretariat located along Oyemekun road in Akure, Ondo State capital, was laced with fetish objects.

The objects which included goat and dog heads, red, white and black cloths, local pap, salt and some cash prepared in a plate, sprinkled with red palm oil while palm font were tied at the entrance of the party office to signify the sealing off of the premises.

The presence of the strange objects prevented the office staff at the secretariat of the party from gaining entry while the party’s secretariat was turned to centre of attraction as many people thronged to have a glimpse of the situation.

Some of the staff who wanted to forcefully enter the office were cautioned by some traditionalists who explained that the palm fronts tied around the gate signified ‘No entry’

However, the objects were being cleared by some people under the watch of security operatives before the gate leading to the office was opened around 11:30a.m.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the party, Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke, described it as part of the antics of detractors to further distabilise the party before they eventually decamp to another party.

He said the activities of the people are seen as a handshake

beyond the elbow, saying it is going beyond a mere crisis within the party but an attempt to kill the party in the state.

Kekemeke said the objects and action of the people should be seen as desecration of the culture of the land and said whosoever was behind the atrocity should face the wrath of the land.

Reacting on the act, the Deji of Akureland, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, condemned the act and dissociated the palace from the action.

According to the Akure tradition, the placing of traditional palm fronds at the entrance of any property is a traditional way of sealing such property.

The monarch in a statement issued and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Adeyeye Michael, frowned at the act, saying using such method to seal off a premises remained the prerogative of the palace only.

The Deji of Akure said: “The Deji of Akure remains non-

partisan and a father to all political aspirants and never authorised such and wishes to inform the public that such act did not emanate from the palace “We wish to inform you that any attempt to desecrate the tradition will be vehemently rebuffed.

It is certain that those who carried out this condemnable act are not aware of the cultural and traditional implications of this action.

WAR AGAINST MALARIA

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; administering malaria drug to some children, during the commencement of house-toAnother Crisis Brewing house malaria elimination programme in Isa Local Government Area of the state...yesterday between Ijaws and Itsekiris Ambode Nominates Subair Judiciary Not to Blame for over Land in Delta State of Anti-corruption War, Sylvester Idowu inWarri owners of the entire land the as LIRS Chairman people of Gbaramatu kingdom Appoints Dabiri as LAMATA MD Says FCT Chief Judge Another ethnic crisis is gradually are occupying. We make bold to building up in Delta State as an say that there is no element of Gboyega Akinsanmi LIRS towards its revenue Ijaw elite group, Warri Ijaw Peace Monitoring Group (WIPMG), yesterday accused its Itsekiri counterpart of plans to attack some Ijaw communities to provoke their military occupation.

The Ijaw group, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Chief Patrick Bigha, said information available to it was that some Itsekiri warlords wants to attack Ijaw communities to provoke retaliation thereby creating room for the military to occupy them under the guise of maintaining peace.

It warned in the statement titled: ‘Itsekiris Fanning the Embers of War,” that the communities in question belonged to the Ijaws and not Itsekiris as is being claimed.

“It has come to our notice that some Itsekiri warlords are planning to attack Ijaw communities in Warri and its environs in order to provoke retaliation so that the military will come in and occupy Ijaw communities under the guise of maintaining peace.

“Currently, some Itsekiri groups are claiming that they are the

truth in that claim. The claim is made in bad faith, as it is baseless and provocative,” it added.

WIPMG therefore advised the Itsekiris to desist from the act of annexing lands that do not belong to them, noting that the law courts do not have the right to take someone’s land and give it to other person.

“The Ijaws of Warri are the original occupants of the land they are staying from time immemorial. The Ijaws have not been conquered at any time in the history of Warri. The funny thing is that the Itskiris came to meet the Ijaws in Warri towards the close of the 18th century, and so could not have been the owners of the Warri land.

“It was the colonial masters that gave them the land belonging to the Ijaws as attested to by their own son and leader, Chief Dore Numa in the Warri Intelligent Reports. The report is a public document anyone can lay his or her hands on. Therefore the Itsekiris should stop this frivolous claims,”the group claimed.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday asked the state House of Assembly to confirm Mr. Hamzat Subair as the Chairman of the state Internal Revenue Service (LIRS).

Ambode nominated Subair after the LIRS Board Secretary, Mr. Jimi informed the agency’s staff members in an internal memo dated August 26 that former LIRS Chairman, Mr. Folarin Ogunsanwo, had proceeded on retirement on August 25.

He conveyed Subair’s nomination in a letter he addressed to the Speaker to the state House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, seeking legislative approval for the nominee to steer the affairs of the state’s revenue generating establishment.

In his letter, the governor said with Ogunsanwo’s retirement, it became imperative “to quickly seek a suitable replacement in view of the vital position of the

generation drive.”

He, thus, asked the assembly to approve his request, noting that the position “is vital for the attainment of the set target of our administration to deliver good governance to the people of the state.”

Ambode noted that Subair’s nomination “to the House of Assembly for confirmation was in conformity with Section 2 of the Lagos State Revenue Administration Law, 2006.”

After 11 months he assumed the position of LIRS Chairman, Ogunsanwo retired controversially last Thursday over an alleged N4.2 billion misappropriation, which an LIRS source said, compelled the state government to ease him out of the system.

Also, Ambode approved the appointment of Mr. Abiodun Dabiri as the new Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).

AlexEnumahinAbuja

As criticism and condemnation against the judiciary continues to mount in the anti-corruption war of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, has said the judiciary alone should not be held responsible for the failures, arguing that the administration of justice is a collective efforts of all arms of government.

Justice Bello stated this yesterday in Abuja, while receiving in audience an advocacy group, Partners West Africa- Nigeria: Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative (PWAN/ RoLE Initiative).

The group was at the FCT High Court to seek its support and cooperation in the fight against corruption.

Bello, while reiterating the commitment of the judiciary in the fight against corruption, was however, quick to express worries over the increasing condemnation the judiciary has been receiving for some time now, noting that people speak adversely against the judiciary without bothering to find out the

constraints faced by the organ in the dispense of justice in the country.

He stated that if the prosecution, that is the executive, fails to do a proper investigation of cases before coming to the court, such cases are bound to fail at the end of the day, adding that a similar fate befalls cases whose legislation are inadequate, notwithstanding the profile of the case.

The CJ who likened the plight of the judiciary to that of a woman who receives all the blame for a poorly prepared meal, simply because she dished the meal, advised people to venture into the kitchen to discover where the lapses are.

He assured the group of his preparedness to partner them and disclosed that as part of efforts of the FCT High Court at ensuring administration of justice, the court is partnering the Nigeria police on the enforcement of court proceedings.

He disclosed further that an enforcement unit that would ensure that judgment from all courts in the FCT including the Supreme Court, Appeal Court, High Court and even Magistrate and Customary Court are enforced.

40

TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

FG Launches New Three-year Education Strategic Plan Drama as ministers debunk rumours of clash

Paul Obi in Abuja The federal government yesterday launched a new three-year education strategic plan for the country, stretching between 2016 and 2019.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, at the launch of the plan known as ‘Education for Change: A Ministerial Strategic Plan 2016-2019’, said it was strategic to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s change agenda.

