Friday 23rd September 2016

Naira Falls to N436/$ on Parallel Market as Dollar Scarcity Worsens Nigeria needs $15bn to stabilise, says Dangote Lagos, Kaduna top list of most indebted states

Obinna Chima with agency reports The naira fell to an all-time low of N436 to the dollar on the parallel market yesterday, as

against N428 to the dollar from the previous day, as the perennial scarcity of the greenback in the market took a turn for the worse.

The effect of the dollar shortage was also felt on the

interbank FX market where the spot rate of the naira also depreciated to N313.07 to the dollar yesterday, from N310.08 to a dollar the previous day.

This is just as Nigeria’s

external reserves fell further to $24.759 billion as of September 21, 2016.

The situation on the parallel market was attributed to the refusal by banks to sell dollars

to Bureau de Change (BDC) operators.

The President, Association of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Mr. Aminu Gwadabe, said none

of his members were able to access dollars from banks as directed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

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NLC, Catholic Church, CSOs Kick against Sale of National Assets… Page 11 Friday 23 September, 2016 Vol 21. No 7820. Price: N250

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Fashola: Why Buhari Can’t Stop Blaming Past Govts

President warns west on implication of non-repatriation of looted funds Tobi Soniyi in Abuja and Olawale Olaleye in Lagos The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has made excuses for President Muhammadu Buhari’s habit of reminiscing on the past and blaming past administrations for the Continued on page 8

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION… BORNO UNVEILS FEMALE MEMBERS OF CIVILIAN JTF

Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, yesterday unveiled female members of the 500 new recruits of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in Bama town, Borno. The female recruits will be assigned to assist the military take on female Boko Haram fighters and forestall unanticipated attacks against Bama which was liberated last year from the terrorists

National Economic Council Rejects Call for Adeosun, Udoma’s Ouster Economic Mgt Team rolls out new measures including asset sales to revive economy N50bn disbursed to states under budget support facility Senators: Buhari’s rigid anti-corruption policy scaring investors, killing economy House asks FG to revisit policies, TSA, backs cabinet reshuffle Tobi Soniyi, Omololu Ogunmade and Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The National Economic Council

(NEC) has expressed support for the plans and proposals of the federal government to steer the country out of recession.

Rising yesterday from its

monthly meeting held at the Presidential Villa, over which Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo presided, the council acknowledged the

current economic challenges and difficulties bedevilling the country.

Members of the council also endorsed the work of President

Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic Management Team (EMT) and specifically commended the Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun,

and the Budget and National Planning Minister, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma.

Continued on page 8

APC Ratifies Akeredolu as Ondo Guber Candidate, Submits Name to INEC… Page 51

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page eight Fashola: Why Buhari Can’t Stop Blaming Past Govts economic turmoil in the country, saying “yesterday remains relevant in understanding today in order to make choices that make tomorrow different and better”.

Fashola, who spoke Tuesday at the Wilson Centre, Washington D.C. at a lecture titled: “Leadership and the Politics of Reform in Africa: Lessons from Nigeria”, was however optimistic about the capacity of the present government to turn things around for the good of the country.

He said although “we manage the time, we do not control the time. We need people to work hard. We are changing the unproductive practices of yesterday”.

Elaborating further, the minister said practices “where the government chose to distribute cash, rice and imported kerosene in order to win votes, rather than invest it in the payment of contractors, got them to build roads, power projects, housing and real infrastructure,” were some of the factors responsible for today’s economic recession.

According to him, “Yes, the global economy is not in the best place across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The impacts are local and diverse, and those who invested well yesterday are better able to cope with a harsh winter while they expect a glorious spring.

“In Nigeria, the choices of yesterday make this winter a very harsh one for our people, because we did not invest in the right things.

“Our government of yesterday expressed its preference for providing ‘infrastructure of the stomach’, giving handouts instead of real infrastructure.

“This is how the seeds of today’s recession were sown.

For those who say that today’s

government should stop talking about yesterday, with due respect, I disagree.

“Yesterday will remain relevant in understanding today in order to make choices that make tomorrow different and better.

“I once used the allegory of the patient, and I think it deserves repetition. If a patient complains about stomach pain, the first question that the physician is likely to ask is: ‘What did you eat yesterday?’

“The answer helps the physician make a diagnosis and choose a prescription first to solve the problem, and to recommend further dietary habits about what to eat and what not to eat. This is what the current leadership is addressing.”

The former Lagos State governor stressed that what Nigerians ate yesterday was “that we wasted our money”.

“We did not invest in roads, highways, bridges, schools and hospitals. Money was taken out of the larger society and invested in private accounts. The economy began to shrink, construction companies laid off workers, who in turn lost income, which resulted in shrinking demand for goods and services, and in turn led to national under-productivity.

“That was what we ate yesterday. The stomach pain is comparable to symptoms of bad dietary choices that manifest in the recession we now deal with.

“The solution is to spend on infrastructure, which has started. The recovery time is a function of what we can spend and how quickly it will go round… If an arid area of land has not witnessed rainfall in two to three years, you know what happens when the first rain falls. It literally disappears into the ground.

“In order to reach a point where any moisture is visible in the soil that may support the germination of a seed to be planted, more rain water needs to be injected. This is the best analogy I can offer for where our national economy is.

“But I will conclude by saying I am optimistic that we will turn things around,” he said.

Fashola expressed the view that the current leadership led

by Buhari and a large number of other leaders in the public sector, at the national and state levels, and in the private sectors were sufficiently mindful of the responsibilities of leadership rather than the status of leadership, saying: “They have started to make choices and will continue to do so in order to provide for the millions of people they are responsible for.”

Making references to the size of the ministry he heads and the progress so far made, Fashola said as far as power was concerned, “I wish to state very clearly that the problems are not technical.

They are man-made”.

“As long as they are man-made, they can be solved by men and women and that is what the administration led by President Buhari is determined to do.

“The problems range from liquidity issues, to errors of commission or omission in the privatisation process and the usual teething problems of transitioning from the mindset of public sector-managed power for 63 years, from 1950-2013, to a mindset of public-sector regulated power managed by private sector, between November 2013 and today (a period that is under three years),” he said.

While acknowledging that the problems cover poorly designed projects, which must be corrected

and completed, he said they also included contractors that have not been paid for three years and therefore have no funds to complete the projects; community issues over right of way; issues of land and compensation claims resulting in disputes some of which led to court cases; and anger resulting in vandalism of public assets.

He said these issues were not technical in nature, but man-made. “They require proper analyses, understanding and decisive choice-making to get to the heart of the problems and resolving them.

“We have evolved a clear roadmap which we have started implementing, to deliver first incremental power, because we do not have enough, stable power, by knowing how many people need energy and what quantity they need, to uninterrupted power that requires us to conserve energy because what is wasted will never be enough,” he added.

On works, especially the roads and bridges development, he identified the problems as not different from that of the power sector, saying: “It is not that we have not built roads before. It is man-made issues or budgeting, lack of payment to contractors for three years, project supervision and discipline to manage 206 road contracts that were not budgeted for, or if budgeted for were poorly funded.

“The total outstanding contractual liabilities are in the region of N1.5 trillion and this administration is taking them in batches starting from the critical high traffic highways that evacuate goods from ports, fuel from tank farms, and move foodstuff and-agro produce across the country.”

The housing sector, he said,

Naira Falls to N436/$ on Parallel Market as Dollar Scarcity Worsens “As I speak to you, no BDC has been able to access FX since Monday. It is very unfortunate that the liquidity in the market has dried up. That is too bad for the market,” the ABCON boss said in a phone chat with THISDAY. The central bank had directed agent banks to approve international money transfer operators to sell foreign currency accruing from inward money remittances to licensed BDCs. Gwadabe, however, was optimistic that a yet-to-beannounced initiative between his association and Travelex would in the medium term help bridge the liquidity gap in the market.

The initiative may see Travelex, a licensed forex dealer, sell dollars directly to BDCs in the country.

The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, on Tuesday expressed regrets that BDCs were not getting enough dollars and said the central bank would revisit the existing mechanism to ensure that dollars flowed directly to the currency dealers.

“I must again say that it’s regrettable that what we did was to see how the dollars from international money transfer operators could flow to the BDCs and from them to people who want to buy foreign exchange through the BDCs at the limit of not more than $5,000.

“We have reviewed the report and the management of the CBN is looking at various options on how to ensure that these funds flow directly to the BDCs so that we can moderate the prices in

that market.

“If need be, we would change the existing mechanism that would ensure that these dollars flow directly to the BDCs. However, I would like to appeal that whenever you see that some banks or bank officials are collecting brokerage fees in order to sell FX to the BDCs, I plead with you to provide us with credible information,” he said.

Dangote: Nigeria Needs $15bn But as the FX crisis bites harder, Nigerian industrialist and Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has said Nigeria would need $15 billion from assets sales and borrowing to revive her slumping economy and boost foreign reserves.

“Through sales of assets, through loans from the Bank of China or wherever, we need something like $15 billion,” Dangote said in a Bloomberg TV interview at the U.S.-Africa Business Forum in New York on Wednesday.

“We’re having a problem as the reserves are low. The banks, entrepreneurs, everybody is speculating on the currency.”

The Nigerian economy, battered by low oil prices and a dearth of foreign investment, is set to shrink in 2016 for the first time in 25 years, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which forecasts a 1.8 per cent contraction.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s government is trying

to spend a record budget of N6.1 trillion ($19.4 billion) to stimulate growth. The country plans to raise about $4.5 billion of concessional loans and Eurobonds this year to help pay for its spending plans.

Buhari, who came to power in May 2015, is making good on his promise to tackle corruption, said Dangote, who is worth $10.9 billion, according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

The businessman, whose money is mostly tied up in Dangote Cement Plc, has lost $4.4 billion since the end of 2015, the fourth-most globally among billionaires, due in large part to the naira’s depreciation.

“President Buhari is doing a great job in terms of fighting corruption,” he said, without citing specific examples of the progress. “Corruption has gone down dramatically.”

Nigeria ranks among the world's 40 most corrupt countries, according to Transparency International, the Berlin-based anti-graft body.

Lagos, Kaduna Lead Debtor States Meanwhile, new data released by the Debt Management Office (DMO) has shown that Lagos, Kaduna and Edo States are the most indebted states in the country, with a combined debt profile of $1.84 billion.

According to the data released

by DMO on Wednesday, the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

owe $3.65 billion in foreign debts as against the $7.61 billion owed by the federal government as of June 30, 2016, bringing the country’s total foreign debt to $11.26 billion, reported the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Lagos, which is the nation’s commercial hub, retained its topmost position as the most indebted state in the country, with a total of $1.43 billion in foreign debts, representing 39.17 per cent of the country’s total subnational foreign debt.

Kaduna State, with total foreign debt of $225.28 million comes in the second position, accounting for 6.16 per cent of the subnational foreign debt.

Edo State with $179.52 million as of June 30 accounts for 4.91 per cent of the country’s subnational foreign debt.

Other states with subnational foreign debts include Cross River - $141.47m or 3.87 per cent; Ogun - $103.55m or 2.83 per cent.

Bauchi - $97.23m or 2.66 per cent; Osun - $78.93m or 2.16 per cent; Adamawa - $77.14m or 2.11 per cent; Enugu - $74.46m or 2.04 per cent; Katsina - $68.99m or 1.89 per cent; and Oyo - $67.56m or 1.85 per cent.

Some of the least indebted states are Borno - $21.89m; Taraba - $23.01m; Plateau - $29.24m; Yobe - $29.28m; Jigawa - $32.62m; Kogi - $33.56m; Benue - $34.26; FCT $34.8m; Zamfara - $35.07m; and Delta - $42.21m. The external debt of the subnational governments as of December 31, 2010 stood at $2 billion. However, by December 2015, it had risen to $3.37 billion.

is plagued by how to design houses that respond to the diverse cultures and climatic conditions in Nigeria, but noted that “we have resolved this by developing two broad categories of designs comprising blocks of flats for the southern states and bungalows with courtyards for the northern states”.

“We have completed the process of standardising fittings with a view to using only Madein-Nigeria windows, doors, hinges, tiles, plumbing and electrical appliances in order to stimulate production by local small and medium businesses,” he added.

Meanwhile, Buhari has cautioned western countries that failure on their part to return funds stolen from Nigeria and other African countries will make it difficult for Nigeria and others to achieve sustainable development.

Speaking in New York at the High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, the president called on development partners to also step up the fight against corruption by returning ill-gotten financial assets and halting future illicit financial flows to their countries.

He warned that the nonrepatriation of illicit financial assets could impinge on the determination of states to achieve an all-inclusive 2030 sustainable development.

Buhari said such collective action “will guarantee a stronger international defence of the right to development”.

He notes further that illicit financial assets stashed abroad deprived developing countries, including Nigeria, and invariably denied their people the enjoyment of their national wealth and resources needed for development.

Buhari therefore called on the United Nations “to remain vocal and active in addressing the negative impact of the nonrepatriation of illicit financial assets on their countries of origin”, adding that “as soon as stolen assets are legally established, they

should swiftly be repatriated”.

Buhari explained that his administration was fighting corruption headlong because it contributed to the denial of the resources required for development.

The president, while welcoming the commemoration of three decades of the Declaration on the Right to Development, which he observed coincided with the first anniversary of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, said: “It reminds us all of the essence of development and provides us with the opportunity to reaffirm commitments to converting this right into the policies and operational activities of relevant actors at the national, regional and international levels.”

Buhari said that as a developing country, Nigeria considers the right to development an inalienable right of fundamental importance, stressing that at the national level, his administration had been making strenuous efforts to ensure that the right to development is at the centre of all development initiatives.

While reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the UN Charter and other international conventions that uphold the right to development, he also drew the attention of the international community to the urgent need to address the lop-sided terms of trade between developed and developing countries which he said had impacted negatively on the capacity of many developing countries to embark on development programmes for the benefit of their peoples.

“Nigeria is convinced that the right to development is a shared responsibility considering the growing inequality and poverty resulting from climate change impact, natural disasters, violent extremism, social unrest and deprivation,” the president said.

He said that the right to development must be promoted and protected like all other rights.

“Its universality and interdependence are indisputable,” he declared.

National Economic Council Rejects Call for Adeosun, Udoma’s Ouster The endorsement came after

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and some senators called for the redeployment of both ministers over the economic crisis.

The vice-president is the chairman of the council, which advises the president on the economic affairs of the federation and in particular on measures necessary for the coordination of the economic planning in the country.

NEC is composed of governors of all 36 states of the federation, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor.

At the end of the meeting, the governors of Jigawa and Oyo States and Ogun State deputy governor, Atiku Bagudu, Abiola Ajimobi and Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, briefed the press.

Bagudu, who spoke first, said Adeosun and Udoma briefed the council on the state of the economy.

According to him, the council was informed that the country was in recession and that it was caused by the over-dependence on oil and the fall in the price

of the commodity.

He said council was told that the recession provided the country with an opportunity to restructure and reset the economy, adding that it was also briefed on measures being introduced to resuscitate the economy.

Continued on page 9

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

PAGE NINE NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL REJECTS CALL FOR ADEOSUN, UDOMA’S OUSTER country with an opportunity to restructure and reset the economy, adding that it was also briefed on measures being introduced to resuscitate the economy.

He listed the measures as: plans to generate and inject more funds into the economy through assets sales advance payment of licence renewals infrastructure concessions, use of recovered looted funds, etc, to reduce the funding gap; implementation of fiscal stimulus/budget priorities; fast tracking procedures through legislation and implementation of the Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) of the budget; meaningful diversification of the economy; and cutting down on importation.

Bagudu said council members, in response, commended the EMT, welcomed the presentation and expressed support for the plan to steer the nation out of the recession.

He said: “Under any other business, council members expressed confidence in and unanimously commended the EMT and both the Budget and National Planning and Finance Ministers for the presentations to the council, praising their efforts, competence and capabilities.”

Ajimobi said the Draft Regulations on the Land Use Act was presented to the council by the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform (PTCLR), adding that the law “seeks to make provisions to streamline mortgage transactions and clearly delineate the rights, duties and obligations of mortgage borrowers”.

He said the draft contained conditions for the disposal of proceeds of sale and subsequent mortgages and implied terms of a mortgage, rights of redemption, remedies and issues on mortgages by companies, power of assignment by mortgage, and the right of transfer and application of insurance money by the receiver.

Ajimobi added that the finance minister presented the council with public private partnership (PPP) initiatives on affordable housing.

Under the initiatives, Ajimobi said government would target a N1 billion fund to operate the scheme (N500 billion initially) in order to create a blended pool of long-term funds to intervene in housing development finance and mortgage provision.

According to him, the funds aim to deliver family housing priced from as low as N2.5 million up to N18 million in ready-to-occupy conditions with essential services (water and power connected).

He said about 400,000 to 500,000 housing units would be delivered on a yearly basis under the scheme.

“The ultimate aim of the programme is to channel funds from savers to borrowers, so that builders have the required capital to construct and prospective buyers can access credit to purchase.

“The fund will attract low cost local and international capital, including from domestic pension and insurance funds, federal government funding, as well as contributions from state governments and other agencies,” he explained.

The Oyo governor added that states had roles to play in the implementation of the new housing schemes. States, he said, would designate a liaison with whom the Family Homes

Fund could interface.

They are also expected to expedite building plan approval processes and security of land titles and also invest in enabling infrastructure, he said.

The Ogun State deputy governor said Adeosun reported to council that the balance in the Excess Crude Account was $2.453 billion as of September 20, 2016.

Onanuga said the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, presented to the council the best options for managing the floating foreign exchange policy introduced by the central bank.

Under the policy, she said CBN introduced a cautious monetary policy stance as dictated by consumer prices and the exchange rate.

She said the CBN would also maintain policy tightening measures for the flexible forex rate to address persistent pressures occasioned by FX scarcity and speculative demand.

“The presentation also noted that controlling inflation is key to stabilising other macroeconomic indices and the current monetary policy stance is expected to continue to help lock-in inflationary expectations,” she added.

The deputy governor also revealed that the finance minister reported to council that N50 billion had so far been disbursed to state governments under the Budget Support Loan Facility.

Senators Slam Buhari’s Rigidity But as the council endorsed the competence of Adeosun and Udoma and the federal government’s handling of the economy, the Senate yesterday continued its debate on the economic downturn, with some senators deploring the technique deployed by the Buhari administration in its fight against corruption, describing it as counter-productive.

According to them, the anti-corruption approach was crude and scary, as they recalled how potential investors had been scared away following unjustifiable arrests and unlawful detentions of anyone found with money irrespective of the source.

In the opinion of Senator Ben Murray-Bruce (Bayelsa East), the style of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the fight against corruption was wrong and counter-productive because it scares away people who want to invest in the country.

The aftermath effect of this, he added, was the current economic recession which he said had brought the nation to its knees.

“Buhari’s approach to anticorruption is wrong. Let us forget the foreign investors.

What about the local investors?

Nobody is investing anything anymore because nobody is buying anything.

“Everybody is terrified to spend money. If people are afraid, they will not invest.

Fear will not be a policy to grow the economy.

“Money is a coward. It only goes to places where there is peace and tranquillity... A friend paid a legitimate N50 million into his account and EFCC came and picked him up – a legitimate transaction.

“We cannot be afraid to be Nigerians. We cannot be afraid

to live in our country. Obasanjo fought corruption and got some money back but nobody was terrified. I support Buhari’s policy but let us change the approach.

“If we do not want to invest in our country, foreigners will not invest in our country,” Murray-Bruce said.

Aligning with Murray-Bruce, Senator Isa Misau (Bauchi Central) said abuse of the rule of law, which has manifested in the unlawful arrest and detention of individuals by EFCC, was not healthy for the economy, insisting that the recession was self-inflicted.

But for abuse of procedure, Misau insisted, the recession would have been largely avoided, claiming that there are at least five people who constitute a cog in the wheel of this nation’s progress.

“This recession is manmade. One person can spoil a government. I know five people who are not supposed to be in this government. If you remove them, this government will be okay,” Misau said.

Also speaking, the Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, identified the high estacode accruable to government officials as one of the drains on the nation’s economy.

According to him, Nigeria’s estacode is the highest in the world, recalling how the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo promised to slash the estacode in the system when he was campaigning for the presidency in 1978.

Adeyeye added that the estacode today is five times higher than what Awolowo had considered to be high at the time.

He also called for a review of the exclusive and concurrent lists in the 1999 Constitution, observing that if the economy must be rejuvenated, measures must be taken to ensure that projects are executed in every part of the country.

He also called for the restructuring of the country in a way that states would no longer come to Abuja to collect money and accused some of his colleagues who own houses in high brow areas in Abuja of not paying their tenement rates, thus being part and parcel of the problem bedevilling the nation.

“I want us in this current constitution review to look at the exclusive and concurrent lists. Let us look at where we have over-burdened the federal government. Everybody wants something from the federal government.

“If we must revitalise the economy, we must have jobs and projects in every local government, every federal constituency, every senatorial district of this country.

“Let’s begin to implement the zonal intervention projects. If we must save Nigeria, we must reduce the cost of governance.

Nigeria’s estacode is the highest in the world. We must slash it to 50 per cent.

“Obafemi Awolowo campaigned in 1978 that he was going to slash it and it is now five times higher than what it was in those days. We must slash it. When you go to our airports and you park your car, you pay N300, that is 75 cents.

“In all modern economies, you pay per hour. If we are going to find money, we must become creative. All of you with houses

in Asokoro, Maitama and Apo don’t pay tenement rates. You are part of the problem.

“We should restructure the nation and the states should not be coming to Abuja to collect money,” Adeyeye said.

In his submission, Senator Sunny Ogbuoji (Ebonyi South) called for a thorough execution of the principles of federalism in a way that would discourage states’ reliance on the centre for money.

He also advocated the restructuring of the nation and recalled how some notable individuals in the current government frustrated efforts by the immediate past government to save money.

He also kicked against calls for the sale of the nation’s assets and questioned the effects of past sales on the economy, pointing out that what should be of uppermost priority to all was how to rid the nation of acute corruption.

“We must start true federalism.

We cannot allow the states to continue to come to Abuja, as this is part of the problem. We should restructure the nation and the states should not be coming to Abuja to collect funds.

“When the last administration wanted to save money, many of the people who kicked against it are now part of this present administration. Restructuring doesn’t mean disintegrating but just to help every state to tap their potential and this will help Nigeria too.

“Nigeria should be allowed to float sound monetary policies.

Floating the naira would make it impossible for people to get waivers to buy dollars at N197 when it is higher in the open market.

“Those who are canvassing that we should sell our assets are getting it wrong. We have sold some of them, yet we are still here. If we do not cure the systemic corruption, we would not get anywhere and we should not be portrayed as thieves.

“Corruption is not peculiar to Nigeria. In fact, it was imported into Nigeria. There is corruption everywhere in the world. They only manage their corruption,” Ogbuoji said.

On the other hand, Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West) said the nation might further slip into economic depression if urgent measures are not taken to turn around the economy.

He suggested the need for the federal government to present to the legislature the policies it has designed to bring Nigeria out of the recession, noting that a misalignment between the monetary and fiscal policies from the CBN and the Ministry of Finance was not healthy for the nation.

Adeola further noted that with a minimum wage of N18,000 and the exchange rate at N420.00 to $1, the degree of starvation in the land could not be overemphasised.

But the senator supported the sale of some of the nation’s assets in order to raise funds, especially those that have become moribund such as the refineries but continue to consume the resources of the country.

He added: “Our economy should be private sector-driven.

As it is, it is predominantly public sector-driven as reflected in the outcome of the TSA policy which is giving the banking sector major challenges and by extension, the private sector. I suggest the CBN assists the banking sector through

a debt buy back of some bad loans of the commercial banks so that the banks can be free to boost private sector financing.”

Senator Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North), on the other hand, called for business incentives such as tax reliefs for potential investors as is applicable in other countries in similar situations and advocated the need for the Committees on Finance and Appropriation to engage the Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and Trade and Investment in a roundtable conference with a view to ascertaining what they have in stock requiring further legislative input.

However, more senators kicked against the advocacy for the sale of the nation’s assets. Notable among them were Senators Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central), Andy Uba (Anambra South) and Adamu Abdullahi (Nasarawa West).

While Omo-Agege described the call as misplaced, arguing that if selling the assets would offer solutions to the recession, what would the nation sell if the nation finds itself in another recession in the future? His position was backed by Uba. But Adamu, without mincing words, said: “I will not join the team of leaders who call for the sale of our assets to solve national problems.”

At the end of yesterday’s debate, which wound up at 4.30 p.m., Senate President Bukola Saraki constituted a six-man committee to collate all the recommendations made by the senators and come up with a uniform position to be adopted by the Senate for onward presentation to the executive.

House Endorses Cabinet Shake-up Following in the path of the Senate, the House of Representatives also suspended all other businesses at plenary yesterday to discuss the state of the economy and proffer solutions to urgently reverse the situation and put the nation on the path to recovery.

It also resolved to set up a committee to liaise with the Senate to invite the president to address a joint session of the legislature to brief it on the economic blueprint intended to rescue the nation from the economic doldrums.

The lawmakers unanimously agreed on the need for the federal government to revisit and reconsider the implementation of certain key economic policies and the composition of a much more competent economic team.

Some of them called for the re-jigging of the current Economic Management Team, particularly for the removal or redeployment of Adeosun and Emefiele.

Adeosun and Emefiele, several lawmakers opined, had not shown competence in handling the nation’s economy and have continued to implement “trial and error” policies.

Minority Leader, Leo Ogor called on the government to revisit the TSA, acknowledging that it was a “beautiful concept”, but had done more harm than good to the economy.

He also identified the inconsistent foreign exchange policies of the CBN, which he said have continued to contribute to the wide disparity

between the exchange rate at the interbank and parallel markets, leading to round tripping.

“Our government came out with a policy that you cannot deposit or withdraw money from domiciliary accounts. This caused panic, people shored up the dollar, creating a huge gap… Then we unconsciously devalued our currency,” Ogor lamented.

Ogor however noted that a quick way out of the current economic fix was to divest the federal government of some its powers with regard to the control of mineral resources and transfer such powers to the state governments to harness the exploration of solid minerals in the states.

“The constitution places all mineral resources in the federal government and this has created a situation where states just get to share money from the centre and go back home.

We have paid lip service to diversification,” he said, adding that the potential of bitumen and uranium exploration as sources of revenue continue to lie unharnessed due to the absence of real interest and specialisation.

The minority leader also counselled the president against “de-marketing” the country to foreign inventors with his utterances while on trips abroad.

Hon. Oluwole Oke (Osun PDP) echoed the minority leader’s sentiment, saying that policy somersaults had not helped matters, in addition to the fact that Adeosun and Emefiele do not seem to be on the same page on key issues.

“We need a combination of fiscal policy management and political solutions to this recession,” he said.

Oke observed that the recession stemmed from inadequate revenue from crude oil sales and partly due to the crises in the Niger Delta, adding that political solutions must be explored to resolve the crisis in the oil-rich region and boost revenue from oil sales.

Hon. Obinna Chidoka (Anambra PDP) called for the replacement, redeployment or sack of ministers whose performances, he said, had not inspired any confidence in the economy.

In the same manner, Hon. Karimi Sunday (Kogi PDP) described the managers of the economy as confused.

“Those managing our economy are confused. They are doing trial and error. Without wasting too much time, our government needs to rejig our economy,” he said.

He also accused the commercial banks of engaging in round tripping through the FX policy.

Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha however called for a declaration of a state of emergency in the aviation sector, saying the sector had been engulfed by the economic crisis.

She recalled that several foreign airlines had pulled out of Nigeria, while domestic airlines continue to struggle to survive in the harsh economic climate.

Onyejeocha also disagreed with calls for the sale of federal government assets, noting that the planned concession of four airports posed significant threats to the nation’s economy because they were built with loans.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Appeal Court Dismisses Sylva, APC’s Appeal against Dickson Embattled ex-governor to appeal to Supreme Court Dickson hails judgment Tobi Soniyi in Abuja and Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, challenging the declaration of Governor Seriake Dickson as the winner of the election.

The court, in a unanimous judgment held that Dickson was validly elected as governor of the state.

A five-man panel with Justice Jimmi Olukayode Bada presiding, resolved all the five issues raised by Sylva and his party in favour of Dickson and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice Bada who delivered the lead judgment, held that Sylva and his party failed to prove the allegations of corruption, non-compliance, gross violation of the electoral act and other malpractices in the conduct of the election.

He held that the foundation upon which the appellants based their case: that the December 6, 2015 election was unilaterally cancelled by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) had collapsed since they participated actively in the rescheduled election of January 9, 2016.

He further held that it was established beyond doubt that

the decision to shift December 6, 2015, election to January 9, 2016, was taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and stakeholders.

His lordship held that the burden of proof rest on the appellants who would lose if no adequate evidence was not placed before the court to prove the allegations contained in their petition.

He held that: “The contention of the appellants has no merit.

They were expected to lead evidence to prove their claim that the election was marred by irregularities, electoral malpractices, allocation of votes and gross violation of Electoral Act. These allegations were not proved by the appellants.

“Am in total agreement with the judgment of the lower tribunal because the decision was based on the evidence placed before it.”

He added that the tribunal was right in upholding Dickson’s election having resolved all the five issues raised by the appellants in favour of the respondents.

Justice Bala dismissed the petition in its entirety for lacking in merit.

Sylva and APC had challenged the election of Dickson at the state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on the grounds that the governor was not lawfully returned through as the winner of the election.

Buhari Invites UN to Mediate in Release of Chibok Girls Tobi Soniyi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has told the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, that Nigeria will welcome intermediaries from the global body.

A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the decision to invite the UN negotiators was to demonstrate Buhari’s commitment to swapping the abducted schoolgirls from Chibok with Boko Haram fighters in custody.

Speaking during a bilateral meeting with the UN scribe at the sidelines of the 71st UN General Assembly in New York, Buhari said the Nigerian government was willing to bend backwards to get the Chibok girls released from captivity.

“The challenge is in getting credible and bona fide leadership of the Boko Haram sect to discuss with,” the president said, adding that “the split in the insurgent group is not helping matters.

Government had reached out, ready to negotiate, but it became difficult to identify credible leaders. We will welcome intermediaries such as UN outfits, to step in.”

The president reiterated that the teachings of Boko Haram

were far from being Islamic, as neither Islam nor any other religion, advocates hurting the weak and innocent.

“The fact that they kill men, women, children, and other people wantonly, and shout Allahu Akbar (God is Great) shows that they do not know that Allah at all. If they did, they would not shed innocent blood,” Buhari said.

He thanked Ban Ki-Moon for the moral and material support given to Nigeria, which he said had enabled the country surmount many of the challenges facing her.

In his response, the UN Secretary General congratulated Buhari on the anti-corruption war, declaring: “You are highly respected by world leaders, including myself.

Your persona has given your country a positive image.”

He said the UN recognised the achievements of the Buhari administration against Boko Haram, urging that human rights be upheld always to prevent a repeat of the scenario being witnessed in Syria.

Ban Ki-Moon also thanked the Nigerian leader for his commitment to issues on climate change, adding that the government should “own the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” for the good of its citizens.

But in a unanimous decision, the three-man tribunal led by Justice Kazeem Aloba, the tribunal held that the APC failed to prove its case.

The tribunal held that the election held in Southen Ijaw Local Government Area on January 9, 2016, was lawful and valid in law.

It further held that from the evidence adduced before it, the election of December 6, 2015 was inconclusive and was rightfully

rescheduled by INEC through the REC. It also held that contrary to the position of the petitioner, election took place in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

Fielding questions from journalists shortly after the judgment was delivered, counsel to Sylva, Daniel Nwoko said the judgment of the appeal court would be tested at the Supreme Court because there

were aspects of the judgment that needed clarification.

But counsel to Dickson, Emeka Etiaba (SAN) lauded the judgment and praised the justices for the industry put in the judgment.

On his part, Dickson hailed the judgment.

While commending the judiciary for “asserting its independence and steadfastness in protecting the sanctity of the ballot,” the governor noted that

the court remains the bastion of the nation’s democracy.

Dickson, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, called on Sylva “to stop the flagrant abuse of the judicial process and the needless distractions designed at overheating the polity.”

He noted that the judgment indicated that the resolve of the people did not go in vain and called for greater vigilance to protect democracy in the country.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION… BORNO UNVEILS FEMALE MEMBERS OF CIVILIAN JTF

Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, yesterday unveiled female members of the 500 new recruits of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in Bama town, Borno. The female recruits will be assigned to assist the military take on female Boko Haram fighters and forestall unanticipated attacks against Bama which was liberated last year from the terrorists

PDP Governors Disagree over Reconciliation Moves Tobi Soniyi in Abuja Two governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday disagreed on the latest move to reconcile the two feuding factions of the party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Senator Ali Sheriff.

Governors Okezie Ilpeazu of Abia State and Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State who spoke separately on the matter with State House corespondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja after National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, expressed different views.

While Ikpeazu described it as a step in the right direction, Fayose rejected it, saying that it was only the Court of Appeal that could resolve the party’s leadership crisis, adding that PDP state governors had not been briefed on the reconciliatroty moves.

For Ikpeazu, the new reconciliation move would be a victory for the party and Nigeria at the end.

While observing that the long period of the crisis had taken a toll on the party, he noted that it had also provided it with new opportunities to become

stronger.

Ikpeazu said: “In every crisis there are downsides because nobody will wish and pray for crisis. I think also that moment of crisis are also opportunities for strength, renewed vigor and to reinvent our vision.

“So, ultimately, I think the PDP has the resilience and what it takes to bounce back as a party.”

On how to secure the support of its founding fathers and others who may have left the party, he said the party will work to bring everybody back on board.

He added: “There is no doubt that party politics everywhere involves everybody whether you are a founding father or a new member. Political party is built around people and everybody has equal stake.

“Our interest is Nigeria.

Therefore, all strata of people, opinion I think will be put into consideration because they are equally important.”

Ikpeazu deemphasised the role of PDP state governors in the resolution of the crisis, saying: “The important thing is Nigeria and the important thing is democracy. Whether you are a BoT member or a

party person, it doesn’t really matter. PDP Governors Forum is not political party.”

But his Ekiti counterpart disagreed with him over the new peace move, saying that it would not work unless the Appeal Court decides the multiplicity of cases already filed in respect of the dispute.

He said the governors had not been consulted while the cases in court had not been withdrawn.

Fayose said: “That move, you see, I’m not against anything called resolution within the party but everybody must wait for Court of Appeal to resolve this matter.

“Matters are in court, nobody has withdrawn any matter and they are resolving. What are you resolving?

“When matters are in court you, allow court to lay them to rest. The moment this thing doesn’t go with one side, they will tell you that we are still in court.

“But allow the court to take a stand and reconciliation would be made easy. I’m not against anybody reconciling with each other but when you see that meeting, ask the coverners if governors

were briefed.

“I was not briefed. I am not the only person in the party but I then I have a stake.”

On whether the cases in court cannot be withdrawn during reconciliation, he replied: “Let’s wait till then.

But my opinion is the Court of Appeal must resolve this matter.

“When you resolve the matter, you know that I am wrong and I you are right and reconciliation will be made easy.”

Recall that the two factions of the party had last Tuesday announced their decision to bury the hatchet and work together.

At a joint press conference by the National Caretaker Committee of the party led

by Senator Makarfi and the Senator Sheriff faction, they had announced their resolved to reunite the party to enable it to perform its role as a viable opposition platform.

Both factions disclosed their intention to embark on extensive consultations with their respective loyalists to fashion out a way to cement the new unity after about four months of bitter rivalry.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 • T H I S D AY

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NEWS

NLC, Catholic Church, CSOs Kick against Sale of National Assets To mobilise Nigerians to resist sale Paul Obi, Peter Omale and Marvellous Okeke inAbuja The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Catholic Church and other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) yesterday kicked against the move by the federal government to sell off national assets in an attempt to address the prevailing economic recession in the country.

They also took a swipe at the Senate over calls by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, urging the federal government to sell off major national assets including the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) to cushion the effects of the recession.

The call has pitted the Senate President and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, and other critical stakeholders who vehemently opposed the idea.

The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, yesterday in Abuja said such calls fell flat on the aspirations of Nigerians and smack of a calculated attempt to appease political cronies and business moguls closed to the government.

He said: “The recent call by Aliko Dangote for the sale of the national shareholdings in the NLNG and the suggestions by the senate president that the shares, along with other sovereign assets in the oil and aviation sectors, be sold to stem the current economic recession are unacceptable to NLC. “Investments in the NLNG and Joint Venture oil upstream operations are profitable and represent potential sources of revenue in the future.

“For example, it was the accrued dividend payments from NLNG shares that provided the resources

for the first bailout to states when many states could not pay salaries under this present regime. It is on record that dividends, in excess of $1 billion have accrued annually to the national coffers from the gas company over the past 12 years.

“These calls are more worrisome when one considers the history of sovereign assets divestiture in the past. Where are the proceeds from sales of the assets in the power sector for instance?”

According to the Wabba, “With the benefit of hindsight, it is obvious that these assets were distributed to favoured individuals and surrogates of the ruling elite without any appreciable benefits to Nigerians.

“While we recognise that there is need to take urgent steps to stem the dwindling fortunes of the national economy, we are convinced that the proposals in question will further weaken the revenue capacity of government in the future and weaken the economic base of the nation.”

The NLC leader added that “there are lessons to be learnt from some other Organisation of Petroleum Exploring Countries (OPEC) countries which invested their oil revenues heavily in the acquisition of sovereign assets, both domestically and internationally.

Also, the Executive Director of Caritas International, an arm of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Rev Fr Evaristus Bassey, said the clamour for the sale of national assets by some members of the executive, National Assembly and key private sector players was completely wrong and do not represent the aspirations of Nigerians in any form.

Says FG evading minimum wage talks

Bassey said: “We seem to disagree with such calls for the sale of national assets; we cannot accept such extremist capitalist views. We cannot subscribe to such views because you cannot sell national assets to private hands.”

He contended that in most cases involving either privatisation or sale of national assets, “the process has often not been transparent, it’s like selling the national assets to a few hands.

“We have not developed to the extent where government will sell off national assets and interest to private individuals,” Bassey observed.

Furthermore, Executive Director of African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, also lambasted those calling for the sale of national assets.

He told THISDAY that “that will be the most reckless, selfish and stupid clamor. Historically, governments all over the world have been involved in one form of public enterprise or the other.

We also know that there are challenges with management of public enterprises but all over the

world, new methods have been designed for effective corporate governance of public enterprises.

“In the Nigerian situation, public enterprises have fared very poorly leading to clamor for privatisation but we are all living experiences to what privatisation has done for us.”

Meanwhile, the NLC yesterday dismissed as misleading, speculations that talks between it and the federal government on new national minimum wage had collapsed.

Its president Wabba, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, that the talks had not even started.

According to him, the government is foot-dragging on the issue.

He said the tripartite structure that should consider the modalities for the implementation had not been inaugurated.

“Uptil now, government is still dragging its feet on talks about the minimum wage; the tripartite structure has not been put in place,” he said.

“The point we are making is

that we have only agreed on the structure, but the structure has not been formed.

“We have agreed on the membership and the structure of the negotiating team which is going to be tripartite, so this is the point that we are now.

“But at the last meeting of the tripartite team which was held a day after the Sallah break, it was agreed that at the next meeting, all these issues will be sorted out.

“What happened was that government could not form a quorum at the last meeting of the palliative,” Wabba added.

According to him, apart from the Minister of Labour and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation that were at the meeting, key ministries were absent.

“Legitimately, we have a demand that is still pending with them including that of minimum wage and the palliative; therefore at the next meeting, I am certain that we will give government notice.”

Asked if the government was reluctant in setting up a

team for the implementation of the minimum wage, Wabba said he would not speak for the government.

“Well, I can’t speak on the side of the government, but we are committed in making our demand, it is left for them to tell Nigerians whether they are committed to it or not,” he said.

According to the NLC president, the union would pursue the issue of the minimum wage to its logical conclusion.

