Friday 9th September 2016

Oil Price Jumps, Nears $50 per Barrel as US Inventory Drops Barkindo meets Saudi, Algeria oil ministers over OPEC’s output cuts Ejiofor Alike with agency reports Crude oil prices yesterday surged about four per cent after the United States

inventory data showed a drop in stocks to nearly a two-decade low as crude imports into the US Gulf Coast slid last week due to Tropical Storm Hermine.

meet the oil ministers of Saudi Arabia and Algeria as part of the renewed efforts to secure a global agreement to cut crude oil production to ensure the recovery of prices.

This is coming as the Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mr. Mohammed Barkindo, will today in Paris, France,

US crude stocks dropped 14.5 million barrels last week to 511.4 million barrels, the biggest weekly drop in stockpiles since January 1999, according to the US Energy

Information Administration.

Brent crude oil neared $50 a barrel for the first time in two weeks.

Continued on page 6

Recession Inevitable Says Osinbajo as FG Restates Resolve to Restructure Economy… Page 11 Friday 9 September, 2016 Vol 21. No 7806. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Buhari to Nigerians: Time to Change Your Ways of Life Launches 'Change Begins With You' campaign

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has launched a national reorientation campaign called “Change begins with me" with an appeal to Nigerians to change from the old ways of doing things and embrace new ways of life.

In his address at the launch of the campaign at the State Continued on page 6

THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT

L-R: Inspector General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris; Chairman, Nigeria Police Commission, Mr. Mike Okiro; Minister of Interior, Abdulraman Danbazzau; and President Muhammadu Buhari, during the IG's visit to the president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday godwin omoigui

After Initial Bravado, INEC Bows to Pressure, Postpones Edo Election It’s illegal, PDP Oshiomhole kicks Bolaji Adebiyi, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, Tobi Soniyi, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja, Wale Olaleye in Lagos and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

yesterday bowed to pressure from the nation’s security agencies and postponed the Edo State governorship

election by two weeks.

The INEC National Commissioner, Voter Education and Publicity,

Prince Solomon Soyebi, said the election earlier scheduled to hold tomorrow had to be countermanded

because of concerns expressed by the security agencies.

He told journalists at a

Military Deploys 3,000 Soldiers in N’Delta… Page 10

news conference last night at the commission’s state headquarters in Benin City that the election would now hold on Wednesday, September 28, 2016.

Continued on page 6

2

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

3

4

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

5

6

FRIDAY, september 9, 2016 • T H I S D AY

PAGE SIX AFTER INITIAL BRAVADO, INEC BOWS TO PRESSURE, POSTPONES EDO ELECTIONS Soyebi said: "At 6.00pm today, we received official communication from the police and DSS, drawing our attention to the need to postpone the Edo governorship election.

Such a postponement, the communication indicates, is necessary in view of threats of terrorist activities in Edo and other states of the federation during the election and over the Sallah period.

The deployment of security personnel countrywide to secure lives and property would outstretch their capacity to at the same time provide adequate security for the elections.

"Consequently, the commission notes the request of the security agencies and, considering the security implications of proceeding with the election, the safety of eligible voters, electoral officials, including ad hoc staff and other stakeholders, has decided to reschedule the governorship election to Wednesday, 28 September, 2016.

"The commission enjoins all eligible voters in Edo State, political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to be peaceful and law abiding."

The electoral body had earlier yesterday told off the security agencies that had requested the postponement of the election, saying the commission would not be ordered about in the discharge of its electoral responsibilities.

Citing security concerns, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police had on Tuesday advised INEC to shift the election to a future date.

The advice was sequel to a meeting of the Director-General, DSS, Mr. Lawal Daura, and the Inspector General of Police(IG) Ibrahim Idris, where the security situation in the country was reviewed.

“Credible intelligence availed the agencies indicate plans by insurgent/extremist elements to attack vulnerable communities and soft targets with high population during the forthcoming Sallah celebrations between 12th and 13th September, 2016,” the security agencies said in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Don Awunah, and Mr. Garba Abdullahi of the DSS. But in a swift response, the INEC expressed surprise at the advice and said it was unaware of any security threat to the election, particularly when it had just been assured by the Inter-agency Security Committee on the ground in Benin City, the state capital, that all was well.

"As regards the position of the police and State Security Agencies, we like to say that we were not informed and therefore not part of that decision in Abuja. Nobody told us, the INEC chairman is here along with all the national commissioners and we were not informed about it. We just heard the news like every other person else,” Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to INEC National Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had told THISDAY on phone on Tuesday.

The electoral body followed up with a clear statement of rejection of the request yesterday morning when Soyebi said the cost of postponement of an election that had attained over 97 per cent preparation would be high.

Besides, he said, the commission was concerned about its integrity and the credibility of the electoral process, both of which he said would be greatly undermined if it were to accept the request from the security agencies.

But INEC was to buckle under pressure last night after engaging the security agencies in long hours of meetings, where it was told in definite terms that the security of the exercise that was less than 48 hours away could not be guaranteed.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State immediately kicked against the postponement, fearing that it might clash with the planned coronation of Oba of Benin fixed for September 26.

Speaking on a television programme, Oshiomhole said the oba's coronation would be a big event, which every Edo man celebrates and has a role to play.

"We have a big event in Edo on September 26 which is the oba's coronation. Before that day, there are other events that must be done. It will not be proper to hold election during that period,” he said, asking: "Why not postpone the election for one week?"

While the reaction of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was being awaited yesterday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was up in arms against the shift in the date of the election, saying it was illegal since it did not meet the requirement of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended.

Describing it as a coup against the Edo people, the party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said the reason adduced for the postponement was not clear and cogent as required by law.

“The postponement of the election by INEC is illegal, unconstitutional and a breach of the people's trust in the commission and the security agencies. It is a coup against the people of Edo State in particular and Nigerians in general,” the

party said, adding that: “Since APC assumed power, virtually all elections conducted by INEC have either been inconclusive or truncated.”

In Benin, the party’s state branch accused INEC of conniving with Oshiomhole to postpone the election in order to escape defeat that it said awaited the APC. “Reason of security given by the security agencies, is a fluke,” said the state branch in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Nehikiare.

The electoral body, however, got support from the Labour Party that endorsed the action on the grounds that it would avoid unnecessary loss of lives.

The party's National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulsami Abdulkadir, who spoke to THISDAY on telephone yesterday evening said that there was nowhere in the world where issues of security were taken for granted.

He said: "You see INEC has no option, they have no alternative than to postpone the election. There is nowhere in the world, no organisation disregards or disrespects security advice, however flimsy it is, however partisan it is.

Since they call it security report, it must be upheld, it must be worked upon because it is the ordinary people that will die if INEC refuses to respect that advice.

"I commend the thoughtfulness of the INEC chairman and his team to deem it necessary to postpone that election because we did not know the undertone that informed the security advice. So I support the postponement."

INEC's Power to Countermand Election No doubt INEC has the power to postpone an already

BUHARI TO NIGERIANS: TIME TO CHANGE YOUR WAYS OF LIFE House, Aso Rock in Abuja, the president said the nation could not continue with a system that allowed a corrupt few to continue to enjoy the national wealth while the majority continued to suffer.

He said the campaign was part of the determination of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to carry all Nigerians along on the journey to a better and greater society that all could be proud of.

He said the campaign was about the need to see change not merely in terms of economic and social progress but in terms of personal behaviour especially, the way Nigerians conduct themselves.

According to Buhari, "We need to conduct ourselves, engage our neighbours, friends and generally how we relate with the larger society in a positive and definitive way and manner that promotes our common good and common destiny, change at home, change in the work places, change at traffic junctions, change at traffic lights etc.”

He said he was not under any illusion that the changes being sought would happen overnight, adding that he had no doubt that the campaign would help restore the nation’s value system and rekindle the citizens’ nationalistic fervour.

Buhari said: "I am therefore appealing to all Nigerians to be part of this campaign. Our citizens must realise that the change they want to see begins with them, and that personal and social reforms are not theoretical exercises.

"If you have not seen the change in you, you cannot see it in others or even the larger society. In other words, before you ask ‘where is the change they promised us?’ you must first ask how far have I changed my ways ‘what have I done to be part of the change for the greater good of society?’."

The president observed that the nation's value system had been badly eroded, lamenting that the long-cherished and time honoured, time-tested virtues of honesty, integrity, hard work, punctuality, good neighbourliness, abhorrence of corruption and patriotism had given way in the main to dishonesty, indolence, unbridled corruption and widespread impunity.

He said the resultant effect of the derailment in the value system was being felt in the social, political and economic sphere, adding that it was why some youths took to cultism and brigandage instead of studying hard or engaging in decent living.

The president said: “It is the

reason that some elements will break pipelines and other oil facilities, thus robbing the nation of much-needed resources; it is the reason that money belonging to our commonwealth will be brazenly stolen by the same public officials to whom they were entrusted; it is the reason why motorist drive through red traffic lights, it is the reason that many will engage in thuggery and vote-stealing during elections; it is part of what has driven our economy into deep problem out of which we are now working hard to extricate ourselves."

Buhari appealed to all Nigerians to have a change from the old ways of doing things, saying: "We cannot fold our arms and allow things to continue the old way."

The president called on Nigerians to resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship, pettiness and immaturity that had poisoned the country for so long.

He said: "Let us summon a new spirit of responsibility, spirit of service, of patriotism and sacrifice, Let us all resolve to pitch in and work hard and look after, not only ourselves but one another."

The president said the lesson of the current problem was that the country could not continue with a thriving army of rent

seekers and vested interests, while the majority suffered.

"Rather than sit back and complain endlessly, we have decided to act pragmatically, with the launch of this National Re-orientation Campaign," he said.

He said the campaign would not be a sprint but a marathon that would run the course of his administration's tenure.

The president noted that Nigeria was passing through a challenging moment where hardly anything worked in a normal manner.

This, he said, had been attributed to the total breakdown of the nation's core values over the years.

He said Godliness had given way to all kinds of manifestation of lawlessness and degeneration in our national life.

He said: "This is why we have among our cardinal objectives ‘change’, which implies the need for a change of attitude and mindset in our everyday life."

Buhari said that there was a need to complement the efforts made in the fight against corruption. This, he said, he believed could best be maintained through attitudinal change, and the change of mindset in private and public lives.

scheduled election.

Section 26(1) of the Electoral 2010 (as amended), states thus: “Where a date has been appointed for the holding of an election, and there is reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date or it is impossible to conduct the elections as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies, the Commission may postpone the election and shall in respect of the area, or areas concerned, appoint another date for the holding of the postponed election, provided that such reason for the postponement is cogent and verifiable.”

A similar scenario occurred during the 2015 general election when the commission was forced to reschedule all the elections following an advice from the Office of the National Security Adviser that there would be security challenges if the elections were to take place on the appointed dates.

Consequently, the commission then rescheduled the 2015 elections which were billed to hold on February 14th, 2015 (National Assembly and

presidential) and the state elections (governorship and state assembly) scheduled for February 28th, 2015 to March 28, 2015 (presidential and National Assembly) while the state elections (governorship and state assembly) held on April 11th, 2015.

The then chairman of the commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, in a statement announcing the rescheduling of the election said: "The conduct of elections in a country like Nigeria is invariably a collective venture that involves not just the Election Management Body (EMB), but also a diverse range of stakeholders, notably security agencies, political parties and their candidates, voters, as well as interest groups, such as the civil society organisations and the media. To guarantee successful conduct of elections, there are things that are wholly the responsibility of the EMB. But there are other things critical for the success of elections, which fall outside the control of the EMB." Since INEC does not have its own security apparatus, it Continued on page 8

OIL PRICE JUMPS, NEARS $50 PER BARREL AS US INVENTORY DROPS It rose $1.84 to $49.82 a barrel, a 3.8 per cent gain, while the West Texas Intermediate crude was up $1.83, or 4 per cent, to $47.33 per barrel.

Tropical Storm Hermine, which threatened the Gulf Coast refining region last week, scuttled some US oil production and limited imports and shipping.

Gulf Coast crude imports hit the lowest levels on record last week, data showed, even though the storm ultimately did not harm Gulf facilities.

In a related development, Reuters reported that Algeria would host today’s informal meeting with Saudi Energy Minister, Khalid al-Falih and OPEC's Barkindo.

A source at OPEC confirmed the meeting as part of a push for an output deal with producers battered by a glut-induced halving of oil prices over the past two years.

"There is a strong move towards a deal between OPEC and non-OPEC members to at least freeze production," an OPEC source told Reuters.

"It seems we are going in this direction. But if we are going to freeze, we have to use secondary sources to gauge production levels. We can't allow each country to use a different method," the source said.

"Iran must agree to be in line with other producers and use secondary sources."

Tehran has said that it supports any measures to stabilise the market. However, it has stopped short of indicating whether it would join a global deal before its production reaches 4 million barrels per day, the level it was pumping before the imposition of Western sanctions in 2012.

The sanctions ended in January this year.

Iran has been the main factor preventing an output deal between OPEC and non-OPEC Russia as Tehran has said it should be excluded

from any such agreement before its production recovers.

The OPEC source said Iran's production before sanctions had never exceeded 3.75 million bpd.

Iran has said it is producing slightly more than 3.8 million bpd. It signalled on Tuesday it was prepared to work with Saudi Arabia and Russia to prop up prices, although Tehran has begun to bargain with OPEC on possible exemptions from any output cap.

The OPEC source said major oil producers were trying to convince Tehran to come onboard, adding that there was an initial understanding that only Libya could be offered an exemption.

"Now there is a push to smooth things out and solve any problem," the OPEC source said, adding there had been no agreement yet on any level at which to freeze production.

"This will be discussed in Algeria," the source said.

Algeria is hosting meetings of the International Energy Forum and OPEC on September 26-28.

OPEC and Russia are expected to revive talks for a global deal on production in Algeria.

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN CONOIL 1.02 21.59 VITAFOAM 0.14 2.99 TRANSEXP 0.05 1.07 AFRIPRUD 0.11 2.37 AIICO 0.03 0.65 TOP LOSERS NGN NGN JBERGER 4.25 39.44 CAVERTON 0.12 1.21 WEMABANK 0.03 0.69 UBA 0.19 4.14 FLOURMILLS 0.71 19.04 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦830.00 Volume: 242.741 million shares Value: N1.737 billion Deals: 3,067 As at 9/09/16 See details on Page 50

% 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.8 4.8 % 9.7 9.0 4.1 4.1 3.5

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

7

8

FRIDAY, september 9, 2016 • T H I S D AY

STARTERS

Cleric Calls on Nigerians to Emulate Late Elizabeth Nwogwugwu Peter Uzoho Rev. Father Silas Okoh of the Church of the Resurrection Anglican Communion has called on Nigerians to emulate the selfless life lived by Mrs Elizabeth Nwogwugwu.

The cleric said this yesterday in Lagos during the Service of Songs held in honour of the late Nwogwugwu whom he said devoted her life to the service of God and humanity.

He said the late Christian mother was always committed to the service of God even at her old age, adding that she believed in herself and would always intercede for others.

"Mama was an active member of the church. Even in her old age she must come to church. She devoted her life time towards serving God. She believed in herself and will always intercede for others. Truly she has fought the good fight and is waiting for the crown of glory," Okoh said.

"We're not here to mourn but we're here to rejoice because she lived a worthy life," he added.

Meanwhile, he urged all to see the service as a moment of sober reflection, stressing that the living should prepare their lives as they head towards the end of their lives.

In her tribute to her mother, THISDAY Editor (Daily), Ms Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, described her mother as a dogged woman, saying she was also a disciplinarian.

Nwogwugwu stated that her mother made them, the children, what they are in life.

"There are many words to describe my mother. She was dogged, hardworking and a disciplinarian.

Mama was caring. She made us what we are today. She was committed to the service of God. She was very prayerful. We will miss her so dearly," Nwogwugwu said.

On her part, a member of the church, Mrs Juliet Okoroafor, described the late Nwogwugwu as a generous mother who would always show love and kindness to anybody that came close to her.

Okoroafor pointed out that she learnt the virtue of forgiveness from the

POP Gives PDP Edge over APC The PDP’s insistence on the election must have been influenced by a poll that predicted that its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, had established a very comfortable lead over his APC’s counterpart, Godwin Obaseki.

According to the new opinion poll conducted by a media research and marketing organisation, Samrex Communications Limited and supervised

by Dr. Ubani Azuka, the data showed that the lead, which Obaseki had enjoyed in the Edo North, compared to the last survey, had hugely declined.

The report said that the survey, which targeted 23,000 respondents and cuts across the three senatorial districts,

NEWS Military Deploys 3,000 Soldiers in Niger Delta At least 3,000 soldiers have so far been deployed in the Niger Delta as Nigeria’s security agencies ramp up the war against militancy in the region, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen.Tukur Buratai…

Page 10

EDITORIAL Yet Another outbreAk of

LAssA fever Five fresh cases of Lassa fever were last week confirmed in Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau and Rivers States, according to a statement by Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu…

Page 15

POLITICS Ikpeazu: Shaking Off

Distractions In spite of the political and legal distractions that have strewn his path, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has remained focused, writes Emmanuel Ugwu Page 17

WEEKENDFILE ‘I Have Burning Passion to

Help the Less-Privileged’ Stimulated by his love for humanity and the desire for the less-privileged ones in the society to enjoy the good things of life like other privileged persons, a selfemployed physically challenged young graduate, John Obinna Ukumuneh…

Page 27

BUSINESS Concession: Why FAAN Cannot Mrs Elizabeth Nwogwugwu

late Nwogwugwu.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion were: former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi; THIDAY Style Editor, Ms Ruth Osime; Chairman, THISDAY Editorial Board, Mr Segun Adeniyi; THISDAY Law Editor, Mrs

May Agbamuche; and a host of others.

The funeral service holds tomorrow at the same church at 10:00am while the interment takes place immediately at the Ikoyi Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island.

AFTER INITIAL BRAVADO, INEC BOWS TO PRESSURE, POSTPONES EDO ELECTIONS is duty bound to consider advisory from security agencies when holding an election.

Jega captured this clearly when he said: "It relies on the security services to provide a safe environment for personnel, voters, election observers and election materials to conduct elections wherever it deploys. Where the security services strongly advise otherwise, it would be unconscionable of the Commission to deploy personnel and call voters out in such a situation."

Two-Minute Briefing

was carried out between August 1 and September 2, 2016.

The latest report by the organisation, which targeted likely voters by telephone and online survey in the three senatorial districts: Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North, showed Ize-Iyamu to have the support of 75 per cent of the electorate in Edo South; 77 per cent in Edo Central, and 47 per cent in Edo North versus 25 per cent, 22 per cent and 53 per cent of the respondents, who said they supported Obaseki.

The survey said that many of the respondents based their decision on the neglect of their communities, unfulfilled promises by the government, huge corruption within the state government, high cost of living, bad roads and abandoned projects in their areas.

For example, some respondents in Owan-East in Edo North said that their communities have been neglected: no polling booth at Okpa-Emai; insufficient primary school in Ake; bad roads/ abandoned projects at Egbuotubu, and lack of social amenities. They advised the next government to focus more on agriculture to increase food production and reduce unemployment rate in the area.

Asked why they have decided to

support the PDP candidate, many respondents in Igueben community in Edo Central, based their decision on lack of job creation; women empowerment and lack of water, light, good roads, education and others by the APC-led government in the state.

Others include lack of free education/health care; lack of reduction of school fees and lack of funds for farmers and market women.

In Oredo Local Government Area in Edo South, those who responded to calls by the polling agency based their rejection of the present (APC) government on bad roads, power supply, reduction of teachers’ salary, lack of provision of social amenities — water, light and job creation — and the increasing cost of living in the land.

On the other hand, those who promised to vote for the APC generally based their decision on renovation of schools, promise to build industries to generate income and creation of jobs, provision of loans to farmers and small scale business owners and provision of potable water and youth empowerment. They also want somebody who will sustain Oshiomhole’s legacies.

Manage 17 Airports Stakeholders in the aviation sector have expressed doubt about the ability of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to manage 17 airports if the four major ones were given out in concession as planned.

Page 19

CITYSTRINGS Celebrating Abia at 25

Abia recently marked 25 years of its creation as a state. Emmanuel Ugwu who covered the event, reports that the silver jubilee was celebrated in low key Page 40

INTERNATIONAL Gabon Opposition Leader

Challenges Election Result Gabon’s opposition leader yesterday constitutional chal- lenged a presidential election he narrowly lost, hoping to overturn a result whose validity has been questioned at home and abroad.

Page 44

SPORTS Date Controversy Trails Nigeria,

Zambia Clash in Ndola Controversy appears to be trailing when the Super Eagles will play their first game of the 2018World Cup qualifiers with Zambia as both CAF and FIFA have conflicting dates for the clash…

Page 54

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

9

10

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Military Deploys 3,000 Soldiers in Niger Delta NDA alleges attempt by the military to cover up the death of 16 soldiers Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa and Sylvester Idowu in Warri At least 3,000 soldiers have so far been deployed in the Niger Delta as Nigeria’s security agencies ramp up the war against militancy in the region, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, disclosed yesterday.

This came as Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) yesterday alleged an attempt by the military to cover up the death of 16 soldiers in Delta State, four days after ‘Operation Crocodile Smile.’ was launched in the region.

The army chief spoke in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, just as the military moved to douse the tension occasioned by the massive movement of troops in the region, assuring communities in the area that the ongoing military exercise codenamed, ‘Operation Crocodile Smile,’ was designed to protect them.

Buratai’s comments yesterday were made against the backdrop of allegations that the military had embarked on harassing and brutalising innocent residents along the coastlines, an accusation that the security forces have always refuted.

The CAS, who spoke at the Government House when he visited Governor Seriake Dickson, told the communities to remain calm, stressing that troops involved in the exercise understood the rules of engagement and would strictly adhere to them.

He added that the visit was necessary as part of the operation’s confidence-building, maintaining that the current exercise was meant to equip the soldiers with required skills to ensure the safety of the maritime

environment for Bayelsa and other states of the Niger Delta.

The army chief, who was accompanied by other military commanders including the Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie, said the exercise was part of the amphibious training activities of the military.

“I am leading a cream of delegation of the Nigeria Army as part of our amphibious training (Operation Crocodile) activities in making sure the maritime environment is safe for Bayelsans and Nigeria at large.

“The exercise has mustered about three thousand troops and equipment,yet we want to assure you that we are peoplefriendly. We want to appreciate the support you have given to the Nigerian Army,” he said.

He added that the military remained committed to the protection of the country’s territorial integrity from external aggressors, stressing that the Atlantic Ocean remains part of the territory that must be secured and protected from interferences.

“The task of the army is to defend the territory from external aggression. The Atlantic Ocean is not an exemption in this regard.

Training and continuous training in the region will help the men to actualise the task of defending the territory.

“These projects also come with humanitarian services like health, education and civil works. The Nigerian Army is people friendly and have always emphasised that the number one rule of engagement is to ensure that lives and properties are protected,” he said.

The army chief was said to have also approved the

establishment of a brigade in Yenagoa following the request of the governor, who appreciated the military for their selflessness in discharging their duties.

Dickson, who commiserated with the army over the death of some soldiers in a boat mishap that occurred in the state, urged them to adopt dialogue as a means of fighting criminality in the region.

Meanwhile, the JTF yesterday, denied invading some communities in Southern Ijaw destroying houses, beating up residents and carting away speedboats.

Spokesman of the JTF, Lt Cmdr Thomas Otuji told THISDAY that there was no

iota of truth in a report that soldiers invaded Peremabiri community, noting that the outfit has remained professional in all its activities in the creeks of the Niger Delta.

Meanwhile, the NDA said the incident was aside the untimely death of four fine soldiers in the creeks of Bayelsa noting that over 20 soldiers had died so far in the military exercise.

According to a statement signed by the spokesman of NDA, Mudoch Agbinibo, the deceased soldiers in Delta State were the first casualties of the exercise disclosing that they died along River Ethiope, four days after it started.

It however expressed its

condolences to the families of the deceased and President Muhammadu Buhari, Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces over the death of “the fine soldiers.”

“The high command of NDA and the entire membership on behalf of the good people of the Niger Delta offer our condolences to the families and Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, on the soldiers murdered in the ongoing military operation cum exercise codes named “Operation Crocodile Smiles.”

“Mr. President from available facts, the untimely deaths of these four fine soldiers in the creeks of Bayelsa and another 16 that was recorded during the first

four days of the exercise along the River Ethiope, in Delta State but was earlier covered up is nothing more than act of murder.

“Their death is due to negligence, administrative greed and a corruption within the military constructed and perfected by the ascendant APC political class (conflict merchants we have mentioned times without numbers) from the Niger Delta and some Abuja paid and bought up interest,” it alleged.

The militant group alleged that the military exercise was unfortunate since it was designed by some military top brass to amass wealth under the guise of

Cont’d on Pg 52

EIGHT YEARS OF ACADEMIC STRIDES

L-R: Vice Chancellor, Redeemer’s University, Prof. Debo Adeyewa; Vice President and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the university, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; A PhD graduand in Clinical Psychology, Ms. ImisiOluwa Olubunmi Ibikunle; and Chancellor of the university, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), at the eighth convocation ceremony of the university in Ede, Osun State....yesterday

EFCC Quizzes Jonathan’s Ex-chief of Staff, Ex-BPE DG over N27bn Fraud Ex-aide, Dudafa, company lack known addresses, commission alleges

Davidson Iriekpen with agency reports The Indications have emerged that a former Chief of Staff to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Brigadier-General Jones Arogbofa (rtd), has been detained and quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Also detained and quizzed are Benjamin Dikki, former Director-General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), and Godknows Igali, former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power.

The ex-officials are being investigated over the payment of “phantom” insurance premiums totalling N27 billion for cover allegedly not provided to the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

Arogbofa, according to TheCable, was also questioned over an Abuja mansion he allegedly bought for N150 million.

His role in the premium payment could not be confirmed last night before press time.

Investigations had uncovered retrospective payments of the insurance premiums in suspicious circumstances.

In insurance parlance of “no premium, no cover,” there can be no insurance cover if premium is not paid ab initio.

Sources at the Ministry of Power had revealed that the N27 billion payments were made for covers not provided but memos were initiated, backdated and secretly executed.

The premiums were ostensibly made to insurance firms thought to be fronting for powerful figures in the ministry and at BPE. Eventually, the money was shared among senior government officials, with some getting as much as N1 billion in the dying days of last administration, insiders had said.

A director at the ministry had

said then that: “The secrecy that accompanied the development shows that the individuals involved know that when it comes to the open, it will be greeted with outrage. I doubt if the regulators in the power and insurance industries, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) diligently looked into these transactions which have ethical and criminal dimensions.”

In December 2015, a former BPE director wrote to VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo, alleging fraudulent practices at the agency.

In a letter dated November 2, 2015, Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim, who retired in June 2015, alleged N27billion premium payments for a “non-existent insurance cover.”

Kashim also alleged that a phantom N1.5billion contract was awarded to a “prominent PDP lawyer” by Dikki to wind

up PHCN even when there was no work for the lawyer to do.

It learnt that the detained trio have been released pending further investigations.

No EFCC official was willing to comment on the development.

In another development, the anti-graft commission has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that one of the companies in the ongoing criminal trial of Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel Dudafa, a former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan is without addresses hence cannot be located.

Dudafa, along with Amajuoyi Azubike Briggs, and one Damola Bolodeoku are facing criminal charge over an alleged $31.4million fraud.

Other companies in the charge marked FHC/337C/16 are Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and

Investment Company Limited and Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited.

EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the inability of the commission to effect service of the criminal charge on Globus Integrated Services Limited which is charged alongside Dudafa and others was because the company could not be found.

Consequently, Oyedepo urged the court to allow the commission to effect service on the second accused person, who he said was the Secretary to the listed companies.

He said: “In line with section paragraph B (iii) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), in effecting service, this can be done on the Secretary of company. We have gone to the companies and found out that they are not in existence. We even found out that from Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), it shows that the company’ Secretary is the second defendant before the

court.”

However, counsel to the second accused person, Tochukwu Onyiuke, objected to the service of the company’s charge on his client. Onyiuke argued that his client, (Briggs) has the right to address the court on point of law on such application.

Responding, EFCC prosecutor, Oyedepo, urged the court to strike out the name of the eighth company from the charge so that the plea of other accused persons could be taken. However, counsel to Dudafa, Mr. Gboyega Oyewole, objected to the reading of the charge to the accused persons on the grounds that there was nothing linking his client to the charge.

He therefore urged the court to discontinuance the charge.

Justice Kuewumi has however adjourned till September 15, for the arraignment of the accused persons.

The accused persons are facing a 17-count charges bordering on alleged fraud of $31. 434. 400 million.

11

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Recession Inevitable, Says Osinbajo as FG Restates Resolve to Restructure Economy

Obinna Chima in Lagos and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday reviewed the state of the economy and explained that the prevailing recession was necessitated by the loss of 60 per cent of the nation’s revenue in the first quarter of the year to the violent activities of militants and economic sabouteurs in the Niger Delta.

But he gave assurances that the recession would be short-lived because the federal government was putting in place some mechanisms that would aid the quick recovery

of the economy.

The vice-president, who spoke at a convocation in Ede, Osun State, enjoined Nigerian youths to multitask in order to break even.

Osinbajo’s assurances of a quick return to better days was echoed in China by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, who restated the federal government’s resolve to restructure the economy, saying that its policies focused on diversifying revenue sources would help the economy speed up the recovery process.

Explaining Nigeria’s sharp

Eid-el-Kabir: Police to Deploy Officers to Praying Grounds, Shopping Malls Dele Ogbodo in Abuja The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Mustafa Mohammed, yesterday said the command has concluded necessary arrangement to deploy plain cloths operatives, around praying ground, shopping malls, recreational centres, critical infrastructure and motor parks, to ensure hitch-free holidays.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Anjuguri Manzah, on behalf of the commissioner in Abuja.

The statement read: “As part of security arrangement to ensure a hitch-free Eid-elKabir celebration in the FCT, the commissioner of police has ordered the massive deployment of plain-cloth and uniformed security operatives around praying grounds, shopping malls, gardens,

recreational spots, critical infrastructures, motor parks and other areas that will be a beehive of activities while the event is been commemorated.”

This arrangement, the statement added includes the strategic deployment of personnel on foot and motorised patrols along all streets and major roads across FCT. Mustafa, the statement revealed, had earlier issued a directive on the need for strategic coordination of officers and sister security agencies for the enthronement of peace in the territory.

“The FCT police boss enjoins residents to continue to partner the command by providing it with timely information about criminals and suspicious persons hibernating around their environment, through the command 24 hours emergency help-lines,” the statement added.

fall into recession, Osinbajo explained that there was no way the country could have avoided the recession since it had in February lost 60 per cent of its revenues to the activities of saboteurs.

He also identified pipeline vandalism coupled with the errors of some past leaders as some of the reasons for the current economic situation in the country.

The vice-president enjoined youths, especially young graduates to be diligent and take advantage of various international trading platforms to improve their status.

Also speaking at the convocation, a Global economic analyst, Mr Dick Kramer, in a lecture entitled, “Nation Building and Nigeria’s Economic Challenges,” said the country was in recession because it had failed to build a strong private economy over the years and also failed to create an economy based on industries.

While noting that the global economy had been relatively weak in the last 18 years, Kramer said Nigeria needed a new long term economic plan which must entail fostering an effective public/private partnership.

Also a former Minister of Defence, Lt-Gen Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), called for serious investment in the education system in view of its impact on the socio-economic development of the country.

Speaking in China, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Enelamah, said the federal government was taking advantage of the difficult economic conditions arising from the sharp fall in oil prices to restructure the economy.

He said China would continue to be an important partner in Nigeria’s ongoing quest for sustainable growth and development.

The minister spoke during a panel discussion at the Second ‘Investing in Africa’

Forum, which took place in Guangzhou, China, and was organised by the government of China’s Guangdong Province, the China Development Bank, and the World Bank Group.

Enelamah said: “Our principal economic policy direction in Nigeria is to diversify the economy, away from the longstanding traditional reliance on oil exports. We are taking steps to structurally transform the economy, so as to restore growth and create jobs.”

He listed some of the steps the government was taking to include: “Strategically aligning monetary, fiscal and structural policies, to engender muchneeded investors’ confidence; creating a private-sector driven Presidential Council on Ease of Doing Business that will initiate and implement far-reaching business environment reforms; repositioning the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council to enable it effectively fulfil its core mandate, among others.”

According to the minister,

the NIPC would provide the needed incentives and ‘aftercare’ services to investors, as well as proactively create regular opportunities for investors’ engagement.

The minister highlighted a number of “strategic” sectors for intending and potential investors in Nigeria to include: Agriculture and Agro-Processing, Automotive, Infrastructure (Roads, Rail, Ports and Power), Real Estate, Pharmaceuticals, and the Digital Economy.

In his closing remarks, Enelamah praised the ongoing cooperation between China and Nigeria on the part of both governments, and also the private sector.

Enelamah said: “The China miracle is one that provides very many useful lessons from which Nigeria can borrow, and is borrowing. Nigeria will continue to work hard and in close partnership with China for mutual benefits, growth and development.”

Bill Limiting Acting President, COURTESY VISIT State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, flanked by the leader of the delegation, Knauf Group Management Committee, Isabel Others to Single Substantive Lagos Knauf (left); and Consul General of Germany, Mr. Ingo Herbert, during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja.... yesterday Tenure for Second Reading a state for more than two Damilola Oyedele in Abuja years in a four year term, Drama as Police Arraign Audu’s Son for Robbery A bill seeking to limit anyone who serves as acting president or acting governor to a single electable term will undergo second reading in the House of Representatives when member resume from recess.

The bill, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun, defines acting capacity as someone who serves, by reasons of the death, resignation or impeachment of the predecessor. “…No person who had held the office of president or governor of a state or acting as president or governor of a state for more than two years of a term, to which some other persons were elected president or governor, shall be elected to the office of president or governor of a state more than once,” the bill proposes.

If passed into law, any person chosen to act as president or governor of

will complete his predecessor’s tenure, and then be eligible to contest same office only once.

Lasun’s spokesperson, Mr. Wole Oladimeji, recalled in a statement yesterday that the bill has passed through first reading in the House.

The aim is to protect the two term tradition from being abused, the statement noted.

“By virtue of the combined provisions of sections 137(1) (b) and 182(1)(b) of the constitution, the president of Nigeria and governor of a state shall serve in those capacities for a maximum period of eight years”.

“However, the constitution equally envisaged circumstances where a person can be chosen to act as president or governor. These include: when the president or a governor resigns, dies or is impeached,” the statement added.

Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The first son of the late former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Mohammed Audu, was yesterday arraigned before the Magistrate Court 11 in Lokoja for alleged armed robbery.

Mohammed was arrested on Wednesday night when he honoured the invitation of the men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad at the ‘A’ Division office in Lokoja where he was subsequently detained and charged to court yesterday.

Other charges preferred against Mohammed, according to the Police First Information Report, included criminal conspiracy, causing grievous harm, mischief and attempt to commit culpable homicide contrary to section 97 (1), 248, 327, 298 (c) 229 of the Penal Code.

Arraigning Mohammed yesterday, the prosecutor, Gabriel Otuwo, said on September 2 at about 12 noon, Mohammed’s uncle, Yahaya Audu, reported to SARS office in Lokoja that himself and one Ibrahim Abubakar were attacked on August 30 by hoodlums in their country home in Ogbonija, Ofu council area of the state According to the prosecutor, “Yahaya Audu was in the village to attend the eight-day Fidau prayer of one Daudu Audu when the hoodlums heavily armed with guns, cutlasses and axe, invaded his compound, pretending to be visitors, he welcome them and they requested that he should give them something no matter how small, and in the process of walking towards his Hummer SUV to give them money, he was attacked from behind with

a machete, as they beat him thoroughly, inflicting bodily injuries on him.

“The hoodlums shot sporadically at him and his vehicle; he fell to the ground pretending as if he was dead, and as they attempted to carry him, he ran into a nearby bush and escaped. The gang damaged his SUV windscreen, body and made away with his Samsung Note 3 phone while himself and Ibrahim Abubakar sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to Specialist Hospital in Lokoja where they were treated,” he stated.

Otuwo said the late Audu’s brother complained to the police that prior to his attack, Audu’s son, Mohammed, promised to deal with him, calling him a traitor for daring to collect an award on behalf of his late father, and fingered him (Mohammed) as the

mastermind of the attack.

The prosecutor, who said police investigation led to Mohammed’s arrest and subsequent arraignment, said others who carried out the attack are still at large while investigation is still ongoing.

Counsel to the accused, Okechukwu Ayewu, in his response, urged the court to grant his client bail on ground that there was no link of the offence with the accused.

“The accused cannot jump bail and will not prejudice police investigation. There is a perception of innocence in favour of the accused. I urge the court to grant the accuse bail,” he said.

The prosecutor’s counsel who did not oppose the bail application, said the court reserved the discretion to admit the accused on bail or not.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 • T H I S D AY

12

NEWS

Buhari Approves Borrowing from World Bank, China Nigeria-China trade volume drops to $15bn

Crusoe Osagie and Obinna Chima with agency report President Muhammadu Buhari has approved plans for external borrowing from the World Bank, China and Japan.

Nigeria will take on debt from institutions including the World Bank, African Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency and Export-Import Bank of China, Bloomberg quoted the presidency to have revealed on twitter.

This will include “lowcost, long-term” loans with interest rates of 1.25 percent and maturities of 20 years, according to the tweets.

Details of a Eurobond will be announced “in due course.” The government is now waiting for lawmakers to approve the plans, the presidency said.

President Buhari announced a record N6.1 trillion ($19.4 billion) spending plan this year to try and stimulate the economy, which contracted in the first two quarters as oil revenue plunged. He said he expected the government to raise about $5 billion from the Eurobond market and multilateral and bilateral lenders.

The Debt Management Office last month asked banks to place bids by September 19 if they wished to manage a $1 billion Eurobond sale. Finance

Minister, Kemi Adeosun told bond investors in London in June that Nigeria was close to securing around $3 billion of funding from the World Bank and African Development Bank.

Nigeria, which vies with South Africa as the continent’s biggest economy, has issued dollar bonds twice, the last time in 2013. Yields on its $500 million of securities due in July 2023 fell 11 basis points to 6.24 percent in Lagos, their lowest level since June 2015 and down more than 300 basis points since hitting a record 9.4 per cent on January 18.

Meanwhile, the volume of trade between Nigeria and China has been estimated to be about $15 billion in 2015, a figure the Chinese Consulate General, Chao Xiaoliang, said has dwindled over the last nine months.

According to Xiaoliang, the reason for the decline is the current harsh economic situation in Nigeria, adding that going forward, China is planning to use the just concluded G20 Hangzho summit to seek fresh investment opportunities in Nigeria and Africa at large.

He noted that the trade volume between both countries stood at $18.1billion in 2014, but dipped lower the following year which he said was due to the sluggish world economy.

The new Chinese Consulate

Court Refuses Kashamu’s New Application to Stop His Extradition Tobi Soniyi in Abuja A Federal High Court in Abuja has formally turned down the request of Senator Buruji Kashamu for an order to prohibit the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS) from arresting and extraditing him to the United States to answer charges on drug related offences.

Justice Okon Abang refused to grant the request on the grounds that the serving senator, representing Ogun East in the Senate was over-reaching the court and did not need the order.

The judge who ruled on the submissions of police and one Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, a House of Representatives member, held that if Buruji was sure of himself and his fact that police and the DSS were taking steps to arrest and extradite him to the United States, he should execute the two earlier judgments which were in his favour.

Abang in the ruling said it was not necessary for the Federal High Court to issue a fresh order against the defendants in the matter since the same court had delivered two judgments in favour of the senator on the subject matter.

Kashamu had approached the court in Abuja seeking an order to bar the police and the DSS from forcefully arresting and extraditing him to US to go

and face trial on alleged hard drug related offences.

He premised his case on the grounds that he had information that operatives of the police and the DSS were taking steps to abduct him in any part of the country by force and extradite him to the US. In his motion on notice filed by his counsel Mr. Godswill Mrakpor, the senator claimed that unless the court granted him the injunctive order, his security would be put in jeopardy.