“No nation can achieve economic prosperity without a sound and functional education system; and knowing full well that the security and stability of our country depends on its ability to provide functional education to its citizens; bearing in mind the key to fighting unemployment.

“While the world is producing professionals, Nigeria is still grappling and leading the world with the highest number of out-of-school children that are roaming the streets, “ Adamu said.

The minister stated that the plan is “the objectives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) set out to fine tone the sector.”

He added that the new plan seeks to address the various existing gaps in the education sector to attain optimum results.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, on his ports, explained that the new plan seeks to enthrone “equity

and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, as declared in our global education agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4.”

Anwukah stressed that the new plan needed to strengthening to ensure that the vulnerables are included.

The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Folashade Esan, said the ministry has been repositioned to deliver on its strategic plan and scale up government’s performance in the sector.

Esan harped on the need for concerted efforts to ensure positive result, given the critical role, the new strategic plan would have on the education sector.

Meanwhile, mild drama ensued at the launch when Adamu and Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anwukah, denied rumour of any ongoing rift between them since their assumption of office.

In what would appear as a strategy to downplay the rumours about the rift, both ministers at the venue of the presentation of insisted that they were and would continue to be great friends.

Adamu accused journalists of being responsible for the rumours which he maintained was targeted at generating headlines that would increase the sales of newspapers and also pull media traffic to the various media outfits in the country.

He said: “This is the creation of journalists. I don’t think that there is any two ministers in

Otudeko: Fundamentals of African Economy Remain Strong and Entrenched The Chairman of Honeywell Group and FBN Holdings Plc, Mr. Oba Otudeko, has said fundamentals of the African economy remain strong and entrenched.

Otudeko said this at the just concluded 6th edition of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), held from 26th to 28th August in Nairobi, Kenya.

The summit had in attendance over 30 African Heads of State, including President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. Addressing the dialogue with the private sector session of the summit, Oba Otudeko encouraged foreign investors and friends of Africa to keep their business plans for Africa alive, saying the one billion strong African population is a major compelling reason to invest in Africa.

Speaking on the present economic situation in Africa, Otudeko said: “Africa has particularly suffered from subdued commodity prices; and as a Nigerian, I can tell you that these are interesting times for both government and businesses.”

He further reassured the

audience, saying such trying times would definitely pass because African countries will use this period to deepen and diversify our economies.

“I believe that with the right efforts, we can actualise our vision”, he further said.

In conclusion, Otudeko maintained that “Africa remains open for business and indigenous African companies are open to partnerships and collaborations that will create new ventures and, in turn, growth opportunities for our dear continent.”

Initiated in 1993, TICAD is a summit meeting on African development co-organised by: the Government of Japan, the United Nations Office of the Special Advisor on Africa (UNOSAA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), African Union Commission (AUC) and the World Bank. Stakeholders include all African countries and development partners.

The main objectives of TICAD are: To promote high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and their partners; and to mobilise support for African-owned development initiatives.

this country who are working as closely as Tony and I are doing because we have never disagreed.

“Somebody was asking me a question and that question was actually designed to get a headline and probably somebody wants a headline that is why they said we are quarrelling me and him and unfortunately on that day also, I forgot that you sent Obioma to represent you and didn’t recognise his presence.

They want to sell their papers.

“Tony and I, I don’t think I have seen public servants who don’t have any personal

agenda. If you don’t have any personal agenda you will never have quarrel with anyone and I think our duty is to try to move the education sector forward, that is all,” he added.

In an aggressive manner, Anwukah called on journalists to desist from fabricating stories to create non-existent problems between himself and his principal, Adamu.

Speaking on his absence during the launch of the National Education Quality Education Assurance Handbook on August 9 he said: “The press should stop inventing imaginary things.

“The day in question we have had another appointment with Nigerian Breweries and Nigerian Breweries is an outfit that conducts the best teachers’ Maltina award. By 10a.m. they were supposed to be in the office and I had to receive them. I cannot be in two places at the same time so the press is uninformed.”

On his letter of resignation to the presidency through the SGF, Anwukah furiously told journalists “This is absolute nonsense, it is stupid. There is no such thing that existed.

I never did anytime.

“We are all Nigerians press or no press; I hate stupid insinuations no matter where it comes, from the press or otherwise. The press should please mind its dutiful responsibilities. I sent a letter to who? Get me a copy of the letter from where.

“The press from today, keep it in your brains and in your books and your pen, there can be no better friend I have in Abuja than this man so if you make your insinuations try to find problems where there are no problems, it won’t create the problem, please, please,” Anwukah stated.

Northern Christians Vow Not to Pull out of CAN, Condemn Religious Killings in Zamfara Gboyega Akinsanmi The Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday said it would not pull out from the umbrella organisation of Christian denominations in the country to form a different body.

The Northern CAN however, condemned the recent killings and religious radicalism, which it said was displayed at Zamfara College of Education by some students of Islamic faith.

The group expressed grave

concern on the Zamfara killings in a communique it released yesterday after its maiden delegates meeting held at COCIN Headquarters, Jos last week.

The communique, which was signed by the Northern CAN Chairman, Rev. Yakubu Pam and Public Relations Officer, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, said it would not pull from the Christian umbrella organisation.

It noted that it was agreed by all delegates at the meeting that Northern CAN would not pull

out of CAN to form a different body, noting that the Northern CAN would remain with the umbrella.

It called on the Zamfara State Government “to ensure Christian students at secondary and higher institutions in the North are given full protection from any form of molestation.

“The delegates also resolved that northern governors as chief security officers of their respective states should ensure that Christians in their states are not intimidated,

molested or killed by religious fanatics under any guise.”

The communique said Northern CAN delegates at the meeting also expressed their reservation over the recent visit of the United States Secretary of State to Nigeria, Senator John Kerry that excluded Christian leaders from meeting him.

Rather than meeting all interests and stakeholders in the North, the communique said the US Secretary of State chose to make his first pointof-call Sokoto to meet the Sultan and select northern governors.

NIGERIAN ECONOMY HAS NEVER BEEN THIS TERRIBLE, OKOJIE WRITES BUHARI make our country tourist and investor friendly, and enable our young men and women to find fulfillment by contributing to the common good.

“None of these lofty goals can be achieved without good education. On this particular issue, recent appointments you have made in the education sector raise a question: have you really appointed the best? Still on education, it is important that our universities be allowed to use their own criteria to admit students.”

He held that “it is a gross violation of the principles of federalism and academic freedom for the federal government to insist that only a federal parastatal can decide on who gains admission into our universities.

“It is the role of the university senate, not of government

bureaucrats, to decide on who gets admitted and who is awarded a certificate.”

On the war against corruption, the clergy said: Mr. President, your desire to wage a war on corruption is just and noble. But a just war must be waged with just means.

“Those who have stolen the wealth of this country have broken the laws of our country.

They must be treated according to the law and not outside the law, and the outcome of the judicial process must be respected by government. Even accused persons have rights.

Where those rights are violated, we risk a descent to anarchy.

It is our candid opinion that corruption is not found in only one party. No political party in Nigeria has a monopoly of looters.