The composition of the tripartite committee was announced on May 26, by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.

The Wabba faction of the NLC had put forward a demand of N56, 000 as a realistic minimum wage, while that of Joe Ajaero is asking for N90,000 as minimum wage.

The government on its part has proposed N45,000 as the new minimum wage.

The joint committee is meant to iron out the differences in the various submissions.

Senate Accuses MTN, Nigerian Minister of Illegally Repatriating $12bn Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Senate yesterday accused MTN Nigeria of moving of $12 billion out of the Nigerian economy in conspiracy with an unnamed minister and other fraudulent Nigerians.

The chamber alleged that the fraud was facilitated by four commercial banks over a period of 10 years.

Raising a point of order at the commencement of yesterday’s plenary, Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West), cited Order 42 in Senate’s Standing Orders, which allows him to seek the consent of the parliament to formally move a motion on the claim the next legislative day.

The senator who said upon presentation of the motion on Tuesday, he would provide incontrovertible evidence of the transaction, added that the amount is almost half of the nation’s external reserves.

He said: “Mr. President, I seek the indulgence of this house to move that after this short presentation, this matter be allowed to be taken on the next legislative day. My respected colleagues, MTN Nigeria paid

a sum of $284.9 million on February 6, 2001 to purchase their licence of operations in this country. “l want to say with facts which by the grace of God, I will make available on the next legislative day, if this motion is allowed, to all senators to see evidence that between 2006 and 2016 through four Nigerian banks and indeed a serving minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and some other fraudulent Nigerians. MTN has moved over $12 billion out of Nigeria and that is about half of our external reserves.

“If I get the nod of the Senate, I will want to bring a substantive motion on Tuesday, the next legislative day, with substantiated facts to buttress this position.”

After securing the Senate’s nod, Senate President, Bukola Saraki scheduled the motion for Tuesday next week.

“Distinguished colleagues, according to our rules in Order 42, Senator Dino Melaye raised this issue and he needs to get the leave of the Senate to bring it on the next legislative day,” Saraki said.

FELLOWSHIPPING WITH THE OONI

L-R; Ooni of lle-lfe, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; former Minister of Health, Mr. Julius Adelusi Adeluyi; and Alhaji Femi Okunnu (SAN) during the elder statemen’s fellowship with Ooni at the Olojo Festival Corporate Forum in Lagos....yesterday Abiodun AjAlA

House: Abdulmumin Cannot Dictate to Ethics Committee Committee begins public hearing tomorrow

Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday said the sacked Chairman of the Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Jibrin Abdulmumin, cannot dictate the agenda or mode of investigation for the Ethics and Privileges committee, which has been mandated to investigate him for breach of privileges and sundry acts of misconduct.

As a fallout of the tirade of allegations of corruption levelled against the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, three principal officers and some members of the lower chamber, the House on Wednesday had

voted to refer him to the Ethics committee for investigation.

The motion recommended suspension for a period not less than six months.

Abdulmumin had however noted that he would not appear before the committee unless the proceedings are allowed to be made public with civil societies organisations and labour unions in attendance.

But the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Publicity, Hon. Namdas Abdulrazak, addressing journalists, said the committee headed by Hon. Ossai Ncholas Ossai, would decide on how to undertake its investigation.

“The committee would

decide by itself…it is not for Abdulmumin to set agenda on how the committee should run. He is not the Chairman of the Ethics Committee, he was Chairman of Appropriation Committee,” Namdas said.

Namdas further clarified that the motion by the Chairman of Rules and Business , Hon. Emmanuel Orker-Jev, has to do with the investigation as it concerns the House, not for the individuals accused by Abdulmumin.

“The man has written individual petitions, and these are already before the relevant agencies…we cannot stop them from doing their job. The committee is concerned with

the allegations as they concern the House. Four people cannot do a budget, so if the budget was padded, it is the House,” he said.

Namdas added that if Abdulmumin shows remorse, tracts his statements and apologises to the House, the Ethics committee would make recommendations on the next line of action to the House.

Meanwhile the Ethics committee would commence hearing tomorrow at 10a.m.

While it would be open to journalists, recordings would not be allowed.

THISDAY gathered that the hearing would also be opened to the public.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

FIRS Hunts down 700,000 Firms in Tax Crackdown to Offset Oil Slump Nigeria has hunted down 700,000 firms that have never paid taxes as the country seeks new revenue sources to offset low oil prices that have pushed Africa’s biggest economy into its first recession in more than 20 years, its tax chief said.

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler, said in a rare interview that he also expected 10 million individuals to be discovered

by December and made to pay taxes for the first time.

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member slid into recession in the second quarter and militant attacks on oil facilities in its Niger Delta region have cut crude production, which provides 70 percent of government revenues, by around a third.

Planned loan deals with foreign lenders have yet to materialise, prompting the leader of the Senate to speak

of an “economic emergency.”

The government, struggling to fund a record 6.06 trillion naira ($18.6 billion) 2016 budget that aims to stimulate growth by tripling capital expenditure, set FIRS a target of raising 4.95 trillion naira in taxes, up from 3.73 trillion last year.

Persuading Nigerians to pay tax is no easy task. FIRS does not appear to be on track to meet its target for tax collection so far this year, but experts believe it can do better in future.

“We collected a little over 2.3 trillion, so far - from January to 31 August. It is almost at par with last year but take into consideration that the economy is going through a little slowdown,” said Fowler.

The FIRS boss according to Reuters, said revenue from value-added tax (VAT) had increased by 25 per cent yearon-year and corporate income tax held steady over the same period but petroleum profit tax was expected to have halved,

mainly due to low oil prices.

Fowler, appointed last year after a stint as tax chief in Lagos where monthly tax revenues surged by 70 percent in the four years to December 2012, said FIRS expects to generate 5.2 trillion naira in 2017.

The tax chief said a new unit created at the start of the year had deployed inspectors armed with laptops to update databases, registering businesses and individuals who are then tracked to check whether they have paid taxes -- business executives say they get “aggressive” visits from tax inspectors.

“We have been able to add about 700,000 companies and we expect to add about 10 million individuals across the nation (by December),” said Fowler, adding that this would bring the total of registered individuals to 20 million.

John Ashbourne, Africa analyst at Capital Economics, said Fowler’s target of doubling the number of tax payers was “ambitious” and would be hard to achieve in a country where “paperwork is often lacking.”

But he said the projections for 2017 were “quite achievable.”

“Revenue will almost certainly be much, much higher next year, but this is primarily due to the devaluation of the naira, which has boosted the local-terms value of each oil barrel that is exported,” he said.

Even a doubling of the number of individuals paying taxes in Africa’s most populous nation of 180 million inhabitants, where 80 per cent of the workforce is employed in the informal sector, leaves FIRS with an uphill struggle.

“From our estimates, we expect that we have 60 million individuals who should pay

some form or level of tax,” said Fowler.

He said tougher enforcement would be combined with a planned waiver on interest and penalties covering the period from 2012 to 2015 under which people and businesses would only be asked to pay the principal amount of tax liabilities due.

“We will give them a 45-day window to come forward and register and that will make them eligible for that waiver,” said Fowler of the proposal, which was submitted to the finance minister this week to check she was in agreement even though FIRS has the legal authority to enforce the change.

“A lot of people who are not in the tax net are a bit jittery or afraid to come and register thinking that we might go back two or three years and the amounts might be

considerable,” he said.

But he warned that those who failed to register for the scheme -- which he said could be rolled out as soon as October 3 -- would face stiff penalties.

People or businesses that did not come forward voluntarily would be asked to pay back taxes plus interest and penalties, he said.

“We will also consider criminal prosecution of chief executive officers or board members,” Fowler said.

He was cautious on the idea of an increase in Nigeria’s VAT rate which, at 5 percent, is among the lowest in the world.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief, Christine Lagarde, suggested a rate hike while visiting Nigeria in January and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo later said the government was considering tax regime changes to raise funds.

APC Spokesman Asks Party to Hold Emergency Meeting on the Recession House to Investigate $17bn Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja meeting should hold every national working committee change mantra but all hands Stolen from Undeclared Crude, Natural Gas Exports Report indicts NNPC, NIMASA

Damilola Oyedele in Abuja

shows undeclared crude oil shortfalls of 57,830,000 MT of The House of Representatives Nigerian crude oil, translating to yesterday resolved to set up an well over $12 billion to the USA, ad hoc committee to investigate also over $3billion to China, and the over $17 billion reported $839,522,600 to Norway,” he said.

These were conclusively to have been stolen from undeclared crude oil and ascertained by buyers, bill of liquefied natural gas exports lading, arrival dates, destination ports, quantity of crude oil and between 2011 and 2014.

It expressed dismayed that other documented information, several agencies of the federal Agbonayinma said.

The lawmaker further noted government were found liable and indicted in the report of that the data gathered showed a the company, Molecular Power liquefied natural gas shortfall of System (Nigeria) Limited, 727,460 metric tonnes, estimated contracted to carryout the at over $461 million, from shipment to seven countries. investigation.

The report is titled: ‘Recovery The revenue loss, Agbonayinma of Shortfalls from Undeclared said, was traced to cargoes at Nigeria Crude Oil Exports to each destination port of entry, Global Destinations. Shortfall and have been established as Report for Shipment to the undeclared cargo.

He added that the tracing United States of America, January 2011- December 2014.’ was one in 51 countries where Hon Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma Nigerian crude oil has been (Edo PDP), the Nigeria National exported to, with that of the Petroleum Corporation US being the largest receiver of (NNPC), Nigerian Maritime crude oil. The report from the Administration and Safety US and that of other countries, Agency (NIMASA) and other were made available to the former president, to the office agencies were indicted.

The company was contracted of the Attorney General of the in 2013 by the administration of Federation and the Economic and President Goodluck Jonathan Financial Crimes Commission to proffer solutions to the (EFCC), he added.

“The physicalisation policy of challenges of crude oil theft.

Agbonayinma, in a motion, the federal government which recalled that Molecular Power warrants loading of crude oil System was engaged to provide from Nigeria to be monitored technical data (records of crude by the Department of Petroleum oil and liquefied natural gas Resources (DPR), the Navy, lifting in Nigeria as obtained Customs, Nigerian Ports Authority from the NNPC, and landing (NPA), and NIMASA, has been certificates at global destinations) crippled over the years till date. to verify possibilities of non These agencies have majorly lost declaration to the federal the capacity to go to offshore government by multinational locations to witness loading.

The machines that monitor companies.

“The data gathering of loading into the vessels were shipment to the USA for the bought, owned, calibrated and period 2011 to December operated by the international 2014 through critical NNPC oil companies (IOCs) without data and the Central Bank monitoring,” Agbonayinma pre-shipment inspection report added.

The estranged acting National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has asked the National Chairman of the party, Chief John OdigieOyegun, to immediately convene a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) to discuss the present recession in the country and offer advice to President Muhammadu Buhari on what to do.

He advised the party to toe the line of the National Assembly which on resumption of sitting pledged to support the president in his effort to rescue the nation from the economic woes.

The APC scribe said the role of the party leadership should not be restricted to conducting primary elections but to add value to governance.

Frank said such meeting would give the leadership the chance to hear from the larger members of the party as they provide expert suggestions on the way forward.

In a statement he issued in Abuja yesterday, the APC spokesman equally advised the Oyegun-led leadership to stop giving Nigerians unrealistic hope while nothing is being done by the party to address the crippling recession.

Frank’s statement read: “I expect the leadership of my party to be worried because the country is in recession, though the problems were inherited from the past administration of Goodluck Jonathan but we are here to solve the problems.

“That is why I am demanding an emergency NEC meeting where all the leaders of our party will sit face to face and tell themselves the truth or invite experts to advice them on what quickly should be done,” he said.

Frank also said that APC NEC meeting was over due, adding that according to the party’s constitution, NEC

quarter.

Frank also listed pending issues which arose from the last NEC meeting but are yet to be addressed to include, the filling of vacant positions in the

and review of the membership of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party.

“Though President Muhammadu Buhari is doing his best to deliver on our

must be on deck to support the president to achieve this because we owe Nigerians explanations at all time and the role of party leadership must also be felt in this government.”

13

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

Th

Happy

Birthday

50

We felicitate with you at this moment and time of your life as you celebrate your 50 years in existence.

50 years is a time of appreciable splendor and jubilee.

We thank God for His mercies upon your life as we pray that He continues to uphold and keep you.

Happy Birthday and many more prosperous years to come.

BEST WISHES FROM FRIENDS Dr. Mrs. Keziah Okafor Happiness Amachree Mrs. Charlesba Batubo Mrs. NkiruEkekwe Lady Edna Nwankwo Mrs. Nnenem S. Pepple Mrs. Ngozi Eyesan Mrs. Ego Abah

Mrs. Helen Onyejieke Mrs. Chinwe Eme Mrs. Love Glory Joe Mrs. Betty Nwanze Mrs. Joy Atori Madam Victoria Peterside Mrs. Mabel Okemini Dame Dr. V. Ajuebon

Dr. Mrs. Amaka Onoh Mrs. Stella Ogbowu Mrs. Orusoso Princewill Ntah Mrs. Joyce Edmund Mrs. Uche A. Uchendu Mrs. Tina Wolucho Mrs. Josephine ChukwuIgwe Dr. Mrs. Chinelo Lucious-Nwosu

Dame Victoria Sergeant-Awuse

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A QUINTESSENTIAL AMAZON The Board of Directors, Management and Staff of

VISA KARENA HOTELS LTD Rejoice with an amiable, exemplary mother and inspirational leader, our Chief Executive Officer DAME VICTORIA DUGOYE SERGEANT-AWUSE th On her 50 Birthday Anniversary

We wish you God's protection, guidance, good health, greater achievements and more birthday celebrations in Jesus name, AMEN!

Signed: OGUNNA GEORGE ABANOBI CHIDIOGO O. REGINA MOSES IMA-OBONG PHILIP EKEH UKOMA KALU BRIGHT KWASU MUZAA UWAM JUMAI EMENIKE

Dame Victoria Sergeant-Awuse

14

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

COMMENT

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

CAN EFCC SURVIVE A LEGAL CHALLENGE? It cannot, argues Adaeze Udeze

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an the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) survive a legal challenge to its existence? I seriously believe it will not. This is because Section 214 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has not been amended to accommodate other agencies in the fight against crime, which has social, economic, financial and political dimensions. Section 214(1) of the constitution (as amended) says: “There shall be a police force for Nigeria, which shall be known as the Nigeria Police Force, and subject to the provisions of this section, no other police force shall be established for the Federation or any part thereof”.

Despite the clear provisions of section 214 of the constitution, the National Assembly went ahead in section 8(5) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act 2004, to provide thus: “For the purpose of carrying out or enforcing the provisions of this Act, all officers of the commission involved in the enforcement of the provisions of this Act shall have the same powers and privileges (including power to bear arms) as are given by the law to members of the Nigeria Police”. From the foregoing, it is clear that the existence of the EFCC at this time is in jeopardy because section 1(3) of the constitution (as amended) insists that “If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution, this constitution shall prevail and that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistency be void”.

At the moment, there is a case instituted at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the existence of the EFCC. In the case with suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/386/10, filed on May 28, 2010, Mr. Nkemjika, a researcher and co-author of the book; “Oil Exploration in Northern Nigeria: Problems and Prospects”, is asking the court to declare that the powers granted the EFCC in sections 6, 7 and 8(5) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act 2004, breaches the provisions of sections 120(3), 125(2), 128 and 129 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is also asking the court to nullify the entire EFCC Act because having regards to the provisions of sections 1(3) and 214 of the constitution, the National Assembly does not have the power to promulgate such a law.

The reaction of the then Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, to this case, was to file a preliminary objection on only one ground, and that is that his office should not be joined in the matter because “The question in the originating summons can be effectively and completely settled in the absence of the 2nd defendant, which is the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation”. Of course, Mr. Nkemjika, in his “Reply to the preliminary objection of the 2nd Defendant”, through his counsel, argued that “The court cannot strike out

SECTION 214 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA HAS NOT BEEN AMENDED TO ACCOMMODATE OTHER AGENCIES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME, WHICH HAS SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL DIMENSIONS

the 2nd defendant for mis-joinder. This is because the 2nd defendant is the Chief Law Officer of the Federation and cannot be running away from defending the propriety or otherwise of an Act promulgating the establishment of the 1st defendant, EFCC, which, pursuant to section 174 of the 1999 constitution (as amended), is directly under her supervision as Chief Law Officer”.

The issue now is that after long adjournments and what looked like an abandonment of the case, Mr. Nkemjika has instructed his new counsel, Mr. Udoka Oguekwe Esq, to apply to the Federal High Court, Abuja, to re-list the matter for adjudication, as well as seek “an amendment to the Originating Summons to also include the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as one of the defendants in the case”. And this is the crux of the matter. What happens should the courts go ahead to nullify the entire EFCC Act since there is no evidence anywhere that Section 214 of the constitution has been amended to accommodate other agencies, outside the Nigeria Police Force, in the fight against crime?

If the court declares the EFCC a nullity, all the cases it is investigating and prosecuting will die a natural death. Even the concluded ones that have sent some offenders to jail would become a nullity. In that circumstance, all those who have been jailed by the EFCC, including the ex-governors and other politically-exposed suspects it is currently investigating and prosecuting will have the right to sue its officials and the federal government for using an illegal entity unknown to the supreme law of the land to harass, arrest, detain and prosecute them in court. Where will the government get the money to pay for these damages? The situation would be a very uncomfortable one for President Buhari and his anti-corruption war.

As a matter of fact, it may not even be possible to amend section 214 of the constitution at this time in order to accommodate the EFCC in the fight against crime. I do not see how the current Senate (Red Chamber), led by Dr. Bukola Saraki, and peopled by most ex-governors being harassed by the EFCC, will agree to amend the constitution so that the anti-graft agency would no longer have any constitutional constraints to deal with them. The situation is such that even if Mr. Nkemjika were to file a fresh case in court to nullify the entire EFCC Act today, nobody can legitimately charge him for being used by corruption to fight back. After all, he instituted this case more than five years before Buhari became the President of Nigeria in May 2015”.

Udeze, a lawyer, wrote from Maitama, Abuja

DAKKADA: ONEYEAR AFTER

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Joseph George reasons Akwa Ibomites are gradually buying into the creed initiated to chart a course of greatness

recisely on September 23, 2015 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Complex, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State launched the famous Dakkada Philosophy. The initiative was meant to chart a new course of greatness for the state believed to be named after the Qua Iboe River.

The governor must have been convinced, and rightly so, that there is hardly any progress anyone could make in life without a strong belief in the self-concept. There is a consensus of opinion among experts that human beings are powerful and are likely to accomplish whatever they set their minds at achieving. Even among the religious, the Tower of Babel in the Bible is one of the examples often cited to prove that unity and determination are strong factors in helping humans to achieve their goals, even if it meant building a tower to reach heaven.

So, the whole essence of the Dakkada creed is a call to unity and determination.

It is a clarion call to encourage indigenes of Akwa Ibom State to believe in themselves and take their destinies in their hands in order to realise their full potential.

There couldn’t have been a better time to instil a sense of patriotism and self inputs in a people whose main economic activities are fishing, farming, trading, artisanship and white-collar services. Though a large population of the people are also in other parts of the world either blazing the trails, or in search of the proverbial greener pastures.

Yes, the Dakkada creed is a creed of greatness, of motivation. It is a creed to jettison mediocrity for excellence in every sense of the word. It is a clarion call on all Akwa

Ibom sons and daughters to ignite their love for their state and the nation. Going by the creed, the people should always believe that they could accomplish anything good as individuals. The creed believes in the potential of every Akwa Ibomite to unleash their potential.

It may be difficult for anyone to fault the importance of focus as an essential ingredient in the desire for greatness either as an individual, state or a corporate entity. So, it is not unusual that the governor’s initiative is being commended.

No doubt, it is good for governments to have policies that will be their driving forces. And it is commendable that a creed like the Dakkada is not being seen as a mere government policy but a philosophy that people could buy into, something that could be well formed in their sub-consciousness.

Attitudinal change is pivotal to experiencing growth and development especially in an underdeveloped economy as Nigeria’s.

Everyone should be involved in lifting the nation’s economy from the doldrums.

The government should constantly carry the people along for the Dakkada philosophy to work effectively. Thankfully, the governor is seizing the period of the celebration of the 29th anniversary of the state created on September 23, 1987, to mark the one year celebration of the Dakkada creed. It should not end there. Government should use this anniversary to appraise its effectiveness in galvanising the people of Akwa Ibom towards greatness.

The creed itself is seen by many as a stimulus for the actualisation of the governor’s five-point agenda of job creation, poverty alleviation, wealth creation,

economic and political inclusion as well as infrastructural consolidation and expansion.

It will be recalled that the first thing the governor did when he got to power in 2015 was to assemble a technical team of experts to drive his administration’s development plans.

Also, at his inaugural speech on May 29, 2015, the governor had asked every person from the state to “come with their hoes and shovels to bury the twin evils of ethnicity and tribalism,” which according to him, are capable of slowing the state down in the race of development. He had also advised the people to sow the seeds of brotherhood, love and unity to energise the people of the state to maintain their current momentum and leadership position. He had told the people to “remember that with the spirit of brotherhood, love and unity, no foe can defeat us, and no rival can overtake us.’’

But, the spirit of patriotism is not enough to build a state. It is laudable that the governor has put in place a think-tank of tested and qualified professionals with sound administrative acumen to assist in moving the state forward. The administration’s free and compulsory education policy; free health care services for pregnant women; children between age 0 and five and the aged; in addition to other welfare packages for the people, are also commendable.

No doubt the administration has recorded some accomplishments across all sectors of the economy. With a budgetary allocation of N65.42bn in 2015 state appropriation and 91.8bn in 2016, infrastructural development and road construction, bridges and drainages have remained some of the priorities of the administration.

And to mark the one year of the Dakkada creed, the governor has said he would be flagging off the construction of 19.3 kilometres Anua-Mbak-Ishiet Road; construction of Ikpe Ikot Nkon-Obotme-Arochukwu Road; and construction of 17.4 km Odoro Ikpe Mbiabet Ikpe-Mbiabet Ikot Udo Road [Rice Mill Road] with 30m span bridge. All these, according to the governor, are targeted at making the state self-sufficient.

Indeed, the step being taken towards the industrialisation of the state via construction of major roads, infrastructural developments and agricultural schemes including the Cocoa production scheme are all steps that can accelerate the state’s journey towards its desired destination of greatness. If these steps are sustained, the journey to greatness of Akwa Ibom state may be nearer than what is being imagined.

It is very important for political office holders to know that mobilising people for greatness must go hand in hand with development schemes to achieve government’s goals and objectives.

The people should constantly be at the centre of every government policy. It is not enough to ask people to think great thoughts. The leadership must do its own part. The easiest way to get the cooperation of the citizens is by doing things that will make them happy.

Leaders should learn to fulfil their part of the bargain in order to commit the citizenry to do their part. It is a two-way thing. A government that strives to meet the needs of its people will not struggle to earn their confidence and cooperation.

George wrote in from georgemomah@gmail. com

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

EDITORIAL RESTRUCTURING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

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There is need to redefine the role and structure of the local government

he 1999 constitution (as amended) provides for a three-tier government, namely federal, state and local governments. In fact the constitution clearly defines the federating units of Nigeria and the local government areas in section 3(1) stating that there shall be 36 states in the country, and in section 3(6), that there shall be 768 local government areas in Nigeria as shown in the second column of Part 1 of the First Schedule of the constitution. But while there may be no ambiguity concerning the existence of the local government system of administration in the country, governors in virtually all the 36 states have since 1999 rendered that tier of government practically ineffectual.

The 1999 Constitution in its Fourth Schedule outlined the functions, duties and responsibilities of the local councils. Unfortunately, the same constitution is silent regarding any protective mechanism that guarantees financial and political autonomy to the councils. And to the extent that most of these crucial decisions are left at the whims of the state governors, it stands to reason that THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION they are in control, WILL BE IN ALLOWING perhaps because EVERY STATE TO they are also held DETERMINE AND RUN ITS to account by their OWN LOCAL GOVERNMENT people for responsiADMINISTRATION WITHIN bilities that ordinarily should be that of local THE CONTEXT OF A RESTRUCTURED NIGERIA governments.

It is within that context that we should examine the call made last week by President Muhammadu Buhari for a constitutional amendment that would free local governments from the stranglehold of state governments. “The relationship between the three tiers of government is not a very nice one, especially that between the local governments and the states. The states feel like they own the local governments if they are of the same party. It is worse if they are not. This is a very serious constitutional problem” said Buhari while receiving

Letters to the Editor

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officials of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

While we share the misgivings of the president that in Nigeria today, most of the governors have deliberately emasculated the local government system in their states thereby preventing its growth as a truly separate and independent tier of government, it is neither practical nor expedient to expect that there is an easy way out. As things stand today, the best way to resolve this stalemate is through a constitutional review that will redefine the role and structure of the local government.

E 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

ven though section 7 of the 1999 Constitution states categorically that the councils shall be run by elected officials, most state governors prefer to appoint “caretaker committee” members so as to control the local government funds. But it is also a fact that the states bear many of the responsibilities that ordinarily should belong to that tier of government. It is perhaps for that reason that many of the governors do not see the need for the existence of local governments as a separate arm of government. Even those who believe they should stand on their own also argue that they have to be subsumed under the state governments which then mean they cannot be autonomous.

This newspaper has consistently called for a review of the present local administration system, essentially because at stake in the whole controversy is the issue of joint accounts held by the two but administered by the states. In most cases, the governors are only willing to release funds for recurrent and administrative expenditure with only a little cash to spare for the caretaker administrators. Even in releasing such money they do it with fanfare as though they were dispensing personal favour to the individuals who relish being considered for the post of “caretaker committee” chairmen.

However, as earlier stated, the ultimate solution will be in allowing every state to determine and run its own local government administration within the context of a restructured Nigeria.

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ONE NATION OF TWO UNEQUAL HALVES

s I write, from the corridor of the powerless, I am deeply steeped in tearful affection that, we, the Nigerian poor, occupy the deplorable statistics of the unemployed, the vain categorisation of the illiterates, and the tainted seclusion of the extreme poor.

We, who are the last to lose our smile in this soulless entanglement with our leaders, we, who have been forced, by the failures of poor leadership, to desperately sort ways away from the same nation we zealously lost our lots fighting for her freedom.

We, who remember that we belong to the country, not because of the dividends of good government professed by the American people but because we daily lose all we have fighting for a nation where we have been reduced to alien of countrymen.

We, who didn’t intend to resign to this fatality but retreat to allow the bruises of this unfriendly leadership heal. It is my fear, shared by all that an end to this evil is far from view.

We who received, from our leaders, packages of illiteracy as incentive for their excellencies.

We, who watch our leaders excel in the crime of pious promises.

We, whose romance with silence has triggered a motivated callousness on the part of our leaders.

Our leaders were the first to test the maiden joy of independence and the virgin yield of democracy, but will be the last to extend it to the poor.

We, who by the crippling of our dreams have been delivered, perpetually, to this hopeless resignation. We, who fear to keep than

lose a miserable life.

The international agency may know our population, but of our suffering, not much is known to them. Not much is known to them of our captivity, not much of our helplessness because we exist in those weary hinterlands beyond the reach of their probing humanity. There are those of us in the vast forgotten hinterland hindered from your reach by bridges yet built and paths so narrow yet you think you have known us. We, nevertheless, retain the hope that your speeches before the council of world leaders capture our silence in the near bother of death where our shacks perch: falling and rising by our hands after each major or even weaker flood.

We, who are happy people, as our delusive countenance will suggest, but beyond pretence, upon the template of our hearts, the pains are engraved - we carry them about because we are fairly reminded of them by its furtherance.

We, who are satisfied, even to the brim, if not by the goodness of our country but by the miseries that strange leadership tabled before us. We are all under manacle like our brethren abandoned behind the bars of prison for their innocence by an unjust justice system.

Our companions - mothers and fathers - count their days in those hospitals that see us through the last days of our travail; there we lay as we wearily recount, in those perilous moment, to our children, our trials from the tyrannical tendencies of one military administration to the subtle deceitfulness of pretentious democrats.

We, who envisage on death, our ‘tiny’ sufferings of today being

made manifold to make our children servants than masters of their destinies. We who endured seeing the reverse of the dreams so thought of by Luther King, delivered to us. From one spectacular inaugural speeches to another, our expectations have waned and fear has replaced hope.

We, who are always at the end of every unfair attack on liberty, freedom; in this, we indeed confirm that we have entrusted our lowly lives to the wrong hands.

We, who, by the geography’s pen, have been set apart along regional and state lines; denying us the strength that unity generously offers. Thus, on state lines, on the maps, and in the borders, our common resolve falter against a more resolute line of the state exploiters who trade the safety of the state in the riskiest threshold of corruption.

We, who sold ourselves to captivity when we tamed the yield of democracy by trading our liberty, with shameless indignity, upon the offer of gifts on elections by our actions, we render our drive towards an ideal country unattainable.

But I know, without needing a reminder, that an endless evil might, should God and humanity clutch to silence, destroy our children dreams for a fatherland that yet lives and only in our dreams.

It is in our words that we must first win in order never to lose.

Only in silence have we staged a funeral where evil can prevail over good. All we seek, therefore, is a country where the tyranny of leadership will be far-fetched.

Orji Sunday Sylvester University of Nigeria, Nsukka

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 T H I S D AY

CELEBRATING Dame Victoria Sergeant-Awuse @

50

On behalf of your family, we come together on this radiant day, your 50th Birthday anniversary, to warmly express our love and gratitude on this momentous occasion. You are a dutiful wife, caring mother, humble, and a soldier of Christ.We are indeed blessed to have you as a wife and mother. It is the Lord's doing.

As we join in this rapturous salutations to celebrate this day, it is our prayer that Almighty God continues to bestow upon you, blessings that will see you live many more years, so that the values of hard work, honesty and kindness you have instilled in everyone around you shall be the foundation of all the success and fulfillment ahead of you.

On behalf of the entire family, we wish you long life, good health, and many more anniversaries and services in the Lord's Vineyard

Dame Victoria Sergeant-Awuse

With Love From Chief Sergeant Chidi Awuse ---- HUSBAND CHILDREN Mr. Victor Sergeant-Awuse Mr. Goodluck Sergeant-Awuse Mr. Chico Sergeant-Awuse Ms. Gift Sergeant-Awuse Mr. Yeltsin J. Sergent-Awuse Ms. Chinwe A. Sergeant-Awuse Mr. Joseph Sergeant-Awuse

17

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY FOCUS

Jonathan’s Piled-up Credibility Crisis The on-going trial of a former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan may come as the real credibility challenge of her husband, former President Goodluck Jonathan, writes Segun James

F

ormer President Goodluck Jonathan is humble and taciturn.

And he is synonymous with the top hat which portrays his Niger Delta Ijaw ancestry. He is every inch a gentleman. Jonathan is a leader, who does not overestimate himself and his abilities, hence, he is always willing to seek knowledge and help where necessary.

He doesn’t have a commanding presence or is he a mesmerising speech giver. While in office, he had none of the swagger of his predecessors like Ibrahim Babangida or an Olusegun Obasanjo, and did not pretend about his knowledge. He is ever ready to learn.

That was why he handed everything that had to do with the nation’s economy to Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a world renowned economist and former Vice-President of the World Bank as the coordinating minister, the first time anyone would hold that title.

It was also the reason he handed security affairs to Colonel Sambo Dasuki, a former big player in the Nigerian military and its politics.

Jonathan’s arguments aren’t partisan (My ambition is not worth anybody’s blood) or ideological (Stealing is not corruption). They are simply plain and true to his persona.

But like any other man, Jonathan has a weakness and that weakness is his wife, Patience Jonathan. He has never been able to rein her in. Today, she might have become an albatross to his emerging brand.

In Nigeria, reputation is cheap. It is cheaply made even the best of crooks can build a reputation as the most honourable of men within the twinkle of an eye. But then, it is also easily lost and very fast too.

But the worst thing that can happen to anyone, who has built his reputation on hard work, integrity and a rising international profile like Jonathan is when your reputation is being put to question not by your own action or inaction, but the action of others.

In the case of Jonathan, it is not only peculiar but pathetic. His reputation is now at risk over the action of his wife. One question though: are his problems only on account of his wife’s indiscretion? No, not so. To many a watcher of the politics of the former president, his problems go beyond that. After all, every person that has worked closely with Jonathan in one way or the other has been caught or found with their hands in the national till, a situation which puts to question the character of the president and his attitudes towards the collective commonwealth of the nation.

While investigations into the stupendous wealth of his political appointees can be excused and that of his personal staff can be brushed aside and even overlooked, that of his wife is simply taking things too far.

When the federal government announced that over $34.1 million has been traced to her account, it became evident that government’s searchlights have been focused on the former President, who has distanced himself from the corrupt activities of his aides and his associates, even though they happened under his watch.

Even though the federal government has repeatedly announced that it is not investigating Jonathan, there are indications to prove to the contrary as every searchlight beamed on the activities of his former aides’ leads directly to him.

Today the former president is under the radar. But how did the probe of his

His reputation is now at risk over the action of his wife. One question though: are his problems only on account of his wife’s indiscretion? No, not so. To many a watcher of the politics of the former president, his problems go beyond that. After all, every person that has worked closely with Jonathan in one way or the other has been caught or found with their hands in the national till, a situation which puts to question the character of the president and his attitudes towards the collective commonwealth of the nation

Jonathan...will he survive this?

administration get to this sore point? Why is his reputation now on the slaughter slab, compounded by the activities of his wife?

What kind of wife is the former First Lady that every report about her activity is almost always negative?

The road to this began many years ago, soon after the Jonathans took over the deputy governor’s lodge in the Bayelsa State Government House, the Creek Haven.

Mrs. Jonathan was said to have terrorised the complex so much that the deputy governor had to flee his official residence until the late former Governor DSP Alamieyeseigha waded in and brought him back. This was the first indication that she was going to be ruthless and highhanded if given the opportunity.

Even Mrs. Margret Alamieyeseigha, wife of the governor avoided her like a plague just to prevent any form of confrontation.

A couple of months after her husband took over as Bayelsa State governor, Mrs. Jonathan while on a private visit to Port Harcourt became incensed that a young lady overtook her convoy as the wife of a governor that she ordered her security operatives to chase after the car and arrest the lady for the audacity to overtake her convoy.

The young lady was promptly arrested and detained. It was a scandalised Jonathan that quickly ordered his nephew and commissioner for information to go and release the woman, who was getting married two days from the time of the incident from police custody.

Unfortunately, while returning to base, the commissioner had an accident and died.

If this was enough lessons for anyone to be more cautious in her dealings, not Patience Jonathan, instead, her atrocities increased unabated. And as for her husband, just as it was in the past, he lacked the capacity to rein her in.

It was this audacious behaviour that she took to Abuja, and when her husband became the president, she went out of control that today, the reputation that her husband is believed to have worked so hard to earn is now at jeopardy.

Four companies with about $15.6m in their Skye Bank accounts, an amount which Mrs. Jonathan said belongs to her have pleaded guilty to the offence to money laundering charges. The four companies pleaded guilty to conspiring to launder the sum of $15, 591,700 before a Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday.

The companies are Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited; Seagate Property Development & Investment Co. Limited; Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Development Company Limited and Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has since frozen the $15.6m found in the account to which the former First Lady responded by suing the EFCC and Skye Bank, laying legitimate claims to

the money.

What kind of a husband is Jonathan that his wife was always interfering with state affairs and he could not control her or call her to order? What are the reasons his wife was beyond his control?

The reputation that Jonathan is gradually building as an international statesman and world leader is crumbling fast as the federal government continues to dig into his handling of the nation’s affairs during his over five years reign as president.

History is composed not only of what happened but what didn’t happen. While it is impossible to know and determine what didn’t happen, it is what had happened that always comes to hunt in the future. Surprisingly, even what didn’t happen under his watch – for instance, recession – seems to now hunt Jonathan. Nigeria is in the biggest recession it has ever faced in her almost 60 years as nation and what is the contribution of Jonathan to this?

From all indications, Jonathan’s reputation has been the worse hit by the goings-on since he left office. Mindboggling corruption tales involving government officials under his watch have been unearthed and at every occasion, he had somehow wiggled out from such atrocities with his reputation unscathed.

But now that the corruption has come closer home, can the former president still continue to claim he is not corrupt or unaware of the atrocities going on in his government? Or is he simply playing the ostrich, which buries its head under the sand even when it entire body is exposed? As the ant-corruption crusade of the Muhammadu Buhari government continues to dig into the activities of the immediate past government, only time will tell what manner of man, husband and president, Jonathan was.

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

POLITICS

PERSPECTIVE

From Body Language to Blame Game Agents of the Muhammadu Buhari administration have stepped up their game. From the mystical body language to blame game, they seem to have lost it, writes Reno Omokri

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fter blaming the current economic crash on former President Goodluck Jonathan on multiple occasions, I was shocked to read in today’s (Tuesday the 20th of September, 2016) papers a direct statement by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in which he blamed Nigeria’s economic recession on Niger Delta Militants.

The vice-president, while speaking at the maiden meeting of the Presidential Quarterly Business Forum on Monday, the 19th of September, 2016 said “If we did not have vandalism in the Niger Delta as we are currently suffering, we will not have this recession today.”

Now, do not get me wrong. I do not speak for, advocate for or encourage any militant group in Nigeria’s Niger Delta or in any other theaters of belligerency in any part of the world. On the contrary, I am a pastor and preacher of the peaceful message of the one and only Prince of peace, Jesus, the Messiah. Yet, I must say that Vice-President Osinbajo’s comments betray a very serious character issue that may affect his capacity to assist President Muhammadu Buhari in piloting the affairs of Nigeria.

Why do I say so? Well, for one, Nigerians have been regaled with multiple statements from Mr. Osinbajo himself, his boss and their mouthpieces in which they blamed Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for Nigeria’s economic recession. The latest attempt to pin the blame on Dr. Jonathan came via an article

by Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, entitled ‘What is President Buhari doing with the economy?’

Said Garba Shehu: “Believe me episodes from the Jonathan era can fill books, and other possibilities, such as courtroom drama thriller.” Going further, Mr. Shehu declared that “The current pain is due to the mismanagement of the past.”

And now today, Mr. Shehu’s ‘cousin in office’ (to borrow a phrase that Garba Shehu himself used to describe the relationship

Osinbajo

between Dr. Reuben Abati and I) has contradicted him and said it is no longer former President Goodluck Jonathan that is to blame but Niger Delta militants.

Please, can this administration make up its mind? Choose a story and stick to it. Choose a scapegoat and stick with him. I will not be surprised if tomorrow they blame Mr. Chinakwe, the man who was sent to prison and is right now facing prosecution for naming his dog after his hero, President Buhari, for the recession.

The truth does not shift. You cannot have one truth today and another truth tomorrow.

Truth is as stable as a rock. And one would think that Professor Yemi Osinbajo, himself a pastor, would know it.

What you are, is always more important than what you can do. Your character is what you are. Your skill is what you can do. It is important to know the difference because if your skill takes you to a height and you do not develop your character to match that height, you will come crashing

down!

Mr. Osinbajo’s skill as a legal professional par excellence has taken him to such heights from a professor to a commissioner and now to the Vice President of Nigeria. But if pastor Osinbajo does not have the character to tell the inconvenient truth to his new boss and to the nation he now leads as a co-pilot, then this character flaw may very well be the undoing of their joint administration.

And what is the truth?

Well, without mincing words, the truth is that the major reason for the crash of the Nigerian economy is not any alleged mismanagement by former President Goodluck Jonathan or the Peoples Democratic Party (to be sure, they were not perfect and had their flaws) but that for six months President Muhammadu Buhari did not appoint ministers in a nation where nothing substantial gets done at ministries, departments, agencies, parastatals or embassies without ministers giving the nod.

