Sunday 9th October 2016

Economic Crisis: IMF Suggests Policy Adjustment to Boost Trade in Nigeria, Others We have credible plan to exit recession, insists Adeosun

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku and Obinna Chima in Washington D.C Worried by economic crisis across many countries of the world, the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) of the Interna-

tional Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday advised Nigeria and other countries hard-hit by persistent decline in their terms of trade to proceed with policy adjustment in order to correct the imbalance.

The advice came just as the Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi

Adeosun, reassured Nigerians and the international community that Nigeria had a credible recovery plan to lift the economy out of recession.

Reading a communiqué at the end of the 34th meeting of the IMFC at the on-going IMF-World Bank meetings

in Washington D.C, the chair of the committee/Governor of the Bank of Mexico, Mr. Agustín Carstens, also noted that excessive volatility and disorderly movements in exchange rates could have adverse implications for economic and financial stability

Besides, Carstens noted that, the IMFC reinforced the commitment of member states to strong, sustainable, inclusive, job-rich, and more balanced growth.

According to him, the IMFC would use all policy tools—structural reforms, fis-

Ibori to Regain Freedom from UK Prison in December ...Page 9

cal and monetary policies— both individually and collectively, to tackle the wave of soft economic growth across the globe.

"We are strengthening policies to bolster confidence and Continued on page 6

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Buhari: Decisive Military Action Still an Option in N’Delta Says he was handed a badly managed anti-insurgency fight in North-east

John Shiklam in Kaduna with agency report President Muhammadu Buhari has warned that decisive military action was still an op-

tion to deal with militancy in Niger Delta if militants continued with sabotage.

The president gave the warning on Saturday at the Passing out Parade of 133 Cadets of 63rd Regular Course

of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

Buhari, who expressed happiness that the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East was being defeated, however, noted that militan-

cy and other forms of emerging threats, including kidnapping and cattle rustling, were negatively impacting the nation’s economy.

President Buhari stressed that, the activities of the mili-

tants has badly affected the Nigerian economy and must be stopped.

He said the clean-up of the Ogoniland was one of the ways to deal with root causes of militancy in the region.

“However, for avoidance of doubt, let me state that other options are still open, including decisive military action.

Continued on page 6

Sidestepping the Judicial Council, DSS Arrests 4 Judges, Recovers N362m NBA declares 'state of emergency' Some insinuating Onnoghen may be target of inquisition DSS: No, we are not investigating CJN pick NJC meets tomorrow

Tobi Soniyi, Senator Iroegbu, Paul Obi in Abuja, Victor Olakiitan in Ado Ekiti, Segun Awofadeji in Gombe and Shola Oyeyipo in Lagos

The Department of State Services yesterday arrested some judges after an unprecedented sting operation launched almost simultaneously in different states and Abuja that targeted judicial officers accused of involvement in corrupt practices. But it was an operation that was widely described as a usurpation of the job of the National Judicial Council, which is statutorily responsible for the appointment, promotion, and discipline of judges in the country.

The DSS said it had credible intelligence on the illicit activities of the judges, which it investigated before cracking down on them. Those arrested included two Supreme Court justices, Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro, and two judges of the Federal High Court, Adeniyi Ademola (Abuja Division) and Muazu Pindiga (Gombe Division).

The house of another judge Continued on page 6

CONGRATULATIONS!

President Muhammadu Buhari presenting Sword of Honour to the Best All-round Cadet Officer of 63 Regular Course, AD Mohammed, during the passing out parade and commissioning ceremony of the 63 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna … yesterday

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016 • T H I S D AY T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE SIX SIDESTEPPING THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL, DSS ARRESTS 4 JUDGES, RECOVERS N362M of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, was also raided, but he was not arrested.

The DSS said it recovered huge amount of cash in different currencies from three of the arrested judges totaling N362, 519,611 (at the prevailing exchange rates).

The operatives also raided the houses of judges already sent packing by the NJC. The house of the former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I.A. Umezulike, was raided in Enugu, while that of a former judge of Kano State High Court, Kabiru Auta, was raided in Kano. Both judges were dismissed last week by the NJC. Ngwuta and Pindiga were later released.

An eyewitness told THISDAY that the State Security Service operatives initially mistook the house of Justice Walter Onnoghen for that of Ngwuta and had gone there with a list of the targeted judges before someone checked the list and saw that Onnoghen's name was not on it. The operatives were, consequently, informed them that the house was not that of Ngwuta, who was number one on the list, and they left Onnoghen's house immediately, the source said. The source could not confirm if Ngwuta lives close to Onnoghen.

The crackdown on allegedly corrupt judges was unprecedented in the country’s history, particularly since the return to civil rule in 1999, and it, expectedly, elicited loud reactions from various groups and individuals. The Nigerian Bar Association declared what it called a legal state of emergency in response to the clampdown on judges, which it saw as reminiscent of the style of the country’s past military rulers.

The NBA called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the DSS to order and demanded the immediate release of all judges arrested.

The body also declared a state of emergency as it affects the affairs of the judiciary and announced the constitution of a crisis management team, comprising all past presidents of the association.

Some insinuated that the crackdown might have been targeted at Onnoghen.

Onnoghen was last week recommended to the NJC by the Federal Judicial Service Commission for further recommendation to President Muhammadu Buhari as the

next Chief Justice of Nigeria after Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who will retire on November 10 at the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Cross River-born Onnoghen would be the first CJN from southern Nigeria in 29 years, after Justice Ayo Gabriel Irikefe, who served from 1985 to 1987. And unlike many CJNs in recent times whose appointments came very close to their retirement from the Bench, Onnoghen, born December 22, 1950, has a relatively long time to serve before the official retirement age of 70. The insinuation in some quarters was that Onnoghen’s name had been craftily dragged into the anticorruption clampdown to try to smear him and prevent his appointment as CJN. But the DSS said in a statement yesterday that Onnoghen was not in any way connected with the anti-graft raids. The statement signed

by Abdullahi Garba said, “The Service would want to clearly state that it has never invited Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen for investigation, neither is he being investigated by this Service. In addition the Service would like to put it on record, that it has tremendous respect for the judiciary and would not do anything to undermine it or its activities.”

The DSS also tried to defend itself against allegations of highhandedness in the crackdown, which targeted judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and High Courts at their homes in Abuja and some state capitals, including Gombe and Port Harcourt.

An attempt by a combined team of DSS operatives and officers of the Nigeria Police to search the Port Harcourt house of Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, and, perhaps, also arrest him was fiercely resisted by the judge and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike. Wike accused the security operatives of trying to abduct the judge about 1am yesterday.

The governor told journalists after the failed security operation at Liman’s house, “Not under my watch will I allow this kind of impunity to take place. That is why we are here. I don't know which judge they were detailed to abduct. I didn't bother myself to know which judge. All I am interested in is that, at this level, it is not allowed.

"He is not a criminal and he is not an armed robber. If

the person has committed an offence, invite him. It is only when he refuses to honour the invitation that you can adopt this commando style.”

But DSS said in its statement that the raid on the judges’ houses followed due process.

According to the statement, “These operations were based on allegations of corruptions and other acts of professional misconduct by a few of the suspected judges. The Service action is in line with its core mandate, as we have been monitoring the expensive and luxurious lifestyle of some of the judges as well as complaints from the concerned public over judgement obtained fraudulently and on the basis amounts of money paid.

“The judges involved were invited, upon which due diligence was exhibited and their premises searched.

The searches have uncovered huge raw cash of various denominations, local and foreign currencies, with real estate worth several millions of Naira and documents affirming unholy acts by these judges.

“Meanwhile, some of them have made useful statements while a few have declined even with the glaring evidences that were found against them in terms of material cash, documents and property recovered pointing to their compromise.”

In apparent reference to the Port Harcourt incident, DSS stated, “In one of the states where the Service operations were conducted, credible intelligence revealed that the judge had two million United States Dollars ($2,000,000 USD) stashed in his house.

When he was approached for due search to be conducted, he in concert with the state governor, mobilised thugs against the Service team. The team restrained itself in the face of unbridled provocative activities by those brought in by the governor. Unfortunately, the judge and governor also engaged the tacit support of a sister security agency.

“The Service surveillance team noticed that upon frustrating the operation, the judge with the active support of the governor craftily moved the money to an unknown location which the Service is currently making effort to unravel.”

The DSS said it recovered huge sums of money in local and foreign currencies from

the homes of three of the judges. It summarised the recovered funds as N93.558 million, $530,087, £25,970, and €5,680.

But a source close to the DSS gave the amounts recovered from one of the three judges as N54 million, $171, 779, £80, Rupees 1,010.00, €4,400.00.

The following, N35.208 million, $319,475, £25,890, €280, 380 UAE currency, 420 Gambia Dalais, 4 Argentine notes, and 20 Ghana Cedis was recovered from a second judge, while N4.35 million, $38,833, £25,890, and €1,000 was taken from the third judge, the source said. He gave a breakdown of the recovered money as $530,087, £25,970, €5,680, N93.558, 1,010 Rupees, 380UAE currency, 430Gambia Dalais, 4 Argentine notes, and 20 Ghana Cedis Meanwhile, the NJC has summoned an emergency meeting for tomorrow to consider Onnoghen’s recommendation for appointment as CJN as well as the Gestapo style arrest of the judges.

Many have said that the council should have been allowed to handle the discipline of the judges for whatever offences they are alleged to have committed. On September 30, NJC fired the Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya, the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike, and a judge of the Kano State High Court, Justice Kabiru M. Auta, for breaching the Codes of Conduct for Judicial Officers.

Reactions have continued to trail the arrest of the judges.

NBA President, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, said: “I want to emphasise again that we are not under military rule and we cannot accept this unholy event and Gestapo-style operation.

“We, therefore, call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately caution all the state security agencies and to respect the rule of law and to respect due process.

“Any issues affecting the judicial officers, there are established procedures for handling them and we demand that this constitutional process must be obeyed.”

Mahmoud, who addressed the press alongside four past presidents of the Association – Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Mr. J.B. Daudu (SAN) and Augustine Alegeh (SAN) - said: “Given the unfolding nature of the event and the seriousness of the situation, the

ECONOMIC CRISIS: IMF SUGGESTS POLICY ADJUSTMENT TO BOOST TRADE IN NIGERIA, OTHERS resilience, safeguard financial stability, and ensure that all members of society have the opportunity to benefit from globalisation and technological change. We will refrain from competitive devaluations and will not target our exchange rates for competitive purposes.

"We reaffirm our commitment to communicate policy stances clearly and resist all forms of protectionism. We will also redouble our commitment to maintain economic openness and reinvigorate global trade as a critical means to boost global growth," he added.

Carstens explained that Nigeria and other economies facing challenges should use fiscal policy flexibly and make tax policy and public expenditure more growth-friendly, including by prioritising high-quality investment, while enhancing resilience and ensuring public debt as a share of GDP should be on a sustainable path.

He stressed that appropriate and credible fiscal policies along these lines would support growth, job creation, and

confidence. “Well-designed tax structures, as well as income policies where appropriate, can promote stronger growth, protect the vulnerable, and reduce inequality.”

Furthermore, the committee wanted the IMF to continue efforts, in cooperation with other relevant international organisations, to help countries meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and to integrate deliverables under the post-2015 development agenda into the IMF’s work.

According to him, work on low income countries (LICs) should focus on continued efforts to support growth and boost resilience in fragile states, and on helping countries hardest-hit by commodity price shocks, including by designing a consistent set of policies that support growth.

"We call on the IMF to support LICs in their efforts to address investment needs, and provide advice on striking the appropriate balance between financing development needs and preserving debt sustainability. In this context, we support the work

in progress to review the debt sustainability framework for LICs. "We look forward to discussions on how to enhance countries’ access to precautionary financial support and reviewing current practices in regard to blending resources between the General Resources Account and the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) under IMF programs.

We look forward to the findings of the forthcoming review of social objectives in PRGT-supported programs.

"We welcome the extension of zero interest rates on all IMF concessional lending facilities for at least the next two years, through end-2018.

We welcome the support received so far, including by new contributors, to mobilize additional loan resources for the PRGT, and call on members’ further support to the successful conclusion of these efforts," the IMFC added.

Meanwhile, Adeosun explained that the plan put in place to get the economy out of recession and getting it back to growth included more capital expenditure,

overhead cost-cutting and getting out of the inefficient cash calls in the oil industry.

She told The Banker in an exclusive interview at the side-lines of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington DC that the basic fundamentals of the Nigerian economy were strong, explaining that the current situation was short-term. “We will get back to growth,’” she emphasised.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Information, Ministry of Finance, Salisu Na’inna Dambatta, the minister noted that the country had challenges in the low prices of oil and quantity produced. She added that production was improving.

On the Eurobond, Adeosun said an open competitive tender, evaluation was going on and there were very strong commitments to raise the US$ 1 billion sought, assuring that Nigeria had a sensible debt strategy.

“The money will go into infrastructure, specifically roads, which will help to stimulate the economy and boost growth,” she said.

NBA hereby declares a state of emergency as it affects the affairs of the judiciary and I hereby constitute a crisis management team, comprising all past presidents of the association.

“I want to, on behalf of the association, make the very following clear and unequivocal demands: we demand the immediate and unconditional release of all the judges abducted from about 9pm yesterday (Friday).

“The release must be done immediately and without any conditions. Two, we demand that the Department of State Services should limit itself to its statutory and constitutional responsibilities.

“I’ll be meeting with the CJN later tonight or tomorrow. There will be consequences if these demands are not met.”

Others in attendance during the NBA declaration, which held at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, were Prof.

Kayinsola Ajayi (SAN), Mr. Yusuf Ali (SAN), Mr. Dele Adesina (SAN), Monday Ubani, among others.

Reacting to the development, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, described it as a threat to the survival of the country’s democracy.

Fayose, at a press conference in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, said, “It should now be obvious to all Nigerians and the international community that democracy is under threat in Nigeria and Nigerians must rise to save democracy from being truncated.”