But Justice Abang said:”On this issue of the alleged plan by the respondents to abduct the applicant, I am aware that the applicant has various court judgments in his favour.

“If he is apprehensive and is so sure of himself and his facts, that he is about to be extradited to the US, he is at liberty to execute the various judgments so as to stop the extradition.”

“The two judgments are still subsisting and therefore the applicant requires no fresh court order against the respondents before he can stop the extradition..

“If he is complaining that persons who were not parties in the previous judgments are threatening to take steps to extradite him to US by force, he can seek leave of the court to execute the earlier judgements delivered in his favour.

during his first interactive session with journalists in Lagos, however stated that Nigeria and other African countries stand to benefit from the G20 summit, saying that China has launched a cooperation initiative to support industrialisation of Africa and the Least Developed Countries (LCDs).

He also added that China has promoted G20 member states to conduct cooperation to help LCDs accelerate their industrialisation through capacity building, increasing investment, improving infrastructure to achieve their poverty alleviation and sustainable development goals.

“China attaches great importance to develop sound relations with African countries

based on mutually beneficial cooperation and common development. A prosperous and stable Africa also serves the interests of China as well as the whole world,” he said.

He said Africa and the LCDs are in urgent need of speeding up the process of industrilisation and improving self-development capability.

He said Nigeria being the biggest economy in Africa is faced with the current challenge of falling price of oil and commodity, maintaining that the G20 summit is of reference significance and would provide some opportunities for Nigeria to tackle its economic challenges.

In his words, “In G20 initiative on supporting industrilisation in Africa

and LDCs, it recommends that the G20 group of leading economies promotes inclusive and sustainable structural transformation and industrialisation in Africa and LDCs through knowledgesharing platforms for peerto-peer learning; the sharing of best practices; policies; measures and guiding tools; multi-stakeholder discussions; calls for the G20 to support agriculture and agribusiness development.”

“We are also looking at deepening, broadening and updating the local knowledge base to encourage industrilisation through trade and deeper regional integration and also to promote the new industrial revolution,” he said.

He stated that China as a

trustworthy partner of Africa, will keep its promise made in G20 summit and would always be ready to offer its assistance to and further strengthen China’s mutual beneficial cooperation with Nigeria and other African countries.

“The G20 summit has successfully concluded, and the legacy it has left will benefit the world for a long time.

The summit will be a fresh starting point for the G20 to embark on a new journey. The Chinese government will take the summit as an opportunity to upgrade the cooperation and relations with African countries. I will work with my colleagues to help the Nigerian government and people enjoy the benefits of the G20 summit,” he assured.

CELEBRATING 72 REMARKABLE YEARS

L-R: Celebrant, Senator Anthony Adefuye, his wife, Bolaji, their duaghter, Adeola Adefuye; and Mrs. Remilekun Adelaja, at the 72nd birthday thanksgiving celebration service of senator at the Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo, Lagos....recently

Electricity Customers Must Stop Buying Transformers, FG Insists Chineme Okafor in Abuja The federal government has again told electricity distribution companies (Discos) in Nigeria to stop the prevalent and unfair practice of making their customers procure and install electricity transformers for their use, saying it was the responsibility of the Discos to do that and not consumers.

The government said such practice has contributed to the loss of confidence in the country’s electricity market by consumers who are mostly forced by Discos servicing their networks to pay for transformers to be installed at their communities.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had in this regard, outlawed in 2015 the practice of Discos relying on consumers to finance procurement and installation of electricity accessories like transformers, the government however reiterated its stance on the issue on Thursday in Abuja.

The Minister of Works, Power, and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said this when he received the new Managing Director of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Mr. Ernest Mupwaya in his office.

Fashola said: “Private purchase of transformers must stop because that is the responsibility of the Disco and that is what will bring confidence that the system is working.”

Mupwaya who provided the minister with AEDC’s current operational conditions, stated that the liquidity challenges of the country’s power sector has contributed to the inability of the Disco to post a Letter of Credit (LC) with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) in line with extant demands of the sector’s transaction rules.

He also said Abuja Disco could not benefit from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) power sector support fund because of the same issue.

“We seek the minister’s ‘No

Objection’ to use a portion of the MDAs debts as collateral for the LC,” Mupwaya told Fashola, noting that the LC will boost the Disco’s credit worthiness and help it become eligible for the CBN support fund.

Fashola who responded to the request and claims of debt to the Disco by government’s ministries, departments and agencies, said: “We need to verify some of the debts and stratify who owes what and who is owed what.”

He urged AEDC to provide him with information that could help speed up this process.

The AEDC further said it had spent over N2 billion on infrastructure upgrade in its network, including replacing 348 faulty transformers.

It also alleged to have spent N218 million on clearing faulty high tension lines of about 4,420 kilometres, as well as another N400 million to modernise its billing and vending systems.

On metering, Mupwaya said 359,969 customers have been

metered among its 876,820 customers.

He said for the large user customers that constitute 50 per cent of the revenue base: “Our projection is to meet your deadline to meter the maximum demand users this year including the MDAs.” AEDC equally said over 50,000 meters have been installed for the other customer users and that plans to install another 80,000 this year, with 100,000 installation annually estimated at $150 million was underway.

While urging Fashola to fast track the MDAs debt payment, Mupwaya said the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Mohammed has assured of paying N500 million from its debts.

He added that the electricity market will feel the impact when the money is paid.

“For the past six months, we have reduced our Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses from 60 per cent to 39 per cent,” Mupwaya added.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

13

14

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

COMMENT

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

DEFYING THE ODDS

K

In spite of the distractions, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State is forging ahead, writes Mohammed Okpanachi

ogi State under the able leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello is making steady and impressive progress in all aspects of human endeavour. This is in spite of the seemingly interminable and endless litigations that have attended the nomination and election of the youthful Alhaji Yahaya Bello as governor in the supplementary elections of December 2015.

The governor had faced series of cases instituted by his main challenger in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Honourable James Faleke, a former deputy governorship mate to the late Prince Abubakar Audu who is laying claim to the governorship seat, and Captain Idris Wada, the immediate past governor of the state.

The cases were first heard at the Elections Petitions Tribunal which in separate rulings upheld the nomination and election of Bello as the governor of Kogi State. Not satisfied with the rulings, both Faleke and Wada proceeded to the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

In different judgments given about three weeks ago, the appellate court affirmed the verdicts of the lower court. With the second string of judicial victories by Bello, it was widely expected that the litigants would bury the hatchet and give the governor a breathing space to face the real issues of governance in the famed Confluence State.

This is to a no avail. And this is in spite of the genuine hands of fellowship extended to both Faleke and Wada and other aggrieved political elements in the state by Governor Bello to join him in working together in the best interest of the people of Kogi State. The matter is ending up at the Supreme Court where the issue would be finally determined.

Given the quality and logic of the rulings at both the Elections Petitions Tribunal and Appeal Court which were in favour of Governor Bello, there is no shadow of doubts whatsoever that Bello would ultimately triumph.

It is indeed amazing that in the face of these fierce legal challenges which ordinarily ought to constitute serious distractions to governance, Governor Bello has remained focused in his determination and resolve to give Kogi State a new lease of life.

Within the last eight months when he has been on the political saddle, Governor Bello has redefined the parameters of governance and given increased and better attention to the welfare and security interests of the people which are the primary purpose of government as stipulated in Chapter 2, Section 14 (2b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). It is against this background that he has mobilised contractors back to all the abandoned critical road projects in the 21 Local Government Areas of the state under the preceding administration.

The ongoing remedial works on these strategic roads in the state have brought a lot of relief to the people of Kogi and other commuters that must of necessity pass through the state to other parts of the country.

WITHIN THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS, GOVERNOR BELLO HAS REDEFINED THE PARAMETERS OF GOVERNANCE AND GIVEN INCREASED AND BETTER ATTENTION TO THE WELFARE AND SECURITY INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE WHICH ARE THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT

An apostle of due process and zero tolerance to corruption, Governor Bello has taken bold steps to block all known areas of financial leakages in the economy of the state. The first thing he did upon assumption of office was to institute the Treasury Single Account (TSA) which ensured that all revenues of the state are never diverted into secret or private accounts.

Secondly, he commissioned a staff audit of the State Civil Service with a view to weeding out ghost workers who have constituted a major drain on the scarce resources of the state.

The staff verification exercise was hugely successful as about 16,000 ghost workers were identified and expunged from the payroll of the state. This translates to a saving of a whopping N18 billion annually which would now be deployed to provide key infrastructure and other important amenities in the state.

This huge sum of money is what a cabal in the system had been diverting in the past through the ghost workers syndrome at the expense of the development of Kogi State.

It is hardly surprising that the governor`s decision was seriously resisted by entrenched interests. But he was undeterred and had to forge ahead because he had the requisite political will to do so.

In the area of security, the governor has equally made commendable progress. This is evident in the strategic partnership he has forged with the nation`s military high command.

The partnership has resulted into a high-level visit of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai to Governor Bello in Lokoja where he pledged to deploy troops to critical roads in the state with a view to routing out kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists, bandits and other sundry criminals that have made lives unbearable for Kogi citizens and commuters especially on the dreaded Lokoja-Okene road.

While still battling with the court cases, Govenor Bello has continued to touch lives in other crucial areas which include the provision of quality education and health care delivery and promotion of agriculture and efficient transportation.

Most importantly he has ensured that the state continues to enjoy relative peace and harmony through his policy of political inclusiveness and constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders. It is in furtherance of his commitment to peace and unity of the state that he quickly moved in and resolved the lingering crisis in the Kogi State House of Assembly which had threatened the peaceful co-existence of the state.

There is no doubt that with the giant strides so far recorded by the administration of Yahaya Bello, there is a new dawn of progress in Kogi State. Governor Bello needs the support and prayers of all well-meaning people of Kogi State to reposition the state for greater development. Enough of the judicial distractions!

Dr. Okpanachi wrote from Ayangba, Kogi State

WITNESS TO POWER

W

Simeon Nwakaudu writes that Nyesom Wike of Rivers State deserves credit for his performance

orking with Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as media aide at the Federal Ministry of Education, I witnessed the movement that sacked the extremely corrupt All Progressives Congress (APC) immediate past administration in Rivers State. On this occasion, I was profoundly touched by the message delivered in a song by a musician of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI). He sang: “Wike: Don’t Mind Them O, Who Can Battle With the Lord, Holy Spirit is in Charge”! This mobilisation anthem was apt because it strengthened the faith of the then emerging governor and his die-hard supporters in the face of scare tactics and violence adopted by the outgone administration in Rivers State.

This song is still relevant today. The reconstruction of Rivers State is critical and there is no reason why anyone should be distracted by the incoherent noises of the Rivers State APC. At best, the APC in the state serves as a comic relief in the face of the economic recession that their party has imposed on all Nigerians, having inherited a boisterous and the largest economy in Africa.

The latest press release by the APC calling on Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to resign for deciding to discipline some members of the state cabinet is the height of political comedy. The members of the state cabinet were suspended to instill discipline in the state executive council. As

for the local government caretaker committees, the governor dissolved them because their three-month tenure had elapsed. The Rivers APC leadership is aware of the timeline for caretaker committees in the state, since they operated a similar structure.

It is pure political mischief to pretend not to know why the caretaker committees were dissolved.

It is rather surprising that the same political party whose leadership squandered some N3 trillion that accrued to the state would still have the courage to speak during a rebuilding process. Governor Wike has been saddled with the enormous responsibility of completing several projects abandoned by the Amaechi administration some of which had been paid for. His commitment is to the Rivers people. That is why in consultation with them, he resolved to complete very critical projects abandoned by the immediate past administration.

It is for this reason that Governor Wike led Nigerian editors and lawyers on projects inspection for them to see first-hand the projects abandoned by the Amaechi administration which he completed and those initiated by him.

For the avoidance of doubt, Nyesom Wike initiated the Operation Zero Potholes for the State Urban Centres. This programme which is being executed by Julius Berger and CCECC has witnessed the construction and reconstruction of over 140 kilometres of roads across Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor

Local Government Areas.

I need to refresh the memory of the leadership of the Rivers APC on some key projects executed by the Governor Wike administration. These include Dr Nabo Graham Douglas Law Faculty at the RSUST, the Eagle-Island Iloabuchi road, Iriebe Housing Estate, Nkpogu Link Road/Bridge, Woji-Akpajo road/bridge, Abonnema -Obonnema Road/Bridge, NBA Law Centre, the ATC Jetty in Okrika, Remodelled Diete Spiff Civic Centre, street lights and new traffic lights.

The Sakpenwa -Bori Road, the Igwuruta -Okehi road, Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, Federal High Court complex are ongoing while the reconstruction of prominent schools in the three Senatorial District, Second Nkpogu Road/Bridge, Second Woji-Akpajo road /bridge, dualisation of Elelenwo-Akpajo road are several ongoing road projects in different parts of the state.

Governor Wike restored the funding of the logistics of all the security agencies which was suspended by the immediate past administration. In addition, he has supplied over 140 patrol vans to all the security agencies as well as repaired over 20 armoured personnel carriers for them. Recently, he purchased 20 Armoured Personnel Carriers for the police. This will soon be launched by the Inspector-General of Police. He has started the process of acquiring 20 gunboats for the Nigerian Navy. His amnesty programme is yielding success as it has reduced

kidnapping and violent crimes in the state.

But by far his most inspiring achievement is the fact that he revived a state which was left comatose by the APC. Through careful political engineering and consultation, he revived the state judiciary closed down by the APC, revived the state legislature laid waste and gave life to a disillusioned state civil service.

It is necessary to recall that despite the N3 trillion that accrued to his administration, the last administration owed Rivers State Civil Servants for four months and pensioners for eight months. All these were settled

by Governor Wike in addition to reinstating lecturers sacked by the APC for involving in unionism at the RSUST. Today, Rivers State is a reference point in terms of development because of Governor Wike’s commitment to service and discipline.

If he was not prepared for leadership, he would have been giving excuses like the APC. Rather than complain over the corruption of Rivers APC, he has settled down to deliver democracy dividends.

In Rivers State, nobody takes APC seriously as it has been reduced to issuing baseless press releases.

The governor has lived up to the expectations of Rivers people and that is what matters.

The state is moving ahead. That is why we don’t mind them.

Nwakaudu is media assistant to Gov. Wike on electronic media

15

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

EDITORIAL YET ANOTHER OUTBREAK OF LASSA FEVER

F

There is need to strengthen public awareness on the viral disease

ive fresh cases of Lassa fever were last week confirmed in Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau and Rivers States, according to a statement by Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. Against the background of an earlier outbreak in Anambra and Delta States, there is now fear and apprehension over a deadly disease that previously held Nigeria hostage. In what is clearly another show of shame, the disease has already taken the life of a medical doctor and a patient in Gombe while several of our citizens are placed under surveillance. While we commend the authorities for being proactive, we still believe that if preventive measures had been taken, we probably would not have been in this precarious situation.

We note particularly that following the outbreak last year, an emergency National Council on Health was held in Abuja, where all the states made pledges on how to prevent a recurrence. They also stipulated clear-cut parameters NOW THAT THE WORLD that were capable HEALTH ORGANISATION of halting further HAS WARNED OF A spread of the disease POSSIBLE OUTBREAK OF across the states.

LASSA FEVER EPIDEMIC, Unfortunately, the GOVERNMENT, AT ALL current outbreak has shown very clearly LEVELS, SHOULD BE that if indeed there MOBILISED TO PREVENT were any preventive SUCH A DISASTER strategies, they were not implemented. However, now that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of a possible outbreak of Lassa fever epidemic, government, at all levels, should be mobilised to prevent such a disaster.

Lassa fever is an acute febrile illness, with bleeding and death in severe cases. It is caused by the Lassa fever virus with an incubation period of between six to 21 days. The onset of the disease is usually gradual, starting with fever, general weakness, before being

Letters to the Editor

D

followed by headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, cough, and bleeding from mouth, nose, etc. But to the extent that it is contagious and deadly, its impact on individual and the nation’s health care system could be devastating. That is why it is very disturbing that all the public awareness and other preventive measures introduced following last year’s outbreak may have been jettisoned.

Yet an outbreak of any disease in the current economic crisis in the country will be telling. Government and other stakeholders should therefore work to avoid any epidemic of Lassa fever. Last year, about 101 deaths were recorded while 273 cases were established in 17 states across the country. It is hard to believe that Nigeria can withstand such scale of disaster at the moment. To that end, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) should go beyond mere issuing of statements and warnings.

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

B

eyond dispatching some rapid response team like it has done in the new cases in Delta State, there is need to strengthen public awareness on the virus. There is also the need to dissuade villagers from spreading their food stuff outside or on the roads. Given that rodents are the highest transmitters of the disease, more proactive measures should be taken to curb the spread of the disease. A better way to achieve that includes putting health officers in the field to begin educating the masses about safety and preventive measures against Lassa fever.

Experts have advised that people should ensure their food (cooked or uncooked) is properly covered while regular hand-washing should be adhered to always. The bush around the home should also be cleared regularly while windows and doors of the house should be closed especially when it is night time. The general public should also be adequately enlightened on the dangers posed by rats in their homes. This should be the responsibility of the health and environment authorities at both the federal and state levels. By so doing, we will be able to save our people from avoidable deaths from Lassa fever.

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.

MARRIAGES: BROKEN HEARTS AND UNREALISED DREAMS

aily, in many cities across the world, people perform wedlock to solemnise their marital unions. Some other people throw lavish parties and perform elaborate traditional marriage ceremonies to formalise their marriages. Now, inter and intra ethnic marriages are commonplace in our country owing to advances in the means of transportation and communication. More so, we have interracial marriages which produce offspring, who are mulattoes. What is marriage? According to the Longman’s Dictionary of contemporary English, “marriage is the relationship between two people who are married”. Before now, marriage used to mean the union of two people who belong to different sex or gender. Then, when the word marriage was mentioned among people, they would conjure up the image of a man and a woman living together after they had solemnised their marital union in accordance with their country’s marriage laws and the norms and traditions of their towns.

But, today, the scope of the definitions of marriage has expanded.

Two people who are of the same sex co-habit. And gays do solemnise their marital unions in churches. Raving dykes walk down the aisles in churches in European cities, with smiles lightening up their faces.

Not a few countries in our today’s world have legalised same- sex marriage. So, people with homophobic sentiments are called intolerant people, who are still trapped in the Stone Age period. Even Pope Francis has not overtly traduced gays. We are told that God loves us irrespective of our sexual preferences.

In Africa, especially in Nigeria, people seldom engage in same-sex marriage; but we’ve closet dykes and gays. The diverse African

cultures, Christianity, and Islamic religion abhor homosexual acts.

Many countries in Africa have made laws that criminalised same-sex union. In those countries, severe punishments await people caught engaging in homosexual act. So, here, I am concerned with the marriage that exists between a man and a woman.

Marriage is an institution ordained by God. And for most ladies, their happiest days on earth were the days they tied the nuptial knots.

That’s why ladies who are considered to be ladies on the shelf make churches and prayer houses their haunts. In Africa, a lady of marriageable age, who is unmarried, is viewed with contempt and scorn by most people. Her prolonged spinsterhood makes her the butt of jokes among her kith and kin. The hard fact is, in Nigeria, it is believed that a lady becomes complete and fulfilled when she has got married.

Marriage has become a badge of honour among ladies. That’s why married women flaunt their wedding rings. Marriage is now one of the benchmarks for determining women who are successful.

Likewise, a rich, educated and unmarried man, who is advancing in age, is called a schmuck or sucker. Being married is a license that ushers a man into the revered club of responsible people. It confers respectability on men. And it is believed that women are stabilising forces in homes, especially homes where men are given to excesses.

In the Nigeria setting, the imperative of a man getting married is indisputable.

But Nigerians get married for diverse reasons, chief among which is to produce children that will bear their names and ensure the continuity of their lineage. In Igboland, for example, a man without children is an efulefu, a nonentity. So married women, who cannot

conceive babies risk losing their places in their matrimonial homes.

Their desperation to conceive babies drives them to undertake dangerous measures.

Not only do Nigerians marry for the sake and reason of producing children, but also they want companionship. Men make their wives their confidantes. They confide their secrets to them and seek their counsel regarding issues. That’s why some men’s best friends are their wives.

Two people who are very close friends as a couple can bring up their children in an atmosphere of love and peace. They’ll instill good moral values and virtues into them. A well-brought youth with positive morality is an asset to his or her country. But marriage mates who live apart from each other cannot keep an eye on their children. Those children are latch-key kids who are guided and trained by househelps instead of their parents. And they do pick up bad attitudes from those they interact with. So the imperative of a man and his wife living together harmoniously cannot be disputed by anybody.

No sane person prays for the failure of his or her marriage. But marriages still fail for many reasons, ranging from incompatibility, adultery or extra-marital affairs, disrespect for one’s marriage mate, financial incapacity of the husband, personality clash, meddlesomeness of in-laws, and others.

It is a known fact that a man’s inability to meet his financial obligations to his wife may precipitate quarrel between them. And the quarrel may snowball into a big fight that can cause the failure of the marital union.

Chiedu Uche Okoye, Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State

16

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 T H I S D AY

17

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY FOCUS

Ikpeazu: Shaking Off Distractions In spite of the political and legal distractions that have strewn his path, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has remained focused, writes Emmanuel Ugwu

I

f the embattled Abia State Governor, Dr. Ikpeazu had thought the Court of Appeal verdict that affirmed his mandate would end his travails, he was disappointed.

The fight over his mandate is not over.

His major challenger, Mr. Uche Ogah has taken the battle to the Supreme Court after the Court of Appeal in Abuja upturned the controversial judgment of June 27, 2016 that declared him governor-elect.

Spokesman of the Ogah campaign organisation, Mr. Joshua Ogbonna, while confirming that the battleground has shifted to the apex court justified Ogah’s tenacity in fighting to displace Governor Ikpeazu. According to him, Ogah was merely fighting for justice. “There can never be progress in any society without justice,” he said.

He insisted that the oil tycoon cum politician has “genuine reason” to go the whole hog in the struggle with Ikpeazu, adding that those asking a person who has “something genuine to stop from going to court has something to hide”. Ogbonna, who is also a newspaper publisher, insisted that the court case “will deepen democracy in Abia”.

But that is a jarring noise as far as Ikpeazu’s camp sees it. Ogah’s obstinacy has been ruffling feathers. Not a few people in Abia feel that the joke is getting too far and he should have known when to press the stop button. Those expressing disgust at the political logjam feel that the legal tussle has constituted a huge distraction for the governor as he has been forced to keep watching his back instead focusing on the business of governance.

A former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, said the governorship tussle was nothing but a distraction. He was among the governorship aspirants that contested but lost the PDP ticket to Ikpeazu during the December, 2014 primary and has since moved on.

Wogu advised those still fighting “to stop the distraction” as the state was already feeling its debilitating effect. “If the governor is distracted, he cannot work,” the former minister said, adding: “My message to Abians is simple: support the governor; give him enough time, be patient with him for him to achieve his democratic blueprint”.

The distractions that have strewn the path of Ikpeazu since he moved into the Government House, Umuahia, emanated from different angles.

He was first confronted with the post-election petition filed by Mr. Alex Otti, who was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2015 general election.

It was a herculean battle as Otti was able to win at the Appeal Court in Owerri and was at the verge of pulling out the governor from the Government House before losing grip at the Supreme Court, which affirmed Ikpeazu’s election. It was after he emerged victorious from the Otti challenge, which was then regarded as the most frightening, that the post-election matter took prominence as yet another distraction.

It started with Mr. Friday Nwosu, who felt that there were anomalies in the tax papers submitted by Ikpeazu in his nomination paper.

Nwosu, a legal practitioner, who was among the contestants for the governorship ticket, went to court thinking he could cash in on the tax issue and supplant the governor. Ogah, who was joined as a defendant in Nwosu’s suit saw a light at the end of the tunnel and decided to file his own suit over the Ikpeazu tax papers.

The suit by Ogah eventually took the shine off the one by Nwosu. Though it was the precursor of the pre-election suits against Ikpeazu, the case instituted by Nwosu was never considered as a major distraction or as threatening as the legal battles waged by Otti and Ogah, respectively.

Ikpeazu...trudging on

This is because Nwosu’s suit has not succeeded at any level in the course of his litigation.

Unlike Otti, who recorded victory at the appellate court and Ogah, who had won at the high court presided over by Justice Okon Abang and even went as far as being issued with a certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nwosu has not tasted victory.

Whatever their convictions in waging relentless legal battle against Governor Ikpeazu, the litigants are not enjoying applause across board.

There are those that strongly feel that the battle against Ikpeazu is tugging at the cord of peace and stability prevailing in God’s own state, given that the governor was a product of Abia Charter of Equity, which has revolved to the Ukwa/Ngwa part of Abia.

The charter, according to those that fashioned it, was intended to eliminate any fear of marginalisation by any of the component parts of Abia with the governorship seat rotating among the three senatorial zones. The prospect

Even with the bold face that Governor Ikpeazu is putting to douse his inner tensions, observers point out that the long drawn legal tussle has taken a toll on governance. It is evident that Ikpeazu had on assumption of office hit the ground running.

He pointedly approached the task of revamping the dilapidated infrastructure in the commercial city of Aba, which has drawn accolades even from his ardent critics

of the outcome of the legal tussle upsetting the applecart was enough to generate the palpable apprehension now gripping the state.

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Charles Ogbonna blamed “overzealousness and vaulting ambitions” of some politicians, who placed their personal interest above the interest of the state. “There is nothing wrong with being ambitious but when that ambition touches on peace, equity and justice of the state that ambition must be jettisoned,” he said.

The progression of the pre-election matter to the apex court may not have surprised political watchers of the Abia imbroglio given the body language of the disputants at the lower levels of the tussle. Expectedly, the loser at the appellate court has refused to accept the verdict as finality, thereby prolonging the dispersal of the cloud of uncertainty that has been hanging on Abia over a year now.

In all these travails, Governor Ikpeazu has stoically borne the anxiety he has been subjected to in the course of the lingering battle, assuring Abians that he would not yield to the distractions from his opponents. After receiving the “wonderful news” of his victory at the Appeal Court on August 18, Ikpeazu declared that “we’ve been re-invigorated to continue our service to Ndi Abia without let”.

In reality, however, the weight of uncertainty that hangs in the air is enough to unsettle even an incurable optimist. The Appeal Court victory which in his characteristic humility he dedicated to “the common people of Abia state that voted massively for us in 2015 general election” has not been fully savoured before he was drawn to another front, where the legal battle has shifted.

Even with the bold face that Governor Ikpeazu is putting to douse his inner tensions, observers point out that the long drawn legal tussle has taken a toll on governance. It is evident that Ikpeazu had on assumption of office hit the ground running. He pointedly approached the task of revamping the dilapidated infrastructure in the commercial city of Aba, which has drawn accolades even from his ardent critics.

The Enyimba situation has appreciably changed so much in the past one year that the highly critical residents of Aba that welcomed Ikpeazu’s administration with scepticism have

begun to warm up to the governor in the hope of a new vista.

But now the rate of acceleration with which his administration took off has decreased considerably as the fight for survival takes the front burner. In fact, government business virtually grounded to a halt after the failed attempt by Ogah to be sworn-in as governor when he arrived from Abuja on June 30 armed with his certificate of return. Ikpeazu was believed to have been perturbed at the development to the extent that he allegedly hibernated inside Government House for over a week before stepping out.

During that period, solidarity visits became the order of the day as sundry groups fell over one another as they jostled to identify with the embattled governor and assure him of their support. The rallies and solidarity visits became almost a daily event, thereby constituting another distraction and prompting the governor to put a halt to the rallies on August 7.

The ban was announced in a statement by the chief press secretary to the governor, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos, saying the governor was appreciative of “the massive and unprecedented outpouring of love and solidarity from all segments of Abia society” following “the attempted coup” against his government by “desperate power seekers”.

He explained that in putting a halt to the solidarity visits, the governor had “particularly taken note of the cost and risk” that those who participated in the solidarity visits take in coming to the state capital. The Abia chief executive however acknowledged the economic cost of the rallies in man hours and asked those still planning solidarity visits “to please return to their usual daily pursuits and end further solidarity visits associated with the last attempted coup”.

The parties in the duel believe that they have divine backing to win the governorship tussle.

It is for this that the governorship battle is also being fought at the spiritual front. Ikpeazu insists that he has divine mandate and that accounts for his ability to have survived all the onslaughts by his opponents so far. On his part, Ogah has continued to insist that God had promised him the Abia governorship seat and there’s no stopping its fulfillment.

There is massive outpouring of prayers going on in both camps. The Abia Prayer Network is fervently praying for the governor to overcome his travails while Ogah is not short of prayer warriors seeking the face of God. Early this month a group of pastors gathered at Umuahia under the aegis of Abia Ministers Prayer Network to pray and ask God “to sustain the victory” that Ogah recorded at the Abuja high court. What this means is that both parties are equally armed and in high hopes of emerging victorious. Having endured this long, all eyes are now fixed on the Supreme Court to finally decide the Abia governorship tussle.

If Ikpeazu eventually wins the final battle he would be freed from the haunting distractions and concentrate on governance. Observers believe that a loss constitutes a scary prospect for Ogah as his political future would have been battered due to his alleged obstinacy and attempt to upset the already balanced political equation in Abia.

The spokesman of Ogah’s campaign organisation vehemently disagrees, saying the governorship tussle would not in any way harm Ogah politically.

“It will rather brighten it,” Ogbonna said, adding that “Nigerians would come to see in him someone who has stood up and fought for justice”.

Nonetheless the governorship tussle may definitely affect the political landscape of Abia, whichever way it turns out.

18

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

POLITICS

ENCOUNTER

When Eyibor Dismissed the Padding Debate

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Eseme Eyibor, did not share the sentiment of those accusing the leadership of the House of padding the 2016 budget. He insisted there was no such thing as padding.

Shola Oyeyipo writes

O

ver the years, the legislative arm of government in Nigeria has come under strident attacks by those, who consider the lawmakers as mere leech sucking the blood of the nation dry through spurious means. In fact, a former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has never shied away from his frontal castigation of members of the National Assembly. He often flagrantly refers to them as bunch of “corrupt” people.

Obasanjo is not alone in his disdain for the lawmakers’ perceived ‘excesses’. Worried by the alleged waste of national resources at the two chambers of the National Assembly, a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, has also queried the need for two legislative houses.

This ill-feeling has been made worse and has permeated the larger society due to the recent rumble generated in the House of Representatives over allegations of budget padding, leveled against the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and some other principal officers of the lower chamber.

But at a recent briefing, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Eseme Eyibor, shed some more light on the substance of the matter, harped on the need for Nigerians to firmly understand the workings of the legislature and disabused the minds of those saying the legislature was irresponsible.

“Majority of Nigerians are still living with that illusion that there should be no legislature.

The thinking is that the legislators are not doing anything but stealing from the nation’s treasury but we have forgotten that the legislature is what has given us the liberty we have today. To say that we should do away with the legislature means that we no longer cherish our liberty.

“Are we now saying that members of the legislature should go? We will be weakening our rights of expression if we do that. We must

Eyiboh

preserve the institutional integrity of the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives. While the Senate is the representation of the states on equality basis, the House of Representatives is about population and anything that affects the House, affects Nigeria,” he said.

Drawing inference from Section 4, sub-section 1 of the Nigerian constitution, where the concept of rule of law is domicile, he noted that it was what differentiates a military government from a democratic experience because the latter comes with liberty and the inherent freedom and rights.

That is to mean that without the rule of law, there can be no democracy, as vested in the legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in a National Assembly consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives.

So, as the issue of budget padding rages on, Eyibor, contends that “Appropriation is part and parcel of that legislative process. It is a law that originates from that legislative power. Even in that, the primary functions of the legislature is of course the issues of legislation, appropriation and oversight. The constitution intends for the people to participate in consonance with Article 25 of the International Convention on Civil and

Political Rights.

“Participation is very key. And how does the constitution or democracy encourage participation?

It is encouraged by making the legislature to be at its best. For example, no law should be passed without going through the legislative processes like first, second and third readings as well as committees stage and public hearing”.

According to him, the rationale behind all the readings, committee stage and public hearing is to allow the people to participate. The peoples’ input is part of the legislative process. So, the responsibility of lawmaking can never be complete without the peoples’ participation. When the budget proposal is brought, the executive will engage the legislature and the legislature, through its various committees, will reach out to the people.

“The importance of the legislature is so strong to the point that if the processes are not followed, we are inviting anarchy because the executive will sit down and say it is going to construct road and the president will cash in on this to construct road in his state or zone; the vice president will put project in his area and the ministers will put projects in their respective areas.

“But for you and I, who may not have the opportunity of having any of these persons, we will have to wait for our turn. And if by providence, you end up coming from a minority, you will wait for a longer time. So, the only thing that democracy has brought to us is the issue of constituency projects or zonal intervention,” Eyibor stated.

Reacting to calls in some quarters for an investigation into the budget scandal, the House of Representatives member said it was out of place to suggest investigating an Appropriation Act. “You cannot investigate an appropriation act because appropriation in itself is an assumptive document, because you can’t 100 per cent execute these assumptions; it is just to guide

government on implementation of its policies and programmes. I think it is the outcome of that perception problem to single out an individual in an institutional process.

“I have heard by way of speculation that the anti-graft agencies – Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) are stepping into the matter.

But by the last law I read about the EFCC, it is statutorily empowered to deal with economic and financial crimes, while that of ICPC deals with public officers. I don’t have any problem with the powers they have, but under the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act, can a legislator in the course of exercising his responsibilities as empowered in Section 4(1) be investigated and prosecuted?

“If the answer is not in the affirmative, it means that there are questions over the involvement of the EFCC, ICPC and even the police, whose budgets are in this appropriation, in this matter.

If we allow the legislature to be disabled, we will go back to democratic-dictatorship and nobody knows where the shots would be called from.

We are insisting that democracy must survive and the only way it will survive is by making sure that we preserve that institution called the legislature,” he stressed.

On the character and person of the Speaker, Dogara and his ability to lead the House, Eyibor described him as a “humble man to a fault”, adding that “The Nigerian House of Representatives requires character, depth and somebody, who has a reformed minded pedigree; somebody who can sit back and do a proper assessment of his person and the institution and now device a means of adding value to the institution.

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

PERSPECTIVE

In Edo, It’s Too Late for Oshiomhole, APC Last minute attempt by Governor Adams Oshiomhole to save his candidate, Godwin Obaseki, in tomorrow’s governorship election is already too late, writes Monday Nabulele

T

here have been some panicky actions by the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led members of Edo All Progressive Congress (APC) recently to ease the sickly-sweetpressure enveloping them over tomorrow’s governorship election in the state. And these seemly horrific moves, PDP supporters said, are surely triggered by the huge support and solidarity messages the PDP governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has been receiving in the past few weeks, ahead of the Saturday election.

For example, check some illogical and empty analyses that have featured in some national dailies in past few days – attempting to trick some inexperienced electorate into supporting the APC in the coming election. There have been some reports in the dailies about how some APC leaders have attempted to financially induce the electorate in their planned dirty jobs, ahead of the Election Day proper.

There have also been several consistent attempts to blame Ize-Iyamu for the mistakes of past administrations in the state, including that of the present government. But, from the look of things, the mood of Edo people does not appear to favour these unhallowed, shameful, despicable moves by the APC. It is too late for APC.

Oshiomhole

Edo people have developed beyond the level of winning elections through any means of financial inducement or intimidation or through oracle as being preached by the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief Edebiri and one local chief from Udo. The electorate is ready to reject and punish the “Pseudo Comrade” Oshiomhole, his puppet candidate, Godwin Obaseki and his party, the APC tomorrow for subjecting them to untold hardship in nearly eight years of their government.

For many people who know the political

trajectory of Pastor Ize-Iyamu, they will not have any problem concluding that it is malicious and spiteful to blame him for whatever might have been the mistakes of the past administrations, including that of Oshimhole. For all they have told us in the past few days, many are yet to be persuaded by Oshiomhole/APC’s scrawny argument that there is a better prepared candidate for the Edo State governorship position in any of the political parties than Ize-Iyamu.

Having served in the past as Chief of Staff to the Edo State government and later the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ize-Iyamu had piloted the engine of governance and would therefore need no induction course to swing into action from day one, just as no one can bamboozle him to derail good governance as can be done to a typical green horn, like his main opponent, Godwin Obaseki.

Perhaps, the most popular but outlandish criticism has been that Ize Iyamu served in Chief Lucky Igbinedion’s administration – a government in which all the critics themselves served or harvested enormous advantage anyway. And like many rightthinking persons have asked: is it coherent for instance, for us to blame the current Chief of Staff, Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon and

the SSG, Professor Julius Ihionvare, for the financial bleeding of the state in almost eight years by Oshiomhole-led government?

Surely no!

Apart from intermittent flare-ups by Oshiomhole and some APC members, which many Edo people have refused to believe, no one has so far contradicted the story that it was the same so-called “Igbinedion-led discredited government” that brought and financed Oshiomhole’s election in 2007.

In any case, the same Ize-Iyamu, whom Oshiomhole is battering today, was the Director-General of his campaign organization during the last election that brought him to power. And like Tony Iredia, a seasoned writer stated recently, is it a case of Ize-Iyamu is good when working for Oshiomhole and bad for having worked for Igbinedion and very bad for seeking to work for himself?”

Rather than blaming Ize-Iyamu for their woes, Oshiomhole and APC will do better if they admit that their current problem with Edo people was instigated by their actions – unnecessary war against the people.

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

19

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

A S

A T

NIBOR 18.5083% 16.6507%

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

17.7268% 20.3556%

Group Business Editor Chika Amanze-Nwachuku

Email chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157

S E P T E M B E R ,

NITTY 1-MONTH 2-MONTH 3-MONTH

15.4261% 15.7513% 16.1576%

6-MONTH 9-MONTH 12-MONTH

1 ,

19.2703% 20.6120% 22.3006%

2 0 1 6 EXCHANGE RATE N314.77//1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes MMA2 Still Fully Operational

Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) has said despite the challenges facing two of the airlines operating from the terminal, MMA2 is still fully operational. The management of the two affected airlines – Aero Contractors and First Nation – had announced last week the suspension of schedule flight services, blaming their decisions on some circumstances beyond their control and promising to return to the skies as soon as possible.

But, BASL said in a statement that despite the suspension of flight operations by Aero Contractors and First Nation, MMA2 would continue to operate and remain the choice of passengers flying locally. The statement, signed by the Chief Executive Officer of BASL, Captain Jari Williams, said of the five airlines operating from MMA2, only two suspended their operations, while the remaining three, including Dana Air, Med-View Airline and Azman Airlines are still operating from the terminal. “The remaining airlines are not only operating, they are increasing their capacity to meet the increasing number of passengers trooping to MMA2 daily.

Dana Supports Autistic Children

BUSINESS HANDSHAKE

L-R: The Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside (right), presenting a souvenir to the Lead Consultant to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Mr. Brian Cranmer, during the closing ceremony of a five day training programme on ISPS Code compliance facilitated by the IMO in conjunction with NIMASA in Lagos...recently

Concession: Why FAAN Cannot Manage 17 Airports Chinedu Eze Stakeholders in the aviation sector have expressed doubt about the ability of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to manage 17 airports if the four major ones were given out in concession as planned.

THISDAY learnt that only the four major airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt are generating the revenues that are being used to maintain the remaining 17 airports.

In 2015, Nigeria’s four major airports - Murtala Muhammed International (MMIA), Lagos, the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the Port Harcourt International Airport generated over N32billion and the money

AVIATION expended on their maintenance was put at over N14 billion.

During the said period, the other 17 airports also under the management of the FAAN, generated over N1.4billion but over N6billion was said to have been used to maintain them.

What this meant was that FAAN had to plough part of the revenues earned from the four major airports to maintain the other 17 airports.

With the federal government’s move to concession the four major airports which are the bedrock of the agency’s revenues, it is feared that FAAN may not be able to generate money to maintain these airports.

According to sources, among the 17 airports the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu generated the highest revenue of N457,725, 797. 86; followed

by Margret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, which generated N162, 887,530.00. “So all these airports on their own cannot generate enough money to sustain maintenance of the facilities, pay for power and other overheads and also pay the workers”, a source posited.