And before pastor Osinbajo sends his media hounds to argue with me, I suggest he leaves his car unattended for six minutes without a driver in the middle of Third Mainland bridge and see if it does not crash.

If he survives the experience, then by all means he can send his hounds to come and take me on!

But there is an even deeper reason for why Nigeria is experiencing this unprecedented economic recession and that is that even when President Buhari eventually came around to constituting his cabinet, he peopled it with individuals whose capacity to deliver the goods is at best suspect.

Let me elucidate this with a statement made by President Buhari’s minister of sports and broadcast on Channels television today Tuesday the 20th of September, 2016.

Said Mr. Solomon Dalung, “The disabled athletes have shown that all you need is a winning mentality and not too much preparation.” Can you imagine that coming from a minister and member of the federal

executive council?

But why should we be surprised? Nigerians are witnesses to the utterances of the minister of information, the aptly named Lai Mohammed, who blamed any good thing that happened in Nigeria immediately after President Buhari’s inauguration not on any form of preparation but on the President’s ‘body language’.

Early rains fell in obeisance to the President’s body language. Barren women became fertile as a result of President Buhari’s miraculous powers of non-verbal communication. All kinds of orisirisi were attributed to body language.

One wonders where the fabled ‘body language’ was when it came to fighting the recession.

The truth is that preparation, pure preparation (that word that Mr. Dalung and other operatives of this administration hate to hear) is the only thing that can increase the likelihood of success in any venture including governance. As it is commonly said, ‘those who fail to plan, plan to fail’.

And the reason Mr. Osinbajo and his co-travelers will continue to shift blame from individual to individual is because they do not have the strength of character to accept responsibility for their actions.

At this juncture, it will be pertinent of me to remind Lai Mohammed of his words uttered on the 25th of May, 2014 when he said ‘a government that is unwilling to take any responsibility for anything, should not be counted upon.’ Right back at you Mr. Mohammed, right back at you!

-Omokri is the founder of the Mind of Christ Christian Center in California and author of Shunpiking: No Shortcuts to God and Why Jesus Wept. He is also the host of Transformation with Reno Omokri.

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

Wike’s Mockery Mistakes and Amaechi’s Vindication Rowland Orlu writes that the political indiscretion and the greed for power by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesome Wike are coming back to haunt him

F

lash back: Most critics of Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi during his time as the Governor of Rivers State put on the toga of sectional and primordial sentiments. They have eyes but couldn’t see; they have ears but can’t hear; they read but lack understanding.

The truth was within, but exhibited falsehood to feed the gullible flesh. Rotimi Amaechi was the governor then who took up the challenge with former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan-led Federal government as it was then, what he perceived as wrongful and forceful arrogation of 36 years of revenue money from Shell to Bayelsa State, instead of Rivers State.

Rotimi Amaechi bore the burden of hate, disrespect, evil plot, physical victimisation and campaign of calumny from Jonathan’s team, led by Chief Nyesome Wike, the Minister of Education as he was then.

They did everything possible to truncate Amaechi’s zeal for equity and justice and his selfless service to Rivers people, Suku communities in particular.

Rotimi Amaechi back then pleaded with various Community chiefs, opinion leaders and youths to support his fight against deprivation, irrespective of political affiliation. A fact the vengeful negative critics like Wike as Minister and his community of like minds did not see. Wike and his group

Wike

replaced patriotism with hate, vendetta and partisanship.

They decided that Amaechi’s visionary drive for Rivers people and the affected communities will not lead to fertility. Maybe Wike thought then, that Amaechi was pursuing that noble course to amass political support and followership. Little did Wike know that the forces of nature were playing pranks with his fate!

The verbal diarrhoea diagnosed then in Wike and PDP provocative physical attacks in league with Mr. Joseph Mbu, their security goon, only shows how feeble and gullible they were against the progress of Rivers State. They lacked facts and reasons.

Regrettably, their fight against Amaechi was powered by strong greed for power than to serve the people.

When eventually, Jonathan abused presidential power and ordered that revenue amounting billions should be released to his home state, Amaechi called for town hall meetings with stakeholders. He told them that he took an oath to serve and protect all. He wasn’t a partisan governor and that the time for partisan politics ended with the elections and it was time for governance.

Painfully, Wike and PDP believed that opposition politics was about recklessness and irresponsibility; about tribal or regional sentiments. Wike’s PDP never believed in people’s welfare and truth. They lacked alternative ideas.

The wasp ideology of Wike-led PDP then was a conjecture of a drunk in hallucination, amnesia that lacked moral and logical reasoning. Wike’s diversity became his weakness. The quest for power beclouded his reasoning that Amaechi wasn’t fighting for political power, rather for posterity economic power.

Suku communities lost financial benefits

and development. While Rotimi Amaechi then as an opposition governor lived to full expectations of Rivers people, not by relying on political power, but on his pedigree as a servant leader, who is bent on promoting development even in discord and survival in strife.

While Amaechi was legally fighting for our oil wells in the mist of victimisation from Jonathan, Wike and gang were applauding Jonathan. They cling to frivolities in tandem with the dictates of their federal sponsors and never knew that a strong revenue base has been callously snatched.

Ironically, Wike as present governor has been crying wolf concerning the same oil wells he co-joined with Jonathan to deny Rivers People. It beats my imagination how people don’t think about the future generation.

Now, Wike has forcefully assumed power, though with little time left. However, Rivers people are watching if he can display the kind of courage, selfless service and tenacity Amaechi showed in the face of stiff opposition to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of Rivers State and the affected communities.

This is the law of natural justice awaiting governor Wike.

Has Rotimi Amaechi not been vindicated?

Has the truth not prevailed?

Waiting for your answers...

- Orlu wrote from Port Harcourt

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

A S

NIBOR

29.4167% 20.7904%

A T

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

Group Business Editor Chika Amanze-Nwachuku

Email chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157

S E P T E M B E R

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EXCHANGE RATE N308.69//1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes IATA Adopts Resolution on NewGen ISS

A BOOST TO BANKING SECTOR

L-R: Chairman, Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited, Dr. Fidelis Ndeh-Che; a former Chairman, Afrinvest, Apostle Hayford Alile; Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; Managing Director, Afrinvest, Mr. Ike Chioke and Chairman, Alpine Investments, Mr. Mohammed Hayatu-Deen at the Launch of the Nigerian Banking Sector Report 2016 in Lagos...recently

NPA, UK Govt Partner on Trade Facilitation, Investment Eromosele Abiodun In a bid to find other sources of revenue for the federal government following the decline in crude oil prices that plunged the Nigerian economy into a recession, the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) plans to collaborate with the United Kingdom government in the area of trade facilitation and investment.

The partnership, according to the NPA, will ensure efficient greater synergy, cooperation and technical road map for the development of the Nigerian port industry.

Besides, the NPA said the partnership is aimed at developing more trade routes within the Gulf of Guinea and

MARITIME in order to improve revenue generation accruable to the Nigerian economy through the exportation of agricultural produce and solid mineral resources.

To this end, it said it has commenced an interface with the UK trade and investment group through the British Council who paid the executive management a working courtesy visit.

The Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman said the management of the NPA was desirous of working with parties on improving the volume of cargo into the country, which has reduced significantly due to the economic downturn

currently being witnessed in the country.

She said there has been a prevalence of the diversion of cargo to neighbouring African countries resulting in the loss of revenue and consequently in the Nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“We are working assiduously with relevant security agencies at blocking these leakages arising from sharp practices within the system”, she said.

Bala Usman enlisted the support and synergy with the United Kingdom group in the areas of infrastructural development especially roads leading to the nation’s sea ports and environs.

According to her, the policy on automobiles requires reengineering in order to reap

most meaningfully from it as well, noting that the port plays a significant role in the development and facilitation of trade within the Gulf of Guinea.

“We want to be able to tap into these by working with stakeholder’s home and abroad, in opening new trade routes. Government has interest in the swift evacuation of cargo especially agricultural produce and solid minerals to the North-East hinterland in view of its proximity to the Calabar Port, “she added.

In the area of trade facilitation, the MD called for technical assistance in the areas of project management as well as improving on the existing Continued on page 20

NCAA Moves to Salvage Ailing Nigerian Airlines Chinedu Eze The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has commenced discussions with the federal government on the possibility of reducing the cost of aviation fuel through local refining of the product. The NCAA is also pushing for the practicability of granting the oil marketers and airlines the concession for lower exchange rates.The move was sequel to the challenges confronting Nigerian airlines due to the high cost of aviation fuel and exchange rate, which have made it difficult for the operators to carry out major maintenance checks overseas and acquire aircraft spares.

It is feared that the high

AVIATION exchange rate may force Nigerian airlines to ground their operations as it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to buy aviation fuel, import aircraft parts and carry out compulsory checks, which are largely done overseas.

Aviation industry sources hinted that in the next few months, the refineries would start refining petroleum products. It was gathered that the NCAA and the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika have made a special appeal to the managers of the refineries that Warri Refinery be dedicated to Jet A1 refining.

Also, the NCAA is seeking a reduction in taxes paid by the airlines, aside a review of the charges leveled on airlines, and has secured waiver on taxes airlines pay on importation of aircraft parts in addition to the waiver on tariffs.

Specifically, the NCAA is said to be pushing for a zero tax on imported aircraft parts, a development, which would save the airlines huge amounts of money. Besides, the Authority is also talking with the airlines on merger, which is seen as a key to saving the airlines.

According to sources, not only that merger would give the airlines economy of scale, it would also reduce their total expenses and maximise load

factor because instead of two airlines deploying two aircraft from Lagos to Abuja at the same time they would deploy one, which would safe fuel, the wear and tear of the equipment and even charges.

The regulatory authority is also working with the Ministry of Transportation to promote code-share between Nigerian airlines and foreign carriers that operate into the country and there are advantages to this arrangement.

Besides technical training and technology transfer which the foreign airlines can give to the local airlines, domestic carriers can sell foreign airlines tickets Continued on page 20

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that the IATA Passenger Agency Conference (PAConf) adopted resolutions supporting the development of the New Generation of IATA Settlement Systems (NewGen ISS).

“IATA Settlement Systems are the financial back office of the air transport industry. Since its introduction 45 years ago, the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) has successfully facilitated the distribution and settlement of funds between travel agents and airlines, which totaled more than $230billion in 2015. But the one-size-fits-all model launched in 1971 no longer fits today’s vastly different operating environment. NewGen ISS will ensure that IATA’s Passenger Agency Program continues to deliver enormous value to airlines and travel agents by providing more flexibility and options with greater financial security,” said IATA Senior Vice President for Financial and Distribution Services, Aleks Popovich The Resolution text adopted by the PAConf would enable the introduction of three pillars of NewGen ISS, which include a range of travel agent accreditation models that can better fit travel agent needs.

IATA EasyPay - a voluntary pay-as-you-go e-wallet payment solution for issuance of airline tickets in the BSP, and Global Default Insurance – an optional financial security alternative to bank guarantees for travel agents.

Delta Adds New Virgin Australia Route

Delta customers would soon gain direct access to Melbourne, Australia, following an announcement by joint venture partner Virgin Australia of plans to launch non-stop service between Melbourne and Los Angeles in 2017.

The new route would strengthen the trans-Pacific network offered by Delta and its partner in the region.

“Delta offers a truly superior network of international partners out of Los Angeles,” said Delta’s Vice President - Sales, West Region, Ranjan Goswami.

“Through our joint venture, Delta and Virgin Australia continue to differentiate ourselves as leading carriers in the U.S.-Australia market, from boosting our service to key destinations to mutually investing in a best-in-class customer experience.”

Beginning April 4, 2017, Virgin Australia would fly five times weekly between Melbourne and Los Angeles using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.The new flight complements existing service offered

by Delta and Virgin Australia, which would together offer 25 weekly flights between Australia and the United States and round-trip connectivity from 230 destinations in the Americas to 49 destinations across Australia and New Zealand.

“The United States is a key market for Virgin Australia, and this enables us to offer direct services from Los Angeles to the three largest cities in Australia – Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney,” said Virgin Australia Group CEO John Borghetti.

Delta’s premium cabin Delta One, alongside Virgin Australia’s business-class experience The Business, which launched in June, distinguishes Delta and Virgin Australia as the only trans-Pacific alliance to consistently offer full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access in business class.

Emirates Revamps Loyalty Programme

Emirates has revamped its corporate loyalty programme, Emirates Business Rewards, to provide greater value and added features for customers. The new programme has been simplified and made more competitive to allow for easier redemptions and upgrades even on last minute bookings.

One of the biggest features in the newly improved programme is the ability to use Business Rewards Points to book any commercially available seat at any time giving members cashlike convenience. Emirates is the first and only airline in the region to offer such flexibility as part of its corporate loyalty programme – improving cost-effectiveness for business travel.

Emirates recently commissioned an independent survey on the perception and habits of over 800 business travellers and decision makers of business travel in the UAE.

“We are working assiduously with relevant security agencies at blocking the leakages arising from sharp practices within the system” Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA)

Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD NPA, UK GOVT PARTNER ON TRADE FACILITATION, INVESTMENT rail-lines within the terminals at the ports across the nation.

The NPA, she reaffirmed, is cooperating with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in creating more rail lines for the swift evacuation of cargo and efficient service delivery to the hinterlands.

According to her, “Over 50 per cent of cargoes from the ports need to go through the Rails in order to guide against congestion at the Ports and road access leading to them.”

NCAA MOVES TO SALVAGE AILING NIGERIAN AIRLINES as their local representatives and airlift their passengers from major airports to other destinations in the country.

Spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye told THISDAY that the authority is looking at various ways to help the airlines survive these challenging times.

Adurogboye said if the airlines agree to merge, it will save them from going under adding “airlines can work together so that instead of three airlines going to Abuja after the peak period, one flight can be deployed and passengers that bought the tickets of other airlines can go with the same aircraft and there will be a clearing house where the airlines sort out the differences.”

He said this would also save them fuel and other expenses and above all, adding, of one airline going from Lagos to Abuja with 50 passengers, all the passengers would use one aircraft and fill it up, so there would be full load factor.

“We also do a lot of other things for the airlines. NCAA paid about N10 million recently for airlines so that they would do gap analysis with the International Air Transport Association (IATA). But the airlines have to improve in their schedule and passenger care because these foreign airlines cannot partner with you if you don’t have passenger care. On regulation we have also laid out so many procedures and ensure that airlines cannot take out their aircraft without approval from NCAA.”

NEWS

Edo Farmers Get N2 Billion CBN Loan Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Farmers in Edo State have become beneficiaries of N2billion loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), guaranteed by the state government.

The loan is in consonant with one the apex bank’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme aimed at jobs creation, reduction in food imports and diversification of Nigeria’s economy.

The state farmers who also got a N1billion grant in 2011 from the state government to buy farm implements and grow their farms, endorsed Godwin Obaseki as the successor of the state governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Speaking during the flag-off of the programme in Benin City, on Wednesday, Oshiomhole said the private sector’s involvement was needed to create employment and wealth for people especially those in the rural areas.

He said no matter how hard any governor will try, it alone cannot be able to create all the jobs that are need in the state and in Nigeria.

“The primary purpose of government is not the recruitment of civil servants.

Indeed, the civil service which is manned by civil servants is there in order to work and create the environment to support the citizens to do their own businesses and run their lives.

The most attractive and perhaps the only job in town is working for the government. That has to change, and to change it, we must revisit the economy and put our people back to work, rebuild the rural economy and transfer prosperity to our farmers. That is the way to go, and that is what this project

is about”, he declared According to the governor, “The challenge of fighting rural poverty goes beyond just building those roads. Those roads are a means to an end; they are not an end in themselves. That end is, having opened up various communities, how do we take advantage of the rural infrastructure to empower modern farmers, big and small, using modern methods to produce and have guaranteed buyers of the produce?

“So, the promise of this project which the Central

Bank is going to provide the funding, guaranteed by Edo State Government with the aid of the Bank of Industry and one other commercial bank is to go back to the basics, have the benefit of a modern approach to farming in a way that will give you greater yields and a ready buyer of that yield who takes the product to process so that we don’t export the way we did it before without adding value.

That way, prosperity will return to the rural community. I need you to take this exercise very seriously. We are in trouble if

many of our people are idle.”

He added: “We want Edo rice to return to Government House. So, this whole approach is to recognise that we cannot continue to depend on consuming India rice and India bread.

We also realise that many of you have business initiative but you don’t have the money to start small scale farms because you are not going to buy cutlasses and hoes anymore; you need small implements and that requires strong capital, and that is where the bank comes in to provide that loan, that facility

that you will get, go back to your various places and start doing something.

But I need you to know that each and every one of you who is serious, with the funding from the bank and the assistance provided by the people who have the skill to guide you through with modern implements and linking you with the nearest large scale farmers, things will change and they will change on a sustained basis, and wealth will return to rural communities and then Nigeria will be safe.”

LUCKY WINNER

L-R: Branch Manager, Daleko, Sterling Bank Plc, Labake Awoniyi; winner, Sterling Bank Cash Reward Promo, Saka Jimoh, and Service Manager, Daleko branch, Chukwuma Angela at the presentation of prizes in the on-going Sterling Bank promo in Lagos…recently

Japan Donates Agriculture Implements to Borno Farmers Michael Olugbode The Japanese Government on Wednesday presented farm implements worth millions of Naira to farmers in Borno State.

This was part of the efforts of the Asian country to assist victims of Boko Haram insurgency.

The flag off of the distribution to the beneficiaries by the UNDP Programme Officer in Borno, Mrs. Sali Musa was done at Mainok in Kaga Local Govern-

ment Area (LGA) of the state.

Musa said that the presentation was made under the United Nations (UN) Social Support Programme for insurgency victims.

She explained that the action was targeted at dry season farmers to enable them start producing food for subsistence, after suffering from the Boko Haram insurgency for some years.

“We are gathered here for the presentation of agricultural

implement donated by the Japanese Government aimed at ensuring speed recovery of the state from the devastation of the insurgency.

“The Japanese Government decided to assist the state because of the devastation suffered from the Boko Haram crisis.”

She added: “There is no doubt that the state is highly devastated by the insurgency, resulting in many people losing their homes and becoming internally displaced persons

(IDPs).

“It is based on this premise that the Japanese Government decided that the state should have more support than others in the country so it can recover quickly.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the Commissioner for Reconstruction, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Dr. Babagana Umara thanked the Japanese Government for the donation.

Umara who was represented by the Permanent

Secretary of the Ministry, Mallam Yarima Sale urged the beneficiaries to utilise the items for the intended purposes.

The items donated to the farmers included 100 bags of fertilizers, 100 bags of beans, 300 pieces of herbicides, 300 cartons of pesticides among others.

Similar presentation had already been made to the farmers in Ngamdu another community in Borno State by the Japanese government.

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Crusoe Osagie

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (Capital Market)

Customs Moves to Enhance Trade Facilitation Eromosele Abiodun The Customs Area Comptroller, Tincan Island Port, Mr. Yusuf Bashar said that he has brought ideas that will fast-track the concerted efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to ensure practical trade facilitation.

He stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting comprising executives of Freight Forwarders, Tincan Island Chapter, held at the command.

According to him, the meeting was aimed at identifying grey areas that could hinder the concept of trade facilitation and promotion of international

trade, with a view to proffering solutions.

He said trade facilitation can be achieved in an atmosphere of honest declaration, which will ultimately allow for a seamless flow of documentation in the system.

The Comptroller posited that all effort would be made to create on enabling environment for honest declarants to thrive in their business in the spirit and letter of trade facilitation.

He noted that the Service has what it takes in terms of advanced technology to monitor transactions and ensuring revenue leakages are blocked.

Bashar drew the attention of participants to the need to take advantage of the full automation of Customs processes and procedures for the advancement of their transactions.

Generally speaking, he charged them to be compliant in all ramifications to avoid any impediment that could be counterproductive.

The forum provided an ample opportunity for the comptroller to educate participants on the export potentials abounding in the country which he stated have not been fully explored.

He advised the Excos to create the awareness on their

respective associations so that emphasis will also be on ways of utilising the export potential of the country in order to become major players in the economic sector as well as wealth creators, thereby surviving the present global economic uncertainties.

Speaking further, the controller promised to implement conduct of examinations in the terminals in two phases as a major strategy towards facilitating legitimate trade.

To this effect, the Comptroller directed that the pilot scheme for the proposal will commence with Ports and Cargo Terminal

in September 5, 2016.

The Comptroller had recently handed over a 40ft container of suspected expired medical devices to the NAFDAC for necessary action.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, he stated that inter-agency collaboration and synergy is a key element of the Comptroller General of Customs’ change mantra and promised to promote it in his command. In the same vein, the comptroller also handed over two suspects to Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for falsification of documents relating to SON.

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

AIR WATCH

FAAN Pensioners Oppose Airport Concession Chinedu Eze Pensioners of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have expressed their disapproval of the planned concession of airport facilities by the federal government.

The government said it does not want to privatise the airports because it wants to continue to retain its ownership but plans to give them out in concession to private investors so that they can inject money to develop and modernise them for a given period of time and after which, they revert back to government.

But in a statement issued by the pensioners and signed by Rasaki Ope and Emeka Njoku, Chairman and Secretary of the body respectively, the pensioners argued that government had decided to concession without considering some vital issues.

Such issues they pointed out include security of the nation. a They said, “ In our recent

position, we mentioned about security of this nation-Airports are not built to make profits but to link this nation with other countries in the world therefore, it should be guided with all necessary machinery.

“We posit that, at present the Chinese are still constructing and expanding international airports, which the Honourable Minister wants to concession to foreigners. This is a clear case of colonisation,” the statement said. The pensioners quoted the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika to have said that one of the reasons why government decided to concession the airports was lack of management performance.

They noted: “If he feels the present management is not competent he should bring good hands to manage the airports. If he lacks appointment clue we can help him select competent hands.

“We want to posit that, these four viable airports are being

managed by Nigerian over the years and it was graded category A and not foreigners.

“The union is asking this important question why Arab companies. We all know the antecedents of Arab states. Where we find all types of people with questionable characters (we are afraid).”

They therefore urged the Minister to bring out the blueprint of all those he wants to concession “our sovereignty to”, so that the security agents can investigate their activities.

“KLM was brought in some years ago to manage Nigeria Airways; they left the airline worse than they met it without putting any meaningful structure in place.

“Also of note is the high level of incursion into the vast acres of land at MMIA with the connivance of people from the Aviation Ministry thereby stalling room for future expansion of the complex.

NANTA Advocates Aviation Driven Tourism Industry Chinedu Eze The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) President, Bankole Bernard has called on the federal government to relocate the Ministry of Tourism to Aviation to fast track an immediate development of tourism in Nigeria.

Bankole, who in recent weeks has consistently decried the obsolete facilities at of the nation’s airports and the entire aviation sector, assured the government of NANTA’s support to help modernise the airports in the country, noting that this could happen with a systematic and strategic relationship between aviation and tourism, adding that such synergy would drive tourism through aviation.

Bankole urged the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika to let President Buhari know that Nigeria could quickly get out of economic recession if tourism were married to aviation, describing such

partnership as progressive and policy decision that has helped other nations in the world to rebound on all indices of development.

“Nanta is embarrassed by the look of our airports and the situation our aviation sector today because Nigeria never has not really paid attention to the huge benefits in in-bound tourism hence we urge you to please do all you can to bring the tourism portfolio to the aviation sector so that Nigeria can power domestic tourism and grow the huge potential of Nigeria as a global tourism destination” Bankole said.

In the presentatio he made to the Minister in a recent stakeholders event, Bankole gave details of how other Africa nations like Ethiopia, Egypt and Kenya helped power their tourism economy through key attention and support to their national airlines.

He also eulogised Asian tourism economic powers of United Arab Emirates, Indonesia,

Malaysia, Taiwan and China for pushing aviation cum tourism infrastructure to the front burner of their economic aspiration.

“Mr. Minister Sir, we are tired of the lip service paid to tourism and aviation development in Nigeria and as key players in Nigeria aviation downstream sector, we have seen what aviation powered tourism agenda has done for other countries and Nigeria cannot allow other Africa countries to overshadow us and use our failings to gain ground ahead of us in this business”, Bankole observed.

Nanta President who led top members of his association to the meeting with the Minister, urged him to look into the issues of repatriation of trapped funds of foreign airlines, the state of Abuja and Muritala Mohammed airports, establishment of aviation fund to help domestic airlines and also the establishment of NANTA Act to address issues of professionalism in the travel trade business.

EAN Aviation Restores FBO Radio Frequency EAN Aviation, the Lagos-based business aviation services company has confirmed it has reactivated its fixed base operation (FBO) radio frequency. The base radio, which is located at EAN’s FBO in Lagos was badly damaged in a torrential rainstorm last winter and since then EAN has been working tirelessly to restore connectivity.

EAN’s dedicated channel frequency 129.475 MHz was re-booted on 29th August 2016 and following subsequent checks EAN Aviation clients are being advised of its fully functional status.

The restored system enables EAN to maintain continuous contact with aircraft up to 100 nautical miles from Murtala Muhammed International

Airport (LOS/DNMM), and supports flight tracking as well as voice transmissions. The radio is manned 24 hours a day

by EAN’s licensed dispatchers who provide aircraft departing from, and arriving into, the EAN Aviation FBO with current, local information about the flying environment.

Special requests can also be made for ground handling, fuel supply, specific equipment needs, maintenance and other services directly to the dispatchers.

EAN said it could also convey instructions on runway allocation, which is particularly important for international business aviation flights that need to land on the nominated Runway 18R for appropriate customs clearance.

“For clients making their first flight into Lagos it’s a real bonus to be able to communicate directly with our team.

It gives them peace of mind knowing that there is someone on the ground monitoring their flight and able to answer their queries immediately. It also means that we can action any specific last minute requests and be fully prepared for the aircraft’s touch down,” said CEO of EAN Aviation, Segun Demuren.

“The restoration of the EAN Aviation frequency showcases our ongoing commitment to maintaining international service levels. It’s a very valuable system in terms of safety and security and we’re delighted it’s fully operable once again,” Demuren added.

Waiver for Airlines

Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika

T

he granting of a waiver on aircraft and spares importation by the federal government has often elicited argument between Nigerian airlines and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Recently the federal government shelved tariffs paid by airlines on imported aircraft parts but the Nigerian Customs had insisted that they it not see the notification from the government. Some months ago, the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika took members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) in Abuja, who confirmed the waiver given by the federal government that effectively instructed that tariffs should not be paid by airlines on importation of aircraft and spares. This was celebrated by the airlines because it would help them to save estimated N26. 5 billion annually, but the NCS, as usual, has been very reluctant to implementing the policy.

Industry observers noted that while the Nigeria Customs looks at the money it could have generate if the waiver is not implemented, it does not consider the fact that such high tariffs could force the airlines out of business. Air transport is a catalyst to economic development of any nation. In other countries airlines don’t pay tariffs on importation of such equipment and Nigeria’s case is because almost everything about the aircraft is imported.

There have been cases where airlines would import parts for aircraft repairs and Customs would request for tariffs and when the parts are taking out to the maintenance facilities overseas where the repairs would be effected and after the maintenance and the aircraft is brought back Customs insist on collecting taxes. This has been the cycle over the years.

In 2013, the federal government endorsed policy waiver for airlines on imported aircraft and spares but by the end of 2014, the NCS said the policy had expired until recently when government enforced another one, which the Customs is reluctant to implement. Not only the insistence of the payment of tariffs, but airline operators also accuse Customs of delaying imported parts as long as they wish and as they delay the clearing of these parts, the aircraft which needs it would not be flying so that airline would be losing money. One of the operators noted that in other countries, the Customs officials understood that you cannot delay aircraft parts when it is imported because of the urgency needed to put aircraft back into the air. Unfortunately, one of them noted, Customs see aircraft and airline business as luxury; they do not realise that the economy “would be strangulated if there is no airline operation in Nigeria.”

One of the operators narrated his experience on how his spares were delayed by customs and despite the waiver policy by government, insisted that the airline should pay tariff of over N100 million

on the parts imported.

“I imported two engines, these engines entered the country, but for one good month Customs kept my engines. This is a new airline that is less than two years old that needed the support of everybody both government agencies and everybody. Do you believe that a government agency refused to allow us to clear our engines and insisted that we pay over a N100 million as duties? I refused to pay because the government has told us that commercial aircraft spares should be free, no VAT, no duties.

Customs claimed not to have gotten the papers.

“In fairness to the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; he did all he could do, and I commend him for that. He went to the Minister of Finance; they said yes the spares should be free.

He went to Comptroller General of Customs and they all agree that no duties should be paid. To implement waiver policy was another story and a Nigerian airline had to ground the operation of a particular aircraft for over one month. Those are resources lost, the country is losing a lot doing that; it is not only the airline that is losing. This is because when government agencies do some of these things they think they are hurting the individual or the owner of the company, no. You are hurting the economy of the country. That is why all over the world governments don’t joke with airlines or what they do,” the operator told THISDAY. Before the recent waiver guaranteed by government, the Airline operators Association of Nigeria had expressed its displeasure over the cancellation of waivers given to commercial airline operators to import aircraft and its spare parts into the country by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in 2013.

The Chairman of the association, Captain Nogie Meggison said airline operators were groaning under huge amount of tariff paid on the importation of the spare parts.Megisson, who said the tariff was affecting the growth of the aviation industry in Nigeria accused Customs of dumping the already gazetted waiver on importation of aircraft spare parts into the country. He said: “ We had a waiver gazetted for duty free on our spare parts and importation of aircraft for commercial reason only but Customs have backdated that waiver and they are charging us for duty.

“It is not easy as an airline had to pay about N90 million to bring spare part to fix our aircraft. That is too heavy on us and we cannot pass that one on our passengers because we feel for Nigerians.”

So the airlines were happy when the waiver was reintroduced by the present government, but the Nigeria Customs Service is still foot dragging.

When is Customs going to realise that they hurt the nation’s economy more by obstructing the activities of the airlines despite the huge revenue they could generate from payment of duties on aircraft and spares importation? This is a question only the Nigeria Customs Service can answer.

22

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Concession as Panacea to Airport Infrastructure Problem Despite stiff opposition, especially by aviation unions, if well-managed, concession could be the remedy for Nigeria’s airport infrastructure challenges, writes Chinedu Eze

MMIA

Occasionally, Airport Council International (ACI) tends to support government and its agencies owning airports and related facilities. There was a time ACI argued that privatising airports could cost an air traveller more because when airports are built by the private sector, it is profit driven and whatever cost is paid finally goes to the travellers.

Then airport facilities were seen as utilities, which governments ought to provide for its citizens, but the world has moved away from that. Airports are business concerns because it has become evident that governments cannot effectively manage huge businesses and it is now left for the private sector, just as national carriers, which used to be 100 percent owned by government are being ceded to the private sector, except on few cases.

In Nigeria, it has become obvious that government cannot continue to be saddled with the responsibility of managing airports. Over the years, the government has been in charge of airports and the then Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL), when evaluated it was obvious that little success was recorded during the period; until private entrepreneurs began to floats airlines and ignited competition. If the workers did not stand against the privatisation of NAL, perhaps the airline could have been flying today. The action of aviation workers in the case of NAL seems to be repeating itself today in the present quest by the federal government to concession Nigeria’s major airports. Oil industry observers also argue that if the country’s oil refineries were privatised some years ago they would have been operating today. But oil and gas workers had opposed the privatisation then and still oppose it till date. What this means is that workers’ narrow interests seem to eclipse the larger interest of the society. Workers only think of their interests and use unions to enforce their position, even when privatisation could benefit the whole country in the long run.

Poor Airport Infrastructure Unarguably, the best airport terminal today in Nigeria is the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, known as MMA2. The facility was built by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) under the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement with the federal government through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

That airport terminal is a good example of what the private sector could do in the provision of airport facilities, despite the controversy that surrounds that agreement between FAAN and BASL. What it means is that if there is sincerity on the part of government and transparency in the concession process, Nigerians could have

more modern airports with sophisticated facilities as obtained all over the world. What is standing between Nigerians and good airport infrastructure is engaging the private sector to put their money in airport development.

Today, airlines lament that they operate their aircraft maximum of seven hours a day for aircraft that could operate for 24 hours with a minimum recommendation of 11.5 hours a day. The reason for this is that many Nigerian airports do not have airfield lighting. So airlines cannot operate to these airports beyond 6:00 pm. The implication is that airlines lose money because they only operate daylight services to almost all the airports, except the airports in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano. If there is airfield lighting in all the airports, airlines could operate to Owerri, Calabar, Enugu, Yola, Markurdi and all other airports till late in the night. This would enable them flog their aircraft enough to meet the minimum recommended hours of flight for their equipment.

Nigerian government and all other governments in Africa and beyond are stretching their resources to provide essentials like hospitals, water, housing etc. for the citizens, but the private sector could help to build roads and airport facilities and that is why many governments have realised that they have to bring the private sector in to support the development of infrastructure for the citizenry.Few years ago government planned to build second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. This plan was knocked off over argument about the high cost of the project. Today the lone runway at the airport has passed its expiring date. What one witnesses is numerous patchworks at various parts of the runway and pilots complain about its unevenness and cracks, which recently destroyed South Africa Airways aircraft.

Government’s lean resources cannot be summoned to fund these projects and if these airports are left as they are today, degenerating on everyday use, they could breach safety in airline operation. Not only that; for Nigeria to realise its full potential as a major air transport nation, where over 20 million people travel annually, the country cannot continue to wallow in the past with obsolete airport infrastructure; it ought to upgrade to modern airport facilities and there are willing investors to make this happen.

Workers Opposition Workers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) under the auspices of the Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) have rejected the plan by the federal government to concession the airports.

The General Secretary of NUATE, Mr. Olayinka Abioye had accused government of not putting the interest of the workers into consideration and threatened that the workers would resist the plan to concession the airports, recalling that when the defunct Nigeria Airways was liquidated, workers were left to die without their pay off or their pensions which rose to over N72 billion.

Abioye said: “What we need to recognise first of all is the fact that government particularly in the last 10 years, has been shifting its core responsibilities and this may be due to globalisation and neo-liberalism and it wanted to engage in what is called Public, Private Partnership (PPP).

There is nothing wrong with that if it is done with honesty and it is also purpose driven.

Unfortunately we do not believe, particularly with what we are seeing that Nigeria is ripe for concession and privatisation of public utilities,” he said.

Abioye noted that the major reason why workers are opposed to the plan besides lack of consideration for the interest of the workers was that all efforts in the past to concession airport facilities failed due to lack of objectivity or transparency and the few that could be described as successful were skewed in favour of the investors and against the interest of government which represent the public interest.

“We have very bad examples to give. And one of the few successes of such arrangement is Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) take over and building of the domestic terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMA2), Lagos. Bi-Courtney also has its own problems that we have been battling since the last 10 years or so. We observed that some of these concession arrangements are written in such a manner that at the end of the day it is skewed in favour of the investor against the interest of the Nigerian government and the people. That is our worry,” Abioye said.

Decision to Concession Government said it does not have the resources to continue to fund airport infrastructure development; therefore it has to invite the private sector to inject money into airport facilities so that they could be upgraded to modern airports.

Government seem to be considering ceding the airports terminals and runway to concessionaires so that any company that wins the concession of, for example, Lagos airport international terminal would also ensure that the airside of the airport has modern facilities, including airfield lights and other necessary materials that would enhance safe flight operation.

The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika in a recent interaction with the journalists

in Lagos, said, “So we must be able to develop these airports, but then we don’t have the money to do so. Government no longer has money to put into these public properties. And as social democrats we are not also willing to sell or privatise these entities, we will not, we want to retain them. We are jealous of the facilities so we don’t want to let them go. So the only option we have is to concession the airports.

“And the way I put it in the simplest form is you having your house, a bungalow of three rooms and one boys’ quarter sitting on a 7, 000 square meters in Ikoyi, Lagos. We used to have them. And somebody walks up to you and says he is going to be paying you N300, 000 a month for you to give it to him, promising to construct a 14-storey building, 28 flats and also build a small room for you and your wife where you will be staying and that every month he will be giving you some change in your pocket and that after 20 years all those flats will be yours.

“I don’t see anybody that will reject that. That is concessioning your land. I have a personal experience, my very close friend, late Yinka Adetona had a small parcel of land and somebody offered to put up 14-storey, 28 flats and I asked him if this is a good idea for 25 years that it is too long. Now just before he died, the 25 years got to an end, he collected his property and took a vacation for two weeks to go and think of what to do with his property first,” Sirika said.

Airline Operators Airline operators also support the concession plan because they are at the receiving end of inadequate and obsolete facilities. They believe that if there are modern facilities, if they have capacity at the ramp and if all the airports have the necessary landing aids, including runway lighting their operation would be smoother and could have profitable operations.

The Managing Director of Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole told THISDAY that the concession was long overdue, noting that it is what is happening in other parts of the world, adding that Gatwick Airport was ceded to a Nigerian who is managing it today and the Heathrow Airport, London is managed by a Spanish company, Ferrovial.

Indications show that workers may not have supporters in their opposition to the concession of airport facilities because bringing in the private sector to fund airport infrastructure is a system that has become the vogue; in that way government regulate airline operation and management of the airports while the system enjoys private sector funding.

23

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Sanusi: Nigerian Airlines Have World’s Lowest Aircraft Utilisation Deputy Managing Director, Arik Air, Captain Ado Sanusi has pointed out key things the government should do to help Nigerian airlines sustain their operations. He spoke to Chinedu Eze. Excerpts: What do you think government can do now to help the airlines?

The airlines are facing multiple challenges. These challenges include high cost of operation in the country, which is caused by high cost of aviation fuel, high cost of getting foreign exchange and multiple taxes from the parastatals. So if you are going to make the operating environment conducive for airlines, they must address these issues.

They must look at how they can bring the high cost of Jet A1 to something comparable within the region. We can take the Ghana model. Katoka Airport, Accra, Ghana has announced they want to reduce the price of Jet A1 by 25 percent. They will cut some taxes and make it 25 percent cheaper within the region.

Jet A1 is major component that increases the cost of operation so if you bring down the cost of the product, it will bring down the cost of operation. Then the cost of getting foreign exchange; now this is not the first time the federal government is looking at the industry and allocating foreign exchange according to industry needs.

Even during the military regimes they used to give consideration to those industries that are foreign exchange intensive and allocate them foreign exchange and this will stimulate the economy because it will allow the airlines to have access to foreign exchange. This will enable the airlines operate competitively at very good airfares. Then you have to look at multiple taxations by aviation paratatals and then even if you say temporarily, government should waive some charges so that the airlines can use this waiver to offset particular fees or services to reduce their cost of operation.

Why is it that the Nigeria Customs Service is always reluctant to implement the waiver given to the airlines by the federal government on imported aircraft and spares?

I won’t say they are reluctant, but I think we should make sure that whatever is waived is being implemented. If it is Customs duty that is waived to zero duty, we have to make sure it is implemented in all the Customs stands because this is what has been given by government to stimulate the growth of the industry.

Even if there are zero waivers there are still some taxes, which the federal government says we are going to pay. When they say that Customs duty is zero, how about the other taxes? By the Act establishing Customs they have to collect these taxes. Some of these taxes are remitted to ECOWAS countries for the development of the ports and others. If government wants to give zero duty and zero taxes, government ought to specify this in a document and make it clear. If government says that for aircraft and aircraft spares there is no Customs duty, it has to make it clear and state the items in the waiver and then make sure it is implemented.

The waiver should be a policy statement which everybody will know so it should be made available to everyone, so that Customs should have access to it, airlines should have access to it and everybody should have access to it because what you are doing is legal and aimed at helping the airlines as captured in the budget or in the waiver.

When you talk of making Jet A1 available, how do you consider dedicating one of the nation’s refineries to the refining of aviation fuel so that the product could meet the demands of the airlines?

Yes, I have read in the papers, where government is considering dedicating Warri refinery for the production of Jet A1. It is a very good idea for a stopgap measure.

Sanusi

But you have to understand that the logistics of bringing the product to the airport have to be put in place. What of if you refine it in Warri and we don’t have the logistics of bringing the product to Lagos, Abuja and other airports where the product is needed.