The governor, who described the arrest as a direct assault on the judiciary, said: “From all intent and purposes, there is no how the federal government can justify the Gestapo and crude action of the DSS against our judiciary, the last hope of the common man and I believe they just want to hide under anti-corruption fight to blackmail and intimidate the judiciary. If not, have the affected judges been reported to the National Judicial Council, the body saddled with the responsibilities of investigating and sanctioning erring judges? Were the affected judges ever invited by the DSS and they refused to honour the invitation?

“I am particularly worried over the involvement of Jus-

tice Onnoghen in the invasion, and I hope this is not a plot to prevent his appointment as the next CJN just because he is from the Southsouth region.”

Noting that he had raised similar alarm in the past, Fayose said, “I did say then that democracy in Nigeria was becoming unsafe in the hands of this APC government and that those keeping silent because of politics might also end up in the belly of the roaring lion that is threatening to consume our democracy. Then, those who ought to have joined in condemning the DSS impunity at that time kept silent for fear of the unknown.

"Now we have gotten to the height of it and Nigeria faces full-blown military dictatorship! This is sad!”

He said it was more worrisome that two of the judges involved, Justice Adeniyi Ademola and Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, ruled against the DSS and condemned its impunity in the cases of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), and retired Air Commodore, Umar Mohammed.

Also, the Caritas International of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) yesterday warned against any twist that could truncate the chances of Onnoghen becoming the CJN. Speaking to journalists, Director of Caritas International, Rev. Fr Evaristus Bassey, said any attempt to politicise the ascension of Onnoghen to the office of the CJN would not be taken lightly by Nigerians.

According to Bassey, "For Justice Onnoghen, I think many Nigerians would be disappointed if there is any twist that would not make him the next chief justice.”

"People might think it is orchestrated to achieve certain aims. But if the secret service has evidence, let it be substantiated," Bassey stressed.

The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, in its reaction, condemned the invasion and described it as executive lawlessness.

In a press statement yesterday, Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said such action was an attack on the judiciary.

SEE THE CONCLUDING PART ON www.thisdayive.com

BUHARI: DECISIVE MILITARY ACTION STILL AN OPTION IN N’DELTA “Today, criminal elements disguise in ethnic regalia to sabotage the country, largely for their selfish and parochial interests.

“I reiterate the call on all Nigerians to give peace a chance and jettison negative tendencies and join government’s efforts aimed at addressing the numerous challenges in the task of building a better Nigeria”, Buhari said.

The president, however, added that his administration would prioritise constructive engagement of relevant stakeholders in dialogue to address issues.

On insurgency in the North East, the president said although his administration “inherited a badly managed Boko Haram”, the capacity of the insurgents to launch attack had been “significantly curtailed.”

He also said that their capacity to take territories had been knocked out, adding that ongoing operations were to clear remnants of the terrorists from their hideouts.

Buhari said although terrorism was a global challenge which needed multifaceted approach, the role of the military was paramount in combating it.

The president charged the

newly commissioned officers to remain apolitical, patriotic and loyal to the nation at all times.

He reminded them that they no longer belong to themselves, their parents, families, tribes and villages but the nation and be ready to pay the supreme sacrifice if the need arises.)

He told the 128 newly commissioned officers that it was time to pay back what the country and their parents had invested in them.

Among the newly commissioned officers were the first set of 19 female regular combatant officers.

Buhari told them that they were joining the military at a time the country needed them.

He said: "The journey into the military career that you are starting today is turbulent and challenging, but interesting. Application of your training here in the academy will certainly see you through the journey.

"Similarly, you must be of good character as you move out of this reputable academy.

Your character will determine how far you will go in your career pursuit. Maintain discipline and loyalty to one Nigeria.”

T H I S D AY SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

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SUNDAY COMMENT

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

CATTLE GRAZING IN THE HEART OF FCT

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The authorities need to enforce the law on cattle grazing before another crisis wells up

he common refrain by most residents of the Federal Capital Territory that Abuja has become the “Federal Cattle Territory” would have been comical but for the security implication of the phenomenon that gave birth to that coinage. The nation’s capital city has in the last one year or so been swarming with herds of cattle in search of grass for grazing.

But the authorities must curb the brazen acts of these herdsmen who act as though above the law.

The ugly development probably would have been of less concern if the herdsmen had kept their animals at the fringes of the city. Unfortunately, the sight of cattle roaming the highways at the city centre, including within the precincts of Aso Rock PresidenThe tial Villa, the seat of inconvenience government, is now a caused national embarrasscommuters ment. From Asokoro to Maitama and Jabi, it is using the now a common sight for nation’s capital herds of cattle to block highways could, major access roads in if not curtailed, broad daylight. precipitate a Although the Abuja protest by a city centre and environs populace seething do not have farms that could precipitate the with anger over kind of violent clash their worsening between pastoralsocio-economic ists and farmers that conditions defines this season, the destruction to ornamental flowers and grasses grown with huge resources over the years is an economic waste that ought not to be condoned any further.

Besides, the inconvenience caused commuters using the nation’s capital highways could, if not curtailed, precipitate a protest by a populace seething with anger over their worsening socioeconomic conditions. And the ethnic dimension in the event of such a course of action could lead to a breach of the peace. That is why the authorities must act quickly on this vexatious issue.

Surely, herding cattle along the streets and highways of the FCT is as much an offence as

Letters to the Editor

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n 1990, Bola Ahmed Tinubu did the unthinkable by resigning his job as a treasurer in Mobil, now Exxon Mobil in his bid to join the murky waters of Nigerian politics. In an interview he granted to the News Magazine, he wanted to go beyond backing the gubernatorial ambition of Chief Dapo Sarumi to playing an active part in the polity. He saw the Senate as a platform to contribute his quota towards national development. Some of his bosses tried to talk some sense into the then young man as he stood a good chance of being a future leader in the American multinational. If you consider at the time that exile to the West was gradually creeping in as a national norm, that decision was indeed not for the faint hearted.

In 2014, he took another gargantuan risk by facilitating a merger of different political parties to form the All Progressives Congress to wrestle power from Goodluck Jonathan. Many

street trading, begging and hawking, all of which have been outlawed by the federal government.

It is therefore baffling that in spite of the clear charge by the FCT Minister, Mr. Muhammad Bello, to the security agencies to enforce the law prohibiting cattle grazing in Abuja, the herdsmen have continued to operate without hindrance and with an unacceptable sense of entitlement.

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

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

ppalled by this disregard for the ministerial directive for the enforcement of the law, the Chairman of Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Dino Melaye, last week proposed to the Senate that any cow found grazing at the FCT should be summarily killed or the herdsman be arrested and fined N50,000. This might be a drastic proposition but it evinced the frustration of the lawmaker who has responsibility for the oversight of the FCT administration. With the state of affairs, not a few residents are similarly inclined to apply instant justice in the face of the negligence of the security agencies.

While we appreciate the ecological circumstances that have pushed the herdsmen and their herds out of their traditional abode in search for grazing land and water, it is important to emphasise that those circumstances would never be excused for disobedience to the law of the land.

To allow herdsmen to persist in utter disregard for the law prohibiting cattle grazing in the FCT and elsewhere is to suggest to other citizens that the possibility exists that they too could ignore the law and do as they wish. That certainly will not augur well for the nation.

We must remind the authorities that Abuja was intended to be Nigeria’s pride and joy: a city with limitless possibilities and our people’s convergence point for commerce, business, innovation, ingenuity, creativity and social development. That is why we call on the FCT administration and the security agencies to enforce the law by keeping the herdsmen and their cattle off the city and its streets, roads and highways without further delay.

We believe it is not too much to ask of the current authorities in the country to preserve the status of Abuja as Nigeria’s Federal Capital, not Federal Cattle Territory!

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

BOLA TINUBU: WHAT OPTIONS? pundits were miffed at the decision of Tinubu to amalgamate many strange bed fellows who were not guided by any known political ideology. His acceptance of Buhari was also curious because this was a man who was the beneficiary of a coup and in a decent clime could have been punished for treason. Why would Tinubu who nearly lost his life to the military goons, had his residence firebombed by Abacha agents, lived in forced exile for four years shuttling between the UK and US be comfortable with fighting for a Buhari Presidency? Could he have forgotten the past so soon? Was it mere political expediency or did he just want power from behind the scenes for its mere sake? Pundits were indeed curious to see how the rather macabre dance would play itself out.

History was made and the foreign media praised his dexterity to the high Heavens in making the victory of the opposition possible in a country where

the power of incumbency played a decisive role in electoral contests.

Rumours abound of his pact with Buhari to nominate his minions to plum cabinet positions and watchers kept a beady eye on whether he could emerge on the national scene as a reincarnation of the decimated Chief Tony Anenih who at the height of his influence was revered as the Mr. Fix It. As expected in the use and dump game of the ruthless world of politics, none of his acolytes got a cabinet position. He was also out witted by Saraki and Dogara which ensured that none of his disciples were in charge of the National Assembly. With the passage of time, he has been reduced to an effete leader with his foes mocking his title of National Leader which has no official party recognition.

In his piece titled ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu and those who want him dead’ by former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, he mentioned

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as a man who would never betray him no matter what. The overriding philosophy in politics is that it is a game of interests with no permanent friends or adversaries. Ogbeni’s open celebration with Fayose may be a subtle way of reading the signs of the times and thinking of smart ways to realign especially when the current loyalty to a dying leader is no longer a politically smart move. What do you make out of the parting of ways by Fashola, Fayemi, Amosun, Akeredolu, etc? Being an open protégé of Jagaban may threaten the buttered bread so it may be best to send him to the hangman. What do you make out of Dr. Segun Abraham’s losing of the Ondo State primaries to Akeredolu? Jagaban also surprisingly cried out against the ‘rebellion’ of the National Chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun. If his powers were still intact, shouldn’t the first Edo State governor get quietly eased out? Alas the

former NADECO Chieftain may have been reduced to a miniscule cry baby!

The final nail on the coffin is the recent revelation by Professor John Paden who wrote Buhari’s biography on the fact that Jagaban actually opposed Yemi Osinbajo’s vice-presidential nomination.

This is surprising because one got the impression that the Lion of Bourdillon gave it up as it would have been difficult to fly a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

This new revelation is indicative of the fact that he actually wanted a rehash of what happened in 1993 when Abiola and Kingibe ran on a Muslim-Muslim ticket. The biographer contended that Tinubu actually piled a lot of pressure on Buhari not to accept Osinbajo who served him as Attorney-General for eight years. Wonders shall never cease! We heartily await a response by Tinubu or his media team as this latest revelation will be a very interesting topic for the chroniclers of history.

––Tony Ademiluyi, Lagos

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SUNDAYNEWS

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

Presidency Hails S’Africa’s Supreme Court Decision on Henry Okah Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

PERFORMING OVERSIGHT L-R: Flag Commanding Officer, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral James Oluwole; Chairman, House Committee on Navy, Hon. Abdussamad

Dasuki, and Commander, NNS Victory, Commodore O.H Ngalabak, with members of the committee, during an inspection of naval facilities in Calabar, Cross River State...recently

NCCN: Harmonise, Simplify Tax Policy at Federal, States to Boost Revenue Kunle Aderinokun

The National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria (NCCN) has advised authorities to harmonise and simplify tax policy at Federal and Subnational level as well as expand the tax base with a view boosting tax efficiency and achieving government revenue diversification.

In fact, the council, which believed the harmonisation and simplification of the tax policy would reduce the incidence of tax on a small subset of the society, recommended a strong campaign to tackle dwindled revenue of government.

NCCN stated these in his analysis of the 2016/2017 Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) report, released by World Economic Forum (WEF) on

September 28, 2016.

While noting that, “Nigeria is among the 17 economies transitioning from Factor driven to Efficiency Enhancer driven economy,” it lamented that, “Nigeria is not listed among the top 20 economies in sub-Saharan Africa.” Sub-Saharan Africa average score, it pointed out, was 3.5, 0.1 higher than Nigeria’s score.

Nevertheless, the council prescribed that, “To improve doing business environment in the country capital investments into infrastructure must be made a priority.”

It suggested that, “Nigeria can emulate Singapore who transformed their economy by putting in place necessary infrastructure which led to inclusive socio-economic growth over the years.

“The economy expanded port capacity and this created a competitive environment. They also created rapid railway systems in high density areas within the country to enable free movement of people and commodities,” it pointed out.

But, NCCN believed, “these recommendations would not be actualised if the image of the country is not improved to draw in investments.” According to the council, “It is paramount the President adopts a role of chief marketing officer portraying the country as a safe, stable and good place to do business which instils confidence in Nigeria as a country, its economy, financial institutions, financial markets and macroeconomic environment in total.”

NCCN, in the report also

noted that “Nigeria’s foreign exchange revenue relies heavily on crude oil exports accounting for 90 per cent of foreign exchange earnings, lower oil prices coupled with reduced output due to militant activity in the Niger Delta have had a magnified effect on foreign reserve depletion and a fiscal shock.” It added: “For an oil producing country to import refined fuel and the philosophy of a strong naira is another contributor to depleted foreign reserves.”

According to the council, “Since the onset of the oil shock, the NCCN maintains its position that foreign exchange reserves used to defend the naira and to import refined fuel could have been reprioritised to provide fiscal space for the government and domestic private sector refining.”

Ibori to Regain Freedom from UK Prison in December • Set to appeal his conviction

Abimbola Akosile with agency reports

Former governor of Delta State, James Onanefe Ibori is poised to become a free man in December, after spending half of his jail term in prisons in the United Kingdom.

Ibori was jailed for money laundering offences by Southwark Crown Court in London, UK in 2012. As is normal under British procedures, Ibori is due to be released in December after serving half his sentence, taking into account pre-trial detention.

But, according to a Reuters report, it was not clear whether he will immediately return home because legal proceedings concerning the confiscation of his assets, worth tens of millions of dollars, were unresolved.

They were supposed to have been resolved years ago, but have ground to a halt due to the allegations of police corruption and the prospect of Ibori taking his case to the Court of Appeal.

A London court was told on

Friday that Ibori would appeal against his conviction on the grounds that British police and lawyers involved in his case were themselves corrupt.

Ibori, who as governor of oilproducing Delta State from 1999 to 2007 became one of Nigeria’s richest and most powerful men, is serving a 13-year sentence after pleading guilty in 2012 to 10 counts of fraud and moneylaundering.