It was gathered that although many industry observers supported the government’s plan to concession the airports, some have suggested that government should not start the programme with the concession of the most viable airports; rather, it should pair the airports and concession them together, after

securing legislation on legal and administrative frameworks that would define the process of concession, so that government and the Nigerian public would not be shortchanged as it was done in the past.

Officials of FAAN informed THISDAY Wednesday that government if plan was implemented, it would further impact the remaining airports.

They reasoned that alternatively, government can concession the other 17 airports simultaneously and then decide what it would do with FAAN, with its over 2000 workers.

Speaking in Lagos on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika insisted on the concession of Continued on page 20

FG, Stakeholders at Daggers Drawn over Maritime Academy Rector Nominee Eromosele Abiodun Stakeholders in the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State, have vowed to resist the federal government’s perceived plan to frustrate the emergence of Mr. Ante Mkpandiok as the rector of the institution.

Sources at the institution alleged that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amachi, deliberately nominated a retired army major, who later became an academic, Prof.

Eminue Okon, as his anointed candidate for the job, “to spite the academy community.”

The aggrieved Oron stake-

MARITIME holders, comprising individuals, groups and elders claimed that the nomination of Okon was designed to effectively stop Mkpandiok, who is the Registrar of the academy from emerging as Rector, a development they said was in bad faith and therefore unacceptable.

They stressed that it was a ploy by the minister to divide the Oron people, promote anger, hatred and acrimony.

Angered by the report, an Oron youth leader, Ekpenyong Ekpo said Amaechi is merely seeking ways to discredit his

people to get the excuse to sideline those who have risen to the appropriate positions from becoming rectors of the 40 year old academy.

He alleged that Amaechi had openly disparaged Oron people in public, vowing to ensure no Oron is appointed rector of the academy.

Ekpo stated that in order to achieve that, the transportation minister has erected all kinds of landmines on the path of the stand-in-rector, an eminent Oron man and most senior officer of the academy from becoming the substantive rector.

He pointedly accused the minister of running the affairs

of the academy from Abuja as he embargoed all financial transactions and detailed officials from the ministry to the academy to probe the less than 30 days stewardship of Mkpandiok.

Ekpo, who warned that they will not allow politicians to continue to divide the people of the area, said: “Let me tell you, the transportation minister said he would prefer a northerner to be rector of the academy. He was in Uyo, he came for the ministerial town hall meeting and he said if he has his way, no Oron man will be rector of Continued on page 20

Dana Air has expressed commitment to showing love to people living with disabilities, while also providing necessary support to Non – governmental Organisations that share similar objectives.

Consequently, the airline has said that its participation in this year’s Green October Event 2016, slated for October 1, at the Oriental Hotel Lagos, would be inspiring and thrilling, as some Nigerian music and movie stars have been lined up for the event, which will focus on raising funds for children living with autism.

The Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo, said “Autism is largely misunderstood by many and this makes it difficult for affected children to cope with the demands of the society. Supporting the Green October Event is just our way of showing commitment to the wellbeing of people living with the disorder, and the need for us all to fight against the stigma that they face’’ Speaking further, Obi said the airline is involved in a number of charitable projects through the Dana Foundation. He noted that the airlines’ in-flight envelop donation scheme, has helped raise funds for orphanages and charity organisations that share similar objectives. According to the lead facilitator, and CEO, of Lamode Magazine, Sandra Odige Green October Event is a La Mode Magazine initiative. It is an annual event to appreciate and show love to people living with disabilities. The 2016 edition is focused on Autism. At the event, funds are raised to support this cause (Autism).La Mode Magazine is partnering with the Learning Place Centre (TLP) a Centre that cares for people living with Autism to achieve this.’’

‘July Passenger Demand Shows Resilience’

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic results for July showing an acceleration in demand growth over the previous five months. Total revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) rose 5.9%, compared to the same month last year, with all regions reporting growth. Monthly capacity (available seat kilometers or ASKs) increased by 6.0%, and load factor was 83.7% - just 0.1 percentage point below the record July high achieved in 2015. “July saw demand strengthen, after a softening in June. Demand was stimulated by lower fares, which, in turn, were supported by lower oil prices. And near record high load factors demonstrate that people want to travel. But, there are some important sub-plots to the narrative of strong demand.

Long-haul travel to Europe, for example, suffered in the aftermath of a spate of terrorist attacks. And the mature domestic markets are seeing demand growth stall while Brazil and Russia contract,” said IATA’s Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac.

July international passenger demand rose 7.1 percent compared to July 2015, which was an increase over the 5.0 percent yearly increase in June. Airlines in all regions recorded growth. Total capacity climbed 7.3 percent, causing load factor to slip 0.2 percent percentage points to 83.5 percent.

“Businesses are coming into the country, we will do our best to encourage them to ensure that the utilisation of their operations are domiciled in Nigeria, we also encourage for operators to ensure that they have Nigerians within their ranks, employment for Nigerians is very important” MD, NPA

Hadiza Bala Usman

20

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD CONCESSION: WHY FAAN CANNOT MANAGE 17 AIRPORTS the four major airports in addition to six cargo terminals as incentive to the export of farm produce and others, as the country has continued to record increase in the products it exports to Europe, US and other parts of the world.

According to the document THISDAY obtained from informed source, there has been progressive improvement in the revenues generated by the four major airports.

In 2013, the total revenues was N27, 776, 130, 267. 64; in 2014 the airports generated N28, 401, 470, 169, 51 and in 2015 they generated N32, 106, 889, 099. 29.

The aviation labour unions in opposing the planned concession, had argued that Nigeria and the public were shortchanged in the concession programmes carried out in the aviation industry in the past.

FG, STAKEHOLDERS AT DAGGERS DRAWN OVER MARITIME ACADEMY RECTOR NOMINEE the academy. We don’t know what Oron people did to him.

We are a peaceful people and we are happy the academy is sited here.

“It is almost 40 years now, Oron has not produced the rector, what is our sin? Before Ishiodu died, the registrar who is an Oron indigene was acting as the number two most senior officer. Ishiodu relinquished his powers to him pending when he is fit to get back.

Unfortunately Ishiodu died.

He does not want Oron man to get to the office, so he has brought out Okon to cause confusion, to cause anger and hatred and to cause quarrelling and fighting, that is what the minister is scheming to do just so he can fulfil his desire to side-line Oron people from getting to that office.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the transportation minister on the issues proved abortive as telephone calls made to the ministry’s Director of Press, Mrs. Yetunde Osunaike were not answered. She did not also respond to SMS message sent to her.

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

NEWS

FG Launches Operating Procedure to End Corruption at Ports Stories by Eromosele Abiodun

In a bid to end corruption, guarantee national safety and security for person, cargoes and properties in the nation’s ports, the federal government has launched the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Port Service Support Portal (PSSP).

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, said that harmonising operating procedures will ensure that the sector moves forward and generate the needed revenue for the government.

Amaechi, was represented by the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadizah Bala Usman.

He said the SOP and PSSP had been official launched by the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.

Amaechi said that those port platforms would provide facilitates for seamless transit of cargo from ports the markets.

He said SOP and PSSP would support port infrastructure development for sustenance of sea borne trade as well as reducing cost of doing business in the port and reducing cost of goods in the markets for citizens.

Amaechi added that it was necessary to create a sufficient condition for the ports sector to efficiently support the economy to enable faithfully deliver of ports services in a friendly environment devoid of conflict of interest and corrupt practices.

According to him, “Ac-

cording to United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 2015 review of maritime transport, the total volume of cargo carried by sea-borne trade in 2014 was $9.84 billion. The World Shipping Council 2016 report show that ships transport carry approximately 60 per cent of the value of global seaborne trade representing more than $4 trillion worth of goods annually. This is underscores

the importance of the maritime sector to the global economy and Nigerian economy.”

He noted that the Maritime Anti-corruption Network (MACN) and UNPP had prior to 2013, noted that the prerequisites for the effectiveness and efficiency in Nigeria were in short supply and recommended an intervention by government.

Amaechi said in 2013, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences

Commission (ICPC), the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-corruption Reforms (TUGAR), and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), with the support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) carried out a Corrupt Risk Assessment (CRA) at the six ports in Nigeria such as Calabar, Warri, Tin Can, Apapa, Port Harcourt and Onne ports. The minister said research aimed at strengthen-

ing preventive mechanisms by identifying areas that were prone to corruption in the ports while the report was launched in December 2013.

In her opening remarks the Bala Usman, said the initiative of grafting, adoption and harmonization of SOPs and PSSPs in Nigeria seeks to enhance transparency and accountability to ensure achieving a user friendly business environment.

FOR PEACEFUL RETIREMENT

L-R: Managing Director, First Trustees, Mr. Kunlae Awojobi; Non-Executive Director, Stanbic lBTC Assets Management Ltd (SIAML), Mr. Eric Fajemisin; Chief Executive, Stanbic lBTC Assets Management Limited, Mrs. Bunmi Dayo-Olagunju and Chief Executive, Stanbic lBTC Capital Limited, Mr. Funso Akere at the signing ceremony of Stanbic lBTC Dollar Fund and SIAML pension ETF 40 in Lagos …recently abiodun ajala

Apapa Customs Rakes in N35bn in One Month The Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a historic monthly revenue of N34,923,757,810.77.

The revenue made in the month of August 2016, was about N8billion higher than the N27billion it collected in July this year. The command in a statement said the collection is the highest monthly generated revenue made by any customs command in the country in the last 10 years.

“A remarkable feature of this is that it was made at a time the ports were said to be having low volume of trade and

shipping companies reported to be leaving the country in the face of some trade restrictions and high exchange rate regime.

We have persistently urged officers of the command to continually work to redouble their efforts in maximum revenue collection, speed in legitimate trade facilitation and uncompromising enforcement of all customs laws, “said Customs Area Controller of the Command, Willy Egbudin.

The increase in revenue, he said, resulted from increased supervision, closer monitoring and regular outreach to

importers and agents, “on the need to comply while issuing demand notices for infractions like under-declaration detected.” ‘’The Comptroller General’s directives are very clear on matters affecting our duties.

We must not in any way act outside the law or encourage people to do so. Importers and agents who violate the law will face the full wrath of it and I can assure you all that I will not spare any customs officer collaborator. Any attempt to shortchange the government under my watch here will not be treated with kid gloves’’ the

Controller warned recently.”

Egbudin added that, ‘’government’s focus is increasing on non-oil revenue sources and we as customs officers with our stakeholders must brace up to this national reality. We must all add value in making Nigeria great from our various beats and assignments and posterity will be fair to us all.’’

Egbudin also advised officers not to relent in doing more for the Nigerian state as a way of justifying the confidence reposed on them by their deployment to the flagship command of Nigeria Customs.

At a recent meeting with top officers of the command recently, Egbudin emphasised that national security must not be compromised at the port and terminals under it in the course of trade facilitation and revenue collection. Aside regular meetings, the Controller said he has been paying surprise visits to various units and terminals under him, “to ensure that officers are at their duty posts during specified work hours and are keeping to the Controller General’s directives at all times.”

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 (Capital Market)

Peterside: Maritime Security Requires Planning The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stated that ensuring adequate security in the maritime industry requires a careful planning and stringent implementation.

The DG stated this during the closing ceremony of a of a five-day training programme tagged, “Train the trainer,” facilitated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in conjunction with NIMASA on ISPS code compliance in Lagos.

Peterside added that the agency is very committed to improving the fortunes of Nigeria by creating an enabling environment for a business friendly and secured environment for Stakeholders in the industry and the country at large, hence the need for the train the trainer initiative.

The NIMASA boss, who acknowledged the International Co-operation Unit of the IMO, disclosed that the training was predicated on the premise that a fact finding team was

in Nigerian earlier in the year to conduct a needs assessment where a number of gaps were identified. This, according to the DG, necessitated the training, with a view to addressing some of the gaps identified.

“I guess that in the course of this exercise, we have learned that good security requires planning and stringent implementation. I know that in the course of this training, the seed of co-operation and collaboration between NIMASA as Designated Authority (DA)

for ISPS Code Implementation in Nigeria, our sister government Agencies such as Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Federal Ministry of Transportation has been planted. My expectation and desire of the leadership of these Agencies is that it will grow and blossom…In a tripartite series of planned training programmes is expected to culminate with the lead auditors training, which will place you the drivers of the system at the cutting edge

of professionalism in ISPS code implementation,” he said.

While also thanking the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi for his support and enduring commitment to the imperatives of NIMASA’s DA status and indeed all matters pertaining to the maritime industry in Nigeria, he charged the participants to bring to bear the knowledge acquired during the five days training programme, noting that this will enhance the security at the nation’s ports.

21

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Firstnation Airways Restates September 15 Flight Resumption Date Firstnation Airways has said that barring any last minute hitch, it would commence flight operations on September 15, 2016 as scheduled by the management of the airline. It said that the major challenge the industry has is the difficulty in accessing forex, which has led to unpredictability and uncertainty in a sector that is defined by accurate planning and timing.

Director of Flight Operations of the airline, Capt. Chimara Imediegwu said Firstnation Airways’ inability to source for foreign exchange with the ever changing Central Bank of Nigeria policies and rate of exchange, makes it difficult for the airline to carry out aircraft maintenance and acquisition of aircraft spares when needed.

Earlier, the airline in an online statement had said that it suspended flight operations, because it was carrying out maintenance on A319 fleet and that this maintenance exercise will be completed on or before September 15, 2016.

“The airline planned these maintenance action well ahead, notified passengers and flights are currently loaded online effective September 15, 2016 – this will ensure that

passengers continue to en joy safe and reliable service that the airline is reputed for.

Current foreign exchange constraint, coupled with over 70 percent devaluation of Naira partly contributed in no small measure to this development.

The Airline’s plan remains on track to reinstating service as advised herein,” the statement reads in part.

Imediegwu told journalists that the airline would resume operations barring any last minute hitch on September 15, 2016.

He said that the challenges of sourcing foreign exchange with constantly changing Central Bank of Nigeria policies and Rate of Exchange (ROE) leaves the airline sometimes in situations where aircraft parts cannot be obtained when ordered due to banks’ inability to transfer funds based on bids and maintenance schedules programmed with external Maintenance and Repair Organisation (MRO) providers suffers the repeated failures of the bidding system.

Imediegwu further explained that the disruption these forex transfer issues cause are better imagined, adding to reduce this disruptions operator are

sometimes compelled to source forex from the parallel market at cut throat rate, even though the sum required are mostly in hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The Director of Flight Operations stated that having contended with these challenges, the airline planned well ahead and kept the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) informed of the progress of the maintenance of its aircraft.

According to him, “We actually had just received one of them from a heavy maintenance early this year while preparing for the departure of the next for maintenance, the one that came back from checks developed fault. This called for immediate action with the manufacturer’s specialists. We arrived at a decision to get them to come in and do a final job on it.

The authority was constantly kept in the know, formally. In order to remain within the triple SSS; Safety Schedule and Service boundary ,effectively regulating ourselves, Firstnation voluntarily grounded these aircraft even though at enormous cost to await the arrival of the manufacturer’s team,” he disclosed.

IATA Counsels States on Voluntary Implementation of Carbon Agreement The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed optimism for an agreement on a Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) when governments meet for the 39th Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation later this month.

The draft negotiating text for CORSIA, published on September, 2, 2016, broadly aligns with the aviation industry’s call for a mandatory global carbon offset scheme as a tool to help manage the industry’s emissions as it pursues its goal of carbonneutral growth. Instead of being mandatory from the start, however, the draft text defines a voluntary “pilot and implementation” period (2021-2027) after which participation would be mandatory for all eligible States (2027 onwards).

“I am optimistic that we are on the brink of a historic agreement—a first for an industry sector at the global level. The aviation industry would have preferred a more ambitious timeline than is currently outlined in the draft text.

However, what is most important is that the substance of the negotiating text will allow for meaningful management of aviation’s carbon footprint.

Airlines support it and urge governments to agree when they meet at ICAO,” said IATA’s Director General and

CEO, Alexandre de Juniac.

IATA encourages governments to commit to their voluntary participation as soon as possible. “Last year’s much lauded Paris climate change agreement was a combination of voluntary measures to which the vast majority of countries have already committed themselves. We expect no less of an outcome from the ICAO Assembly. The industry is ready. There is really no reason for governments not to volunteer. Indeed, the United States, China, Canada, Indonesia, Mexico, the Marshall Islands, and 44 European countries have already indicated their willingness to participate. Now is the time for other states to match their political leadership, by coming to the Assembly already committed to participate, even if the scheme is voluntary at the initial stage,” said de Juniac.

“Airlines are committed to environmental responsibility.

But achieving it requires a partnership with governments.

That is clear in the development of a global market-based measure such as CORSIA. And it is the same for dayto-day operations. Airlines are investing heavily in new technology, the development of sustainable alternative fuels and operational efficiency.

Our message to the states attending the ICAO Assembly is that they must match our efforts. This is particularly the case with investments

to modernize air navigation infrastructure which will bring cost-efficiency benefits along with improved environmental performance. Similarly, government incentives to commercialise sustainable alternative fuels are critical to unlocking their environmental benefits with increased production capacity and lower costs,” said de Juniac.

ICAO is the United Nations body charged with managing aviation’s climate change impact because of the complexity of emissions from any one flight, which might occur over several countries and the high seas. As such, international aviation is not included in the agreement reached by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in December 2015.

ICAO was mandated by its 191 contracting states at its 38th Assembly (2013) to present a proposal for a global market based measure to manage aviation’s carbon footprint at its 39th Assembly. That proposal is the Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

In June 2016, an overwhelming majority of IATA member airlines reiterated their desire to see a single, global and mandatory carbon offset scheme be implemented from 2020.

AIR WATCH Growing Concern over Air Safety

S

ince Aero Contractors and First Nation Airways stopped their schedule passenger service, there have been palpable fears that the poor financial status of Nigerian airlines could make them compromise safety standards. It is a general belief that airlines cut corners in aircraft maintenance owing to the high costs of checks, which are usually carried out overseas.

The tragic experience of the past when the industry recorded many accidents that wasted hundreds of human lives had been attributed to human error and shortcomings on the airworthiness of the aircraft. At about N400 per a dollar exchange rate, it is extremely difficult for an airline to generate money and pay between $600,000 and $800,000 or even more for C-checks on one aircraft. Although this is a daunting task, it is known to airlines even before they started operations. But the current economic recession and the general parlous state of the economy have caused is more pressure on the finances of airlines.

The fears are not however unfounded because infringements on the regulatory body and in the airlines have caused incidents that led to accidents in the past. For example, it was reported in the aviation circles that an inspector in charge of Dana Air fleet grounded the aircraft but was overruled and the airline was allowed to continue operation shortly before the tragic crash of Dana Air Flight 992 on June 3, 2012 in which 153 people on board died. Another flight crash involving Associated Aviation Flight 361 on October 3, the following year involving 15 fatalities showed that an airline can compromise safety at whim as report of the crash indicted the airline taking an aircraft that was on ground for months into the air without maintenance and a recalcitrant pilot who against aircraft’s directive to abort a flight continued to flog a dying horse till it gave in.

So these fears are not unfounded but since 2013, Nigeria has not recorded any accident or major incident and the country has clean records in terms of safety status from both the Federation Aviation Administration of the US and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), but as it is always known, it is the responsibility of the airline to ensure the airworthiness of its aircraft. That is why the fear is palpable that any of them still operating might compromise safety.

The past accidents have made Nigerian travellers a frightful lot; that a little unusual noise emanating from an aircraft could leave them scampering for safety. In many occasions an incident occurred in a flight, even when the problem is identified and rectified, many of the passengers would withdraw from continuing with the flight. This is because of the tragic accidents of the past. Many air travellers told THISDAY that they fear travelling locally by air but feel comfortable while travelling out of the country.

But in a recent interview with Chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, he dismissed these fears, insisting that every airline knows the consequence of accidents whether involving his own airline or that of another, noting that the consequences are multifarious, from the lives that would be wasted to the abandonment of air travel by many Nigerians; then the consequence in the international aviation circles, from high insurance premium to the possible downgrade of safety status of the country. The airlines would lose goodwill; they would lose money; they would find it more difficult to lease airplanes and even to insure their equipment.

Onyema said he does not joke with the maintenance of his aircraft; having employed the best hands in that technical area and spends huge money in ensuring his fleet is

Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika

airworthy.

“We have the Air Peace Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). And I have to give it to our head of training and Chief Pilot, Captain Victor Egonu; the man knows what it takes to produce a pilot. At this time when most airlines are finding things difficult, we are also finding things difficult but because of the premium we place on safety, we have sent about five aircraft out for C-check this same period and none of them is coming back with less than $2.1 million cost procured at N400 to a dollar,” Onyema said.

This is the standard that other airlines in the country have also maintained and the regulatory agency, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) ensures that this safety standard is maintained.

Spokesman of the Authority, Sam Adurogboye told THISDAY on Tuesday that NCAA has put a system in place that monitors the airlines, from aircraft maintenance schedule to training, insurance and health status of airlines crew, noting that despite the good record of the body in recent times, it continues to improve its standard in tandem with given international practices. He allayed the fears that airlines may compromise safety, noting that despite the current economic recession, there has never been anytime it was rosy for the airlines, so it has always been the same scenario.

“NCAA has put a system in place, which ensures that that every airline operation is properly monitored from the minute to the details and these include their maintenance, insurance, training of personnel, staff welfare and all other operational aspects, including fueling.

“We have custody of records of all these and know when it is due and when it is done.

Aircraft are parked at various airports on account of one issue or another, which NCAA must have insisted should be done before further activities are allowed,” Adurogboye said. Over the years NCAA has improved its regulatory responsibilities and it is not unmindful of the impact of the current economic recession on the industry.

22

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Depleting Passenger Traffic in Nigeria As air passenger traffic continues to nosedive due to high fares and schedule hiccups occasioned by aviation fuel scarcity, Chinedu Eze warns that the development constitutes a major setback to Nigeria’s air transport sector and the economy as a whole

Nigerians are in a quagmire over limited choices of the right means of transport. The country has networks of roads but over 60 percent of them are death traps. The country is located at the breast of Atlantic Ocean with so many rivers, creeks and rivulets but no comprehensive and safe water transportation.

Since 2006, Nigeria has improved air transport system in terms of safety, capacity and equipment, but poor infrastructure has limited flight hours and now poor disposable income has disenfranchised many from travelling by air.

Depleting Passengers According to figures released by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), passenger movement at both local and international travel has depleted and it is projected that it would continue to drop till the middle of next year.

Industry analyst, Simon Tumba said Nigeria is in a recession economy so the tumbling figures are to be expected but noted that whatever challenge the country is witnessing now is not going to be protracted; predicting that the recession would begin to ease by next year.

“We are in a recession economy so we expect to witness high unemployment, inflation and low purchasing power. So people don’t just travel now; there must be an important reason before you travel and that travel must have good returns. Traffic has depleted at the major airports and this has affected restaurants and some of them are closing. Car hire services are adversely affected, as there are no customers to service. That is the situation, which reflects the economic situation we are in now,” Tumba said.

He observed that there are measures being taken by government and Nigerians to diversify the economy and boost agriculture, noting that by the middle of next year the economy would have improved and that would reflect positively on the air transport sector.

“I believe Nigeria will achieve stability in the economy over time. If government enforces fiscal discipline and based on projections things will get better by the middle of next year. We may continue to witness recession in the first quarter and second quarter but the situation will improve after that. But that depends on if foreign investors will take advantage of the low value of the naira and invest very well in the country. So the problem we have in passenger traffic is the low purchasing power of Nigerians,’ Tumba said.

Aviation Fuel He also noted that high cost of aviation fuel is putting financial pressure on the airlines, noting that respite would only come when Dangote’s refinery comes on stream by late 2018 or early

2019. With local refining of aviation fuel and other petroleum products the naira may have a respite and gain in value, especially if ban in the importation of rice remains in force, as the present input in rice farming and generation investment in agriculture would have boosted local food production in the country.

“Aviation fuel will become cheap and available when Dagote’s refinery begins operation.

Then we will even have high quality product because what we are importing now should be the lowest quality of petroleum product. When you put it in your car it burns too fast but with local refining Nigeria will begin to enjoy better product and aviation fuel will become cheaper and better,” Tumba said.

Government’s Support While government may not be willing to give financial support to the airlines and industry experts have also advised government against that; but there are many ways government can support domestic carriers. Tumba suggested that government can support the airlines through favourable policies, including initiating a policy that would make it compulsory for any international airlines that want to increase frequency to partner with local airlines through code-share agreement.

He explained that this could be imbedded in the commercial agreements Nigeria signs with the airlines which host countries already have Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Nigeria and wants to have more entry points in the country. For example, some years ago, Aero Contractors and Lufthansa had agreement on airlifting passengers from Lagos to Port Harcourt.

When Lufthansa landed in Lagos, Aero would airlift the passengers from the Lagos to Port Harcourt, but Tumba said government should make it as a policy that any foreign airline that wished to have more entry points or increase frequency must partner with local airline for that extra frequency.

Few years ago Emirates and South Africa Airways agreed when the former increased its frequency to Johannesburg that a percentage of the passengers fares should go to the indigenous carrier on the extra frequency. Now that Nigeria does not have a national carrier, it could designate its flag carriers to play that role. In that way government would help the airlines and at the same time curtail the exploitation of Nigerian passengers by international carriers without any benefit to the country.

“Now that it is not certain that these foreign airlines pay royalties for some of the frequencies they operate, government can introduce a policy that will make it compulsory for foreign airline to work with local operators so that a certain

amount of money should be paid to the local airlines. For example, if Turkish Airlines want to operate to Enugu it should have a code-share agreement with Air Peace and about $40 of every fare will be paid to the Nigerian Airline. Arik Air can be designated to South South states, while Medview and Azman can be designated to northern states and so on.

“But the Nigerian airlines must put their house in order to benefit from such policy. The airlines can make as much as $25 million in a year, but government must make sure the money is not diverted; so it must institute corporate governance so that they account for the money because the must should be used for aircraft maintenance, training, spares, aircraft acquisition; so they should be used for offshore spending and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) must keep track of the expenditure,” Tumba suggested.

Arrested Development The Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison said government had made progress in the aviation sector in the past but there seemed to be a hiatus where such improvement was halted and the consequence is the present policy summersault that indicates the sector is not progressing anymore. He said government should see the travelling public as huge capital and utilise that capital for the benefit of the industry.

“In my 25 years as an aviator in Nigeria I have seen 27 Ministers of Aviation. It shows that there is no stability, it also shows that we don’t have a clear cut policy tailored towards growing our God- given resources, either oil, cotton, tomatoes and our human capital, which include aviation and the movement of persons and goods from one place to another. We have constantly said the government must look at the Nigerian travelling people as huge capital.

We are 180 million people. That is God given blessing and our position in Africa geographically is the pivot for Africa hub and we should use that as a springboard to control and distribute the passengers all through Africa.

Unfortunately the policies of the government have not been clear-cut from time. So we have not been able to take advantage of what God has given us,” he said.

Limited Operating Time Meggison noted that Nigeria is blessed with oil, but today oil is cheaper to buy in other African countries than in Nigeria and today airlines are buying aviation fuel at N230 a litre while the same product is sold in Accra for almost 40 percent discount.

“Accra does not have oil; we are importing fuel from Abidjan that does not have oil. Importing

Jet A1 from Abidjan shows that we missed it and it adds to the cost of operation today apart from the epileptic nature that has made 50 percent of the flight today either canceled or delayed, which has thrown our projections as airlines, as a business out of balance. This is because if you have a business and you go to the bank to do a projection and you based it on both utilisation of the aircraft, you are likely not going to realise it. We are still suffering today at most of our national airports because most of them are not opened after 7:00 pm. So we are only operating on daylight service from 7:00 a.m. to 7: 00 p.m., which is 12 hours for an airplane that is built to fly 24 hours a day.

“So first of all you have reduced the capacity by 12 hours and by 50 percent. Then you go further down to another difficult challenge, the aviation fuel is not available. You have reduced our delays and cancellations by another 50 percent, so really we are operating with 25 percent utilisation. How do you expect us to be competitive? Apart from that; there is multiple taxations, we have screamed and cried out, there is excessive interferences, there are insurance issues, there is foreign object damage (FOD) and nobody is doing anything about it,” Meggison added.

Getting Together Also industry consultant and CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe said the aviation industry needs urgent revamp to ensure the airlines do not collapse and stressed that the airlines must work together.

“What should be done is for the airlines to sit down and see how they can work together with the objective of seeing the industry survive.

They would ask themselves what are we going to put in that will make us keep our fares at the level that Nigerians can still travel. The airlines want to survive.

Government must focus on the airlines and say, what can we do to make sure you are offering services and you are offering it in a manner Nigerians can still benefit from these services. If this is not done eventually the airlines will collapse and Nigeria will suffer. Foreign airlines cannot do what domestic carriers can do for us.

They cannot operate domestic services for us and the roads are not what they should be, the rail lines are not yet there. So I think that the President should call for major stakeholders’ meeting,” Alighe said.

Unlike in the past, government must have to step in at this critical time to help the airlines to survive. In doing so it will sustain the economy and ensure it grows despite recession.

23

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Ojikutu: BASA Funds Should Be Used to Support Aviation Industry John Ojikutu is Secretary of Aviation Round Table and a former Commandant of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. In this interview with Chinedu Eze, he reasons that the Bilateral Air Service Agreement fund should be used to support the aviation industry. Excerpts: Passenger traffic has reduced significantly.

Are you not worried that some of these airlines might go under?

What will be the reason; is it because of the debts the airlines owe which they have been asked to pay? The debts we are talking about, some of them have been over 10 years. It is the responsibility of NCAA to make sure that these debts are paid. It should have come into the public glare. I blame the politically exposed people in all these are that are happening. They have been making it very difficult for NCAA to act. By the time an airline is indebted up to N5 billion, NCAA should step in. Some of the airlines took that intervention fund out of the country, which is capital flight. Go into the records and find out how much of that N200 billion intervention fund left this country. They should also go into the record to find out how much of that money went into businesses that are not aviation. This money was like a bazaar, which they travelled overseas to spend. The airlines need to pay that money. They don’t need any intervention fund. They owe aviation agencies for the services they provided them.

What is your view about aviation fuel, which has become perennially scarce?

At the beginning they said there was aviation scarcity. If the domestic airlines are not flying because there is no aviation fuel, how come foreign airlines that come into the country are flying? We should look deep into the marketers themselves to find out why foreign airlines are flying while domestic airlines are not flying. The marketers have adopted pay and get and our own airlines are not doing that. Nigerian airlines are like spoilt children and they have been living like that for too long and we have tolerated them. Aviation business is not done that way.

People want to run airlines as if they are running Ekene Dili Chukwu. When you count the number of seats that you have sold today and multiplied by the ticket price; that is what they look at. They don’t look at the operational cost, the maintenance cost, especially the C-check. One single C-check on one aircraft will wipe of the airline’s profit. If you invest so much in an airlines business, do not expect the kind of return that Ekene Dili Chukwu is expecting. If you invest one dollar, don’t expect one dollar in return; not even 50 cents, but you should be expecting five to seven cents.

What is your reaction to the complaint by airlines that they pay high charges and also pay value added tax (VAT)?

The airlines need to sit down with the government and review those charges. The issue of VAT should not be there as long as they pay taxes to the Federal Inland Revenue.

They should demand from government VAT certificate. Government should cancel the other taxes because the airlines are already paying many charges. There are a lot of things that are wrong. The concerned agencies are not living to their responsibilities. If airlines are allowed to owe this much we may end up the way it ended up in 2005 with high record of accidents if we are not careful. The airlines will cut corners. Government needs to sit down with these people and review all these unnecessary taxes. But the airlines must pay for the services they receive and they must pay for fuel.

Don’t you think that government should do something about aviation fuel scarcity?

Ojilutu

Ghana cut down the price of aviation fuel to N110 per litre because they want to make Accra a hub.

Government had come up with a policy that says anybody can import aviation fuel.

But what government should have done is to ensure that NCAA and other concerned agencies will monitor what is imported to ensure they don’t import contaminated fuel.

Now they have been given open window to import they can import anything. I think the problem Nigerian airlines have is that they cannot unite. The domestic airlines cannot unite; everyone wants to stand alone. The airlines are not utilising the opportunities they have. If the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the marketers cannot get fuel to the airports, they should get it there themselves.

The airlines or the marketers should repair the aviation fuel supply pipeline from Mosimi depot to Lagos airport. There are three options.

NNPC should repair it or the marketers and NNPC repair it or they concession the pipeline.

NNPC is already concessioning pipelines.

You repair the pipeline and the pumping station located at the apron. In 1992 when I was the command of Lagos airport, the machines were installed at the cost of $68 million. If you ask them today somebody will say $80 million or $100 million; and the fuel

hydrants are there. It was only the pipeline that got ruptured. They didn’t build the Lagos airport without a hydrant. The airlines were getting from the hydrant before. I was at the airport when the pipeline ruptures and I was there was the plan to repair it was made, but till today nothing has happened. I left that airport in 1994 September. The pipeline ruptured in 1992 or so. But 24 years after nothing has been done. They have not done anything about it.

The response I got when I wanted the pipeline repaired was that if you want to repair it you would have to fight many people because you will step on so many people’s toes. There are those who own the fuel tankers who are benefitting from the status quo and trucking the product incurs more expenses. It is this additional cost that makes aviation fuel price to be N200 or more. The transporters are collecting money to transport fuel from the depot in Apapa to other airports. When they get to the airport they cannot discharge so they stay there. All these expenses area added to the cost of the product. As at now you may not know the real cost of aviation fuel. They may not tell you, but I know that the cost of aviation fuel in dollar rate is about 35 to 40 cents.

Look at it this way. When they were selling dollar at N180 the marketers were selling Jet

A1 at about N80 to N80 per litre. Dollar has increased 100 percent, so if you are going to sell fuel you cannot increase the price above 100 percent, which means that fuel should be sold about N170 to N180 but if you are selling it about N200 something is wrong somewhere.

International airlines seem to be favoured by the Ministry of Transportation and other aviation agencies that they are given frequencies at request?

I think there is a conspiracy, which I call unilateral exploitation of Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) and commercial agreement between government and these airlines. BASA is supposed to be beneficiary to the aviation industry. Any international operation by foreign airline is made possible by BASA. If the BASA were not there money will not come to the aviation agencies. FAAN is making money from landing and parking of foreign airlines in dollars, NAMA is making money from foreign exchange from airlines that overfly Nigeria’s airspace. FAAN is collecting $50 dollars from every outbound passenger. Oil marketers sell about 2 million barrels of fuel per day. When you look at the amount of money FAAN is making, NAMA is making, NCAA is making and the oil marketers are making in dollars, annually it is $1.1 billion.

24

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

Pros and Cons of Greenfield Seaport Devt

Eromosele Abiodun posits that challenges such as modern infrastructure, integrated transportation system, incentives for investors, unfriendly tax policies and corruption have been the bane of Greenfield deep seaport development in Nigeria

Unstable government policies, lack of safety and security of funds are said to be some of the challenges hindering the development of Greenfield seaport in Nigeria. Others include comfort of investors, non-provision of adequate measures to ensure continuity, lack of infrastructure and efficient transport system.

While the above challenges cannot be ruled out, corruption has been the major obstacle.

For instance, despite the yearly allocation of several billions of naira for the construction of a proposed Greenfield deep seaport at Ibaka in Akwa Ibom State by both the state government and the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) since 2011, the project has remained elusive, with no evidence of a port being built at the proposed site. This is also the same situation with the $1.65 billion Lekki Deep Seaport, which is slated to be completed in 2019. Work is currently on-going at the Ibaka deep seaport in Akwa Ibom and the Lekki deep seaport in Lagos. Similarly, construction work is on at the Olokola deep seaport and Free Trade Zone between Ondo and Ogun, with a deep seaport being proposed for Badagry in Lagos. The deep seaports were conceived to improve the overall cargo handling capacity of Nigerian ports and thereby increase Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The handling capacity of ports in Nigeria is put at 60 million metric tonnes, while demand and usage is about 100 million metric tonnes, and they are expected to rise with the increasing population, urban expansion and attendant demand for more markets.

The cargo throughput handled in the ports increased from 66,908,322 metric tonnes in 2009 to 74,910,282 metric tons in 2010, indicating a 12 per cent increase. According to global trends in port development, out of a total of 100 plus seaport developments being executed the world over, approximately 60 to 75 per cent of these are deep sea ports or terminals. The balance is mostly inland water way ports and jetties.

This clearly indicates that Nigeria needs better designed port facilities in tune with increased cargo traffic, for the global competition. Also, emphasis is shifting to larger and more economical vessels that require deeper harbour drafts. Global logistics trends have made the need for deep seaports more imperative.

The last two decades have witnessed a major shift in the exploration and production focus of international oil companies (IOCs), with deep offshore frontiers becoming more attractive and widespread. This has naturally affected the dynamics of crude oil carriage, just as more efficient means of petroleum products and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply and distribution are sought from the downstream segment of the industry.

Crucially, logistics services for these new frontier developments define the core of operations, costs and efficiency, with bigger vessels infinitely more able to leverage on scales and further thereto, on costs. The foregoing defines today’s shipping and oil and gas reality in Nigeria, and paints the canvass for deepwater ports in bold relief.

Greenfield Development and GDP To this end, the federal government has been inundated with calls to embark on policy measures that will encourage Greenfield port development in the country.

Doing so, experts said, would impact positively in the overall cargo handling capacity of the Nigerian ports and thus increase the country’s GDP. Experts believe Nigeria need new better designed port facilities in line with increased cargo traffic nationally and globally, new and bigger marine vessels that need deeper harbor drafts.

Global logistics trends and practices, they stressed, have made the need for deep sea port more imperative.

“Nigeria should also have at least one port that can berth a Super Panamax Vessel”, said, Bello Ibrahim Gwandu, a former Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), while giving reasons why Nigeria must develop Greenfield

deep sea ports.

He added that as the largest importer and exporter of cargo in the West African sub-region, one of Nigeria’s deep sea ports should become a hub for west and central Africa because of increased maritime and general trade volumes of the country.

“The benefits of attaining a regional hub status include the potential to create directly and indirectly, approximately three to four million jobs over a five year period and a 70 per cent cut in vessel turnaround time as well as guaranteeing increased revenue from berthing charges to handling charges for the trans-shipment of cargoes. A deep sea port of draft not less than 35 Meters will almost guarantee Nigeria the regional hub status, which by volume of cargo alone sent or received from our ports, gives her the right to that status,” Gwandu stated.

According to him, Nigeria needs a deep sea facility that load and offload finished, refine liquid, powder and containerized cargo adding that bigger ships move cargo more efficiently than smaller vessels, so the economies of scale make it imperative that shippers will buy new bigger vessels, which have to dock somewhere, a deep sea port.

In a paper entitled, “Greenfield Port Development: Which Approach,” Gwandu urged the federal government to also consider reducing the approval process for public, private partnership (PPP) proposals.

He said PPP is best suited for port development because of capital layout required to develop ports and equip same and the broad range of engineering, engineering management and operational management expertise needed.

The government, he said, should promote the use of bi-lateral agreements from the private sector as a vehicle for infrastructure development

and Nigeria achieving the regional hub status and assist willing investors where necessary to access loans locally and internationally to finance this type of developments.

SIFAX Proffers Solution In his contribution on the way forward, the acting Managing Director, Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited, a subsidiary of SIFAX Group, Mohammed Bulangu, identified areas that the government needs to address in order for the country to take advantage of the on-going Greenfield seaport development.

Bulangu pointed out these solutions while delivering a lecture titled: “Greenfield Development: Imperative for Port Development in Africa” at the African Day of Seas and Oceans hosted by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Lagos recently.

According to him, there is an urgent need to find sustainable solutions to various impediments bedevilling the laudable projects.

These challenges, he stated include unstable government policies, lack of safety and security of funds invested by promoters, comfort of investors not guaranteed and non-provision of adequate measures to ensure continuity, lack of infrastructure, efficient transport system, among others.