“That is why we need an

EFCC that is thoroughly independent of the presidency, and an Attorney General without party affiliation working in partnership with various independent accounting institutes. This will ensure that we come up with an objective list of those who plundered our treasury.

“Mr. President, pardon me if I sound like a gratuitous counsellor. I owe you the truth and nothing but the truth. In my life as a public figure and a religious leader, I have offered my counsel, for whatever its worth, to quite a number of

presidents in this country. I do this because I desire that you succeed. For the success of the leader is the success of the citizens. If there is no solution to Nigeria’s problem there may be endless war. You strike one town, you gain it, and you come again to regain it.

“Remember that you cannot put a crown on your head.

It is the people who put it on you. Otherwise one day, you will get tired of it. Please listen to the legitimate cries of your fellow citizens,” Okojie submitted.

TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016 • T H I S D AY

41

NEWSEXTRA

Gunmen Kill Human Rights, APC Lawyer, Atsuwete in Rivers Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

APC in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by its spokesman, Barely three days after the Chris Finebone, insisted that Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) the murder of Atsuwete was held a successful annual general politically-motivated and called conference in Port Harcourt, on the Inspector-General of Police, a human rights activist and and the Director-General of the lawyer to the All Progressives Department of State Services Congress (APC), Ken (DSS) to ensure that they unravel Atsuwete, has been murdered those behind the heinous crime. by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.

The statement reads in part: THISDAY gathered that “We of the APC have been Atsuwete was abducted by the labelled as prophets of doom for gunmen from his residence at telling the world that the Wike Aluu, Aluu Community, close to government in Rivers State is the the University of Port Harcourt architect of the insecurity that is at about 5a.m., before being shot ravaging the state. They stageand dumped in a nearby drain. managed private conferences at A source in the community huge cost to the Rivers taxpayer said Atsuwete could have just to show that there is peace survived if help came his way in the state. as at the time he was shot and “Just a few days ago, the NBA dumped in the drainage. held its 56th annual conference The source said: “If help here in Port Harcourt at a had come as at the time he humongous cost to the taxpayer. was shouting for help, he This morning, a very energetic, would have survived. Due to promising and vocal member of the security situation in Aluu, the NBA and popular human nobody was brave enough to rights lawyer. Ken Atswete was come out to assist him when gunned down in his home by he was screaming for help. He assassins. eventually gave up the ghost “They first of all took someone few minutes after he introduced in the same building last night his name as Ken Atsuwete and and realising they had a wrong people cane to his aid.” customer, they let the fellow go The State Police Public while they returned at about 5a.m.

Relations Officer (PPRO), Omoni to snuff life out of Atswete. The Nnamdi, confirmed the incident, APC believes that this killing but said he was yet to get details. was politically-motivated Reacting to the incident, the because, Atswete was a leading

Soludo, Sanusi Not Under Probe, Says Presidency Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

The presidency yesterday said there was no plan to probe two former Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Charles Soludo and the Muhammadu Sanusi.

Both had last week criticised the handling of the economy by the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

There have also been media reports that the presidency was probing both former CBN governors.

However, in his tweeter handle,

the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, debunked the reports that the presidency was probig the former past governors of the apex bank.

He said: “The checks I made today indicated that the presidency is unaware of the reported probe of Sarkin Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II and Professor Soludo.

“Where did that report come from? Under our constitution which President @MBuhari swore to uphold, it is not a crime to offer suggestions.”

Court Declines El-Zakzaky’s Application A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined the application of Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, seeking his immediate release from detention by the Department of State Services (DSS).

El-Zakzaky is the leader of Shi`a Movement in Nigeria.

Justice Okon Abang, the vacation judge, who declined the application, had in the past one week refused the applications of Abdulmumin Jubril’s house planned suspension.

The others were application from his kinsmen seeking stoppage of the appointment of the Managing Director and commissioner into NDDC board and a suit into Oron Federal constituency. Abang according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said Zakzaky ought to have obtained the leave of

court for the matter to be heard during vacation.

He explained that the applicant failed to serve the DSS, the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation joined as respondents.

He said no matter the urgency of the case, the applicant ought to have serve the respondents.

The judge said the matter was initially assigned to Justice Gabriel Kolawole by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

Abang, therefore, said the application was not competent and struck out the application.

Counsel to El-Zakzaky, Mr. Abubakar Masha, instituted the suit seeking for enforcement of fundamental human rights on behalf of his client.

counsel to APC chieftain, Hon. Ojukaye Flag-Amachree who is being persecuted by the Wike administration in Rivers State.

“We call on the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector-General of Police and the DirectorGeneral of the Department of State Services (DSS) to leave no stones unturned in unraveling the criminals behind this dastardly act. This is one killing too many.”

The governorship candidate

of the APC in the last election and Managing Director of Nigerian Maritime and Safety Management Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, also described the killing as barbaric and gruesome.

In a statement he issued in Port Harcourt, Peterside said: “I condemn in strongest term the barbaric, nasty and heinous assassination of Atsuwete. This is perhaps the deadliest of several politically-motivated

killings perpetrated in Rivers State in recent times.

“Atsuwete was a prominent human rights activist, political commentator, fiery critic of bad governance, citizen activist and most recently lawyer to Flag-Amachree, the APC leader held for trumped-up charges.

“Without any doubt, the killers of Atsuwete were driven by the insidious objective of instilling fear in the rank of the opposition, silence every voice

of reason and stifle opposition in Rivers State. The killing of Atsuwete is perhaps the height of impunity which is now an everyday way of life in my home state of Rivers.”

He called on the IG, Director-General of DSS and other national security authorities to carry out extensive investigation of this awful incident, bring the perpetrators to book and restore sanity to our dear state.

HERDSMEN IN TROUBLE

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, flanked by Pastor Kola Oluwawole (left); Chairman, state House of Assembly Committee on Health, Dr. Samuel Omotoso , during signing into law of the state Anti-grazing bill in Government House, Ado Ekiti...yesterday

Niger Delta Leaders Used Oil Money as ‘Pocket Money,’ Says Masari

Dele Ogbodo in Abuja

The Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, has said Niger Delta leaders must come clean on how they have spent oil money allocated to the region over the years.

“For six years,” Masari said: “We had a Niger Delta president.

Let us see what difference he made in six years when he was president. When the excess crude account became pocket money, how much of the money went to the Niger Delta?”

In an interview with the current edition of The Interview, Masari called out Niger Delta leaders, challenging them to “come clean” on how they have managed the region’s resources.

According to a statement by the Managing Director/ Editor-In-Chief of the magazine, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene, “the interview features Masari firing all cylinders. He took on Senate President Saraki, explained why Obasanjo’s third term bid failed, and spoke, at length for the first time, on ‘budget padding.’ And then, he removed his gloves on his predecessor, Ibrahim Shema, and the Niger Delta.”

Although Masari did not

The Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Federal Capital Territory Command, yesterday denied the alleged jailbreak at Kuje Prison facilities, which allegedly resulted in shooting and release of tear gas by prison officials.

THISDAY, however gathered that the sporadic shooting was as a result of an attempted jailbreak by inmates in the facility.