While in office, Ibori was reported to have acquired luxury properties in Britain, the United States, South Africa and Nigeria.

He is the most senior Nigerian politician to have been held to account for the corruption that has blighted Africa’s most populous nation.

His lawyer Ivan Krolick told Southwark Crown Court on Friday that Ibori was “95 per cent certain” to challenge his conviction in the Court of Appeal based on documents that have only recently been disclosed to the defence by the prosecution.

At the same hearing, Ste-

phen Kamlish, a lawyer for Ibori associate and convicted money launderer Bhadresh Gohil, said the documents showed there had been widespread police corruption followed by a coverup that was still going on now.

The main allegation is that a police officer involved in the Ibori probe took payments for information in 2007 from a firm of private detectives working on Ibori’s behalf. At the time, Ibori had not been arrested and was still in Nigeria, but knew that British police were investigating his finances.

Kamlish said prosecution lawyers had known there was evidence of police corruption but had failed to disclose it to defence lawyers. Krolick told Reuters on the sidelines of Friday’s court hearing that Ibori did not know about the payments at the time.

The police have said the allegation was thoroughly investigated and that no one was arrested or charged, and no misconduct identified. The officer against whom the allegations have been made is still in active service.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), after a lengthy internal investigation, said in September it was confident that the convictions of Ibori and Gohil remained valid.

The CPS has said it found “material to support the assertion that a police officer received payment in return for information”. It did not use the word “evidence”, suggesting it did not consider the material in question amounted to proof.

But the CPS conceded in September that the material should have been disclosed to the defence, and handed over thousands of documents to defence lawyers. Those were the documents that Kamlish and Krolick were referring to in court on Friday.

Gohil has already filed an appeal against his conviction.

Krolick said Ibori was likely to do so once his legal team had finished going through all the newly disclosed documents.

Gohil, a British former lawyer, has already been released after serving half of a 10-year term for his role in laundering Ibori’s millions.

The Presidency has commended the South African Supreme Court of Appeal’s decision of October 3, confirming the conviction of Mr. Henry Okah of twenty years in prison; having found him guilty on two out of the six-counts charges relating to bomb explosions in Warri, Delta State.

The court also upheld the 12-year sentence for his role in the Abuja bombing. The convictions that were upheld are those in respect of the Warri bombing, relating to Okah’s providing finance and equipment without which the bombing would not have been executed.

A presidency official who spoke on the condition of anonymity told State House correspondents that the Nigerian government had written “a measured letter” to the South African government, hailing the judicial decision as a big step forward towards removing terrorism from the continent.

The source said: “South Africa has projected itself an enduring partner to Nigeria in the war against terrorism. When African countries act jointly against ter-

rorism, they send out clear and unambiguous signals that there is no more a place for terrorism on our continent.”

The court held that Okah provided more than N2 million to three individuals for the purpose of acquiring vehicles and explosives for use in the Warri bombing.

On the Abuja bombing, the court upheld Okah’s conviction for conspiring, planning and instructing people in relation to its execution while he was in South Africa. The court therefore held that exemption clause on extraterritorial application could not apply as Okah orchestrated the Abuja bombing while in South African territory.

The Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa, by this judgment has effectively reduced the 12-year sentence for Warri bombing to eight (8) years but maintaining the 12–year sentence for the Abuja bombing, making the period 20 years all together as against the 24 years ruling by a lower court.

The presidency source said the latest judgment was a victory for the fight against terrorism in all its form and shape, which should be hailed by all well-meaning Nigerians and citizens of the world.

Shiites Reject Ban, Threaten to Sue El-Rufa’i John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shiite yesterday said it would institute a legal action against the Kaduna State Government for declaring the group illegal.

The Movement vowed to explore all peaceful and constitutional means to challenge the decision of the state government.

TheKadunastategovernment had on Friday issued a declaration, outlawing the Movement, saying it did so in the interest of peace and stability in the state.

The government in a statement said it took the decision to preserve peace and security in the state. “The action is also taken to ensure that all persons and organisations are guided by lawful conduct and with due allegiance to the Nigerian state and its Constitution”, the state government explained.

Spokesperson of the movement, Ibraheem Musa told newsmen in Kaduna that the ban announced by the government was illegal, and described it as an infringement on the basic rights of the members of the group.

“It’s an infringement on our basic right as citizens of the country. We are not going to be intimidated into taking any violence or unlawful activity but will take legal action against the

Kaduna State Government for the infringement”, he said.

Musa maintained further that the ban was nothing but a plot by Governor Nasir El-Rufai to massacre innocent citizens.

“The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) wishes to categorically make it clear to the general public that we vehemently reject such an order and declare it a flagrant infringement on our basic rights as citizens of this country to hold an opinion, associate freely without molestation.

“This is nothing but plot by Governor El-Rufa’i to further its diabolic agenda of the massacre of innocent citizens having failed to accomplish it in December 2015,” Musa said.

He argued further that provisions of the law cited by the state government to justify its decision are wrong, declaring that “nothing can take away our right of as individuals or groups to worship and associate.”

Musanoted that “thestategovernment based its dubious stance on the so-called recommendations of Judicial Commission of Inquiry (JCI) while conveniently keeping mute on obvious gross violations of rights reported by the same JCI such as extra-judicial murder of 347 people and secretly burying them in mass graves without the consent of their relatives.

RCCG David’s Court Concert

The 3rd edition of ‘Worship Unleashed’, a praise/worship concert of The Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG), David’s Court Parish holds on Friday, October 14. RCCG David’s Court is a youth parish, located at The Okota Youth Hub, 3-5, Mohan Close by College Bus Stop, Behind Access Bank, Okota Isolo, Lagos. The annual praise/ worship concert organised by the church choir popularly known as DCY-Choir will take place at the Church auditorium by 10pm. Highlights of the concert include: Total Worship, Dance, Spoken Word, Poem, Comedy, Drama etc. It will feature gospel artists like Victor Praise, Olamide, Oba Victor, Min. Afam, Enueloa, Mc Gabby and St. Envi.

According to the Host Pastor, Tunde Strong, “Worship Unleashed is a night for participants to connect with God.”

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SUNDAYNEWS

FOR BETTER DEFENCE L-R: Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali; Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, GCON, and Commandant NDA, Major Gen. MT Ibrahim, at the 27th Convocation Ceremony of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna...recently

TACKLING INSOLVENCY L-R: General Secretary, Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN),

Chimezie Victor Ihekweazu; President, Mr. Sola Oyetayo, and Chief Anthony Idigbe SAN at the World Bank/INSOL African Roundtable on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises’ Insolvency and Restructuring, held in Accra, Ghana...recently

Tinubu, Ahmed, Lawmakers Hail Withdrawal of Forgery Case against Saraki, Others

Apathy Mars Ogun LG Election as PDP, LP Call for Cancellation

Abimbola Akosile, Damilola Oyedele in Abuja and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) yesterday conducted election into the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas where the exercise witnessed low turnout of voters in the three senatorial districts.

In Ayetoro, headquarters of Yewa North Local Government Council in Ogun West Senatorial district of the state officials of the OGSIEC arrived all the polling units early with election materials but voters were not available to cast their votes.

At Ayetoro ward 1, Me-

National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, and several members of the House of Representatives have hailed the withdrawal of forgery charges filed against Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, by the Federal Government.

Their commendations followed widespread reactions trailing the decision of the federal government to withdraw the case againstthetop law-makers; alongrunning issue which affected the activities at the upper House of the National Assembly.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Tinubu Media Office, which was signed

by Mr. Tunde Rahman, Tinubu described the withdrawal as a

welcome development, and called for dismissal of the charges and urgent reform of the national economic architecture to promote diverse, durable economic growth and employment.

“The recent withdrawal of the forgery case against the Senate President and other members of the National Assembly is a welcome development at this crucial time. To bring the progressive change the APC vowed to the people of this nation, will require active and innovative governance.

New legislation will be required to help pull the nation out of the economic mire.

“More importantly, such visionary legislation will be even more needed to permanently reform our national economic architecture so that we may promote the type of diverse, durable economic growth and employment that will ensure a stronger future and better insulate the nation from the fragility inherent

in basing the economic welfare of the nation on the global price of a single commodity. This must be our top priority.

“With these forgery charges found not to apply, it is good that they be dismissed so that the national assembly may focus on this important work ahead.

While those involved may understandably feel a sense of relief or vindication, this is no time for them to celebrate or to believe all is well with the nation simply because all has turned out well for them on this matter. All is not well. Throughout the nation, the people stagger and groan under the weight of economic hardship.

This government and our party must hear and respond to their plea. We must lead the way.

“A mind and heart unburdened by the specter of possible legal liability is also free to devote itself to the pressing matters of state. Consequently, this action presents a unique window of

opportunity for the national assembly to reset its bearings and to focus on the real issues at hand.

History will not look kindly on those involved if they were to squander this fine chance. As never before, Nigerians look to the various arms of government to perform their roles so that the country can walk the path of change and renewal.

“May those who are the beneficiaries of this legal outcome now rededicate yourselves to fulfilling the progressive tenets of the APC and to honoring the promises we made to the people with regard to their governance and wellbeing.

Now that you have overcome this legal battle, you must dedicate yourselves to helping Nigeria win the greater war against poverty, despair and failure. No matter our past difference, in this effort we must stand united in purpose and resolve. Nigeria must do more than survive. It must thrive”, Tinubu added.

Turkish Embassy: No Nigerian Student under Custody in Turkey Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Turkish Embassy in Nigeria hasrefutedclaimsthatsomeNigerian students in Turkey are under custody in connection to the failed coup allegedly sponsored by a popular Islamic cleric, Fethuller Gullen.

The embassy also denied deporting any Nigerian student at any time, noting that the four Nigerian citizens deported were not

students but persons who tried to gain entry to Turkey illegally.

The position of the embassy, which was made known in a statement from the Information office of the embassy in Abuja, added that the four Nigerian citizens who were caught on the Turkish side of the Turkish Syrian border, were taken to a court of law where the decision to deport them was taken.

The statement added that

consular access was granted to the Nigerian Charge d’ Affaires to visit them on October 3 before they were deported on October 7.

Part of the statement read, “Regarding the news in the media about the detention of Nigerian students in Turkey, the Embassy wishes to bring the following information to the attention of the esteemed Nigerian media. There are not any Nigerian students under custody in Turkey. The

Turkish police have not detained any Nigerian students. No Nigerian students were deported from Turkey”.

While stating that the news about detention of 50 Nigerian students do not reflect the real situation, the embassy said, “On 27 September, 2016 four Nigerian citizens were detained in Turkish side of the Turkish-Syrian border while they are trying to enter Turkey illegally.

Recession: Stop Blaming Past Administrations, Nwabueze, Igbo Elders Tell Buhari Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

Eminent Igbo Elder Statesmen under the aegis of Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT) led by renowned Constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly devise strategies that would address immediate causes of the present economic situation in the country and desist from blaming past administrations for driving

the nation to recession.

The group expressed dismay over the inability of the present administration to find its feet and address the challenges of governance after over one and half years in office, noting that rather than lead the nation to economic prosperity, the administration had engaged in actions that have led the nation to its worst economic situation ever.

In a four-point communique

issued by Prof. Nwabueze after the group’s meeting in Enugu earlier in the week but made available to newsmen yesterday, ILT said the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers who are avenging the injustices perpetrated against their area was a major contributory factor fuelling the recession, insisting that something urgent should be done to address the problem.

“The naira which stood at 50 kobo to $1 in the 1980s and in

recent past N179 is now about N500 to $1. A bag of rice which sold recently at N9,000 now sells at N25,000 well beyond the minimum wage of the Nigerian workers. School enrolment has dropped drastically, many industries have closed down, banks have sacked thousands of workers, contractors are not paid and so with public servants in many states. Inflation rate hovers around 20 per cent,” they noted.

Sheriff Balogun in Abeokuta

chanic junction polling unit, where the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunbi, voted, the turn-out was relatively impressive. Same scenario was observed at the AUD 1 polling unit, Ayetoro ward 3 and other senatorial zone.

The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, commended the State Independent Electoral Commission on the simultaneous accreditation and voting process adopted in the conduct of the election. The governor said this shortly after voting alongside his wife, Olufunso, at the Ajura Ward 4 Unit 3 , in Obafemi Owode Local Government.

NAHCO Chairman, Yahyah, Resigns, Denis Hasdenteufel Takes over Kunle Aderinokun

Citing urgent need to attend to his failing health, the Chairman of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company PLC (NAHCO), Malam Suleiman Yahyah has resigned from the board.

With the resignation of Yahyah, the Vice Chairman, Mr. Denis Hasdenteufel, would take over the leadership of the board in an acting capacity and will preside over all meetings of the board pending the approval of regulators and further announcements from stakeholders.

Yahyah, who was appointed a director of the company in November 2006, became the chairman in July 2012. He, had in recent months, come under mounting pressures from his family to step down to enable him receive proper medical attention.

Credited with the strategic reorganisation of the company to

its current modern status, Yahyah had been battling with an undisclosed health issue for a couple of years now.

During his tenure, NAHCO, also known as nacho aviance, witnessed unprecedented turnover, which grew from N6.92 billion, when he took over leadership of the board to N8.5 billion at year end 2015. This is in addition to increase in number of employees from about 1,100 to an all-time high of 1,980. In the review period, the asset base also grew from N9 billion to N15 billion.

The hallmark of Yahyah’s tenure at NAHCO was the modernisation of company’s equipment to align with world’s standards in modern ground handling service. He was credited with equipping NAHCO with state-of-the-art equipment that made the company the great force that it is today in ground handling service in sub-Sahara Africa.

Buhari Congratulates Lawrence at 80

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the entire media industry and journalists in congratulating veteran journalist, poet and author, Ben Lawrence,asheturns80today,October9.InastatementbyhisSpecialAdviser on Media and Publicity, the president felicitated with the family and friends of the renowned and fearless columnist, whose commitment to telling the truththroughthepen,passionforpromotingdevelopmentcommunication and upholding the standards of journalism had earned him recognition and several awards. As he turns 80, the president said he believed Lawrence’s visionofapragmatic,responsiveandagenda-settingmediaforthecountry should be upheld and pursued with vigour by all media professionals, who should always observe the irreplaceable tenets of accuracy, balance, fairnessandproperattribution.