“Looking at the port development projects Nigeria is embarking upon now- Greenfield ports at Lekki, the proposed port at Badagry and also the Olokola port on the borders of Ogun and Ondo states, one important missing link that can be observed is accessibility. On the completion of these ports, if some key and fundamental challenges, of which accessibility is the chief, are not addressed, serious environmental and economic issues will arise especially with the Lekki port.”

Bulangu further noted that all these challenges are surmountable if the government can guarantee safety and security of lives and investments put into the development of such Greenfield projects. He added that there is an urgent need to deploy adequate security within the country’s territorial waters to check the activities of pirates and sea robbers.

Other areas that the Ports & Cargo boss suggested the government should attend to include: provision of modern infrastructure, integrated transportation system which includes good road network, efficient rail system and revitalisation of inland waterways for the movement of persons and goods, attractive incentives for investors, including friendly tax policies and streamlining of operational procedures for smooth service delivery.

He said: “With the continued increase in global sea-borne trade and vessel sizes deployed to many routes for economies of scale operation, the need for new ports development with deep draft and large stacking areas for transhipment and transit cargo are becoming imperative.

“New trends in maritime trade have also dictated that new port development takes into considerations a shift from its traditional roles as only destination of imports for the country and for its exports, but as hubs for connection and transhipment to other ports. Greenfield port development within supply chain now comes with activities such as cargo/ warehousing, sorting, packaging, ship repairs, fuelling, discharge and many more.”

Experts Views In the same vein, the Nigerian Port Consultative Council of Nigeria (NPCC) urged the federal government to complete the on-going deep seaport projects in the country as it will facilitate Continued on page 26

25

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Delta as Emerging Industrial Hub With a large deposit of solid minerals and a properly developed economic blue print, experts are of the view that Delta State can become a leading business destination in Nigeria and West Africa. Chika Amanze-Nwachuku and Ugo Aliogo report Nigeria is going through her worst economic recession in decades. The situation has gone from bad to worse. Most states currently are unable to pay workers’ salaries and could also not service domestic debts. Delta State is among one of those indebted states; despite having an economy standing at approximately $24.6billion. Presently, the state is targeting an annual growth rate of 10% in commodities with comparative advantages in cassava, palm oil, and aquaculture. The state also has a large deposit of solid minerals such as industrial clay, kaolin, lignite, silica, limestone, decorative rocks, and others. The state is also one of the largest producers of crude oil in the country.

With these economic growth indictors, the state has not been able to take a leading position as an industrial hub. Economic analysts are of the view that if the abundant solid minerals are well harnessed, it will boost growth, create jobs, expand the state’s economy and increase government revenue base.

They expressed concern that if the state’s focus remained only on crude oil, which the price has plummeted in the international market, the state would not attain greater economic prosperity in the years to come. They therefore stressed the need for the state to diversify into agriculture and solid minerals, promote increased private sector participation and create more jobs.

At the 25 Silver Jubilee celebration of Delta state in Asaba, these views were expressed as part of measures to develop a workable blueprint for the region in its quest to become a leading industrial hub in the country.

Specifically, the state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, said the ultimate goal of his administration was to vigorously develop the non-oil sectors of the economy such that they will overtake oil and gas as growth drivers.

He said: “With the ever-growing complexity, disruption and global competition of the 21st century, it is incumbent on us to build a strong, robust and resilient economy that is adaptable to the physical, social and technological changes that are a growing part of the age we live in. We must rise to the challenge now, or we lose out.

He said his administration is responding to this challenge through policy thrusts and programme priorities conceptualised in its S.M.A.R.T agenda.“The S.M.A.R.T agenda embodies policies, programmes and initiatives to aggressively develop the non-oil sector, create wealth, raise entrepreneurial leaders, reduce the worrisome level of youth unemployment, drive rapid infrastructural development, and ensure and sustain inclusive economic growth and sustainable development. Ultimately, our goal is to vigorously develop the non-oil sectors of the economy such that they will overtake oil and gas as growth drivers.”

The governor said the framework and executional guidelines of the agenda have been articulated in our Delta State Medium Term Development Plan (2016-2019).The priority areas, under plan are: Improved, effective and efficient resource mobilisation and better

Essentially, our approach is to maintain peace and security through peace building initiatives that rely on effective engagement with grassroots organisations, local government structures and traditional institutions to prevent relapse into conflict

Okowa

fiscal management; Economic diversification through stimulating and boosting agricultural production and developing agro-businesses; Reposition Delta State as preferred investors’ destination; Develop PPP models to accelerate infrastructural development, actualise critical investments and sustainable economic growth; and Build a knowledge-based economy and a critical mass of skills for entrepreneurship and business competitiveness. Five key areas were listed as Investment Climate, Ease of Doing Business, Agriculture and Agribusiness, Agro-Industrialisation and Peace and Security Investment Climate To create an investor friendly climate and healthy business environment, the governor said the state has sponsored an Executive Bill for the establishment of the Delta State Investment Development Agency. The Bill, which is at advanced stage in the State House of Assembly, sets out the institutional framework for public-private partnership, establishes guidelines to enable easy access to land for private investors, and envisions the creation of working committees/teams that proactively engage with the private sector to actualise their investment and business plans.

The governor said: “Our objective is to remove the opaqueness usually associated with government business. The provisions of the bill will help facilitate business deci-

sions for the private sector and, because every prospective investor knows what to expect, outcomes can be predicted.”

Okowa added: “Our partnership with the private sector is of utmost priority to us and we are pursuing it with relentless vigour.

Our approach is to adopt robust and flexible PPP models that guarantee a win-win for all. At the moment, we have signed several Memoranda of Understanding with domestic and foreign private sector groups in energy, housing, infrastructure, water resources and agriculture sectors.”

He listed others, notable projects for which MoUs had been signed to include the Delta Commercial City, Asaba Integrated Power Project, Umunede Rest Park, Warri-Effurun Water Scheme and Foreshore Estate Housing Project.”

“We have also reached advanced design and planning for the development of agro-industrial parks in the State. From the preliminary analysis, the total private investment to be realised over the next two to three years from the various PPP projects is $500million. In developing these PPP models, we are very mindful of the need for transparency, value for money, equity, respect for sanctity of contracts, and project outcomes.”

He said the PPP models are tailored to protect and satisfy the business interest of the investor, while taking cognizance of our growth aspirations.

Ease of Doing Business The governor said his administration has taken steps to eliminate some institutional encumbrances that hitherto frustrated the ease of doing business in the state. “Notably, we have introduced an electronic-based system, known as Fast track 90, for obtaining Certificates of Occupancy to landed property within a maximum period of ninety days. It may be far from the ideal, but it is a remarkable improvement from the long delays, sometimes stretching as far as five years, previously associated with this process.”

He also said the state is at the concluding stages of harmonising the various taxes in the State in line with the Consolidated Revenue Law 2009 of Delta State (as amended).

“This harmonisation is necessary to mitigate the negative impact on the tax payer/business, and correct the wrong impression among business owners of multiplicity of taxes. At the end of the day, we want to see a situation where only the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue is required to issue a single “Demand Notice” on taxes and levies collectable by the State.”

Agriculture and Agribusiness With its comparative advantage, particularly cassava, oil palm and aquaculture, the state government has set a target of 10% annual Continued on page 26

26

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

PROS AND CONS OF GREENFIELD SEAPORT DEVT we have large markets in Aba, Onitsha and also in Akwa Ibom that are driving the demand for the deep seaport.

“On the aspect of this drive towards agriculture, some of the terminals will be for dry cargo such as grains, rice etc. It will serve the farmers better to know that there is a deep seaport next door and an agriculture cluster in the industrial city; remember we are working on Ibom Industrial City which is integrated with the port.”

Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi

international trade expansion.

The Chairman of NPCC, Kunle Folarin, gave the advice in an interview with journalists in Lagos.

Folarin underscored the importance of infrastructure to the successful operation of the deep seaports.

He said: “Deep seaport development is critical to our ability to deliver on international trade.

As it grows, the infrastructure to support this particular enterprise becomes a fundamental issue. Within the infrastructure, also, there should be a renewal and modernisation of the port system. The modernisation of the port system includes the basics, which are the civil areas of berth, the areas of telecommunication, and the area of power in the port system so that the port can work in a desired 24-hour regime.

“Without power, the equipment will not work to satisfaction; without power and illumination, all the working areas in the port and onboard the vessel would not be easily achieved. So still on infrastructure, he has to look at issue of the scanning machines. Although, done directly under him, it is a responsibility of the customs and that means the Ministry of Finance. Since the port is an operational area under his purview,

he must also look at a critical infrastructure that is necessary to perform optimally in the port system.

“The terminal operators working in the port system; the haulage contractors supplying trucks for evacuating and delivering cargo into the port must also modernise and provide the infrastructure to deliver optimally in the port. The railways must have the necessary equipment, which include wagons-such equipment that will allow for the evacuation of cargo from the port, particularly containers and tanks. So it will relieve the road network of the stress and the investment that it will demand.”

He stressed the need for Nigeria to focus on how to take advantage of the volume of cargoes via international trade.

The NPCC boss said this could be done when indigenous shipping companies transport cargoes for Nigerian shippers from the various ports of origin, He said it was critical and important that Nigeria takes part in industrial trade in countries such as North and South America, Middle East, Sub-Sahara Africa, Asia and others.

Folarin also called for the use of information technology in the operation of the seaports.

He spoke of the need to look at port charges

and determine whether the charges were commensurate with the services provided at the ports.

On her part, the Chairperson of Ibom Deep Seaport Implementation Committee, Mrs. Mfon Ekong Usoro, who was the pioneer Director General of NIMASA and the current the Secretary General of the West and Central Africa Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, believes deep seaport drives industrialisation and economic activities in the community.

“So there is going to be a synergy between both activities. As we speak, to investors (shipping lines, terminal operators) are interested in knowing the economic and commercial activities in the state where the seaport is located.

“When they know that there is a vehicle plant, a big mall, a petrochemical factory, power plant etc it immediately engenders interest. In point of fact, one of the shipping lines asked a question concerning availability of mega-sized malls because they bring in consumables and commodities from Asia for traders and supermarkets,” she said.

She added: “We cited the vibrant markets in Akwa Ibom and Abia, mentioned Tinapa, but it is even better to say we have Shoprite in Uyo. As Shoprite sets up shop in Uyo, they come with their anchor tenants. We have the big mall,

Lagos Akwa Ibom State’s Effort Meanwhile, despite several challenges, the Akwa Ibom State Government has vowed that the multi-billion naira Ibaka Deep Sea Port project will be completed in less than three years.

The State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, disclosed this recentlyin Uyo during a media chat.

“Latest by April 2018 we should be able to have a deep sea port,” he said.

If this is achieved, it would be six months ahead of the December 31, 2019 deadline, which Emmanuel gave the 10-member Technical Committee on the actualisation of the project during its inauguration in early June.

The governor described the Ibaka Deep Sea Port project conceived by his immediate predecessor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as the only one in the country that has both Federal Executive Council and Presidential approvals.

He described it as a very significant project which will help to unlock the non-oil potential of Akwa Ibom in the face of dwindling returns from crude oil, in which the state is a major producer.

“We are quite on tract. Every single step we set for the project, we are achieving it,” the governor added. On his part, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State recently disclosed that the $1.65 billion Lekki Deep Seaport will be completed in 2019. The governor stated this during the formal unveiling of the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, otherwise known as Lagos Global in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

Ambode said that the efforts put in place so far have ensured that the state remains the desired business haven, attracting massive Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) such as the $1.65 billion Lekki Deep Seaport.

He assured that the seaport would be completed in 2019 and that upon completion, it would be the deepest seaport in Sub-Saharan Africa, adding that the Badagry Creek Industrial Park, a $1.3billion investment meant for completion in 2018 and the $12 billion Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Park were among other investments coming to the State.

environment, the governor, who expressed the regret that the economy of the State, in the past, suffered setbacks owing to inter-ethnic clashes and violent agitations in the oil producing communities, said his administration established the Delta State Peace Building and Advisory Council, which has adopted a proactive, people-centred and community-based approach to dealing with the issue of security and public safety.

He noted that the Delta State Government Advocacy Committee against Oil Facilities Vandalism is also working to contain the resurgence of pipeline bombings in the State.

“Essentially, our approach is to maintain peace and security through peace building initiatives that rely on effective engagement with grassroots organisations, local government structures and traditional institutions to prevent relapse into conflict. Additionally, our Job and Wealth Creation Scheme, targeted at unemployed youths is helping to curb youth restiveness by engaging them in productive enterprises.”

centre to Lagos.

“Delta state can become an international state. We envision delta state to become a newly economy rooted in services such as manufacturing, agriculture, and residually, natural resource extraction and transformation.

I see a state that can be accessible by land, air and sea”, he noted.

He also stated that the state has the potential of building the largest seaport in West Africa, adding there is need to decongest Lagos in order to build the corridor as an alternative to Lagos state. “This seaport has to be modelled on the patterns of Philippines economic zone authority,” he stressed. Soludo called on Okowa to position the state as an investment nerve centre for foreign investors from Asia and Europe, stressing that there must conscious efforts by the state government to put deliberate policies in place, so that positive results can be achieved. He added: “In this post oil economy, there must be active interest or design to build alternative economic centres in Nigeria. With the potentials of Delta state, I see the enablers to be first, active participation with the federal government. The federal government needs to give fast track approval to a whole number of things. When Tinapa was completed, it took a long time to get necessary permit from the federal government.

“The state needs to fast track approval for number of areas and you also need to work with local and international private sectors. The state governor should work with the Minister of Aviation to secure an AIP approval in order to raise the statues of Asaba airport from local

to international. This will boost trade and commerce not only in the state, but also around the South-east regions. According to him, “The federal government with the sovereign wealth fund should as a matter of urgency complete the second Niger Bridge. This will create a free flow of a much larger economic corridor which will become an alternative to Lagos. There is need to setup the delta development fund using individuals such as Tony Elumelu, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Dr. Jim Ovia and others as your think-tank. They will have to suggest ways to generate funds for the state.”

Furthermore, he said: “There are still funds that you can leverage in thinking and jump starting many of these initiatives. The fund could also have private sector equity contribution to it. It is akin to an infrastructure bank that is the Delta state infrastructure bank.

You can leverage on other funds such as PenCom, sovereign wealth funds, and others.

This will help to execute the commercial infrastructure projects, ports development, highways and industrial parks. The federal government can help to dredge either Warri or Koko port. There must be a plan by the federal government to work a plan to develop the seaport, airport and the highways. This will open up the state to the world.

“You need a smart team with a high execution capacity and it requires also hands on, and case study approaches. The Dangote Cement didn’t begin through prices fixing, it happened through deliberate focused policies of backward integration and government gave all the support for it to happen.”

NPA MD, Ms. Bala Usman

DELTA AS EMERGING INDUSTRIAL HUB growth rate in the agricultural sector, especially in commodities. Through its Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) and Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP), the governor said the state is building capacity for farmers and agro-processors by resourcing them with improved technologies, efficient inputs and marketing support to trigger high yields, ensure profitability and create jobs. “In particular, through YAGEP we are raising a generation of young, dynamic agricultural entrepreneurs as evidenced by the array of youth-based farm clusters throughout the State”, he added.

Agro-Industrialisation Desirous of attracting high-impact private sector investments along the agricultural value chain through various forms of public-private partnership, Okowa said his government has structured the State’s agro-industrialisation plan into three major cluster development areas namely; Uzere agro-industrial area, Abraka-Umutu agro-industrial area, and Ogwashi-Uku agro-industrial area.

The idea is to use agro-processing and agribusiness epicentres to drive the commodity value chain for sustainable inclusive economic growth, job and wealth creation. The governor said each agro-industrial epicentre would be “driven by an anchor private sector investor devoted to agricultural value chain development activities including agro-processing, commercial farming, out-grower schemes, market linkages and farm support services.”

Peace and Security Pointing out that Peace, security and public safety are imperatives for healthy business

Delta as Investment Heaven In his keynote address, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof.

Charles Soludo, said with the large number of high skilled manpower and entrepreneurs from the state, there is a high propensity to attract investments to the state in every sectors.

Soludo, who envisioned the state to become a leading economic base in the South-east and South-south pioneered by its neighbours such as Rivers, Baysela, and Anambra states, added that the state can be an alternative trade

WEEKEND WEEKLY PULLOUT

TR

UT H

& RE A SO

N

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

ERAVE | P32

COLLAGE | P36

THISLIFE | P37

‘I HAVE BURNING PASSION TO HELP THE LESS-PRIVILEGED’

FILE

ACTING EDITOR CHARLES AJUNWA / charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

28/COVER

09.09.2016

‘I Have Burning Passion to Help the Less-Privileged’ Stimulated by his love for humanity and the desire for the less-privileged ones in the society to enjoy the good things of life like other privileged persons, a self-employed physically challenged young graduate, John Obinna Ukumuneh, established a foundation he named after himself, John Obinna Chukwuma Foundation. As a flagship event to bring his dream to bear, he held a three-day free eye screening exercise for internees at the Special Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi-Araba, Lagos State recently. Mary Ekah writes about his many challenges as a result of his being physically disadvantaged right from when he was just about four years of age and why he has come up with a charitable organisation For self-employed but physically challenged young graduate, John Obinna Ukumuneh, disability does not stand as obstacle between a man and his aspirations. The real disability is the disability of will and determination. And so, even though he has been confined to clutches and wheelchair from an early age, he has not allowed that to deter him from aspiring to attain greater heights in life just like his able-bodied counterparts.

Being disabled is a tough thing to deal with in everyday life but, over the years, Ukumuneh has adjusted to it and has wheeled himself into prominence. This determined young man has committed to overcome his physical challenges and look to his abilities rather than to his disability in order to assist his community in pulling themselves out of poverty and improving their living standards. To this end, his burning desire to help the needy and less-privileged in the society has led him to establishing a foundation. As a flagship event to bring his dream to bear, he held a three-day free eye screening exercise for internees at the Special Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi-Araba, Lagos State, recently.

“I was prompted to start this Foundation because I don’t want people to go through the kind of pains I went through in my life before I could get to the stage I am today. It hurts me a lot when I see people go through unnecessary stress just to make ends meet,” he said.

He revealed that according to statistics, people go blind day by day due to lack of proper care for their eyes, and for this reason, the Foundation decided to organised a free eye care exercise in Lagos to reduce the rate at which people are going blind in our society today.

According to him, people don’t do check ups on their eyes as often as they are supposed to and by the end of the day, they do not know that they have serious issues with their eyes, which most time eventually result into blindness.

Ukumuneh noted that the Foundation is also looking at how to empower youths in the country to make them employers of labour rather than waiting to be employed for jobs that were never available. He revealed further that eye screening exercise has been carried out for two times in previous years and that the just concluded exercise was the third and it had to be held once more due to the demand by the community.

“The outcome has been encouraging because the turn up has been huge. This goes a long way to show that a lot of people desire to have their eyes checked on a regular basis but because times are hard and they hardly have enough to feed themselves and families much less to pay hospital bills for check ups and so they don’t have a choice but to wallow in their deteriorating health condition until help like this comes. So they are so excited to have such service rendered to them free of charge and so they troop out in large number for this exercise which has been on for three day now,” he said.

The John Obinna Chukwuma Foundation, Ukumuneh said is basically out to give succour to the less-privileged and the handicapped in the society, adding, that the Foundation which is just about three months old has touched so many lives in the short period of it existence.

The Foundation, an offshoot of Ukumuneh’s Community Development (CD) programme during his NYSC during which he held similar events in 2010 and 2011 and due to its success and demand by the community it affected, the self-employed physically challenged young man,

Ukumuneh

was stimulated to establish a Foundation he named after himself and today, the Foundation though barely four months old, is making a lot of impact on the community and society at large, giving relief to a lot of people in Lagos and its environs.

Ukumuneh, who said that so far the programme has been a huge success due to the supports he gets from various organisations and individuals, is still soliciting for more support from companies, governments and individuals as well.

However, his appreciation at this particular point, goes to Chi Pharmaceuticals Limited, Nigeria; Anchor Healthcare Limited; Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) here in Nigeria, RCCG Bahrain and RCCG Garden of Peace, India and most especially, the Director of Ladkem Eye Hospital, Surulere, Lagos, Dr. Festus Osoba,

whose hospital took complete charge of the eye screening exercise. His gratitude also goes to the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development for their tremendous supports.

Being a physically challenged himself, Ukumuneh said the driving force behind his going all out with his Foundation, especially in the aspect of eye screening, is to ensure that the rate people are going blind in Nigeria is minimised.

“Having myself become physically challenged as toddler, I was exposed to the stigma and assumptions associated with disabilities. I was looked at with pity and sometimes with resentment by my peers. As I grew up, I began to realise that the onus was on me to make something of myself and create my life and future the way I desired,” he recalled.

“I do not want people to go through same nor feel depressed because they cannot afford a little token to screen their eyes or cater for other health needs in their lives and as result wait till their health condition deteriorate. I want to use this little avenue to assist as many that I can possibly help because it hurts me so badly when I see people suffer unnecessarily.

“And as a young man, I am into a lot of skillful ventures which will enable me help the less-privileged to better their lives. So apart from the individuals, the church and companies I get supports from, I also work hard as a businessman to raise funds for the Foundation,” he said.

The screening which was carried out on over 250 people, including children and adults at the Special Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi-Araba, Lagos State a couple of weeks ago, Ukumuneh assured will be held more regularly from now on that the Foundation is fully established and will also spread its tentacles to other cities and states in Nigeria.

He therefore called on Nigerians to seize the opportunity and do check ups on their eyes as regular as possible while they also endeavour to have a thorough checkup on their health conditions on a regular basis, adding, “I am also calling on people who have the capacity to help in making the programme a regular exercise to do so, as a lot of people out there do not have the means to visit the hospital.”

A 2009 graduate of Guidance and Counseling from the University of Ibadan, Ukumuneh, despite his shortcomings as a physically challenged person started off his education at the Kemether

Ukumuneh (2nd left) flanked (from left) by Dr. David Chitah of Ladkem Eye Hospital, his mother, Okwuchi and the Foundation’s Public Relation Officer, Mr. Iheanyi Emmanuel during the screening exercise

International Nursery and Primary School, Ijesha Lagos, after which he proceeded to the Ijeshatedo Secondary School, also in Lagos and finally the University of Ibadan after which he served with the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development between 2010 and 2011, during which he held his first community service at the Girls’ Correctional Centre, Idi-Ara, Mushin, Lagos. He has also acquired additional professional certificate from the Institute of Social Work of Nigeria.

Born in 1980 completely healthy like every other newborn, the indigene of Agbo Ohoroho Ovim, in Isuikwato, Abia State, Ukumuneh’s ordeal, according to the mother, Mrs. Okwuchi Ukumuneh, started when he was just six months old.

The mother who was seen running helterskelter to ensure everything was in order during the screening programme, said, “He was born a normal child but trouble started when he was barely six months of age and was diagnosed of a particular health condition which suddenly paralysed his lower limbs and after several efforts to get him back to normal, it never worked and so we left him to fate. But despite his disability he went through school from nursery to primary and then from secondary to the university. During this period, I noticed that he had developed this burning passion to help others even when he could hardly cater for himself. He would tell me that he wouldn’t want anybody to pass through the pains that he has passed through in life and that if possible, he would even stand in gab for the less-privileged.

Each time he told me that, I wonder where he got the guts and how he was going to get around it considering his own condition. And when he persisted, I couldn’t but give him all the supports I could. Since then he has done lot of projects, which earned him awards from NYSC and the Lagos State Government. After achieving success in other projects he executed, he said he wanted to establish a foundation so that he could reach out to more people in the society and then we asked: How do you go about doing that with your disability because even with the able-bodied people, it is not easy to source for funds? But all he would say is that his own strength is hidden in Christ that Christ will help him to do all that he desires for the needy in the society and since then we have been encouraging him in every way that we can,” she recounted.

Sourcing for money, the Mum said, has not been easy, adding, “but we are very grateful to all the organisations both private and government, as well as individuals who have given a helping hand to ensure that my son, though physically challenged, brings his long time dream and passion to reality.”

Speaking further, the supportive Mum said, “From all indications and especially, from how people have responded, I see a greater and better prospect for his passion and the foundation at large and with such supports and with the Almighty God by his side, he will, no doubt go places.”

The exercise was spearheaded by Ladkem Eye Hospital, an eye hospital equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment for full eye care and the Foundation’s Public Relation Officer, Mr. Iheanyi Emmanuel, said those found with critical cases during the screening would be referred a specialist for further medication or surgery, as the case may be, while those who required just simple medication and medicated glasses were given at the spot.

29/XTRA

09.09.2016

‘Golf is Life Swamiji Comes to Nigeria with ‘Art of Living’ for Me’ Mary Ekah

Agbajoh

Godbless Eduviere Apart from being a trained legal practitioner vast in mass advocacy, a politician and strong stakeholder of Delta State politics, an inspirational and motivational speaker with poetic ways of expression, the advocate of justice, truth and gender qualities, Mary Oyibocha-Agbajoh is also a vibrant golfer with unique styles, which also singled her out from among her peers.

Scion of a sport loving family, she discovered golf in early part of her life when fate connected her and lady friend Dupe John who told her that she see an independence nature in her, and that she need a place where she can define her space and live life without anybody judging because of her smart and determine qualities. At this, she waded into murky waters of Nigeria Golf Association and has been fortunate to play with all strata of people ranging from politicians to business moguls, which naturally earned her loads of trophies in her years in the golf course.

As it's every golfers joy to play a new course, Oyibocha-Agbajoh also travels to other countries like England to play with other Nigerians every 1st of October just for the pleasure.

In a chat with THISDAY, she disclosed that she loves being occupied qualitatively and golf makes it possible because it takes her mind away from the troubles of Life but in a very stylish fashion way as well. “The golf course happens to be the only place where I find my being. The Serenity, tranquility and beauty of the fairways transcends beyond just golf but a place of peace and bliss within my own space. My swings and cautious efforts to follow through, makes the strict adherence of “Eyes On The Ball” more mysterious.

Swami Shivapad, fondly known as Swamiji is in Nigeria with a mission to spread happiness and the seed of awareness to every Nigerian allowing one to tap into their inner wealth regardless of one's status, position and power.

Swamiji’s very rare quality is his ability to interact with every age group, extracting one’s attributes and enabling them to blossom to their unrealised full potential.

“When we live every moment of our lives with awareness we do not allow the mind to reminisce about the past or dwell in the future. These are spheres of regret, anger, uncertainty and fear and the beauty, depth and the possibilities of the present dawns in you. The unbounded potential within you finds a means to express itself in the present.

To experience this though one needs to dive deep within.

“Thus when we live a life of awareness, every moment we are unconsciously directing our mind to change its perennial habit of either living in the past or the future”, he said recently while briefing journalist in Lagos on the purpose of his visit to Nigeria.

He explained that mastering one’s mind is cakewalk for a person living with awareness in each moment, adding, “This seed of awareness can be sown and nurtured. Your unbounded potential can be experienced. Your mind can be mastered. This is all achieved, through meditation. Creativity, clarity of mind, intuition, sharpness of intelligence, empathy, re-emergence of value systems, a win-win attitude and effective communication skills

Swami Shivapad

are factors that are essential for business.

These traits and values surface in you as by products.”

Swamiji is a dedicated yoga and meditation teacher who has devoted his life to the upliftment and betterment of society. From a tender age, Swamiji was often found sitting alone, observing nature and introspecting into the purpose of life. Upon his first interaction with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar he chose to abandon luxury for a higher cause of serving humanity

and joined the Art of Living Foundation. He obtained his Masters in English literature (M.A), and excelled in various extracurricular activities, which include cricket, archery, and target shooting and racing. Photography is one of his greatest passions to date with a keen subject interest in wild life. A very rare quality is his ability to interact with every age group, extracting one’s attributes and enabling them to blossom to their unrealized full potential.

For the last 20 years, Swamiji has been teaching various programmes from The Art of Living extensively across India through to the remote areas of the northeastern states, as well as abroad. He has reached out to thousands with his expertise in meditation, specific yoga programmes and discourses on various scriptures empowering many facets of an individual through to improved ethics and ethos in the work environment. His wealth of knowledge has transformed and enabled a diverse population that ranges from villagers, public servants, community groups, medical professionals, army personnel, war veterans, corporate and government officials. Swamiji has taught and continues to teach the various programmes across 3,000 villages and cities across India, South East Asia and Africa.

In 2004, post Kargil war, he worked with the Indian Army personnel offering stress and trauma relief programmes as well as rehabilitation programmes. Further to this various training programmes for ITBP (Indo Tibet Border Police), were conducted under undue circumstances facilitating a better working environment and improved tenet.

PDP Youth Leader, Others Extol Orji’s Virtues Peter Uzoho Following his influential representation, which has produced eight bills, scholarships; empowerment as well as federal projects, Youth Leader of Abia Central Peoples Democratic Party, Engr. Kingsley Asuoha, has described Senator Theodore Orji as a leader par excellence. Asuoha who spoke to newsmen in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, said the people of Abia Central senatorial district were more than satisfied with the representation of Senator Orji so far at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly adding that the youths will forever be indebted to him. He described as exceptional Orji’s annual scholarship scheme, which is designed to produce 240 graduates from the six local governments that make up Abia

Central senatorial district saying it will accelerate development in Abia Central, as education remains the pivot through which all developmental activities revolve.

According to him, Orji’s annual scholarship scheme is akin to his philosophy which is to groom sound tomorrow’s leaders through qualitative education. This he reckoned led to the construction/renovation of 44 schools as well as E-library adjudged to be one of the best in Nigeria while he was governor adding that it contributed immensely to the success Abia State has recorded in West African Examination Council (WAEC) since 2010. The PDP youth leader further said that Orji’s belief in the strength of the youths as well as his conviction that education is pivotal to accelerating development were the reasons he opted for a young PhD holder

as a successor in line with Abia Charter of Equity against some desperate money bags who wanted to purchase Abia State with their money.

Speaking in the same vein also, the Umunneato-Ngwa Solidarity movement in a communiqué signed by its founder/coordinator, Mr. Philip Nwampka, the Secretary General, Hon. Don Amalah and its Woman leader, Mrs. Linda Nwagiri said, they are satisfied with Orji’s representation so far which they said have already attracted federal projects, scholarships, empowerment and eight bills.

According to the group, Orji’s persuasive representation led to the Federal Government request for expression of interest for the rehabilitation/maintenance of the failed section of the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Express Road as well as many others.

Mentoring Young Nigerian Women for Better Future Rebecca Ejifoma An embodiment of knowledge with a blend of refined prestige is the quality of these young Nigerian women: Jaiyeoba Adepeju, Kemi Onabanjo, Ogunwale Bukola, Adeyinka Oladepo, Bunmi and the only man standing, Owolabi Isaiah. These are young successful Nigerians who have decided to throw down the ladder for younger Nigerians to also climb up to the top. Because according to them when you get to the top, you realise that it is lone up there; hence, the reason to bring others.

It was on the heels of this that Peju alongside her friends and experts in various industry breathed life into her imagination. That concept is the African Women Mentoring Network (AWMN) held at the Barack Obama American Corner in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Jaiyeoba is the Chief Executive Director of Mother's Delivery Kit; Oladepo is an Auditor with Stanbic IBTC in Lagos; Ogunwale is the Executive Director of fitness and ED of Yesmobile; Onabanjo is the Engagement Manager at McKinsey and Company and Owolabi is the Project Coordinator, Hacey Health Initiative.

"One major thing that has informed this programme is a deeper reflection of my past.

Mentoring Young Nigerian Women… Bukola, Bunmi, Peju and Kemi at the event

I think about where I was two, three years ago, where I am now and I also think about where I am going. But I know that I am not where I used to be,” she said.

Jaiyeoba continued: “I question myself and try to ask what changed and what moved me to be here. I discovered it's about opportunities, about people giving that opportunity to you. Youths to first find their purposes.

Stop writing it all down for decades without implementing it. As you plan, carry out that

plan and ensure you achieve something."

On her choice of training women, especially between ages 18 and 35, the mother of one and convener of the AWMN enthused that women can get carried away and be buried in a lot of challenges. "It takes conscious efforts for you to be able to achieve as a woman. Most times, women have dreams but after marriage those dreams come to an end. Although some keep pushing even after marriage, once a child comes that ends it all."

Jaiyeoba further urged that when a woman gets married that should be the beginning of her dreams. "Getting married or having a child should never be the end of your dreams; it should be the beginning." Ultimately, after finding purpose, the next important thing, according to Peju, is who you marry. She adds that a woman must get married to a man who will be able to support all her business plans and ideas. "He should be able to constructively criticise you, does not see you as a competitor but as being in a collaborative relationship.

AWMN is a biannual programme that seeks to go beyond the usual speeches. The programme focuses particularly on mentoring the first set of 12 top-notch outstanding entrepreneurs for fashioned planning and execution. Its quest is to bring together bright minds to give talks that are idea-focused, and on a wide range of subjects, foster learning, inspiration and knowledge sharing to an audience of exceptional young female entrepreneurs that have demonstrated potential for entrepreneurial success. Participants were trained on understanding their financial responsibilities as entrepreneurs, how to deal with challenges in business, building a strong business brand and understanding the legal aspects of their business among other topics.

30/ NEWS

09.09.2016

Helping Lives Treats Customers to N50m Dubai Holiday Fifty-five loyal customers of Helping Lives, a joint initiative of A2W Limited, Natures Pure Marvel and Generis Solutions, have been treated to a sumptuous six-day holiday trip to Dubai in a rare gesture described by the organisation as a way of rewarding excellence. The organisation, which has Ruzu Bitters as its flagship product, seeks to address three key issues of health, wealth and education. It is spending N50 million on the all-expense-paid trip where the beneficiaries will have the opportunity of an educative and empowerment conference participation, have an amazing time doing a city tour, shopping in the biggest mall in the world, having a Dhow Cruise, enjoying the Desert Safari and dinning in the only 7 Star Hotel - The Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

Speaking in Lagos last week during the departure of the contingents, Managing Director, Mr. Adeolu Akinyemi, noted, “few companies are making a difference to the bottom of the pyramid here in Nigeria as we have with Helping Lives.”

Helping Lives today, according to him, is about eight months old and in that short time have empowered over 20,000 Nigerians with monthly income ranging from N10, 000 to N2 Million. “In that same space, over 200 students have been given scholarships to return back to school, not to mention the amazing health testimonies recorded via the use of her flagship product, Ruzu

Peter Uzoho

Helping Hand beneficiaries

Bitters across Nigeria”, he said.

Speaking further, he said “Helping Lives was created to help and alleviate the level of poverty we have in our country today. By distributing a revolutionary health product, Ruzu Bitters, distributors of Helping Lives have been able to help hundreds of thousands live healthier, tens of thousands earn extra income and hundreds of students return to school.” He said the top 55 customers are being rewarded for being the most driven ambassadors for the company’s product and the Helping Lives Initiative. It is also to celebrate their commitment towards helping people and making Nigeria a better place for all to live in.

Describing the initiative as noble, he said Ruzu Herbal Bitters is 100 per cent made in Nigeria, making Helping Lives compliant with the drive of the government to buy made-in-Nigeria. “For everyone seeking an extra source of income with a passion for helping people, Helping Lives is one initiative to pay attention to”, he advised.According to him, the organization has had over 20 events hosted in different parts of Nigeria and it intends to sponsor local retreats and vacations to boost and encourage local tourism and national integration and a few international vacations to give its top customers the necessary international exposure.

X3M Music’s Sammy, Back on the Hustle X3M Music’s best kept secret, Sammy Yakubu is finally poised to enter the mainstream with his brand new single Hustle, a positive call to action and nod to industry that speaks to the present times.Hustle as written and performed

by Sammy is an encouraging, up-tempo manifesto that promotes the ideals of hard work and perseverance especially among the youth. It opens with a picture perfect scenario where Sammy sings of a certain level of achievement; ‘Small money inu apo/driving round town in my moto/ come back home to my ile.’ But Hustle is interested in loftier ideals than the glorification of cheap materialism.In the succeeding verses, Sammy employs his sweetened vocal ability to narrate the importance of working hard and the lengths he has gone to achieve that aspirational picture he paints on the refrain. There is an acknowledgement of favours from

X3M Sammy Yakubu

the man above but the major take away from Hustle is that the future is mostly determined by how hard one is willing to work. Sammy gives advice that has been tried, tested and held up as universal truth in the lines, Man wey no work no

go chop/Lazy woman no go make money.

Produced by fast rising echo, the song’s structure is simple enough to follow.

Arranged in refrain-chorus-verse style, the catchiest bits are strategically played multiple times to guarantee the instant radio friendliness of the material. Hustle with its fast pace and urgent message could not have been performed better than on this winning effort from the young singer, songwriter, dancer and guitarist who joined the formidable X3M roster in 2014.Born in Kaduna 28 years ago, Yakubu was a member of an award winning dance troupe and taught himself to play the guitar via various online sessions. He has performed at influential platforms like MTN Corporate Elite, Felabration and Music Unplugged. He was also the headliner for the Charity Acoustic Night hosted by X3M Music in collaboration with the Kanu Heart Foundation.

Mr. Bigg’s Launches Promo To Mark 30th Anniversary To mark the Mr. Bigg’s 30th anniversary, the UAC Restaurant has launched an in-store promotion in conjunction with Coca-Cola to celebrate with and reward its teeming customers nationwide. The promo is tagged, ‘Mr. Bigg’s Shout-out’.

The promo that was launched at the Mr. Bigg’s first franchisee’s outlet on Marina was witnessed by some key franchisees drawn across Nigeria.

UAC Restaurant (UACR); Marketing Manager, Mrs. Eustesia Ogunnusi, said, “To mark this milestone, we have launched an in-store promo to celebrate with and reward our customers, adding that our partner, Coca Cola has also provided branded 50cl PET drinks with the inscription ‘’Mr. Biggs @ 30’’ to celebrate the brand and excite our customers.”Speaking at the event, Human Resources Manager, UACR, Mr. Bola Olatinwo, said Mr. Bigg’s evolved from reactions to the growing demand for greater variety in fast food offerings for freshly baked, hot snacks and meals. Highlighting the brand impact in the society, the Human Resources Manger said the QSR brand has affected lives in various ways amongst which are the franchising model of business operation – a platform that creates opportunity for entrepreneurs to put their skills to use in owning and running a Mr. Bigg’s

Tromville Investment, Others Welcomes YALI Cohort 4 from Accra Tromville Investment Limited in conjunction with Africa 2.0 and US Embassy in Nigeria weekend, welcome Cohort 4, Nigerian’s representatives at the Young Africa Leadership training in Accra, Ghana, after their six weeks sojourn.

In July, a group of young Nigerian entrepreneurs left for the training which was part of the programmes embedded in the Young Africa Leadership Initiative of the US President, Barack Obama, intended to provide the tools, opportunities and leadership skills tailored towards empowering young African leaders across West Africa.Speaking at the welcome party in Lagos, Managing Director, Tromville Investment Limited, Mr. Adeyemi Adeniyi said the company sought to partner with other bodies to reduce the spate of unemployment in Nigeria, saying they were doing that through the empowerment of youth in order to give opportunity to them especially those who would want to work but were asked to provide five to 10 years working experience.

He noted that the unemployed youths would first be trained after which they would engage them to be meaningful and employable youths.“We are looking at two core areas; the area of real estate and the area of agriculture. We observed that the problem of housing has not been solved even up till now and that the government is doing its best but this is not enough.“In the area of agriculture, we are looking at the possibility of making some parts of our estates available for YALI who are having agricultural based projects to be able to plant their seeds so that we can reduce the rate of hunger in the land,” Adeniyi said.

Writer Unveils Maiden Novel ‘After They Left’ Peter Uzoho

L-r: Titilayo Adeojo, Franchise, UAC Restaurant (UACR); Eustesia Ogunnusi, Marketing Manager, UACR; Funmilayo Olukogbon, Franchise, UACR; Bola Olatinwo, Human Resources Manager, UACR, and Pauline Nwana, Franchise, UACR at the event

restaurant; provision of direct employment to thousands of Nigerians through its network of restaurants spread across the country, as well as indirect employment for suppliers, contractors and other business partners. The brand is also versed at creating the right connections, bond and affinity with her target market through various corporate social responsibility programmes and events.