An eye witness who was around the facility said: “There is a lockdown in the prison, prisons officials are throwing tear-gas at the inmates to restrain them the (inmates) because of the last jail break.”

According to our source, some of the inmates complained of deteriorating condition and the falling standard of living at the facility which generated angst among them and consequently led to the mild upheaval in the prison.

Reacting to the development on phone, the Federal Capital Territory Prisons Command, Mr. Daniel Odharo, who spoke through his Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chukwuedo Humphrey, on phone said there was some form of altercation

name names, the reference to a Niger Delta president was apparently pointing to Goodluck Jonathan, the immediate past president, under whose presidency oil price averaged $100 per barrel.

Asked what he did to ensure accountability of oil money when he was Speaker of the House of Representatives and also a ranking member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the time, Masari said, “The House of Representatives has been friendly to the people of the Niger Delta than any other institution in the country.”

He asked the federal government to publish how much the region has received since the 13 per cent derivation started.

The resurgence of violence in the Niger Delta by the Avengers in since last year has led to massive losses in the country’s oil revenue and peace efforts have stalled.

It would be recalled that only over the weekend, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said the federal government had spent over $40billion in the Niger Delta in the past 12 years.

NPS Denies Attempted Jailbreak, Shooting at Kuje Prison between prison officials and inmates at about 10 am.

He said: “At about 1000hrs on Monday 29th August, 2016, staff of Kuje Prison carried out a routine cell-search which is a part of the Prisons operational guidelines to prevent breach of security within and around the prisons.

“Some inmates tried to resist the exercise which led to an altercation between the search party and the inmates.”

According to him, the upheaval was quickly put under effective control, adding that no prisoner was injured.

No property was damaged and the yard has been calm and peaceful, he added.

The Controller assured that the security and wellbeing of prisoners in the Federal Capital Territory will continue to be held as a priority task and will never be compromised.

Also when contacted the spokesperson of the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS), Francis Enobore, however, confirmed the incident, saying: “We have received report of a problem in Kuje Prision but give me a little time to get the facts on it as some of our men are already on ground to handle the situation.

42

T H I S D AY •TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Heritage Bank Appoints Ogunsanya Non-executive Director Nume Ekeghe

Heritage Bank Plc yesterday announced the appointment of Mr. Adewunmi Ogunsanya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), into its board as a non-executive director.

The appointment, according to a statement from the bank was consistent with Heritage Bank’s corporate governance, efficiency, and sustainability outlook, and enables the bank to take advantage of the synergies from its experienced Board members for the benefit of its wide array of customers and other stakeholders.

Ogunsanya, an astute businessman of repute and the Chairman of Multichoice Nigeria Limited, the purveyors of the DSTV brand, the biggest cable TV

brand in Nigeria, brings to the board a global wealth of experience spanning over 30 years of quality private sector service.

He is a passionate Lagosian with extensive investment in other areas of the state economy.

Ogunsanya is the Chairman of at least ten other companies in commercial real estate development, agro and agro allied concerns and broadcasting.

Ogunsanya graduated with a law degree from the University of Kent in 1984 and thereafter proceeded to the Nigeria Law School where he qualified as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court in 1985. Ogunsanya obtained an LLM degree from the University of Lagos in 1987 and from 1990 began practicing in the law firm of Ogunsanya &

Ogunsanya where he has been a Principal Partner since 1994.

As a Principal Partner in the law firm, he continues to be responsible for its Maritime/ Shipping Law services, its Commercial Agreements and briefs for appearances in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. He was conferred into the prestigous rank of SAN in July 2015.

However, the management of the bank in a statement expressed its delight and welcomed Ogunsanya to the board.

The bank said he brings on board very rich and professional experience relevant to Heritage Bank and the industry. “These skills will no doubt support our bank’s quest to become Nigeria’s Fastest Growing Bank.”

Moghalu Calls for Structural Reform, Industrial Policy to Transform Nnewi Obinna Chima A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu has said that the most important step towards restoring Nnewi’s industrial glory is the execution of structural reforms and a robust industrial policy by the governments, both at the state and federal levels.

Moghalu, said this in a speech titled: “African Taiwan: Nnewi and the Industrialisation of Nigeria,” which he delivered at the Nnewi Alpha Lite Association Forum, held in Anambra state recently.

Moghalu, who is a Professor of Practice in International Business and Public Policy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, USA, however, pointed out that the state should also be committed to the transformation of the area given that Nnewi industrial requires feeder roads that are the responsibility of state governments.

He said such structural reforms involve repositioning the Nigerian economy in a very fundamental manner. This, he said means new policy thinking that emphasises industrial manufacturing to turn Nigeria into a truly productive economy.

“All infrastructure matters, but power supply and transport infrastructure are obviously the most important. The need for manufacturers to supply their own energy needs adds up to 40 per cent to the cost of doing business, and so industrial clusters such as Nnewi must become the number one priority in the federal government’s power strategy.

“Ethiopia has successfully prioritised built infrastructure for industrial areas as part of its industrial strategy that has seen that country making quantum leaps in manufacturing and economic growth at 11 per cent a year. This kind of prioritization and disciplined execution is yet to happen in Nigeria. “ More broadly, Nigeria has attempted an industrial policy in recent times, in the form of the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) commenced by the Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2013. Prior to this, apart from an emphasis on industrialization in the pre-Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) era in the 1960s, early 1970s and the early 80s, Nigeria has not articulated and followed a consistent policy of industrialisation.

“The SAP placed unbalanced emphasis on capital as a factor of production, at the expense of labor. This distorted and weakened the structural foundations of the Nigerian economy because it led to the phenomenon of financialisation, in which banks made profits mainly by trading in finance itself, rather than intermediation to the real economy. As Nigerian banks became liberalised under the SAP, they found it more profitable to engage in foreign exchange speculation than to lend funds to industrialists,” he explained.

According to Moghalu, President Muhammadu Buhari’s federal government has demonstrated a noteworthy commitment to policy continuity in a number of important areas and projects, including

infrastructure development, since coming into office.

He added: “More broadly and from a conceptual standpoint, I am a strong believer in industrial policy as the only paradigm that delivers real growth and transformation for developing countries. Industrial policy is a controversial concept in economics. “There are questions about whether it encourages rent seeking behaviors, as well as monopolies. Closer home to Nnewi, we saw this tension in the controversy between the Ibeto Group and the Dangote Group over the impact on market structure of the federal government’s decisions on incentives for the domestic manufacture of cement.

“Other questions arise in relation to the implications of industrial policy: Is it not intrinsically antithetical to the concept of free markets? On what is such policy based – on selective interventions in favor of particular companies or a sector focus to create competitive advantage for specific sectors based on a level (and supportive) policy playing field?

Is such policy based on mere blind faith in manufacturing (or any other sector) or on an evidence-based understanding of the principles of economic complexity?

“Yet other questions must be interrogated in any solid industrial policy: Can the state pick “winners”? Does the state have the core competences and intellectual capacity in its leadership, policymakers and regulators to effectively formulate and execute industrial policy?

Manufacturers Say Dollars Still Scarce Nigerian businesses are struggling to get hold of foreign exchange even after the central bank devalued the currency in June to try and attract investment from abroad, according to the West African country’s main manufacturers’ lobby group.