T H I S D AY SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

SUNDAYNEWS

CELEBRATING BANIRE APC National Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN being assisted by his wife,

Oluwafunmilayo (right) and daughter, Damilola (left) to cut his birthday cake during a lecture/ dinner to mark his 50th birthday at Eko Hotels and Suits Convention Centre, Lagos...yesterday

PROMOTING IT

L-R: Managing partner, Twintech, Taye Alli; HCM Expert, SAP, Kemi Oluremi; Channel Development Manager, West Africa, SAP, Ayokanmi Ayuba; and Co- Managing Partner, Twintech, Kehinde Alli, during the Twintech/SAP success factors cloud awareness roundtable session in Lagos... recently

EGINA UFR Project: NNPC Seeks NCDMB Collaboration to Shorten Contracting Cycle Ernest ChinwoinPortHarcourt Following the huge success recorded by Saipem Contracting Nigerian Limited (SNCL) on the Egina UFR project in terms of employment generation and Nigerian content development the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has called for more support and collaboration from the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to shorten contracting cycle to six months.

Speaking at Egina UFR Load Out ceremony at Saipem yard, Rumuolumeni, Rivers State, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, said the call was necessitated by the need to reduce cost and create more opportunities for similar feats achieved by Saipem on the

Egina project.

The NNPC helmsman said, “Several initiatives have been introduced by NNPC management to reduce the tender cycle time.

However, more interventions are still required to achieve world standards. We are continually refining our systems and processes to shorten our contracting cycle to six months from prequalification to award stage, as experience has shown that long tendering process is a major cost driver in the industry”.

He commended Saipem for doing majority of the engineering and fabrication work on the Egina UFR project in Nigeria, particularly the fabrication aspect that was carried out at Saipem’s yard.

“Millions of man-hours were expended on this project, new local vendors and sub-contractors

emerged, an appreciable number of young engineers (75) have been trained, artisanal skills have been improved and new skills sets have been developed by way of the Egina UFR project”, Baru noted, stressing that the feat would be replicated on a larger scale in similar new projects expected to come on stream in the near future.

The project- Egina Umbilicals, Flowlines, Risers, Offloading Systems and Offshore Works was awarded to Saipem in 2013 and located about 20km from producing Akpo field which lies within the Oil Mining Lease OML 130.

The field is situated in water depths of up to 1,750m and was discovered in 2003 by the Egina-1 exploratory well with current estimated oil reserve of 550million barrels of light oil with expected

peak production rate of 200,000 barrels of oil per day into the Egina FPSO. The GMD NNPC said: “I am aware that the Egina UFR component involves the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning of 52 km of oil production and water injection flow lines, 12 flexible jumpers, 2km of oil export line, 20km of gas export pipelines alongside the installation and commissioning of 80km of steel tube umbilicals and mooring of the FPSO and offshore Oil Loading Terminal (OLT) buoy.

The local scope includes 6.3 million man-hours or 90 per cent of the entire package without Lost Time Injuries (LTI), 15,514 tonnes of fabrication (86 per cent of the package) and other procurement scope.”

House C’ttee Pledges Full Don’t Sell off National Support for Navy, Recommends Assets, CPJ Cautions FG Overhaul of Naval Jetties Abimbola Akosile

Chiemelie Ezeobi

The House of Representatives Committee on Navy has pledged full support for the Nigerian Navy (NN), stressing that the committee will ensure they (Navy) get the necessary adequate resources needed to optimum performance.

Chairman of the committee, Abdussamad Dasuki, representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency, Sokoto, made this disclosure yesterday during an on-the-spot assessment of the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC).

The tour began with a brief in Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Quorra auditorium, then a tour of the Falcon Eye centre, the simulation centre, computer training school before heading to the engineering CDIS. Other places visited were the Morse code training centre, the Chinese, French and Arabic classes, the voice training, and the National Open University.

According to Dasuki, the visit was for the committee to

have a better understanding of the challenges facing the navy.

He said, “NAVTRAC is the engine room of the Navy and we are pledging support for the navy to ensure they get the necessary adequate resources they need.

“The visit was important because we needed to have a buy-in of all the committee members. We have seen for ourselves what they need.

In our visit to Port Harcourt, we saw the state of the jetties.

They need a total overhaul.

With what we have seen, we will ensure its captured in the 2017 budget.”

In response, the Flag Officer Commanding, NAVTRAC, Rear Admiral Ifeola Mohammed, said the command being the engine room of training in the NN takes its duties seriously.

He said the command has 11 professional schools, with each of these schools having smaller schools under them, where personnel are trained professionally for effective service delivery.

The Catalysts for Global Peace Initiative (CPJ), a faithbased non-governmental organisation with focus on good governance, has warned the Federal Government not to sell off the nation’s assets, in the interest of development.

The organisation, in a statement issued and signed by its Executive Director, Mr. Henry Onifade, instead urged the federal government to take the more enduring steps of vigorously pursuing peace in the Niger Delta with a view to restoring productive economic activities in the oil sector, get other stakeholders to devote a chunk of the revenues from oil to infrastructure development, and restructure to make the country run on collectible taxes According to the statement, “Following the national conversation on the recession afflicting the country and suggestions on how to take Nigeria out of it, the Catalysts for Global Peace Initiative (CPJ) has followed with keen

interest the controversy generated by an open campaign from powerful Nigerians in public and private sectors to put on sale some important national assets.

Those behind the campaign believe the sale of important national assets is the quickest way to raise foreign exchange, shore up the value of the Naira, and fund the 2016 Budget with a view to getting Nigeria out of recession.

We join patriotic Nigerians in strongly opposing any move to walk this path. We state our opposition to assets sale on the following grounds: “The proposal appears to be a grand conspiracy by some connected people in the federal cabinet, the parliament and the private sector to short-change the country. It is curious that billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote first suggested the sale of Nigeria’s equities in the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited and African Finance Corporation (AFC).

Adeosun, Fayemi, Ambode to Brainstorm on the Economy at ICAN Confab UgoAliogo In its bid to proffer solutions to the current economic recession and lack of accountability in the nation’s financial system, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has assembled a team of technocrats, professionals and key government functionaries to discuss the current economic condition of Nigeria.

The platform for this discussion is the 46th Annual Accountants’ Conference of the Institute with the theme “Accountability.Now. Nigeria” which holds in Abuja from Monday, October 10 to Friday, October 14.

President Muhammadu Buhari is billed to declare the conference open while the President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), Ms Olivia Kirtley, would deliver the lead paper entitled ‘Accountability and Good Governance’.

The theme of the conference, which is the global Accountability campaign of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)

titled “Accountability.Now.” is an initiative to encourage higher standards of public sector information around the world. It challenges governments to recognise the importance of working toward financial reporting that meets international standards known as the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

ICAN noted that it sought to encourage the Nigerian government in the spirit of change, to imbibe the culture of good financial reporting in government spending and public sector financial reporting.

The Institute said it would work with the government to achieve the following initiatives of the “Accountability. Now” campaign in Nigeria: “Build a global coalition to bring together organisations that support the objective of improving transparency and accountability in the public sector; Raise awareness through reinforcing the benefits of sound financial reporting to governments on the need for change; Develop partnerships to effect change and bring together key actors in the public sector to

AMLSN: Nigeria Has over 2m Recorded Cases of Cancer Annually Wole Ayodele in Jalingo The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has revealed that over two million cases of cancer have been recorded in Nigeria.

The Association, in a communique released at the end of its 52nd annual Scientific Conference and Workshop held in Jalingo, equally disclosed that no fewer than 100,000 new cases of the deadly disease are being recorded annually in the country.

In the communique, which was signed by the President of the association, Alhaji Toyosi Raheem as well as the Secretary, Dr. Surajudeen Junaid and the Public Relations Officer, Adeyeye Adetunji Tam, the association noted that the high rate of tumour and cancer in the country is as a result of the shift from consumption of natural to artificial food and lack of regular physical exercise

by Nigerians.

The association further stated that the indiscriminate, unregulated and over use of herbicides and insecticides on the farms is contributory to the occurrence of tumours and cancer in human beings.

However, it commended the federal government for establishing the National Cancer and National Cancer Control Programme to effectively tackle the scourge that has claimed thousands of lives.

It however urged the federal government to fully equip the centre and the programme with adequate human and infrastructural resources in a bid to promote early screening, confirmation and management of tumours and cancer.

According to the communique “We call on the FG to fully equip the cancer centre and programme it has established with adequate human and infrastructural resources.

T H I S D AY SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

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OCTOBER 9, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

OPINION

Beyond Peter Obi’s Speech at Platform

I

Those who squander state resources have no moral authority to lead, writes Poju Oyemade

had not met the former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, before I invited him to speak at the 2016 edition of “Platform Nigeria”. I only met him in person for the first time two hours before his speech on October 1. But his intervention on the waste that defines governance in our country today has touched a very deep nerve with many Nigerians, including me.

Indeed, I strongly believe that the political elite will be making a big mistake if they think the landscape will remain the same after such a revealing presentation. The pertinent question here is: Why is an accusation of waste of scarce public resources so significant when it comes to governance? As a Pastor, I will say it is because there are parallels to draw even from the Bible.

In Luke chapter 16, verses 1and 2 (NIV), The Lord Jesus Christ told the parable of “a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’”

The import of that story is simple: Once it is established that a steward is a waster, he/she loses every moral authority to govern or lead. This is one of the hidden laws through which our Creator governs the affairs of men. Jesus just came to demonstrate that to us.

There is something about God in His dealings with us, particularly with the ruling class, which can be summed up as, if the people don’t cry out to Him, He doesn’t get involved. However, once a legitimate voice(s) is heard in heaven God begins to show His hand in the affairs of men; showing to us as He did with Nebuchadnezzar that He reigns in the affairs of men.

Historically, the political class in Egypt went untouched until God said He heard the groaning of the people. We can find that in Exodus chapter 6: verses 5 and 6: “And I

have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments.”

There are several other Biblical passages which reveal how and when God intervenes and the consequences for bad leaders. From Judges Chapter 2 verse 18 (…for it repented the Lord because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them”) to Job chapter 34 verses 28 to 30 (So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted. When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? Whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only: That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared).

We can go on and on in the Scriptures to show that it is only

But the cry of wastage in governance is a cry the Lord responds to and it is not about the perfection of the one who cries. It is about the perfect timing of an accurate cry

when the people cry out that God gets involved by showing His hands. Even in the story of the unforgiving servant, it took others to report to the master for him to get involved.

But the cry of wastage in governance is a cry the Lord responds to and it is not about the perfection of the one who cries. It is about the perfect timing of an accurate cry.

Therefore, it must be clear to every Nigerian at home and in the Diaspora that a sound has gone out on a serious abuse of public trust. The steward i.e. the political office holder must understand what a voice of accusation concerning wastage means when the Master of the earth in which we live in hears it.

And to go back to the Biblical account, the unfaithful servant knew in very clear terms he was going to lose his position so he started weighing other options available to him.

His response, as recorded in Luke chapter 16, verse 3: “Then the steward said within himself, what shall I do? For my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed”.

The steward was left with two options: to become a digger or a beggar. It was very clear to the steward that the choices he had made while serving, especially how he (mis) managed the resources now had consequences. The cry of those who were at the receiving end of his misrule was now going to make him lose political power.

I hope all the office holders in our country (whether in the private sector or in the public arena) can hear what the Spirit is saying: the cry of accusation in the area of wastage is an accurate voice that changes the game. It is important that Nigerians make the adjustments before the Lord shows His hand in the affairs of our country and it becomes too late to change. God bless Nigeria.

––Oyemade is the Senior Pastor of the Christian Covenant Centre that organises ‘Platform Nigeria’

Sustaining the Relevance of The Post

Simbiat O. Lawal argues the Nigerian Postal Service has to trend with the times to stay in business “The links connecting all affairs, all negotiations; by its means absent becomes present” - Voltaire

I

n line with the succinct postulation of Voltaire the great French philosopher and writer, the Post without let or hindrance has remained on top of its bridge building endeavours of both human and business relationships across the globe.

In Nigeria, as it is in other countries of the world, the Post has demonstrated a huge capacity to facilitate exchange of information and goods. It practically remains an institution with the potential for social integration and economic development.

Through distribution of information in various forms, the Post with its wide physical presence in the remotest part of the country is undoubtedly a major player in the information society. Its platform, to a great extent, provides a fundamental infrastructure for the growth and promotion of small and medium scale businesses.

Like other agencies of government, the Nigerian Postal Service [NIPOST] by the laws that established it, is saddled with specific statutory responsibilities. Of the numerous mandates that this organisation was charged with, the provision of efficient and affordable postal service to the citizenry across the nation irrespective of age, social and economic status seems most prominent.

It is therefore apparent the tenacity of successive managements in the organisation to remain focused and commit all available resources, both human and materials to delivering on this mandate.

In the post – independent era and in spite of limited technology available to it, people reposed so much confidence in the products/services rendered by the post and considered the presence of post office buildings in their domain as indices of development. The few post offices in existence were maximally utilised to render sundry payment and products’ services to the satisfaction of the patrons such that the Post and Telecommunications Department [P&T] became a household name and postal service staff were accorded a lot of respect in the different communities in which they worked and lived.

Nigerians patronised the post office as a reliable means of sending and receiving mail. People living in the cities, towns and rural areas all depended on the post for one service/product or the other which among others included private/business letter boxes, postage stamps, registered mail, parcel, postal orders, local and international money orders, air mail, international reply

coupons, post cards and even banking services, the Federal Savings Bank.

The split of the Post and Telecommunications [P&T] Department into two corporate entities which heralded the coming into existence of NIPOST in 1985 was the beginning of a new dawn in the history of postal service in Nigeria.

The post witnessed a lot of transformations and reforms. Existing infrastructure were upgraded and numerous outlets were created to bring postal services closer to the populace. In line with international standard and best practices, lots of innovations were brought to bear on products/services’ packaging and delivery. It was during this period that NIPOST courier arm, Expedited Mail Service - EMS/Speedpost was introduced.