Mr. Bigg’s has been the pioneer quick

service restaurant business to open in most states of the country. It was the first to start franchising with the first restaurant in Abuja and with the opening of the first branch in Ghana in 2005 Mr. Bigg’s became the first indigenous QSR to open a restaurant in a West African country.

Mr. Biggs restaurant chain grew steadily expanding across key cities in the country until it had developed a network of over 125 restaurants.

A Jos-born Kaduna State female lawyer and writer has unveiled her maiden novel titled ‘After They Left’. Speaking on the side line of the reading session organised for the unveiling of the book last weekend in Lagos, the Author, Edify Yakusak, said the book centred around the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east. Yakusak explained that the essence of the book was to create more awareness to both the people and the government so as to find solution to crisis.

“It’s a fiction centred around the crisis happening in the North Eastern part of Nigeria. I wrote the book to create more awareness and make both the people and the government know more about the crisis so as to find ways to solve it,” Yakusak said. “They title of the book came about when I looked at these people that attacked (the Boko Haram) during the crisis and what they left behind. When they came and attacked and they left, what did they leave behind? They left behind sorrow and pain and hardship? Some of the survivors of these attacks would have no fathers, no mothers.

People would lose their children and everything. They would become homeless, hopeless and helpless. They would find themselves in the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camps. Even in the camps, they would face another round of pains occasioned by injustice, oppression and inhuman treatments,” Yakusak noted.

The book is structured in 10 chapters and 244 pages and sold for N2000.

31/LIVING

09.09.2016

‘Priesthood is Not a Tea Party’ Joan Madubugwu writes that it took Rev. fr. Madubugwu Anthony Obinna eleven years to becomxse a priest of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers of the Roman Catholic Church On the 6th of August 2016, the Holy Ghost Novitiate Chapel, Awo-omamma, Imo State, hosted the ordination of eight seminarians who were raised to the order of deaconate seven from Nigeria and one from Zimbabwe. And also the raising of 11 Deacons to the order of presbyter including Fr. Madubugwu Anthony Obinna and Fr. Ugwuezumba Joachim from Umuonanie and Ezu respectively both from UmunankwaIfite Oraifite in Ekwusigo L.G.A, Anambra State, whose journey to priesthood started 11 years ago in the year 2005 on the 15th of September.

The ordination rites was carried out by His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Denis Isizoh, Auxiliary Bishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha. The ordination took place within the Mass celebration where 11 priests and eight Deacons were ordained.

The people of Oraifite were filled with joy as they arrived with numerous buses and cars to grace the ordination of two of their sons Rev. fr.Madubugwu Anthony Obinna and Rev. fr.Ugwuezumba Joachim. The occasion was graced by the many priests and religious people across the country as well as people from Zimbabwe.

When THISDAY spoke with Fr. Madubugwu, he said "It all started on 4th of October 2005 when I was admitted in the Holy Ghost Congregation province in Nigeria, as a postulant at Spiritan Postulate Akabo in Ikeduru LGA, Imo State. At the initial stage, we were 23 but at the end we are 14 that were ordained priests.

What inspired me to enter into seminary: initially the idea of becoming a priest was not in my mind I was planning to read Public Administration or Political Science, later on, the idea of becoming a priest overshadowed the initial idea. My inspiration began when I started associating myself with those in minor seminary from my hometown. So at that time if I’m watching or listening to Father Mbaka's music I will be having emotional feelings of serving God in an extraordinary way. I began to meet priests among them was Fr. EvaristusIgwe CM, he encouraged me and gave me support.”

When asked how it has been like taking up this course? He retorted, “In answering the vocation I met so many challenges especially at beginning especially; I was faced with

Fr. Obinna (2nd left)

financial problems where to get money to buy what were listed in the prospectus. I met so many people who told me they are stressed out financially so they don't have money while some saw it as a joke that I was joking. I was told they will help if I become a philosopher (that when they see me wearing white) but my saviour came from nowhere just as Israel's saviour Moses came from nowhere, Stephen OkwudiliOkpara was my helper who singlehandedly bought everything for me.

During my seminary training I faced some challenges like financial challenge, problem of indifference, another challenge is seeing my mates becoming professionals in this life, getting married and having children.

“It was a thug of war for me when I was seeing my mates graduating from universities, seeing them become biological fathers and mothers. And its climax was when one of my female school mates asked me why I’m wasting time becoming a priest. It wanted

Ruff ‘N’ Tumble Launches New Fashion Store Mary Ekah Sunday, 28th of August, 2016 saw Opebi light up, as Nigeria’s leading children fashion brand, Ruff ‘N’ Tumble, played host to kids and parents, who turned out in droves, at the launch of its new store. The children were treated to an array of fun activities such as face painting; backdrop selfies and refreshments while parents were spoilt for choice with the finger foods and cocktails.

Speaking at the launch, Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi, Founder and Chief Responsibility Officer of Ruff ‘N’ Tumble said "Our Opebi store opening despite the heavy downpour was a resounding success. Our Customers are extremely special people and we remain thankful that we are their number one choice in the market place. We will continue (despite the prevailing economic conditions) to deliver on our promise of style and quality. We shall find value and pass them on wherever possible.

To the great RNT teams, the months and years of consistent commitment will pay off. It’s a journey and we intend to have fun and deliver on our goals. Congratulations and very well done".

The parents were not left out in the celebrations as Sound Sultan and his wife (Chichi), Titi Oyinsan, Tara Durotoye and others enjoyed

Ruff 'N' Tumble Opebi launch … Ogunlesi with some of the guests at the event

shopping & bonding with the children.The new store is located on Opebi Road, Ikeja, bringing the total number of Ruff n Tumble stores nationwide to 15.

to pull me out from my vocation but prayer helped me especially visiting the blessed Sacrament I was able to overcome peoples voices in my head."

The life of priest is for one who sells his life for others, who dies for others to have life, who goes hungry so that others will eat, who goes naked so that others will be clothed and who does not look at himself but on other people's needs that pulls him off his chair. This is my continuous focus in this ministerial life of the priest which I look up to God to help me achieve.”

On his advice to people with great dreams and aspirations, he said "Having been ordained and part of my dreams achieved I'll like to say to anyone whose dreams, whose hopes and aspirations are not being encouraged by people around to keep the fire burning and not to give in to people's voices and be steadfast in prayers. As for those who could not make their dreams come true, I will advice them to take it as a will of God.

And as for those who are giving up on their dreams and aspirations, I would like to tell them that life is full of ups and downs and whenever it comes one needs to be faithful to God and have faith in His word. No one would say that he or she does not face any challenge in his or her life but prayer and being focused should be watchwords to them."

Speaking with Fr.Obinna’s elder brother, Mr. MalachyUchechukwuMadubugwu, he said that Fr. Obinna from his birth has been a blessing to the Madubugwu’s family. “I am very happy about my brother’s priestly ordination. I thank God for His mercies upon this family. I’m so happy to the extent I begin to wonder who are we that God has counted us worthy to be this favoured.” On the arrival of Fr. Obinna at his family compound at Umuonaniene, he blessed the guests and sprinkled holy water round the compound.

Reception began for those who didn’t go to Imo State for the ordination. After the reception, Evening prayers (Vespers) was organised and led by the seminarians that visited him; after the evening prayers the seminarians began their own reception for him which they tagged Seminarians Night.

Their programme lasted through the night with lots and lots of entertainments from the seminarians and the musical band led by Uncle P for the family members. They were about 29 seminarians and three Rev. Sisters that visited the Madubugwu Family. In a chat with the uncle of the newly ordained Mr. MadubugwuOyneagolum Christopher, he said that “He reminds me so much of my brother of blessed memory; am sure my brother is happy and feeling proud of fr.Obinna up there”; he said pointing towards the sky.

“I'm grateful to God for this Grace brought upon us at least to be counted amidst the first Holy Ghost priest in Oraifite and also the first priest in my kindred Umuonanie also grateful to God for his blessings upon our family to mention but a few of his kindness and blessings. Last year during his deaconate ordination his immediate elder sister was blessed with twin boys and now this year’s priestly ordination is not left out as his younger brother’s wife gave birth yesterday evening to a baby boy which was a safe delivery despite being her first time.”

93 Days to Premiere at The Rock Cathedral The House on the Rock Church, Natives Film Works, Michelangelo Productions and the Bolanle Austen-Peters Production are collaborating to host the Nigerian premiere of the Nigerian produced Film - 93 Days, on Tuesday, September 13, 2016, at The Rock Cathedral, 4th Roundabout, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.

Starring Bimbo Akintola, Danny Glover, Tim Reid, Somkele Idhalama, Keppy Ekpenyong, Gideon Okeke and other talented actors, 93 Days is a compelling story of dedication, sacrifice and resilience which celebrates the courage shown by the First Consultant Medical Team, the Lagos State and Federal Governments and well-meaning organisations in combating the Ebola virus, which broke out early 2014 in Nigeria. The movie tells the story of how a few sacrificed their lives at the frontline of the horrendous battle against the Ebola virus, some of who lost their lives, but not without saving several lives. Noteworthy is the late Dr. Stella Adadevoh whose role is played by renowned Nigerian actress, Bimbo Akintola.

Working with her younger colleagues, her early detection of the disease in a patient and insistence on treating him contributed greatly to limiting the spread of the disease in our nation.

This powerful movie has the central themes of triumph, heroism and a country’s determination to rise above the storm.

One of the producers of the movie, Bolanle

Austen-Peters in her statement said, “93 Days is a masterfully crafted story of bravery and sacrifice and is definitely a must see. It showcases the best of Nigeria; it is powerful, gripping and an emotive piece. I am more than proud to have played a part in this project.”

The Lagos State Government’s rapid response and collaboration with other well-meaning organisations in combating the deadly virus earned this notable event the theme, The Power of Collaboration. This movie tells the story of greatness and drives home the importance of unity in conquering and overcoming challenges.

Speaking on The House on the Rock Partnership with these notable bodies, the Senior Pastor of all House on the Rock Churches, Pastor Paul Adefarasin said, “House on the Rock’s mission is to work together with everyone that is invested in building a transformed nation, a better Nigeria, and this essence ties strongly into the courage displayed by Dr. Stella Adadevoh and her colleagues who brought hope to a nation that was being threatened by devastation, at the expense of their own lives. This is the kind of love and sacrifice that can truly bring transformation to all.”

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), widely recognized for showing the most outstanding films from around the world, has selected 93 Days for screening at the Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto, Canada this week.

32 /ENTERTAINMENTRAVE

09.09.2016

eraveonline@gmail.com

D’banj Talks about His Forthcoming Album Talented Nigerian artiste, Dapo Oyebanjo popularly known as D’Banj in anticipation of his forthcoming album has revealed what fans should expect from the album.

D’Banj who just launched a new lottery platform tagged C.R.E.A.M during an interview recently said “I have my album ready and in a couple of days, I will release two singles. I have one with Phyno titled ‘Egwechi’ and another featuring South African DJ Oskido. Those two have been ready since, in fact the videos have been ready two or three months ago but I had to wait for C.R.E.A.M to be launched. Now that I have done this, you will hear good music in a couple of days. I believe we have the album.

D'banj

We are not releasing music on YouTube or for the sake of being popular, we are

he has been suffering from the disease since January this year when he started feeling pains and went to the hospital where he was told one of his kidney had collapsed and started treating it until July when the pains became unbearable and the hospital told him his two kidneys have stopped working.

www.eraveng.com

FATHIA BALOGUN

releasing music to make money and feed our family.

Speaking on the type of music and sound to expect from the album, he said, “What you will listen to in the coming days is Afropop. 10 years ago I have told people I’m not a singer, I’m not a rapper, I’m not a comedian, I’m an entertainer. The album is going to be full of entertainment.”

D’Banj as usual also declined talks about marriage. “I want to keep my family and private life away from the public. Let’s concentrate on C.R.E.A.M, when we have 10 million subscribers on C.R.E.A.M, we fit do another wedding again sef for stadium.”

Popular Gospel, Paul Praise Singer Needs Millions of Naira to Undergo Kidney Transplant Popular gospel musician, Paul Praise is reportedly suffering from a critical condition diagnosed to be kidney failure and is undergoing dialysis at NAF Base Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos. The musician is in need of millions of Naira to undergo a kidney transplant and an account has been opened to raise the fund. According to him,

@eraveng

Nigerian actress, film-maker, producer and director, Fathia Balogun has announced that she will be launching her drama school named "Fathia Balogun Power House Of Performing Arts".

According to the popular actress, she is starting up the project because of her passion to bring out the best in people as well as a platform of opportunity for talented people that don't have the proper resources or platform to discover themselves and showcase their talents to the world.

Paul Praise

Adebayo Salami Explains Why He Prefers to Act in Yoruba Movies than English Movies

Salami

Legendary Nollywood actor, Adebayo Salami explains why he prefers acting a Yoruba film rather than an English

film like his colleague, Jide Kosoko does.

He said he would gladly turn down a English film that pays N1million for a N200, 000 Yoruba film because he wishes to promote his Yoruba language and culture the most. According to the actor, “Well, I cannot speak for those people that did not invite me, they have their own personal reasons and I don’t want to go into it so much but I am sure if am invited I can express myself and I can interpret roles in English. I don’t normally participate in English films like Jide Kosoko does but I must confess to you, if you come to me and want to pay N1 million for a film and I have another script of Yoruba movie that wants to pay me N200,000, I prefer to go for the Yoruba film.

No harm meant by that, Yoruba is my language and it is culture I want to promote the most.”

'A Night At The Kazbah' Returns From the curators of contemporary African and Nigerian music comes ‘A Night At The Kazbah’. This premium one night-only concert returns on the October 22 at The Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, for another season and there’s no excuse to miss a beat.

Presented by Smooth 98.1FM, ‘A Night At The Kazbah’ is more than just music; it’s a cultural exploration designed to bring good Nigerian, African and World music to the forefront of our consciousness and promote indigenous artistry. Last year, ‘A Night At The Kazbah’ was a huge success as it reshaped live music on the Lagos scene

with a pioneering blend of Afro Soul and Afro Jazz where it featured Ruby Gyang, Bez, Kunle Ayo & Brymo. This year’s concert boasts a bigger line-up that will be headlined by South African singer songwriter and guitarist Jonathan Butler supported by soulful house trio Mi CASA and The Voice Nigeria reality TV winner, A’rese. Tickets to the event are available online at Afritickets. com, Ariiyatickets.com and Naijaticketshop. com and come in three tiers, Prestige VIP Packs for N500, 000 (each pack comes with 10 invitations) Premium Tickets (N20, 000) and Standard Tickets (N10, 000).

know if it is still feasible. I don’t know if anyone would want to do it because I would be contributing at every step of the production.

However, before my album is out, I would release an E.P with Falz and it would definitely come out this year.”

Popular stand-up comedian, Basketmouth was reportedly robbed at gun point in his house in Lekki Phase on Wednesday 7th September 2016.

The news was broken by Bovi via his Instagram page saying that the robbery lasted for about two hours taking all their valuables including the CCTV device and fortunately for the family, nobody was hurt during the process.

According to Baketmouth’s colleague and friend, Bovi, “@basketmouth was robbed this morning in his home in Lekki Phase 1 between the hours of 2am and 4am, 7th of September 2016. He and his family were held at gun point while the sad episode lasted. Nobody was hurt. Valuables were taken including the CCTV device. He can’t be reached at the moment but will be back on as soon as possible.

JIDENNA

Jonathan Butler for 'A Night at The Kazbah'

Nigerian-American singer, Jidenna Theodore Mobisson while on his visit to Lagos, Nigeria in an interview with Wazobia TV said that Nigerian artiste; Burna Boy is an underrated artiste and needs to cross over to the U.S. and the world.

In Jidenna’s words, “One guy I think is underrated though is Burna Boy. I’ll just like to see him really crossover to the U.S. and to the world. I just think his character is funny, like he as a funny character and I really like his style and his sound is different, he has a flavour that I like.”

Simi and Falz to Release Joint E.P Nigerian musical trendsetters, Simi and Falz the Bahd Guy are going to release an E.P together sometime later this year.

Talking about her album, Simi said, “I’m working towards releasing an album and hopefully, we would release it soon. I was hoping to release it this year but I don’t really

BASKETMOUTH

Simi

33/ TRAVEL, LEISURE & TOURISM

09.09.2016

Ambode Takes ‘Lagos Brand’ Global As the Toronto International Film Festival kicked off in Canada yesterday, the Lagos State Government took the stage to propagate the ideals of ‘Lagos Brand’ aimed at attracting foreign direct investments to the state, Gboyega Akinsanmi writes Like his colleagues across the federation, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode came to power at a troubled time with economy distressing and investments fast shrinking. As a result, national income historically nosedived almost by 50 per cent, thus culminating in a situation whereby most state governments could no longer meet their obligations.

Amid this troubled time, Ambode came up with a clear mandate when he took up the mantle of leadership. Just after his inauguration, he announced his plan to deploy the state’s potential in arts, entertainment and tourism to propagate the ideals of ‘Lagos Brand’, an initiative his administration unveiled to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) globally.

Ambode’s vision was in line with a definite assurance he gave to the business community and corporate Lagos in his inauguration speech. Specifically, he said, the ease of doing business in Lagos “will be improved upon earnestly. Lagos is open for greater business… We want you to fly into Lagos, start your business, find your way; live, work and enjoy in Lagos.”

Consequently, Ambode created office of Overseas Affairs and Investment (LAGOS GLOBAL), which since its establishment had attracted $43 billion investments to the state under one years. He, also, unveiled Lagos Brand, which the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde said, was designed to take Lagos global with its tourism potentials.

This was first demonstrated at the 50th edition of Notting Hill Carnival, London penultimate weekend. At Notting Hill, Lagos staged a three-day campaign under a theme, LoveLagosWeekend, which Ayorinde said, was put together to sell Lagos globally and unite its friends and lovers in the diaspora.

Largely, the campaign was a huge success.

Beyond the glitz that attracted huge enthusiasts to Adelaja Street at the United Kingdom, Ayorinde said Nigerian Corner at Notting Hill Carnival was transformed “to Lagos Corner. It was a grand purpose for which the state’s branding project was put in place to draw the attention of the world to Lagos and its potentials in arts, entertainment and tourism.”

Like Notting Hill Carnival, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which kicked off yesterday in Canada, offered another platform for the Ambode administration to deepen its branding campaign. In April, the festival’s Artistic Director, Mr. Cameron Bailey announced that the 2016 city to city programme “will focus on Lagos, Nigeria.”

Bailey justified the need to focus on Lagos under the TIFF city to city programme. He said: “Vital, complex and inspiring, Lagos is entirely unique. The city of Fela Kuti's music has also given birth to one of the world’s most vibrant film industries. The 1,000 lowbudget features ‘Nollywood’ produces each year generate about $1 billion in box office.

“Now, from that commercial hotbed, a new generation of filmmakers is emerging to both advance and challenge Nollywood.

Bigger budgets, greater artistic ambition – the new cinema of Lagos is bold, exciting, and ready to take its place on the global stage.

We are excited to share the creativity of this city’s filmmakers with TIFF audiences.”

At its 41st edition, the TIFF disclosed that the eighth year for the City to City programme “will specifically showcase filmmakers living and working in a selected city, regardless of where their films are set.” Previously, London, Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Mumbai, Athens and Seoul had featured in the TIFF’s city to city section. Already, Bailey said, Lagos is lined up to feature in the 2016 edition of the city to city programme.

For Ayorinde, focusing on Lagos at the 2016 TIFF is indeed a dream come true. He said the state’s tourism and entertainment

Ambode...attracting investments to Lagos through tourism potentials “will take the centre stage at this year’s edition of the TIFF’s city to city programme for one significant reason, which he said, was Ambode’s drive to deploy the state’s potentials to attract foreign investments to critical sectors.

Ayorinde explained the significance of the TIFF in investment drive globally, especially in arts, entertainment and tourism. He said the development “will truly help project tourism potentials of Lagos to the team audience at the festival.” Besides, the commissioner disclosed that eight films produced in the state “have been selected to feature at the festival.”

He explained that the ideal of Lagos branding campaign was in line with Ambode’s electoral promises “to make the state a hub for tourism. Eight films selected do not necessarily have to be about Lagos. But the films are produced by directors based in the state. What is important is that the films selected are produced by film makers that are Lagos-based.

“It does not matter what subject matter you are dealing with; it is about the creativity, the talent you are exhibiting as a Lagos-based film maker that Toronto is interested in. The state government is fully involved in any collaboration to celebrate Lagos; market its potentials as well as appreciate the talent of the motion industry,” Ayorinde explained.

Likewise, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Folorunsho FolarinCoker, justified the new drive “to project Lagos through the weapon of tourism. It falls in line with the policy of the state government that arts and entertainment can be used to drive consumption to create wealth, generate employment and improve the revenue generation in the state.”

Beyond what the Toronto film festival readily offers, Folarin-Coker provided more insight into what the Ambode administration “has been doing to make Lagos Africa’s first investment destination. The new drive falls clearly in consonance with this administration

mantra of THESE which stands for Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, and Sports for Excellence.”

He added that the long-term plan of the state government was“to take back dead public spaces such as under the bridges across the state and develop it for residents to exhibit and develop their talents. It, also, explains the decision of the state government to collaborate with Federal Government to build a car park at the new museum to help drive tourism.”

But Baily, the festival’s artistic director, explained the drive behind the Lagos and Toronto spotlight for the festival. He said much of the films Lagos produced“are not being showcased in Toronto. The idea is to seize the opportunity of the 2016 festival to begin a new dawn for Nigerian films,” which he said, could transform the fortune of a state in need of investments.

He acknowledged that eight films produced in Lagos “will feature prominently at the festival. We have had films like Tunde Kelani’s Abeni feature at the festival and Half of a Yellow Sun, which is a collaboration between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.” But the artistic director said the 2016 festival offered an opportunity “to do more and to go bigger.

“So, what we are doing in this edition is a spotlight on the film makers who live and work here in Lagos. We have been so impressed with the ingenuity and creativity of individual film makers who have made the Nigeria film industry one of the largest in the planet.” Like Los Angeles, Paris and Mumbai, Bailey said Lagos is one of the world’s big capitals of film.

He said films produced in Nollywood “have spread all over the world. Though Nigeria film business has gone global. The next step is to fully integrate it into global film industry.The films that are bought and sold at our festival, the films that are written about and reported on by the critics and film journalists, the audiences that embrace the films that go on to win the big prizes like the

Oscars, those films should include the films from Lagos, the heart of this industry that has become so large and dominant around the world.”

He, thus, said this new drive “is what really projects the image of Lagos and Nigeria, the stories that are being told resonate with the people whether or not they set foot on this country.” In the same spirit, Ayorinde announced that two outstanding filmmakers, Kunle Afolayan and Genevieve Nnaji were selected to feature at a programme tagged “In Conversation With (ICW).

“As the birthplace of Nollywood and as one of the world’s most productive film locations, Lagos is the centre of attraction in Toronto, Canada. Lagos is the first African city to be so honoured at the festival. The focus on Lagos in Toronto confirms the arrival of Lagos State on the world stage and how the global creative community acknowledges the potential that is associated with professionals in the state’s motion picture industry..

Ayorinde said the selected films “comprise 76 (directed by Izu Ojukwu), 93 Days (Steve Gukas), The Wedding Party (Kemi Adetiba), The Arbitration (Niyi Akinmolayan), Taxi Driver ( Daniel T. Oriahi), Okafor’s Law (Omoni Oboli), Just Not Married (UduakObong Patrick), and Green White Green (directed by Abbah T. Makama).”

“While 76 revisits the political upheaval of 1976 that led to the assassination of the Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, 93 Days examined the bravery of the late Doctor Stella Adadevoh and the Lagos State Government in combating the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease in 2014.

“We are pleased that filmmakers are exploring themes that are strong enough to attract global attention to Lagos. The focus on Lagos State this year, therefore, signals the beginning of a rewarding global attention to our creative artists and the inherent potentials in the state as destination of choice for international filmmakers, visitors and investors.”

34/XTRA

09.09.2016

‘Winning the Etisalat Prize for Innovation Has Helped Us Gain Recognition’ A year ago, Obi Brown emerged winner of the Most Innovative Product category of the 2015 edition of Etisalat Prize for Innovation. In this interview with Peter Uzoho, he speaks on his winning product, the prize, his new start-up, among other issues

Brown You entered for the Etisalat Prize for Innovation last year and won. What motivated you to enter for the prize?

For a few years I have consulted in the field of education technology and recently I decided to develop this company called Insight Africa that creates exceptional resources that helps students prepare for a career in science and technology and we started off with Mathematics at the secondary school level and as we were finishing it up, we saw the Etisalat challenge and we thought that it was a nice idea and opportunity to showcase our innovation. So, we said let’s test our assumptions here, and we put in for the challenge and one day we got a call and the rest is history.

What prize did you win?

It was for the most innovative product under the product category that was going to be able to drive the adoption of broadband.

What is your product name?

The product name is Study Lab. The essence like I said, is that we want to be able to create exceptional resources to help Nigerian students prepare for a career in Science, Technology Engineering and Math so the idea is simple since we know students spend a little bit of time in the classroom and more time outside practicing concepts. We know that the more a student practices, the better he/she is able to understand and embed concepts.

So we created a system that has thousands and thousands of innovative, interesting and meaningful problem sets in Maths, Physics and Chemistry and each of these problem sets has a video solution where the teacher will explain the concept and derive the solution in such a way that the student will be able to apply that concept to another question.

So as you go from one problem to another, you are building your competencies in that subject area while learning, closing your knowledge gaps and understanding the

wider application of these subjects. I mean there is no use learning a set theory if you don’t know where to apply it; there is no use learning simultaneous equations if you don’t know how to apply it. So we crafted questions that link these problems to real life situations across the entire spectrum of the application - from business to sports to general science and Mathematics and we have video solutions for them.

We also initiated a new product, we have prototyped it and it’s been tested; it’s a learning toy built like a Lego set and it allows children to be able to aggregate these Lego type pieces; I use the word Lego because all of us know it. So they will be able to aggregate them, create cities with them and learn geometry. It’s an educational toy and we call it ‘Geometrocity’.

Since winning the prize, what work of innovation are you currently engaged in?

Since winning the prize we have improved what we were doing before at Study Lab and at the same time we have a team also developing the educational toy.

Are you in partnership with any educational body?

We are currently working with senior lecturers in the university and First Class students to create content for us in Physics.

That is where we are right now and we are working with the department of Physics although it is unofficial but we are partnering with lecturers on an individual basis.

We have had a review with the Mathematics unit of the Faculty of Education, University of Jos and so we are pursuing some kind of partnerships with content creators there. But going forward we want to be able to form other partnerships particularly for branding, sales and marketing.

Did winning the prize contribute to getting you some form of awareness and support

in terms of funding and equipment?

One of the biggest things that this prize brought to the table was the Etisalat brand.

That’s the biggest thing really and going forward we hope that we will still be able to partner with the brand successfully but that’s really the biggest thing. What we want to do is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in true sense of the word. The capital input is a pretty high. I will describe what we really got from Etisalat this way; you are driving from Maiduguri to Lagos right?

So you have a full tank of fuel when you get to Yobe you top up, when you get to Gombe again you probably have to top up so what Etisalat did was to help us on our way financially. The biggest single thing was the brand, Etisalat brand. I won’t be surprised if any organisations that measures brands will actually rate Etisalat brand highest in Nigeria.

I don’t know I’ve not seen where they are right now but it should be number one. That brand is really solid and has really helped us in our way. It helped us gain recognition and it helped us to get a bit of confidence going forward knowing that we are doing something right and then the training we got from the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, on the behest of Etisalat was fantastic too. These are institutions that are really worth their salt.

You have talked about innovation from your experience in the educational sector, how do you see it as a catalyst for national growth?

It’s a scary fact. Our last census was put at a hundred and fifty million which was in 2007, right now the statistics say that we are one hundred and eighty six million.

What this means is that Nigeria is doubling its population very quickly. Within the next decade we would have doubled our population. Meanwhile, the rate at which we are adding value to the economy is not fast enough. Currently we are about 77 million

people feeding 175 million people. By the time we double, would we have up to a hundred million feeding three hundred million? That’s the question to ask. The only way that can happen is if we are all involved in creating innovative products or services, creating enterprise. So the issue of innovation really speaks to our entire future.

Since winning the Etisalat Prize for Innovation, have there been other competitions you have entered based on the reputation you got from the Etisalat Prize?

Obviously a good product is a good product, a good idea is a good idea and it deserves to be showcased; so we entered for the enterprise challenge with British Council and we won the Samsung Prize. There are a few others that we entered for and we have not gotten them so it’s the case of throwing mud at the wall and hoping that it sticks, some of them we entered for before we received the Etisalat Prize for Innovation, so those ones are still upcoming.

To SMEs, what are the pitfalls you think they should avoid in business?

First of all, keep your operating cost as low as possible until you achieve skill and business profitability. You know our facilities in Jos is number one but our operating cost is very low. We call it boot strapping. Secondly, I’m able to use my network because I grew up there, I’m able to use my network in universities and other places to attract content developers. So I am leveraging my network capital, I am leveraging my social capital, I am leveraging an inexpensive model for development, if not we would have since gone out of business. And then looking for avenues like these to create brand, avenues like what we are doing now, a little bit of publicity, and then internet marketing to be able to create brand. But the issue for start-ups in SME is boot strapping. Really finding ways to get a lot done with a little.

35/ENTREPRENEUR

09.09.2016

Nwokafor: Inspired to Support Women Entrepreneurship Zacheaus Somorin Business survival in many parts of the country is becoming harder with needed support in the face of dwindling economy. Hence creating a community support system has become urgent and important. This is what motivated Mrs. Augusta Nwokafor, the Principal Consultant; Ashrob Consultancy Services International to convene a business discourse meeting aimed at motivating women entrepreneurs.

‘The face of the so called market woman is changing. The concept of a market woman is changing; I am a market woman, I own a shop; most of these women you see here own shops; so what do you mean by a market woman… you mean an illiterate woman?’’ said Augusta Nwakafor, during the gathering of women entrepreneurs recently in Lagos.

As the convener of the network, she opined that every woman needs help – including the elite class who many think are self-sufficient.

For many entrepreneurs, recruiting quality workers has been a consistent problem that has to be solved. Aside that, retaining the right people has also constituted a major encumbrance to entrepreneurship. Hence: business owners must understand what makes them angry and have the capacity to understand other people.

L-R: Mrs. Osayi Lasisi, a human resources expert; CEO and Publisher of Exquisite Magazine, Mrs. Tewa Onasanya and Principal Consultant, Ashrob Consultancy Services International, Mrs. Augusta Nwokafor during the event Mrs. Osayi Lasisi, a human resources expert, with a specialisation on talent management, said one of the challenges organisations have in business today is creating the kind of environment

that encourages people to give their best. ‘’Education is not just about going to school.

It is also helping someone to learn a new means of doing things. As long as organisations know

that there are challenges about our educational system, then the question is: what system are you going to put in place in your organisation to compensate for that?

“If your employees are not feeling motivated enough or happy enough, or empowered enough to make your customers feel good, then you won’t have those customers. So you need to invest in those employees so that they can be powerful enough to attract the kind of customer you want.’’

Keeping one’s individual and organisation’s dream alive is one of the major dints to sustainable goals achievement. While inspiring members of the network, the CEO and Publisher of Exquisite Magazine, Mrs. Tewa Onasanya, said women must believe in themselves first – ‘’as nobody can believe in you than yourself,’’ saying fear and faith require the same energy to achieve, hence the mental state of a business person must be positioned in faith. She posited that despite the structural challenges in the Nigerian business environment, business goals can still be achieved through perseverance, doggedness, faith and hope. ‘’You are who you are. Nobody is like you in the universe. Because there is no one like you, you must move on despite difficulties. Failure is not necessarily bad thing, but a learning process’, she added.

Life Continental Beer Rewards Entrepreneurs with N7.5 million Life Continental Beer has rewarded 30 more entrepreneurs with a total of N7.5 million on its popular radio programme, Life Progress Booster Show targeted at innovative businessmen and women in the South-east.

The presentation of prizes to the entrepreneurs took place on 26 August 2016 at Mimi’s Bar All Season Avenue, Owerri, where 20 winners selected on the radio programme and another 10 selected for their outstanding business proposals at the venue,were rewarded with N250,000 each for their business ideas.

It would be recalled that earlier in June, the brand presented N7.5 million to a set of 30 winners in Enugu.

While addressing guests at the event, Funso Ayeni, Senior Brand Manager, Regional Mainstream Brands, NB Plc, said, "We believe in the strength and capacity of the people of the South-east to thrive even amidst hardship and a recession, but we also believe progress can only be achieved with support, especially (L-R) Jude Okeh, a handicapped entrepreneur from Life Continental Beer's Progess Booster Show for excellent business ideas. We have a lot with the Senior Brand Manager, Mr. Funso Ayeni of people with those wonderful ideas with us here today so there is a need to connect with them to ensure they make progress with show was specially created for the people “We started with 50 winners in 2015, and those ideas. That's why the Progress Booster of the South-east. this year, we are targeting 200 winners. So

far, we have had 60 winners. We still have room to receive, select and support more viable business ideas,” he added.

Some past winners at the event shared their experiences and achievements with the audience thanking Life Beer for supporting their businesses. They encouraged the new winners to make good use of the support given to them, and also implored the audience to participate in the competition.

Other participants at the venue went home with various consolation prizes.

Life Continental Lager Beer is the fine quality lager beer from the stables of Nigerian Breweries Plc made from the choicest grains, hops and the purest of waters.

Life Continental Lager Beer is expertly brewed to give that rich, crisp distinctive taste and well-rounded aroma in true quality fashion of the master brewers.

Life is better when shared and when life is shared, there is progress. This is what forms the core brand value of great-tasting Life Continental Beer, promoting and refreshing a life-long tradition of sharing, a heritage of progress.

Bionic, Apex Announce Arrival with ‘Nothing To Something EP’ A fast-rising music duo, Bionic and Apex are set to announce their arrival on the music industry with a new EP entitled ‘Nothing To Something.’

It is the first body of work by the Edo Stateborn artistes whose real name is Omokhudu Andrew (Bionic) and Omokhudu Daniel (Apex).

Resolute Entertainment signs the talented duo, South Africa owned by elder brother, Ken Omokhudu.

Some of the tracks in the EP include Nothing 2 Something, Mayan, Touch Your Toe, Call Me, Eledumare, New Money, Get Down featuring Uhuru, Inject You, Ojoro and Back Then featuring Choco Jay. Getting a high-profile artiste like South Africa’s Uhuru is not a big deal for the acts. Apex puts this way, “Music to us is an art form, and all great artistes understand that the best art work depends the ability of the artistes to express their art as closely to how they envisioned it as possible. The song "Get Down" was something we thought of and realized that to create the sound and effect we wanted, we needed "Uhuru" not particularly because we wanted to feature someone big but because "Uhuru" had the style and could produce the results we needed and we achieved that.”

The inseparable Bionic And Apex started writing music in their mid-teens and consistently horned their song writing skills to professional

of professional boxer.

Lots of guys break into the music scene everyday but only a fraction of them make considerable progress, I believe that if you give it your all and focus on music because you have the passion for it and don't just see it as a means to an end you'll make it. If you consistently give your best and respect your fans your standards will not drop and the sky will be your limit. Omokhudu Andrew (Bionic) and Omokhudu Daniel (Apex), are Edo-state born artistes who grew up in a very musical family. They started writing music as early as their early to mid teens and consistently horned their song writing skills to professional standards. Upon completion of their tertiary education; they naturally progressed into full time musicians with very high standards. Andrew is an astute analyst, he can listen to a song and pick apart the individual instruments used, and this gives him a very unique perspective especially when writing new music. Daniel on the other hand Bionic and Apex has the aura and confidence of professional Upon completion of their tertiary education; boxer. His confidence makes him dominate standards.

“I think, what makes us unique is that our they naturally progressed into full time musi- any instrumental presented to him. They are music is basically the embodiment of everything cians with very high standards. Andrew is signed to Resolute Entertainment, South Africa. we live for. Our ideals, likes, dislikes, basically an astute analyst, he can listen to a song and Ken Omokhudu is their older brother and it tells our story. Our music let us connect to pick apart the individual instruments used, the CEO of the Resolute Entertainment. His people, helps them see life as we do. We don't and this gives him a very unique perspective natural drive and goal getting mentality has believe in doing music on impulse. Music to especially when writing new music. Daniel on stirred Apex and Bionic to keep horning their the other hand has the aura and confidence art to even higher standards. us is art,” says Bionic.

36/COLLAGE

09.09.2016

Traditional wedding between Mr Brian Ohwofosirai and former Miss Anthonia Ebele Ugbah, in Badagry, Lagos... recently

R-L: Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and Group Managing Director Rainoil Ltd, Mr Gabriel Ogbechie, at the Delta State 25th Jubilee anniversary grand gala and awards night in Asaba, Delta State...recently.

L=R: Former lecturer, University of Lagos, Prof. Williams Olughu; President, Ebonyi State Development Association, Mr. Pual Ikele; Ebonyi State Liaison Officer, Mrs. Ogechi Anaso- Kalu; and Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Felix AmahNnachi, at the launching of Ebonyi State Develpment Association at Maryland, Lagos... recently.

KOLAWOLE ALLI

The ; Couple, Mr. Franklin Omuvwie and his wife, Ruth (middle), flanked by the bride's parents, Mr & Mrs Efejai Ohovwore, during the wedding of the couple at St. John Catholic Church, Igandoin in Lagos‌recently.

JAMES AGORI

L-R: National Youth Patron, Ohanaeze, Chief Everatius Ozonweke; Corporate Brand Executive, Bell Ltd, Hon. Onunugbo Alfred; Chief (Mrs) Nkem Duru; and Chief Uzoma Okoli,during the inauguration of new executives of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos Branch (Women’s wing) in Lagos... recently

L-R: General Overseer, Olive Mountain of Prayer and Praise Ministry, ljegun, Prophet Collins Timothy;his wife Pastor (Mrs) Rosemary Timothy; Mr Chris Ezeala, his wife Chinonye , at the annual women convention of the Church in Lagos...recently

R-L; Managing Partner,Templars 2016 class of Partners, Oghogho Akpata; Zelda Akindele, Ijeoma Uju, Igonikon Whyte,and Partner, Chike Obianwu at a reception held in honour of Templars 2016 class of partners in Lagos... recently

Mumtaz and Muneeb flanked by their parents, Mr and Mrs Olatunde Okoya during their Walimat Quranic graduation ceremony, at Rahmatullahi Islamiyyat Arabic studies centre, in Lagos.......recently

37/THISLIFE

09.09.2016

Nwachukwu

Nwachukwu: Nigeria’s One Time ‘Golden Boy’ Clocks 75 On September 1, 2016, one of Nigeria’s most decorated international icons, Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu celebrated his 75th birthday anniversary. Peter Uzoho writes that celebrating the elder statesman would generate competition among his lovers By military training, service and experience, he stands as one of the few ex-soldiers who really passed through military and military through them. In the context of Nigerian politics, he knows and understands the nitty-gritty, the techniques and the game; holding practical views on issues of national importance, often, with the interest of the nation at heart. He has traversed the world being a strong actor in the international politics and diplomacy.

At a time, he was the Nigeria’s ‘golden boy’ worthy of presenting to the whole world. With him as Nigeria’s representative at the world stage, Nigeria’s prestige soared and its image reformed. He presented himself to the world as a true Nigerian and fought tirelessly to ensure that what was due for the country got to her.

He matched his global equals head-to-head and shoulder-to-shoulder.

On September 1, 2016, one time Nigeria’s most famous and most decorated international icons, Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu celebrated his 75th birthday anniversary. Although, there was little or no publicity in that regard as he seldom gives priority to such celebrations.

However, Nwachukwu’s birthday celebration would naturally throw up some competitions among his lovers, particularly; those who claim to own him more than others. Being an Abian by paternity and blood, the people of Abia State would want to celebrate their star kins man for having made them proud during his time in active politics.

Among the people of Katsina, Nwachukwu remains their illustrious son having come from the womb of their daughter. They are ready to give all to him to show their endless love for him. To the people of Rivers State, Port Harcourt in particular, he is one of their children as he was born in the state. Also, among the Imolites, Nwachukwu is heartily remembered and honoured for piloting the affairs of the state sometime as the military Administrator.