Many factory owners can still only access the hard-currency they need for importing equipment and raw materials on the black market, where dollars are more expensive than on the official one, the president of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Frank Jacobs told

Bloomberg.

“I don’t think there are any more dollars in the system since the devaluation,” he said in an interview in Lagos.

“Not much has happened so far.”

Central Bank Governor, allowed the naira float on June 20 after a peg he imposed in early 2015 caused foreign investors to flee, starved local businesses of foreign exchange and sent the economy to the brink of recession. While the currency has since weakened 35 per cent to N318.83 against the dollar on the official market, it was

at about 413 on the street.

The central bank’s decision last week to make banks allocate at least 60 percent of the foreign exchange they sell to manufacturers and importers of raw materials was “excellent,” said Jacobs, who is chairman of Jacobs Wines Ltd., which is based in southeastern Nigeria and makes wine and brandy from pineapples.

Jacobs is confident that the government will also ease a ban on importers of goods ranging from glass to toothpicks from accessing foreign exchange from banks.

Ogunsanya

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2016 Broad Money (M2)

20,470,436.00

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,040,817.68

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,441,365.03

---- Demand Deposits

7,599,452.65

-- Quasi Money

11,429,618.32

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,551,714.27

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,918,721.73 22,664,815.74

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC) ---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,782,578.01

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

4,991,246.39

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-1,208,668.38

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

18,882,237.7

--Other Assets Net

-7,746,094.02

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,758,634.07

--Currency in Circulation

1,811,090.48

--Banks Reserves

3,383,756.72 • 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 23, AUGUST 2016 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $45.75 a barrel on Friday, compared with $45.28 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

43

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

29-Aug-16 26-Aug-16

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

01 Dangote Cement Plc

173.50

173.50

0.00%

2,956,528,034,767.50

9.56

18.15

5.46

4.61%

4.35

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

138.27

140.00

-1.24%

1,096,356,779,783.76

4.50

30.76

3.66

2.60%

6.73

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

25.95

26.29

-1.29%

763,739,100,862.80

4.20

6.18

2.13

6.82%

1.69

825.00

825.00

0.00%

653,941,407,900.00

19.41

42.50

3.94

3.52%

18.59

05 Zenith Bank Plc

15.30

15.30

0.00%

480,366,354,925.80

3.10

4.94

1.15

11.76%

0.77

06 Lafarge Africa Plc

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers

58.00

58.00

0.00%

264,184,304,980.00

-6.71

-8.64

1.19

5.17%

1.89

Stock

177.00

177.00

0.00%

230,539,155,231.00

4.22

41.94

1.56

1.95%

5.38

11.35

11.35

0.00%

208,267,406,290.25

0.23

49.40

0.38

5.46%

0.35

09 Access Bank Plc

5.60

5.60

0.00%

161,996,641,133.60

2.56

2.19

0.47

9.82%

0.38

10 United Bank for Africa Plc

4.45

4.44

0.23%

161,443,892,132.90

1.66

2.68

0.51

13.48%

0.40

40.49

40.49

0.00%

160,764,615,552.05

0.54

75.49

2.31

3.21%

3.93

275.00

275.00

0.00%

152,160,336,075.00 -14.43

-19.06

1.63

5.79%

0.40

13 Unilever Nigeria Plc

39.75

39.75

0.00%

150,386,025,937.50

0.46

85.96

2.47

0.13%

16.88

14 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

14.50

14.50

0.00%

145,000,000,000.00

2.04

7.12

1.23

0.69%

1.29

15 Guinness Nig Plc

93.50

93.50

0.00%

140,800,545,578.00

3.70

25.29

1.25

0.00%

3.17

16 FBN Holdings Plc

2.97

3.03

-1.98%

106,609,019,592.24

0.30

9.74

0.21

5.05%

0.17

241.92

241.92

0.00%

82,137,122,807.04

31.13

7.77

0.34

5.79%

3.89

6.50

6.51

-0.15%

78,000,000,000.00

1.05

6.19

0.65

7.69%

1.31

116.98

113.00

3.52%

74,936,260,663.74

3.75

31.21

0.84

1.88%

2.91

20 International Breweries Plc

19.76

19.76

0.00%

65,094,365,772.80

0.17

113.27

2.61

1.27%

5.28

21 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

48.39

48.39

0.00%

63,874,800,000.00

0.24

199.88

0.62

3.10%

2.85

4.98

5.00

-0.40%

59,932,402,092.12

-3.46

-1.44

0.32

15.06%

0.43

162.65

162.65

0.00%

58,650,819,364.30

17.69

9.19

0.71

4.43%

3.41

20.01

20.01

0.00%

52,510,986,111.87

6.81

2.94

0.14

10.00%

0.52

1.12

1.16

-3.45%

43,367,517,116.00

-0.37

-3.00

0.96

0.00%

0.57

26 U A C N Plc

20.50

20.50

0.00%

39,377,719,933.50

2.44

8.40

0.55

4.88%

0.53

27 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc

07 Forte Oil Plc. 08 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

11 Presco Plc 12 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

17 Total Nigeria Plc 18 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc 19 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