Successive NIPOST managements continued to leverage on the solid foundation laid for excellent service delivery and several other result-oriented initiatives were implemented to aid the dispensation of value added services that also enhanced the revenue generating capacity of the agency.

Expectedly, the Posts around the world today are diversifying their products and services to better meet customers’ needs for cost effectiveness, speed and reliability. NIPOST as a member of the global community could not afford to lag behind in the scheme of happenings in the communication sector and has therefore as a matter of survival instincts, also upped its game by taking revolutionary steps to keep abreast the revolution in the postal world.

New line of products and services tailored at meeting and satisfying contemporary customers’ tastes and demands such as Special Delivery Service, Postcash, Haulage and Logistic service were introduced.

Another remarkable milestone in the efforts of NIPOST to improve service delivery was the introduction of the National Mail Route Scheme. It is a partnership between NIPOST and private transporters. The scheme launched in June 2000 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo has succeeded in addressing the major challenges of mail distribution across the country resulting in the reduction of mail transit time from two weeks to three days nationwide.

Recognising the importance of a national infrastructure that could be used to address issues such as poverty alleviation, national security, improvement of quality of life, identification of citizens, delineation of electoral constituencies, socio-economic planning and provision of essential services to the citizenry NIPOST initiated the move to have a National Addressing

System.

To a great extent, NIPOST has commenced the automation of its operations to enhance speed and efficiency. Tremendous progress has been made through partnership in the deployment of ICT infrastructure in major post offices across the nation. This move has opened windows of business opportunities for the introduction of a number of internet based services as well as track and trace for parcel, EMS items and rural banking and financial inclusion.

However the postal environment in the recent years has changed dramatically. The economic forces of deregulation and globalisation are constantly at work and are altering the postal landscape. The new technology driven society has brought a host of new ways to communicate and do business. The advent of internet, global system for mobile communication, the social media, e-commerce as well as increased competition and higher customers’ expectations have all constituted great challenges to conventional postal operations.

To maintain its relevance, the Nigerian Postal Service as a matter of urgency should enlist the support of government in putting in place requisite legal frameworks that would remove all encumbrances inhibiting its effective operations, particularly the passage of the Postal Reform Bill. It must also vigorously pursue the implementation of the National Addressing System that has remained in limbo for so long.

NIPOST would also need to adopt drastic operational improvement through new innovative technologies. It must be more efficient and improve its performance at reduced costs. The vital role of Information Technology as a dynamic platform for delivering change must be appreciated and NIPOST must look for every opportunity to leverage on it in order to enhance productivity and quality of service.

The organisation would also have to invest a great deal on the welfare of its workforce as they are invariably going to drive the change process. NIPOST would have to embark on training and re-training of its staff as well as engage them in identifying improvement opportunities, new and innovative ways of delivering better services.

Above all, NIPOST should join the vanguard of organisations that are continually learning, innovating and improving to make itself a key contributor to economic and social development of the country.

––Lawal is Senior Assistant Postmaster General, Corporate Communications

15

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

LETTERS

A

ccording to reports, senators were recently engaged in fierce debates over a bill seeking for an act to make special provision for federal grants to Lagos State in recognition of its strategic socio-economic significance and other connected purposes.

The bill, which was sponsored

by Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central), purportedly sparked huge uproars at the upper chamber that it took the frantic intervention of Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided and had to bang the gavel a number of times to still frayed nerves. Tension became particularly heightened when Senator Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central) allegedly referred to the FCT “as a rotten pampered child”. Though the senator was to later withdraw the statement, the resultant unruliness it generated did not easily vanish.

It will be recalled that this is the second time that the said bill would be experiencing stiff opposition at the upper chamber. It was earlier presented during the 7th Senate, but was turned down at the committee level on the ground that according Lagos such status should be a matter of political decision, which should be kept out of the constitution. Thus, it could be said that with the

I

LAGOS DESERVES A SPECIAL STATUS

Ambode 8th Senate, the bill made an appreciable progress. Though, in this second instance, when the bill was eventually put into voice vote, the nays obviously had the day.

Judging from the response of senators who expressed strong opposition to the bill, the following could be inferred. First, some of them, either rightly or wrongly, supposed that Lagos already had sufficient resources to take care of its needs. Second, the usual tribal interplay in our national life was quite evident in the rejection of the bill. Senators who either supported or opposed the bill largely did so in a manner

that gave a hint of tribal sentiment. Third, legal or constitutional constrain was a major issue. Fourth, political contemplation was equally a strong and decisive factor in the rejection of the bill.

It is, however, important to stress that in a multi-ethnic and evolving democracy like ours, several of the tendencies that frustrated the Lagos special status bill, as highlighted above, cannot be entirely wished away. Nevertheless, it should be emphasised that it is rather regrettable that the bill was majorly discarded because it was perceived by its protagonists as a Lagos bill.

The truth, however, is that

the need to accord a special status for Lagos is more of a national project. There is hardly any Nigerian that doesn’t have a stake in Lagos.

A special federal grant for Lagos is, therefore, a necessary blueprint for the development of the country. Being the pane through which the whole world views the country, granting a special status to Lagos remains the best possible way to drive Nigeria’s development as Lagos is the country’s most industrialised city with needs that align with national growth and development.

On the position that Lagos State already has sufficient resources to meet its needs, it is important to affirm that the population, cosmopolitan and commercial standing of the state put a huge pressure on both its resources and infrastructure. The present downturn in the national economy equally exerts further pressure on Lagos as many see the city state as a place that offers a glimpse of hope for economic survival.

Consequently, according to a recent survey, Lagos witnesses the influx of about 25, 000 people daily from all walks of life.

Lagos State Government, in the last 16 years, has invested a huge amount of money on infrastructure development, especially

WHY NJC SHOULD AUTOMATE THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM

n contemporary political philosophy, John Rawls is the last man standing on the idea of justice. He said that justice is akin to the processes involved in the distribution of the goods of life.

By ‘goods’, Rawls is generally referring to a lot of the things which you and I will reasonably desire to have: prosperity, a good life and control of the instruments in the society that promote the good life. But there can be no society wherein these goods have ever been equitably distributed. And the reason why these goods are not evenly distributed depends on ‘what principles of justice are reflected in the system of rights, laws, processes, and positions which help society function’.

Societies are not usually the same. Some are based on the utilitarian philosophy of life while others strive towards the concept of perfectionism.

In utilitarian societies, citizens get a feel that their welfare is adequately catered to. That is not the same case with perfectionist societies like Nigeria where justice or a semblance of it prevails only after the common man has been sacrificed for the benefit of the aristocracy.

I must quickly clarify this: in the four years that I worked as a paralegal, I was to discover through my interactions with some of the finest lawyers in Nigeria that

there is a lot of law without any corresponding justice.

On one of those interactions, I wanted to find out why our laws would punish a man severely for stealing N100 to eat but slap a ‘big man’ on the wrist with a paltry fine if he steals billions. I found out that most of those who are alleged to have stolen a lot of money from us know the law and know that the law backs them. So why would they want to change or amend a law which backs them? As we speak, 15 ex-governors, four ex-ministers, 12 ex-public servants, and several business people are alleged to have pilfered over N1.3trillion in less than 20 years. That amount of money will build 36-state of the art hospitals for children in the 36 states of Nigeria in less than 10 years.

But justice on its own is an abstract concept which relies on character and stellar disposition. Justice needs justices. That is why when the National Judicial Council (NJC) recently recommended the sack of three justices for offences ranging from abuse of office and acceptance of bribes to dispense justice, the world took notice. Before that incident, Nigerians had been inundated with several curious cases of conflicting judgments. Most of us with relationships with the purveyors of the law were struck numb.

We couldn’t really fathom what the heck this was all

about. Even though my good friend Chima Okereke strenuously attempted to lecture me why there were conflicting judgments in the Enugu governorship election tribunal, the whole thing still didn’t make sense. Why would a judgment dispensed by a learned judge who has not erred in law and facts not stand in another jurisdiction, if indeed the law is the law?

Therefore my struggle to make common sense of the shenanigans that were playing out in the judiciary with Enugugate brought the case of the wisest chap in the Holy Bible to fore. As king, he was judge between two women who claimed ownership of a baby. I am sure that it was how he dispensed with that case was why he earned the wisest-man-who-ever-lived sobriquet. But who today can apply that kind of wisdom and get judgment and justice?

And so, if the sack of the learned chief justices has generated the kind of interest it has, I suggest that we also need to focus on the men and women who man the systems wherein the judges, lawyers and justices work. Let me tell you a story: as paralegal, part of my job involved filing briefs.

A typical day for me involves serving the other party our brief, a ruling or judgment and filing briefs at court. In that position, I met many court clerks and bailiffs who

will refuse to serve the other party my brief unless I grease their palm, or pay them a tithe. Now, that shouldn’t be a problem but what I found out is that a lot of these clerks and bailiffs know the facts of your brief and would be asking you to pay up based on the fee which your principal is assumed to have collected from a client. A court clerk sees nothing wrong in taking money from a lawyer to sex up the process in favour of whomsoever he collects a tithe.

So I suggest that as we focus on the bar and bench with a view to sanitise the judiciary, we must also beam our searchlights on those who have helped the system go the way it is. One of the reasons why so many high-profile corruption cases are still in limbo is that there is a human and Nigerian factor in the way of these cases. Let the present administration replicate what the Abuja High Court in Maitama is trying to do - rather than rely on the clerks, it has developed an online filing of briefs wherein at the touch of a button, you are able to know the facts of a case – the Judge, the prosecuting and defence counsels, and all other extenuating circumstances surrounding the case.

––Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku, communications manager, ANEEJ

construction of drainages, durable roads, beautification and restoration of parks to forestall the negative impact of flooding, erosion and other environmental hazards.

However, these efforts are not enough for obvious reasons.

Today, Lagos does about 9,000 metric tonnes of refuse daily, more than what the whole of Ghana is generating. The branch networks that some banks have in Lagos outstrip what they have in the whole country. The number of heavy duty trucks and other vehicles that ply Lagos roads on a daily basis is quite alarming. Same goes for the number of pupils in its public schools as well as those that daily visit its public hospitals.

Consequently, the State spends more on infrastructure upgrade and provision of other basic life necessities than any state in the country.

Aside the pressure on its infrastructure, there is a crucial moral angle to the quest to accord Lagos a special status. When the FCT was moved from Lagos to Abuja, there was a subsisting agreement that the city would not be abandoned. Indeed, the late General Murtala Mohammed acknowledged the onerous nature of the responsibility of leaving Lagos alone to deal with the burden of infrastructure the FG were leaving behind then, bearing in mind that if Lagos hadn’t been the federal capital, it probably would not have been having these

problems. In fact, five cities: Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kaduna and Lagos were later designated as ‘Centres of Excellence’ by the Murtala administration as part of a plan to make them cities of pride by the federal government. However, successive federal governments have refused to take a cue from countries such as Germany, Brazil, Malaysia, Australia and Tanzania, which, after relocating their capitals, did not hold back developmental programmes in the former capitals.

No nation grows by treating the needs of its golden geese with discomfiture since the future growth of the country’s economy is tied to the development of Lagos which generates the bulk of the VAT accruable to the country, hosts over 85 per cent of Nigeria’s industrial hub, over 65 per cent of its financial nucleus and over 75 per cent of its active workforce. With each day, the population and needs of Lagos continue to increase to reflect this important role.

As the economic hub and former capital of Nigeria, Lagos remains the first port of call for eager millions of youths from all parts of the country who long for means of survival from the uncertainties of a struggling economy like ours.

––Tayo Ogunbiyi, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos.

ENGAGING CHILDREN DURING HOLIDAYS

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olidaying means different things to different people. To some, it is a time to relax, recuperate and refresh to face future challenges, while to others, it is time to work harder, explore and break new grounds.

For children in particular, especially long vacation is a period they usually look up to as it provides them the opportunity to mingle around and have fun with friends outside the buzzing academic environment.

To parents and guardians, holiday period is a blessing of sorts, as it accord them the opportunity to have more hands in their businesses, sending children to hawk, do menial jobs and babysit while a good number of them are sent to learn one trade or the other. Parents with some degree of means do the opposite; as they send their children abroad or engage them in other forms of luxuries to enjoy the best life can offer. Different strokes for different folks, one would say!

More disturbing however is this negative trend, where some children and youth see the holiday period as an opportunity to break from academic activity to involve in social vices like gangsterism, theft, touting, gambling, fighting, etc. This is as a result of a lack of positive engagement which in turn leaves room for these youngsters to becoming a menace to the society at large.

Gainfully, engaging children

and youth during holiday is a task most parents do not know how to go about. Apart from keeping them safe from the kidnappers den, ritualists and sexually perverts, parents generally have a hard time keeping their kids out of trouble.

As a way of ensuring that kids take advantage of their leisure, social clubs, religious leaders, corporate bodies, non-governmental organisations and even individuals over the years set aside time during long break to organise one form of holiday camp or retreat where children and youths are exposed to the positive life issues devoid of social vices.

In advanced countries where issues relating to children and youth are taken seriously, holiday period is often utilised to the benefit of both parents and their kids through summer camp. In these climes, even schools and communities are involved in this robust camping youth for their positive gains.

Taking a cue from this, Ogun State Government realising the place of youth as the future of any nation, that must be equipped to face the reality challenges of the future, came up with the idea of a camp where children from all parts of the state and neighbouring states, irrespective of their social, economic, political and religious background, would gather together to have fun, acquire knowledge and life skills.

––Elijah Udofia, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta

16

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER • OCTOBER 9, 2016

INTERNATIONAL

EU’s Weakening Supranational Authority: From Brexit to Hungary’s Rejection of Migration Quota

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upranational authority in international relations is about the power ceded by member states of an organisation to the organisation. It also refers to the organisation itself. The word supranational is a coinage from supra and nation. Supra simply means above. Consequently, supranational, as an adjective, means above the nation. In this article, we use supranational to refer to both meanings: the extent of power or sovereignty transferred by a member or group of members of an organisation and the organisation to which they belong.