Nigeria as a nation will for ever honour and cherish him for giving the country a worthy representation at the international community when he served three terms as

the Foreign Affairs Minister. The African Regional, sub-Regional and the entire global communityowe Nwachukwu great appreciation for his selflessness and unfettered commitment to duty all the time he joined other world leaders to advance human causes.

Before moving to the world stage, Nwachukwu had served in different capacities in the country.

He was the military Administrator of Imo State from January 1984 to August 1985, where he moved Imo State University, now Abia State University in Uturu, to its permanent site. From 1986 to 1987 he was Minister of Employment, Labour and Productivity where he founded the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to alleviate the problems of unemployment, especially graduate unemployment. Regrettably, in spite of this well-intended idea, graduate unemployment still continuous to rise, no thanks to politicisation and lack of good leadership to sustain it. As a Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Nwachukwu served as Chairman of two Senate committees, the Senate Committee on Power and Steel and the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs.

He was Minister of Foreign Affairs from December 1987 to December 1989. In September 1990, he was re-appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and was replaced in January 1993 during the transition to civilian rule. He was active and effective as Foreign Minister, taking an intellectual approach to diplomacy.

Nwachukwu was always at the helm of affairs at the world level as he headed several bodies. For instance, he was the Chairman of Organisation of African Unity Liberty Committee; Chairman of the Organisation of African Unity Council of Ministers, three terms; chaired the Economic Community of West African States Council of Ministers; the plenary sessions of the Non-Aligned Movement,and the Governing Council of the African Regional Labour Administration Centre.

Also, Nwachukwu has headed and led several delegations to various international summits and negotiations, and obtained resolutions from the United Nations on behalf

of Nigeria. Among which are: addressing the United Nations General Assembly and chairing United Nations special sessions on varying subjects; leading the Organisation of African Unity Ministerial Delegation to the Conference for Democratisation of South Africa; leading Nigeria’s negotiations for Agenda 21; and the convention at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

However, with the wealth of experience garnered over the years in both national and international politics, coupled with his power of speech and contribution, many compatriots have been wondering why the elder statesman has been silent for some time while the country continues to be plagued by issues of failed leadership and confusion. As Nigerians presently sleep and wake in pains, agony, hunger, poverty, hopelessness and helplessness, they ask if the likes of Ike Nwachukwu are still in this country. This is not for nothing. He is seen as one of those who know what is plaguing the nation and its solution. They believe that his fatherly advice is mostly needed at this time. As he had championed the cause of Nigerians at the world stage and made successes, they believe that despite ageing, he can still intervene and help change the story through his wise counsels.

However, Nwachukwu has been an anticorruption crusader. He frowns at the way Nigerians, particularly those entrusted with the common wealth of the nation, enrich themselves at the detriment of the masses. The culture of primitive acquisition and flagrant show of wealth is one thing he has continued to kick against which he believes is among the many factors responsible for the country’s problems.

Nwachukwu was born on September 1,1940 in Port Harcourt, to an Igbo father of Abia State and a Fulani mother of Katsina State. He had his early education at the Ladi-Lak Institute, Yaba, Lagos, and Lagos City College, also in Yaba, Lagos. He obtained military training at the Nigerian Military Training College, Kaduna, at the Royal Canadian School of Infantry, and at the school of Infantry, Warminster, United

Kingdom. He also studied at the Institute of Humanitarian Law, San Remo, Italy, the United Nations Peace Academy, and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru, Plateau State. Nwachukwu rose to the rank of Major General prior to his retirement with the Nigerian Army He was conferred with several medals and decorations whilst in military service, as well as traditional titles in his present status as a civilian.

Nwachukwu's national decorations and service medals include: the Nigerian Independence Medal (NIM), the Forces Service Star (FSS), the Defence Service Star (DSS), the Nigerian Republic Medal (NRM), the National Service Medal (NSM), and the order of Commander, Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR).

He has been awarded three national merit awards. These include the Special Certificate of Merit of the African Youth Congress; the Award of Recognition of the Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSSAN), and the Merit Award by Achike Udenwa, former Governor of Imo State, on the occasion of the state's Silver Jubilee.

Nwachukwu has been conferred with several international medals and awards, which include the Grand Commander of Equatorial Guinea, presented by the President of Equatorial Guinea, the Federal Republic of Germany’s Grand Cross of Merit (GMCS), the Grand Master of the National Order of the Southern Cross (GMSC), from the President of Brazil, the Diplomatic Medal (DMM) from the President of the South Korea, the Grand Cruz de la Order dei Merito Civil de Espana (GCMC), by King Juan Carlos I of Spain, the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG), awarded by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, and the Commander of the Order of Mono (COM) from Gnassingbe’ Eyade’ma, President of Togo.

To this great leader with milk of human kindness, at 75 Nigerians want their ‘Golden Boy’ to continue to contribute to Nigeria’s growth and development.

38/OPINION

09.09.2016

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Tel 08116759785(sms only)

Our Credit Crisis, Bail-out and Spend-out

C

orruption, deception, repression, apprehension and depression, all go with recession.

We’ve heard and read of the tsunami of fraud in the last government.

We’ve also noticed dishonesty of this very government, especially in telling Nigerians the truth and accepting criticism.

In the heat of the moment, there’s only one thing that the government can do to restore Nigeria back to its greatness—boost the confidence of the people.

In 2009, America was in recession, when President Barack Obama took over the reins of government.

We saw many retail stores closed down and several businesses filed for bankruptcy.

We saw investors moved away from risky investments and we saw household incomes perished. The same holds true for our situation today. A number of companies have closed down and unemployment has grown steadily.

What did Obama do? He didn’t rush his steps in the whirlwind of panic. He simply did the right thing.

For the moment, President Muhammadu Buhari’s response to recession appears to be that of a leader in panic station. His speeches and body language suggest not otherwise.

What with the Treasury Single Account (TSA) gamble?

It is simple economics that when you take money out of circulation in its very order, you are bound to be hit by recession.

Yes, anxiety is prevalent in a country beaten on the left by terrorism and on the right by economic contraction, but panic decision will make everything worse.

The most important decision now is to ensure that we face the truth: we are in recession.

That helps us to find real solution I believe.

One lesson I’m sure Buhari must have learned by now is that fighting corruption alone does

Buhari

not isolate a country from recession. There’s need for sensible interventions to keep any country going.

Between 2008 and 2010, the United States Government applied quick and decisive action that helped the country avoid great depression.

It came out of its deepest recession in less than two years by applying sound public policies that were implemented vigorously.

The three government interventions were acts of congress that empowered the president to move with speed without restrain and I believe we can borrow the ideas for our own recovery.

For our concern let’s concentrate on America’s recovery and reinvestment act.

It will do more good to us if the programme is carefully constructed.

For instance, an attempt had already been

made with bailout to states and the N-Power programme, but they appeared not to have stimulated the economy so far.

The simple reason is that they were rushed decisions. The president was probably stampeded into it. So they didn’t provide any effect. The governors are still looking for more bailouts and the N-Power is yet to employ a single individual.

On one hand, the N-Power programme is delayed and on the other hand the bailout to states—though with genuine intention of helping to resolve salary issues—may have been a misdirection of good policy.

So what did America do with recession?

The detail is in its Recovery and Reinvestment Act and I will attempt to bring out excerpts from a report authored by the United States’ Council of Economic Advisers.

A preamble to the report says: “President Obama took office in the middle of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

In the previous year private employers shed 3.8 million jobs. Trillions of dollars of household wealth had been wiped out, and the economy’s total output, as measured by real gross domestic product (GDP), was in the midst of its most severe downturn of the postwar era. In the face of this crisis, the President took immediate, bold, and effective action.”

Yes. Whenever there’s a crisis with a spiral effect on the populace, immediate, bold and decisive action is necessary.

Oftentimes, President Buhari delays and also makes Nigerians doubt his judgment and willingness to delve into real policy, when he finally decides. That has robbed him of celebrating many milestones. This October 1, the nation’s independence anniversary, I doubt if Buhari will celebrate.

The US recovery measure allowed money to come back into the economy though it was called spend-out.

For instance, the United States population “felt the early effects of the Recovery Act almost immediately, as enhanced Medicaid payments started to flow to states on March 13, 2009 and individual income tax withholdings were reduced by April 1, 2009. As of the third quarter of 2009, roughly one-quarter of all spending and tax cuts had occurred.”

“The Recovery Act had goals beyond preserving and creating jobs and promoting economic recovery. This section evaluates the impact of the Recovery Act in helping those most affected by the recession weather an extraordinarily trying period. The Recovery Act included substantial assistance for middle-class families, unemployed workers struggling to find a job, and households in poverty or in danger of slipping into poverty. Many of these measures were extended or retooled in subsequent legislation. This assistance was partly to help families maintain their consumption even when income fell and credit dried up, a phenomenon economists refer to as “consumption smoothing.” But the support was also motivated by the fact that people would quickly spend a large fraction of this assistance, boosting aggregate demand and in turn, job creation.”

Somewhere in the report, there is a line that says, “Thanks in significant part to the actions of President Obama, the economic picture today is much brighter.”

This is exactly the sentence I want to write for President Buhari before his current tenure ends and who knows, he may end up like the United States President Ronald Reagan, whose economic policies in 1982 was derided as Reaganomics, that did not only fail to produce growth, but was leading the nation into fiscal disaster, but eventually made a turnaround, restored trust and got elected for a second term. For now, Buhari needs to do the right thing for Nigeria’s greatness.

Follow me on twitter: @adeolaakinremi1

Nigeria and the Hoax of True Federalism John Okoro As a people, in our quest to build a nation that will be envied and respected among comity of nations, the time has come for us to take our destiny in our hands. as a people, in order to build. Indeed, our founding fathers meant well when they bequeathed regional autonomy as the basis for our co-existence, which truly is way to go. In the sixties when the groundnut pyramid was flourishing; the bountiful days of cocoa farming raking in resources that built the western region; not to forget the coal and palm oil production that was predominately engaging people of the eastern region, before oil was discovered in commercial quantity in the Niger Delta region. The scramble for oil well has greatly contributed to the delusion of true federalism in our country today.

One can confidently say that era in the history of Nigeria was when the principle of true federalism was actionable and the impact felt throughout the nooks and crannies of the country both in governance and in the area of infrastructural development. I made bold to say that as a country we have long derailed from this principle and reduced ourselves to mere dependent federating units, according to Senator Ike Ekweremadu in one of his public presentations said: “this feeding bottle federalism, this act of robbing Peter to pay Paul remains the cause of our economic quandary”. I cannot but agree with his position that the federating units now depend solely on the whims and caprices of one man in Aso Rock Villa to give direction on how to develop their respective states. It is a shame that our federating units are not self-sustaining; such a system cannot usher in the much needed development that we

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu

all crave for at this time of our national life.

If truly we want to practice true federalism restructuring is inevitable, we are currently camouflaging Unitarianism as federalism; what an irony of a nation in dire need of development!

The likes of Canada, the U.S., Russia, Australia, China etc have long ago realised that imbibing the true culture of federalism is not only creative but equally sustainable with full autonomy to the federating units to exercise their powers within the confines of the constitution, thus creating healthy competition among the federating states.

Little wonder these countries are among the leading economies of the world, with China gradually overtaking the U.S. as the

world’s number one economy.

Who says our dear country Nigeria cannot be among the leading economies of the world, if only we can have leaders who would be bold and courageous enough with the right political will to restructure the country? The states should be allowed to fully control their resources; devolution of power is key in this proposition; diversification of the economy would then become easy for states with governors who can think out of the box. The present state of things in the country calls for urgent strategic action plan.

Let no one be deceived that the system we operate as at today in Nigeria is federalism it is nothing but a hoax federalism which has proven to be a cog in the wheel of progress.

We need a true federalism thatguarantees equitable distribution of national asset which commensurate to what is being contributed to the national purse, thereby creating enabling environment for component units to harness their God given natural resources. In a true federalism, the three tiers of government should be allowed to operate in full capacity as enshrined in the constitution. The rule of law should be applied to the core rather than the rule of man which results in selective justice.

The call for the restructuring of the country has taken the centre stage at different forum, the latest coming from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who posits that: “the Federal Republic of Nigeria as currently constituted was not working, saying greater autonomy to states remained the panacea to the country’s multi-faceted internal crisis”. True federalism, I absolutely agree would ensure the proper devolution of power between the central authority and the federating units.

This is the time for our leaders to rise

above ethic parochial sentiment that will do us no good and begin to put in place structures policies that will make seamless transition to true federalism possible. Irrespective of political, religious affiliation Nigeria belongs to all of us so let no one see it as his personal estate. The north and south, Muslims and Christians all have a role to play in the rebuilding of this great nation back to the good old days when milk and honey flowed freely in the land, with everyone having a sense of belonging.

Let me use this opportunity to admonish the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari not to hesitate to review the recommendations of the 2014 national conference where distinguished Nigerians came together to brainstorm on the way forward. This is not the time for politicking but a time for critical stocktaking and thinking. It will be counter-productive to throw away the baby with the bathwater. I believe we can be great again if we will be honest enough to tread the path of truth and genuine reconciliation. Old wounds must be allowed to heal. Bridges of unity must be built across the length and breadth of the country, ethnicism and nepotism must give way for meritocracy. The greatest injustice of all time is a nation living in perpetual self-denial about the challenges threatening to tear the fabrics of its foundation apart. If we have practicedhoax federalism, why not try true federalism and let’s see if things would not change for the better. Delay may be dangerous for we do not know what the future holds. Therefore, let us begin the process of restructuring now or watch the nation sink.

Okoro, a Public Relations Executive, writes from Lagos

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

39

40

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

CITYSTRINGS

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

Governor Ikpeazu (3rd left), Senator Orji (left) and others, cutting the silver jubilee cake

Celebrating Abia at 25 Abia recently marked 25 years of its creation as a state. Emmanuel Ugwu who covered the event, reports that the silver jubilee was celebrated in low key

I

n a normal situation Abia State would have rolled out the drums to celebrate its silver jubilee. It had done so in past years during the anniversary of the state on August 27, the day it was created in 1991 by the military administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. But this year the mood of the time translated that the setting was not conducive enough for the state to mark its 25 years anniversary with pomp and pageantry. The economic vagaries and political uncertainty have viciously combined to rob Abia the opportunity of having a loud silver jubilee celebration. In the run up to the anniversary the deputy chairman of the Abia State Advisory Council, Sir Bob Ogbuagu had at a press conference hinted of a possible low key 2016 Abia Day, citing the “mood of the state”.

He was alluding to the legal tussle for the governorship seat, which has lingered for 14 months now since Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu was sworn in as governor. Those fighting to remove him from office have caused a

cloud of uncertainty to descend on the state.

Then coupled with the biting harsh economic realities it was understandable why the silver jubilee was largely celebrated as a moment for sober reflection. Ogbuagu, who is one the living founding fathers of Abia, disclosed that

At 25, it is time for us to take stock and review where we are coming from while setting a clear agenda for where we are going to…

While we have not fulfilled all of their (Abia founding fathers’) aspirations, we have made remarkable progress

the State Advisory Council, which has the responsibility of organising the anniversary, had planned for a grand celebration to mark the 25th anniversary only for the legal tussle to intensify. According to him, it wouldn’t make sense for the state to roll out the drums when the governor is yet to be allowed to concentrate on the business of governance for which he was elected.

The low key ceremony was commenced with an interdenominational thanksgiving divine service and re-dedication of Abia State.

Ogbuagu said that the divine service was intended “to lift the hearts of our people”.

Thanksgiving service has always been a constant feature of Abia Day no matter the pitch of the celebration. And it couldn’t have been otherwise for a state that prides itself as God’s own state “where the Almighty God resides and from there visits other states” of the federation. Abians from all walks of life filled the Michael Okpara Auditorium and several canopies mounted outside as they lifted their voices in songs and praises with two

choirs taking turns to lead the congregation in hymns or praise songs.

It was indeed a soul lifting worship as the clerics from different denominations interceded for the state, calling down the blessings of God upon Abia while asking for divine protection and direction of the state governor and the men and women working with him to pilot the affairs of the state. The outpouring of heavenly blessings on God’s Own State and its people was palpable as the rains, which had heralded the day, poured down to wash away whatever is slowing the pace of Abia in its developmental stride.

The President of the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference of Seventh day Adventist Church, Senior Pastor Bassey Udoh, who delivered the sermon frowned at the activities of those seeking to remove Ikpeazu and assured the embattled governor that God would continue to make him triumph over his adversaries. He enjoined him to remain steadfast as he wards off the evil plans of his political opponents.

At the end of the divine thanksgiving service

41

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

CITYSTRINGS

L-R: Mrs. Mercy Orji (Osinulo), Senator Orji and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, at Abia’s silver jubilee celebration in Umuahia...recently

it was time for soul searching and appraisal of the distance Abia has covered in the past 25 years of developmental race. The nagging question was: to what extent has the dream of the founding fathers been realised? Ikpeazu, the fourth democratically elected governor of Abia acknowledged that the founding fathers of the state “had lofty aspirations for Abia State upon creation (but) while we have not fulfilled all their aspirations, we have made remarkable progress.”

Since its creation via the fiat of the military president, Babangida, Abia has been governed by a succession of military administrators and civilian governors with varying tenure durations. The military men, five in all, that were sent to preside over the affairs of Abia at various times, were mainly on military postings that lasted between six and 24 months. The pioneer military administrator, Group Captain Frank Ajobena was in office for six months after which he handed over to Abia’s first democratically elected governor, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who is currently the Minister of Science and Technology.

But after taking the reins of power Onu could only spend 22 months out of his fouryear tenure before the military intervention of late Gen. Sani Abacha ended the Third Republic. Following Abacha’s ascendancy as Head of State Col. Chinyere Ike Nwosu was sent to administer Abia in December 1993 and was replaced by Navy Capt. Temi Ejoor on August 1994, who in turn vacated seat for Col. Moses Fasanya in August 1996. With the death of Abacha and a new transition to civilian rule programme initiated by his successor, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the fifth military administrator, Col. Anthony Obi was sent to Abia and after the general election

of 1999 he handed over the affairs of God’s Own State to Chief Orji Uzor Kalu on May 29, 1999. It was the second opportunity for Abia and other states of its age to enjoy a period of civilian rule and as the military finally left for good Kalu completed his four-year tenure and was re-elected for a second term of another four years. Chief Theodore Orji, who is now a Senator representing Abia Central at the National Assembly, held sway for two terms of eight years like his predecessor.

As they came and went each of the past leaders made their modest contributions in the quest for the development of Abia within the limits of their vision and duration of tenure.

Recounting the state of affairs after the creation of Abia, Sir Ogbuagu said: “We did not have the opportunity of having a silver spoon in our mouth”. But he insisted that as a state “we’ve not done badly”. The nonagenarian did not hesitate to award a 75 per cent mark to Abia, saying, “it is a good pass” given what the state has achieved. Nonetheless it was during the tenure of Senator Orji that the state made a significant leap. The man popularly called Ochendo by his admirers actually gave the state capital a new face lift, transforming it from a glorified village to a befitting capital city. It was during his tenure that a modern secretariat was built for Abia, along with many other infrastructures, including the international conference centre, judiciary complex, e-library. Most significantly Orji summoned the political will to relocate three major markets from the city centre to the outskirts thereby expanding the development of the capital city. The relocation of Umuahia Main Market to a modern market built at Ubani-Ibeku thereby catalysing the emergence of a satellite settlement as a housing estate has already sprang up in the area. The relocation of the industrial market to Ahieke Ndume and spare parts market to Ohia as well as the modern motor park cited away from the city centre have all helped in giving Umuahia its best look since it was made a capital city 25 years ago. It was also only Ochendo out of all the past governors that

We will do all within our powers to ensure that Abia State is not only the first in alphabetical order in the comity of states (in Nigeria) but in deed the first in all positive ramifications

saw the need for the Government House to move out from a rented property to a befitting permanent edifice. He gave life to his dream by commencing the construction of new Government House at the Ogurube layout section of the capital city and had completed the governor’s lodge before the end of his final tenure as governor.

In retrospect Governor Ikpeazu stated that the 25th anniversary represented a milestone in the existence of the geographical area known as Abia State within the Nigerian federation. “At 25, it is time for us to take stock and review where we are coming from while setting a clear agenda for where we are going to,” he said. Ikpeazu disagreed with the naysayers who have refused to credit Abia with any achievement since its creation, saying, “While we have not fulfilled all of their (Abia founding fathers’) aspirations, we have made remarkable progress”. He assured that the prospect for greatness remains very high for the state given that “Abia State has all it takes to succeed under any circumstance”.

According to him, “my confidence stems from the indomitable spirit of our people, the resilient blood that runs in our veins and the resolute determination of our administration to succeed even in the face of stiff challenges”.

The governor, while acknowledging the contributions of his predecessors, noted that his administration has started with a commitment to further drive the wheel of development in Abia and was already recording good results. “From road construction to our intervention in health, education housing, agriculture, environment and other critical sectors, this administration has defied the negative economic indices to march resolutely forward,” he said in his anniversary broadcast to the people of Abia.

In the political realm Ikpeazu said that Abia has attained a “major milestone” by electing a governor from the Ukwa/Ngwa axis of the state, adding that the founding fathers of the state would be glad that this has become a reality. He said: “I consider it a major milestone because by this singular action, every Abian from all the quarters of the state can confidently aspire to the leadership of this state in the full knowledge that they enjoy the full rights and benefits of an egalitarian state united by a shared history and confidently marching towards a shared future.”

Stretching from the old Imo State, the aspiration of the Ukwa/Ngwa to produce a governor has been emotive laced with rancour and cries of marginalisation. But at the silver jubilee celebration Ikpeazu declared that “Today the circle of Abia unity is complete and the only thing left for us is to march on”, adding that “Abia will rise and shine” and

take its leading role as the hub of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the South-east and Nigeria in general. The enthronement of equity in Abia politics was yet another of the legacies of Senator Orji as governor of Abia.

Though the 2016 Abia Day was devoid of the various categories of awards usually given to Abians who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields of endeavour, it didn’t just pass off without memorable features. Ikpeazu unveiled the Abia State anthem and the official logo of the state, both of which represent the expression of Abia’s distinct identity and the new spirit of an industrious people raring to soar beyond the skies. Special Adviser to the governor on Public Communications, Mr. Sam Hart, who gave the concise details of the Abia heraldry design, explained that the black and gold eagle at the helm of the logo signifies strength and grace. The silver shield quartered in blue, gold, earth and green signifies labour and enterprise (blue), sun and abundance of warmth (Gold), welcoming and hospitable nature of Abians (earth) and fertility (green).

According to him, the elephant (Enyi) standing majestically at the centre of the logo is the traditional image of Abia while the open book signifies education, scholarship and the Holy Bible, a symbolism of Abia’s sobriquet as God’s Own State. The logo which is rather congested symbolic images also contains four ordinaries – artisan, the Abia Tower, industry and two hands gripped in a handshake. The base of marigold field on which the shield stands and supported by four palm trees further signify fertility and abundance while the base theme of the flag design centred black and gold, which are the “nationally allotted colours of Abia State.” The flag incorporates the Abia coat of arms and a green forward facing pennant indicative of life and progress whereas the background of the logo is predominantly white signifying peace.

As Abia looks ahead after its 25th anniversary, Ikpeazu is optimistic that whatever remains of the aspirations that the founding fathers had for Abia would eventually be realised. “We will do all within our powers to ensure that Abia State is not only the first in alphabetical order in the comity of states (in Nigeria) but in deed the first in all positive ramifications,” he said.

The aspiration is already becoming real in the field of education where Abia has placed first for two consecutive years in the May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination. With such positives Abia can after celebrating its silver jubilee march on assuredly knowing that it would definitely reach the silver lining behind the dark cloud.

42

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

43

44

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Gabon Opposition Leader Challenges Election Result Gabon’s opposition leader yesterday constitutional challenged a presidential election he narrowly lost, hoping to overturn a result whose validity has been questioned at home and abroad.

Former foreign minister Jean Ping lost the August 27 election to President Ali Bongo by fewer than 6,000 votes, an outcome that sparked days of riots in which at least six people were killed.

Ping’s spokesman said in a statement he would seek a recount in the province of Haut-Ogooue, a stronghold of the Bongo family, who have ruled the central African oil-

producing nation of 1.8 million for nearly half a century.

The poll and its aftermath have shone a rare and unwelcome international spotlight on Gabon, a former French colony where petrodollars, invested by foreign firms including Total and Royal Dutch Shell, have mostly benefited the elite. France, which still has a military base the country, reiterated calls for a recount, a foreign ministry spokesman saying a“transparent, impartial examination of the results”was needed to resolve the political crisis.

Bongo has said only the court can consider that re-

quest, while Foreign Minister Emmanuel Issoze Ngondet said an African Union (AU) mediation mission, due to arrive in the now becalmed capital Libreville on Friday, had been postponed until further notice.

The mission’s head, Chad’s President Idriss Deby - who took power in 1990 and is one of Africa’s longest serving rulers - was “tired” after attending a summit in China, the minister said.

Opposition parties in Africa frequently dispute elections citing fraud and, while it is unusual for foreign governments to press for further scrutiny after an election has been declared, results are rarely overturned.

Ping has also said he says he has little faith in the court, his only legal avenue for redress and which he says is tied to the government.

Criticism of the poll has focused on Haut-Ogooue, where results showed 95.46 percent of voters

backed Bongo on a turnout of 99.9 percent, more than double the participation rate of other regions.

The president, who has in turn accused the opposition of cheating, was re-elected after coming to power in 2009 on the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who had ruled for 42 years.

Ping says the Haut-Ogooue numbers were inflated to give Bongo victory, and the Euro-

pean Union has also reported anomalies.

Sarah Crozier, EU election monitor spokesman, said on Thursday the official turnout for Haut-Ogooue indicated just 47 abstentions out of more than 71,000 registered voters. Election uncertainty may complicate Gabon’s adjustment to lower oil prices and that could have implications for the country’s credit profile, Fitch Ratings agency said yesterday.

Britain Should Start EU Divorce Talks Soon, Says Tusk Britain should start talks to leave the European Union as soon as possible, European Council President Donald Tusk said yesterday, adding weight to calls for Prime Minister Theresa May to start the formal divorce procedure.

In London, Tusk met May for their first head-to-head meeting since Britain voted to leave the bloc in a referendum on June 23 which led to the resignation of her predecessor David Cameron.

Tusk and May are keen to discuss what steps might be taken over the next few months, officials said.

May has said Britain will not trigger Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty to start the exit procedure this year to give her government time to come up with a negotiating stance for the complicated talks that will shape the country’s future standing.

“Our goal (is) to establish closest possible EU-UK relations. Ball in UK court to start

negotiations. In everybody’s best interest to start ASAP (as soon as possible),”Tusk said on Twitter.

As head of the European Council, which groups heads of EU states and governments, Tusk leads the body that defines the bloc’s political direction and priorities. EU officials are keen to move quickly on the talks, fearing uncertainty over future relations is hurting investment.

But some data suggests that Britain’s economy, while slowing sharply, has recovered from the initial impact of the vote. Reports published on Thursday showed firms increasing the number of permanent staff and house prices rising, albeit from low levels.

Lawmakers who had lobbied for Britain to leave the EU in the run up to the referendum have taken the economic data as proof that the ‘remain’ campaign had tried to frighten voters into staying by forecasting economic difficulties.

Muslim pilgrims visit the Hera cave, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad received the first words of the Koran through Gabriel, at the top of Mount Al-Noor in Mecca…yesterday

West Bank Court Rules against Holding Local Palestinian Election

The Palestinian high court in Ramallah has ruled that municipal elections scheduled for Oct. 8 cannot go ahead after a dispute over party lists and the inability to hold the vote in East Jerusalem, which has been annexed by Israel.

The elections would have been the first democratic exercise in the Palestinian territories in a decade.

They were being seen as a proxy vote on the popularity of President poll late last month, has said Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah France needs to be “merciless” party versus the Islamist movement in its response to the attacks Hamas. and that there was no place for Thursday’s ruling follows court “legal niceties”in the fight against submissions by Hamas in Gaza terrorism. Without mentioning against party lists drawn up by Sarkozy by name, Hollande said: “Constitutional principles are not legal niceties.”

“Is the freedom to come and go a legal nicety? Is freedom Turkey yesterday jailed 16 of expression a legal nicety? businessmen pending trial Is freedom to worship a legal and issued arrest warrants for nicety? Is being presumed in- dozens of military officers over nocent - something that’s useful alleged links to the U.S.-based when defending one’s self a cleric blamed by Ankara for legal nicety?” Hollande said in July’s attempted coup, Turkish a combative speech to warm media said. applause at the left-wing Jean Authorities have already Jaures Foundation think-tank. detained tens of thousands of Hollande is France’s most people over links to the cleric, unpopular leader in modern Fethullah Gulen, who denies times and is struggling to any involvement in the failed regain credibility both on the putsch. The crackdown has fight against terrorism and on the alarmed Western allies and rights economy, leaving the president in a groups who fear a witch hunt. weak position as he contemplates Turkish officials have rejected mounting a bid for a second term concern that their actions are too next year. heavy-handed, pointing to the

Hollande Gives Hint at Intent to Run for Second Term France’s President Francois Hollande said he would not let France’s image deteriorate“over the coming months or coming years”in a speech yesterday, his clearest indication yet that he intends to run for a second term in office next year.

In an hour long speech on “democracy and terrorism”, Hollande took a swipe at his right-wing rivals, saying their hardline reactions to a wave of militant attacks demonstrated an intent to destroy France’s social model.

“I won’t let the image of France, the influence of France deteriorate over the coming months or coming years,” the president said. Hollande has come under aggressive attack from right-wing opponents, and in particular former President Nicolas Sarkozy, over his security track record.

The divisive and abrasive Sarkozy, who announced his candidacy for April’s presidential

JOURNEY TO MECCA

Fatah. The dispute underlines the legal and political divisions between Abbas’s Palestinian Authority, which governs in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007.

“Elections can’t take place in one place and not the other,”the presiding judge of the Ramallah court said in his ruling.“The election can’t take place in Jerusalem and its neighborhoods. Also, there are problems with the formation of courts in Gaza ... Therefore, the court decides to stop the election (scheduled for Oct. 8).”

The court will hold another session to consider the issue on

Sept. 21, but legal experts said Thursday’s decision was unlikely to be changed, meaning it is almost certain that the municipal elections will not go ahead as planned.

The vote would have been the first involving Hamas and Fatah since 2006, when Hamas won a surprise victory in legislative polls, an outcome that led to a rupture in Palestinian politics and laid the groundwork for the current impasse. While local elections were held in 2012, voting only took place in a fraction of the West Bank’s 350 municipalities, and Hamas did not recognize the outcome.

Fatah blamed Hamas for the legal dispute.“We hold Hamas fully responsible for foiling the election, starting with the unjustified petitions it filed,”Fatah spokesman Osama Al-Qawasmi said, accusing Hamas of using “private courts”in Gaza to block Fatah’s lists.

“The high court decision is politically motivated and it came in order to rescue Fatah after its lists of candidates collapsed in a number of areas,”said spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri. More than anything, the stand-off underscores just how divided Palestinian politics has become.

Turkey Jails Businessmen, Orders Military Officers Detained gravity of the coup plot. Rogue soldiers commandeered fighter jets and tanks and attacked parliament in the failed putsch, killing more than 240 people.

Among those in custody was Faruk Gullu, owner of a chain of shops selling baklava, a traditional Turkish pastry. He is accused of belonging to what Ankara terms the “Gulenist Terrorist Organisation”(FETO), state-run Anadolu Agency said.

The Istanbul court was continuing to question 21 more businessmen, including Gullu’s brother Nejat, who runs a rival chain of baklava shops, and leading clothing maker

Omer Faruk Kavurmaci, the agency said.

They were among 80 suspects detained by police three weeks ago as part of the investigation.

Of that number, 43 have been released subject to judicial monitoring, meaning they could still face prosecution. Separately, Istanbul prosecutors issued detention orders for six generals, 43 other officers and some civilians in a police operation extending across 15 provinces, Anadolu reported. Four suspects have been detained so far, the agency said.

A day earlier, police detained three journalists, a politician and

a pollster and issued arrest warrants for another 105 people over suspected links to Gulen.

Opposition politicians said the latest wave of arrests may target government critics with no clear links to the religious movement led by Gulen, whom Turkey wants extradited.

Several thousand soldiers have been expelled from the army and more than 100,000 people, including civil servants, bureaucrats, teachers, soldiers and journalists, have lost their jobs for alleged links with Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania since 1999.

45

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

UN Nuclear Agency Says Iran Sticking to Nuclear Deal Iran has kept to a nuclear deal it agreed with six world powers last year limiting its stockpiles of substances that could be used to make atomic weapons, a report by the U.N. nuclear agency found.

The confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) seen by Reuters did not point to any violations in Tehran’s observance of the deal which was opposed by hardliners inside Iran and by skeptics in the West.

“Throughout the reporting period, Iran had no more than 130 metric tonnes of heavy water ... Iran’s total enriched uranium (up to 3.67 percent purity) stockpile did not exceed 300 kg,” the report said, citing the nuclear deal’s limits on the two substances.

Earlier this month, a U.S. think-tank said Iran had been secretly allowed to overstep certain thresholds in order to get the deal through on time, but a diplomat said no limits had been exceeded apart

from one incident which the agency reported in February.

The Institute for Science and International Security think-tank, headed by a former IAEA inspector, said one of the secret concessions exempted unknown quantities of low-enriched uranium contained in liquid, solid and sludge wastes.

It also said Iran had been allowed to keep operating 19 radiation containment chambers more than set out in the deal.

These so-called “hot cells” are used for handling radioactive material but can be “misused for secret, mostly small-scale plutonium separation efforts,” it said.

The diplomat in Vienna said any hot-cell activity that could be used to breach limits would be reported by the IAEA, which it had not done.

The White House has denied there were any secret deals and says the agreement, also negotiated

by Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, does

ensure Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons.

In exchange, international sanctions on Iran were lifted.

Iran has also given fresh documents to the IAEA, it said, to move toward

further normalization of its status under the socalled Additional Protocol, the agency’s monitoring procedure which all member states are supposed to adhere to.

Under last year’s nuclear

deal, Iran is allowed to conduct certain atomic research and development activities beyond uranium enrichment with its elderly IR-1 centrifuges.

Thursday’s report mentioned Iran has resumed

making rotor tubes for advanced models.

The diplomat said these rotor tubes were for centrifuges of the IR-4, 6 and 8 types, adding this was not in conflict with the nuclear deal.

EU to Extend Telecom Security Rules to WhatsApp, Skype The European Union is set to extend some security rules currently only applicable to telecom operators to web services such as WhatsApp, Skype, and Apple Inc’s FaceTime, according to a draft proposal seen by Reuters.

The European Commission, the EU executive, will unveil a proposed reform of its 15-year-old telecom rules next week in which it will extend some provisions to web companies offering calls and messages over the Internet, so-called “over the top players.”

Telecom companies such as Vodafone, Orange, and Deutsche Telekom, have long complained that web groups including Alphabet Inc’s Google, Microsoft and Facebook are more lightly

regulated despite offering similar services and have called for the EU’s telecoms-specific rules to be repealed.

Under the draft directive, over the top services will have to ensure the security and integrity of their services, including reporting breaches to authorities and having contingency plans and service continuity strategies.

The proposal is part of a broader drive to level the playing field between European companies and mainly U.S. tech firms.

However the proposal does allow for some of the security obligations to be lighter for services which like, for example, WhatsApp, do not exercise control

over the transmission of their services over telecom networks.

“Providers of such services should thus ensure a level of security commensurate with the degree of risk posed to the security of the communications services they provide,” the document says.“Therefore, whenever it is justified by the actual assessment of the security risks involved, the security requirements ... should be lighter.”

Companies will be required to notify national authorities“without undue delay” of a security breach which has a significant impact on the operation of their service.

The Commission has previously said it was considering

extending some security obligations to web services given their increasing equivalence to traditional phone calls and text messages.

Over the top services using a number or allowing users to call a number, such as Skype Out and messaging app Viber Out, will also have to offer emergency calls under the new rules.

The Commission will propose giving all European consumers the right to affordable basic broadband, which will enable them to check emails and access online banking, meaning national governments will have to provide public money to ensure universal coverage.

46

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

White House Names Retired Air Force General as First Cyber Security Chief Mediation mission postponed

The White House yesterday named a retired U.S. Air Force general as the

government’s first federal cyber security chief, a position announced eight months

ago that is intended to improve defenses against hackers.

Gregory Touhill’s

Iraq Gears up to Retake Mosul from Islamic State Iraqi forces are gearing up to retake Mosul from the Islamic State militants. The U.S.-led war on Islamic State has depleted the group’s funds, leadership and foreign fighters, but the biggest battle yet is expected later this year in Iraq’s northern city of Mosul, where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his“caliphate”two years ago.

The jihadist insurgents have lost more than half the territory they seized in Iraq and nearly as much in neighboring Syria, but still manage to control their twin capitals of Mosul and Raqqa, symbols of the state they sought to build at the heart of the Middle East.

Military and humanitarian preparations are now in full swing to retake Mosul, the largest city under the ultra-hardline group’s control. American troops are establishing a logistics hub to the south, while the United Nations warns of the world’s most complex humanitarian operation this year.

Iraq’s recapture over the summer of Qayyara airbase and surrounding areas along the Tigris river 60 km (nearly 40 miles) south of Mosul have set the stage for a big push on the city, which commanders say could start by late October.

Whether Islamic State makes a

final stand in Mosul or slips away to fight another day remains in question, but Baghdad expects a fierce battle and the international coalition backing it is preparing for one.

The densely populated river valley may hold obstacles for the military, though Islamic State appears to be putting up relatively little resistance, possibly to conserve fighters for a showdown in Mosul where their forces are estimated at between 3,000 and 9,000.

Hardcore fighters have likely slipped out already through the desert and into Syria, while many top leaders and foreign fighters have been killed in targeted air strikes, according to Major General Najm al-Jabouri, the Mosul operation’s commander.

He told Reuters that victory by year’s end would be easy, in keeping with pledges by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

“We will go to Mosul, they will go to Tel Afar. We will go to Tel Afar, they will go to Baaj,”said Jabouri, referring to IS-controlled districts 70 km (44 miles) and 140 km (87 miles)west of Mosul, respectively, which can be used to reach Syria.

“We will go to Baaj, maybe.

It depends on the situation in Syria. They can get to Syria but the situation there is not like

No End in Sight for South Africa’s Historic Drought South Africa remains in the grip of a drought that is not expected to ease soon, a government task team said on Thursday, putting pressure on inflation as the cost of staple foods soars. The long-range forecast showed below normal rainfall expected and “therefore little relief is anticipated in the coming months,” local government minister Des van Rooyen, chairman of an inter-ministerial task team on drought, told a media briefing in Cape Town.

Van Rooyen, flanked by Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane and Agriculture Minister Senzeni Zokwana, said there was no need to declare a national disaster even as the national planting area for maize declined by 30 percent. The drought has also reduced the national cattle herd by 15 percent with no relief in sight.

“About 370 large commercial farmers around the country... were at risk of going under due to them

not being able to service their debts as a result of the drought,” he said. The cost of staple foods, such as maize, has sky rocketed and had a knock-on effect on inflation, the central bank has said. Inflation is running at 6 percent.

Dam levels have fallen to 53 percent as an El Nino weather pattern, which ended in May, triggered drought conditions across southern Africa and placing millions at risk of food shortages. Large swathes of scorched land decimated the maize crop, with current forecasts pointing to a 26.6 percent lower harvest this year. Temperatures soared to historic peaks in 2015, the driest year since records started in 1904. Van Rooyen said water restrictions had been imposed in some provinces. Residents and businesses in the economic hub of Johannesburg are being urged to conserve water usage.

before. It is not a safe haven for them now.”

Lieutenant General Vincent Stewart, Director of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, said on Thursday he expected the Mosul operation could unfold in the next two or three months but that it would be long and difficult.