Also we have to look at the entire economy of the nation. Refining only Jet A1 in Warri and dedicating the refinery to only Jet A1 may in the short term help the airline industry.

But if you look at Ghana, they are not refining, so what is their secret? So you don’t have to refine to sell the product cheaper; everything has to do with the rate of foreign exchange. We just need to stabilise the Naira; make sure the Naira is stable and it is available for the marketers; not the one they will be getting at N350 per dollar and then the marketer says he is going to peg his price at the parallel market price of N420 per dollar.

When you talk about continued importation of the product you notice that even at normal times the product is not even available?

That has to do with distribution of the

They must look at how they can bring the high cost of Jet A1 to something comparable within the region

product or bringing the product to the airports.

So it is not that enough Jet A1 is not imported but there is a problem of infrastructure. If you are coming into Lagos you will see about 400 trucks with Jet A1, coming into the airport to drop 33, 000 litres. One aircraft of ours can take four or five of those trucks for a trip. So if we were going to continue to be bringing this Jet A1 in trickles; of course we would definitely have shortfall.

So as we are addressing the challenge of availability of the product, we should also address the problem of infrastructure, storage and transportation. We should address all those issues together and also the pricing.

And if you look at it, if you address the problem of distributing the product through the pipelines to the hydrants at the ramp, the price will come down because the more you truck this product the more you incur most cost.

In the planned concession by government, it seems it wants to concession both the terminal and the airside. Is this a possibility and if it is a possibility it then means that there would be airfield lighting, which means that you are operating only seven hours a day would be taken care of?

We support the concession plan. I have not seen any business government has run successfully. If you look at the airport being run by government and the one being run by individual you will see that the one being run by individual is better. I am very sure the federal government must have looked at that to make a decision that concession is the way to go. I believe they are going to do a thorough study of concession, including

both the air and the landside of the airport.

It is extremely important to do that.

Airports are gateways to the nation; they also constitute national security because you have to understand who and who comes into your country and the ones who leave your country. I believe all these must have been looked at by government before it decides on concession. Concession will bring efficiency; it will bring greater utilisation of the facilities because no operator would like to open his airport only between 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. No operator will do that. Concession will also attract more airlines to come to the airport, as observed all over the world. This is because that is the only way they will make money.

It will also bring competition.

But it will also open a bigger can of worms that we have to look at. Government is now running airports, but it has not licensed these airports. Now government is giving out the airports to individuals or companies in concession. We must also look at giving these companies license to operate the airports so that they would be held accountable. This is because at the time government is sunning the airports we are not holding government accountable. Let’s us take the Calabar incident for example, where a mad man rammed his car at Arik Air aircraft on the tarmac of the airport. Arik held the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) responsible, but then, the regulator must be there to also hold FAAN responsible.

So if you give that responsibility of managing the airport to a company when we have not licensed these airports to make sure the airport management is held responsible there will be no accountability. Recently our aircraft hit an antelope on the runway and nobody was held responsible for that kind of a thing.

And now you want to give these airports to private investors and we don’t have the manpower to make sure that we police those people that are running the airport. The airside part of the airport is very sensitive and needs regulation. There must be perimeter fencing; there must be lighting, signage, there must be all these things that make the airport safe.

There must be adequate fire cover.

All these we must make sure are in place before we now give it on concession. Immediately you give the airports in concession you must license them because the only way you can hold the concessionaire down is to remind him that he would lose his license and if he loses his license he cannot go back to the government and tell them he lost his license. He lost it because he was not operating within the rules, so he cannot get it back.

How is Arik Air managing to operate its flights with all these constraints?

Nigerian airlines have the lowest aircraft utilisation in the entire world. We have the lowest utilisation on the Boeing B737 engine.

If you have untilisation of seven hours in a 24 hours period while my counterparts in other countries are having between 16 to 18 hours utilisation and the rest of the time is used for maintenance; then you can see how difficult it will be to meet our operating cost.

This is because if I have 10 hours and my competitor has 16 hours; that is six hours above mine and this can be addressed easily.

For example, if you take Benin airport; I don’t see the reason why Benin airport cannot be operated in 24 hours. I see no reason why I cannot do late flights into Benin. I see no reason why I cannot do 5:00 am flight out of Benin. This is because the airport is located inside the city. So there are no security issues there. Once you land you just drive out of the airport. It is the same with Calabar airport, which is also built into the city.

24

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

Osho: Companies Must Be Flexible in Adapting to Market Conditions The Chief Executive Officer, MTN Liberia, Mr. Babatunde Osho, spoke with Eromosele Abiodun, on how businesses can adapt very quickly to the changes around them. He also recalled how the Chartered Institute of Management Accountant (CIMA) Chartered Institute of Management Accountant qualification helped him to become a multi-functional business professional. Excerpts: You have been CEO of MTN in Liberia for over a year. You also worked in MTN Nigeria for many years in senior roles.

Kindly tell us the things that differentiate the telecom markets in Nigeria and Liberia?

In fact, I have been here in Liberia for close to two years. I can only think of three things that differentiate the Nigerian market from the Liberian one. First is the size of the market.

The Nigerian market is bigger in size and population. This market is a small market.

The population here is about four million compared with 150 million in Nigeria.

Telecommunications infrastructure in Liberia is still developing. This was the case when I joined MTN Nigeria but today we can boast of fibre infrastructure linking base stations and switching facilities across the country.

Also, the Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), which is more or less the purchasing power, is smaller in Liberia than what you have in Nigeria. Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) is a lot higher than that of Liberia and this is reflected in the purchasing power. So, in the main, these are the things that differentiate the two markets. But there are lots of similarities in terms of competition, expectation of service and types of service that the consumer wants.

How essential is strategy in dealing with internal and external workings of a multinational like MTN in an environment such as Liberia?

In terms of developing an effective strategy, we have a very rigorous and robust strategy development process in MTN across all our operations and we follow that. During our annual SWOT analysis exercise, we look at those things that can impact our business now and in the nearest future. And within that context, we try and research what we plan to do in that market. There are key strategies which we develop as a group and which we must key into as it relates to our market. So, strategy defines our approach to market development and how we position ourselves in the market. It also defines how we offer value to our subscribers.

Once we get approval for our business plan and strategy, we begin to deploy resources. As part of the strategic development process, we look internally and externally into what could affect our business now and in the very near future. It also helps us to define a product marketing position. The process is rigorous, robust and functional And then we have our monthly KPIs to track how we are doing against our plan.

Also, there are processes for responding to changes in the marketplace in terms of our position and what we do.

Can you share with us what you have delivered to the market, the customer and the economy in Liberia over the years as a business?

Our business relations with the customer vary in the two segments of the market where we operate. In the consumer segment, we have the high-value segment and other segments. The second segment consists of business enterprise customers. We enrich their lives by offering innovative services that would impact the way they live, work and play. So, in this market, we offer a lot of services both on the consumer side and on the business side. And we have supported that through investment in the country in terms of the infrastructure we’re putting in place as we continue to offer reliable and affordable services to the Liberian consumer and businesses. We have employed hundreds in this market and our foundation is doing

Osho

excellent work in terms of how we give back to the communities where we do business.

MTN is renowned for its tagline of “Everywhere You Go.” So what would be your holistic assessment of services when compared to other providers across the African continent?

We are committed to the development of the African continent. Our vision is to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world guided by a mission to make the lives of our customers a whole lot brighter. So, we are at the forefront of digital services and innovation and from what we’ve done across markets, it is not about limiting ourselves to basic voice and data. We have done a lot of innovation around music, which all other operators have copied. We have also gone into mobile financial service which is very strong here and we have our mobile money that is doing quite well as part of our support for financial inclusion in the country.

In the enterprise segment, we offer quite a lot of innovative services to businesses to help them in improving effectiveness and efficiency in running their businesses. In all our markets, we try to be number one. It means we have to be very close to our subscribers, offering them the kinds of products and services that will improve their lives if we are to maintain that position in all our markets. In Liberia, we are number one and we will continue to lead by offering a variety of services to our subscribers and customers.

Given the fast pace of innovation and the huge investment needed to sustain operations in the telecoms industry, how have you been managing risk? Also, how would you assess the attitude to risk and corporate governance in the Liberian market?

As a part of the MTN group, we take the

risk and governance process seriously. We also include risk and governance issues in our annual reports to the group and stakeholders. So, we assess all our risks, categorise them and as a management team, put mitigation actions in place in each of our principal risk areas.

And then we ensure that we have a proper governance structure around what we do and how we comply with extant laws, regulations and environment. So we have a strong risk and governance culture in MTN Liberia.

What does Volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) mean for business in Liberia in the light of a volatile global macro-economic environment?

VUCA means that every business should be very careful and flexible in the way it reacts to changing market conditions because the volatility is becoming unprecedented and fraught with uncertainties at the macro-level.

The changes are complex and ambiguous hence, we need strong analytical skills to be able to discern and react. In all of these, we need to be nimble. We need to have a flexible plan that will enable us to react and respond. The incredible advances that we witness in the technology space every now and then also bring some complexity into the way we must deliver our services. So, we need to be flexible to be able to change and adapt very quickly to the changes we see around us. Therefore, the management of change becomes a very critical leadership agenda; in what we do in our business and how we allocate resources quickly to the changing circumstances around.

We need to be focused on our mission of offering reliable and affordable telecommunications services and also remain profitable even in these difficult business conditions. And it is not going to be different going forward because it is a part of life now.

Can you please share with us some of your career highlights and how you ended up in the telecoms sector?

I think the starting point in my career highlights is the Chartered Institute of Management Accountant (CIMA) qualification because my career has been on an upward trend from then on. I started in the retail environment in England and then moved to telecoms. The move into the telecoms sector is a career highlight because, in order to add value to the business in a new environment as an accountant, you need to immerse yourself into understanding all the key metrics. The CIMA qualification gives one a solid background in the effort to gain an understanding of where you work.

And so, within a short period, one is able to make impact and add value. So, I saw myself rising quickly up the ladder. At a point, I felt that returning to Nigeria to contribute my quota to the telecoms sector was the next logical step. So, I joined MTN Nigeria which was doing quite a lot of interesting things at that time. It was a period when the market was expanding. Infrastructure was expanding and we were offering different kinds of services. It was an exciting period for me. I was promoted several times from the finance side to business intelligence and then I was asked to lead the enterprise business unit.

I led the acquisition and integration of two complementary telecommunication businesses into MTN Nigeria to make MTN Nigeria become a full-service telecommunications service provider and not a GSM company.

And, of course, I was appointed as Chief Executive Officer for MTN Liberia and then appointed to the board as a director. So those are some of the key highlights of my career and yes, I give thanks to God. Why did you decide to study for the CIMA qualification, especially as it was not popular in Nigeria until recently?

Yes, it may not be popular but I remember long ago when I had two application forms with me and decided on CIMA. As a student, I decided to pursue CIMA after seeing the kind of subjects and skill sets I would get by writing the CIMA exams. And knowing that I wanted to be in industry, I settled for CIMA. I was not interested in working as an auditor because I don’t think I am cut out for things like that. I really want to be making impact on business, making suggestions on how things should get better and to increase value which is sort of natural to me. So, it wasn’t a very difficult decision for me to take.

As a management accountant who has risen through the ranks, what would you say, in relation to Nigeria, is the true value of management accountants?

The skill set required in terms of the training for the CIMA qualification is extreme. I still remember what I had to go through to get qualified and returning to Nigeria to find out the CIMA qualification was scarce at MTN at the time. After joining, leading the business analysis team, we had to get involved in a lot of projects which required incredible amount of analytical and problem-solving work; in terms of what would help the business to effectively and efficiently manage its growth objectives at the time. I try to encourage most of my colleagues who have accounting qualifications, like ICAN that they need to do CIMA because the qualification gives you an incredible analytical skill set and a strong CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

World Pension Summit: Expected Lessons, Opportunities As global experts gather in Abuja for a world pension summit, Iyobosa Uwugiaren looks at the expected lessons and benefits for Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari and his economy team will surely be excited as global experts on pension innovation, leaders of thought and key practitioners gather in Abuja between September 27 and 28 to brainstorm on issues very dear to the President’s heart: key elements of developing and structuring a sustainable pension system for Nigeria and other African nations.

To be sure, in a 12 year period, the pension sector in the Nigeria has experienced remarkable growth, from a deficit of N2trillion in 2003 to total pension fund assets of N5.73 trillion as at the end of June 2016.

And the huge pool of funds that the Contributory Pension Scheme has accumulated since inception, according to the Director-General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, is a glaring testimony to the sound investment regime which emphasises on safety and fair returns.

The pension funds have also provided a firm backing to the Nigerian economy.

According to Anohu-Amazu, ‘’PenCom has been able to develop a unique Contributory Pension Scheme that is anchored on the separation between management and custody of the pension funds. The duly licensed Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) open Retirement Savings Accounts for employees, invest and manage the pension funds in accordance with the Commission’s Investment Regulations. ‘’I am excited at the opportunities that the World Pension Summit Africa Special presents in providing solutions to some of Africa’s most pressing pension investment challenges.’’

She said that this year’s summit promises to deepen the discussions around ensuring that pension funds are invested in the real sector for visible and measurable impact on the economy, while boosting retirement benefits.

A technocrat determined to modernise and diversify the economy and society, AnohuAmazu is the first woman to lead PenCom. Arguably, she is part of a new generation of leaders in Nigeria, and part of the team of experts that nurtured the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which has seen a dramatic turnaround in the performance of pensions in Nigeria today.

With the theme: “Pension Innovations: The African Perspective”, the summit, as designed by the PenCom in partnership with the Pension and Investments/World Pension Summit, Amsterdam, will focus on innovations in the pension industry in Nigeria and Africa. Global professionals and thought leaders, together with key practitioners, will debate and exchange key fundamentals of developing and structuring a sustainable pension system for African nations.

The DG of PenCom, a strong advocate of the need to develop secure investment vehicles for pension funds to boost efforts to reduce Nigeria’s infrastructure gaps for many countries, she told THISDAY that creating a new pensions structure means that there is time to share the expertise, learn from best practices and fit the lessons learned into the specific culture of a the country.

The World Pension Summit “Africa Special” is the platform to exchange knowhow, supporting professionals in social security and in all aspects of pensions to gain the expertise.

It is also about taking the pragmatic essential steps to professionalise pensions and make them ‘future proof’.

The DG of PenCom said the summit which is well-packaged to attract professionals around the world, is aimed at exchanging expertise between all pension professionals in Africa and to stimulate pension market developments and pension innovation.

In particular, this edition of the Summit is expected to focus on key areas and experiences on relevant topics and developments such as: pension innovations; the dynamics of pension investment (ALM, new asset classes, infrastructure investments); ESG for pension

Anohu-Amazu

funds & impact investing; financial inclusion covering financial literacy, micro pensions & social security; the impact of new technology on communication; actuarial valuation and their impact on benefits, policy & governance.

Experts said the summit in Nigeria is timely--especially at a time the country is in economic recession, saying the summit would provide the needed technical-knowhow to address some of the critical issues in the economic sector.

Apparently challenged by the infection of economic recession, President Buhari recently challenged his economic team to think out-ofthe-box as a way of tackling the trials.

“The challenges we face in the current recession require out-of-the-box thinking, to deploy strategies that involve engaging meaningfully with the private sector, to raise the level of private sector investment in the economy as a whole’’, Buhari stated.

“We are confident that the level of private investment will grow as we are determined to make it easier to do business in Nigeria by the reforms we are introducing under the auspices of the Presidential Committee on Ease of Doing Business.”

The global pension summit may just help. To be sure, in order to stimulate and encourage African scheme owners and funds to work on professionalising retirement practice in Africa, the summit has also planned to host the second edition of the Africa Pension Awards. ‘’The awards ceremony is an integral part of the Summit. It is the ultimate reward for excellence, and a huge stimulus to ensure that Africa’s pensions industry remains innovative’’, the organisers said.

The inaugural Awards in 2015 saw RBA Kenya, NAMFISA Namibia and PenCom Nigeria being honoured for their various roles in the development of the sector on the continent. And the 2016 Awards is aimed to recognize innovations in risk management and communication strategy for improved customer service delivery, socio-economic impact of contributory pension systems, extension of contributory pension coverage and best corporate governance practices.

The summit will attract many key speakers including, Chris Battaglia, the CEO WorldPensionSummit and Vice President /Group publisher of Pensions & Investments (P&I).

Battaglia is of Pensions & Investments (P&I)the pre-eminent international newspaper of money management, and business insurance.

He currently serves as Vice President / Group publisher publication serving executives responsible for risk management, insurance, benefits, and brokerage in the global insurance and reinsurance arena.

Battaglai is responsible for managing the brand’s businesses including the biweekly newspapers, digital and conference, data and research products. In this role, he has earned a reputation for innovation, cultivating new business opportunities globally, while expanding the digital platforms of www.pionline. com and www. businessinsurance.com, and launching a variety of custom-publishing initiatives, including the formation of P&I Custom Media and the P&I Research Center.

From his profile, Mr. Battaglia joined Crain Communications in 1991 as an advertising sales representative responsible for US and UK/ European business development. Since then, he has held the offices of advertising sales director, associate publisher, and was promoted to publisher of Pensions & Investments in 2006.

Another speaker is Harry Smorenberg, Founder, World Pension Summit. He previously worked at Banque Paribas and ABN AMRO and wasa director at two leading strategic consultants. He is a financial services marketing and positioning strategist.

He is a leading contributor to innovation in both the retail and corporate payments and transaction space. He has also been actively involved in developing solutions in financial planning, international pensions and ‘social innovations’. Smorenberg’s strength is in catalysing institutions into developing vision and strategies, and in identifying and implementing client-centric solutions.

He is excited about the summit: ‘’There is a need for a platform where experts from all over the world can exchange expertise and best practices to further essential development in social security innovation and pensions. ‘’More and more key budget component as housing, healthcare and pensions are becoming key to citizens of the world and securing sufficient provision is becoming a joint challenge for government, employers and the individual. WPS Africa Special is the place to exchange key developments and solutions and learn from each other.“ Mr. Eric Eggink, the CEO of Eggink Van Manen/ Co-founder World Pension Summit, will also speak the global summit. He started

his career as a TV Producer at AVRO TV and hosted a weekly radio program about studied Dutch literature and Communications Management literature. He first stepped into the corporate world when he was appointed head of the In-and-external Communications department of the Sociale-Verzekerings bank in Amsterdam. He switched jobs after three years and became partner at the BBDO-PR branch, part of the Omnicom Group.

For the last twelve years Eggink is CEO of Eggink Van Manen communication consultancy.

His agency works for large companies as TNT, Manpower, Ministry of Economic Affairs (Netherlands), Overtoom, CenterParcs, PON and McDonalds. Eggink is also a specialist in Employee Communications. He is the author of “The Handbook of Internal Communications”.

Mr. Eggink is often consulted by companies in large transformation/reorganization processes and for reputational issues.

He said, ‘’The World Pension Summit Africa Special is most eager to be the platform of learning and getting inspired. We think that new developments can only be fostered with meeting and sharing information and expertise.“ The DG of Pencom will also share her versed experience in the management of pension with the global audience at the summit. She served on the Pension Reform Committee set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose work led to the enactment of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004, the first of the two major legislations that have reformed the Nigerian pension sector.

She was honoured with a presidential commendation for her work on the Committee.

After a period working as a consultant for non-governmental organizations and the private sector, she commenced her public sector career with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and was the pioneer Commission Secretary/ Legal Adviser of PenCom. At the expiration of the tenure of the Executive Committee, she became the Acting Director General of PenCom in December 2012. She completed a major review of the PRA 2004 which culminated in the enactment of the Pension Reform Act 2014. Following her nomination by the President, she was confirmed in the position by the Senate in October, 2014.

Under her watch, pension fund assets have experienced remarkable growth from N3.2trillion in December 2012 to N5.7 trillion as at the end of the second quarter of 2016.

Anohu-Amazu has also consolidated the Commission’s links to pension regulators and professional bodies around the world, such as the World Pension Summit, Amsterdam; the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); and the International Organisation of Pension Supervisors (IOPS).

She is a strong advocate of the need to develop secure investment vehicles for pension funds to boost efforts to reduce Nigeria’s infrastructure gaps. With this goal in mind, and has prioritised the Micro Pension Scheme, which is designed to assist Nigerians in the Informal Sector, who constitute the majority of the working population, to save for their old age.

A Law graduate from the University of Nigeria, she is also a member of the Nigerian Bar and holds a Masters degree in Telecommunication & Information Technology Law from the London School of Economics. A member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London, she has also attended several Executive Education programmes in Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania; the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business.

She said, ‘’This year’s summit promises to deepen the discussions around ensuring that pension funds are invested in the real sector for visible and measurable impact on the economy, while boosting retirement benefits.’’

26

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Nigeria: Multilateral Loans As Panacea against Recession Olutayo Isaac writes that the federal government’s decision to seek external help from international organisations is perhaps one of the best economic decisions the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has taken in response to the country being in recession The federal government may not be left with too many options to get Nigeria out of its current economic crisis as fast as Nigerians expect. But the recent announcement of seeking external help from international organisations, perhaps, remains one of the best economic decisions the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has taken in response to the country being in recession.

Buhari at a recent Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting approved a new external borrowing plan to retract the country from the scourge of recession which has impacted eating deep and fast negatively on the nation’s economy.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has indicated negative growth (a fall by -2.1%) for three months to the end of June 2016. This makes it the second successive quarter of negative growth report.

Economists are agreed that a negative economic growth for two consecutive quarters is recession. It is a period of economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced. It is generally indicated by a fall in GDP in two successive quarters.

Experts have fingered the mono-product nature of the Nigerian economy as one the main reasons why the country has found itself in the current economic crisis.

The nation is largely known to be an oil dependent economy, therefore facing the repercussions of lack of diversification.

The NBS puts inflation rate in Nigeria at 17.1 percent year-on-year in July of 2016, following a 16.5 percent increase in the previous month, compared to market expectation of 17.15 percent rise. It was the highest record since October 2005 as weak naira keeps pushing up food prices.

For an economy that has largely depended on revenues from crude oil production, coping with the crash in oil prices, which has by extension resulted in inflation and foreign exchange scarcity, it is indeed high time it sought help externally in ways that would once again stimulate economic activities.

Seeking External Help Borrowing from multilateral organisations is not an uncommon practice by nations faced with economic challenges. As a matter of fact, some developed nations depend heavily on borrowing to sustain their economies. It has been argued that such countries that borrow from international organisations to support investment will always be better off in the future if the investments are profitable.

In as much as Nigerians would be supportive of the idea of reducing the country’s external debt, many would frown at government policies that advocate increase in VAT, higher pension age and the likes.

There are assumptions that it is even more politically damaging for a government to increase taxes than to borrow, particularly in a period of recession such as Nigeria is faced with.

even from the Nigerian capital market or private sector.

Multilateral loans are also usually characterised by single digit interest rates.

Loans sourced from multilateral organisations are largely characterised by rigid auditing and reporting, hence capital projects agreed upon by the federal government and the lender are more likely to reach full execution with less or no compromise because these agencies will monitor economic developments and new policies by the government and ensure that existing conditions are kept.

projects, environmental projects and the likes. Basically, they pay attention to capital projects that have the potentials to improve peoples’ lives.

The benefits tied to borrowing from multilateral lenders cannot be over emphasised as Nigeria has been encouraged to seek economic help from these institutions.

The IMF managing director, Christine Lagarde, during her visit earlier in the year, advised Nigeria to seek economic help from international institutions, specifically noting that the IMF was willing and ready to assist Nigeria if it sought help from the institution.

She emphasised the urgent need for the country to massively diversify its economy in order to stop depending exclusively on dwindling oil revenues.

Nigeria is obviously not buoyant enough to embark on the massive diversification process. This indeed is the right time to look for help from external sources. If the fund the Federal Government intends to borrow from multilateral sources is properly invested, the economy can be sure to find its feet once again.

Due to the autonomous nature of most multilateral agencies, interactions between them and the federal government, while official, can remain less politicised when compared to inter-governmental links or

The Hitches Borrowing from multilateral sources however comes with tedious processes due to their regional and global structures.

Their policies and priorities are usually determined through complex consultative processes between members and partners.

Also, influencing their priorities sometimes to align with what the government may feel is best for its people could be daunting. The federal government may have to go through some of these cumbersome procedures which usually require some time.

The IMF for instance under concessional and non-concessional arrangements approved by the IMF Executive Board require the member to observe specific terms and subject to periodic reviews in order to continue to draw upon the loans.

However, when one looks at the benefits of borrowing externally, the hitches attached to the process become of less concern.

The Director General of Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, during a speech at a workshop held in Kaduna State said that the Nigerian economy remains resilient and diversifiable despite the nation’s huge debts. He encouraged the Federal Government to draw on the positive side of borrowing.

According to the DMO, Nigeria’s external debt profile now stands at $11 billion with the domestic debt hitting 11 Trillion Naira (about $55.2 billion). The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revealed that external Debt in the nation averaged 375.33 USD Million from 2008 until 2015.

It was initially argued that the country’s debt profile can best be maintained by reducing the level of external borrowing and increasing the rate of domestic borrowing; precisely 84% domestic borrowing to 16% external borrowing.

The implication of this however is that the federal government would have to depend largely on the nation’s private sector that is already enmeshed in the ongoing recession in order to run the economy. In essence, the country cannot sustainably depend on the private sector to bring the country out of recession.

More so, when compared to multilateral loan, domestic borrowing comes short of two things among others; first, it lacks the open-handedness to give very low interest rates and secondly, they don’t have the luxury of convenient grace periods.

qualification in accounting, I believe CIMA is the best. If you are an auditor and you are thinking of working as an accountant in a corporate setting, then I strongly recommend CIMA qualification. I think people who have worked with me would attest to the impact that the CIMA qualification can bring to the business in terms of investing decisions or appraisals of capital projects or financing and management decisions. These are areas were the CIMA qualification really helps. The CIMA qualification gives you the necessary skill set to

make the business thrive. I always counsel my colleagues who are in accounting that if they want to continue to be the head of whatever unit in their workplaces, they must go and do CIMA. And usually, when they start the CIMA training and they see how much it can add to their competence level or the value they can now bring to the business, I think they probably won’t look back. So my advice to young people in accounting who want to work in the industry and make an impact is to go for the CIMA qualification.

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun

The Federal Government, at this point in Nigeria’s economy, has a legitimate reason and the best opportunity on its decision to borrow externally, particularly when such borrowing would be tied to major capital projects which would in turn raise the standard of living of citizens.

Capital projects and infrastructure spending have always been indications of economic growth over the long terms in any economy. If the federal government makes huge infrastructural investments, quality jobs can be created and the Nigerian economy can once again gain confidence that it requires.

In essence, the federal government must invest massively in infrastructural projects such as roads, refineries, power, transportation, etc.

The federal government will have to source or take only project driven loans with single digit interest rates. That is the government should be looking out particularly for multilateral loans with very low interest rates and with long duration of repayment period; twenty five to thirty years.

Multilateral funding sources remain important sources of funding for governments looking to better livelihoods in their nations. Many of these sources have at the core of agenda, poverty alleviation

OSHO: COMPANIES MUST BE FLEXIBLE IN ADAPTING TO MARKET CONDITIONS perception about the business. You can talk to an engineer and shape their decision on acquisition of assets. So there are quite a lot of benefits in having a CIMA qualification and a CIMA member in any organisation in Nigeria will make all the difference. I hope the number is growing now because I remember that by the time I left MTN Nigeria to come here, an increasing number of my colleagues showed interest in the CIMA qualification and I know CIMA is starting to gain grounds in Nigeria. I expect that to continue because you can’t get

the skill set you get from CIMA qualification anywhere else and they are so essential for every business in Nigeria. If you don’t have a CIMA qualified accountant in your team, I think you are losing something because the value that a CIMA person brings into the business is incalculable.

Finally, would you advise young people who are considering a career in accounting to pursue a CIMA qualification?

If you are looking for a professional business

WEEKEND WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

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‘FASHION IS A PASSION FOR ME’

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

28/COVER

23.09.2016

‘Fashion is A Passion For Me’ The Proprietor, Zaris Fashion Academy and National Secretary of Fashion and Designers Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Tessy Jibodu, is poised to bringing a complete overhaul to the fashion industry in Nigeria, striding to leave a legacy with her dream of setting up the first fashion university in Nigeria. As her fashion academy marks five this month, she tells Mary Ekah about her journey so far and plans to revamp the industry is going to be a problem. That is why it is easier to work with my own students because they can interpret fashion. I have most of them working with top designers because they can understand pattern drafting, they understand fashion internationally, the way and standard it is being done in the international fashion scene. This is why our grandaunts stand out. We build in them the confidence that is expected of an international designer and we improve their status.Then there is this wrong misconception the society sometimes perceives of people learning fashion; they see them as dropouts, people that could not read to obtain a university degree. I would say that people who have such mindsets are so narrow-minded and shortsighted because a fashion graduate is as professional as a lawyer, doctor or engineer.

What should one expect in this five-year anniversary?

We want to give back to society. There is despair and unemployment has ravaged the land, so for this anniversary, no pomp or pageantry, its just charity. We want charity to be the benchmark of this year’s anniversary.

So on the first day of our 5th anniversary, we would be at the Boys Corrective Home in Oregun, Lagos State, where we will be giving out clothes and sewing machines, because they have a sewing department there. The second day we will also be issuing certificates to graduating students. We will also be giving our scholarships as well to people who can't afford to pay for our Academy, for both our basic and advanced classes.

Meanwhile, we have had about 20 sets graduated since we started this Academy and about 320 students in all. For this fifth anniversary, we would be graduating about 90 students from four sets.

Is your decision to embark on charity this year merely part of the activities to mark your 5th anniversary?

Charity work is something we’ve always been involved in. Like most of our students’ projects have always been given out to charity.

We have trained and sponsored a number of people without collecting fees, we partner with NGO’s to teach individuals skills that can help them better themselves. We have done that over time. Its just that five years is a landmark celebration and in consideration of the current recession in the nation, we just want to uplift a few souls and so for this year’s graduation, we have decided to dwell on the theme, ‘Giving Beyond Garment’. We specifically chose that theme for just what it means – we are giving much more than garments/clothes this year. It is about giving people a lifeline, giving them nets to fish.

So in the spirit of this anniversary, we will be giving out grants. In our past graduation ceremonies, we always invited a lot of people, spending so much money in festivities, party, food, drinks and so but this year, we have decided that there will be no jamborees, rather let’s use the money to help people achieve their dreams. There are so much people out there who want to be designers but cannot finance the course. We intend to do absorb them free of charge and that is what informed our theme and decision this year - to help people in the right way, help them achieve their dreams and life goals.

More importantly, our aim is to contribute to the growth of fashion in Nigeria. Our benchmark is professionalism and our aim is to add value to fashion business in Nigeria by gradually changing the face of fashion education in Nigeria. We are producing standard designers that can compete with their counterparts in fashion anywhere in the world. Our Alumni consists of winners of next top designers at African Fashion Week, they have been FADAN and DA VIVA ambassadors too. So for me, those are steps in the right direction in trying to change the face of fashion education. We have most of our alumni also working with big designers doing pattern drafting, fashion illustration, handling the fashion business in every little aspect.

How would you describe Zaris’ journey so far?

So far, the journey has been interesting, because fashion is a passion for me and for us here at Zaris. I have been doing it all my life. We want to thank God for five years, we have had our ups and downs but we are still here.

Tell us how your journey into fashion started?

Way back in secondary school, Command Secondary School, Ipaja, Lagos State, to be precise, I had interest in the Fine Arts and I was the only girl among 15 boys studying Fine Arts in my class then. While studying I also was making clothes, even though they were not properly made then, the passion was there. I realised I wanted to paint, colour and sew fabrics. And I went all the way, so Fine Arts drove my interest and connected it to fashion. For me,it was just a natural transition.

Jibodu

What are the peculiar challenges you have faced in past five years?

Running a fashion academy is more difficult that running a fashion house, because a fashion academy is where you train people.

It is more like you are giving service instead of giving products and believe me, it is more difficult to give service than sell product.

Getting the right students to enroll is one big challenge. I interview all my students personally and I need to see true potential in you before you can be considered a student.

I need to see the fire and hunger in you before you gain admission here. Sometimes finding such students can be challenging.

We have a standard we strictly adhere to because fashion is not all about glamour. It is handwork and dedication. It is not a free ride. Then there is the ever-lasting problem of lack of electricity because most of our training equipmentruns with electricity so sometimes we resort to devising ways to use tools manually. And then, funding. You need loans to run an Academy like this. During the past administration, we won a grand from the Youwin programme. We hope such miracle will happen again. Another challenge we have presently is space. We need to expand and build hostels for our students.

What do you want this present government to do for the fashion industry?

Fashion is a very big business, and the Western world is doing very well because they have their government support. It is not easy for a designer to have a place, to buy machines and to run after tailors.

We will want to have a production hub

for those who are making clothes so as a designer; you don't need to acquire a big workplace before you can produce. If we have a hub, you can take your design there and they multiply it for you just like they do in China.The present government needs to understand the important role fashion plays on economic growth of the nation especially during the present recession. In developed countries, a council is set up to monitor the activities of the fashion Industry, how they make clothes so that designers clothes are not copied and other peculiar issues associated with the business. When we start to put all of these in place, then we can get a more structured economy. Then the emergence of fashion schools should be checked, to make sure they are teaching the right curriculum that is not below standards but of international standard. We need to produce for people quality designs that can compete with designs anywhere in the world.

What will you say makes students who graduate from Zaris Fashion Academy stand out from students of other fashion academy?

The greatest problem that we have as designers is that we are not able to express ourselves. My students are allowed to express themselves totally. For the average Nigerian designer, tailor or seamstress, they just go to the magazines and copy design. A true designer shouldn’t do that. Create a new design and convince your client it will suit him or her. You should be able to talk about fashion like engineering and other disciplines and if we don't put the theories of fashion in place, translating fashion to another person

How long does it take to learn and become a fashion designer? And what qualifies you as a fashion designer?

Learning the basics of fashion takes like three months. So if after that you want to do more, that’s fine, you just enroll for more programmes. In this part of the world, fashion is seen as a vocation for people who did not complete their secondary school.. But these days, being a designer does not mean you should just cut and saw. Fashion is an education in developed countries. Fashion goes beyond learning how to just cut and sew. There are various shape and sizes of individuals. You must visualise the design to fit into each person’s size and shape. You must know how to bring out pattern. It is a whole lot. You must know how to draw on paper and as well your relationship with customers. As fashion designer relations to customers is very important. It is a process before you can make a design. As a designer you must have fashion education and also have a detailed knowledge on making a particular outfit.Designing encompasses every thing of putting garments together and delivering them to the prospective buyer or user while and tailoring is just one aspect of fashion. So at Zaris Fashion Academy, we teach every aspects of designing then the students decide on their own, the aspect they prefer to engage on.

It’s a choice thing and that depends on their interest. And can bet that that with the skills acquired at Zaris, you can work anywhere in the world.

In the next five years what should we expect from Zaris?

For us at Zaris, it is more of quality, education, professionalism and giving, trying to change the face of fashion education in Nigeria. Professionalism in fashion is very important, so in five years time, we intend to grow the business, probably moving over to establishing a fashion university. My greatest dream is to have a fashion university where people can learn fashion designing in a very dignified way. There are fashion universities abroad and I hope Nigeria would have one some day.

29/XTRA

23.09.2016

Nigeria Prize for Patriotism Announces Call for Entries Citing love for country and unity of purpose as core to national development, the Nigeria Prize for Patriotism now invites Nigerians to nominate individuals they feel have lived up to these ideals as entries for the national award programme commences today. The Nigeria Prize for Patriotism (NPP) is an award programme aimed at celebrating the average Nigerian who is living a life of sacrifice in service of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Speaking on the call for entries for the NPP, the programme's visioneer, Abidemi David Edmond, Chief Responsibility Officer, the Nedola Initiative Ltd (TNIL), a leading sustainability management firm, said that patriotism and a love for country that unifies Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, is the panacea to solving our development challenges as a nation.

"When you look beyond the differences, there are more commonalities between us Nigerians than there are differences. When we understand

and unify behind one purpose of building a great nation, then we will we be able to take our place as a leader amongst nations. I believe very strongly that patriotism plays a big role in unifying us and the NPP aims to highlight those everyday Nigerians who have shown these ideals of patriotism by serving Nigerians and playing their part to build the Nigeria we all want to see," Edmond said.

The prize is structured to reward patriotic Nigerians in the area of Education, Health, Civil service, Business, Agriculture, Sports, Security, Governance, Media and Entertainment. The overall winner of the Nigeria Prize for Patriotism for 2016 is expected to receive N50m in winnings and another N50m in a grant to further the cause for which they had been nominated.

Entries for all categories of the award are currently being received and you can nominate you choose candidate via the following channels by visiting the NPP page on our website at

www.thenedolainititive.com/NPP/ or checking out the information on any of the following social media handles on Facebook, twitter and Instagram by searching for Nigeria Prize for Patriotism.

Prof Pat Utomi, a respected social entrepreneur and management expert has added his voice to the campaign calling out the importance of this initiative at this time saying “When the citizens of a nation realise that 'I am because we are’ then the national character perception takes hold and that country can hardly go wrong. The Nigeria Prize for Patriotism can help us understand this very valuable point that patriotism matters to our national development.”

The call for entries will run for 30 days and close on Friday, the 30th of September 2016.

Entries can come via video or text with pictures and must provide as much detail as possible as to the impact and difference that has been made by these patriots.

Edmond added: “Our aim is to inspire every Nigerian to put the interest of the country and the nation above theirs. We are all aware that recognition plays a big part in achievement and this is what has helped the developed nations of today get to where they are. We need to acknowledge and celebrate our own in order to get where they are today.

“Following this call for entries, we will be asking Nigerians to vote for their winners. It is important for us that everyday Nigerians have this platform to really celebrate our heroes; those people who are making the most difference to the most people. We are looking out for those who have gone over and beyond the call of duty to serve the best interest of Nigeria.” The programme is also continuing to look for sponsors and supporters – interested parties can donate to the programme or volunteer their time. Please visit the website www.thenedolainitiative.comfor more information.

‘Supremacy Concert Will Cut Across All Audience and Music Preference’ The organiser of highly anticipated Supremacy Concert has said the selection of KSA, Dbanj, Wizkid, 2face and Asa to perform at the concert is based on the need to provide entertainment that cuts across age, gender and preference.

"We are catering for people from two generation and different taste and preference when it comes to entertainment. Our focus is not just on youths or upwardly mobile, we are catering for the corporate guys and the elderly. If you don’t like KSA, you will like Wizkid, and if your preference is soul music, Asa wil be on hand to provide that and as always 2face will be dishing out his classics from hip hop to contemporary Afro pop. And the pure entertaining energy of Dbanj will cut across as well. So it is not a concert restricted to a particular audience," Jide Oyalowo who works in the media part of the concert said.

The much-talked-about Made-inNigeria(MaIN) Festival have lined up an impressive list of performers for the maiden edition of the Supremacy Concert to hold on October 1 at the Eko Atlantic, Lagos.

The Supremacy Concert will be the climax of a seven-day event which would attract dignitaries such as His Excellency, the Vice President of Nigeria Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Ronald Chagoury, Mr. Ben Akabueze, D.G. Budget Office, among others.

The Made-in-Nigeria Festival is being organised by MaIN Group, a collaboration of private sector organisations. Board of Advisors of the initiative include: Prince Adesegun

Oniru, Mr. Aliko Dangote, Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Okoli, Mr. Ronald Chagoury, and Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

The music concert will feature music acts such as King Sunny Ade (KSA), Asa, Dbanj, 2Baba and Wizkid. This would be the first time these entertainers would grace the same stage in the history of music concerts in Nigeria.

Tickets for the concert are being sold on the organisers’ website, www.supremacy. mainfestival.com or www.Konga.com.