Supranational authority raises many questions about the relationship between the extent to which a state still remains the basic unit of analysis in international relations, on the one hand, and the cooperation organisations to which nation-states have ceded part of their sovereignty, on the other. One major reason for the establishment of an organisation is to seek cooperation for purposes of protection and advancement of mutual interest. An organisation necessarily becomes supranational when its original members either endorse the agreement establishing the organisation by initialling, signing and ratifying, or when other countries accept to accede to the agreement when it is open to general signature.

In this regard, the European Union (EU) is a good case of a supranational authority, the genesis of which is traceable to the 1951 economic cooperation programmes and especially to the March 25 Rome Treaty which established the European Economic Community (EE) of six countries. The membership of the EEC increased gradually from 6 (Belgium, France, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands and West Germany) on January 1, 1958; to 9 (with the addition of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom) on January 1, 1973; then to 10 with the admission of Greece on January 1, 1981; then to 12 with the accession of Portugal and Spain on January 1, 1986; to 15 with Austria, Finland and Sweden also joining on January 1, 1995; to 25 with the general accession on May 1, 2004 of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia; to 27 with the admission of Bulgaria and Romania on January 1, 2007, and finally to 28 with the admission of Croatia on January 1, 2013. On June 23, 2016 the British voted in favour of withdrawing their membership of the EU. The process of the withdrawal is referred to as Brexit, that is, Britain’s exit and this new coinage has been admitted into the political lexicon of EU-Britain relations.

What is particularly important to note about the EU as at today is that the Brexit appears to serve as the beginning of EU’s membership dilemma. The EU faces the challenge of a weakening membership, and especially the erosion of its supranational authority. Two main reasons explain this observation: there is no reason to suggest that Britain will suffer any major development setbacks following Brexit and secondly, hostility vis-a-vis continued membership of the EU is on the increase in terms of rejection of EU directives. Post-Brexit developments and the Hungarian referendum on the rejection of the EU imposed migrant quota will serve as case study here.

Post-Brexit developments

Britain has been waxing stronger shortly before and after the Brexit. Many were the forecasts that Britain would be in a serious dilemma should the British vote for withdrawal from the EU. It was argued that the intention to vote could not but be a major source of fear. But untrue, the predictions were far from the reality.

For instance, the BBC reports have it that ‘the UK services sector grew 0.4% in July, much more strongly than expected in the wake of June’s vote to leave the EU, showing that consumers carried on spending as normal after the Brexit vote.’ Additionally, ‘the GDP grew by 0.7% in the three months to the end of June, up from the 0.6% first estimated.

In fact, even though many businesses, including two major Wall Street companies, have warned of possible damage to the UK financial services industry and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has shown pessimism in terms of impact of the Brexit, the BBC report has it further that ‘the OECD has gone back on its warning that the UK would suffer immediately from a Brexit vote and has revised its 2016 GDP growth forecasts for the UK slightly upwards from 1.7% to 1.8%.’ As at end of September 2016, ‘consumer confidence index is ac to its pre-Brexit vote levels in September, jumping six points inn its biggest monthly rise since June 2015.’

More interestingly, the post-Brexit environment has witnessed Prime Minister Theresa May’s government reducing interest

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Donald Tusk, President of the European Council

rates from 0.5% to 0.25% in August, which was the lowest interest rate since 2009; the pound sterling significantly dropped on June 24 to a three-year low of $1.2869 in August but bounced back in September 2016. Again, even though Prime Minister May has said that she does not have the intention before 2017 to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty which is required before final negotiations can begin, 57% spike in hate crime was recorded within the first four days after Brexit; the numbers of migrants coming to the UK from Poland and seven other European countries have been on the decline while those from Bulgaria and Romania are on the increase, hitting a record level of 60,000 people. Britain’s trade deficit which was about £5.1 billion in June 2016 is also declining.

With much confidence, on September 21, 2016 Prime Minister May told the UN General Assembly that ‘the UK has always been an outward-facing, global partner at the heart of international efforts to secure peace and prosperity for all our people. And that is how we will remain. for when the British people voted to leave the EU, they did not vote to turn inwards,’ and therefore that the UK would be very ‘confident, strong and dependable in preparation for the negotiations with the EU. The implications of the foregoing cannot be far-fetched: withdrawal of membership appears to be a source of new strength for the withdrawing state while the organisation from which the membership is withdrawn is necessarily weakened. In an attempt to mitigate some of the effects, EU policy response is to make withdrawal negotiations very difficult for the UK, President François Hollande of France has requested that the UK should be made to pay heavily for leaving the EU. As he put it, ‘we need to remain strong. If not, we will threaten the very principles of the European Union. That could lead to other countries or regions wanting to leave the EU to gain so-called benefits but without any inconvenience or rules.’ More interestingly, President Hollande said ‘there must be a threat, there must be a risk, there be a price.

Otherwise we will be in a negotiation that cannot end well.’

This position of the French president should be understood against the background of Britain’s interest in remaining a member of the EU’s single market but not part of the free movement of people and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

German Chancellor, Mrs. Merkel holds this same position of President Hollande. In essence, President Hollande has argued: ‘Margaret Thatcher wanted to stay in Europe, but she wanted a cheque in return... Now the UK wants to leave and pay nothing.

It’s not possible.’

The tough or ‘hard Brexit’ negotiation which the Franco-German

A second lesson is to seek a better understanding of the harsh attitude of Germany and France on Brexit. One non-deniable fact is that both countries are the architects of the current EU. It was in an attempt to prevent unnecessary future war between them Robert Schumann of Germany and Jean Monnet of France, both Foreign Ministers, took strenuous efforts to rebuild Europe as from 1951. In fact, in 1963, both countries instituted a quarterly summit of their Heads of State with the ultimate objective of strengthening cooperation as a preventive mechanism for containing irritants in their bilateral ties.

Consequently, both countries carry more of the EU burden than all others

leaders are asking for is less of a dilemma than the impending court litigation against the Brexit for Theresa May. In other words, the British Prime Minister is preparing to invoke article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to start the negotiations for withdrawal but without consultation with the Parliament. Siobha Fenton of the Independent newspaper (London) reported on last Thursday, October 6, 2016 that case would be heard next week, on October 13. The main objective will be to compel the Prime Minister to consult with the Parliament before invoking article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. Besides, the Economist (London) also has it that, with Brexit, Britain wants maximum access to Europe’s single market, as well as negotiate low or no tariffs on its trade with the EU. In other words, she wants ‘to carve out a special deal with the EU, in which Britain limits immigration and determines product standards, on say- foodlabelling - while still operating fully in the single market.’

Many important points are noteworthy at this juncture. First is the rivalry between national and supranational authority, between the UK and the EU. International relations in the foreseeable future is likely to witness more of this rivalry as it is the case at the level of the EU and Hungary on the matter of migration quota (vide below).

The second point is the likely rivalry between the authority of the Parliament and the authority emanating from the Brexit referendum. 52% people of the United Kingdom have voted for Brexit. The so-called ‘remainers’, mainly the 56% of the people of Northern Ireland, have gone to court to demand a parliamentary vote on Britain leaving the EU. In this regard, which is superior: the authority resulting from a referendum or the authority of the Parliament, where it is currently expected that there are more antiBrexit sympathisers? Whatever is the answer, the proponents of Brexit have rightly posited that when the UK was to accede to the EU treaty, decision was made by the executive arm of government.

The Parliament was not consulted or involved. In implementing Brexit referendum outcome, legal obstacles being put to compel consultation with the Parliament may after all not be a big deal.

Hungary and EU Migration Quota

The EU adopted a ‘refugee quota plan’ in May 2016 (Juncker Commission), a policy which not only sought to relocate 120,000 refugees from Italy and Greece but also got a majority endorsement on September 22, 2016. Hungary, and many other Eastern European members (Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, etc) disagree with it. Opponents of the new ‘refugee quota plan’ appear to still prefer the current policy from the EU Dublin system which considers the first country of entry as the responsible authority for assessing the applications by asylum-seekers as distinct from the new distribution criteria of the new relocation model: population, GDP, average number of past asylum applications, unemployment rates, of the destination state, etc.

The disagreement over which prompted the Hungarian Prime Minister, Mr. Viktor Orbán, to consult the people on what to do.

Mr. Orbán is complaining that ‘in Brussels, they have decided that migrants who illegally entered the EU would be compulsorily distributed amongst the Member States, and on top of this, it would take place without limits.’

Hungarians were asked last Sunday, 2nd October, 2016 to respond to the question: ‘do you want to allow the EU to mandate the resettlement of non-Hungarian citizens to Hungary, without the approval of the National Assembly?’ 3.3 million voters responded ‘No’. In other words, Hungarians have directly challenged the supranational authority of the EU. In his address to the plenary session of the Parliament, Prime Minister Orbán said ‘the referendum clarified that Hungarians want to decide who Hungary would take in... There was only one honest solution.

Let Hungarians decide what they want.’ More important, he said 3,282,928 people, representing ‘98% of the votes cast, and ‘if considering those who voted invalid, 92%, expressed the opinion that the decision belongs to Budapest (and not to Brussels) and this right should be fought for.’

Henceforth, the Prime Minister noted, ‘not the opinion of the government and not even the will of the representatives of the Parliament, but 3.3 million people’s will is represented in Brussels,’ especially that the number of voters in the April 12, 2003 referendum favouring membership of Hungary’s membership of the EU was only 3,056,027 which was less than the number of voters in the October 2 referendum. Turnout was 45.6%. More significantly, Mr. Orbán said no single party or party alliance ‘has received a mandate like that which Fidesz-KDNP (Governing Alliance) received yesterday (Oct 2), and that is binding.’ He said the Governing Allinace got 2.14 million votes in the parliamentary elections of 2014, thus representing 43.55% of the vote.

Lessons for Nigeria

The first lesson to insist on is that whenever there is a serious national question in the more advanced countries, there is hardly any recourse to the use of manu militari approach, especially in a democratic setting and even when national security is threatened.

Plebiscites have always been organised to determine the choice and direction wanted by majority of the people. Rather than the Government making pronouncements that divide or fortifying borders that divide the people, what is required is the construction of frontiers that unite, to borrow from Professor A.I. Asiwaju’ ideas by consulting the people.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

BUSINESS QUICK TAKES IMF Loans

The International Monetary Fund is prepared to lend money to Nigeria and other countries facing economic crisis at zero interest rate in order to stimulate their recovery.

The Managing Director, IMF, Christine Largade, said this in Washington DC, United States, at the on-going annual meetings of the World Bank/IMF. “If we want to improve the inequality issue, we must have a strong international safety net. In this context, I am pleased to reveal that our board recently approved the extension of the zero interest rate on all concessional facilities from 2016 to 2018, and thereafter, if there is a need for an extension,” she said.

An IMF official said, “The IMF people have been talking to us for some time, asking us to come and take loans, but their facilities come with too many unfavourable conditions.

“For instance, they told us to remove fuel subsidy and devalue the naira, which we did. If we take their fresh offer, they may ask us to raise the price of fuel and further devalue the currency, but these will create unrest in the country because the people are already suffering and we are aware of this.

MSMEs

A view of Marina, Lagos

Photo: Getty Images

Banks’ NPLs May Worsen with Economic Recession, Say Analysts Kunle Aderinokun

The revelation by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that the banking industry is threatened by a whopping N1.679 trillion non-performing loans (NPLs) has generated reactions from market watchers and economic analysts, who feared the situation may worsen with economic recession. The NPLs grew by 158 per cent from N649.63 billion as at December 31, 2015 to the reported level at the end of June 2016.

The experts, who expressed no surprise at the development, blamed the worsening credit risk on the prevailing economic situation in the country, particularly as it relates to the forex challenges and the attendant pressure on the naira. While advocating the need for banks to adjust their business models, they advised the financial institutions to be more cautious about exposure to foreign currency.

According to the CBN in its Financial Stability Report as at June 2016, “Non-performing loans in the period under review grew by 158 per cent from N649.63 billion at end-December 2015, to N1,678.59 billion at end-June 2016. The industry wide NPL ratio rose to 11.7 per cent from 5.3 per cent, thus exceeding the prudential limit of 5.0 per cent.

Specifically, the report disclosed that, “At end-June 2016, loans to the oil and gas sector constituted 28.77 per cent of the gross loan portfolio of the banking system as credit to that sector grew to N4,511.34 billion, compared with N3,307.87 billion at end-December 2015.

Loans to State Governments rose to N1,386.61 billion from N1,053.97 billion at end-December 2015, as declining

MONEY revenues continued to constrain payment of salary by some states, funding of key services and execution of developmental projects.”

This, according to the report, was “despite CBN’s N338 billion special intervention scheme designed to refinance states’ debts, as well as a debt restructuring programme introduced by the Debt Management Office (DMO), which enabled states restructure their commercial loans in the preceding period. However, to prevent further financial crisis, a fresh facility of N90 billion with a 9 per cent interest rate was made available to the states.”

In fact, the CBN Financial Stability report, said, “The total exposure to the top 50 obligors stood at N5.23 trillion (33.4 per cent) of total industry credit exposure of N15.68 trillion,” and put, “Credit exposure to the dominant sectors as follows: 28.77 per cent to oil and gas sector; 12.95 per cent to manufacturing; 8.84 per cent to governments; and 8.69 per cent to general commerce.”

Going forward, the report forecast that, “Credit risk is expected to trend higher into the second half of 2016 owing to increased loan impairments resulting from the depreciation of the Naira, inability of obligors to service foreign currency-denominated loans, as well as bank exposures to the oil and gas sector.”

In his analysis, Executive Director, Corporate Finance Department of BGL Capital Ltd, Femi Ademola, noted that it was not unexpected that the banks were suffering from a huge amount of non-performing loans. According to

him, “With the economic situation which has limited the capacity of borrowers to repay and the exchange rate depreciation, we have increased the size of foreign currency liabilities for both the banks and their obligors, the findings of the CBN are apt. What might have tempered the effects for the big banks may be their holding of assets in foreign currencies which might have also benefited from the Naira depreciation.”