22 Oando Plc 23 Mobil Oil Nig Plc 24 Flour Mills Nig. Plc 25 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

36.00

36.00

0.00%

34,340,760,000.00

4.60

7.83

2.79

0.28%

2.21

28 Sterling Bank Plc

1.00

1.02

-1.96%

28,790,418,126.00

0.31

3.24

0.27

9.00%

0.34

29 Fidelity Bank Plc

0.97

0.97

0.00%

28,093,708,121.24

0.39

2.49

0.19

16.49%

0.15

14.00

14.00

0.00%

26,294,828,560.00

0.83

16.95

0.95

9.29%

2.12

31 Wema Bank Plc

0.66

0.64

3.13%

25,459,147,613.46

0.06

10.46

0.52

0.00%

0.54

32 Diamond Bank Plc

1.07

1.12

-4.46%

24,781,616,195.76

0.11

9.70

0.12

0.00%

0.11

33 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.91

3.90

0.26%

22,998,089,002.45

0.76

5.15

0.69

3.58%

0.83

34 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

18.51

18.51

0.00%

22,135,673,792.88

-2.54

-7.29

0.76

1.62%

2.42

35 Cap Plc

30.09

30.09

0.00%

21,063,000,000.00

2.36

12.76

3.03

3.82%

14.43

36 Mansard Insurance Plc

2.00

2.00

0.00%

21,000,000,000.00

0.27

7.36

1.09

2.50%

0.99

37 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

7.90

8.00

-1.25%

20,930,563,186.20

0.89

8.92

1.15

6.96%

3.03

38 FCMB Group Plc

1.04

1.08

-3.70%

20,594,819,212.24

0.61

1.70

0.13

9.62%

0.12

39 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

18.20

18.20

0.00%

18,200,000,000.00

4.14

4.39

1.37

0.55%

0.54

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.40

1.36

2.94%

11,102,276,721.20

-0.40

-3.46

0.23

11.43%

0.67

41 Continental Reinsurance Plc

0.95

0.98

-3.06%

9,854,107,096.40

0.33

2.89

0.48

12.63%

0.51

42 Unity Bank Plc

0.76

0.84

-9.52%

8,883,896,835.92

0.54

1.40

0.14

0.00%

0.10

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.60

0.59

1.69%

8,328,180,846.00

-2.93

-0.20

0.05

50.00%

0.08

44 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

6.00

6.00

0.00%

7,540,066,596.00

0.44

13.54

0.68

1.67%

0.70

45 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,126.00

0.11

4.62

0.88

6.00%

0.43

46 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

3.53

3.53

0.00%

6,067,187,482.35

-0.05

-67.70

1.80

19.83%

0.17

47 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

48 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

3.23

3.40

-5.00%

5,246,226,562.50

0.15

20.94

0.65

6.19%

0.85

49 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.63

0.62

1.61%

4,366,028,822.40

0.26

2.42

0.14

7.94%

0.46

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

1.70

1.70

0.00%

2,550,000,000.00

0.31

5.55

0.38

2.94%

0.40

30 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

TOTAL

8,841,942,444,704.77

TOTAL MARKET CAP

9,399,664,188,565.30

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

94.07%

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion) Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Open 26-Aug-16

Close 29-Aug-16

Change %

27,450.91 9.43

27,368.41 9.40

-0.30% -0.30%

113.92 8.87

113.56 8.84

-0.31% -0.31%

Open Close Change % 26-Aug-16 29-Aug-16

7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc Wema Bank Plc Honeywell Flour Mill Plc Skye Bank Plc AIICO Insurance Plc

113.00 0.64 1.36 0.59 0.62

116.98 0.66 1.40 0.60 0.63

3.52% 3.13% 2.94% 1.69% 1.61%

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change % 26-Aug-16 29-Aug-16

Unity Bank Plc Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc Diamond Bank Plc FCMB Group Plc Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

0.84 3.40

0.76 3.23

-9.52% -5.00%

1.12 1.08 1.16

1.07 1.04 1.12

-4.46% -3.70% -3.45%

Week begins on negative note as ASI sheds 0.30% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Monday, August 29, 2016 was bearish as the market closed red today compared to an appreciation of 0.26% on Friday. This was further highlighted by negative performance from the NSE Sub sectors: Banking, Insurance, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas. Trading activities decreased in volume as 83.83 million shares worth N711.12 million in 2,279 deals exchanged hands today. This is a decrease from the 279.56 million shares worth N3.70 billion in 3,255 deals exchanged on Friday. Topping in volume terms was FCMB Group Plc, FBN Holdings Plc and Zenith Bank Plc while Nigerian Breweries Plc and Nestle Nigeria Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with a 0.30% (-82.50) decrease to close at 27,368.41 from 27,450.91 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization depreciated in tandem to N9.40 trillion from N9.43 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index also followed suit with a decrease of 0.31% to close at 113.56 from 113.92 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N8.84 trillion from N8.87 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 10 stocks gained on the bourse today while 17 stocks declined, 72 leaving stocks unchanged. 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc emerged the day’s toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 3.52% to close at N116.98 per share. It was followed by Wema Bank Plc with a gain of 3.13% to close at N0.66 per share.

Others on the gainers list include: Honeywell Flour Mill Plc, Skye Bank Plc and AIICO Insurance Plc, while on the decliners’ list; Unity Bank Plc led with a loss of 9.52% to close at N0.76 per share. It was followed by Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc with a loss of 5.00% to close at N3.23 per share. Others on the losers list include: Diamond Bank Plc, FCMB Group Plc and Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria 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

T H I S D AY •TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2016

44

MARKET NEWS

SEC Clears NAHCO over Corporate Governance Issue Kunle Aderinokun The Securities and Exchange Commission has cleared Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), its board and management of wrongdoing with respect to corporate governance and capital market activities.

The SEC clearance followed the petition addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari alleging amongst others, NAHCO’s viola-

tion of the corporate governance code and involvement in capital market related issues.

SEC in its own response to the petition addressed to the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, signed

by E.A. Okolo for its directorgeneral, and copied President Buhari, Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission

T H E

(ICPC), President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria and Chairman of NAHCO, disclosed that it “carried a thorough examination of the corporate governance and capital market related issues cited in the letter” and did not find NAHCO, its board and management wanting.

SEC in the letter dated August 26, 2016, obtained by THISDAY,

N I G E R I A N

revealed that, “In order to forestall a situation where one individual wields enormous powers, Section 5.1(b) of the SEC Code of Corporate Governance for Public Companies prohibits one individual from occupying the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, NAHCO complied with this provision.”

Also, the commission noted that, “In an attempt to empower the boards of public companies to

STO C K

exercise appropriate oversight on management, Section 4.3 of the SEC Code of Corporate Governance requires that nonexecutive directors should be in the majority, NAHCO complied with this provision.”

Besides, the commission stated that, “For the purposes of efficiency and effectiveness, the Code requires that boards public companies should operate through committees, NAHCO

E XC H A N G E

complied with this requirement.”

Furthermore, SEC disclosed that, “In 2011, NAHCO entered into a Management Service Agreement with Rosehill Group. It was alleged that due to Mal. Suleiman Yahyah’s interest in Rosehill Group, the process was not transparent. However, documents show that the matter was presented by the management to the relevant board committee; the full board.”

T H I S D AY TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016

45

46

TUESDAY, august 30, 2016 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

TSA Delaying Siasia’s Five-month Wages, Says Sanusi Adamu: NFF deserves applause for ‘golden’ bronze Duro Ikhazuagbe Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Mohammed Sanusi, has revealed that the five-month salary arrears owed Rio2016 Olympic Games bronze winning coach, Samson Siasia, is caused by the procedures involved in releasing money from the Single Treasury Account (TSA) introduced by the federal government last year.

Speaking when Siasia paid a courtesy call on the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, in his office inAbuja yesterday, the NFF scribe said that the process was almost through for the Dream Team VI coach to get all that he is owed.

“We have held meetings and we are waiting for the money to drop.

The money is already there in our account but we need to regularize the TSA procedures before we can claim the money. We are almost through with the process. Once that is concluded, we will pay them” Sanusi assured Siasia and the minister.

Dalung who is expected to be on an NTA Programme Tuesday Live with Siasia this evening to review events leading up to Rio2016 and Nigeria’s participation at the Games, had earlier called on the football federation to pay the Olympic bronze winning coach.

Siasia had visited the minister with his wife Eunice to thank him for his support to the Dream Team.

Meanwhile, a former Director General of the National Sports Commission, (NSC), Dr. Amos Adamu, has called on the leadership of the NFF to take full responsibility for the bronze medal outing of the Team Nigeria to the Rio Olympics 2016.

Adamu noted that, the NFF under the leadership of Amaju Pinnick took a vital decision in sending the Dream Team VI to Atlanta, USAfor intensive camping.

Even when the minister

denied the presence of the team in Atlanta, the NFF continued with the camping exercise. It was this persistence that eventually earned Team Nigeria the only medal at the Rio Olympics.