“Urban warfighting is not easy and this is a large city that has had at least two years to prepare to defend its position ... It’s going to be a multi-dimensional fight,” Stewart said at a national security summit in Washington.

The war against jihadist insurgents in the Middle East has ebbed and flowed but there is a palpable sense in the region that the tide has turned against Islamic State.

In the past year and a half, the group has lost swathes of territory and strategic outposts.

In Iraq it was driven out of Tikrit and Sinjar in the north, the oil refinery town of Baiji, and finally Ramadi and Falluja in western Anbar province, the heart of the insurgency following the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 that toppled Saddam Hussein.

In northern Syria, U.S.-allied Kurdish militia of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) have taken vital territory and border crossings below the frontier with Turkey after capturing Kobani and later taking Tel Abyad, a key supply line for the jihadist capital Raqqa further south. The YPG has expanded its territory west of the Euphrates, seizing Manbij last month.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known as JOY IJEOMA UBANI, now wishes to be known and addressed as JOY IJEOMA ELIJAH EFFIONG. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

MRS JOY CHRIS IRUBOR,

I, formerly known as

now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS JOY IDERA IRUBOR. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to notify the public that my name was wrongly spelt as MUKTARI ALIYU instead of MUNTARI ALIYU. Henceforth my correct names remains MUNTARI ALIYU. All documents remain valid,Eco Bank and the general public should please take note.

This is to notify to the general public that my names are NWOSU CHINONSO BATHLOMY and not NWAOSU CHINONSO BATHLOMY as was erroneously written in my national identity card & DAVID NWOSU as used in my Fidelity Bank A/C. Henceforth,i wish to be addressed as NWOSU CHINONSO BATHLOMY .All former documents remain valid,the general public should please take note.

job will be to protect government networks and critical infrastructure from cyber threats as federal chief information security officer, according to a statement.

The Obama administration has made bolstering federal cyber security a top priority of the president’s last year in office.

The issue has gained more attention due to high-profile breaches in recent years against the government and private sector.

Most recently U.S.

intelligence officials have suspected Russia is responsible for breaches of Democratic political organizations and state election systems.

They believe it may be trying to exert influence over the U.S. presidential election, a charge the Kremlin has denied.

President Barack Obama announced the new position in February alongside a budget proposal to Congress asking for $19 billion for cyber security across the

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known as MISS VIVIAN ONYEKANNA NKONYEASUA, now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS VIVIAN ONYEKANNA PEMU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formally known as MISS MARY CHEKWUBECHUKWU WELLINGTON, wishes to now be known and addressed as MRS MARY CHEKWUBECHUKWU IDABOR. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known as MUHAMMADU ADAMU, now wishes to be known and addressed as MUHAMMADU HUSSAINI ADAMU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formally known as ADEGUN MODINAT AMOKE, now wishes to be known and addressed as KAZEEM MODINAT. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known as MISS GARUBA OLUWATOYIN BEATRICE, now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS UGHA OLUWATOYIN FAITH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known as DARE JULIUS REMI, now wishes to be known and addressed as OLUWADARE JULIUS REMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known as MISS OHABUGHIRO OGECHI MIRACLE, now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS IHEDIOHANMA OGECHI MIRACLE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known as JUNID MOHAMMED LUKMON, now wishes to be known and addressed as JINADU LUKMON TINU. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I, formerly known as BALOGUN ABISAYO, wishes to now be known and addressed as MR BALOGUN ABISAYO JOHN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known as JOSEPH GIFT, now wishes to be known and addressed as ISHILI GODGIFT. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known as CHUKWUMA STANLEY, now wishes to be known and addressed as CHUKWUMA STANLEY ECHE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known as MARIAMAT YESUFU, now wishes to be known and addressed as MARIAMAT STEPHANIE ANTHONY LAKPAH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known as OLUFEMI HENRY, now wishes to be known and addressed as HENRY KEHINDE OLUFEMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

U.S. government.

Touhill is currently a deputy assistant secretary for cyber security and communications at the Department of Homeland Security. He will begin his new role later this month, a source familiar with the matter said.

Grant Schneider, who is the director of cyber security policy a t the White House’s National Security Council, will be acting deputy to To u h i l l , a c c o r d i n g to the announcement.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formally known as MISS OSHINOWO OLUWABUNMI ABIODUN, now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS OPAJOBI OLUWABUNMI ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known as JAMES ISWO, now wishes to be known and addressed as JAMES IJWO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known as JOY UBANI, now wishes to be known and addressed as IJEOMA ELIJAH EFFIONG. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

IJEOMA

I, formerly known as MISS BARBARA EYITEMI AYONMIKE, now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS BARBARA EYITEMI ALERO IGBOKWE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS IBIFURO ROSELINE PRISCILLA OKO-JAJA now wish to b known and address as MRS IBIFURO PRISCILLA EZEPUE. All former documents remain valid, Federal Polytechnic Nekede an d the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known as MISS EKEJIUBA PERPETUAL CHINONYE, now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS NWANASOR PERPETUAL CHINONYE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I,

formerly

EMMANUEL

known

as

OMALE, now

wishes to be known and addressed as OBOCHI BABA BENARD. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known as ENEKA SUNDAY AMEH, now wishes to be known and addressed as ENEKA SUNDAY . All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known as ESEYIN OLUBUNMI DORCAS, now wishes to be known and addressed as FATIMEHIN OLUBUNMI DORCAS . All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known as MOYO CHRISTIANA ONI, now wishes to be known and addressed as MOYOSORE MORENIKE ONI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known as MR ARHETE JUDE IBHAGBENKALO, now wishes to be known and addressed as MR EBHODAGHE JUDE OSEIWE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known as GLORY EHIS, now wishes to be known and addressed as

EHIAREKHIAN GLORIA OMOSELE. All former

documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

47

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

WORLD OF ISLAM

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

The Last Sermon (Khutbah) of Prophet Muhammad (Farewell Sermon) IqraSense Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) delivered his last sermon (Khutbah) on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah (12th and last month of the Islamic year), 10 years after Hijrah (migration from Makkah to Madinah) in the Uranah Valley of mount Arafat. His words were quite clear and concise and were directed to the entire humanity.

After praising, and thanking Allah he said: “O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and TAKE THESE WORDS TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY. O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deeds. ALLAH has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn ‘Abd’al Muttalib (Prophet’s uncle) shall henceforth be waived…

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness.

Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship ALLAH, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety (taqwa) and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood.

Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before ALLAH and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, NO PROPHET OR APOSTLE WILL COME AFTER ME AND NO NEW FAITH WILL BE BORN. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to

Eid Etiquettes IqraSence/Islam Q&A

The Sunnahs that the Muslim should observe on the day of Eid are as follows: 1 – Doing ghusl before going out to the prayer.

It was narrated in a saheeh hadeeth in al-Muwatta’ and elsewhere that ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar used to do ghusl on the day of al-Fitr before going out to the prayer-place in the morning. Al-Muwatta’ 428.

Al- Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said that the Muslims were unanimously agreed that it is mustahabb to do ghusl for Eid prayer.

The reason why it is mustahabb is the same reason as that for doing ghusl before Jumu’ah and other public gatherings.

Rather on Eid the reason is even stronger.

2 – Eating before going out t o pray on Eid al-Fitr and after the prayer on Eid al-Adha.

Part of the etiquette is not to go out to pray on Eid alFitr until one has eaten some dates, because of the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari from Anas ibn Maalik, who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used not to go out on the morning of Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates… of which he would eat an odd number. Al-Bukhaari, 953.

It is mustahabb to eat before going out to emphasize the fact that it is forbidden to fast on that day and to demonstrate that the fast has ended. …..But on Eid al-Adha it is mustahabb not to eat anything until one comes back from the prayer, so he should eat from the udhiyah if he has offered a sacrifice. If he is not going to offer a sacrifice there is nothing wrong with eating before the prayer.

3 – Takbeer on the day of Eid This is one of the greatest Sunnahs on the day of Eid because Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbeer

you. I leave behind me two things, the QURAN and my example, the SUNNAH and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O ALLAH, that I have conveyed your message to your people”.

(Reference: See Al-Bukhari, Hadith 1623, 1626, 6361) Sahih of Imam Muslim also refers to this sermon in Hadith number 98. Imam al-Tirmidhi has mentioned this sermon in Hadith nos. 1628, 2046, 2085. Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal has given us the longest and perhaps the most complete version of this sermon in his Masnud, Hadith no. 19774.)

(Allahu Akbar: Allah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him” [al-Baqarah 2:185] It was narrated that al-Waleed ibn Muslim said: I asked al-Awzaa’i and Maalik ibn Anas about saying Takbeer out loud on the two Eids. They said, Yes, ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar used to say it out loud on the day of al-Fitr until the imam came out (to lead the prayers). …..Al-Daaraqutni and others narrated that on the morning of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, Ibn ‘Umar would strive hard in reciting takbeer until he came to the prayer place, then he would recite takbeer until the imam came out.

The time for takbeer on Eid al-Fitr starts from the night before Eid until the imam enters to lead the Eid prayer.

In the case of Eid al-Adha, the takbeer begins on the first day of Dhu’l-Hijjah and lasts until sunset on the last of the days of tashreeq.

Description of the takbeer: It was narrated in the Musannaf of Ibn Abi Shaybah with a saheeh isnaad from Ibn Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased with him) that he used to recite takbeer during the days of tashreeq: Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, wa Allahu akbar, Allah akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is most Great, there is no god but Allah, Allah is Most great, Allah is most great, and to Allah be praise).

It was also narrated elsewhere by Ibn Abi Shaybah with the same isnaad, but with the phrase “Allahu akbar” repeated three times.

4 – Offering congratulations The etiquette of Eid also includes the congratulations and good wishes exchanged by people, no matter what the wording, such as saying to one another Taqabbala Allah minna wa minkum (May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you” or “Eid mubaarak” and other permissible expressions of congratulations.

It was narrated that Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: When the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) met one another on the day of Eid, they would say

to one another, “May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you.” Ibn Hajar said, its isnaad is hasan. Al-Fath, 2/446.

Offering congratulations was something that was well known among the Sahaabah, and scholars such as Imam Ahmad and others allowed it. There is evidence which suggests that it is prescribed to offer congratulations and good wishes on special occasions, and that the Sahaabah congratulated one another when good things happened, such as when Allah accepted the repentance of a man, they went and congratulated him for that, and so on.

Undoubtedly these congratulations are among the noble characteristics among the Muslims.

5 – Adorning oneself on the occasion of Eid It was narrated that Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had a cloak which he would wear on the two Eids and on Fridays. Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 1756, Al-Bayhaqi narrated with a saheeh isnaad that Ibn ‘Umar used to wear his best clothes on Eid. So a man should wear the best clothes that he has when going out for Eid. With regard to women, they should avoid adorning themselves (to show off to non-mahram men) when they go out for Eid, because they are forbidden to show off their adornments to non-mahram men. It is also haraam for a woman who wants to go out to put on perfume or to expose men to temptation, because they are only going out for the purpose of worship.

6 – Going to the prayer by one route and returning by another It was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: On the day of Eid, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to vary his route.

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 986.

It was said that the reason for that was so that the two routes would testify for him on the Day of Resurrection, for the earth will speak on the Day of Resurrection and say what was done on it, both good and bad.

48

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Report: How Digital Financial Services Can Lift Nigerians Out of Poverty Obinna Chima A report, the “financial inclusion insight (FII),” has stressed that digital financial services (DFS) can play a key role in managing expenses and setting individuals and households on paths to stay out of poverty permanently.

The new research report by InterMedia, which is a FII Survey Tracker, was released recently.

According to the report, through digital technology, financial services can reach billions of new customers quickly and efficiently. It noted that digital accounts cut the costs of transactions by as much as 90 per cent. In addition, it showed that digital accounts give people the ability to save and budget for the first time in their lives, allowing them to withstand financial shocks and direct money toward specific uses, such as education and healthcare. Also, new customers and financial interactions have a domino effect of growth, touching providers, merchants, service providers, etc.

“When cash transactions that once circulated outside the formal economy are channeled within it, merchants and provid-

ers have new customers and new revenue, which can inspire more services and innovation.

DFS gives people a secure way to save, which allows them to build cushions against financial shocks that would otherwise pull them right back into poverty,” it added.

Furthermore, it showed that more than 90 per cent of the world’s poor are covered by a mobile signal, which allows people to conveniently make payments digitally rather than in person.

It pointed out Africa is living proof that DFS can effectively reach the unbanked, stating that in Cote d’Ivoire, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe, more adults use a mobile money account than a traditional account at a financial institution. In Tanzania, ownership of mobile money accounts surged from one per cent of the population in 2009 to 32 per cent in 2014, according to the report.

Also, 60 per cent of Africans live in rural areas (per United Nations). DFS is the only way to reach them cheaply, affordably, and at scale.

“In total, the worth of Africa’s mobile money market is ex-

pected to top US$14 billion in just another five years,” as a result of greater adoption of DFS. Based on its findings that four out of 10 adult Nigerians do not have access to any form of financial services, it concluded that “life is not only more difficult, but also more expensive” for these set of people.

“These individuals must rely on informal services, which are not always trustworthy, such as: keeping their savings hidden — in pots, under mattresses, in fields where they constantly worry about thieves; sending money to a family member in another village is risky and can take days; obtaining even a small loan for an emergency is often impossible.

“When they do use a formal service—like cashing a check or sending money—they often pay high fees and conduct transactions in person, which can mean giving up valuable time and traveling long distances,” it added.

Its findings on trends in mobile money and other digital financial services in Nigeria showed that the potential for increasing financial inclusion is ripe—particularly among young people.

FCMB Supports Capacity Building amongYouths As part of its commitment towards youth empowerment and sustainable economic growth, First City Monument Bank Limited, (FCMB) Limited has kicked-off a capacity building programme for youths in Lagos tagged: “Empowered for the Future (E4F)”.

The initiative is a 12-month peer-to-peer economic empowerment, sexual and reproductive health promotion project for in- and out-of-school adolescents. The financial institution is organising this in partnership with a Nigeria-based NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), Youth Empowerment Foundation (YEF).

The initiative, according to a statement, was in line with the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda, which it stated focuses on poverty alleviation, economic empowerment and environmental sustainability.

The programme commenced in August with a week-long training session held at Eric Moore Senior Secondary School, Surulere, Lagos. The exercise involved about 50 youths who were trained on various

aspects of human development. The beneficiaries are expected to reach out to 750 peers over a one year period, with focus on financial literacy, skill acquisition, sexual and reproductive health, while undergoing vocational training, job shadowing and knowledge building programmes.

Commenting on the initiative, the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ladi Balogun said, “It is an integral part of our business to make sure that we contribute positively to the community.

“Throughout the country, we seek to have an impact in many different locations, because we believe that it is important for an organisation to have consistent and measurable positive impact on the society with the things that we do.

For us, CSR is not a PR tool, but an important vehicle that enables us have real impact on people’s lives – impact that we can measure in terms of the number of lives we have improved.”

Balogun further stated that the bank’s aim is to try and empower those who are

otherwise excluded from the economic growth. This is particularly relevant at this point in time, as over the last few years, income inequality and the need to deliver inclusive growth has been highlighted around the world.

Also speaking on the initiative, the Group Head, Corporate Affairs of FCMB, Mr. Diran Olojo said, “the Empowered for the Future (E4F) programme is designed to harness the skills of youths, enhance their employability and income generation capabilities in order to improve their present and future economic status. An initiative such as this is especially important, given the current challenging economic climate.”

He added that “as a responsive and helpful corporate institution, we are using the platform provided by this programme to effectively empower youths and help them achieve their aspirations.

We are glad to provide this support which will hopefully go a long way in helping these young Nigerians find their feet in business and other human endeavours.”

Zenith Bank Launches Promo Zenith Bank Plc has launched a “*966# Friday” campaign to reward its USSD banking customers by giving them a chance to triple their airtime purchased every Friday on the platform.

The campaign, which will run every Friday from September 9 through October 7, 2016 will see the first 966 customers to purchase airtime using the code *966*amount*phone number# between the hours of 6am and 9am, having their purchases tripled.

A statement from the bank explained that the Zenith Bank

USSD Banking application is a convenient, fast, secure, and affordable way to access your Zenith bank account 24/7 through mobile phones without internet data.

The service is available to all individual account holders with any phone that runs on the GSM platform.

“Using the USSD Banking application, users can open accounts, check their account balances, buy airtime, transfer money to zenith and other banks account, pay bills, as well as perform other transactions. Zenith’s USSD Banking is

secure as it requires registration and PIN authentication on all banking transactions.

Zenith Bank consistently plays a leading role in payment innovation, and deploys products that are consistent with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) financial inclusion policy.

The most customer focused bank in Nigeria, Zenith Bank is Nigeria’s largest bank by Teir-1 capital and has earned local and international reputation for the adoption of cutting-edge technology to deliver banking solutions,” the statement added.

????

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2016 Broad Money (M2)

21,684,965.22

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,125,933.16

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,379,187.93

---- Demand Deposits

7,746,745.22

-- Quasi Money

12,559,032.07

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,105,663.47

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,579,301.76

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

24,318,143.03

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,893,190.01

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

5,004,677.26

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-2,111,487.25

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

21,424,953.01

--Other Assets Net

-9,738,841.27

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,370,199.87

--Currency in Circulation

1,684,725.89

--Banks Reserves

3,685,473.98 • 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 - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT WEDNESDAY 7, SEPT 2016 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $43.18 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $42.75 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

49

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

25-Aug-16

24-Aug-16

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

01 Dangote Cement Plc

173.00

173.00

0.00%

2,948,007,781,065.00

9.56

18.09

5.44

4.62%

4.33

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

142.50

140.20

1.64%

1,129,896,876,540.00

4.50

31.70

3.77

2.53%

6.94

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

27.00

27.00

0.00%

794,641,839,048.00

4.20

6.43

2.22

6.56%

1.75

830.00

825.01

0.60%

657,904,689,160.00

19.41

42.76

3.97

3.49%

18.70

05 Zenith Bank Plc

14.68

14.60

0.55%

460,900,528,778.48

3.10

4.74

1.10

12.26%

0.74

06 Lafarge Africa Plc

58.00

58.00

0.00%

264,184,304,980.00

-6.71

-8.64

1.19

5.17%

1.89

165.06

165.06

0.00%

214,987,530,861.18

4.22

39.11

1.45

2.09%

5.01

11.50

11.66

-1.37%

211,019,838,972.50

0.23

50.05

0.39

5.39%

0.35

325.00

320.20

1.50%

179,825,851,725.00 -14.43

-22.52

1.92

4.90%

0.48

45.00

45.00

0.00%

178,671,467,025.00

0.54

83.90

2.57

2.89%

4.37

11 United Bank for Africa Plc

4.40

4.59

-4.14%

159,629,915,816.80

1.66

2.65

0.51

13.64%

0.39

12 Access Bank Plc

5.47

5.42

0.92%

158,236,004,821.57

2.56

2.14

0.46

10.05%

0.37

13 Unilever Nigeria Plc

40.04

40.04

0.00%

151,483,181,850.00

0.46

86.59

2.49

0.12%

17.01

14 Guinness Nig Plc

97.85

97.85

0.00%

147,351,159,195.80

3.70

26.46

1.30

0.00%

3.32

15 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

14.51

14.50

0.07%

145,100,000,000.00

2.04

7.12

1.23

0.69%

1.29

3.06

3.07

-0.33%

109,839,595,943.52

0.30

10.04

0.22

4.90%

0.18

17 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

140.00

137.66

1.70%

89,682,650,820.00

3.75

37.35

1.01

1.57%

3.48

18 Total Nigeria Plc

240.00

240.00

0.00%

81,485,240,880.00

31.13

7.71

0.34

5.83%

3.86

19 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

6.51

6.51

0.00%

78,120,000,000.00

1.05

6.20

0.65

7.68%

1.31

20 International Breweries Plc

19.00

19.00

0.00%

62,590,736,320.00

0.17

108.92

2.51

1.32%

5.07

170.06

170.06

0.00%

61,322,830,255.72

17.69

9.61

0.74

4.23%

3.57

4.93

4.93

0.00%

59,330,671,147.42

-3.46

-1.42

0.32

15.21%

0.43

23 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

39.44

43.69

-9.73%

52,060,800,000.00

0.24

162.91

0.50

3.80%

2.32

24 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

19.04

19.75

-3.59%

49,965,476,040.48

6.81

2.80

0.13

10.50%

0.50

1.12

1.11

0.90%

43,367,517,116.00

-0.37

-3.00

0.96

0.00%

0.57

26 U A C N Plc

20.80

20.80

0.00%

39,953,979,249.60

2.44

8.53

0.55

4.81%

0.54

27 Okomu Oil Palm 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

1.01

-0.99%

28,790,418,126.00

0.31

3.24

0.27

9.00%

0.34

29 Diamond Bank Plc

1.20

1.20

0.00%

27,792,466,761.60

0.11

10.88

0.13

0.00%

0.12

30 Wema Bank Plc

0.69

0.72

-4.17%

26,616,381,595.89

0.06

10.94

0.54

0.00%

0.56

14.00

14.00

0.00%

26,294,828,560.00

0.83

16.95

0.95

9.29%

2.12

32 Fidelity Bank Plc

0.90

0.93

-3.23%

26,066,327,122.80

0.39

2.31

0.18

17.78%

0.14

33 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

4.00

4.00

0.00%

23,527,456,780.00

0.76

5.26

0.70

3.50%

0.84

34 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

19.00

19.00

0.00%

22,721,653,272.00

-2.54

-7.48

0.78

1.58%

2.49

35 Cap Plc

32.00

32.00

0.00%

22,400,000,000.00

2.36

13.57

3.22

3.59%

15.34

36 Mansard Insurance Plc

2.08

2.08

0.00%

21,840,000,000.00

0.27

7.66

1.14

2.40%

1.03

37 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

8.10

8.10

0.00%

21,460,450,861.80

0.89

9.14

1.18

6.79%

3.11

38 FCMB Group Plc

1.08

1.10

-1.82%

21,386,927,643.48

0.61

1.76

0.13

9.26%

0.12

39 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

17.92

17.56

2.05%

17,920,000,000.00

4.14

4.33

1.35

0.56%

0.54

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.36

1.30

4.62%

10,785,068,814.88

-0.40

-3.36

0.22

11.76%

0.66

41 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.00

0.99

1.01%

10,372,744,312.00

0.33

3.04

0.50

12.00%

0.54

42 Skye Bank Plc

0.66

0.68

-2.94%

9,160,998,930.60

-2.93

-0.22

0.06

45.45%

0.09

43 Unity Bank Plc

0.71

0.70

1.43%

8,299,429,938.82

0.54

1.31

0.13

0.00%

0.10

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

3.50

3.50

0.00%

6,015,624,982.50

-0.05

-67.13

1.79

20.00%

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

3.33

3.33

0.00%

5,408,648,437.50

0.15

21.59

0.67

6.01%

0.87

49 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.65

0.62

4.84%

4,504,632,912.00

0.26

2.49

0.14

7.69%

0.48

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

1.69

1.69

0.00%

2,535,000,000.00

0.31

5.51

0.37

2.96%

0.40

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc

07 Forte Oil Plc. 08 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated 09 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd 10 Presco Plc

16 FBN Holdings Plc

21 Mobil Oil Nig Plc 22 Oando Plc

25 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

31 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

TOTAL

8,927,696,588,587.94

TOTAL MARKET CAP

9,471,857,827,372.97

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

94.25%

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

Open 7-Sep-16

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion)

27,522.62 9.45

27,574.09 9.47

0.19% 0.19%

114.51 8.92

114.66 8.93

0.13% 0.13%

Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Close 8-Sep-16

Change %

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open 7-Sep-16

AIICO Insurance Plc Honeywell Flour Mill Plc PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc Nigerian Breweries Plc

0.62 1.30 17.56 137.66 140.20

Close 8-Sep-16

Change %

0.65 1.36 17.92 140.00 142.50

4.84% 4.62% 2.05% 1.70% 1.64%

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open 7-Sep-16

Julius Berger Nig. Plc Wema Bank Plc United Bank for Africa Plc Flour Mills Nig. Plc Fidelity Bank Plc

43.69 0.72 4.59 19.75 0.93

Close Change 8-Sep-16 % 39.44 0.69 4.40 19.04 0.90

-9.73% -4.17% -4.14% -3.59% -3.23%

Market bounce northward with 0.19% gain Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Thursday, September 8th, 2016 was bullish as the market ended in the green zone. This was further highlighted by positive performances from the NSE Sub sectors: Insurance, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas (Save Banking). Trading activities decreased in volume as 242.74 million shares worth N1.74 billion in 3,067 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 295.71 million shares worth N3.59 billion in 3,709 deals exchanged on Thursday.

Topping in volume terms was United Bank for Africa Plc, Skye Bank Plc and FBN Holdings Plc while United Bank for Africa Plc and Nestle Nigeria Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with a 0.19% (+51.47) increase to close at 27,574.09 from 27,522.62 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization appreciated in tandem to N9.47 trillion from N9.45 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index also followed suit with an increase of 0.13% to close at 114.66 from 114.51 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N8.93 trillion from N8.92 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 23 stocks gained on the bourse today while 11 stocks declined, 65 leaving stocks unchanged. AIICO Insurance Plc emerged the day’s toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 4.82% to close at N0.65 per share. It was followed by Honeywell Flour Mill Plc with a gain of 4.62% to close at N1.36 per share. Others on the gainers list include: PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc, while on the decliners’ list; Julius Berger Nig. Plc led with a loss of 9.73% to close at N39.44 per share. It was followed by Wema Bank Plc with a loss of 4.17% to close at N0.69 per share.

Others on the decliners list include: United Bank for Africa Plc, Flour Mills Nig. Plc and Fidelity Bank 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

50

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

MARKET NEWS

Conoil Grows Profit by 176% to N2.3bn, Pays 300k Dividend Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie Conoil Plc yesterday reported a better-than-expected results for the year ended December 31, 2015, recording a growth of 176 per cent in profit and 200 per cent rise in dividend.

Despite the challenging operating environment, Conoil Plc recorded a profit before tax of N3.448 billion

in 2015, up by 125 per cent fromN1.532 billion in 2014. The petroleum products marketing firm, rode on the back of cost containment strategy to record a higher growth in profit after tax to N2.307 billion, which is 176 per cent above the N834 million in 2014.

The company’s earnings per share also rose by 177 per cent to 333 kobo in 2015 from 120 kobo in 2014.

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

Following this impressive performance, the company has proposed a dividend of N2.08 billion, translating to 300 kobo per share compared with the 100 kobo paid in 2014.

Conoil attributed the improved performance to efficient management of resources, effective cost control policy, as well as reaping from its huge investment in the expansion

N I G E R I A N QUANTITY TRADED

STO C K

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Daily Summary as of 22/02/2016 Printed 22/02/2016 14:36:10.010

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC

and upgrade of its facilities.

“For us, the downstream sector remains fundamentally attractive and viable today and the future. With our clarity of direction and focus, our company’s long-term success is assured. We will sustain this improved performance and vigorously pursue our aspiration to remain the nation’s leading petroleum products marketer and one

6 6 12

30.00 34.00

12,629 11,640 24,269

374,530.15 421,345.20 795,875.35

19 19 31

1.25

1,078,511 1,078,511 1,102,780

1,358,964.30 1,358,964.30 2,154,839.65

5 68 13 86 86

0.77 1.13 20.47

33,500 6,740,423 65,995 6,839,918 6,839,918

25,070.00 7,635,453.96 1,344,425.15 9,004,949.11 9,004,949.11

13 13

41.50

31,970 31,970

1,409,214.78 1,409,214.78

5 5 18

5.20

28,901 28,901 60,871

154,716.48 154,716.48 1,563,931.26

6 24 7 98 135

2.85 118.85 20.00 99.00

190,900 53,000 15,200 429,541 688,641

528,079.00 6,201,924.95 293,757.00 42,728,789.84 49,752,550.79

9 9

168.50

166,476 166,476

28,285,937.95 28,285,937.95

54 38 6 12 1 29 140

5.61 19.00 1.37 6.86 6.65 1.27

2,120,306 314,421 40,000 119,863 433 3,285,739,119 3,288,334,142

11,610,520.13 5,953,792.96 55,716.00 842,442.48 2,736.56 4,074,348,894.07 4,092,814,102.20

11 54 65

17.86 700.00

18,825 98,360 117,185

329,518.50 68,567,962.00 68,897,480.50

11 11

4.46

99,050 99,050

420,455.00 420,455.00

13 21 34 394

21.90 28.00

36,887 133,117 170,004 3,289,575,498

820,034.75 3,737,067.92 4,557,102.67 4,244,727,629.11

82 51 21 25 200 41 16 147 11 15 67 676

4.10 1.49 15.60 1.21 16.70 1.07 1.76 2.95 5.30 0.63 0.98

3,962,506 2,163,396 278,470 790,900 4,847,312 1,969,858 1,204,932 8,586,418 39,752 501,617 5,920,564 30,265,725

16,210,255.82 3,314,106.88 4,136,459.40 958,864.34 80,963,793.44 2,115,552.11 2,087,767.85 25,302,954.71 205,645.40 316,018.71 5,813,502.17 141,424,920.83

14 8 2 3 7 10 1 1 46

0.80 0.90 0.50 0.50 2.06 0.76 0.50 0.50

200,107 276,500 5,004,000 1,000,000 351,540 327,285 37,708,135 10 44,867,577

160,838.67 251,350.00 2,502,000.00 500,000.00 720,728.80 245,325.31 18,854,067.50 5.00 23,234,315.28

1 1

1.08

4,760 4,760

4,950.40 4,950.40

31 7 105 7 20 170 893

2.46 4.00 0.85 14.15 1.31

1,149,464 27,041 31,257,120 38,035 708,255 33,179,915 108,317,977

2,830,722.84 104,002.06 26,613,309.20 537,985.34 931,556.31 31,017,575.75 195,681,762.26

27

2.69

614,065

1,572,223.05

of the most profitable quoted companies,” the company said.

The Chairman of Conoil, Mike Adenuga Jr, had last year assured shareholders that notwithstanding the tough challenges in the country and indeed in the downstream petroleum sector, the company would explore to the fullest, new opportunities that abound in the industry to its advantage and deliver

higher returns.

Adenuga also assured investors of the company’s commitment to cost cutting measures in its operations, vast improvement in the quality of its products and services with a strong bottom-line as its focus.

“These measures have positively contributed to our successful outing to reward our loyal shareholders,” he said.

E XC H A N G E

MAIN BOARD GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC Printing/Publishing Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals SERVICES Totals EQTY Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals ASeM Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals PREMIUM Board Totals Equity Activity Totals

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32 4 6 69 69

25.33 0.94 0.69

551,998 16,020 597,000 1,779,083 1,779,083

13,903,164.18 15,299.40 412,110.00 15,902,796.63 15,902,796.63

1 1 1

1.69

500 500 500

805.00 805.00 805.00

16 9 4 6 10 31 76

24.00 9.30 35.78 8.62 3.36 80.50

110,727 40,229 26,700 142,300 299,900 14,373,223 14,993,079

2,707,053.97 362,501.29 992,680.00 1,227,076.00 966,480.00 1,157,057,077.16 1,163,312,868.42

6 6

1.51

134,500 134,500

204,240.00 204,240.00

5 5 87

50.00

24,529 24,529 15,152,108

1,165,135.50 1,165,135.50 1,164,682,243.92

2 2

0.50

24,262 24,262

12,131.00 12,131.00

90 90

3.47

3,827,573 3,827,573

13,288,632.05 13,288,632.05

21 7 8 21 7 64

18.34 1.84 342.00 150.00 145.00

81,125 100,300 20,300 16,295 13,699 231,719

1,505,034.50 182,832.00 6,595,470.00 2,396,080.60 1,959,692.96 12,639,110.06

33 33 189

318.00

389,934 389,934 4,473,488

124,037,602.56 124,037,602.56 149,977,475.67

1 1

0.50

941 941

470.50 470.50

5 5

3.80

32,870 32,870

127,756.40 127,756.40

13 13

0.89

624,500 624,500

538,430.00 538,430.00

1 22 23

2.29 4.00

4,588 251,094 255,682

10,001.84 1,001,583.80 1,011,585.64

1 1 43 1,811

1.68

10,000 10,000 923,993 3,428,226,216

16,000.00 16,000.00 1,694,242.54 5,785,390,675.15

2 2 2 2

1.21

270,464 270,464 270,464 270,464

327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44

306 306

11.45

13,929,679 13,929,679

159,605,439.23 159,605,439.23

278 278 584

3.74

10,438,552 10,438,552 24,368,231

39,515,087.18 39,515,087.18 199,120,526.41

35 35 35 619 2,432

139.83

38,770 38,770 38,770 24,407,001 3,452,903,681

5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 204,425,192.41 5,990,143,129.00

2 2 2 2 2 10 10 10

2,330.00 2.33 6.02 11.09 18.07

3,000 20 20 20 15 3,075 3,075 3,075

6,986,000.00 46.70 120.20 221.80 270.65 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA BANKING ETF VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals ETF Board Totals ETP Activity Totals

51

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Rabiu Explains Why Cement Prices Went up as CCNN Targets 60mw Power Generation Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Chairman of the Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc (CCNN), Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, has attributed the recent increase in the prices of cement to the increasingly high cost of operations.

A 50 kilogramme bag of cement, which until about two weeks ago, sold for about N1,600 currently sells for between N2,200 and N2,500.

Speaking at CCNN’s 37th annual general meeting in Abuja yesterday, Rabiu,

who is the Chairman of the company as well as the Chairman of Bua Group, stated that the operational costs of cement, manufacturers, like other businesses in the country had become unbearably too high for the manufacturers to survive without an increase in the prices of cement.

He cited the prohibitive cost of sourcing the dollar as well as its scarcity as one of the factors.

As part of efforts to reduce the high cost of energy consumption for production processes,

CCNN Plc, had concluded better arrangements to build two additional power plants to enable it generate about 60 megawatts (mw) of electricity by 2017.

The company presently generates 16mw electricity from its biomass plant for internal use and for host communities where it operates.

To reduce its current N1.3 billion debt profile, Rabius said innovative ways were being applied, as well as sound marketing strategies to reducing all administrative costs to the barest minimum.

According to him, ‘’The project for production capacity increase and the conversion of the existing production line to solid fuels-coal is ongoing and is expected to reach completion by mid-2017, the use of solid fuels as the main energy for the kiln will considerably reduce the company’s operational costs and its debt profile.’’

Rabiu, who lamented several challenges that faced the company last year said CCNN had at intermittent periods during the last quarter of 2015

shut down the plant due to scarcity and cost of energy.

He noted that despite some of these challenges, the board resolved and recommended the payment of a gross dividend of 10kobo per share compared to the 35kobo it declared in year 2014 financial year.’’

According to him, during the year, the company also recorded a turnover of N13,037 billion compared to N15,119 billion recorded in 2014 while the profit after tax is N1,201billion compared to N1,918billion

in year 2014. ‘’Weak demand for cement particularly in the second half inthe year, mainly contributed to the turnover and lower profits compared to that of 2014.’’

He assured shareholders that the company brand is dominant in its home market because of its quality with consistent customer loyalty which has together, with the use of biomass as complimentary kiln fuel and strict cost control, ensured that the company has survived in the market despite the numerous challenges.

Ambode: Approval of N500bn Not Just for 2016 Fiscal Plan

Lists infrastructure projects to benefit from the bond Gboyega Akinsanmi The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday explained the modalities of N500 billion programme, which the state House of Assembly approved on Tuesday for issuance.

Contrary to the misrepresentation of the bond programme, the governor said the bond was a pool of fund objectively structured for a period of time and not just for the 2016 fiscal year.

He explained the tenure of the bond programme in a statement yesterday, noting that it was imperative pertinent “to clarify the programme because it has been technically misrepresented.”

Since 2007, the governor noted that the state had two bond issuance programmes, adding that the latest programme the assembly was the third and would run for a period of three to five years.

Under the current fiscal regime, Ambode disclosed that the state “can only draw N60 billion from the pool of N500 billion.

The state will draw from the fund for subsequent years as approved by the assembly.

“Before you can actually even appropriate it in your budget, you need the programme. And the programme was what was approved by the assembly.

But in the 2016 fiscal year, what is in the appropriation law is just N60 billion. So, it is from this programme that we are pulling out N60 billion.

“For the next fiscal year, if the assembly approves for instance N80 billion as bond, we do not need to go back to the assembly again after they have approved that budget, you draw from

that issuance programme and take another amount which is approved for 2017 budget.

“If they approve any amount for 2018 budget, for instance, you take from the pool of N500billion, which can take the next five to 10 years. So, it is just a lump sum which you now draw down based on the authorisation by the House. That is the technical explanation.

“It is not as if the state wanted to go and take another N500 billion. It is just a requirement by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) so that you follow the procedure on a yearly basis.”

Ambode, therefore, assured that the N60 billion bond programme approved for the current year would be used to accelerate the aggressive infrastructural development ongoing in the State.

He listed the projects to benefits from the bond programme to include the completion of Ajah and Abule-Egba flyovers, the construction of Pen Cinema flyover, more lay-bys and bus parks, the improvement of health facilities and the building of more public schools.

He explained that the financial arrangement of the state “is such that bond programmes embarked upon are easily repayable through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). All we are just doing is to accelerate development for the future prosperity of Lagos.”

The assembly had on Tuesday approved the sum of N500 billion worth of bond for the state government spanning between 2016 and 2019, which according to the legislature, was necessary for the development of the state and that 23 percent of its IGR would be used to fund it.

PROJECT INSPECTION

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (second left), Special Adviser on Special Projects, Mr. Cyril Dum Wite (left), elder statesman, Chief Sergeant Awuse (second right); and member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, during the governor’s inspection of ongoing construction of the Pleasure Park in Port Harcourt....yesterday

NCC Fines Innjoo N4m for Selling Non-Type Approved Mobile Phones Emma Okonji

Innjoo and discovered that the company was selling The Nigerian devices not approved by Communications Commission NCC. (NCC), yesterday raided the “As a result of the office of InnJoo mobile phone enforcement action, a fine maker in Lagos for selling of N4 million was imposed unauthorised mobile phones on them and their office was to the public. sealed. We raided Innjoo NCC had earlier warned office in Lagos and we the company to desist from engaged with them, and such sales or risk sanctions. they have paid the fine, During the surprise raid which they had refused to at the companies office pay initially,” Abdu said. in Lagos, NCC slammed “When we got to their Innjoo a fine of N4 million office, we were told they for violating its orders and had not received a notice the company paid the money of sanction. Honestly, in cash on the spot. a letter was sent to a The Head of Enforcement lawyer representing Innjoo at NCC, Salisu Abdu, who technology limited. So when made the disclosure while we gave them a copy of the addressing Journalists in letter of sanction today, they Lagos shortly after the immediately complied. They payment of the fine, said the have paid the fine of N4 sanction had been suspended million and the sanction following the payment. has been suspended. This He said the telecoms is a warning to other phone regulatory authority had in manufacturers to get their August, 2015 carried out an devices type approved by enforcement action against NCC. This is an opportunity

for them to get necessary type- approval, because it is an offense to sell devices not type approved by NCC,” Abdu added.

Using non type approved mobile handsets, according to him, would hamper network quality, warning that any equipment manufacturer found selling unauthorised mobile handsets, would be fined.

“We will sanitise the industry. It is an offence to sell unauthorised handsets because it hinders quality of network. Every device entering the market must be compatible with our network. We will go after any dealer who fails to get approval from NCC before selling mobile devices to the country. The enforcement will continue. NCC will go after every dealer found selling such handsets. It is against section 131, 132, 133 of the NCC act,” Abdu said.

He explained that the

NCC is empowered by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 to establish and enforce standards for telecommunications equipment in operation in the country to ensure that they operate seamlessly and safely within the Nigerian telecommunications environment.

All equipment manufacturers, vendors and operators, including customer devices such as mobile phones and wireless adapters, he added must therefore ensure that their equipment conform to the applicable standards as mandated by the Commission before bringing them into Nigeria.

To ensure maximum interoperability and affordability for consumers, the Type Approval standards set by the NCC, he said are based on international standards.