He pointed out that, “Some of the banks also escaped the scathing effects of the exchange rate volatilities through Credit risk is expected to trend higher into the second half of 2016 owing to increased loan impairments resulting from the depreciation of the Naira, inability of obligors to service foreign currencydenominated loans, as well as bank exposures to the oil and gas sector

ingenious risk management practices which include the denominating of risk assets in Naira to customers with Naira earnings and the advance settlement of foreign liabilities before the introduction of the flexible exchange rate.

“By granting Naira loans to Naira earning customers, the banks would have effectively avoided exchange rate risk while the settlement of foreign obligations earlier prevented the increase in the value of the liabilities in Naira terms after the devaluation of the Naira.”

Ademola feared that “The combined fact that the Naira is still under pressure and that the country is in recession means that a further weakening of banks’ loans is plausible.” “They therefore need to introduce more effective risk management

system and also introduce creative and proactive methods of preempting the CBN and acting to protect their balance sheet,” he advised.

Likewise, the Chief Executive Officer, Global Analytics Consulting, Tope Fasua, believed “the banks’ books are under immense pressure from the depreciation in Naira value, and their exposures to the oil and gas sector.”

Overall, he advised, “there is a need for most banks in Nigeria to tweak their business models and strategies given that they have this ‘herd mentality’ that sends them in single directions and leads to systemic risks.”

“When a bank hears that another is making a ‘kill’ in a sector, it rushes there as well. Our banks are actually commercial banks, but are competing for profitability with investment banks abroad. Since nothing bars them from doing investment banking business, they should know that they have to choose the middle of the road else we would all be in trouble.”

Fasua, who also believed the CBN interim report would serve as a wake-up call, challenged the apex bank to be bold enough to do the needful.

“We are talking of big, systemicallyimportant banks here and nothing must happen to them. Again, our banks should be careful with foreign currency exposures - whether contracted by themselves or on behalf of their clients. In general they need to learn from recent regulatory innovations especially macro prudential frameworks that banks in developed countries have been forced to put in place. We have to get out of this boom and bust cycles, or at least ensure that they are not too extreme,” he posited.

Out of a total of 37 million Micro Small and Medium Enterprises in the country, about five million, representing 13.51 per cent, are registered, the Corporate Affairs Commission has said. This indicates that 86.49 per cent of the MSMEs currently in operation are not registered with the CAC. The Registrar-General/Chief Executive Officer, CAC, Mr. Bello Mamud, has disclosed . He spoke on the side lines of the Fate Foundation policy dialogue series in Lagos.

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, in a survey it carried out in 2013, had put the number of the MSMEs in the countrythenat37,067,416,comprising 36,994,578 micro enterprises; 68,168 small businesses; and 4,670 medium-sized businesses.

Mamud said, “SMEDAN said it had about37millionMSMEsonitsregister and I say that out of all the MSMEs, we have less than five million registered with the commission. Where are the rest? It means that the rest are unregistered.” To ensure that the small businesses were formalised, he said that filling fees at the commission had been reduced by 50 per cent for those between N1m and N5m; while those above N5m were reduced by 25 per cent.

Sugar

The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has disclosed that Nigeria is set to meet 1.79 metric tonnes of sugar, 161.2m litres of ethanol by 2023. NSDC also hinted that it is planning to generate about 411MWofelectricityandcreateabout 117,000 jobs after the end of its 10year plan the Nigerian Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) by 2023. The acting Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr. Samuel Ali Kwabe disclosed in Abeokuta at the Sugar Sensitisation workshop with the theme: ‘Sustaining the gains of NSMP for National SelfSufficiency in LocalSugar Production.’

He noted that the master plan had also been adopted by the federal government “as a Road Map” to national self-sufficiency in sugar. According to him, the road map was meant to providetheenablingenvironmentand support to investment initiatives in both sugar cane cultivation and sugar factory processing operations.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Examining EU’s Call for Naira Devaluation

Against the backdrop of call by a top official of the European Union to devalue the naira, opinions favour increased productivity, not devaluation as the route out of the current recession, report Kunle Aderinokun and Olaseni Durojaiye

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rguably, owing to the size of the nation’s economy which was adjudged the largest on the continent before it slipped into the current recession, it will continue to attract interest from both within the country and beyond. It is therefore not surprising that different shades of solutions bordering on how to get the economy back to buoyancy are being bandied by different economy experts and analysts alike.

It is against the backdrop that the European Union (EU) advised that Nigeria to further devalue its currency. Even though the call was premised on the need to get the economy out of recession and back on its feet, the call, expectedly generated discourse among stakeholders.

On the one hand, some analysts see the call as ill-timed, more so coming months after the monetary authorities yielded to pressure and adopted a market determined exchange as against the previous regime of regulated foreign exchange market. Besides, many do not see the devaluation as capable of triggering inflow of FX into the economy in isolation of other hindrances to doing business including ability to repatriate investors’ profit.

These and, other factors make the call unwelcome among some analysts, who contended that currency devaluation is not the solution to the economic challenges facing the country.

Devaluation The call to further devalue the Naira was coming just after the World Bank called for more reforms from the country before it could access further loans from the body.

However, the call by the EU was made by one of its officials, Phillip Amato. According to him, recession could not be addressed with traditional development tools adding that the country should improve on security in the North-east and the country’s oil rich Niger Delta.

Amato stated that,“To come out of recession, the country has to take brave decisions, regardless of how unpopular they may be such as fully and effectively devaluing the Naira.

“Devaluing the Naira is a measure, which will finally reassure investors and attract new capitals to the country. At the same time, it will further reduce imports, thereby removing artificial Donald Tusk, European Council President forex restrictions, and removing any potential waste of scarce resources such as the fuel subsidy.

“Improving security (in the North-east and Niger Delta) “In addition, it is crucial to reduce expenditures especially the and ease of doing business are also key factors on which the cost of governance. These measures would minimize the effects government must urgently work to re-launch the economy,’’ of a recessionary economy,” he added. he said.

Similarly, Managing Director and Chief Economist, Africa Global Amato, who is in the country as part of the EU delegation Research, Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, contended that on aid for trade particularly how to improve the quality of the issue with the Naira was “no longer one of devaluation as Nigerian products to comply with international standards and the currency has already weakened a great deal. “ be more competitive in the global market added that,“Nigeria “A great number of market participants – Nigerian as well also needed to take advantage of the devaluation of its currency as foreign – are calling instead for the currency regime to be by diversifying its sources of foreign exchange revenue and this properly liberalised, as was promised in May/ June 2016.” mainly through boosting its non-oil exports.

Khan , nevertheless, lamented the prevailing flexible forex regime, saying “While encouraging tentative steps were put in Experts React place, the process did not go far enough.” According to her, But Amato’s call does not appear to sit well with some analysts, “At the moment it looks as though the interbank rate is being who spoke to THISDAY. Besides, the call was coming on the managed to prevent a market-determined FX rate from emerging. heels of optimism that the country may have begun to crawl This means that the shortage of FX is back, and with it all the out of the recession given the statement credited to the minister negative implications for the Nigerian economy, which now of Finance in which she stated that both monetary and fiscal risks an outright contraction in 2016.” policies that were initiated have begun to yield result.

All of this, she expressed optimism, could be avoided with a Director-General, West African Institute for Financial and properly functioning FX rate.

Economic Management (WAIFEM), Prof. Akpan Ekpo, said he So, the renowned economist stressed that, “It is wrong to was not in support of the EU’s advice that the Naira be devalued. speak of calls for devaluation.” “No one is calling for naira According to him, “the adverse impact of the depreciation of devaluation. There are however significant calls for a more freely the Naira will not be different with devaluation.” determined currency, as Nigeria does not have the reserves to Ekpo explained that, “Nigeria’s major export is crude petroleum sustain a fixed FX rate regime without doing great damage to whose price and output she has no control. Structural reforms the underlying economy, by squeezing demand,” she added. are needed for the Nigerian economy to be productive and earn Aligning with the Ekpo and Khan, a research Analyst with a foreign exchange from other sources than crude oil success.” foremost economy advocacy firm based in Lagos, Rotimi Oyelere, Pointing out that, “The EU wants the current exchange rate believed devaluing the naira would not work. He recalled that to be aligned with the Parallel rate,” he argued that, “This will the country devalued its currency when it adopted Structural further worsen the present economic recession.”

Adjustment Programme (SAP) and the country was no better He wondered why EU would “recommend devaluation in a even after. recession with rising unemployment.” “Inflation would become It is instructive that Nigeria has never been in short suggestions run-away. There is high demand for forex. The problem is that on how to get the economy back on track. A popular opinion of supply. If depreciation/devaluation continues unabated, the on how to get quick-wins and get the economy out of recession value of the local currency would be totally useless and Nigeria as quick as possible include suggestions that government must may become Zimbabwe,” he pointed out. do the needful by addressing critical and fundamental issues Ekpo therefore urged “the government to ignore the advice including ease of doing business. Some analysts, including Oyelere of the EU, borrow externally and domestically (avoid Euro opined that the economy plunged into recession because the bonds) to spend on capital projects as well as assist states to government failed to articulate its economy policies early enough pay back-log of salaries.” to garner investor confidence that was guaranteed under the

previous administration.

“It was lack of confidence, opaque policy directions and misalignment between the fiscal and monetary agents that led us here,” Oyelere argued.

According to him, “I definitely disagree with the EU on this.

Western institutions will always demand for conditions that will primarily serve their interest or that of their firms. This is based on their capitalist approach to economic issues which has further developed the underdevelopment of developing nations.

“If we look at the Washington consensus that resulted in Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), nothing has really changed. The question we should ask ourselves is why has development eluded us almost 30 years after the implementation of SAP? “Nigeria and Nigerians have nothing to gain at least for now by further devaluing the currency. From my observation, increase in general price level (inflation) is highly driven by exchange rate because of the high importation of our consumption commodities and even import content of industrial products we do here.

When naira falls, you see instantaneous increase in prices of commodities, but will never see corresponding proportional fall in prices when naira appreciate. This is because price is sticky downward, that is what must be understood.”

Oyelere further noted: “Any economy that depends solely on import, especially consumption goods, has nothing to benefit by devaluing its currency. We have devalued and nothing has really changed and nothing will change except we address the structural factors. Others may want to argue that depreciation will facilitate consumption switch from imported items to home-grown commodities but we must note that our current production level cannot meet the demand even of most agricultural produce like rice, sugar, wheat, fish, even tomato, etc. So we must fill the gaps by importing. Hence, redirecting our path, government should communicate confidence and security of investment. The media team of the president, CBN and finance ministry should speak with one voice on the economy and economic matters.”

Another analyst and Director of Centre for Enterprise Development at the Pan African University, Mr. Peter Bankole, noted that devaluation of the naira is not the solution to the nation’s economic woes.

“What is very important is the productivity of Nigeria as a country” he stated, explaining that, “if we’re not productive as a nation even when we devalue the naira we continue to depend on external factors.”

“So the real route out is a combination of so many things and in some cases devaluation could be part of it but if you take devaluation in isolation then that is a challenge because we’re not attacking the fundamental issue that should be structured,” he noted.

Continuing, he stated:“One, we need to improve our productive capacity; we’re not producing enough. We’re not even producing what we consume. Take rice for example, if we’re able to produce the amount of rice that we eat we’re going to save a lot of money from import.

Two, if we’re able to produce the petroleum products that we consume we will save a lot of money. Those two items alone will reduce bills significantly and so it is not a question of devaluation; that becomes secondary. Let us address the productive sector first and devaluation can be another issue.”

However, and Executive Director, Corporate Finance, BGL Capital Ltd, Femi Ademola, said the possibility of a future devaluation was high since the spread between the interbank market and parallel market rates had continued to increase.

“In the case of Nigeria, it is arguable that the CBN has taken steps to combat the recession especially with the introduction of the flexible exchange rate.

However, the mode of its implementation especially with the visible hands of intervention by the CBN left the impact of the policy lower than expected. This has led to the increasing spread between the parallel market and interbank market. This also makes the possibility of a future devaluation of the currency to be high,” Ademola explained According to him,“The significant spread between the markets is a serious concern to investors and would reduce the attractiveness of the country to them. It would be necessary for the CBN to allow the interbank market to accommodate all operators in the foreign exchange market and allow all importers to access the market.”

“Since it would increase the demand for foreign exchange, it may also lead to the decline in the value of the Naira against the US Dollar; effectively devaluing the currency.”

The EU may already be seeing this end result; hence the advice, he pointed out.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

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BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Assessing AfDB’s Buffer for Nigerian Economy

James Emejo evaluates the possible impact of the recent loan advance by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to Nigeria to support its budget deficit and finance critical infrastructure

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fter an array of troubling economic data, worsened by a slide into recession, the $1 billion loan advancement to the Federal Government by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to help the country shore up its 2016 budget shortfalls should ordinarily be a great lifeline for government and the economy in particular.

There’s no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria’s economic woes had been compounded by the drastic and dramatic fall in the price of crude oil, debilitating effect of militancy in the oil-rich Niger Delta region and the resultant contraction of revenues to government, which translated to negative GDP growth rate, high unemployment rate, among others.

Worse still, the tight monetary policy regime which has kept lending rates by commercial banks much higher and the current foreign exchange crisis amid rising national debt portfolio, AfDB’s loan at a concessionary interest rate of 1.2 per cent for Nigeria to address the 2016 budget deficit and aid her economic recovery couldn’t have come at a better time.

The AfDB President, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, had after a meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, where modalities for the loans were discussed explained that the financial package included; $1 billion budget support, $300 million to help government initiate projects that would boost job creation for 185,000 youths.

Others are $250 million towards infrastructure development in the North-East, $1 million grant to deal with challenges of Internally Displaced Persons, $300 million for infrastructure development around Abuja, and $200 million for the Transmission Company of Nigeria to improve its facilities, among others.

Altogether the AfDB is expected to provide $4.1 billion in loan credit facilities to the country by 2017 and increase the lending to $10 billion by 2019, according to Adesina.

Acknowledging the dire situation the country has found itself, the AfDB boss said: “I think the times are difficult but I want to commend the government for being bold in taking the right decisions. I think that the fact that the price of crude oil has gone down is a big challenge, because you have 98 per cent external forex revenue coming from the sector.