KSA who started his music career in the 60s is known for his captivating voice and electrifying dance steps which has endeared him to many. He has many blockbuster hits to his credit among which is "Merciful God’’, "JaFumi’’, "Sweet Banana’’, "Aiye Nreti Eleya Mi’’ and others.

2baba is regarded as one of the stars of the decade as he is unarguably one of the country’s best exports ever since he released the hit single "African Queen’’ which made the album go platinum.

Asa is an internationally acclaimed singer and song writer who has sold more albums than her contemporary acts, she performs in and out of the country at will.

Dbanj is not doing badly as he is not just a musician but an entertainer and businessman all in one. He is known for his stage craft and he is a fans’ favourite.

Wizkid is the only Nigerian artiste to have been featured by more than three International artistes this year alone.

Canadian Rapper and Song-Writer Drake featured him in his song "One Dance’’ a track which was number one in the US and the UK for several weeks.

KSA and Dbanj for Supreme Concert

93 Days Sells Out at Cinemas The movie that puts a spotlight on the popular Ebola virus that rocked Nigeria few years ago and the lives it took recently hit Nigerian cinemas and was received by movie enthusiasts who have been waiting all along.

One would have thought it would be a dark movie considering how dark and devastating Ebola was but it turned out to be a feel-good movie, so good that celebrities who don't have the habit of giving public praise have been hailing the movie; the likes of Omoni Oboli, Uche Jombo, Chioma Akpotha, Ufuoma McDermott and others.

The movie which was released September 16 has been selling out cinema halls all over the country. The cinema figure is not immediately available but the headcount at different halls suggests a very strong opening weekend` for the movie.

93 Days is based on the true story of men and women who risked their lives and made sacrifices to save Nigerians from the the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus. The

epic docu-drama was also premiered at the just held Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), one of the top five film festivals in the world and it was the only Nigerian movie at Toronto that Produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters, Dotun Olakunri and the director, Steve Gukas, 93 Days features the pretty Bimbo Akintola who played the role of the late valiant Medical Doctor Mrs. Ameyo Adadevoh, others are Hollywood actor, Danny Glover, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Tim Reid, Yemi Sodimu, Gideon Okeke, Tina Mba, Bimbo Manuel, Charles Okafor, Somekele Idhalama, Adebola Williams, Alastair Mackenzie and others.

Part of the movie was shot at the First Consultant Hospital in Obalende, Lagos which used to be the hospital where the late Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh used to work. The movie which brought together the finest of Hollywood and Nollywood has been referred to many as a ‘complete movie’ owing to the level of acting portrayed in the movie.

Danny Glover … 93 Days

30/ NEWS

23.09.2016

Governor Emmanuel Udom Endorses IbomFest 2016 Mary Ekah The maiden edition of the Akwa Ibom heritage festival tagged IbomFest 2016, which is billed to hold from December 15 to 17, has received major boost as His Excellency, Governor Emmanuel Udom has announced his support for the festival. At a press conference, which held recently at the Akwa Ibom Government House, the Governor enjoined all would be visitors to take opportunity of the festival to visit the state and experience the artistic, cultural and tourism opportunities that abound in the state. He affirmed that the entire machinery of the state government was working in unity towards making sure that IbomFest 2016 would make indelible imprints in the consciousness of all guests.

Udom went on to state that the environment of Akwa Ibom State is remarkably clean and healthy while the peace and security status of our state, even in these turbulent times of terrorism and insurrections the world over, speak volumes about the state status as the prime tourism destination in our country.

"Ibomfest, therefore, in the spirit of the Dakkada philosophy of our government, is positioned to contribute significantly towards

Emmanuel

the enhancement of the revenue base of the state and yield positive harvests to the people and government of the state.’’

He further stated that would attract foreign direct investment to the state as well as create opportunity for stakeholders in the tourism industry to showcase their potentials. “I believe that this event will promote foreign direct investment vis-à-vis foreign exchange from visiting tourists, opportunity for establishment of trade relations with states and countries that will participate in the event, employment

generation through involvement of men and women, youths, artistes, arts/crafts vendors, transporters, food vendors, hoteliers and others in all activities throughout its duration and finally opportunity for income generation for entire communities.”

Also the Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State for Tourism and Development, Ms. Ini Edo stated that the festival which is themed ‘Our Culture Beyond Borders’ was in line with the desire of His Excellency to ensure that Akwa Ibom remains the choice destination for tourists and investors and this has spurred the pace of infrastructural and socio-economic development witnessed in Akwa Ibom State.

She also revealed that the event will help strengthen relationship between government, policy makers and private tourism operators within the state, the country and overseas towards further development of the abundant tourism potentials of the state and encouraging private sector initiatives in building of tourism infrastructure such as parks, tourists market/souvenir shops, sit outs, guided tours and others to compliment government’s effort.”

Merck Re-launches Diabetes Drugs in Nigeria Mary Ekah To further emphasise the presence of the world’s leading manufacturer of pharmaceutical products in the country, Merck, a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials, recently re-launched its type 2 diabetes drugs, Glucovance and Glucophage in Nigeria.

The event chaired by Prof. Adesoji Fasanmade, Head of Department, Department of Medicine (Endocrinology Unit) University College Hospital, Ibadan, was attended by leading physicians, resident doctors, as well as international consultants, amongst other notable healthcare specialists.

The General Manager, Merck Nigeria, Mr. Charles Ajibo emphasised that the re-launch of the products, Glucophage and Glucovance, which had hitherto existed and was being distributed by agents in Nigeria was to emphasise the presence of the world’s leading healthcare product manufacturing firm in Nigeria. “Prior to 2014, Merck was represented in Nigeria by agents, so all products of Merck are in Nigeria, but we are now present in Nigeria as Merck, so we are re – launching our brands in order to re-establish the priorities to our country that these good,

As the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) continues to dazzle Nigeria with ground-breaking performances as seen during SPANFEST 2015, the organisation is set to enchant the public yet again with its captivating production ‘Block SPAN founder, Sarah Boulos 13’ - A Tale of Hope, Love and Wonders, which will be showcased during the MUSON Festival 2016 on Friday, October 21, 2016 at the AGIP Recital Hall, the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

‘Block 13’ is the gripping story of a group of people who lived different lives, have different aspirations but found themselves bound together by the common hope they found in the apartment, Block 13. It is a mesmerising plot filled with chart-topping songs and dance (which SPAN is famously known for) that will keep you on the edge of your seats.

Sarah Boulos, the founder of SPAN said, “Block 13 is the story that everyone will relate with. It shows us that within every sphere of our lives, even if things aren’t the way we want them, there is always that glimmer of hope, that in the end, everything will turn out right. It is a show worth watching”. ‘Block 13’ is family –friendly, entertaining and inspire the within.

It's Time to Pray for Nigeria L-R: Product Manager, North/West Africa, Merck, Emir Askri, Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Medicine, UNILAG/ Hon. Consultant, Endocrinologist, LUTH, Dr. Ifedayo Odeniyi, General Manager, Merck Pharmaceutical, Nigeria, Charles Ajibo and HOD, Dept. of Medicine (Endocrinology Unit) UCH, Ibadan, Prof. Adesoji Fasanmade at the event

trusted and very verifiable products are still here in Nigeria.” He said. He explained further that Glucophage, by 2017, would clock 60 years of existence. According to him, the drug has stood the test of time all over the world.

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Henry Onyegbutulem, a Chief consultant Physician, who works with the Asokoro General Hospital, Abuja, was full of eulogies for the drug, Glucovance, which he described as composed of components modified through modern technology to improve on the previous one, and that makes it

unique for use by diabetic patients. “I have used Glucovance for some time now and found it very useful in my patients due to the technology put in to bring this monitoring. The coming of Glucovance has made it very easy for our patients. The reason why some patients are afraid of medication is due to the pill body which is overwhelming, a major reason why they give up, but with Glucovance you have a hybrid combo drug which reduces that pill body of medication and makes it easy for patients to take,” he noted.

YEDI Trains 4,000 Young Nigerians on How to Prevent Malaria, HIV In a bid to meaningfully engage children and young adults, the Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI) held its 4th annual four-week holiday coaching programme tagged ‘YEDI Skillz Holiday Camp’, which is aimed at sensitising and empowering young boys and girls in grassroots communities in Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Ogun States on prevention of endemic diseases such as malaria and HIV. This year, they engaged over 4,000 young people who were also empowered with knowledge on healthy habits, life management skills and how to avoid risky behaviour.

Speaking at one of the camps in Lagos, YEDI’s Executive Director, Anu Ishola, said the programme, which targets young Nigerians aged 10 to 18 was aimed at inculcating in them healthy habits. “Holiday period is a time when young children are most vulnerable, have a lot of idle time and are exposed to negative peer pressure that increases the likelihood of engaging in risky activities.

With such programme, we teach them how to keep their environment clean, importance of long lasting insecticide nets and how best

SPAN Presents Musical Masterpiece ‘Block 13’

YEDI's graduating participants at Oworonshoki camp

to use them; how to prevent themselves and others from HIV and malaria, gender equality, and how to stand for their rights. They are also given an opportunity to showcase and hone their skills among several other activities,” she said.

While thanking the funders of the programme, noted, “We appreciate ExxonMobil and M.A.C AIDS Fund, as well as our partners and youth volunteers for supporting this programme and making the holiday period a memorable one for young people.

YEDI with support from its sponsors and

partners has empowered more than 65,000 young people across three states in Nigeria including schools and communities using the Grassroots Soccer programme – a sports for development initiative, with plans to extend operations to Abuja and Rivers State in the nearest future.”

Participants at the camps, also had the opportunity to be counseled by experts on life’s issues as well as voluntary HIV counseling testing with parental consent, coupled with various sections on sexual and reproductive health education.

Shola Oyeyipo As the economic situation gets harder for Nigerians, it is appearing that the prayer option is the way out for the country. All social and economic indexes are pointing to an economy that is unable to support a good living standard for a very vast majority of the citizenry and as such the mantra of “change” as professed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) now means a change from worse to worst.

Concerned Nigerians, economic experts, civil society group and other opinionated persons have lamented the situation and suggested various solutions to current economic impasse, but one intriguing suggestion is prayer. Though there have been several calls for prayers for Nigeria, but in view of the current circumstances, Senate President Bukola Saraki, “There is no Nigerian that will not know that things are difficult now, but with prayers, we will overcome the recession.” Saraki who alluded to this position after joining President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslims at the Jum’ah prayer at the State House last Friday, Saraki also urged Nigerians to use Eid-el-Kabir period to pray for restoration of economic prosperity and financial stability in the country, stressing that “With prayers, Insha Allah, we will overcome it (recession). That much did Senator Olugbenga Obadara agreed with when like Saraki, he too called on Nigerians to pray for the nation as it battles economic recession, when he stated that: “Nigeria is blessed with religiously conscious people and so we need to encourage these ones to pray for our dear nation so that God will help us scale through this trying times.” But taking a more proactive initiative to pray for Nigeria’s emancipation from its current parlous state, the Foundation of Truth Assembly (FOTA) church is putting up a programme; ‘The Giant Killers’ Conference 2016’, tagged ‘Restoration’, coming up between Wednesday September 21 and Sunday 25 and specifically designed to among other things, pray for Nigeria to be restored to its lost glory.

Speaking on the event, the host Pastor Yomi Kasali, who said God had shown him that after the turbulence Nigeria would still bounce back, said the message of the event is to tell Nigerians that if the people would acknowledge their errors as Solomon did “There would be light at the end of the channel”. “We have spent more than we earned, people are starving, Nigerians are jetting out, things are generally difficult and there are rumours of war across the land, but in the midst of all these, God has spoken to us that there would be restoration. I strongly believe that they (the Buhari administration) will get it right”, he noted.

31/LIVING

23.09.2016

Senator T.A.Orji: A Courageous Leader Charles Ajunwa The recent attacks from certain quarters in Abia State against Senator Theodore Ahamefule Orji, the Senator representing Abia Central at the Red Chamber, are gratuitous. Without glorifying the names of the attackers on this page since they are superfluous, their attacks on Senator Orji give him courage and strength rather than annoy him as could be the aim of the traducers.

He is not perturbed having been representing his constituency very well. Having served Abia State deservingly, the records are there that Senator Orji was not a failure and is not and will never be. He has the much courage to continue to excel, knowing that success is infinitum.

He has taken courage and become whom he really wanted to be. And this can be seen is the envy of these persons, hence their unjustifiable attacks.

Senator Orji is a great leader. Many people know about this fact while a few who take pleasure in attacking him do not. The later has done everything possible to pin him down, but he has remained resolute.

He has continued to dedicate himself to the service of humanity without envying the achievements of others. He does more than his detractors do not want him to do.

These have made the great leader he is.

As a great leader, Senator Orji cares for other people more than people think and has become a mentor to many people who are also improving on their leadership qualities.

Senator Orji is not scrawny, but caring.

Mr. Travis Bradberry, a contributor to Forbes edition of January 13, 2016, as if referring to the qualities known of Senator Orji, said: “One of the toughest things for

Orji

leaders to master is kindness. Kindness shares credit and offers enthusiastic praise for others’ work.”

Senator Orji has mastered kindness even as Bradberry continued: “It’s a balancing

act, between being genuinely kind and not looking weak. The key to finding that balance is to recognise that true kindness is inherently strong – it’s direct and straightforward.

Telling people the difficult truth they need to hear is much kinder than protecting them (or yourself) from a difficult conversation.

This is weak.”

Senator Orji does not use his kindness in a self-serving manner. Bradberry has said that using kindness in a self-serving manner is weakness and self-serving kindness is very skeletal, bony. Senator Orji, as Governor of Abia State, led without any selfish string attached.

Laden with strength is all he sees as the best way to grow and he has never disappointed. Unlike one other leader that had emerged from Abia State, according to Bradberry, such leader “mistake domineering, controlling, and otherwise harsh behaviour for strength.”

Bradberry has invariably condemned the opposition against Senator Orji but in his different opinion, saying of their type of leadership: “They think that taking control and pushing people around will somehow inspire a loyal following. Strength isn’t something you can force on people; it’s something you earn by demonstrating it time and again in the face of adversity.

Only then will people trust that they should follow you.”

Senator Orji may not turn back to the voices of traducers pushing for such an attention. One Veronica Roth in – Allegiant – said, “There are so many ways to be brave in this world. Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself, or for someone else.

Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known, or everyone you

have ever loved, for the sake of something greater. But sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it is nothing more than gritting your teeth through pain, and the work of every day, the slow walk toward a better life. That is the sort of bravery I must have now.”

If anybody thinks that the presence of Senator Orji is blocking his or her way, the person should know that life's challenges are for people to change, instead of pretending that all is well. One Eric Roth warns in – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Screenplay – saying, “For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be.

There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view.

I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.”

For the opposition against Senator Orji, they should know that he is a man that sticks to his commitments and promises. He is not an untrustworthy leader to people.

People have confidence in him. He is a most committed and hard working person leading by positive example. Senator Orji has without doubt shown what real courage is, whereas others think that courage is about a man blackmailing Senator Orji for no just cause. No man would want to be a victim of his life; Senator Orji has shown that he is a hero of his life. As the best of leaders, Senator Orji does not give excuses, because great leaders don’t. He is simply a courageous leader!

Awujale, Ijebu Monarch Commends Goldberg’s Support for Tradition Goldberg, the beer brand from Nigerian Breweries Plc that gives premium golden experience has been commended by the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, JP Ogbagba II, for its support and respect for culture and tradition.

Adetona as well as the natives (Ijebus) and visitors who trooped to the Palace square for the 2016 Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu Ode last Wednesday, lauded the brand for promoting Nigeria’s cultural values and institutions.

The Monarch showered praises on the brand and Nigerian Breweries Plc for strongly backing culture and tradition thereby helping to ensure an enduring legacy. He maintained that Goldberg has made innumerable contributions to the overall growth and development of the festival.

According to him, “nothing binds us more in unity than celebrating our aged beliefs and values. Goldberg is indeed a true brand for always recognizing who we are as a people and celebrating with us.” He gave his royal blessings and pronounced that Goldberg will reap good fruits for making the Ojude Oba festival a befitting festival.

Tayo Adelaja, Public Affairs Manager, West and Mid-West, Nigerian Breweries Plc expressed gratitude to the traditional ruler for finding Goldberg a worthy partner on Ojude Oba festival. He promised that the brand shall continue to make more contributions in subsequent festivals to make Ojude Oba more befitting event for the people. Accompanied by Funso Ayeni, Senior Brand Manager, Regional Mainstream Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, and other team members, they prayed for long reign on the throne for the Oba. One of the regberegbes of Egbe Bobayo

L-R Alhaja Korede Alatishe, Key Distributor, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Ijebu Ode; His Royal Highness Oba Rasaq Adenugba, The Ebumawe of Ago—Iwoye; Tayo Adelaja, Public Affairs Manager, West/Midwest, Nigerian Breweries Plc; His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba 11, The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland; Collins Ejaife, Brewery Manager, Ijebu-Ode; Funso Ayeni, Senior Brand Manager, Regional Mainstream Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, when the Goldberg team paid a formal visit to the Palace as part of the brand's activities for the 2016 Ojude Oba Festival.

Okunrin Akile Ijebu, Alhaji Daodu Ishola also showered encomium on the sponsors for making the festival a truly traditionally befitting festival.

At the one day event, each age group creates the spectacle at the expansive lawn that separates the King and his guests from the crowd which made the festival an inspiring one.

Also, as part of the brand’s activities of

supporting the festival, it opened its Beer Festival Village at the Ijebu township stadium which runs for 12 days (5th-16th) September, 2016, where all natives and visitors to the city on occasion of the festival visits frequently to wind off and have great deal of refreshment, entertainment and network with other individuals on social, cultural and economic levels. All indigenes are excited about the Beer festival as the closing ceremony holds

tomorrow with lots of entertainment and exciting prizes like Plasma TVs, Generators, motorcycles, bags of rice, vegetable oil etc to be won, courtesy of Goldberg.

Goldberg, a brand from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc has been throwing full weight behind major culture and traditional activities in the Southwest region, and has become the official beer sponsor of the Ojude Oba Festival of Ijebuland.

32 /ENTERTAINMENTRAVE

23.09.2016

eraveonline@gmail.com

Phyno Unveils Details for His Sophomore Album Indigenous Nigerian rapper, Phyno is set to release his official second solo studio album titled ‘Playmaker ’.

Speaking concerning the album, the famous rapper said, “I have been working on my album for some time now and the title of the album will be ‘The Playmaker’. A lot of people have been calling me for a while now and asking when album will drop. I will be releasing it before the end of the year and people will now understand why it’s titled ‘The Playmaker’. On the football field, you know who a playmaker is, likewise business, that’s the role am playing in the album.”

According to the talented rapper, almost

all the tracks on the album are almost concluded. However, no release date or artwork has been released for the album which will contain chart topping songs like ‘Fada Fada’, ‘Connect’, as well as other banging bonus singles.

Popularly known as ‘Phyno Fino’, he debuted with his first album ‘No Guts No Glory’ in 2014, followed by a joint album with Olamide titled ‘2 Kings’ in April 2015 and is finally coming out with the latest one, ‘Playmaker’.

Phyno started his musical career as a producer in 2003. As a producer, he has worked with artistes such as Timaya, Flavour, Ruggedman, Bracket, J Martins and Mr Raw.

@eraveng

www.eraveng.com

DAVIDO

Phyno-

Superstar Davido has signed singer, Dammy Krane to his Record Label, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW).

Davido revealed the news in several snaps via his Snapchat account reading “DAMMY KRANE JUST SIGNED WITH DMW”.

Dammy Krane is now record label mate with Mayorkun and Dremo. His deal with Hypertek reportedly expired since 2012.

Duncan Mighty Releases 5th Studio Album ‘The Certificate’ Popular act, Duncan Mighty has released his official 5th studio album titled ‘The Certificate’.

The album released under Young Wealth Records consists of 19 love inspired tracks which according to him, is targeted at youths on the street educating and advising them to work on their God-given talent instead of partaking in violence.

Duncan Mighty dropped his debut album ‘Koliwater’ back in 2008 followed by his sophomore album ‘Ahamefuna (Legacy) in 2010 then ‘Footprints’ in 2012 resting with ’Grace and Talent’ in 2014, and is pushing further with ‘The Certificate’.

Bovi’s Wife Tell Their Grass to Grace Story as They Celebrate Their 10th Wedding Anniversary Star comedian, Bovi and wife, Kris Asimonye celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary on Monday 19th September 2016, and to mark the day, Kris shared a motivational story of how she and Bovi started from having nothing to what they are currently.

According to the post shared by Kris, it has been a sweet journey but filled with lots of challenges. “Seven years together and I have never had a reason to regret accepting to be your wife. You chased me with every word, every conviction, every dream, but shi shi you did not have. Oh I remember your first car, a cherry QQ it was smaller than a picanto, and the uncompleted bunker where we started life together with our first baby. I look back now and smile giving God all the glory, I am so glad I was a part of your life at the time.

“All you had to give were your words,

Bovi & wife

your love and your dreams. I saw a young wise man ( Ecc 4:13) with so much vision and potentials, thank God I never doubted you for a minute, even though most of them seemed unrealistic at the time (Of cos now I can say the truth). You have

never settled for less no matter the situation...At the age of 20, I prayed to God to give me a husband just like my Father #PeterAsimonye, a sweet caring man who cared not just for himself, but for people (that is you @officialbovi) Always wanting to be happy and making everyone you come across happy”.

“Even though the world laughed at us well, the small world we lived in, we didn't care. We were happy and that's all that mattered to us, to me especially. And from the day we both said "I DO", it's been blessings upon blessings!! I celebrate you today my sweet love, you have not just pulled your weight, you have pulled mine as well. As imperfect as we both are, you have been an awesome husband and father to our kids. A selfless man, if I were to choose all over again, I would choose you just because you are YOU...

TILLAMAN Tillaman has ended his relationship with his record label, Aquila Records owned by popular Club Quilox owner, Shina Peller. He was signed to Aquila Records in June 2015 alongside label mates Baseone and Que Peller in Lagos.

However, reports have it that Tillaman is set to float his own record label.

Bowler Hats Bash: Top Entertainers Set for October 1 South African-born Hip hop star, Kalifonia and Ghana-based dance hall star, JKL4Real, will be storming Nigeria to thrill and entertain guests at the second edition of Bowler Hats Bash (BHB).

The high-net-worth evening of relaxation, networking and jollification holds elaborately at upscale Coliseum Events Centre, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos, on October 1, (Nigeria’s 56th Independence Day), amid glitz, grandeur and glamour.

Interestingly, top Nigerian comedians expected to wow and dazzle high profile guests at the forthcoming evening of funfilled comedy, music, dance and more include: Okey Bakassi, Elenu, Dauda, Elder O. Mr. Patrick, Makati, Ajebo, D’Lectura, Danni B, Moran Cee, Omini among other wave making ribs crackers.

Amazingly, Reggae legend, Orits Williki, will be performing live as the Special Guest Artiste at the premium concert, which begins with a Green and White Carpet at 4.PM. According to a statement issued today by

Elenu for Bowler Hats Bash

the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Daylight. ng, the reliable online newspaper, Mr. Azuh Amatus, who is also the Founder and Prime Mover of Bowler Hats Bash, several top Nigerian and foreign entertainers, have been carefully selected to thrill guests at the special Independence Day bash.

“It is definitely going to be a memorable and unforgettable evening of fun, enjoyment and premium entertainment.

Our loaded list of top entertainers drawn

from within and outside Nigeria will wow invited guests endlessly with rib cracking jokes, good music, electrifying dance steps and more. With all sense of modesty, BHB 2016 is unarguably the biggest event happening in Lagos this October 1,” Azuh said.

Meanwhile, sensational dance groups, Nero Sexy Dancers and Scatter and Sons, will be storming this year’s Bowler Hats Bash with their full squads, to further raise the roof of the venue with pulsating dance steps and moves.

While award-winning Heritage Band will be live on stage dishing out melodious tunes, wave-making DJ Zeemax, has vowed to add verve and vim to the grand gathering by electrifying guests with hit and trending songs from his wheel of steel.

On the dress code for the spectacular soiree, Azuh, a multiple-award winning journalist, also appealed and implored all those billed to attend the event, to start placing orders and buying their hats now, adding that it’s strictly a hat affair.

MR 2KAY Pop sensation, Mr. 2Kay has released the Afro-pop version of his song titled, ‘In The Morning’, one of the fans favourite tracks off his 'Count It All Joy' EP. This lovely rendition was remixed by UK-based producers, Team Salut and features fast rising act, Doray.

‘In The Morning’ is a love song that talks about a man who never wants to be away from his lover and always wanting to wake up to her beautiful face every day. 2Kay's irresistible vocals further accentuate the sensual feel and message of the song.

The single was premiered on BBC XTRA1 Radio UK, CapitalL Xtra, and Beat FM London. The Grafton records signee maintains that there are even greater songs coming in the near future.

33/ TRAVEL, LEISURE & TOURISM

23.09.2016

Ethiopian Wins Reward Employer of Choice, Local Attractiveness Employer of Choice Award Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing and most profitable African airline has won two coveted awards in the first East Africa Careers in Africa Choice Awards, at a top tier event hosted by the Global Career Company, held on September 8th 2016 at the Luxurious 5 star Radisson Blue, Nairobi.

Ethiopian was nominated in three categories, out of the ten presented, and was crowned in two: Reward Employer of Choice, as the leader in terms of compensation and benefits offered to employees and Local Attractiveness Employer of Choice, as the leading company in hiring majority of locally based talent. In addition, Ethiopian Airlines took the runner-up award in the East African Employer of Choice. The awards methodology takes company ratings provided by prospective employers across 29 attraction drivers, asking talent to grade organizations against all drivers.

A/VP Corporate HRM Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Wasihun Asres, remarked while receiving the award, “I am honoured to receive these awards on behalf of the Ethiopian family. This regional award is a testament of Ethiopian commitment and great investment in its Human Capital, one of the four pillars in our strategic road map, Vision 2025. As clearly stipulated in our value statements also, Ethiopian is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and fairness. Moreover, such recognitions that are based on real votes and inputs from a wide

Mr. Tewolde Gebre Mariam (left), Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines signing the MoU

variety of data points will definitely boost and encourage us all to further work on developing and investing in our Human Capital. As a global African airline that’s growing fast, we are proud to be able to hire the majority of our staff from locally based talent.”

Ethiopian is a multi-award winning airline, including, Best Airline Staff in Africa by SkyTrax World Airline Award, African Airline of the Year Award for 2016, Best Airline to Africa- for a second year in a row, Best Airline in Africa by

one of the most prominent travel magazines in the United States - Premier Traveler, the APEX Passenger Choice Award, the most extensive survey of passengers in the industry, CAPA Airline of the Year Award, AFRAA Airline of the year award - for the fourth year in a row, are few to mention.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Addis Ababa University, to initiate strategic collaboration in the areas of Information and

Communication Technology, at a ceremony held at Ethiopian Headquarters on September 13, 2016. The MoU calls for, among other things, exploring and promoting cooperation between the two institutions with the view of conducting industrial projects and research and consulting on issues such as Internet Booking, Big Data Analytics, Customer Data Hub, Distributed Data Storage, Adaptive Crew Solution, Intelligent Warehouse. Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, remarked, “in today's era of digital revolution and Artificial Intelligence, Information and Communication Technology plays pivotal role for the success of any organisation. Systems Development is one of the pillars of our fifteen years strategic road map, Vision 2025. Currently, we are implementing and incorporating the latest IT systems in Aviation Technology.

Moreover, we are heading towards a totally paperless operational environment. I believe this agreement for collaboration with Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia's largest and oldest academic institution, is a step forward towards ensuring concerted research and projects.”

Besides using the latest aviation technology, Ethiopian has recently revamped its website offering its customers streamlined menus with clean navigations allowing for an easy access to the essential information of their interest regarding all Ethiopian Airlines products and services.

Lufthansa Group, Air China Sign Commercial Joint Venture The Lufthansa Group and Air China have signed a wide-reaching partnership agreement in Beijing which will enable the two aviation groups to jointly operate all connections between Europe and China as part of a commercial joint venture. This means that the two companies will successfully implement what they agreed to do as part of a memorandum of understanding in summer 2014.

The joint venture aims to significantly expand their mutual code-sharing connections and enhance their commercial partnership. This will allow the Lufthansa Group to continue pursuing its partnership-driven Asia strategy. Following a joint venture with the Japanese airline All Nippon Airlines (ANA) and a joint venture with Singapore Airlines, which was signed in November 2015, this is now the Lufthansa Group’s third enhanced partnership in Asia.

“As the flag carrier, Air China is the ideal partner for the Lufthansa Group in the People’s Republic of China. This ground-breaking joint venture will fundamentally strengthen our competitive position on routes between Europe and China. The significantly enhanced partnership will enable us to create additional benefits for customers,” said Carsten Spohr,

Lufthansa

Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, at the signing of the agreement in Beijing. “The Chinese aviation market is one of the most important growth markets worldwide. We want to profit from this growth together with our Star Alliance partner Air China,” added Spohr.

“The Joint Venture with Lufthansa and the Lufthansa subsidiaries Austrian Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines is another major

steps of Air China’s globalisation strategy following Air China’s accession into Star Alliance in December 2007. Both parties can further strengthen our overall competitive edge in both China and Europe. Under the Joint Venture framework, we will further expand network coverage in China and Europe, enhance the flight connections in beyond markets and optimise flight schedules, enabling us to bring more and flexible flight choices, favorable fare

products and seamless travel experiences,”said CaiJianjiang, Chairman of Air China, at the Joint Venture Signing Ceremony.

The Lufthansa Group’s joint venture with the flag carrier of the People’s Republic of China is particularly significant as it clearly strengthens the presence of Lufthansa Group Airlines in the second-most important aviation market in the world. Together with the Transatlantic trilateral joint venture partnership with United Airlines and Air Canada, the Lufthansa Group now covers the world’s most important intercontinental markets as part of its joint venture activities. As a result, around half of Lufthansa’s long-haul flights are covered by joint ventures, securing additional benefits for customers.

Lufthansa Group and Air China plan to cooperate more closely in the future. Their flight timetables will be better coordinated with each other, allowing them to provide customers with cheaper connections between their individual route networks. They also plan to offer common fares, modify corporate programmes to improve the products available to corporate customers and examine the opportunities for optimisation with regard to existing connections in frequent flyer programmes.

Africa Travel Awards 2016 to Honour the Best in Africa The 2016 edition of Africa Travel Awards will kicked off on Monday, 19th September 2016 with the release of the questionnaire online on http://atqnews.com/akwaaba2016.html for Africans to choose what they consider the best players on the travel and tourism landscape in Africa. A pan African committee of travel professionals from different countries in Africa drew up a shortlist of nominees to be voted for by the public. The criteria for the choices were listed alongside the nominees.

Africa Travel Awards promoted by the online Africa Travel News website www.atqnews.com will be having its 4th outing. The awards will be coming up on the 30th of October at the Travellers Night Dinner at Akwaaba African Travel Market. Twenty-two awards will be given out by the Awards. The committee members are drawn from East, West, South and Central Africa and it is not surprising that most of the nominees are from sub-Saharan Africa.

The committee members include: Denis Gathanju, a passionate journalist and photographer based in East Africa. He travels the length and breadth of the continent to capture the very best of the African life, culture and sights. He is also a tourism promoter within the

East African region. He is a founder of Safari Communications, a company that publishes national tourism guidebooks for a number of African countries as well as producing corporate marketing material for tourism companies in the private sector.

Sandra Idossou is an Afropolitan hotelier, trainer, mystery shopper, consultant, writer, author, traveler, publisher who has been expatriate in eight African countries since 2000. Very passionate about everything African, quality of service, hospitality, branding, sales and marketing, communication, consumers rights, capacity building especially among youth and entrepreneurs. She has trained people in more than 21 African countries and have travelled across 31 countries in Africa and in all continents, a multi cultured person that speak seven languages.

Her numerous travellings throughout Africa have made her realise the great opportunities the continent has and have become an advocate for anything than can positively brand Africa.

The company specialises on training for the hospitality and service industry on customer relationship, sales, marketing and mystery shopping.

In Rwanda www.theservicemag.com publishes a free educative business magazine aimed at

providing hands-on articles to business owners and top managers that support them in becoming more competitive. She also consult on corporate communication, branding and social media. She is a strong believer of Africa's potential and a great advocate of all things "African".

Chiquita Afuluenu Johnson is the former National Tourism Consultant for the Republic of Liberia and CEO of West Tourism Management.

Launched in 2015, this boutique tour operator is known for providing unique experiences in African destinations with special focus on luxury, responsible tourism, and tourism investment relations. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, along with a BSc in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management from Penn State University, and an Advance Diploma in Travel and Tourism from The Institute of Travel and Tourism The Gambia, it is truly safe to say that hospitality and tourism is her greatest passion, most especially in the African context.

Monique Swart is the Founder of the African Business Travel Association (ABTA). She has worked within the association environment for the corporate travel industry for 17 years after initially starting her career with the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) in 1999.

Monique is known as an expert 'connector' and assists travel professionals to build their network across Africa by connecting them with their peers and potential partners and clients through ABTA education and networking events.

ABTA is the only association of its kind in Africa focusing purely on the corporate travel industry and is active in Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

Other members Include Ali Diouf an experienced journalist from Senegal, Sheikh Tejan an experienced tourism administrator from The Gambia. Charity Githinju a travel expert based in Tanzania. Siphelele Luthuli is a travel consultant and communication expert from South Africa. Khomotso Kelsall also a South African-based travel consultant. From Uganda is Barbra Adoso a leading tour operator, Nancy Sam Quartey from Ghana. Other tour operators include Benin Republic based Olanma Ojukwu, Fifi Rurungwa Kenya-based Rwandan operator. Rwanda-based Catherine Mutuale, Nigeria based Atinuke Nwakohu. Kenyan Annet Nashipae are all travel consultants.

The Ghanaian journalist Samuel Doe is joined

by Nigerian Blogger Olori Supergal and Tunis Silas from The Gambia.

34/BOOK REVIEW

23.09.2016

‘No Monkey Business’ Author: Bashorun J.K. Randle Foreword: 'Femi Williams I feel highly honoured to have been invited to write the foreword to this book that deals with dynamic changes and activities in the ship of state called Nigeria. The title of the book is not only unusual but the contents are humorous, entertaining and informative. Nigeria is complex but it is neither an experiment nor a project as frequently referred to by opinion writers on this "giant of black Africa". Aboard this fifty five-year old ship that has a history of evanescent democracy with selected and elected captains with an effective crew of "naval officers", petty thieves and a few members of the light fingered gentry. Within this short span, some of the captains have died in office, some have been forcibly removed or toppled by coups, some have "stepped aside" voluntarily, some have been asked to resign, some have been self appointed while some have been democratically elected after being toppled. Ballots and bullets have reigned until recently when scandals from the oil money have been shown to taint the ballots of the much touted democracy. The seminal force that glues the ethnic nationalities together to make sovereign Nigeria indivisible is the commonwealth purse that is derived from its monolithic oil revenue and other subterranean mineral resources. The fiscal strength of the nation fluctuates with the price of the commodity. The revenues in turn are tearing apart the peoples of this blessed nation because of disputes over resource control by the federating states.

Although the choice of the title ‘No Monkey Business’ is pertinent to an accounting issue that was settled out of court, there is only one chapter that made reference to the science or culture of primatology (sub-human primates/ monkeys). Suffice it to say that the title subsumes the notion of integrity and professional decency in the accounting profession as in all other professions. It could be argued that in contrast to the four legged monkeys, some two legged human characters in some parts of this book may however be indicted for behaving like ephemeral primates. The title of ‘No Monkey Business’ has an undertone of crudity with zero tolerance for shadiness or unscrupulous deals.

There is some indirect relationship between the book title and other chapters that depicts a tapestry of corruption, impunity, immorality and depravity in the Nigerian society. The country is slipping from civilisation to chaos and from relative prosperity to unbridled, abject poverty.

All these can be attributed to laziness, lack of initiative and empowerment, weak leadership/ weak followership, and analog thinking in a digital age.

Ideas shape a nation and individuals- elected or selected to lead- are shaped by relevant ideas that can be transcribed and translated into positive action that will benefit humanity. The written words in books like this one are the traducers of good, bad or ugly ideas.

Books written by digital thinkers are therefore extremely important in communicating ideas and shaping contemporary societies. Contemporary Nigeria is being structurally and morally shaped by corruption at all levels of government as conveyed in print and electronic media. The political space in Nigeria, that lacks a common purpose and ambition, needs urgent fumigation but the spectrum of pesticides being applied and the personnel applying them are grossly ineffective. There is no political catheter that can be inserted into the hulls of ships or into civil societies of a nation that can expunge illegalities as corruption, impunity and wanton waste of innocent lives. It is only a strong and fair judiciary that can act as a deterrent when the laws of the land are enforced. This raises the question addressed in this book as to whether "the State of the Union" in Nigeria is strong.

Unfortunately, the verdict of the jury to this question is that the state of the union is in dire straits. There is starvation in the midst of plenty.

There is no constitutional provision for Federal Character when it comes to thought processes and development in good governance.

Corruption continues to cohabit in perfect symbiosis with the governed as well as those governing. An elected official in any tier of government in Nigeria possesses an automatic ticket for a cruise to wealth while the electorate cruises to suffering and abject poverty. Hence

Randle

the title of a lecture by the late Ukpabi Asika on ‘The Politics of Poverty Leads to the Poverty of Politics’. There is a systemic failure to nurture and sustain a desirable degree of moral capacity that will guide the progress and prosperity of this great nation. Of all the non-fiction genres in print in and outside of Nigeria including lurid excerpts from newspapers on corruption, crime, depravity and ingress of plain evil deeds that are frequently quoted, the author has perfected the art of a "sandwich style" of writing. This style is characterised by the interposition of newspaper excerpts/articles in the midst of serious discourses. The chapters in this book are not exceptions where his unique style, is amply demonstrated. These excerpts inserted in appropriate places can be described as a contrived device for holding the attention of the reader when a saturation point is either reached or almost reached or the attention span of a senile brain is near its expiration time. It is perhaps comparable to the use of "nature" as a dramatic device employed by Shakespeare in "King Lear".

The author, fully armed with curiosity and facts on both contemporary and global issues, within and outside of sovereign Nigeria, embarks on a quest to either weave or unravel the elusive mysteries of human behaviour including the animal kingdom where some animals are more equal than others.

This book fills a niche for local stories dealing with local historical events and milestones. The author, J.K. Randle, is a well published writer with well known reputable works including the ‘Godfather never sleeps’ and ‘Who is fooling who’ among many others. This book is another veritable addition to a list of his works that have been widely read, reviewed and enjoyed during the past three decades. The author is a prolific writer with a high profile pedigree, a role model from Lagos Nigeria, who is by profession, a chartered accountant. Suffice it to say that there is an accountancy flavour in this eclectic collection but homeopathic doses are palpable in only three chapters. In these chapters, there is a natural passion and predilection for KPMG, a former employer.

This book is a collection of articles on eclectic subjects including speeches given on a variety of subjects on different occasions and to diverse audiences and targets. One common thread in the majority of these chapters is the anonymity of the seventy elders and pensioners that lends a mystique both to the narratives and to the outcomes of the discussions. Recurring references to global accounting practices of which KPMG and its ex-partners and perhaps other unpaid

pensioners reduce the level of anonymity. It is a great blessing in disguise that these well travelled pensioners have so far not been paid their overdue entitlements. Their continued deprivation has forced them to be ubiquitous in spite of their lack of compensation. These pensioners travel to exotic destinations with surprising regularity and dine in the finest restaurants with or without celebrities. A few exotic places where they have visited include the Vatican in Rome, French Riviera, Willard Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Potomac in Maryland, Belgravia and Chelsea in London, Davos in Switzerland. The finest restaurants in these cities where they dine as unpaid pensioners include Clyde Towers in Parkway Preserve in Potomac, Harry's bar in Savoy Hotel in London, Ritz Hotel for high tea also in London, among others. Furthermore the benefits derived from the peripatetic existence of these seniors without Alzheimer's disease (none of them has lost their bearings and can still recognize their better halves) more than compensate for their perennial complaints. I shudder to think about what will happen to literary productivity as exemplified by this book and other books once they receive their pensions and gratuities. Other chapters provide reports of both comic and tragic events in contemporary societies. Some of the stories in these excerpts are hilarious because they illustrate inappropriateness of situations while others convey a willing suspension of disbelief. However the heterogeneity of the articles provides adequate diversity to readers with diverse interests in different subjects ranging from epochs of civilisation to chaos.