52

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Nigeria’s High Unemployment Rate Not Real, Says BoI Crusoe Osagie The Bank of Industry (BoI), yesterday, stated that the double digit unemployment rate pegged on Nigeria is more or less artificial, considering the massive untapped capacity in the country.

The Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had recently reported that the country’s unemployment rate rose from 12.1 per cent in the first quarter of this year to 13.3 per cent as at the end of the second quarter.

The bank noted that with serious and urgent attention paid to value addition on the nation’s abundant natural endowments, there would be little or no manpower to spare in the economy.

BoI emphasised the need for Nigeria to be more productive going forward, maintaining that the nation’s huge population can be deployed to achieve this feat.

According to the acting Managing Director of bank, Waheed Olagunju, during a public policy forum lecture organised by Business Hallmark: “In the 70s when industrial capacity utilisation was almost 80 per cent, Nigeria had to depend on expatriates to work in some of our industries and I believe we can still redeem that era.

After the civil war, our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was growing about 11.1 per cent per annum because there were no dislocation and we were still dependent on our natural endowments.”

He said: “In the 1970s, some of our economic indices were superior to most of the developed economies of the world today.

Given the nation’s abundant natural endowments, I am of the view that the unemployment in Nigeria is artificial. If we are to add value to our agricultural

products and our solid minerals that are of commercial quantity, we will not have enough manpower to operate in the economy.”

He added that with an average population growth rate of three per annum, Nigeria must reflect the growth rate to its GDP, pointing out that the wider the positive gap between population growth rate and GDP, the higher the quality of lives and the higher the per capita income.

“Now that we are in recession, we are reporting a GDP of less than three per cent and the nation is growing at three per cent which means that there is a deficit and if we go on at this rate, the more unproductive we will become,” he added.

He added that most developed

economies of the world got to where they are because they were disciplined, stressing that the nation’s core values have been eroded while urging for the need to invest massively in human capacity development to become a highly productive economy.

He said state governments have a crucial role to play in terms of ease of doing business and creating an enabling environment, commending the Ogun State government for playing a key role in attracting investors into the state and the country at large.

Also speaking at the event, the Attorney General, Ogun State, Dr. Olumide Ayeni, who represented the Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, said

the forum tagged: ‘Restituting the past for a greater Nigeria,’ is apt and timely to put Nigeria on a sustainable path of economic development.

He said during the oil boom, the past administrations did not invest heavily on capital investment, stating that since the discovery of oil, the agricultural sector of the economy was abandoned.

He said no development desiring nation depends on one source of revenue for economic development, saying that most of the countries Nigeria was ranked with in the 80s have diversified their economies becoming global economic giants.

The Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Stock Exchange, Mr.

Oscar Onyema, said countries across the world have moved on from where they were, noting that some of the emerging economies compared with Nigeria are not only miles away but are part of the global giants.

“In order for us to have a sustainable growth over a long period of time and to catch up with the rest of the world, we must harness the power of our population growth; diversify our export earnings, pivot towards an export led economy and invest in human capacity development.

He also called on the need for the federal government to facilitate and strengthen the financial system to improve financial services and ensure an all inclusive financial growth.

NCAA, AIB Clash over Aircraft Incident at Port Harcourt Airport Chinedu Eze The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has questioned what it referred to as the reluctance of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to disclose runway incursion, which took place on Monday, when Arik Air flight with passengers on arrival at the Port Harcourt International Airport hit an antelope while landing on the runway.

THISDAY learnt that engineers from the international maintenance organisation, Lufthansa Technik, which works for Arik Air, checked the aircraft and found it airworthy.

The incident occurred on Monday by 6:00 pm and on Wednesday evening, AIB issued directive that the airline should not move the aircraft from the Port Harcourt airport runway until after it has carried out its own investigation.

Spokesman of the airline, Adebanji Ola who confirmed the incident to THISDAY said the aircraft was not damaged in anyway after it was inspected by engineers from Lufthansa Technik and after NCAA personnel inspected the aircraft and certified it airworthy, which means that it should resume flights immediately.

Arik with the report from NCAA and Lufthansa scheduled the aircraft for operations only to get the report from AIB that it should not operate its equipment; rather, it should still leave it on the runway where the incident occurred two days after, thus jeopardizing its operations.

But the spokesman of AIB Tunji Oketumbi told THISDAY that AIB was not informed of the incident until Tuesday evening so it directed that the aircraft should not be flown from the airport until it has investigated the incident.

Oketumbi said that it was not AIB’s plan to ground the airplane but according to regulations, the Bureau should have been informed immediately the

incident took place by NCAA and that the regulatory body should not have certified the aircraft without the Bureau’s investigation.

THISDAY learnt that there has been muscle flexing between the two aviation agencies. Industry sources said AIB ought to investigate accidents and ought to defer to NCAA, even though it ought to be autonomous but NCAA is recognised as the regulator of the agency by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the US Federal Aviation Administration, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other international and regional aviation organisations, “so what AIB is doing is that it is equating itself with NCAA or even trying to regulate NCAA, should not be the case; especially when an accident did not occur. This is a conflicting signal that is not good for the industry.”

Spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye said that NCAA and AIB have well delineated responsibility and that AIB is autonomous while NCAA as the regulator of the aviation industry is also autonomous, remarking that none is subordinate to the other but they have their responsibilities cut out for them.

A seasoned pilot and one time top official of one of the aviation agencies told THISDAY that AIB does not have the right, according to the regulations that established it, to ground aircraft; that it is the sole responsibility of NCAA to do so.

According to him, AIB responsibilities begin after the search and rescue in an accident and AIB cannot be investigating minor incidents like bird strike and runway incursions.

“Runway incursion happens everywhere and it is only NCAA that can look at it and certify the aircraft as airworthy. AIB does not have the personnel to do that and they are not established to do that. Airworthiness of an aircraft is determined by NCAA,” the source said.

EXCLUSIVE AUDIENCE

Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam (left), in a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House Abuja....yesterday

MILITARY DEPLOYS 3,000 SOLDIERS IN NIGER DELTA making efforts to quell militancy in the Niger Delta region.

“It declared: Mr. President, the worrisome dimensions about the ongoing reorganization and restructuring of the unending security operations in the Niger Delta is where two of your head of security apparatus are boasting to the minister of defense that, they have your hears. They assured him, it is now their turn to bloat their pockets and that they can talk you to even borrowing money to sustain the insecurity in the region, which the honourable minister of defense concurred to before the ongoing exercises.

“We have earlier advised against timing, strategy and objectives of the show of military might and the deployment of military hardwares to the Niger Delta suddenly when there is certainly cessation of hostilities for peace talks to commence.

But the top hierarchy of the Nigerian military led by Lt. Gen. Buratai was only after his pecuniary monetary gains and that of some Akpakpa- Ajudaibo Champagne intelligence chief who is desperately arm-twisting the peace processes continuously.

“The advice is that all lives matters! Why are you in a hurry to train over two thousand military personnel for just 4 to 14 days on amphibious military exercise to occupy the Niger Delta region when the Niger elders and stakeholders are awaiting your response for peace talks?,” it asked.

NDA recalled the amphibious exploits of the Ijaws during the civil war, though fought without military training, to win the war for Nigeria.

It asked further: “Have you forgotten the exploits of our great fathers during the infamous Nigerian Civil War in amphibious warfare without any military training? Is it because they were volunteers as such the success was credited to Late Lt. Col. Benjamin Adekunle and Lt. Col Olusegun Obasanjo instead of them?

“Mr. President, as a veteran of that fateful war, you know that after all failures, the amphibious warfare and successes was under the command of Lt. Gen. Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro of blessed memories, the pride and face of the 3rd Marine Commandos (3MCDOS) constituted of able-

bodied Ijaw warriors voluntarily.

“They were not given any formal military training prior to that great contribution to the unity of Nigeria, but they succeeded because they were amphibious by nature.

“Mr. President, the truth be told, we are the “Great White Sharks” of the Atlantic when it come to marine warfare!

“Operation Crocodile Smiles” is ironically, a simulative military operation cum exercise for waters less than 2 fathoms in depth orchestrated by the top hierarchy of the military to undermine any genuine disposition from your government towards restoration of tranquility in the Niger Delta and to exhaust your security budget for the year, except you are thinking otherwise towards peace in the Niger Delta too”, it added.

It reiterated that the Ijaws and the people of the Niger Delta had been in that region times immemorial stressing that they had resisted any attempt of exclusions in the control of their God given resources, from the Portuguese and British colonial trades and periods to date.

“We are ever ready to continue

that resistance even without guns and ammunitions,” it maintained.

NDA therefore urged President Buhari to set up a commission a high powered panel to investigate all processes that led to the ongoing military operation and exercise in the Niger Delta tagged “Operation Crocodile Smiles” and all the ongoing cover-ups of military mishaps that have led to more than 20 deaths so far.

“Mr. President, in practical terms crocodiles do not have any capacity to swim close to the water depth, small tiger sharks swim and play around not to talk of the depths of the great whites, the heart of the nation’s economic where we have overmastered. The mission ongoing in the Niger Delta is a brainchild of orchestrated military corruption at your face Mr. President.

“Operation Crocodile Smiles is nothing but a conduit pipe for military contracts, political profiteerism and patronages designed for the stress of your administration’s scarce resources,” it concluded.

53

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 • T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT

We’ll Make Lagos Uncomfortable for Perpetrators In Brief of Domestic Violence, Says Ambode Kidnapped Catholic Priest in

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday led an all-male-walk against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), vowing that his administration would leave no stone unturned to ensure that all perpetrators of such crimes are made to face the wrath of the law.

The walk, which proceeded from Ikeja under Bridge through Awolowo Way to Lagos House in Alausa, witnessed the participation of dignitaries from all walks of life, including members of the state executive council, members of the state House of Assembly, key government functionaries, entertainers, youths, artisans, workers, among others.

Addressing participants at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Ambode, decked in a black T-shirt and armed with a placard with the inscription ‘Stop Rape, Domestic Violence, Child Abuse’, said it was time for men to stand up and take the bull by the horn in tackling the menace of SGBV in the society, as recent research has shown that women are more

prone to being victims of these crimes.

“There is also an evident trend of suppressing the voice of these victims due to the fact that these acts are perpetrated largely by men. We should not take for granted the potential exponential effect of having emotionally and psychologically damaged women in a society as the effect could transcend to their children who grow up in an environment, thinking this is the norm,” the governor said.

While alluding to the fact that the state government had initiated several programmes ranging from the provision of legal aid, shelter and psychological counseling services to assist these women, he said it was also pertinent to address the violent behavior of men as it concerns rape, domestic violence and child abuse.

He said: “The scale of men’s violence against women is enormous and its effect, demoralising. Men as grandfathers, fathers, brothers, sons, husbands and public advocates have a pivotal

role to play in condemning all forms of violence against women, girls and boys.

“We firmly believe that the way forward is to continuously engage the male folk as well as the community as a whole. Community engagement is an essential part of working to prevent and respond to all forms of gender based violence.

“As men, we must stand up and speak in one voice, condemning these acts. No more would we condone or tolerate peadophiles, women beaters and rapists.

It is inhumane and totally unacceptable to protect or even ignore such behaviour when we see it Ambode, while commending participants of the walk, urged them to remain ambassadors and flag bearers in the fight against domestic and sexual violence, adding “the conversation must be sustained in our workplaces, religious institutions, residential areas, social media etc. If we all join hands and speak against this, we can truly make Lagos

uncomfortable for perpetrators of these heinous crimes.”

The governor also commended the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), organisers of the walk, which simultaneously took place in FESTAC, just as he assured that his administration would continue to do more to ensure the rights and welfare of the most vulnerable in the State are adequately protected.

“I will like you to join hands with me to say no to rapists, say no to women beaters and wherever they are, we know that the task force that we have set up will swing into action once it receives any petition from any member of the society. We are looking for the first 11 scapegoats whether highly or lowly placed in the society. We say no to domestic violence and sexual abuse,” the governor said.

Among celebrities who joined the walk include ace comedians, Alibaba, Teju Babyface, Omobaba and music artiste, Bez.

ENOUGH OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); with his exco members and mebers of the public during a walk against sexual and gender-based violence, at Alausa ,Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday KOLA OLASUPO

Soldiers, Police Repel Attempt to Invade Lagos Waterways by Militants Chiemelie Ezeobi Barely a month after the pipeline vandals were dislodged in Ogun and Lagos creeks by the military through aerial bombardments, they again regrouped and attempted to invade some areas in Lagos.

The vandals were said to have attempted to storm areas like Igando, Iba, FESTAC Town and Monkey village through the waterways, simultaneously, but they were repelled by the superior fire power of the police and operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF).

The JTF, which is codenamed

‘Operation Awatse’ (an Hausa word for ‘Scatter’), comprises operatives of the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force.

Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said the command was able to avert what would have been a major disaster as it repelled vandals from invading the Igando, Iba, FESTAC and Monkey village through the waterways.

According to him, the command received an information that some criminal elements were operating

between Iba, FESTAC and stretching to Monkey village in Kirikiri.

He said: “The militants emerged from the waterways and threatening to wreak havoc in the area and the residents.

“In a swift reaction, the command sent its quick response team to the area to assure the community that the command was alive to its responsibility.

“A combined team of the police and soldiers attached to ‘Operation Awatse’ engaged the miscreants in a shootout.

We were able to repel the militants back to the creek.

However, unfortunately, we lost a policeman in the process.”

Owoseni added that the command had strengthened its hold in the area to ensure that the criminals do not come out again to wreak havoc in the area.

He said: “We were supported by soldiers from Operation MESA. We will continue to maintain our stronghold in the area and other parts of Lagos.

“We will maintain strong visibility in Lagos through out the Sallah period and beyond to ensure that they don’t make life difficult for residents.”

Edo Regains Freedom

A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Paul Irikefe, who was abducted by unknown gunmen along the Benin bypass last Monday, has been released by his captors. THISDAY checks revealed that the priest regained freedom on Wednesday night, though it could not be ascertained whether ransom was paid. Fr. Irikefe, a lecturer with Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Major Seminary in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State, was kidnapped at Benin bye-pass in Edo State while on his way to attend the funeral of his colleague. Security sources disclosed that the priest was left off the hook as undercover agents were closing in on the kidnappers.

Another source in Warri Diocese also confirmed the priest’s release but was not sure whether the church paid the N30million ransom demanded by the abductors.

It was however gathered that the traumatised priest had reunited with the Bishop of Warri Diocese, Bishop John Okeoghene Afareha. The acting Administrator, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Catholic Diocese of Warri, Rev. Fr. Benedict Ukutegbe, confirmed that his colleague had been freed.

He said the priest was released in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Ogun Police Rescue Two Abducted Chinese Nationals The Ogun State Police Command have rescued two Chinese nationals identified as Shen Ximing and Wei Futang who were kidnapped by gunmen while working at a quarry site in Odeda Local Government Area of the state. The Chinese nationals were rescued by a combined police team comprising men of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS).

Also, a 31-year-old woman identified as Olabimpe Tejumola, who had earlier been kidnapped at Mowe in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state was rescued. The acting Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, while confirming the incident to journalists yesterday in Abeokuta, said all the three victims were rescued unhurt. Oyeyemi said the two expatriates were abducted last week Thursday, stating that the gunmen abandoned their victims and ran away after they had engaged the police in a gun battle in their hideout. He therefore said the two foreigners were rescued unhurt, noting that the police exercised greater caution while engaging the kidnappers in gun duel so as not to injure the victims which he said made it difficult for the police to make any arrest. He noted that the two Chinese have been handed over to their company, adding that they were recuperating at an undisclosed hospital. He said the state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, has appealed to citizens to stop encouraging the kidnappers by paying ransom. “The message of the Commissioner of Police is very clear, ‘don’t encourage the kidnappers by paying ransom’, by the time you pay ransom, you are encouraging them the more, you are telling them the business is viable. Allow the police to do their work and they would be caught at the end of the day.”

Court Remands Police Inspector for Alleged Killing of Okada Rider For the alleged killing of a commercial motorcycle rider popularly called okada, a Magistrate Court sitting in Oke Eda, Akure, Ondo State yesterday ordered the remand of a police inspector, Anthony Nwadike, in prison custody. The offence was said to have been committed at Omifon in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State. It was gathered that the deceased, Sunday Joseph and two other persons were shot by the alleged cop during an argument that ensued after the policeman cause the fall of the deceased and two others. The trio who were said to be on the motorcycle, met the accused person and some other policemen at a police check-point. A source narrated that the accused policeman threw a big stick on the road, forcing the deceased on the motorcycle and his passengers to fall. After falling down, the source stated that an argument ensued between the deceased and the policemen which later led to the shooting of the three people by the cop. The deceased was said to have died on the spot while the two other victims were still in critical condition at the hospital. However, the accused person pleaded not guilty to the offence but his plea was no taken In his ruling, Magistrate; V. Bob-Mamuel, ordered that the accused person should be remanded in Olokuta Prison and adjourned the case till October 12, 2016.

54

FRIDAY, september 9, 2016 • T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

2 0 1 8 W O R L D C U P Q UA L I F I E R

Date Controversy Trails Nigeria, Zambia Clash in Ndola Duro Ikhazuagbe Controversy appears to be trailing when the Super Eagles will play their first game of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers with Zambia as both CAF and FIFA have conflicting dates for the clash against the Chipolopolo in Ndola.

As at 9pm last night, FIFA listed the game to be played on October 3 on its official web page while CAF listed the same game for October 9, six clear days from the date the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has on its schedule for the first match in the Russia 2018 qualifiers.

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) gave credence to the date on CAF schedule when it announced yesterday that the Chipolopolo versus Super Eagles game is going to hold in Ndola on October 9.

All attempts to get NFF officials speak on the game proved abortive as both Spokesman of the federation, Ademola Olajire and the Chairman of the Technical Committee, Chris Green did not return calls to their mobile telephones. The kick-off time on CAF site is 2.30pm Zambian time.

Sources in Zambia insisted last night that the new FAZ administration has not been proactive by the choice of this date as it will not allow them to fit in a warm-up game during the week-long FIFA friendly window to prepare for the trip to Cameroon in November in continuation of the World Cup qualifying series.

Nigeria and Zambia last met at the 2013 AFCON in South Africa and it ended in a 1-1 draw in Nelspruit.

It was further gathered that following the dismissal of

the petition against the recent presidential elections in Zambia, the 2012 AFCON champions are expected to soon name a permanent coach.

Zesco United coach George Lwandamina, has been in temporary charge of the Chipolopolo.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s new manager, Gernot Rohr, believes Super Eagles will qualify for the World Cup because his charges are now super “motivated” after penultimate weekend’s victory over Tanzania in dead rubber AFCON 2017 qualifier.

“In our group, every team can go to the World Cup because there are four top teams in the group.

However, the most motivated team in the group is our team (Super Eagles). I experienced that motivation last week (against Tanzania. We have big, quality players and I am happy with my first victory incharge of Nigeria,” stressed the Franco-German coach.

The 63-year-old gaffer explained that one of his earliest impressions of the Super Eagles was a side glaringly short on confidence.

“This team was very low on confidence because they failed to qualify for the 2017 AFCON. “The players need confidence and the confidence will come when they begin to win games.

“But first, we need a good defence to be stable and to attack better,” he said.

Rohr’s attention is now on Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign which will begin in October with the trip to Zambia.

Nigeria is listed to battle Zambia, Cameroun and Algeria in Group B of qualifying round.

R I O 2 0 1 6 FA L L O U T

American Swimmer Banned for 10 Months over False Robbery Claims American swimmer Ryan Lochte has been banned from the sport for 10 months after falsely claiming he was robbed at gunpoint during the Rio Olympic Games.

The 32-year-old said he and three team-mates were held up at a petrol station during a night out.

But police questioned the account after CCTV footage showed the group had vandalised the petrol station.

USA Swimming and the US Olympic Committee (USOC) have also banned the three other swimmers involved.

Gunnar Bentz, Jimmy Feigen and Jack Conger have each been banned for four months.

The sanctions were handed down for breaches of each organisation’s code of conduct.

“The behaviour of these athletes was not acceptable,” said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. “It unfairly maligned our hosts and diverted attention away from the historic achievements of Team USA.” Lochte’s punishment means

he will not be able to qualify for the 2017 World Championships.

The six-time Olympic gold medallist admitted he had “over-exaggerated” his original account.

While he returned to the US in the days following the incident, Bentz and Conger were pulled off a US-bound plane by police, though they were subsequently allowed to leave after questioning.

Feigen agreed to pay $11,000 (£8,250) to a Brazilian charity after he was allowed to return home.

Late last month, Brazilian police charged Lochte with making a false statement, though his lawyer later said the swimmer will not respond to the charge.

The crime carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and Lochte can be tried in his absence.

Several sponsors, including clothing manufacturer Speedo, dropped the swimmer in the wake of the revelations.

Super Eagles’ Kenneth Omeruo (right) and Collins Mbesuma of Zambia battling for ball during the 2013 AFCON group clash in Nelspruit, South Africa

ITF U-18 CIRCUIT

McLeod Battles Quadri for S’final Ticket Osewa, Abamu, others knocked out in third round Team Nigeria continued its impressive display at the ongoing ITF West & Central Africa 18 & under Circuit in Cotonou, Benin Republic with the duo of Angel Mcleod and Barakat Quadri advancing to the quarterfinals after third round wins yesterday. The two Nigerians will meet today for a place in the semifinal.

While Quadri, who is making her debut in the 18 & under had an easy passage following a 6-0, 6-2 win over

Vania Dozie of Togo, McLeod survived a tough encounter with US-based Manuella Eloundou of Cameroun before bagging a 6-4, 6-4 win.

With over 10 international tournaments under her belt, McLeod is the most experienced of the girls flying Nigeria’s flag and she seemed on course for what looked like an easy match racing to a 4-0 lead in the first set but Eloundou, recovered 4-4 only for McLeod to break her again in the ninth game before

closing the set on her serve.

The second set was similar, contrasting though, as Eloundou, whose twin sister, Linda is in the bottom-half of the draws, went 3-0 up but McLeod tied the match before eventually winning 6-4.

“We are doing very well because this is a big tournament with players across the world.

The top seed here is ranked number 571 in the world even as a junior player.

Barakat has improved a lot;

she’s doing very well and Angel too is on top of her game. They are very young and at this level it’s good for Nigerian tennis,” coach Mohammed Ubale said.

While the quarterfinal pairings assure Nigeria a place in the semifinal, Thursday was not all smooth for Team Nigeria as Michael Osewa, Martin Abamu and Sikiru Alalade all lost their third round matches to exit the Grade 4 hard court tournament holding at the Stade L’amite.

Federal High Court Emerges Winner of CJN Games in Kogi Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The Federal High Court yesterday emerged the overall winner of the 22nd edition of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Games in Kogi State.

The Federal High Court topped the medals table released yesterday by organisers of the games, National Sports Association for Judiciary (NASAJ) with 19 medals comprising eight gold, six silver and five bronze medals to emerge the overall winners of the week-long competition.

The medals chart signed by Technical Director of Games for NASAJ, Abruku Raymond, reveals that the National Industrial Court came second with eight gold, three silver and two bronze medals beating the host, Kogi State Judiciary which had the highest number of 22 medals to the third position.

Kogi Judiciary won seven gold, seven silver and nine bronze medals while the Federal Judicial Service Commission finished fourth with six gold, six silver and nine bronze medals.

The final football match in the tournament between

National Industrial Court and Appeal Court ended 4-3 on penalty shootout in favour of the National Industrial Court.

The 90-minute display of soccer artistry could not produce any goals as both teams traded tackles and tried to outsmart each other but met stiff resistance from the defenders.

Speaking at the end of the week-long competition, Kogi Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Aromeh Adoji, described the tournament as excellent and commended the organisers for a good job and the contestants

for good sportsmanship.

Adoji expressed delight that the tournament turned out successful and expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Kogi State Judiciary contingent adding that the its performance in subsequent editions.

He said that the state was able to meet most of its expectations from the competition saying that new talents, no doubt, would have been identified just as the competition boosted the economy of the state while it lasted.

55

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

FRIDAYSPORTS NPFL…NPFL…NPFL…

Abia Warriors: Our Survival Destiny is in Our Hands Abia Warriors Head Coach, Abdul Usman Biffo, has described as huge setback the top-flight draw against oriental neighbours, FC IfeanyiUbah on Wednesday.

The Umuahia Warriors were forced to a 1-1 draw by the Anambra Warriors in midweek’s NPFL rescheduled Match-day 34 clash at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

Biffo said despite the dropped points in the oriental clash his side still have their destiny to survive the drop right on their palms.

“Of course, the draw against FC IfeanyiUbah was a huge setback on our concerted efforts to beat the drop in the on-going top-flight.

“We worked very hard to claim the whole three points but ended up sharing the spoils with the visitors.

“After we fought hard to pick a point on the road only to come back home to forfeit two points that’s not really smiling moment for us.

“However, I can beat my chest and tell whoever that cares to listen that Abia Warriors will certainly beat the drop at the end of the season.

“We have our destiny right there in our hands to make or mar the survival quest in the top-flight.

“We have three home matches to play on the calendar we cannot afford to toy with any of the matches if we must remain in the premier league.

“We must device a measure that will see us win all the matches as well as pick some points on the road, too.

“However, I’m confident we will avoid the drop once we are able to do the needful in the remaining matches,” said the former Giwa FC and Kogi United coach to supersport.com.

Abia Warriors are 17th on the Nigerian top-flight log on

38 points 16 behind league leaders and oriental neighbours, Enugu Rangers.

Meanwhile, Abia Warriors have condemned in strong terms, the minor skirmishes that followed the draw with Ifeanyi Ubah while accusing fans of the Nnewi club of engineering the violence.

In a statement issued yesterday in Umuahia after the club’s emergency management meeting, Abia Warriors recalled that the Umuahia Township Stadium has remained the most peaceful venue in the country as no violence had ever been recorded at the arena in the history of Nigerian football before, during or after any match no matter the result recorded.

Media Officer of Abia Warriors, Igwe Onuoha, noted that FC Ifeanyi Ubah had come to Umuahia with thousands of their fans and were the ones that started a fight even at half time when their goalkeeper beat up a ball boy for an inexplicable reason and after the game in order to indict Abia Warriors Football Club.

“We have lost some games and drawn others at the Umuahia Township Stadium this season and nothing happened after those matches despite the provocation by some of the officials, so what is the big deal about the draw with Ifeanyi Ubah? The statement signed by the media officer queried.

Abia Warriors called on the league Management Company to monitor the activities of the officials that handle league matches at this critical period of the season in order to ensure fairness to all the clubs and so that the league will not be brought into disrepute through the activities of some overzealous referees.

Bosso Seeks Win on the Road for El-kanemi Warriors Joshua Tekidek After a shaky start to the season during which El-Kanemi Warriors lost a home game at their adopted ground in Katsina, Coach Ladan Bosso seems to have steadied their progress following their return to familiar Maiduguri turf where they have won all 11 games played since April 10.

A very confident Bosso is now training his sights on winning at least one fixture on the road after going unbeaten in the last five games. El-Kanemi Warriors drew their last two games on the road including barring draw in Ibadan against Shooting Stars and 1-1 in Abeokuta against Ikorodu United.

“I know before the end of the season I will get an away win, that is the target. I don’t know where it is going to happen but I will get an away win.

“The next away match is

against Kano Pillars, I am an insider, so you know what it means, the pressure is on them”, Bosso boasted Coach Bosso took time to reflect on their Match day 34 against Niger Tornadoes where goals from Chinedu Ohanachom and Hussaini Mohammed gave them victory “You can see the enthusiasm in the people that came to watch but it was an open game 50-50, I appreciate the effort of my boys for being able to put up a good fight.

“Before this match I said we have played four matches unbeaten, we plan to extend our unbeaten run to five and we did just that”, Bosso told npfl.ng Up next for Elkanemi is another home game against Heartland before a trip to Kano. Their other away fixture is against Rangers International of Enugu.

Adamu Mohammed of Kano Pillars (left) up against Adeleye Olamilaken of F.C IfeanyiUbah for ball possession

It’s ‘Fight to Finish’ in Ibadan as 3SC Plots to Upset Rangers Shooting Stars goalkeeper Emmanuel Fabiyi will give everything to upset league leaders Rangers in Ibadan on Saturday so as to stay clear of relegation.

The Flying Antelopes are top of the table with 54 points from 32 matches, while 3SC is 14th on the table with 41 points, just three points outside the relegation bracket.

Benin Republic international goalkeeper Fabiyi said 3SC is not happy with their position and so they will go all out to beat Rangers.

“It is going to be a tough game,” declared Fabiyi.

“We have been preparing for the game since the first leg in Enugu because we know the fight is not yet over. Now our position on the league table is not comfortable we need all the points in this game.

“It’s going to be a football war, a do-or-die game for us.”

Meanwhile, Shooting Stars players have shelved a planned pay strike to press for the payment of six months’ salaries and several match bonuses.

It was understood that the

senior players convinced the other players to suspend the strike, which they were to embark on after the weekend loss at Plateau United after they got word that they will get a month’s pay and a match bonus this week.

“They have shelved the strike so as to get the one month salary they promised to pay them this week,” revealed a source close to ‘The Oluyole Warriors’.

“But after this weekend’s match against Rangers, they will likely go on the strike to get all what Shooting Stars owe

STA N D I N G S

Sunday Adetunji of Shooting Stars

Team Rangers Rivers Utd Wikki Ifeanyiubah Lobi Stars Enyimba Kano Pillars Sunshine Akwa Utd Nasarawa Plateau Utd El-Kanemi Tornadoes 3SC W’Wolves MFM FC Abia Warriors Heartland Ikorodu Utd Giwa FC

P 32 32 32 32 33 31 32 32 33 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 31 0

W 15 17 14 14 14 14 14 12 13 15 12 14 13 12 10 10 9 9 5 0

D 9 2 9 8 7 7 6 11 7 1 9 3 3 5 9 8 11 10 11 0

them as the season is about to end.”

Besides six months’ salaries, the players claim they have not been paid nine match bonuses.

FIXTURES

El Kanemi v Heartland Ikorodu Utd v K’ Pillars Sunshine v Plateau Utd 3SC. V Rangers Rivers Utd v W’Wolves Nasarawa v Wikki Ifeanyiubah v Akwa Utd MFM FC v Lobi Tornadoes v Enyimba

L 8 13 9 10 12 10 12 9 13 16 11 15 16 15 13 14 12 13 15 0

GF 44 33 41 33 36 31 44 40 42 36 30 35 35 37 25 31 28 21 24 0

GA 34 26 25 30 31 27 34 32 40 36 31 37 38 44 33 36 36 28 48 0

GD 10 7 16 3 5 4 10 8 2 0 -1 -2 -3 -7 -8 -5 -8 -7 -24 0

Pts 54 53 51 50 49 49 48 47 46 46 45 45 42 41 39 38 38 37 26 0

TR

Friday, September 9, 2016

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE Airline Operators to Senate

“If you have to borrow money and you have to pay 24 per cent, and you don’t make a margin of 24 per cent, it means that you will find it very difficult to pay back the debt. And there is a limit to what you can do in terms of being able to manage the debt. These fundamentals are the things we need to address. The last time we were here (the Senate), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was here (too) and it was the CBN that made it clear to everybody that the intervention fund earlier granted, was not for the airlines.” – Airline operators in Nigeria telling the Senate Committee on Aviation that unless the federal government promptly pumped intervention funds into the aviation sector, all domestic airlines operating in the country would die.

SHAKAMOMODU THIS REPUBLIC

shaka.momodu@thisdaylive.com

0811 266 1654

Has the Man Died in Kongi?

T he constant stream of bad news on the state of the economy, nay the state of the nation leaves one feeling down in the dumps. And there is no one else to blame other than ourselves. I am not proud to say: some of us saw it coming. We shouted ourselves hoarse warning the electorate to shine their eyes and that a trap had been set for them but unfortunately, they walked straight into it. The All Progressives Congress (APC) made specific and out-of-this-world promises, misleading the people about their real plans.

From that tantalising glimpse of the future that the party’s programmes gave the electorate, the people have now suddenly found themselves in a cul-de-sac and are gnashing their teeth in horror at the turn of events. The level of misery is such that has never been seen in this country. Some of us stated clearly and unambiguously then that despite all the rebranding of then Candidate Muhammadu Buhari with different ethnic/tribal attire, the evidence in the public domain contradicted the marketing narrative.

But in the end, more people acted out of emotion rather than reason. Sixteen months after, we are all frozen in a nightmare economic recession. The signs were there then when JP Morgan gave Nigeria notice to take appropriate measures on the economy and that it found it improbable for Buhari to delay constituting a cabinet. This was also followed in September last year, when the CBN warned that action needed to be taken on the fiscal side and quickly in order to avoid a recession in 2016. But all that sounded hollow to the ears as the president was carried away by his obsession of fault-finding in every decision and action of the last government.

More so as the mob gyrated in new acrobatic dance steps celebrating his magical body language that suddenly cured many national malaise.

Those who should have seen the signs of trouble on the horizon poured encomiums on him for building “the Nigeria of our dreams”. And something new entered our political lexicon: “the Buhari Born Again Phenomenon” from no less a person than our own Nobel laureate, my intellectual hero, a national treasure and a literary icon, Professor Wole Soyinka, who is the focus of this article.

His recent missteps on the national stage have led me to begin to question my sanity vis-a-vis the ancient truth as we know it, the propriety of right and wrong, the morality that underpins everything I have come to know about Soyinka and the motivation behind most of his interventions on national issues.

I must admit I have agonised to no end over the strange friendship between this intellectual legend and the rabble-rousing “noisemaker” called Rotimi Amaechi, a man whose ruinous eight-year tenure stands in infamy when matched with the trillions of naira his state was awash with during his time as the governor of Rivers State. Don’t mind the revisionists who would have us believe he was the best thing to happen to the state. But how can he be the best? He blew a dump trough full of cash on nothing. His abandoned monorail which only achieved a distance of 1.2 kilometres of work out of a mere 5.4 kilometres project after six years, with billions of naira sunk into it, stands as the single most enduring legacy of waste and corruption in the history of modern governance.

President Buhari (right) and Soyinka Yet he is a hero to many lettered people who daily assail us with awe-inspiring lectures on good governance. The man even had the effrontery to tell Nigerians recently that N3.4 trillion in cash and assets has so far been recovered from looters. The question now is who will recover the jaw-dropping monorail money from him?

Soyinka shares nothing in common with this man in terms of progressive ideas, public conduct, not even the love of the written word despite the latter’s pretence by hosting the Book Capital as a demonstration of his love of knowledge when he was governor. But for some inexplicable reason they have become the best of friends - it’s a nightmare for me. I feared that the younger generation might begin to think that Amaechi’s impulsive and petulant behaviour was exemplary. It didn’t take long for my fear to turn into horror and grief. I had to yell at a lad recently in my neighborhood to perish the thought when he said Amaechi was his role model. You can imagine how grief-stricken I was.

Amaechi’s gain was having Soyinka sturdily stand by him in the days of his “persecution” by the last government, such that Soyinka occasionally held world press conferences on the state of the nation which usually turned out to be in robust defence of Amaechi in his war of attrition with the former president, Goodluck Jonathan and his wife. Soyinka deployed his prodigious words to help Amaechi, even describing the wife of the then president as a “shippopotamus”. It was indeed a low moment for an honourable man like Soyinka who has fought many

battles with dignity and brought many laurels home.

Soyinka loves to hold world press conferences on the state of the nation and he has never shied away from a fight. There’s no doubt about it. He has been the scourge of many governments since the 1960s, more so military dictators whom he fought with every ounce of energy in him and saw their backs. But something appears to have changed about Kongi, at least recently.

His roar of disapproval seems to have become nothing more than a subdued whimper not on account of his old age, for age has neither blurred his vision, nor diminished his intellect, but by the circumstances of his own political association and choices. The same Soyinka whose interventions had served the nation well in the past to rein in some excesses of power is now unable to stand up in the face of the illusion of the change he and others helped to foist on the nation.

He is probably too embarrassed by the calamity the change he endorsed has brought on the country and instead of admitting it, he recently shied away from addressing the state of the nation-cum-economy on the lame excuse that he had changed his mind. How can he change his mind at this crucial moment in our history especially considering his role in bringing this government to be? Why is he tongue-tied? Did he take a cup of tea when he visited the Presidential Villa? I asked because mischief-makers say, once you sip a certain tea at the villa, it has a way of making someone’s confidence and enthusiasm to flag.

His meeting with Buhari recently was significant.

It would have afforded him a first-hand glimpse of the “plausible transformation,” or change if any from the president. And if my memory serves me correctly, it was the first (please correct me if I am wrong on this) between the laureate and the former dictator and was three decades in the making. As I looked intensely at the picture of the duo shaking hands, those Soyinka’s words in January 2007 on Buhari’s quest to head a democratic government rang out loudly in my head: “The grounds on which General Buhari is being promoted as the alternative choice are not only shaky, but pitifully naive. History matters.

Records are not kept simply to assist the weakness of memory, but to operate as guides to the future.

“Of course, we know that human beings change. What the claims of personality change or transformation impose on us is a rigorous inspection of the evidence, not wishful speculation or behind-the-scenes assurances. Public offence, crimes against a polity, must be answered in the public space, not in caucuses of bargaining. In

Soyinka’s endorsement of Buhari must be seen for what it was: an act of sheer desperation to key into the frenzied thirst and nostalgia for the nightmare of the 1980s that gripped the nation in 2015. His“leap of faith” has obviously landed the country in a dark alley. While his missteps may have taken something priceless from him, a part of him will forever be dear to our hearts

Buhari, we have been offered no evidence of the sheerest prospect of change. On the contrary, all evidence suggests that this is one individual who remains convinced that this is one ex-ruler that the nation cannot call to order.”

He further stated: “One is only too aware that some Nigerians love to point to Buhari’s agenda of discipline as the shining jewel in his scrap-iron crown. To inculcate discipline, however, one must lead by example, obeying laws set down as guides to public probity. Example speaks louder than declarations, and rulers cannot exempt themselves from the disciplinary strictures imposed on the overall polity, especially on any issue that seeks to establish a policy for public well-being.” It was a damning verdict on Buhari’s presidential ambition in 2007.

But in 2015, Soyinka made a seismic shift in position without providing the sheerest evidence of what had changed. This is what he said to justify his endorsement of Buhari: “I have studied him from a distance, questioned those who have closely interacted with him, including his former running mate, Pastor Bakare, and dissected his key utterances past and current. And my findings? A plausible transformation that comes close to that of another ex-military dictator, Mathew Kerekou of the Benin Republic.

“Despite such encouraging precedents, however, I continue to insist that the bridge into any future expectation remains a sheer leap of faith. Such a leap I find impossible to concede to his close rival, since we are living in President Jonathan’s present, in an environment that his six years in office have created and now seek to consolidate.”

Anyone reading these two brief excerpts from Soyinka would easily see which of the assessments was on point and which was deeply flawed at least going by the evidence re-enacted in the public domain in the last 16 months of this administration. I have said umpteen times that I don’t believe Soyinka endorsed Buhari because he believed in his heart of hearts that the ex-maximum ruler had truly changed; he merely endorsed his political associates and friends’ pitch. He did it without the sheerest evidence that Buhari had changed, falling miserably short of the very standard he himself had set for those who claimed Buhari had changed in 2007.

His interaction with Tunde Bakare, Buhari’s former running mate, was merely working to an answer he himself had already arrived at. The question is: did he expect Bakare to tell him otherwise?

Soyinka claimed to have also dissected Buhari’s key utterances before coming to the conclusion of “plausible transformation”. Which of Buhari’s key utterances did our Nobel laureate dissect?

Between 2007 and 2015, Buhari said nothing inspiring and national in outlook that could have forced such a seismic change of mind from Soyinka.

In short, nearly every of his (Buhari’s) conduct was incongruous and was openly antagonistic to national cohesion. So Soyinka’s endorsement of Buhari must be seen for what it was: an act of sheer desperation to key into the frenzied thirst and nostalgia for the nightmare of the 1980s that gripped the nation in 2015. His “leap of faith” has obviously landed the country in a dark alley.

While his missteps may have taken something priceless from him, a part of him will forever be dear to our hearts.

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