“The truth of the matter is that, if Amaju had waited like the other sports federations’ president for the Sports Ministry’s funds which came two weeks to the Rio Games, to commence serious camping for the Games, the Olympic soccer team wouldn’t have been well prepared to win bronze.

“It is imperative that the NFF should stand firm to take the glory for helping Nigeria not to return empty handed from the Rio Olympics just as it was the case at the London 2012 Games.

“As little as the bronze medal looks, it is better than nothing. I want to commend the leadership of the NFF for its visionary decision.

This will also help the career of the players and officials who are today proud winners of an Olympic medal.

“I am in sports and I know how difficult it is to win a medal in the Olympics,” observed Adamu.

The former FIFA and CAF Executive Committee member also denied report attributed to him, where he was quoted to have said that the Eagles is doomed following the employment of Gernot Rohr as TechnicalAdviser of the national team.

“Why on earth would I say the Super Eagles is doomed, I never said that.

“In the interview I granted a reporter who asked me my opinion about the new Eagles Technical Adviser, I said that the coach is not well known to me and it will be difficult to say anything about his capabilities. I made it clear that it is my policy not to differentiate between foreign or indigenous coach, the most important thing is for whoever is employed as Eagles coach to perform,” Adamu concluded.

Golf: Smokin Hills to Hold Ijesu Festival September 3 Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Golfers from across the country will spice up the activities to mark the Ijesu Festival at Smokin Hills Golf Resort, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State on September 3.

The Marketing and Promotions Manager of the course, Bayo Aderinto, disclosed over the weekend that a field of 60-100 golfers in outlook will be registered for the tournament at the close of registration on Wednesday.

Aderinto said the tournament is mooted as part of efforts to celebrate the host community’s culture and identify with the people.

The amazing Smokin Hills owned by Chief Michael Ade-ojo, the Chairman of Toyota Nigeria, is located next to nature and nestled among the cascading hills of IlaraMokin, a few kilometres from

Akure. Its rising and descending fairways are defined by water features and pot bunkers, making it one of the best golf courses in Nigeria.

The 18-hole course which was opened in 2011 has played host to two professional events, the CMCL Open Championship and West Africa Golf Tour, won by Sunday Olapade and Kingsley Oparaku.

The special kitty will tee off from 9 am-12noon. Golfers who take part in the kitty, will enjoy hospitality package that will include accommodation for two nights; covering six meals, cart and caddy fees plus facility tour of Elizade University, Ilara- Mokin.

The registration fees vary from Adeojo package, which costs N45,000, to Alba N55,000 and Sunview N65,000.

Super Eagles players at training in Uyo… yesterday

africanfootball.com

Ighalo, Ekong, Other Arrive Uyo Ahead of Tanzania Clash The Super Eagles camp opened yesterday in Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State ahead of formality Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Tanzania on Saturday Home boys Emmanuel Daniel, Ikechukwu Ezenwa (goalkeepers) and Jamiu Alimi (defender) arrived in Uyo yesterday alongside a number of overseas –based professionals, including defender William Troost-Ekong and forward Odion Ighalo.

Team captain John Mikel Obi, fresh from leading the Nigeria U23 to Olympic bronze in Brazil, is expected to arrive at the team’s Le Meridien Hotel today.

Both the Super Eagles and

Taifa Stars have little other than pride to battle for in Saturday’s game, as Egypt’s Pharaohs have already picked the lone ticket from the group to Gabon.

But the Eagles and their new Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr will use the match to set the tone ahead of crunch 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Series Match-day 1 clash against Zambia in Ndola on 8th October 2016.

Gernot Rohr who keenly followed Nigeria’s campaign at the Rio 2016 Olympics and travelled to Spain to see the country’s domestic stars in a couple of friendly matches against Spanish La Liga sides

also arrived camp yesterday as he eyes a victorious winning debut as Super Eagles Technical Adviser FULL LIST: Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah) Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); William Troost-Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); Jamiu Alimi (Kano Pillars); Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France),

Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia) Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Nosa Igiebor (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Imoh Ezekiel (Al-Arabi Sporting Club, Qatar), Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Brown Ideye (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Victor Osimhen (Wolfsburg FC, Germany)

Bruce Ijirigho Harps on Need to Return to Grassroots Former Nigerian international athlete, Dr Bruce Ijirigho, has called on Nigerian sports authorities to embrace grassroots sports developmental programme as a way of arresting the declining sports fortunes in the country.

Ijirigho spoke against the background of poor performances

by Nigerian athletes at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and coupled with the fact that prospective Nigerian junior athletes are being snatched by other countries.

He urged the sports ministry to take a good look at the grassroots sports initiative by former Governor of Cross River

State, Liyel Imoke and see if the programme could be implemented on a national scale in the next eight years.

“Based on my experience and what I went through as an athlete, I can conclude that our problem has always been management of our sports men and women.

“Finding them, nurturing them to the world level. As a country we have not been able to do this, that is why we have always had problems getting the right results at international sports contests and this is disgraceful,” he noted with sadness.

According to the former national 400m champion, Nigeria as a country abandoned the grassroots sports developmental programme left behind by the British colonialists, noting that that is why the country is lagging behind at international sports contests.

“I went to Jamaica to interview sports officials on three different occasions on how they were able to make gains in sports. I spoke to their sports minister, chairman of the Jamaica athletics and their coaches. I took notes.

“What they told me was that the structure that the British colonialists left behind in Nigeria,

we did not maintain them, we allowed them to crumble. But they continued on their own and even built upon them. Some of their top stars from that programme who went abroad even came back home and contributed their experiences in the development of the sport there.”

He submitted that if the Cross River initiative could produce quality athletes including Edidiong Offonime who won gold in the world junior athletics championship and reached final of the Rio 2016 Olympics representing Bahrain, Nigeria could use the programme as a cornerstone for a sports revolution in the country.

T H I S D AY TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2016

47

Tuesday August 30, 2016

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE Buhari to Corrupt Govt Officials

“Sadly, because of the disgraceful greed and wickedness of men, some in government and some in high offices in the armed forces at the time, they embezzled funds meant to equip soldiers to contain the terrorists. Their incredible selfishness cost the nation thousands of lives, extended the reign of terror, and strengthened the enemy.”

President Muhammadu Buhari blaming the protracted insurgency in the North-east on corruption and the embezzlement of funds meant to acquire equipment to fight terrorists in the regions by some government and military officials.

OKEYIKECHUKWU Tinubu and His Egungun A EDIFYING ELUCIDATIONS

s I write, there is some talk about procuring emergency powers for Mr. President. Soon Nigeria will be made to build an expressway whenever he wants to take a walk. Meanwhile the existing and inhering powers in that office have not been understood, or been properly and substantially unexercised, by the incumbent. It was not the lack of emergency powers that delayed the nomination and appointment of ministers for four months. Emergency powers are not needed today in order to appoint boards and inaugurate them, months after they were dissolved; among other basic but critical administrative and policy issues. Will the much-vaunted emergency powers remove the fact that the budget the government is trying to implement stands at about 38% of its value at the time it was passed and will not deliver anything? The Presidency`s explanation that Mr. President himself does not know anything about this plan to secure emergency powers for him only worsens matters.

It means that we are back to the practice of defending the initiator and beneficiary of a plan by assuring everyone that he knows nothing about it.