One can make a case for a thread of thought in some chapters put together where the author is seized with discussing examples of social justice and greatest good for greatest numbers of Nigerians. A question that lingers on is whether monkeys actually do business and if they do what are the outcomes using bananas as quantifiable deliverables.

The six chapters on politics and the Nigerian political class are diverse and interesting in many ways. The first two of these chapters are anecdotal as they deal with the centenary celebration of the late Chief Adelabu, Ibadan politics and the origin of "Penkelemess" (Peculiar mess). The late charismatic Adelabu who used the phrase peculiar mess in one of his speeches was an ebullient but enigmatic figure within the milieu of vibrant Ibadan politics. The phrase was corrupted by the semi-iterate and illiterate indigenes to "Penkelemess" for which he became well known and was referred to with affection.

A chapter celebrated the posthumous centenary of this noteworthy heavyweight, brilliant and well educated but colorful Ibadan politician fondly referred to as "Penkelemess". The other chapter discussed the role of Ibadan in Nigerian politics. Ibadan was one of the military theatres of operation for the first military coup on 15th January 1966 and this was followed by the deaths of Ironsi and Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi on July 29, 1966 in Ibadan. The latter incident brought me personally close for a few hours to the military personnel when some army officers invaded the University College Hospital in frantic search for the body of the slain Military Governor Fajuyi.

The following two chapters were devoted to the first and second coming of the current President Muhammadu Buhari with a 30 year interval in between. These two chapters and a few others testify to the fact that Nigeria has been traumatized several times and the nation is currently suffering from "post traumatic stress disorder" (PTSD).

The author's grandfather was not only one of the early pioneers of Scottish trained physicians in Nigeria he was also one of the greatest benefactors to Lagos and particularly to the oldest secondary school, (CMS Grammar School, Lagos, founded 1859) in the country. To date the school still enjoys his largesse/endowment 147 years after he had passed. This school, which is my alma mater, has produced the two doyens of accountancy and telecommunications in the country, Akintola Williams and late Victor Haffner (both over 90 years old) as discussed in the chapter titled "Who needs Auditors (or doctors and lawyers for that matter)". Although the science of prediction is far from perfect, I hasten to predict with confidence that if the author had attended the Grammar School he would have followed in his grandfather's footsteps as a physician. However he opted for a much younger high school, called Kings College, founded in 1909. Space will not allow me to discuss how this happened. In that chapter however I quote "When death knocks at the door the doctor is looked upon as God. When he accepts the challenge, he is looked upon as an Angel. When he cures the patient he is looked upon as a common person. When he asks for his fees he becomes a devil." When he gets paid for his services he will still need accountants for his tax returns. A chapter is devoted, partly in defence of auditors, accused of being either wayfarers, trouble makers, cowboys or money doublers.

The chapter on "we never got it wrong but we never got it right either" is apt when related to the power sector. Although this chapter deals with the relics of colonial governance when there was sufficient power generation and Nigeria, was a force to be reckoned with. The question that arises is "How can we make Nigeria great again or How can we make Nigeria greater than ever before" a la Trump.

To cross the bridge to a better future, another chapter in this book, will remain an illusion until the hard work is done to bridge the huge achievement gaps between Nigeria and countries of the developed world. In summary, the virulent agitation in the country can be likened to the Titanic that is sinking and the passengers are jostling for seats on the Captain's table. In the absence of a common purpose, excluding looting of the treasury, the increased cacophony of voices to dismember the nation continues unabated without putting in place an insurance for dismemberment or sudden death.

One can only hope and pray that the unbearable stench of corruption and allied malignant atrocities that are inimical to progress and development will be eradicated or significantly attenuated by good governance in this great and blessed nation, Nigeria. I strongly commend the reader to enjoy the contents of this interesting and informative book where humor and facts are cleverly intertwined in an inimitable style.

Williams, is a former Provost, College of Medicine, University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria; Former Executive Secretary, Science Technical and Research Commission (STRC) of African Union; Former Scholar-in-Residence National Institutes of Health Bethesda Maryland USA; Former, Expert Medical Reviewer, FDA/CDER/D HSS of US government; Founder and Director African Cancer Center, Lagos Nigeria

35/ENTREPRENEUR

23.09.2016

‘Next Titan Has Been a Huge Boost to My Business’ Davies Okeowo is the Chief Executive Officer of EnterpriseHill, a business development firm that provides accounting and business development services to micro, small and medium scale businesses. He is also the winner of the Next Titan Season 2. In this interview with Peter Uzoho, Okeowo talks about his experience at the Next Titan Show, the conception and operation of EnterpriseHill, the current economic challenges and what Nigeria’s unemployed graduates should do to survive Next Titan Season 2 was a very challenging and competitive contest and you were able to emerge the winner. How did it happen?

Next Titan Season 2 was a very challenging and gruelling process. It was an intense process wherein we were fully concentrated on business; we were learning, working and were being judged by experienced entrepreneurs that we look up to in Nigeria such as Chris Parkes, Tonye Cole, Kyari Bukar, Lillian Olubi and a few others. So it was a very challenging journey for me. That said, I will attribute my success to a number of factors. First, I’m a strong believer in God and I ask Him for help. But inasmuch as God helped me, I also applied myself to the process. I had committed myself to learning and value creation ever before the opportunity for the Next Titan came. I always believed that it’s better to be prepared and have an opportunity than have an opportunity and not be prepared. Early on in life, I had little or no opportunities. All I knew was that I wanted to be an entrepreneur; I wanted to start a business, grow it, employ a lot of people, create value for the society and do very well for myself. That has always been my dream and mission. Over the years before the Next Titan opportunity came I had devoted my time to studying. I hold a BSc degree in Accounting but aside my degree, I studied entrepreneurship and its many parts extensively: sales, business pitching, marketing, business model development and all different areas of business. So I guess my victory in the Next Titan simply brought together all the skills and knowledge I had acquired over time.

My Next Titan journey started when about 5000 of us submitted our online applications.

From that pool, about 400 were shortlisted and all 400 of us went through the auditions where we had about five minutes each to present our ideas. Therefrom, 50 of us were selected to attend a three-day boot camp, after which the top 16 were selected. Every week we were grouped into two teams which were tasked with solving a business problem. At the end of the task, a team wins and another loses. From the losing team two contestants get fired weekly. Staying in the game wasn’t about business alone; it also required good presentation skills, great interpersonal skills, and a big dose of God’s grace. I say this because I actually lost the first five tasks but survived still. I had to collaborate with the same people I was competing with, I had to pitch to the judges many times which was no mean feat. Every meeting with the Judges was a learning experience and I blended all those lessons until we got to the gruelling final and I won.

Having emerged winner in the contest and you went home with N5 million and a car, these resources were they useful to you?

Sure they were very useful to me. Before I went for the Next Titan I had already started my business. I believe you shouldn’t cry about the resources you don’t have, rather be resourceful with what you have. I started with my computer, internet access, a will to succeed and a singular purpose; helping businesses setup proper accounting structures. Alongside my then partner Adewunmi Omodunmiju, I grew the business organically with the monies I generated from sales.

Although we were crawling, we were getting ahead. So when I got the resources from Next Titan, it was like pouring gasoline on a little fire.

The resources have been useful in structuring the business more and expanding our scope of operation. But most importantly for me (beyond the money and car) is the mentorship because I had had the opportunity to be mentored by those same judges that judged us and their input into my business has been tremendous.

Definitely, the Next Titan has been a huge boost to my business and career.

Okeowo

Coming to EnterpriseHill, what really inspired you to go into your line of business?

I decided that I was going to be an entrepreneur when I was in 200 level in the university. At the point, I decided that I was never going to look for a job or compete for a job that I was going to create job instead. So from that point on, I started studying extensively about entrepreneurship. I was learning from global entrepreneurs and leaders like Donald Trump, Richard Branson, Nelson Mandela and a host of others. I was learning about entrepreneurship and leadership as much as I could. As the years flew by, I immersed myself into the entrepreneurial ecosystem. So once I graduated, I started my first business which was an excursion service for schools which didn’t work out despite all the knowledge I claimed to have had. I was a trained Accountant but my passion was entrepreneurship. However, the business wasn’t working. I stepped into the power of mentorship. I had the opportunity to speak at an event where my business coach, Mrs. Maureen Iyasele (CEO of The JobMagCentre) was also speaking. After that event, I decided to hitch a ride with her and soon enough, we got stuck in traffic. In that three hours traffic, I told her all about myself and my business. After a series of questions and answers, she helped me see the huge structure problem that existed in millions of Nigerian businesses and helped me map out how I could match my passion with my training to solve a real problem. By helping MSMEs put proper accounting structures in place, I could help them generate proper financial records, make informed decisions, grow, and perform remarkably better. In those three hours traffic on the 31st of October 2014, EnterpriseHill was born. From 1st November till 31st December 2014, I researched, got a partner and put the initial structures into place. On January 5th 2015, Enterprise Hill started as a firm that provides accounting services and business development services to micro, small and medium scale businesses. Ever since then we have helped quite a number of businesses become profitable and set them on a path to sustainability. We are a young company but we are learning as we go along.

Your brand name is EnterpriseHill. How did you come about that?

EnterpriseHill was divinely inspired. What we had before was Redbrooks Consulting. We had a challenge with the Corporate Affairs Commission registering that name. The name was not taken but there was some mix-up within their system and for eight good months- from January 2015 that we started we couldn’t resolve that registration issue till I got into the Next

Titan. And after the Next Titan there were lots of opportunities. I got some exposure as you can imagine. So we needed to restart business on a larger scale so I couldn’t continue waiting on the CAC to sort the issue out. I was thinking through several names and the name just dropped in my mind. The point for us is that we’re trying to sustain the enterprise culture in Nigeria and we’re trying to set it at the peak to ensure that we get to the very top of enterprise development in Nigeria. Now there are so many initiatives out there that help to start businesses and Next Titan is one of them. But inasmuch as the opportunities exist and we’re creating lots of businesses, we need to make sure that these businesses remain sustainable.

We need to structure them and help them to be strong. And for me, sustainability is the peak of enterprise development. At Enterprise Hill, we help entrepreneurs through the process of ensuring that their businesses are nurtured to strength so that it can grow and become more profitable using the power of financial data.

So the name just fits; again, it was divinely inspired.

Currently Nigeria’s economic climate has not been favourable and business organisations are not finding it easy. As a young entrepreneur how are you being challenged by the situation?

It’s a very challenging environment right now because of the obvious challenges. However, I’d say the exchange rate instability and the resultant price uncertainty is the biggest challenge. Then there are other challenges that we all know- infrastructure, power supply, outdated regulations and the likes. That said, I’m not one who focuses on what is not working. I like focusing on what is working and how to make it work the more. Even in instances where it’s out of control, I tend to ask myself how can I work around this? It is not about what challenges are there in the economy; it is about how you respond to them. Somebody that I learn a lot from is Donald Trump, who was near bankruptcy in the early nineties when the U.S. economy was in trouble but he used a terrible economy to rise back to being a billionaire. I can give examples of top entrepreneurs across the world that use bad economies to their advantage. The terrible economy is a springboard for any entrepreneur who has an eye for opportunities and knows how to leverage on them. So inasmuch as there are challenges, there are opportunities. For example, the exchange rate fluctuation is a big problem right now and that is where most of our focus is. But I’m just thinking if the exchange rate is high, shouldn’t we be leveraging this opportunity to earn more foreign exchange? Thinking that way will help any true entrepreneur get ahead in this economy. For me it’s just about spotting the opportunities in a challenging environment.

Babatunde Fashola once said when he was the Governor of Lagos State that if our unemployed population applied themselves to solving our many problems, everyone will be employed and we would not have as much problems. So let us see those challenges as opportunities and then so many good things will come out of it.

Foreign companies in Nigeria are closing up and are leaving the country for reason of not being able to cope with the current economic realities. What is your take on that?

If foreign companies are leaving it is easy for us to see it as a problem because they are taking all of their capital and investment out of this country. That reduces the value of investments that we have within the economy.

They are taking away jobs because once they leave the people that used to work for them are now redundant. But just as traffic jam was the launchpad for EnterpriseHill, the capital flight is a launchpad full of opportunities. As those foreign companies leave, they leave a vacuum

behind. We should apply ourselves to filling the vacuum they are leaving as doing so will create an opportunity for us. Nigerians are the ones that can best solve Nigeria’s problems. If there is a company in the oil and gas industry that has decided to leave and you are interested in the oil and gas sector, aim to replace that company; aim to get their customers; be focused and be targeted and you will get some mileage.

The same goes for all other industries. All we need are people who are willing to plug in their ideas to solve problems. Some people will argue that they don’t have money but even in this terrible economy, the Bank of Industry is still giving people money. The CBN is making funds available to SMEs. There are funds out there but you have to start something first.

When investors or parastatals of government who give funds to businesses see the seriousness through which you are conducting your business they will invest in your business. So if foreign companies are leaving, let’s develop local capacity to replace them.

Over the years graduate unemployment has been a major challenge in Nigeria and this has been compounded by the current situation in the country. It’s now more like a keg of gun powder that could explode any day. As a young entrepreneur, what is your advice to the unemployed graduates?

For me it’s very simple. When God wants to bless anybody he blesses the seed that you have, he doesn’t dash you money. I always ask people what resource you have in your hand. Even if you say you don’t have anything, you have time. I always say that this is the best time to be alive because of the access to global markets, resources and opportunities that the internet gives us all. Everyone should begin to employ a productive mentality. Let us think of what we can do for ourselves. What we need to do is to develop and focus more of our attention on developing our human resource. Our human resource will develop all other resource we have as a nation. For young people and graduates that are jobless I advise that you drop your entitlement mentality, none owes you anything! Don’t wait for somebody to push you to success, push yourself to success.

The best the government can do is to provide an enabling environment for us and we will keep using every avenue that is available to us as Nigerians to ask them to please give us an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

However, when the environment is enabled what will you be doing? Will you still be looking for a job in the federal ministry? Start something.

As you go along you will find the things you need to grow it. Nigeria has a huge market.

We’re almost 200 million people in this country.

Don’t start by worrying about competitors.

Competitors will gain theirs and you will gain yours, it’s a big market. If you apply yourself towards the creation of products or services, you will get patronage. And by the time your business begins to generate revenue and you put structure within your business you will get the opportunity to grow your business and also to employ other people. So not only will you be solving the problem of unemployment for yourself, you will also create jobs and value for others. Another thing I will like to note is the need to invest in learning. You cannot have enough of learning. New information is breaking every day. You cannot sit down complaining and expect that the information that you need to become a global change-maker will come and meet you in your room. You need to go out there. You need to apply yourself. Use the internet to look for opportunities. Invest in learning and apply yourself. Invest in learning and apply the learning to something. If we do it that way we’re going to get to a very good level very soon.

36/COLLAGE

L-R: Founder Testimony Chapel intertional,Pastor.Chinyere Olarenrewaju; newly Wedded Couples, Mr and Mrs Olalekan Shobande and General Overseer. Testimony Chapel International, Pastor. Bukola David Olanrewaju. during their wedding ceremony at Testimony Chapel in Yaba Lagos...recently

23.09.2016

Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi (right), with the President of the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, Awka Diocese branch, Comrade Emma Ezeokafor( left), during the annual Seminar organized by the Laity at the Bishop Obiefuna Pastoral and Retreat Centre in Okpuno, Anambra State... recently .

Bishop of 0ndo Diocese, Jude Arogundade with Founder of Bayo Fatusin Foundation, Mr. Bayo Fatusin and other Bishops of Catholic Church of Ondo Diocese cutting the celebration cake after the dedication of The Catholic Church of Ascension Ondo, Ondo State...recently

L-R: Director of Information, Nigerian Navy and his wife, Commodore and Mrs. Chris Ezekobe; the celebrant, Major Philomena Madubuike (rtd) and Mr and Mrs. Chukwulue, during the 70th birthday celebration of their mother, the celebrant at Festac Town, Lagos...recently.

L-R; Federal Goverment College Ikole Ekiti PTA Member, Mr Oni Idowu; Principal Federal Goverment College Ikole Ekiti, Mr. Kolawole Isaac Sola; PTA Chairman, Prince Olaseinde Aje; Lagos State Cordinator, Aladesanmi Exeakel; and Ola John PTA Member during Federal Goverment College Ikole Ekiti PTA Lagos Chapter 3rd Annual Event of Speech & Prize Giving Day held in Lagoos..recently...recently .

Pastor Ndubuisi Chyke Adolphus and Princess Odinaka during their wedding at St. John's Anglican Cathedral Church, Yola, Adamawa State....recently

37/THISLIFE

23.09.2016

‘I Still Have a Superior Vision For Imo State’ Imo State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha turns 54 yesterday. Bits and pieces of biographical sketches put together earlier before now by Nduka Nwosu make an interesting glimpse into the man who says he has a superior vision for Imo State Imo State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha turns 54 yesterday. Bits and pieces of biographical sketches put together earlier before now by Nduka Nwosu make an interesting glimpse into the man who says he has a superior vision for Imo State How time flies. 54 years ago in the little village of Ogboko in Imo State, Chief Nicholas Olero Okorocha and his beautiful young wife Josephine Nwakaego Okorocha received their third surviving child and second boy christened Ethelbert Anayochukwu. The hardworking couple had lost their first two kids to the cold hands of death, the first two prematurely while Edith the fifth child, who came after Jude now a barrister, died in Biafra.

Had they all survived Mama Dozen would have been celebrated with a cow and special ceremony but her nine kids remain a testimony to how upright they groomed these rare gifts who have made a success story in their various endeavors. What those who knew Pa Nicholas and hiswife Josephine said was that they were hardworking and loved each other. Every morning before the cock crows they left their humble two room thatched mud house and rode on their bicycles to far off and neighboring markets of Obodo Ukwu, Orie Afor, Ore Amanaka and Orie Orlu. By evening they were back to say their rosary, ready for morning mass at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ogboko.

Dateline 2011: Nick Oparandudu, an aide of Candidate Rochas Okorocha going into battle for the governorship of Imo State on the APGA platform had introduced this reporter to him. Owelle Rochas Okorocha lay on a sofa tumbling himself between sleep and work. Big Sister Deen was affectionately massaging his body with anointing oil with emphasis on his legs. At the background Christian music blared. Sister Deen kept whispering into his ears why he needed rest before coming back to attend to those lined up to see him. It was way past midnight. This same sister shortly after the war was brought from the Ogboko country home to join her parents with young Rochas and senior brother Gerald.

The two boys hit their heads on the wall insisting she was not their sister. As the years unfolded, she proved to be a rallying point even as Mrs. Geraldine Adaku Obinali.

When Candidate Okorocha was ready to talk, he opened up on why he was unrelenting in getting things done whether for himself, the people of Imo he was fighting to serve the second time around after the Imo PDP elders denied him victory in 1999. Bottomline: He has a superior vision for Imo State.

Rochas hates to be left in the cold because he has seen all about the down side of deprivation.

More importantly his Rochas Foundation, which according to his longtime partner and former director general of the Rochas Foundation College, Rev. Babs Bunmi, it is all about service and his willingness to help those who need help. Okorocha agrees his philanthropy stems from the fact that he was a product of poverty.

“I came out from a very poor background, and I slept in open spaces, I ate and drank poverty, so I can tell you everything about being poor and the pains of poverty because I saw it all as a child and as a young man,” which Rev. Babs Bunmi indicates is the spirit behind the Rochas Foundation.

Poverty waved goodbye to Okorocha when at 16 and a student he learned the tricks of salesmanship as a hawker for his parent’s goods, walking in the streets happily, in the cold weather of the Plateau specialising in the sale of second hand clothes between Jos and Barkin Ladi; poverty waved goodbye to Okorocha when he bought a television set and fan for his parents, and later a car. He also waved goodbye to poverty when at 22 he was already a proprietor and principal of a thriving secondary schoolKings Commercial College, later known as Bom Gwom College and at 24 married Nneoma, the love of his heart. In between he became many things to himself until the emergence of Rochas Motors, not the commissioned agent or cement

Okorocha

seller, announcing his affluence to the world and grand entry into politics as a member of the National Constitutional Conference, Federal Character Commission and presidential adviser.

The young man who met his parents living in a thatched, mud house has long redefined his circumstances so much so that when President Buhari was his guest at his Spibat Resort, the equivalent of a 14 hole golf course, he could not but be amazed.

While the family was essentially Catholic, young Anayo showed a burning passion for the Lord and grew over time to be a motivational speaker summarised in his MP3 audio ‘The Lion Like Greatness.’

Anayo remained an enigma, a walking question mark in God’s vine yard as a faithful and miracle worker. The Magi did not visit Pa Nicholas and his wife with some rare gifts from the east guided by a special star from Bethlehem to Ogboko his ancestral village to announce the birth of a special one. Yet as the days passed, it became clear there was something prophetic about his birth. You could say Anayo was born to run having been scared by the stark poverty that contrasted with the opulence of the flamboyant politicians he met as a child.

In Biafra he dared the officer who had just conscripted his father and offered to go to war even as a child soldier. Everybody was amazed the way he handled the Madison auto rifle at the prodding of the conscription officer. The officer had no option but release Pa Nicholas.

While the villagers were still discussing his heroic act, Anayo added another. He and brother Gerald had gone to the farm to hunt for birds when a Nigerian Air Force bomber flew so low that it was within visible distance of sighting the pilots. Anayo drew his catapult but brother Gerald restrained him from shooting. Moments later the bomber flew into Orlu town and delivered what became known as the darkest day in the history of the town.

Then there was that popular ballad that all the towns and villages in Eastern Nigeria were fast embracing civilisation except Orlu and Okigwe. That explains why Okorocha has turned Imo State into a huge road construction factory in progress, to do the much he can within the shortest possible time at his disposal.

“What shall I tell my creator after eight years as governor of Imo State, that I Rochas Okorochas could not help to move it forward, leaning towards rent seekers to please the old order at the expense of the millennial children of Imo, “ he would ask his congregation at the Sunday service of Government Chapel.

Sadly that same group and he is ever ready to mention names, have been accusing him of non-performance and delivery of roads and infrastructure inferior to those of De Sam

Mbakwe who was equally largely unpopular in his days. The fact that he is on a comparative note standing with Sam Mbakwe may well be Okorocha has something to crow about.

And the new face of Imo greets you with a delightful new day.

The passion to serve, and deliver on promise is without question Okorocha’s hallmark in public service but time is of the greatest essence.

Unfortunately political rent seekers in the past privatised Imo to the extent all important offices of governance were appropriated among certain families shutting out the rest of the people., Okorocha would lament. If you did not meet that criteria of belonging to the family of Permanent Secretaries for example, no amount of brilliance or hard work would elevate you beyond your current station except by some divine contraption, Okorocha claimed but today God has elevated these servants of his through another servant. Applause.

Okorocha does not mince words about what he could do to turn Imo around, make it another Dubai or draw the best ideas whether in architecture, lifestyle or environmental design from different parts of the world he has been privileged to visit with skyscrapers, wide roads and boulevards, stretching to long distances like the Interstate 495 Capital Beltway linking Maryland to Washington DC. He is already turning Orlu and Okigwe into planned cities and generally letting citizens know the great tourist attraction centres they spend so much foreign currency to visit on holidays can be brought nearer home with transparency in governance.

A popular Imo citizen recently told this reporter he returned home with his children on holidays and was thrilled at the variety of fun and recreation centres available in the state capital. In his town Ogboko the former two time Presidential aspirant has attracted a state-of-the-art university that will be opened to new students in 2017, along with an already existing Rochas Foundation primary and secondary schools. Rev. Bunmi adds the Rochas Foundation Colleges are being located in every geo-political zone with a roll call spreading from Ogboko to Owerri, Ibadan, Jos, Kano, with Sokoto, Kano and Adamawa as work in progress for each geo-political zone..

The governor however laments the absence of capital to upgrade Imo as a modern metropolis beyond his current projections. “If I had 50 per cent of the revenue accruing to Imo State, I will turn this place to an El Dorado,” he once told the reporter.

When it so happened Governor Okorocha was not forthcoming to settle the godfathers and godmothers of Imo, a conspiracy theory emerged. The governor was declared dead after

an encounter with a certain god called Nworie whose shrine was allegedly debased through road construction. The setting was far away India where he had gone for medical checkup; it was alleged by the local supermarket scandal sheets.

Nworie in retaliation slapped the governor who could not wake up from the land of the dead.

“Look at me very well,” he pleaded: “Do I look like someone who could be slapped by a ghost or evil spirit?” The response was a roaring no.

Reality check: Okorocha’s daughter married to his chief of staff Uche Nwosu had given birth to a baby boy named Nobuchi-meaning it is my destiny. The news came on election re-run day when his opponents were scheming to defeat him only for him to be vindicated with victory the same way it happened the previous election year again with another victory with an icing on the cake- another grandchild.

Okorocha told the congregation Nworie was a shrine for ritualists and drug addicts who hide in its vicinity to commit crimes; since the new road trespassed Nwories’s path, it has been a different story.

Kidnapping has disappeared, armed robbery, ritual killing and all manner of crimes have left the place and Imo is experiencing peace.

When will we change from our old past and embrace new ways of doing things, Okorocha asked dancing and singing his song: ‘You are Yahweh, your name is Yahweh.’

There is comedy and fun in a governor’s life too. Every Sunday after service Okorocha offers lunch to some 200 guests Hon Ogechi Ololo twin sister of Dr. Chidi Okorocha and the last born of the Okorochas adds that the brother is following the father’s footstep hosting strangers and family members daily. According to the University of Texas Information Technology graduate, now one of the three deputy chiefs of staff to the governor, “my dad was always giving. When we cook we invite everybody to come and eat. When my father died most people that cried did so because there was nobody to invite them to dinner.”

After lunch it is time to receive members of different constituencies.

Some of the issues could provide a comic relief along the way. One such character claims to have sold or leased his land to campaign for the governor. So what do you want? Cash of course or a contract! How about a job? That doesn’t sound ambitious enough, he confides in his kinsman. The governor assigns his aide to handle his problem. Another man dressed like a court messenger says he is a pastor who needs a wife. He is sexually hungry but does not want to sin against God. The governor is thoroughly amused and calls a number of single girls to know if they are willing to marry the pastor well beyond 60. One of the girls retreats quickly and swears it is not possible. Lucky pastor, another says yes but rather than be focused , the pastor now wants a car, a house and money, real money to take care of the wife to be, creating a more complex scenario The long line narrows while the governor gets mobbed. The comedian in him pops up as he tries to pull out of the ring formed around him by those struggling to submit their proposals.

He glances at the proposals picks a few and tells the rest to come back the next day.

One woman screams: “I am your sister; you have not done anything for me oohh. Do something now, I campaigned and suffered for you. I am still suffering,” reminding you of the Hausa woman, struck by the hard times asked if Jonathan was still President. Having sorted out the masses, Okorocha moves to another level, meeting with his cabinet till the wee hours of the next day and by nine a.m. is ready to for inspection. That defines what a day in the life of this governor looks like, living a thousand lives in one life time. One of his lieutenants confessed that “oga challenges everyone working under him including much younger people, adding he would ask them: “If you keep sleeping like this what would you be doing when you are dead and no one would disturb your sleep?”

38/OPINION

23.09.2016

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Thanks, Buhari, But…

T

he phrase “it will not happen again” ended the global conversation that started here last week.

President Muhammadu Buhari used the phrase in his apology to Nigerians. What he said to President Barack Obama in New York, this week, nobody knows.

The plagiarism of President Barack Obama’s 2008 victory speech by Buhari to launch “change begins with me,” a new national orientation campaign, triggered the conversation. It was first reported on this page.

The New York Times, Reuters, Associated Press, NBC News, New York Post, The Guardian (UK), Yahoo News, and a host of others led the pack of international news organisations that fed on the column.

As always, The Punch sustained the conversation at the national level along with other dailies.

But it was Premium Times that first took the words from my column to make a big headline out of it. We all asked for one thing: accountability.

Really, when the world took words from my column last week, I expected the debate that came out of it.

Naturally, you will expect me to follow the conversation. I did.

From those who warned me to be cautious to those who applauded the work as courage in Journalism, the man who won my heart is President Muhammadu Buhari.

Just before midday last Friday, Buhari has had a good time attending to his guests and planning schedules.

But the mood in Aso Rock changed with my work reaching more hands and homes.

It finally got to the man in the story himself.

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Buhari

He was no longer at ease.

And in a few hours, Buhari, a man who doesn’t like to have shadows admitted he used words in his speech that was lifted from Obama’s.

His confession changed the headlines.

He was no longer accused of plagiarism the morning after; he was presented in the news stories as remorseful and regretful of his action.

“There was a mistake by an overzealous worker and we regret that this has happened.

Already, a deputy director in the Presidency has accepted responsibility for the insertion of the contentious paragraph.

“This serious oversight will be investigated thoroughly and appropriate sanction meted.

The Presidency wishes to state in the clearest possible terms that it regrets this unfortunate incident and will ensure that this does not happen again,” the president’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said in a statement.

When the president said it will not happen again, the conversation changed.

It changed from blame to accountability.

That was the line of the statement. It shows a true leader with a sense of accountability. It shows the president’s support for accountability rather than blame.

Now, many hypocrites who want the president to fail will not point out his error as they go around with the sycophancy of “I am with Buhari,” I am Buharideen”, “I am a Buharist,” and all other names they have now coined for themselves.

They surely remind me of President Goodluck Jonathan years. They called “breath of fresh air” at every criticism, until fresh air began to stink, so much that the odour defied deodorant effect.

These people didn’t see anything wrong in Jonathan’s judgment. How can a man be infallible, when he’s not an angel? Even angels fall.

That army of sycophants has regrouped behind Buhari. They are found everywhere from north to south.

In Buhari’s case, the change choir is singing you’re worthy, worthy, with no tolerance for criticism. It is a recipe for failure.

Going back to what happened in the plagiarism case. There are few important lessons.

Among several people who got back to me following the ripple effect of the column were those I will group as “Buhari’s Army”. Just like David’s Army in the Bible, this group wants to fight for Buhari. They sent warning and threats. They just don’t want to hear anything negative about Sai Baba.

The other set of Nigerians who got back to me I will like to group as “Nigerian Army.” They believe in Buhari’s presidency, but they are honest supporters. “We must have some standards in this country. Noth-

ing excuses tardiness. It is unacceptable in any part of the civilised world. If we want anyone to respect us, we must first of all, respect ourselves. It is beyond an argument about substance rather than form, it is about putting an end to culture of anything goes...,” someone wrote.

For PMB, history is on a roll. What he does with his tenure and how he handles criticism will be for the book. Right now Nigeria is in a pickle. In a few days we’re expected to celebrate 56th independence anniversary, but Nigerians are not in the mood. Doubts and anger have overshadowed hope.

This is the lesson: PR campaign like “change begins with me”, will be a “bad market” in a moment of anger with depressing statistics. It is like selling cocaine before a police officer, nobody wants to buy it. To push the sale, more crime has to be committed. You have to employ trick. It is the reason Obama’s speech was plagiarised.

Taken together, it is now crystal clear that the drumbeat for “change begins with me” campaign has stopped.

There’s need to change the campaign itself and also find the right timing for its launch.

And for what I know, speechwriting is a professional job. It is not for Tom, Dick and Harry.

Is the man behind the speech a professional speechwriter? If no, President Buhari needs to make necessary change. If yes, an international embarrassment like this one shouldn’t happen anymore.

Buhari can choose to ignore this and move on since the scandal about plagiarism is already dying out but the aphorism that a stitch in time saves nine is as valid in this case.

Follow me on twitter:@adeolaakinremi1

LEKANFATODU HEADS-UP

H

ow Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State handles the great opportunity accorded him by the Supreme Court of Nigeria to continue to direct the affairs of the Kogi people will determine how the youthful governor’s name will appear in Nigeria’s political history.

On Tuesday 20th September 2016, the country’s apex court validated Bello’s mandate as the democratically elected governor of Kogi State after protracted legal battles between Bello, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party and the former deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 2015 gubernatorial election, James Faleke, on one hand, and a former governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada on the other.

While Faleke had approached the court to challenge the legality of the nomination and eventual election of Bello as the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) candidate for the governorship election in the state, Wada, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) flag-bearer had sought the court to contest primarily the validity of Bello as a substitute to the former governorship flag-bearer of the APC, Abubakar Audu, who unfortunately died before the conclusion of the elections in which he had taken an early lead.

Faleke had argued that his name should have been submitted naturally and legally as the replacement for Audu being the deputy governorship candidate to the deceased while Wada submitted that he should have been declared winner of the election given that the

Email lekantodun@yahoo.com

Tel 07058069255

Another Bailout for Bello

Bello

21 days period allowed for the substitution of a new candidate had elapsed before Audu’s death. Wada added that Bello was ineligible as the new governorship candidate of the APC in the December 2015 rerun election on the grounds that Bello did not satisfy the requirements of the electoral law.

But all these arguments, having gone through the electoral tribunals and appellant courts, have finally been dismissed by the apex court for lacking in merit and insufficient to invalidate Bello’s election as the duly elected governor of Kogi State. This I believe must have come as a massive reprieve to governor Bello. Because an opposite judgment from the Supreme Court would have significantly altered Bello’s political hopes and the socioeconomic condition of Kogi State which is most paramount.

But the questions in the mouths of many are: how well has Bello really fared since he took over saddle of leadership in the state?

And now that the highest court in the land has given him the ultimate assurance that he can comfortably occupy his exalted seat without apprehensions over any legal oppositions to his emergence as governor, will there be any improvements in his performance?

Going by what has been observed and the words emanating from many concerned individuals in Kogi State and beyond, there is no assurance that Bello will not handle this coveted legal reprieve in the same manner he has been widely reported to have mismanaged the financial bailout given to his state by the federal government.

Following the hardship and outrage caused by non-payment of workers’ salaries in the state and other states of the federation, the federal government had approved a 20 billion naira bailout to Kogi State, being the first tranche of N50 billion applied for by the state government to clear salary arrears of the state and local government workers. Yet the signs of poverty and deprivation amongst the workers of the state are as apparent as they were before the federal government’s financial intervention.

Workers owed salaries which range from two and six months have not ceased to groan. This, according to some of the affected individuals, have hindered them from meeting their financial obligations to their various families, with some of them compelled to a single meal a day instead of the minimum conventional three-square meals.

And in all of this Bello’s government seems to have found outrageous acquisition of official cars as more vital than the welfare of the

people of the state.

Or how would one describe the use of a whopping $12 million, as widely reported, for the purchase of vehicles for a retinue of aides, commissioners and other political appointees of the governor by the state government? In a state where majority of the populace are struggling to live on less than $1.25 a day, it is an outlandish misplacement of priorities.

Here is a state that can favourably compete with the top states in the country considering its location on the map of Nigeria. Kogi’s relative proximity to the seat of power, Abuja, makes it a potential economic and commercial hub in Nigeria. With good governance and focus on infrastructural development, urban regeneration and modern agricultural pursuit, Kogi can be a model for development in the 21st Century.

But, as it were, that state, ravished with poverty, hunger, infrastructural decay and official profligacy remains an example of all that is wrong in this modern age.

It is however not too late for Bello to buck the trend. The validation of his gubernatorial mandate by the Supreme Court should be a solid bailout for him to re-cast his approach to governance and lead his people to enviable heights. Bello, 41, is expected to show creativity and vigour synonymous with youthfulness as seen in young leaders in other democracies.

Now is the time for value-driven governance so his time in government will not be documented as that of an opportunist who got to power on a silver platter only to smash the platter and purpose.

39

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Govt Patronage of Tobacco Industry a Compromise of Public Health AkomasBrentC.faultsgovernment’spatronageoftheNigeriantobaccoindustry,positing that its partnerships with any operator in the tobacco industry should be terminated Any organisation, agency or government in the world today that has not taken its turn to condemn corruption in Nigeria, is one that has not found a way to take advantage or get around it. And you will most certainly not find the world’s major players in the tobacco industry in this category.

The over-bearing power and influence of these principalities who reign over the Nigerian tobacco industry have ravaged any semblances of resistance by industry regulators and policy makers who wait eagerly to be compromised to the detriment of the Nigerian public.

Bearing a striking resemblance to the small and light duty weapons manufacturers in the United States, the leading tobacco manufacturers and marketers in Nigeria exert significant influence over the politics, policies, regulations and control of the tobacco industry. In the case of Nigeria, the monopoly in the tobacco industry is almost one exerted by foreign companies who appear to have little or no stake in our Public Health System.

There is no deficit of treaties, conventions and legislations in Nigeria for the regulation and control of the tobacco industry; rather there is a severe deficit of systemic and individual integrity which betray their capacity to enforce compliance.

And to underscore our negative disposition, there are indications that the National Tobacco Control Committee recently inaugurated by Nigeria’s Minister of Health to implement the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA) has been infiltrated and deflated by Nigeria’s tobacco industry giants who insist on breaking every barrier to deliver death to our people and along the way stamping out every local competitor in a bid to perpetuate and satisfy their monopolistic tendencies.

Some of the regulatory and enforcement tools available include: FCTC: The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is an international treaty negotiated under the auspices of the WHO which Nigeria signed as a party in June 2004.

This document sets forth a guideline for tobacco control within the domain of a party and protocol for intervention and enforcement.

The National Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB): This Bill has been passed by the National Assembly since 2009. The content for this bill, if implemented conscientiously will protect the health of Nigerians from tobacco related diseases, safeguard innocent adolescents from unwitting initiation into tobacco addiction, and streamline regulations and enforcement of applicable laws and conventions, among others.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON): The Standards Organisation of Nigeria is an instrument of government for protecting the public from harmful products and unsafe business practices. It is another evidence that we have the tools to adequately implement the mandate of the FCT, NTCB and all other tobacco control regulations but we remain deeply compromised in our responsibility to give effect to our laws.

The Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS): There is also the Nigerian Industrial Standards agency whose mandate includes quality control, sampling and testing of all products imported, distributed, manufactured for local sale or marketed in Nigeria.

The NIS through its Technical Committee on Standards for Tobacco and Tobacco Products has replaced its 2014 specifications with a new 2016 edition (NIS463) in response to escalating consumption of cigarettes, increasing illicit trade in tobacco products and to increase pressure on manufacturers and marketers to provide adequate informa-

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

tion to the public on the associated risks and hazards of smoking. All that sounds good if it can be matched with action.

African governments have shown leadership and commitment in efforts to control HIV, Polio, Ebola, etc. They must be similarly resolved to eliminate cigarette associated diseases from the continent.

The manufacture, distribution and marketing of tobacco and tobacco products must be recognized and treated as a health epidemic concern. According to one NGO, Safety Net for Children (SNC), certain provisions in the 2016 review document by the Technical Committee on Standards for Tobacco and Tobacco products may well be a ploy to retain the patronage of kid-smokers. The NGO points at item 4.7 of the review document which states as follows:“Flavouring substances, excluding Menthol, with potential to initiate or appeal to children, such as strawberry, banana, apple, among others should not be used in the manufacturing of cigarette”.

Conveniently, it was forgotten that Menthol itself is a flavor!

This is not surprising considering that cigarettes with Menthol Flavour happen to be top of the line product of the major cigarettes giants in Nigeria. This is why SNC queries the exclusion of Menthol from the list. In the opinion of SNC, “the retention of Menthol and exclusion of other flavours

is incapable of discouraging children and young adults from the corruption of tobacco products for the simple reason that they will merely retain their patronage of Menthol cigarette which had been aggressively marketed to them much more than any other flavor.”