Remember Abacha`s failed transmutation? President Obasanjo once received a letter at his Ota Farm, all on national television, “the content of which he did not know”. The PDP Governors and party leaders who allegedly authored the letter had assembled in his farm to deliver it. The rest is history.

Truth is: most of those who birthed the current Presidency, complete with ill-advised intimations of El Dorado, are now confounded. The once most enthusiastic among them are quivering in the limited space allowed him by the very talisman they procured and celebrated. Their circumstance is proof that a politician may get into trouble more because of his own errors of judgment than from the evil machinations of his enemies and competitors.

The lessons of the hour for the Lion of Bourdilon, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC`s hastily contrived coalition, are legion. There is “ominous loyalty” from all sides. That loyalty rests on a frivolous thesis: namely, that it is best not to publicly disown a government they have concluded in private is no government al all.

These loyalists are all standing in public with bruises inflicted on them by their own, or their family`s, Egungun or masquerade. The very Opambata, or cane, with which they are being flogged was crafted by them. And this avoidable misfortune is all traceable to their inebriated and hasty grab at power, without close attention to some essential ingredients of political discretion. Look around you and you will see the truth of the saying that politicians can be likened to the spotted hyena, of which it is said: “Of all mammals, they are the most self-centred and most inconsiderate. They are also the most brutal to their kind”.

As explained to me by some Yoruba friends who are versed in some aspects of the Yoruba cultural traditions, an Egun (singular for Egungun) is always someone`s Egun. But `Egungun` in its more specific, common sense, refers to masquerades connected with the ancestors as a collective force for communal unity, moral probity and economic betterment. (This makes the president our National Egungun). But even when the word is used in the broadest sense, wherein “Egungun refers to all types masquerades, or masked and costumed figures, (like Speaker, Chief Whip, Majority Leader, Committee Chair, Senate President, etc.), it is still dressed and `brought out` by its `owners`.

An act of invocation (known as ”Alapi”) must be performed by the Chief priest, ushering the Egungun, before the worshippers dance, drum

okey.ikechukwu@thisdaylive.com

Tinubu and are possessed by the ancestral Egungun, or spirit. It was Tinubu who performed this ceremony, as Chief Priest of the APC. But contrary to the norm in the Egungun cult and Festival, wherein the the Chief Priest and family members are not `flogged out of the way` by the Egungun, Chief Bola Tinubu and his co-travellers were soon in the line of fire. The spirit they summoned turned out not to be the one they intended, or expected.

Tinubu, as Chief Priest, had barely finished the “political Alapi rituals” before the Egugun came for his throat, intent on summarily asphyxiating him.

He barely extricated himself and is still clearing his throat, after that unfriendly grip. Smaller masquerades, like Saraki, are still scampering for cover. The masqueraders have thus become victims of the distemper of the very masquerade they dressed up and brought to the village square.

Their political calculations before the elections, including their fallback positions and their third level machinations, have collapsed. The masquerade has shredded its leash. Disappointments, heartache and an embarrassingly ethnocentric presidency that treats everyone with contempt are the harvests of our masqueraders.

Traditional wisdom dictates that a man who secures himself a talisman should be protected by it, especially from the machinations of his enemies. But no talisman can protect, or prevent, a man from harming himself. No talisman can also prevent a man from carrying out harmful designs that his enemies would have loved, but which he personally inflicts on himself; out of folly, or in a temporary attack of un-wisdom. Read the auguries badly, take an unwise decision, or embark on the wrong course of action in any given situation and you become prime candidate for sundry misfortunes.

Your security man cannot prevent you from quietly killing yourself in your bedroom, behind doors you locked with your own hands. Thus the talismanic code of service avoids presumptive interference with the free volition of its owner in matters of self-destruction; lest it be accused of exogamous talismanic insurrection.

An Igbo proverb says that the person who goes to a heap of birds and brings home a vulture will be scandalized by the fact that his greed made him focus on the presumed quantity of meat, instead of the species of bird he was carrying home as booty. That is the issue for many of APC`s erstwhile promoters and supporters today. All the warnings about the wrong political and personality profiling of their man was ignored. All his reflexes, which were clear intimations of what was to come, were ignored. Today the chickens have all come home to roost – along with everything no one bargained for.

The APC talisman has done enough harm already; yet it is still at work! President Buhari, in all his phlegmatic, somnambulistic and incompetent wobble shall be an essential instrument for a national winnowing and cleansing that is long overdue. Not because he designed it, or because it is a planned engagement, but because his bungling will make a conflagration inevitable. There shall be mighty winds and heavy rains, floods, landslides and denudations.

Even the rainmakers shall fall victim to the elements; because they did not know the full implications of the incantations they were mumbling. Lo and behold, the entities they unwittingly invoked have emerged. And they cannot even take full flight! They locked the gates before the incantations began. They arranged a funeral, while dressed for a banquette, such that, even if Buhari leaves the stage today, all cannot to be the same in Nigeria ever again.

Do not take solace in the Igbo saying: “When your talisman begins to assume a life of its own and even terrorize you, it is time to show it the tree from which it was carved and remind it of how it was `activated`”. That proverb rests on the belief that the talisman in question actually belongs to the man who is laying claim to it. In the case under reference, the ownership of the APC talisman is open to question. Remember that, shortly after the elections, Buhari thanked Nasarawa State for catalyzing his victory. This gesture left the South West and its politicians speechless with consternation.

Thereafter the president assured the nation that patronage and appointments would go to “those who stood by him” through thick and thin. They turned out to be members of his nuclear and extended families!

Thus, the joke is on those who are now discovering that some sneaky third parties had made substantial

inputs into the `programming` of what they paraded as their talisman. Welcome to the triumph of unmitigated talismanic insurrection, a la Tinubu, APC their Change Project in Nigeria. They are like a man who, after dressing up a masquerade and bringing it to the village square, faces the indignity of seeing the masquerade dancing to its own music, not responding to his controlling gestures, and also even not refraining from flogging him. Such a man will find no solace in the Igbo saying: “A masquerade that flogs its followers and drummers walks alone and ceases to dance”. Reason: that proverb did not take into account the possibility that a masquerade may smuggle a drum into the village square, or plan in advance to disperse the original drummers for new ones.

Besides, there are solitary, cheerless masquerades; which do not dance, or play with anyone. They are rarely relevant to the joy of the community, except during occasions that call for a certain ceremonial aridity. No one who has his wits about him prances after a masquerade that is known to operate without due regard for teams, drummers and followers.

Those who put their wits on hold while preparing for electoral victory are looking for it now!

It was rumoured that Tinubu and many senior politicians initially resolved to wait the man out. “Oh, it`s just a minor blight on our political landscape”, they thought. Not anymore! Fear and perplexity are in the air. Baffled, besmirched, excoriated and roundly diminished by their masquerade`s aberrant and atavistic totality, they crouch; hobbled, as they huddle. Aquiver in little corners, they are now muttering “Olori buruku, ma ba te mi je o!

(One with evil fortune, please may your ill luck not contaminate my fortune, or affect me and ruin my good fortune o!) Is that also not too late now?

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com