Civil societies and Non-governmental organizations have contributed in no small measures in the eradication and control of health epidemics and social vises in our communities. However, non-governmental and community outreach efforts have been limited in success in the campaign against distribution, supply and marketing of tobacco products because it is negotiated as a business rather than as a health concern.

We are therefore advocating a shift in paradigm which focuses exclusively on the consumption of tobacco products as a health epidemic issue.

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) which is the basis of our National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA) in its contemplation considers the tobacco industry and those working in its interest as diametrically opposed and mutually exclusive from public health and those working in its interest.

Since government in Nigeria presumably works in the interest of public

health, we find government’s patronage of the Nigerian tobacco industry a condemnable contradiction. We therefore urge the government to: - Terminate all partnerships with any operator in the tobacco industry -To terminate any grant-in-aid to any operator in the tobacco industry.

-To withdraw all incentives to operators in the tobacco industry.

-To discontinue any patronage to or from any operator in the tobacco industry.

-To monitor and implement a fair and equitable regulation -To impose extreme sanction on any agency or individual found in compromise.

Black lives and in fact all lives matter in America and should matter in Nigeria.

When America and other advanced economies became inundated with cases of cigarette related deaths, diseases and rising national health budgets, they evolved decisive policies to check the menace of these merchants of death, forcing them to move shop to Africa and other vulnerable destinations. We have resolved not to make them comfortable in Nigeria because Black Lives Matter.

•Akomas is the Chairman, Safety Net for Children, sent this write-up from Owerri

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

CITYSTRINGS

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

Touching Lives The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Restoration Parish, Ejigbo, Lagos, in partnership with Healing Wings Foundation, have successfully touched the lives of over 70 people through affordable quality skills acquisition and empowerment, writes Peter Uzoho

I

t is a common knowledge in Nigeria that many people in the country are suffering. Yet it is rare to see people who would go beyond mere empathising and rendering moral support, to intervening through practical solutions that can help them out.

However, for the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Restoration Parish, Ejigbo, Lagos and Healing Wings Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, it is time to tackle the problem head on and by extension, bless the entire society.

On July 11, 2016, Healing Wings Foundation, in partnership with the aforesaid church, launched a six weeks skills acquisition and empowerment programme at Ejigbo, tagged ‘2016 Ejigbo Empowerment Programme’, to train people particularly youths and married women who were discovered to have challenges in obtaining such skills elsewhere due to financial constraints.

With adequate publicity and affordable training fee, the programme saw large number of single and married women and men take active part, learning different skills to change their lives and that of others. Some were trained in catering and hospitality management, which entails cake making and baking, snacks and small chops, cocktail and chapman, continental and African dishes, among others. Some were trained on how to make beads, wireworks, shoes and bags. Those who have interest in make-up artistry and facial enhancement were well trained to do a perfect job. Others were also trained on event planning and decoration.

At the closing ceremony of the programme on Saturday, August 27, 2016, the beneficiaries who cut across different denominations took turn to express their joy and gratitude to the organisers for rendering such rare help to them, even when some of them were not members of the church. To them, a burden has been lifted off their shoulder and they can now do something meaningful to themselves, their families and the society at large.

One of the beneficiaries, a non-member of the church, who was trained in bead making, Mrs. Akinlade Tumininu, could not hold her joy and appreciation for the kindness showed

Pastor Adepetun (4th right) and participants at the skills acquisition and empowerment programme, during their gra

to them by the good Samaritans.

“I feel good and I’m happy to come here to learn how to make beads, wireworks, shoes and bags. I’m happy that this NGO brought this training programme close to us. I thank Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ejigbo for giving us this opportunity to come to their church to acquire skills even when some of us are not members of their church. We have Muslims here who came for the training and the church did not discriminate against them; they treated all of us like their members,” Tumininu told THISDAY. “My sister-in-laws informed me about the programme and I decided to participate. We paid N5000 but to me that money is nothing

I feel good and I’m happy to come here to learn how to make beads, wireworks, shoes and bags. I’m happy that this NGO brought this training programme close to us. I thank Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ejigbo for giving us this opportunity to come to their church to acquire skills even when some of us are not members of their church. We have Muslims here who came for the training and the church did not discriminate against them; they treated all of us like their members

at all compared to the training we received.

I will say we did it free because when you go out there to learn, they will ask you to pay 25, 000, N30, 000 and even more. I can now make beads and wire works, shoes, slippers and bags. I have a provision shop but now that I have learnt this one, I have to open another shop for bead making and other things. I thank this church and Healing Wings Foundation a lot for their kindness to us. They should keep it up,” Tumininu added.

Another beneficiary, a 200 level student of Psychology at the University of Lagos, Mr. Vincent Agboola said, “When I heard about the training I just decided to come and give it a trial and coming here I found out that it was the same training package they give out there. Out there you pay N100, 000 and even more but here, we got it free. Everybody is cooperating and we’re all happy. Our instructors are really taking their time to teach us well. So this is just the perfect place for me. For me, I think I really grabbed something from here. I can do a perfect makeup now,” Agboola noted.

Agboola told THISDAY that the perception by some people that makeup work is for women is wrong saying that many men are making a living through it.

“I don’t think makeup is just for girls alone and of course this is not the first place a man is doing makeup. There are many guys out there doing it and making a whole lot of money. Besides, since women always say that what a man can do a woman can do better. The same way I will say what a woman can do a man can also do it even better,” Agboola posited.

“Also, I’m a very good artist. I love makeup very well. I’ve been doing it before this training, but I came to learn more to improve my skill. Actually, being the only man here has not been easy but at least I’ve been able to get something. Fortunately for me, the ladies we have are so cooperative. There is no form of racism, no mockery. There is nothing like backbiting, gossiping or whatever. They’re very friendly. So I feel good being with them,” he said.

Expressing his gratitude to the church and to the Foundation, he said “I give them a galaxy of stars. I’m very grateful to the church and to the organisers. They’ve done really well.

It’s very rare to see this kind of opportunity.

Although, I worship at Christ Embassy, but with what they’ve done for me I feel like joining the church.”

Their instructor in bead making, Ms Tolulope Oyewole, said “It has been a wonderful training so far. The students coped very well. They are the types that understand things easily; they grab whatever I taught them easily. In fact, they’re the creative types. They have really learnt a lot. They can now make beads by themselves and go out to sell. Now that they’ve been equipped with the basic skills, I encourage them not to go and sit back.

They should move forward. They should go online; watch YouTube and videos and search for more information to keep them up to date so that they will improve further in their skills,” Oyewole said.

Speaking to THISDAY about the programme, the Minister-in-charge of Restoration Parish, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ejigbo, Pastor Festus Adepetun, said the purpose of the skills acquisition and empowerment programme was to train people who were discovered to be idle due to lack of jobs.

“We discovered that many of our people are jobless and cannot provide the basic needs of life. So we want to assist those who are interested. Most of these people if they go out to learn these things, they will be asked to provide huge amount of money and other things which they will not be able to provide. But here, within six weeks they have been trained at more affordable cost and they were able to grasp those things they would have gone outside to learn,” Adepetun explained.

“You can see that in some families, the married women don’t have job at all and they have to depend on the husband to provide for everything in the home. But if they are trained in one skill or the other they will be able to support their husbands in ensuring that the family has food to eat,” Adepetun noted.

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

CITYSTRINGS

Agboola....a makeup artist

duation ceremony held at RCCG, Restoration Parish, Ejigbo...recently

Other stylists attending to clients

“Apart from the training, there is a soft loan of about N50, 000 and N100, 000 for them to access in order to support their businesses.

The convener will only collect three per cent interest at the end of every month. There is a body in charge of that and only those who are serious will be approved for the loan.

Those who are certified to be trustworthy and can be able to comply, we will sign for them and the loan will be given to them,” he added “The empowerment was for both our members and non-members. We printed flyers and distributed them everywhere, asking people to come and learn something to bless family and society. We didn’t collect much money from them. We only asked them to pay for their certificate.”

The Pastor stated that the empowerment would be a continuous thing. “In the next two or three months, we will allow people

to come back for another round of training.

Our members that participated in this training were up to 15. This is the first time we are having such programme in our church here,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the Convener of the programme whose is also the Project Director, Healing Wings Foundation, Pastor Samuel Oladunjoye while giving insight into the initiative said the NGO started about seven and half years ago, explaining that their major focus from the onset was cancer screening and cancer awareness.

“Then I travelled to like four to five countries doing cancer awareness, vaccination, and medical check-ups. But five years ago we looked at it that people are suffering. We discovered that a lot of people were not coming up again for the cancer diagnosis.

So in the process, we now decided that we have to look for another way we can touch

Cakes and beads produced by the participants

and change the life of people. So the idea of empowering people came to us. We reasoned that people are doing at a cost ranging from N80, 000 and above which was so high for most people to afford,” Oladunjoye explained.

“We thought that as an NGO we have to do something to take this challenge off the people. Immediately, we went out, sampled people’s opinions and discovered that a lot of people want to learn something to be on their own but there is no means. Some of them said the cost was too much for them.

We decided to assist them. We asked them to register with just N5000 and come and receive the training. With the N5000, we looked for professionals in those areas to come and partner with us in the project,” Oladunjoye noted.

“Having gotten the professional trainers, we started looking for churches that would partner with us through making training venues available to us. So that was how we started the empowerment programme,” he said.

He noted that the Foundation has trained over 8,750 people for the past four years and that more than 85 per cent of them are on their own doing what they were taught adding that over 500 families are feeding from the business as evidenced from the testimonies being received from them on regular basis.

Explaining some of the initial challenges they faced when starting the programme, he said “Most times, we have to go hungry; no food to eat but we continued doing it because we believe that somebody’s life is being touched. God sent us to try our best to ensure that people that do not have the opportunity to go and pay huge amount of money to get the training are trained through this project and we also ensure that they a good quality training in line with our motto which is quality and service to humanity.”

Speaking on what inspired him to come up with the initiative, he said “The inspiration came from the fact that a lot of people are suffering without people helping them. I heard it clearly that in making other people happy that is when your happiness will come. So all that I do now is to make sure that somebody is happy and we believe that when you touch

We discovered that many of our people are jobless and cannot provide the basic needs of life. So we want to assist those who are interested. Most of these people if they go out to learn these things, they will be asked to provide huge amount of money and other things which they will not be able to provide. But here, within six weeks they have been trained at more affordable cost and they were able to grasp those things they would have gone outside to learn

somebody’s life your life will not remain the same.”

He reiterated that up till now, the major challenge the Foundation is facing is finance, noting that if there are people to sponsor the programme, the job would be easier.

Advising young entrepreneurs, he said those young people who are out there looking for white collar jobs should go and look for something else that can better their lives instead of idling about. Citing a biblical injunction, he said “God said I will bless the work of thy hands.”

“Secondly, for young entrepreneurs, the beginning may not be easy they should do what they have passion in and continue and then back it up with prayers,” he stated.

42

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 T H I S D AY

TENDER OPPORTUNITY:

PROVISION OF BOLT TENSIONING SERVICES FOR BONGA FPSO TURN AROUND Tender Ref: NG02003519 NIPEX TENDER NUMBER SNEPCO.00000006

1.0 INTRODUCTION Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), operator of the OML 118 / OPL 135 Lease, hereby announces to interested and prequalified companies an upcoming tendering opportunity for the Provision of Bolt Tensioning Services for BONGA FPSO Turn Around. The proposed contract will commence in Q1 2017 and remain active for a duration of six (6) months, with an option to extend by a further six (6) months exercisable at the instance of the company.

2.0 SCOPE OF WORK The scope for this service include preparation (unbolting) of pressure vessel for inspections & cleaning, loosening and tensioning of stud bolts and nuts for man-way doors tube plates, pipe flanges, relief valves, valves, swing spectacles blinds where installed and the installation and removal of blinds other maintenance as well as closure of man doors, flanges and nozzles when the inspections had been completed.

The work shall include but not be limited to the following; Assess bolted joint reliability (Integrity testing) Preparation and Controlled tightening of joints.

Provide permanent and temporary tags for joint identification and make up management.

Engineering risk assessment of flange leaks.

Joints Leak test- Providing assurance reports Proffer repair options for joint leaks Creating & maintaining a line break register to ensure that all flanges/joints, valves, blinds and spectacle blinds that are broken or slackened are duly reconnected and tightened prior to introduction of hydrocarbons and the subsequent plant start-up Creating a flange management programme to ensure that all flanges are reconnected square in order to ensure joint integrity at start-up.

Provision of repair and overhaul services for the Bonga torque tensioning equipment Provision of special bolt tensioning equipment as required which includes but not limited to the following: torqueing, bolt protection, joint integrity, slackening and tensioning stud, bolts & nuts, amongst others, tube plates, man-way doors, valves, blinds and pipe spools.

Provision of specialist equipment and trained personnel for flange management services as the need arises Provision of specialist equipment and trained personnel for Hot bolting Provision of repair and overhaul services for the Bonga torque tensioning equipment Provision of in-situ machining services.

3.0 MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS To be eligible for this tender exercise, interested contractor are required to be pre-qualified as essential service vendor in the Flange management and Bolt Tensioning Services (Product/Services: 3.05.15) categories in NipeX Joint Qualification System (NJQS) data base. Only successfully pre-qualified suppliers in this category will receive Invitation to Technical Tender (ITT).

To determine if you are pre-qualified and view product/service category you are listed for, open www.nipexng.com and access NJQS with your login details, click on continue Joint Qualification Scheme tool, click check my supplier status and then click supplier product group.

If you are not listed in a product/service category you are registered with DPR to do business, contact NipeX office at 30, Oyinkan Abayomi Street, Ikoyi, Lagos with your DPR certificate as evidence for necessary update.

To initiate the JQS prequalification process, access www.nipex-ng.com to download the application form, make necessary payments and contact NipeX office for further action.

To be eligible, all tenders must comply with the Nigerian Content Requirements in the NipeX system.

4.0 NIGERIAN CONTENT REQUIREMENTS Vendors are to demonstrate strict compliance with the provisions of Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry Content Development Act and also provide the following requirements: Demonstrate that the entity is a Nigerian Registered Company, or Nigerian Registered Company as the contracting entity in genuine alliance or joint venture with foreign company with details on scope and responsibilities of parties for this work. Such companies must show evidence of joint venture binding agreement duly signed by the CEO of both companies including evidence or plans of physical operational presence and set-up in Nigeria International or multinational company working through a Nigerian subsidiary must demonstrate that a minimum of 50% of equipment to be deployed for execution of work shall be owned by the Nigerian subsidiary by providing a list of equipment for this tender and indicating those that will be owned by the Nigerian subsidiary Furnish details of company ownership and shareholding structure. Also submit clear photocopies of your CAC Forms CO2 and CO7 Provide evidence of what percentage of your key management positions is held by Nigerians and what percentage of the total work force are Nigerians. Also, show overall percentage of work to be performed in Nigeria and those by Nigerian resources relative to total work volume.

Provide a Nigerian Content Plan providing a detailed description of the role, work scope, man-hours and responsibilities of all Nigerian companies and personnel that would be involved in executing the work. Also provide details of Nigerian Content focal point or manager.

State proposed total scope of work to be conducted by Nigerian personnel (whether contracted directly or under subcontract agreements) with names and addresses including evidences of well-equipped offices and workshop; attach past experience of such patronage.

Specific to this work, provide detailed plan for staff training and development on equipment repairs & maintenance and procurement (including all software to be used, number of personnel, name of organization providing such training and evidence of past training record) for Nigerian personnel including description of any specific programs in place for transfer of technology and skills to indigenous businesses and Nigerians over the next five (5) years.

Location of in-country facilities (Storage, workshops, repair & maintenance facilities and testing facilities) Contractor must be willing and able to provide evidence of maximization of made in Nigeria goods and services.

Provide details on any other Nigerian Content initiative your company is involved in.

5.0 CLOSING DATE: Only Tenderers who are registered in the NJQS: Flange management and Bolt Tensioning Services (Product /Service Code 3.05.15) as at October 13, 2016 being the advert close date shall be invited to submit Technical bids.

6.0 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION All costs incurred in preparing and processing NJQS prequalification shall be to the contractor’s accounts.

This advertisement shall neither be construed as any form of commitment on the part of SNEPCo to award any contract to any company and or associated companies, sub-contractors or agents, nor shall it entitle prequalified companies to make any claims whatsoever, and/or seek any indemnity from SNEPCo and or any of its partners by virtue of such companies having been prequalified in NJQS. SNEPCo will communicate only with authorized officers of the pre-qualifying companies and NOT through individuals or Agents.

Please visit NipeX portal at www.nipex-ng.com for this advert and other information.

Also note that this contract will be progressed through NipeX system.

43

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Giving Spiritual Life to a Muslim’s Heart IqraSense One of the most important aspects of living a spiritually healthy life is to have a heart that is enlightened with the truth of Islam and one that is close to Allah and His remembrance. Ibn Al-Qayyim mentions in his book Al-Fawwaid that the brightness, which overwhelms the heart is the impact of being close to Allah, the Almighty and obtaining His blessings of serenity and guidance.

This fills the heart with pleasure, while lacking such feelings that come from knowing Allah and loving Him, makes it a gloomy and narrow place. Furthermore, a heart enlightened with truth can help towards guiding our thinking, how we reason and make decisions, and ultimately guiding our actions and the quality of our lives in this world and the hereafter.

The importance of having a spiritually alive heart is evident by the Quranic verse where Allah, the Exalted, says in the Quran: “Verily, therein is a reminder for him who has a heart or gives ear while he is heedful” (Surah Qaaf, 50:37).

Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah mentions that “the heart can never be alive and correct except through cognizance of the truth, loving it and preferring it to everything else. There can never be any happiness, joy or correction for it, unless it makes its sole object of worship and desire Allah alone.” [Source: Diseases Of The Hearts & Their Cures By

Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah.]

We should also remember that Allah will question us about our hearts in the hereafter. He says in the Quran: “And follow not (O man, i.e., say not, or do not, or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily, the hearing, and the sight, and the heart of each of those ones will be questioned (by Allâh)” [Surah al-Israa, 17:36] The following are some of the ways by which we can enlighten our hearts with the message of truth and to soften our hearts in humility and humbleness towards Allah.

Devote our hearts to the Quran One of the primary ways we can spiritually awaken our hearts is to take time not to just read the Quran but to also understand it with full devotion. Doing so will benefit the spiritual health of our hearts and influence various aspects of our lives. In one of the famous supplications (dua) known for asking Allah for relief from distress and disappointments of life, one of the expressions of the Dua is as follows: “… make the Quran the spring (delight or rain) of my heart, the light of my chest,” In this expression, the word ‘spring’ means the rain, which brings life to earth. Ibn Al-Qayyim explains that in this expression, similarity is made with water, which is the cause of life, and

with light, which is the cause of brightness. Allah, the Exalted, makes that similarity in the Quranic verse in, which He says, “Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out?” (Surah Al-An’am, 6:122) Ibn Al-Qayyim further elaborated that “…..if you want to benefit from the Quran, you must concentrate and devote your heart solely when reciting and listening to it. You must pay attention, and try to comprehend the fact that what you are reading is the word of Allah. As you read, you must know that Allah is addressing you in and through this Quran. Indeed, it is the words of Allah to you through the tongue of His Messenger.”

Ibn Qutaibah, who was one of the chiefs of literature in Baghdad during the third century after Hijrah and produced many Islamic works, said about the Muslim who devotes himself during the studying and recitation of the Quran, “He is listening to the Book of Allah while his heart is present and understands; not being inattentive or unaware. If the heart is inattentive; lacking understanding concerning what is being said, as well as failing to see or meditate on it, then there is an obstruction. If however, the Quran produced an effect on the receiver, which is the living heart, and the condition of

listening was fulfilled, and the heart is not engaged with something other than the meaning of the speech, the desired effect will occur, which is obtaining benefit from the Quran and remembrance.”

In conclusion, let us ensure that we enlighten our hearts by inculcating the habit of taking the Quran from our shelves and bringing its words and message in our hearts with full devotion.

Allah asks us in the Quran: “Has not the time come for those who believe for their hearts to fear Allah when they hear the Quran (dhikrullah here is in reference to the Quran)…” (Surah Al-Hadid, 57:16) Repent for Ones Sins from the Depth of Ones Heart Another way to soften the heart is to repent sincerely to Allah often. This helps ridding the heart of any traces of arrogance and ignorance. Allah mentions in the Quran about a heart turned toward repentance in the following verse: which means, “And brought a heart turned in repentance (to Him – and free from all evils).”

(Surah Qaaf, 50:33) Ibn ‘Abbas said, “(This means that) he is far from sins and rushes to obey Allah. The reality of repentance is to devote the heart to obedience, love, and striving to be near Allah.”

Therein lies an important message, which is that instead of simply uttering repentance duas, one should devote his heart to seek forgiveness from Allah. This

will remove the darkness from the heart and enlighten it with light of faith.

Humble to Allah in Secret Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah mentions in his book “Diseases Of The Hearts & Their Cures” that “… amongst the many ways of giving life to the heart is to be humble to Allah in secret. This means to desire and long for Allah through supplication, seeking forgiveness, turning to Him, asking for victory, paradise and shelter from Hellfire at the time when Allah descends to the lowest Heaven in the last third of the night, as occurs in the authentic hadith, Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven when a third of the night remains, saying. Who is supplicating to Me that I may answer him? Who is asking of Me that I may give him? Who is seeking forgiveness of Me that I may forgive him?

Source: Sahih.al-Bukhari [no.

9474] and Muslim [no. 7581] Humbling ourselves toward the most supreme will help us rid of any arrogance that may be lurking in our hearts and will make our hearts more spiritually healthy.

Distance the Heart from all Worldly Evils and Desires The more a heart is inclined toward worldly attractions and desires, the gloomier is the condition of such a heart.

This is because such superficial charms can never bring lasting

peace to a person. Furthermore, when such false charms fail to live up to their promises, it further compounds to ones disappointments. Ibn Al-Qayyim stated in his book Al-Fawwaid that the lowest description of a man’s heart is that he loves and aspires to this worldly life instead of to Allah, the Almighty.

When man’s love, knowledge and aspiration are directed in this worldly way, the heart becomes narrow and gloomy as it is distant from the source of its revival and life.

One of the ways to get reality checks that can remind us of the temporary nature of the charms of this world is to visit the graves often. The Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa sallam had said, “I used to forbid you from visiting the graves in the early part of Islam. But now I command you to visit them for [such visits] soften the heart, bring tears to the eyes, and serve as a reminder of the Hereafter, [but be careful] not to speak forbidden expressions [i.e. while visiting].”

(Sahih al-Jaami’ 4584) Conclusion Finally, let us remind ourselves that devotion (by engaging the heart) is key for our actions to be accepted. Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “..if actions were useful without devotion, He (Allah) would never have dispraised the hypocrites.” Let us, therefore, assess our deeds in light of the devotion of our hearts.

44

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 • T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Clinton under Pressure to Perform at Debate Democrat Hillary Clinton, suddenly vulnerable in the presidential race, is under pressure to deliver a strong performance against Republican Donald Trump in their first debate on Monday, a moment that could be the most consequential yet of the 2016 election.

Political veterans involved in preparing for past presidential debates said Clinton should drive home how she would run the country during uncertain times and draw a contrast as the steady, experienced alternative to the untested Trump. For his part, Trump needed to show enough gravitas to convince skeptics that he is ready to be commander in chief, they said.

The 90-minute face-off at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NewYork,

the first of three debates, takes place at a time when Clinton’s once-comfortable lead in opinion polls over the former reality TV star has evaporated.

History shows that a single bad debate performance can alter the trajectory of a U.S. presidential race.

Reuters/Ipsos polling shows about 20 percent of the electorate remains undecided, far higher at this stage in the campaign than the 12 percent undecided four years ago.

“I am going to do my very best to communicate as clearly and fearlessly as I can in the face of the insults and the attacks and the bullying and the bigotry that we have seen coming from my opponent,”Clinton said on Tuesday on the Steve Harvey Radio show.

Anita Dunn, who helped President Barack Obama prepare

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for debates against Republican nominee John McCain in 2008, said Obama succeeded at their first debate by steering the conversation repeatedly back to the struggling U.S. economy even

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though the event was supposed to be about foreign policy.

She said she expected Clinton to try to exploit Trump’s weaknesses and emphasize her strengths.“The contrast between

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them is what you want to hone,” she said.

The debate will be the best opportunity for two candidates, both widely seen by voters as untrustworthy, to put to rest

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KWARBAK now wish to be known and addressed as stEPhEn LEOnaRd tiMYEn. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as aLadi ELAIGWU now wish to be known and addressed as aLadi sadUana. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as danLaMi HAMZA now wish to be known and addressed as aMZah danLaMi kOkO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OdOh fRidaY MMadUabUChi now wish to be known and addressed as NELSON daMian MMadUabUChi . All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS PORBENI EBITOUN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AGBOKHAM EBITOUN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

questions about their fitness for the White House with the Nov. 8 election fast approaching. Even the candidates’ body language will be closely scrutinized, just as it has been in past elections.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OGUNSHOLA OLAWUNMI OLUWABISI, now wish to be known and addressed as OLANREWAJU OLAWUNMI OLUWABISI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MRS. IRENE EbifEgha OtikE-Odibi, now wish to be known and addressed as MS. IRENE EBIFEGHA NETIMAH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OYAGHA, MARYANN OMOLERE EMIKE now wish to be known and addressed as OJIH, MARYANN OMOLERE EMIKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS IMOH CHIGOZIE CYNTHIA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGBUKA CHIGOZIE CYNTHIA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as adEsina ALABA REBECCA now wish to be known and addressed as OMITOGUN ALABA REBECCA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss bRUME-ERUagbERE OMOTEHERI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS bRUME-OdiEtE OMOtEhERi. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

45

46

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

47

48

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Government Urged to Support SMEs Obinna Chima With the Nigerian economy in a recession, support for small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) could be one of the key ingredients to carrying the country through these tough times. Assisting them should become a priority for big businesses and the government. That was the submission of the Regional Director for Sage in West Africa,Magnus Nmonwu, who noted that small and medium scale businesses in Nigeria face challenging times, even as the economy slides.

In addition to the country entering a recession – defined as a decline in GDP over two consecutive quarters – the upcoming Communication Service Tax Bill could also affect Nigerian businesses.

Yet Nigerian businesses and entrepreneurs are creative and

resilient – and might play an instrumental role in lifting the economy out of recession, given the right support and business environment.

“Nigerian entrepreneurs and business owners are the engines that drive the country’s economy,” Nmonwu added.

“During recessions, big companies are able to adjust by downsizing and cutting costs. Small businesses, however, keep going and carry the losses.

They need our support, as they can contribute to turning the economy around, far more quickly.

“It is important that government and other stakeholders listen to entrepreneurs’ concerns as they seek to grow and contribute to the economy. We have embraced the responsibility of helping to amplify the voice of small business, because we also started small and understand

the challenges entrepreneurs of small face in such times.”

With the recession biting, small and medium businesses face the reality that consumers won’t have as much money to spend and that investors and business partners will taper down investment.

Given that Nigeria has an estimated 37 million micro, small, and medium-size enterprises making a significant contribution to GDP and employment, this sector should be treated as an economic priority, Nmonwu stated.

Another concern on the horizon is the looming Communication Service Tax Bill 2015, which is currently with the National Assembly. If passed into law, the law will require that consumers of voice, data, SMS, MMS and pay TV services pay a nine per cent tax on their tariffs for using these services.

FCMB Promotes Girl Child Education A total of 10 vulnerable Girls in junior secondary schools within Lagos State were recently beneficiaries of scholarship and school’ kits, courtesy of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Women.

The donation and support to the selected girls, according to a statement, was in line with the policy of FCMB to continually promote economic empowerment, poverty eradication and environmental sustainability through the education of the girl child within the society.

The bank in partnership with JAKIN, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), had identified had selected 10 girls from junior secondary schools within

Lagos to help develop due to the stumbling blocks faced by girls within the society whose families prioritise the boy child education and sending the girls to learn a trade at early ages due to scarcity of resources.

Speaking during the presentation of scholarship certificates and school kits, the Divisional, Head Human Resources and Strategy of First City Monument Bank (FCMB); Felicia Obozuwa said “following proposals from JAKIN (NGO) on the group of identified underprivileged girls identified within the society, FCMB has selected girls raised by widows and orphans who would love to go to school but would rather stay at home or

take vocational trainings to support their family due to lack of opportunities.”

The Divisional Head further stated that it is the mission of FCMB women to ensure that the girls are better equipped with the right tools and encouragement to be successful individuals in the future.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director Finance, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Yemisi Edun stated that partnership with JAKIN (NGO) in providing support to the less privileged within the society was line with the bank’s commitment to continually socio economic growth in the society.

Coronation Capital Hosts Investment Committee Meeting Coronation Capital, a Lagosbased African private equity firm founded by a former Access Bank CEO, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede has hosted its inaugural investment committee meeting.

The committee is made up of three internal directors and two external advisors. They are Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede (Founder and Chairman); Charles Ogunwumi (Chief Operating Officer); Ahovi G. Kponou (Chief Investment Officer); Ernest Ebi (external advisor, and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria) and Arthur Arnold (external advisor and former CEO of FMO, the Dutch Development Finance Institution).

Established as a specialist investment firm for Africa, in Africa, to leverage the power of capital for long term development in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, Coronation Capital focuses on making long term and sustainable investments in the financial services, digital technology, oil and gas and real estate sectors of the economy.

The investment committee reviews and advises Coronation Capital on the investment decisions that it makes and helps to instill high standards of corporate governance and best practice.

Speaking about the role of the advisory panel, AigImoukhuede said: “I am a

committed adherent to high standards of corporate governance and best practice. With these two basic principles in place, and a healthy dose of patience, we can build sustainable investment strategy that delivers a return for all.

“I’m particularly happy to be introducing the investment committee today, as not only is it a key pillar in our corporate structure, but the credibility and experience of its members and the vital role the independent members play are a manifestation of our core values. I would like to thank all the members, and in particular Arthur Arnold and Ernest Ebi, for agreeing to participate and look forward to working with them.”

Stanbic IBTC Supports Physically Challenged The campaign to support underserved children without limbs is expected to attract greater attention this year as Abuja hosts the 2016 Stanbic IBTC ‘Together 4 A Limb’ charity walk.

The first edition held in Lagos last year.

The annual signature corporate social investment initiative of the Stanbic IBTC Group will be hosted on Saturday September 24 and the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari is expected to flag off the walk.

“The Abuja charity walk will feature eight more children who have been fitted with prostheses, bringing to 13 the number of beneficiaries, includingthe five whobenefitted last year. Worthy of note is the fact that majority of this year’s beneficiaries of Stanbic IBTC’s prosthesis and education trust wereselected from the Northern region of the country, a number of whom are victims of the Boko Haram insurgency that has besieged the region,” a statement from

Stanbic IBTC explained.

THe Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, said a cardinal objective of the walk is to raise awareness about the importance of supporting the vulnerable in society, especially indigents and the youth.

“The walk is about awakening our consciousness to take deliberate steps to create an all-inclusive society in which everyone finds fulfillment,” she 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 21, SEPT 2016 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $42.54 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $41.55 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 23, 2016

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

22-Sep-16

21-Sep-16

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

01 Dangote Cement Plc

180.00

183.00

-1.64%

3,067,291,332,900.00

9.56

18.83

5.66

4.44%

4.51

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

143.50

142.04

1.03%

1,137,825,977,428.00

4.50

31.92

3.80

2.51%

6.99

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

25.83

26.77

-3.51%

760,207,359,355.92

4.20

6.15

2.12

6.85%

1.68

825.01

825.01

0.00%

653,949,334,462.52

19.41

42.50

3.94

3.52%

18.59

05 Zenith Bank Plc

15.79

15.00

5.27%

495,750,636,880.94

3.10

5.09

1.19

11.40%

0.80

06 Lafarge Africa Plc

56.00

56.01

-0.02%

255,074,501,360.00

-6.71

-8.35

1.15

5.36%

1.82

163.11

155.35

5.00%

212,447,692,710.33

4.22

38.65

1.44

2.12%

4.95

11.38

11.50

-1.04%

208,817,892,826.70

0.23

49.53

0.39

5.45%

0.35

326.00

326.00

0.00%

180,379,162,038.00 -14.43

-22.59

1.93

4.88%

0.48

10 Presco Plc

45.00

45.00

0.00%

178,671,467,025.00

0.54

83.90

2.57

2.89%

4.37

11 Unilever Nigeria Plc

45.52

45.52

0.00%

172,215,645,300.00

0.46

98.44

2.83

0.11%

19.33

12 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

16.95

16.50

2.73%

169,500,000,000.00

2.04

8.32

1.43

0.59%

1.51

Table 4 Top 5 Losers

13 Access Bank Plc

5.58

5.57

0.18%

161,418,081,700.98

2.56

2.18

0.47

9.86%

0.38

Stock

14 United Bank for Africa Plc

4.30

4.31

-0.23%

156,001,963,184.60

1.66

2.59

0.50

13.95%

0.38

15 Guinness Nig Plc

92.77

93.00

-0.25%

139,701,247,200.76

-1.34

-69.30

1.37

3.45%

3.35

16 FBN Holdings Plc

3.05

3.09

-1.29%

109,480,643,015.60

0.30

10.01

0.22

4.92%

0.18

17 Total Nigeria Plc

283.50

270.00

5.00%

96,254,440,789.50

31.13

9.11

0.40

4.94%

4.56

18 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

139.15

139.15

0.00%

89,138,149,011.45

3.75

37.12

1.00

1.58%

3.46

19 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

6.58

6.58

0.00%

78,960,000,000.00

1.05

6.26

0.66

7.60%

1.33

20 Oando Plc

6.00

5.60

7.14%

72,207,713,364.00

-3.46

-1.73

0.39

12.50%

0.52

19.85

19.85

0.00%

65,390,848,208.00

0.17

113.79

2.62

1.26%

5.30

179.55

171.00

5.00%

64,744,879,292.10

17.69

10.15

0.78

4.01%

3.77

23 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

39.00

39.00

0.00%

51,480,000,000.00

0.24

161.09

0.50

3.85%

2.29

24 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

19.09

19.09

0.00%

50,096,687,899.83

6.81

2.80

0.13

10.48%

0.50

1.06

1.07

-0.93%

41,044,257,270.50

-0.37

-2.84

0.91

0.00%

0.54

26 U A C N Plc

21.00

21.00

0.00%

40,338,152,127.00

2.44

8.61

0.56

4.76%

0.55

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

1.01

1.01

0.00%

29,078,322,307.26

0.31

3.27

0.28

8.91%

0.35

29 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

15.00

14.75

1.69%

28,173,030,600.00

0.83

18.16

1.02

8.67%

2.27

30 Diamond Bank Plc

1.20

1.16

3.45%

27,792,466,761.60

0.11

10.88

0.13

0.00%

0.12

31 Fidelity Bank Plc

0.89

0.89

0.00%

25,776,701,265.88

0.39

2.28

0.18

17.98%

0.14

32 Wema Bank Plc

0.64

0.65

-1.54%

24,687,658,291.84

0.06

10.15

0.50

0.00%

0.52

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

19.60

19.60

0.00%

23,439,179,164.80

-2.54

-7.72

0.80

1.53%

2.57

35 Cap Plc

33.00

33.00

0.00%

23,100,000,000.00

2.36

13.99

3.33

3.48%

15.82

36 Mansard Insurance Plc

2.10

2.04

2.94%

22,050,000,000.00

0.27

7.73

1.15

2.38%

1.04

37 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

8.00

8.00

0.00%

21,195,507,024.00

0.89

9.03

1.17

6.88%

3.07

19.91

18.97

4.96%

19,910,000,000.00

4.14

4.81

1.50

0.50%

0.60

39 FCMB Group Plc

1.00

1.00

0.00%

19,802,710,781.00

0.61

1.63

0.12

10.00%

0.11

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.35

1.41

-4.26%

10,705,766,838.30

-0.40

-3.34

0.22

11.85%

0.65

41 Continental Reinsurance Plc

0.96

1.01

-4.95%

9,957,834,539.52

0.33

2.92

0.48

12.50%

0.51

42 Unity Bank Plc

0.76

0.76

0.00%

8,883,896,835.92

0.54

1.40

0.14

0.00%

0.10

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.63

0.63

0.00%

8,744,589,888.30

-2.93

-0.21

0.05

47.62%

0.08

44 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

6.00

6.00

0.00%

7,540,066,596.00

0.44

13.54

0.68

1.67%

0.70

45 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,126.00

0.11

4.62

0.88

6.00%

0.43

46 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

3.40

3.40

0.00%

5,843,749,983.00

-0.05

-65.21

1.73

20.59%

0.16

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

3.32

3.48

-4.60%

5,392,406,250.00

0.15

21.53

0.67

6.02%

0.87

49 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.61

0.59

3.39%

4,227,424,732.80

0.26

2.34

0.13

8.20%

0.45

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

1.59

1.52

4.61%

2,385,000,000.00

0.31

5.19

0.35

3.14%

0.37

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc

07 Forte Oil Plc. 08 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated 09 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

21 International Breweries Plc 22 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

25 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

28 Sterling Bank Plc

38 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

TOTAL

9,107,298,829,319.95

TOTAL MARKET CAP

9,675,323,536,374.09

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

94.13%

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion) Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Open 21-Sep-16

Close 22-Sep-16

Change %

28,214.57 9.69

28,166.42 9.68

-0.17% -0.17%

117.20 9.13

116.97 9.11

-0.20% -0.20%

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open Close Change 21-Sep-16 22-Sep-16 %

Oando Plc Zenith Bank Plc Mobil Oil Nig Plc Total Nigeria Plc Forte Oil Plc.

5.60 15.00 171.00 270.00 155.35

6.00 15.79 179.55 283.50 163.11

7.14% 5.27% 5.00% 5.00% 5.00%

Open Close Change 21-Sep-16 22-Sep-16 %

Continental Reinsurance Plc Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc Honeywell Flour Mill Plc Guaranty Trust Bank Plc Dangote Cement Plc

1.01 3.48

0.96 -4.95% 3.32 -4.60%

1.41 26.77 183.00

1.35 -4.26% 25.83 -3.51% 180.00 -1.64%

Market dips marginally as Index falls by 0.17% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Thursday, September 22nd, 2016 ended bearish as the stock market closed red today. This was despite the highlighted positive performances from the NSE Sub sectors: Insurance, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas (Save Banking). Trading activities decreased in volume as 410.10 million shares worth N3.62 billion in 4,179 deals exchanged hands today.

This is a decrease from the 3.09 billion shares worth N6.24 billion in 2,815 deals which exchanged on Wednesday. Topping in volume terms was FCMB Group Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and FBN Holdings Plc while Nigerian Breweries Plc and Nestle Nigeria Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed negative with a 0.17% (-48.15) decrease to close at 28,166.42 from 28,214.57 the previous trading day. Market Capitalization depreciated in tandem to N9.68 trillion from N9.69 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index decreased by 0.20% to close at 116.97 from 117.20 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N9.11 trillion from N9.13 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 18 stocks gained on the bourse today while 22 stocks declined, 59 leaving stocks unchanged. Oando Plc emerged as the day’s toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 7.14% to close at N6.00 per share. It was followed by Zenith Bank Plc with a gain of 5.27% to close at N15.79 per share. Others on the gainers list include: Mobil Oil Nig Plc, Total Nigeria Plc and Forte Oil Plc, while on the decliners’ list; Continental Reinsurance Plc led with a loss of 4.95% to close at N0.96 per share. It was followed

by Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc with a loss of 4.60% to close at N3.32 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Honeywell Flour Mill Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Dangote Cement 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 23, 2016

MARKET NEWS

Oando Plc /Helios Investment Deal Excites Investors Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie Oando Plc’s deal with the Helios Investment Partners LLP, a premier Africa-focused private investment firm, to acquire 49 per cent of the voting rights in Oando’s midstream business subsidiary, Oando Gas and Power Limited (OGP) is exciting some investors, THISDAY checks have

revealed.

Oando had last Monday said the agreed transaction consideration of $ 115.8 million is conditional upon the receipt of regulatory approvals and subject to customary purchase price adjustments. The deal is is the final leg in the integrated energy firm’s strategic initiatives to reduce its debt and return to profitability.

Upon completion, Oando will retain 49 per cent of the

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

voting rights in OGP, while the residual two per cent will be held by a local entity.

THISDAY checks showed that some investors are increasing their stakes in the Oando Plc, taking position in expectation that the deal will be successful and impact positively on the performance of the company.

The shares of Oando Plc have appreciated as a result of the renewed interest by

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

investors, rising by 17 per cent within four days. The stock led price gainers to close at N6.00 yesterday.

Commenting on the deal with Helios, Group Chief Executive of Oando Plc, Adewale Tinubu had said: “This strategic alliance will firmly leverage our local knowledge and expertise alongside Helios’ strong financial capabilities.

Through the optimization of our existing business opera-

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

tions and the expansion of our footprint, we will revolutionise the sector and position gas as a key driver for Nigeria’s economic empowerment. We look forward to completing the transaction, which will create a formidable leader of gas and power solutions in sub-Saharan Africa.”

Also speaking on the development, the Co-founder and managing partner of Helios Investment Partners,

Tope Lawani added: “This transaction is consistent with Helios’ strategy of investing in businesses that provide cost effective and reliable energy access solutions. We look forward to supporting OGP’s continued growth and working with all stakeholders to improve the reliability of gas supply to the company’s numerous industrial customers, who all play a critical role in the growth of the economy.’’

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

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 • T H I S D AY

51

NEWSXTRA

FG, States, LGs Shared N2.53tn in Seven Months The federal, states and local governments have shared N2.53 trillion as proceeds of revenues from the Federation Account from January to July, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has learnt.

The figures were derived from documents obtained from the Federal Ministry of Finance, showing that the total revenue generated for the months under review was N2.73 trillion.

However, deductions were made for cost of collection to Nigeria Customs Service (seven per cent); Federal Inland Revenue Service (four per cent) and Department of Petroleum Resources (four per cent).

The revenue is usually shared in arrears; for example, revenues generated in January is shared in February; thus, the revenue shared between January and July was actually generated between December 2015 and June, 2016.

In the months under review, the federal government alone received a total of N1.1 trillion; states

got N727.5 billion and the local governments got N544.9 billion.

This was shared based on the formula of federal government receiving 52.68 per cent of the amount generated, states, 26.72 per cent and local governments, 20.6 per cent.

Also, oil producing states shared an additional N148.1 billion based on the 13 per cent derivation.

The revenue shared was the mineral earnings from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporations (NNPC) and DPR and non-mineral revenue from customs and FIRS. Additional revenue came from Petroleum Profit Tax, Import Duty, Exchange gains and NNPC refunds.

Also, in the month of May, the sum of N1.5 billion, being excess bank charges, was recovered into the Federation Account and shared among the three tiers.

To break it down, in January, N417.1 was shared and the federal government received N180.3 billion;

states, N113.5 billion and local governments, N85.4 billion while N208.2 was shared as derivation revenue.

In February, N370.3 billion was shared and federal government received N155.4 billion, states N104 billion and local government N77.8 billion.

N345.1 billion was shared in March with the federal government taking N144.5 billion, states N96.4 billion and local governments, N72.1 billion.

Oil producing states also got an additional

N23.2billion.

In April, N306 billion was shared and the federal government received N126 billion, states, N86.9 billion and local governments, N64.7 billion, while N20.1 was shared to oil producing states as derivation fund.

May recorded low revenue as only N289.4 billion was shared.

The federal government got N118.9 billion; states, N83.7 billion and local governments, N62.2 billion.

Also, N16 billion was shared as derivation revenue

to oil producing states.

In June, N311. 5 billion was generated and federal government took N129.7 billion, states received N89.1 and local governments made N66.4 billion and as usual, 13 per cent derivation revenue of N17 billion was shared to oil rich states.

Based on the data, N691.7 billion was shared in July.

This has been the highest amount generated in a month since the beginning of the year.

From the amount, federal government received N255.6

billion, states, N153.9 billion and local governments, N116.3 billion.

The sum of N20.9 billion was shared among oil producing states.

The sum of N150 billion has also been given in the last three months to state governments under the Fiscal Sustainability Plan of the federal government to enable them to pay salaries.

However, not all states are benefitting from it as some have decided not to participate due to their buoyancy.

APC Ratifies Akeredolu as Ondo Guber Candidate, Submits Name to INEC Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has submitted the name of Chief Rotimi Akeredolu to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its candidate for the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship election.

The party’s national leadership finally resolved to go ahead with Akeredolu’s candidacy despite the dust raised by his victory at the primary election.

With the submission of it’s candidate’s name to INEC, APC has laid to rest the intrigues and horse- trading over a possible cancelation of the governorship primary.

The party had remained undecided for days since the Appeal Committee submitted its report to the national secretariat on Monday on how to deal with situation.

But a source at the party secretariat said the party later resolved to go with Akeredolu, hence the National Secretary led other officers to submit the governorship candidate’s name at INEC at about 4p.m. yesterday.

A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, had emerged winner of the contest but his victory was challenged by not less than four other aspirants who petitioned the appeal committee.

Also, some highly influential figures in the party opposed Akeredolu’s emergence, insisting that it was a wrong choice considering what they described as the political equation of the state.

THISDAY gathered that apart from the constitutional limitations where the party has crossed the deadline of September 19 set by the INEC for party primary, the party risks attracting negative image to itself for dancing to the tune of a powerful leader from the zone if it cancels the primary.

It was learnt yesterday that the party is in a panicky mode and has rushed to the presidency to seek it’s position concerning the report of the appeal committee of Ondo primary election.

For four consecutive days, the Oyegun-led APC National Working Committee (NWC) has been meeting over the issue but is yet to come up with a decisive position on the matter.

It was reliably gathered that the appeal committee was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the delegates’ list used at the primary election was distorted.

A senior member of the party who does not want his name mentioned told journalists at the APC national secretariat that the problem became more complicated because some of the NWC were also doing the bidding of some prominent leaders of the party.

Though the NWC has refused to make its report public by either approving or disapproving of the Election Appeals Committee’s report, its recommendations on the cancellation of the primaries had since leaked to the media.

The primary election saw Akeredolu defeating Segun Abraham, the candidate of the party’s national leader, Senator Bola Tinubu.

SESSION WITH BUSINESS LEADERS

L-R: Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki; Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Tony Elumelu; former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; and Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Segun Aolowo, at the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) reception hosted by UBA to honour Africa-US business leaders on the sideline of the 71st United Nations General Assembly in New York, US...yesterday

Women Barricade East-West Road as Military Launches Manhunt for Militants Sylvester Idowu in Warri Scores of women from Iwhre-Nene community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State yesterday blocked a side of the Ughelli axis of the East-West Road in protest over the alleged intimidation and arrest of indigenes of the community by soldiers on a manhunt for members of the Urhobo/Isoko militant group, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate.

Operatives of 122 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Agbarha-Otor in Ughelli have been combing some communities in Ughelli axis since last Monday when the militant group claimed it breached the Afiesere - Ekiugbo delivery trunkline operated by NPDC/ Shoreline under its Operation Crocodile Tears.

Security sources told THISDAY that soldiers

have succeeded in effecting some arrests that could lead to the apprehension of the masterminds of the series of attacks on oil pipelines in the area.

But as the security agents intensified efforts to pick up the perpetrators of the act yesterday, several women trooped onto the East-West road leading to Bayelsa and Rivers States in protest against what was described as intimidation and indiscriminate arrests of the men by the soldiers.

The protesters carried placard with inscriptions: “Nigeria Army & NPDC know who vandalised their Pipeline”, “Do not drag our President General and our community’s image to the mud” and “Our President General is not the Chief security officer for oil pipelines.”

As early as 8 a.m, they stormed the road and

distrupted vehicular movement for about an hour thereby causing traffic gridlock for road users heading towards Bayelsa and Rivers States from Warri.

The women leader of the community, Mrs. Agnes Isheme, who spoke onbehalf of other protesting women said they were on the road to protest alleged intimidation of their husbands and sons by soldiers.

“We are protesting because of the continuous intimidation of our husbands and sons by soldiers. Our men no longer stay with their families because of fear of arrest by security agents under the allegation that they are oil pipeline vandals.

“The people of Inene are peasant farmers who have nothing to do with pipeline vandalisation, this pipeline cuts across Ekiugbo, Inene and Afiesere communities,

why is it that whenever there is anything that happens on the pipeline, their (soldiers) point of call is Inene community?” She queried.

President General of the community, Mr. Samuel Onosakpor, while decrying the continuous intimidation on indigenes of the community by the soldiers said they were innocent of the pipeline vandalism allegation being leveled on their community.

“For the records, we don’t harbor criminals, or militants in our community and we have no reason to go and vandalize pipelines.

“I am using this opportunity to appeal to the Nigerian army to always confirm and verify their information before they invade our community under the guise of arresting vandals as we would not hesitate to take legal action against anybody that wants to tarnish the image of our community,” he said.

52

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Militancy Pushes NNPC to End July Oil Trade in N24.18bn Deficit Direct sales, direct purchases yield $336m in four months

Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday disclosed that militancy in the Niger Delta region ensured that it ended its crude oil and gas trading in the month of July, a deficit note, recording yet another loss worth N24.18 billion.

It however said the July operational loss was some figures below what it recorded in June. The corporation in June reported a trading deficit of N26.51 billion.

Disclosing this in its latest monthly financial and operations report, NNPC said the turbulence in the country’s oil and gas sector had grossly impacted its activities in the month.

The corporation also had some positive report from its management of the Direct Sale, Direct Purchase (DSDP) framework it adopted in April to ensure supply of refined products in the country, saying that an average $53 million monthly saving was made from it. These savings, it said had resulted to a total of $336,379,854.98 for it in four months - April to July 2016.

“The degree of turbulence in the nation’s oil and gas sector due to renewed militancy has grossly impacted on oil and gas production with its attendant consequences for the economy.

In July 2016, operations, about 311 vandalised points were recorded. This 12th publication of NNPC monthly financial and operations report indicates a trading deficit of N24.18 billion in July 2016 as against N26.51 billion deficit reported in June, 2016, the net cash flow improved by 8.77 per cent or N2.32 billion in July 2016,” said the report which was released in Abuja.

The NNPC however said: “This improvement was largely due to increase in revenue stream from NPDC and PPMC, despite the upsurge in upstream and downstream vandalised points.”

The report also stated that its subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) could not take in a substantial portion of its crude oil sales for the month estimated to be in excess of N27 billion due to a subsisting force majeure

declared by Shell Petroleum Developemt Company (SPDC) as a result of the vandalised 48-inch Forcados export line.

On the performance of the DSDP, the report stated: “The DSDP main contract which started in April, 2016, has so far recorded average monthly, savings of $53 million despite the challenges of low oil prices and reduced crude oil and gas production caused by militant attacks on oil and gas assets. The new contract has indicated a total savings of $336,379,854.98 between February and July 2016.

According to the report, the DSDP was initiated to ensure

full recovery of crude oil sales value and delivery of 100 per cent federation revenue from domestic crude allocation which is 445,000 barrels per day in place of the previous offshore processing and crude swap arrangements which resulted in huge losses.

The corporation equally disclosed that its refineries in Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt had a good outing in the month under consideration with a surplus posting of N0.78 billion.

“The combined value of output by the three refineries (at import parity price) for the month of July 2016 amounted

to N20.09 billion while the associated crude plus freight cost was N19.31 billion, giving a surplus of N0.78 billion after considering overhead of N7.38 billion. Despite these challenges (irregular crude supply and impact of pipeline vandalism) the domestic refineries have a consolidated positive cash flow for the month under review due to favorable products price variance and ongoing restoration of the refineries,” it explained in the report.

According to it: “Total crude processed by the three local Refineries for the month was 126,756 metric tons (MT) (929,275 barrels) and intermediate of

40,640MT (297,972bbls) which translates to a combined yield efficiency of 77.82 per cent compared to crude processed in June 2016 of 225,770MT (1,655,346bbls) with a combined yield efficiency of 80.39 per cent.”

“For the month of July 2016, the three refineries produced 139,2841MT of finished petroleum products out of 126,756MT of crude processed and intermediate of 40,640MT at a combined capacity utilisation of 6.74 per cent compared to 12.40 per cent combined capacity utilisation achieved in the month of June 2016,” it added.

Dariye Dumps PDP for APC Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Senator Joshua Dariye (Plateau South) has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In his defection letter which was read by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, yesterday, Dariye who is standing trial for corruption, said he opted to defect as result of the

protracted crisis in the PDP. He was embraced by APC senators who immediately took him to APC row in the chamber.

His defection brought the current number of APC senators to 59 while PDP is 43. Labour Party has one member. Six members in Kogi, Imo, Anambra and Rivers State are either awaiting by-elections or waiting to be sworn-in.

Again, Tension in Abuja as Shi’ites Protest against El-Zakzaky’s Detention Paul Obi in Abuja There was pandemonium yesterday around Maitama District in Abuja as members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shi’ites protested against the continued detention of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky by the federal government.

The protest which commenced around 11a.m. started along the Shehu Shagari Way in-between St. Mathew Anglican Church and MTN office in Maitama District of Abuja.

The protesters numbering hundreds besieged the Shehu Shagari Way obstructing traffic in the area and causing diversion of cars to nearby routes.

They carried placards with picture of El-Zakzaky and inscriptions calling for his release.

The protesters also expressed fear of El-Zakzaky dying in custody following his health challenges in recent times.

A combined force of the Nigerian Army and police where seen following the protesters during their protest.

Security operatives had to dispersed some of the protesters when their actions became rowdy, causing commotion and apprehension in some parts of the city.

It was not certain whether arrests where made by the police or the Department of State Services (DSS). The authorities of FCT police also could not confirm any arrest.

WE ARE FOR DOGARA

Members of the House of Representatives putting on #IStandWithDogara muffler in solidarity with the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara in the House chamber in Abuja...yesterday

Revealed: Why Polio Eradication was Prolonged Gates Foundation says stipends led to virus’ continuous spread Facebook to develop solution for e-health in Nigeria

Paul Obi in Abuja The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation yesterday blamed the activities of healthcare givers for the prolonged polio cases in the country because of some accruable benefits to health workers.

Gates Foundation Country Representative, Mairo Mandara, stated that health workers never wanted polio to end because of the stipends they were making.

Mandara made this yesterday in Abuja at the Future Health Conference maintained but for the introduction of technology, the activities of the polio vaccinators would have gone undetected.

She said: “One of the key issues why we have polio for so long in this country and billions of dollars was being spent is because people found that been a polio worker, you get stipend and if polio goes away, you are not going get this stipend, people just discard the vaccine

and they don’t vaccinate the children. And now technology developed tracking and that has successfully crackdown that fraud that healthcare provider do.”

Mandara further advocated for the introduction of technology in healthcare delivery in the country so as to lessen the burden of the people.

She also urged technology providers to come up with tools that is simple to adapt to by all.

According to her, “how to do we ensure that we have people centered technology? People centered technology for me is not just making sure that the primary healthcare nurse, the midwives and the scan. For me it is that the person that you are serving understand. Do the women understand what you are doing? Empower the people themselves so that they are no longer dependent. To what extent do they understand your language.

“The biggest lesson is

humility. Education gives us a lot of arrogance.

“In situation of health, in situation of life and death, in situation where we have the singular honour of haven the ability to develop a tool to serve the people, I think we do need to learn the humility of listening to the people we serve and actually addressing the things that they need.”

She further added that “in Gate Foundation, we believe all lives have equal values. I know that health is not about diseases, and health is not static. Health is about complete, physical mental and social wellbeing and it is about the eco-system of this variable that no one stays in one place.so it is creating the balance in this Eco-system.

Meanwhile, Mr. Emeka Afigbo, strategic product partnerships manager for Facebook also promised to work with healthwatch to provide solutions that will help healthcare providers in

solving the health challenges in the country.

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole who also backed introduction of technology in healthcare said the ministry recognises technology as a key factor in achieving a speeding health care service delivery in the future for all Nigerians.

Adewole who was represented by Dr. Ngozi Anazodo, Director of Special Duties, Ministry of Health said, “We in the health sector recognize that technology is a key factor in a achieving our dreams of a healthily future for all Nigerians. Advancements in information gathering, research, treatments, and communication has provided the health sector with new tools to work with and fresh way to practices both curative and preventive medicine. Not only do directly; new technology has also improve research so experts can make healthcare even more effective.”

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 • T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Tension in Anambra as Schools Send Pupils Home over Sit-at-home Order

Police warn IPOB, MASSOB against breach of peace in Anambra, Delta, Rivers

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt, David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka and Sylvester Idowu in Warri Residents of Anambra State are in confusion over the sitat-home order by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as parents have started withdrawing their wards from school.

The IPOB had in a statement last week notified of the restriction of movement in Anambra and other Southeast and South-south states deemed to be within Biafra territory over the continued detention of IPOB leader and the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Markets in the state are also in confusion as to whether to comply with the directive or not, as their leaders have remained mum on whether the order should be adhered to or not.

THISDAY learnt that most schools have already issued notes to parents asking them to keep their children at home as a result of the IPOB order.

This is not withstanding the order by state police command to residents to ignore the sitat-home order and go about their lawful duties.

THISDAY also learnt that most private schools in the state capital city of Awka had warned parents not to bring their children to school as their schools would not be open because of the order.

When THISDAY visited some schools in Akwa, it was learnt that parents who went to pick up their wards yesterday from schools, were handed notes of a school-free day today.

The headmaster of a public school in Anambra who spoke to THISDAY on condition of anonymity, said his school decided to stop its pupil from coming to school because the wellbeing of its pupil was paramount.

Meanwhile, the state police command and those Delta and Rivers State have warned members of the IPOB to desist from any act that would cause a breach of peace in the state today.

The police warned that any act that breaches peace in the state would be handled decisively by it.

In a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Nkeiruka Nwode, the police called on residents of the state to ignore the order and go about their lawful duties.

“The command is using this medium to warn such elements to retrace their steps and desist from embarking on any act of criminality capable of causing breach of peace.

“We call on the people to go about their lawful duty as the police will ensure protection for all law-abiding people. Police are firmly and effectively on ground,” Nwode stated.

In Delta State, the police command yesterday warned members of the group to stay clear of the state in its planned protest slated for tomorrow.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu, said in a statement that the command was ready to deal ruthlessly with any person or group that attempts to cause breach of the peace for whatever reason.

“Intelligence report reaching Delta State Police Command indicates that members of the outlawed IPOB plan

to embark on a protest on Friday, September 23, 2016.

“The command wishes to warn IPOB members to stay clear of Delta State as the state does not subscribe to such an agenda,” she warned.

Kalu disclosed that the state police command and its personnel have been fully briefed on the Strategy of Operation (SOP) and rules of engagement and have been deployed and briefed to deal ruthlessly with any person or group of persons who attempts to cause the breach of peace for whatever reason.

In the same vein, the state police command advised parents and guardians to warn their children or wards not to join any form of protest while law-abiding Deltans and other residents of the state were assured of their safety.

The police also advised residents to go about their legitimate business and

expose suspicious movement of miscreants.

In Rivers State, the police warned that it would not tolerate anything that would jeopardise the peace in the state in the planned protest

by IPOB and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Odesanya, said the command would not tolerate any plan to cause a breakdown of law and order.

Odesanya described the planned protest by IPOB and MASSOB as illegal and uncalled for, adding that the command would not allow anarchy to reign within its area of control.

His words: “Parents and guardians should better advise their wards to stay away from any act that could breach the

peace in Rivers or go about their business in peace.

“The protest is illegal and uncalled for. We are not going to allow anybody to cause a breakdown of law and order here. The command will not tolerate any act anarchy anywhere in Rivers State.”

He, however, pointed out that the state police command was prepared to contain whatever would happen on Friday in form of a protest

by IPOB, maintaining that the police in the state were on top of the situation.

Odesanya explained that the rule of engagement of the command would be in line with international best practice.

“The command is very much prepared for this (protest); we are on top of the situation.

This is not the first time they have protested and I assure that we will raise the bar of security,” the CP added.

Financial Burden of Reconstruction Beyond Borno, Shettima Insists Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, has cried out that the financial burden to rebuild his state from the destruction of Boko Haram was way beyond the state’s capability.

The governor, who received the Danish Refugee Council on his second day stay in Bama after the temporarily relocation of his office to allow for the strict supervision of the ongoing reconstruction of the town as well as other towns severely destroyed by the insurgents, said the state has to seek assistance from all quarters to rebuild the communities destroyed by Boko Haram.

He said though his people have been bruised and made to beg for assistance, they remain honourable beggars who beg with dignity.

Shettima said his government would continue to be transparent with the issues surrounding internally displaced persons (IDPs) and donations towards their rehabilitation and resettlement.

He lampooned those that are in the business of selling lies about the situation of IDPs or destruction in their midst in order to get donations.

Shettima said: “Here in Borno State, we have two million IDPs, the issue of IDPs has become big business that every state would claim they have over 700,000 or 500,000 as the case may be.

“Even the IDPs in Yola, are

from Borno. It is not a thing of pride but an issue of sadness but unfortunately as I said earlier it has become big business and it is making a new generation of millionaires.

“Borno was the nerve centre of the uprising, we have suffered more than any other committee or any other state in the federation. The population of Maiduguri has swollen up from a population of about a million to three million now.”

He said the Dangote Foundation and the Victims Support Fund which are among prominent donors to the ongoing reconstruction works in the state can attest to the fact of the transparency of his government.

He insisted that his government dissuade cash donations for the ongoing reconstruction efforts in the state but instead seek assistance in the form of building materials.

The governor who had to cut short his daily routine of supervision of construction works to attend to the Danish Refugee Council led by the Danish Country Director in Nigeria, Mr. Shah Luton, said whatever the team donates towards the ongoing reconstruction would be given account of by his government.

Shettima identified the area of needs to include intervention in the ongoing reconstruction, including the schools destroyed by the insurgents, intervention in agriculture to create jobs, and gender empowerment with particular interest in education and economic empowerment of women.

COURTESY VISIT

R-L: Vice President and Chairman, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Trade Promotion Board, Mr. Sola Oyetayo; member of the board, Mrs. Bunmi Onafowokan-Obadina; and Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Segun Alabi, during the team’s visit to THISDAY Head Office in Apapa, Lagos... yesterday YOMI AKINYELE

Buhari Signs Paris Agreement on Climate Change Tobi Soniyi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has said his signing of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change has demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to a global effort to reverse the effects of the negative trend.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the president spoke this while addressing the opening of the meeting on Taking Climate Action for Sustainable Development in New York, co-hosted by Nigeria and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as one of the side events of the 71stSession of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA71).

Buhari had, shortly before this event, signed the Paris Agreement, where he committed Nigeria to reducing “Green House Gas Emissions unconditionally by

20 per cent and conditionally by 45 per cent in line with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions.”

Describing the signing as historic, he had also expressed confidence that with support from development partners, Nigeria would meet the above targets.

The president also promised to ensure the ratification of the Paris Agreement before the 22nd Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Marrakesh, Morocco in November 2016.

He stressed that it was to demonstrate his personal dedication to the process of implementing the agreement that he was hosting the side event on ‘Taking Climate Action Towards Sustainable Development.’

Buhari, who said he was privileged to have been part of the Paris Agreement, expressed appreciation to what he called

“the genuine efforts by President Francois Hollande of France in drawing global attention to reviving the Lake Chad Basin,” and for galvanising the political will that led to the global consensus in reaching the Paris Agreement.

The president said his country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement was articulated through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) “that strive to build a climate resilient society across the diverse terrain of Nigeria. We have instituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change to govern implementation of my country’s NDCs, thereby ensuring a strong cross-sectoral approach, coherence and synergy for Climate Action.”

Buhari, while admitting that implementing the roadmap would not be easy in the face of dwindling national revenues, however, indicated that both internal and external resources

would be mobilised to meet Nigeria’s targets, adding that the 2017 budget would reflect Nigeria’s efforts to accord priority to realising its NDCs. “In addition, we are set to launch our first ever Green Bonds in the first quarter of 2017 to fund a pipeline of projects all targeted at reducing emissions towards a greener economy,” he said.

While urging global support to transit to a low-carbon climate resilient economy, the president specifically reminded industrialised nations “to play their role and deliver on their commitments on access to climate finance and technology transfer and help with capacity-building,” adding that, “Expectations are high for their leaders to deliver US$100 billion each year by 2020 in support of developing countries to take climate action, thus keeping the promise to billions of people.”

54

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 T H I S D AY

55

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

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

Ighalo Out as Rohr Recalls Omeruo, Others for Zambia Femi Solaja As expected, all the notable Nigerian players in top-form have been listed in the 23-man squad by the Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, for next month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Match-day 1 clash with Zambia’s Chipolopolo in Ndola.

The Franco-German retained belief in the squad that pipped Tanzania 1-0 in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Uyo on September 3, but has added Alanyaspor of Turkey defender, Kenneth Omeruo, Belgium-based midfielder Anderson Esiti and English Premiership duo of Isaac Success and Alex Iwobi.

Meanwhile, Skipper John Mikel Obi and his assistant Ahmed Musa, goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, defender Elderson Echiejile, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and in-form Manchester City of England forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, are in the 23-man roster.

Only Watford FC forward, Odion Ighalo was excused by Rohr has the player planned to attend his father’s burial in Nigeria on Saturday, 8th October – eve of the big match at the Levy Nwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Injured KAA Gent of Belgium striker Moses Simon is listed after assuring Coach Rohr that he has

started treatment and would be fully healed well ahead of the encounter.

All invited players are expected to start arriving in Abuja as from Sunday, 2nd October.

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah) Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); William Paul Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Jamiu Alimi (Kano Pillars); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey); Elderson Echiejile (Standard Liege, Belgium), Kingsley Madu (SV Zulte Waregem, Belgium) Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Nosa Igiebor (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Anderson Esiti (KAA Gent, Belgium) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Brown Ideye (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England).

ITF JUNIOR CIRCUIT

Quadri on the Verge of History, Plays in Final Today Nigeria’s Barakat Quadri, yesterday continued her majestic form at the 2016 ITF West/Central Africa 18 and Under Circuit holding in Lome, Togo with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Linda Eloundou of Cameroun to move to the final of the point-earning tournament.

The fourth-seeded Nigerian will today meet number two seed, Marion Karine Job of France, who defeated third seed, Maxine Ng of Singapore in the other semifinal.

The fourth-seeded Quadri has been the stand out performer of the three-phase tournament featuring over 80 players from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America which was highlighted by her triumph last week in Lome in addition to her title-winning outing in Cotonou, Benin Republic where the three-leg circuit served off on September 6.

“Quadri has really made Nigeria proud. Her performance in recent years has shown that she has the potential to become a top player at global level. The Nigeria Tennis Federation will continue to support and monitor her to actualise this dream,” NTF boss, Sani

Ndanusa said.

Before bagging the win over Eloundou, whose fellow US-based twin sister Manuella is also featuring in the tournament, Quadri dumped out Trisha Vinod of India 6-2, 6-2 in the quarterfinal while her Camerounian rival shocked top seed, Aesha Patel of USA 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

Now nearing the end of her one-year ITF scholarship in Morocco, the kid sensation has notched 13 consecutive singles win in the tournament where she is making her debut and a win against her European opponent will make her the first player ever in the history of the West/Central Africa 18 and Under Circuit to have a clean sweep of singles title and quite remarkably, she is yet to lose any set at the circuits.

Quadri is also in the final of the doubles as she partnered Angel McLeod to beat Karine Job and Trisha Vinod. They now set up a rematch with Maxine Ng and Aisha Patel, who triumphed in their meeting in the semifinal last week.

In the boy’s doubles, Christopher Itodo and Christopher Bulus are through to the semifinal where they will face Egyptians Eric Banoub and Mohamed Goma.

Omeruo (IN)

Ighalo (OUT)

Ideye (IN)

LMC Says Dikko Not Wanted, Petitions IG over Illegal Use of Officers The League Management Company (LMC) yesterday insisted that its officials were never declared wanted by the police and can therefore not be on the run because there are laid out and well known procedures the police adopt in declaring a person wanted.

LMC made the declaration in the aftermath of a staged raid by some policemen at its office in Abuja purportedly seeking to arrest and imprison its Chairman, Shehu Dikko and Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar on the orders of Mr. Justice I.I Kunda of the Jos Division of the Plateau State High Court.

The LMC said it is aware of a court order from the said judge but added that it has appealed the order and filed a motion for stay of execution.

A statement from the company yesterday, clarified that in addition to filing a formal protest to the office of the Inspector General of Police (IG), it has verified from the Police Command that at no time did it declare the LMC officials wanted.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there are spelt out procedures for declaring a person wanted by the police. Courts do not declare persons wanted but if a court wishes to compel the appearance of a person before it,

the court issues a bench warrant directing the police to arrest and produce the person before it on a given date.

“The police or other law enforcement agencies can declare a person wanted if they find reasons to do so, particularly if the person is a suspect in the commission of a crime and is on the run. In other words, the assistance of the public at large is being sought to apprehend such a person.

“Such declaration will be made by formal public pronouncement by the police and not a handful working with shadowy persons to achieve personal set agenda”, the LMC explained.

In the petition filed by LMC Lawyer, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN) noted that, “although there was no direction by the court to the Inspector General of Police to arrest our clients and take them to prison, we still felt it is necessary to make the position of the law on the point clear so that some operatives of the force are not misled by the applicant in the suit to do anything which may conflict with the settled principles of law as stated above”.

The petition continued, “according to the well established principle of law, nobody is entitled to act or do anything towards the enforcement or execution of an

Shehu Dikko LMC Chairman order of court against which an appeal and a motion for stay of execution have been filed until after the appeal is disposed off”.

The LMC described what happened at its office on Wednesday as “a stage-managed charade to embarrass the LMC and its officials using some misguided media persons in a coordinated syndication of the story of an operation that was of no effect”.

It reiterated that several rulings of the Jos High Court Judge are already on appeal with motions for stay of execution filed.

“We expect the Appeal Court to consider these on Monday, September 26. We expect that on the strength of our case, this dubious order by the lower court would be quashed”.

The LMC said it will continue to carry on its lawful business and

operation in spite of the desperate efforts by some to intimidate it and bend it’s will against the Framework and Rules of NPFL and the laws of the land,” he stated.

In a related development, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has condemned the raid at LMC office stating that “the time has come for all peace loving and law abiding Nigerians to stand up against the continued intimidation of private citizens and institutions using both fabricated and/or void court orders as well as people whose status as police officers raises doubt.

“We ask that all clubs, club officials, league officials, football business entrepreneurs and indeed the millions of Nigerian football fans whose interests are affected by this brigandage should remain calm and rest assured that both the NFF and the LMC are taking all necessary steps not only to expose and end this continued fraud on our football but to once and for all expose the mafia behind the attempted rape of our collective will.

As a federation, we fully understand the dynamics and intrigues of football laws and civil laws and how we relate with both,” the statement from the Glass House yesterday inferred.

Dangote Still Keen to Take over Arsenal Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has reinstated his desire to buy Arsenal within the next four years.

The Nigerian billionaire who is worth over an estimated $10.9 billion had his earlier approach rejected.

Dangote, 58-year-old, who has made his fortune through various operations including cement manufacturing, sugar supply and oil investments, said

that he will wait for investments in gas pipelines to play out before making the acquisition.

“There’s no doubt,” Dangote told Bloomberg Television. “It’s not a problem.”

“Maybe three to four years.

The issue is that we have more challenging headwinds. I need to get those out the way first and start having tailwinds. Then I’ll focus on this.

“It’s not about buying Arsenal

and just continuing with business as usual. It’s about buying Arsenal and turning it around.

“I’ve run a very successful business and I think I can also run a very successful team. Right now, with what we’re facing, over $20 billion of projects, I cannot do both.”

Should the billionaire succeed in his bid, he would become the first African owner

of a football club in the English Premier League.

Six years ago, Dangote tried to take over the 15 per cent shares owned by Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith, who eventually sold her stake to Stan Kroenke.

Dangote lost about £3.4billion last year due to the depreciation of Nigeria’s currency, while his Dangote Cement’s stock is down by nearly five per cent this year.

Friday, September 23, 2016

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& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE Senate to Buhari

“We were also told that politicians have returned several billions of naira, dollars and pounds. It is either that this is not true or that the money is somewhere and if it is not true, someone needs to apologise to us and state the correct thing and if it is true, this money has to be released to contractors so that contractors can go to work and those in the construction industry will be paid and then they will pay the school fees of their children and money will circulate.” – The Senate blaming the economic turmoil rocking the nation on the incompetence of some ministers in the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari.

SHAKAMOMODU THIS REPUBLIC

shaka.momodu@thisdaylive.com

0811 266 1654

The Whingeing President “There is enough blame to go round but once you are in charge there is no time for blame or trying to find excuses.

You do what you can. I was the minister of Abuja. I did not inherit a perfect Abuja. Those before me did many things that were not right. But I did not complain once about what they did. I looked at the situation I had on the ground and tried to fix what I could. I didn’t solve every problem. But I was not whining and crying, saying others created the problem so I can’t do anything about it. I solved the ones I could.” – Nasir el-Rufai, former FCT Minister and now the governor of Kaduna State, lashing out at the then President Goodluck Jonathan, on a TVC programme, Straight Talk, circa 2013.

T

hat portion of the interview is quite instructive given the times we are in.

El-Rufai argued with great insight, passion and conviction to drive home his point about Jonathan’s failings. In fact, he must have spoken three years in advance of the actual situation and personality. As those caustic comments go viral, many people erroneously thought el-Rufai was referring to President Muhammadu Buhari because of how perfectly the words described the president’s conduct since he assumed power.

I doubt if el-Rufai will not be uncomfortable with the blame game that has become the irritating hallmark of President Buhari, his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and even el-Rufai himself in the last 16 months - a period when they have exhibited gross incompetence in the management of the nation’s economy. It was a remarkable departure from his sermon in 2013.

It is a lot easier to espouse leadership values and expectations when you are in the opposition. More often than not, you are a better politician; you pretend to love the people more and having the right solution to every problem. El-Rufai was in that position in 2013. He waxed all the platitudes of good governance and purposeful leadership, pointing out the failings of Jonathan with considerable passion and articulation to the extent of even insinuating that his leadership style was a joke.

Meanwhile, he was applauded by an excited mob of fans that today form the firewall of excuses for Buhari. Of course anyone who attacked Jonathan was hailed - it was an easy route to national prominence.

Consequently, new opportunist activists sprang up and old career critics reinforced their credentials, burning the midnight oil to craft strongly worded press releases that made front-page headlines - against the whipping boy from Otuoke who had no shoes but dared to rise to national prominence and who had a measured, perhaps a poor understanding of power and its responsibility. I dare say and bluntly so, he was even afraid to use it even when he could and ought to. The moment his opponents saw that weakness, it was an open season on his government.

They capitalised on it, openly threatening and even bullying him. Eventually, they succeeded in ousting him from power.

Today, el-Rufai’s party, the APC, is in power with Buhari as the president and we have seen the crude use of power without responsibility - the rule of law that was once their article of faith, championed with vigour by lawyers-cum-activists is now being mocked and replaced with a “licence to detain indefinitely”.

We have seen the manipulation of the judiciary to achieve political ends. It’s all too familiar.

Buhari It’s a brutal irony that what el-Rufai spoke of is now coming to haunt them, as the nation is being inundated with stories by the president who has simply refused to lead but instead is blaming all the past governments for the hole Nigerians have suddenly found themselves under his watch. It is difficult not to be frightened by what the remaining two and a half years of Buhari’s presidency holds in store for the country in an atmosphere of constant whingeing and wailing. The grim statistics reeled out recently by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is telling of how far the country has regressed under this APC-led government in just 16 months.

Some blame the fall in oil price as the reason for the slide into recession. How convenient! But was that really the reason? Oil constitutes just 15per cent of the country’s GDP. Make no mistake, it might have been a contributory factor but certainly not the main reason. The president’s refusal to act decisively on assumption of power, his archaic understanding of economic issues, his contempt for expert advice as well as his failure to timeously take tough necessary decisions exacerbated a bad situation and accelerated the slide into an avoidable recession. He was afraid of losing his popularity with the uninformed masses and mob supporters. Eventually, the light dawned on him when he saw the grim economic data. So whatever action the government took became too little, too late.

The forceful implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) with military alacrity was one of the wrong-headed steps that crippled the economy in so many ways that one is surprised that the managers of the economy don’t seem to appreciate the damage they have done in their haste to trump transparency.

Ironically, while Buhari consistently laments the failings of the last government, he claims credit for initiating the TSA and frequently reminds the public of what has been saved in the TSA even though the evidence clearly shows it was the last government’s initiative.

Now, feeling embarrassed at not being able to deliver on the mandate of “change”, he had been groping for the right message to the Nigerian people. His latest tactic of playing fast and loose with us by launching the Change-Begins-With-You campaign is doomed to failure. Ditto, the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) resurrected by his administration. I’m sorry, I forgot that it failed at the point of launch.

Surprisingly, most of those intellectuals and activists who were falling over themselves to endorse him, thereby providing the intellectual stimulant for a powerful campaign slogan that swept the last government out

of power are uncharacteristically quiet, not showing the slightest inclination to hold the government to account to fulfil the promises it made to the Nigerian people. Others except for a handful have been aiding Buhari in the blame game by generating all sorts of silly excuses for him. In their warped and crooked explanation, the last government caused the recession, “Buhari is only trying to fix things”. It is a claim that is simply beyond the pale of plausible deniability of responsibility which appeals to emotion and not reason.

Amid all this, the country’s currency, the naira is bleeding profusely in the intensive care unit of a poorly maintained national hospital that lacks even the most rudimentary equipment of a hospital as the economy slips into an avoidable coma. But the chief executive officer whose lackadaisical attitude towards the economy led to this sorry state of things is still wailing and whingeing about how he met an empty treasury, no savings, no power, no roads and no security. Shockingly, the naira has earned the unenviable sobriquet: the worst-performing currency in Africa. It is a grim milestone for a currency that once held its own against the almighty US dollar a few years ago.

At this juncture, I make so bold as to say that the rapid depreciation of the naira is a direct vote of no confidence in Buhari’s handling of the economy.

Notwithstanding that the administration has been lurching between fighting corruption and instilling discipline, foreign investors are just watching from the sidelines because they have read the inscrutable “body language” of the government, noted its lack of clear policy agenda, nay its dithering approach to the

economy, underpinned by a command-and-control mindset and came to the sensible conclusion that they cannot risk their hard-earned money in an economy driven by the impulses and mood swings of one man who routinely interferes with the monetary policy that is outside his purview/expertise, while neglecting the fiscal policy directly within his formulation and execution. The country is deteriorating rapidly on all fronts.

Guinness Nigeria Plc like many other companies has declared a loss for the year ended June 2016. That the last time the company made a loss was in 1986 after Gen. Buhari had been overthrown speaks volumes about the president’s economic policy credentials.

Some have argued that it was just a coincidence. But how many coincidences do we have to have before they stop being coincidences?

Now there is a growing consensus of opinion that he has totally wrecked the Nigerian economy and that contrary to official posturing, it would take a miracle to get it back on its feet anytime soon.

We are not gifted in the art of clairvoyance but we can see the dysfunctional, clueless and incoherent utterances of major players of this government to draw certain conclusions. As observed by a former president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, Nigeria may continue to experience the current recession cycle until 2020, if the Buhari-led federal government fails to immediately bounce the economy massively.

NOTE: This piece is concluded in the online edition at www.thisdayonline.com

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