“So, it has created calibrations; I’m not going to go into the details of all the problems, but what is important is what we are going to do about it.

“I’m not here to lecture the Nigerian government. I’m here to support very strongly. We have said that we are going to support the Nigerian government with the budget support to be able to deal with some of the fiscal imbalances that they have. We are looking to consider for an award of $1billion to help to deal with that particular deficit.”

Adesina further buttressed the importance of financing the power sector at this critical time.

According to him, “We also recognise that power is perhaps the most important challenge that is driving inflation in the country. So, we expect in our portfolio this year to invest in a total of 1,400 megawatts of power to focus on the energy sector; and by 2017, we plan to add 1,387 megawatts to the sector.”

Meanwhile, experts, who spoke with THISDAY welcomed the AfDB intervention at concessionary rate in view of the country’s weak balance sheet.

They argued that it would have been worrisome if the loan had come from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the World Bank because it would have required certain tough conditions.

Nevertheless, they believed getting the money is one thing while utilising it for capital projects

Osinbajo

alone without any form of diversion is another thing, given government’s attitude to previous borrowings.

In the past, governments have used borrowed funds meant for development projects to fund elections and embezzled them outrightly.

Economist and former acting Unity Bank Managing Director, Mr. Muhammed Rislanudenn, said, “there’s no alternative to borrowing and spending ourselves out of this recession provided we are careful in optimal utilisation of the resources for investment only and not consumption. More so, it is a more plausible option than asset sale.”

According to him, “It’s a double-edged sword.

AfDB’s intervention is highly commendable because given our weak balance sheet, any loan from IMF or world Bank today will come with stringent conditionalities. Recall that N1.8 trillion out of N6.06 trillion 2016 fiscal budget was expected to be spent on capital expenditure projects specifically geared towards pushing the economy away from stagflation and potential recession at that time.

“Indeed N2.2 trillion of the said budget was to be deficit financed. It is now history. Lack of funding for the budget has in part, led the economy to further contract for two consecutive quarters of 2016, leading to full recession.

Meanwhile, our GDP in dollar terms has shrunk by almost 50 per cent. With income erosion from oil, non-resolution of sabotage activities in Niger Delta, there is no alternative to borrowing and spending ourselves out of this recession provided we are careful in optimal utilisation of the resources for investment only and not consumption. More so, it is a more plausible option than asset sale.

“Debt management office should also carefully manage the purpose as well as threshold for borrowing, not to exceed maximum 15 per cent Debt to GDP ratio and ensure we don’t end up overburdening future generations with unsustainable debts. However, spending alone will only support sustainable growth if properly complemented with synchronised monetary and

Adesina

trade policies that seek to complement rather than contradict each other.”

Also, Associate Professor of Finance and Head, Banking & Finance, Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Dr. Uche Uwaleke said, “It is indeed some good news for Nigeria and a welcome development for a country like Nigeria

Lack of funding for the budget has in part, led the economy to further contract for two consecutive quarters of 2016, leading to full recession. Meanwhile, our GDP in dollar terms has shrunk by almost 50 per cent. With income erosion from oil, non-resolution of sabotage activities in Niger Delta, there is no alternative to borrowing and spending ourselves out of this recession provided we are careful in optimal utilisation of the resources for investment only and not consumption

that is in dire need of avenues to augment the major revenue stream, which comes from oil.

The AfDB is a multilateral organisation and as such its credit facilities are concessional in nature.

I would have had cause to worry if it were an IMF facility or one coming from the Paris or London club reputed for imposing very strict conditionalities on beneficiaries.”

According to him, “It is a fact that concessional loans from multilateral institutions like the World Bank and AfDB do not represent sources of vulnerabilities to a country such as Nigeria where less than 20 per cent of total debt stock is foreign loans. The present challenge with the country’s debt profile of about N16 trillion (or roughly USD 61 billion) as at June 2016 is that it is composed mainly of domestic debts (as a matter of fact over 80 per cent) which are costly to service. On the contrary, concessional sources come as cheap as 1.25 per cent on the average with average tenors that are as long as 40 years.

According to the DMO, Nigeria’s external debt to GDP ratio is less than 3 per cent compared to the international threshold of 40 per cent for countries in the same peer group.

“So, Nigerians should view the offer by the AfDB from a perspective of little or no risk.

The good news is that any loan from the bank will be project-tied especially to employmentgenerating activities such as infrastructure, power and agriculture. So, it is not for consumption purposes. Currently at the helm of affairs at AfDB is Nigeria’s Adewunmi Adeshina. The country will be well advised to leverage the opportunity. The huge infrastructural gap in the country cannot be met from a weak domestic revenue base. Foreign loans especially from concessional windows will no doubt fast track the process.”

As it appears, though Nigerians praise the AfDB’s intervention at this critical stage of the economy, they are more interested in ensuring that the monies are judiciously utilised on projects that benefits the people and get the country out of recession, quickly.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Striking Balance between Opportunities, Challenges in Nigeria’s Pension Industry

As the pension administration inches towards a new phase of development in the country, James Emejo reviews the deliberations by stakeholders at the recentlyconcluded third edition of World Pension Africa Special and how these could further shape the growth of the industry

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he success so far recorded in the Nigerian pension industry, especially, the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), cannot be overemphasised. If anything, the elimination of corruption and separation of funds between the custodian and managers are some of the greatest advantages of the scheme.

With almost N6 trillion in assets, the CPS, no doubt, holds huge potentials for infrastructure financing, which have not really happened in the country.

This has been a major source of worry for stakeholders because pension funds have effectively been deployed elsewhere to bridge infrastructure gaps, especially housing for the masses.

After over a decade of operating the CPS in the country, operators are constrained from investing the huge asset portfolio in infrastructure, especially long-term projects, partly because of the inherent risks and the need to effect timely returns to pensioners, the owners of the assets, and the much-taunted “lack of investible vehicles”.

Pension assets elsewhere provide huge opportunities for cheaper domestic borrowing by government to finance long-term but as of today, over 80 per cent of pension investments are still in government treasury bills as this offers quick returns and the critical guarantee for safety.

However, It remains a concern that despite all the amendments to the pension reforms act, this has not changed assets managers’ disposition to investing in long term infrastructure as they further believe that additional framework was desired to make the funds safer and recoverable within agreed period.

Nevertheless, the pension industry, particularly the CPS segment now believes it has to build on the stability and success so far recorded by deepening penetration through innovation to further accommodate those who are not currently in the CPS scheme.

Specifically, the focus going forward is to attempt to lure individuals and players in the informal sector, which remains largely untapped into the net.

In doing that, several revolutionary ideas are being envisaged: micro pension or the use of mobile technology-especially the ubiquity of mobile phones to administer pension to business owners, especially the self-employed artisans.

Also, the possibility of using the internet to sell pension products to the people had been part of the ideas considered by stakeholders at this year’s summit.

But, some influential speakers at the occasion were quick to draw attention to the likely pitfalls in further innovations in the pension sector, amid the opportunities they seek to expand.

Of note, was the admonition from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who said though he was excited over the successes so far recorded in the Nigerian pension industry, further innovations must be undertaken with caution, reminding Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) that pension assets are sacrosanct and must be preserved “no matter what we do.”

In his opening remarks at the third edition of the World Pension Summit Africa Special, themed: “Pension Innovations: The Africa Perspective”, Obasanjo, who pioneered the pension reform in 2004 while he was president, further argued that any further innovations

Anohu-Amazu

must put the security and sustainability of funds into consideration and ensure that the critical issue of trust is not compromised.

The former president said: “I like innovation but innovation must be with caution; we can’t be too adventurous” adding that pensioners should have access to their money whenever they needed it.

While he expressed satisfaction that the pension reforms he helped to initiate during his time in office now had almost N6 trillion in assets with about 7 million registered employees in the system, he said part of future innovations in the industry should centre on how to capture more salary earners into the pension scheme and explore the huge potentials in the informal sector of the economy, particularly those who would be engaging in self-employment at this time of recession.

He also lent his voice to the need for pension funds to be creatively utilised to provide housing for all Nigerians as well as construct roads.

However, Obasanjo’s caution on disruptive innovation in the pension sector was re-echoed by the co-founder of the World Pension Summit (WPS), Mr. Eric Eggink, who said though efforts should be made to utilise the advancement in mobile technology to significantly boost pension participation, inherent constraints must not be ignored.

According to Eggink, products like micro pension as well as providing online access to pension products and any innovation that

lowers the threshold to accommodate players in the informal sector will be a great boost to the growth of the sector, but the problems of cybercrime and internet speed may constitute bottlenecks if unchecked.

The cautions are particularly true in view of the array of online frauds witnessed in

Pension assets elsewhere provide huge opportunities for cheaper domestic borrowing by government to finance long-term but as of today, over 80 per cent of pension investments are still in government treasury bills as this offers quick returns and the critical guarantee for safety

the banking sector where online financial transactions are currently in place.

Banks continue to lose billions to cyber criminals who clone banks’ websites and send fraudulent messages to customers with the intent to defraud them and they are often successful in their nefarious acts.

If anything, the nasty experience in the banking sector regarding online and mobile financial transactions must guide whatever innovations are being sought to boost pension in the country.

Nonetheless, one other focus of the summit was how pension investment in infrastructure could be enhanced to provide government with affordable financing options amid the current fiscal constraints which had led the economy into a recession.

The Director General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, had noted that Africa’s infrastructure deficit stood at $93 billion annually and could be addressed through a coordinated, multifaceted approach to development and the integration of domestic funding sources particularly pension funds and foreign institutional investors.

She said ideas and experiences on innovative practices in pensions and social security to advance the African agenda of addressing economic and social challenges must be considered going forward.

According to her: “Then again, cutting-edge Infrastructure is critical for economic growth and social progress. Extant indices show that Africa’s infrastructure remains by far the most deficient and costly amongst developing countries. In many cities, the challenge of urbanisation and the need for modern infrastructure is already evident. One-third of urban residents in Sub-Saharan Africa are located in 36 cities, each with more than one million inhabitants.”

But she further observed that “No doubt, for African institutional investors to make the desired impact, it is imperative to strengthen the institutions towards ensuring good corporate governance. We must build and maintain investors’ trust and confidence - particularly, conditions and regulations should not change during the life cycle of investments.

“In addition, we must ensure that investment initiatives address environmental, social and governance principles, due to the need to focus on reducing products that are harmful to our lands and people. Similarly, we must not lose focus that pension assets are liability-driven investments, which pay much attention to the promises made to pensioners.

“Thus, there is need to inculcate transparency in the way investment structures will be designed. This requires an increased investment and innovation in Information and Communication Technology infrastructure.”

According to her, “It is imperative for the African pension and social security funds to emulate the investment focus of their sister funds from developed climes in the provision of infrastructure and in making visible economic impact. However, to successfully achieve these fiats, they must develop core competencies and capabilities. I am particularly happy that African institutions are already taking steps toward unlocking the potentials of this great continent towards achieving greatness.”

From the foregoing, it is evident that there are still huge opportunities yet untapped in pension administration in the country but equally, there are still as much challenges which are to be addressed in order to achieve full potentials of the pension industry.

21

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ OCTOBER 9, 2016

BUSINESS/ENERGY

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Like a double whammy, Nigeria, which is faced with a troubled economy already in recession, now has to contend with the challenges of a fast-depleting crude oil reserves, writes Chineme Okafor

L

ast week, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, disclosed that Nigeria could be facing more economic challenges with the steady decline of her crude oil reserves.

Baru, who said in Abuja that Nigeria would need to produce up to 15 billion cubic feet per day (bcf) of gas to ensure that her national goal of turning her economy into a fully industrialised one by 2020 is realised, also stated that, so far, there has been no addition to the country’s oil reserves.

He said for Nigeria’s goals in the sector to happen, and also become sustainable, the country would have to increase its oil and gas reserves as its current reserves will only take it for 35 more years.

Stating that the reserves are fast depleting, Baru explained when the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) hosted him to a dinner in Abuja that the NNPC would be ready to partner stakeholders in the country’s oil and gas industry to grow the nation’s oil reserves and increase its productivity.

He equally tasked NAPE and other stakeholders in the sector to focus on increasing the reserves to match Nigeria’s aspirations to increase its oil production to 4 million barrels per day (mbpd) by 2020.

“Our national gas demand forecast to year 2020 (domestic plus export) indicates a rapid growth to 15bscfd meaning current reserves level can only sustain that production for 35 years if we do not increase the 2bscfd gas reserves base, which requires 3tcf to replace production yearly,” said Baru.

He added that the 2016 national average oil production of 1.9mbpd was low partly due to oil infrastructure vandalism, and stressed the need for stakeholders to share data and use common available resources to reduce cost of operations in the area of rig-sharing, vessel sharing and synergy in projects development.

According to him, this has become even expedient in this current period of low oil prices and security challenges in the country’s oil fields across the Niger Delta region.

He said less than three per cent of all wells drilled in the Niger Delta Basin both onshore and swamp are deeper than 15,000 feet, adding that a greater number of these wells have not gone beyond 10,000 feet as a high pressure regimes seems to be a limiting factor.

The NNPC boss said NNPC would look to frontier exploration where it claimed to have made progress in its exploration efforts in the Chad Basin, Benue trough and the other frontier basins to shore up the reserve base of the country.

“Some of our earlier drilled non-commercial holes could be turned around if we deploy requisite technologies. We need to change our perspective of risk as technology is advancing,” added Baru.

What this really means But speaking with THISDAY, oil industry experts explained the development means Nigeria’s oil production capacity was gradually waning and could continue on this path because of the lack of reforms in the sector.

One of the experts, who spoke on condition of anonymity stated that the longer the government takes to undertake needed reform in the country’s oil sector, the more the country’s reserves will decline because investments in new discoveries

An oil worker on a rig

will be limited.

Another expert, Dr. Tim Okon, who is a chief executive officer at the Abuja-based International Institute for Petroleum, Energy Law and Policy (IIPELP), said the development was consistent with the fact that Nigeria was not replacing the reserves it produced from her existing oil fields.

“If you are producing 2 million barrels per day (mbpd) of oil, multiply that by the number of days you produce in a year, may be 330 days and that gives about 700 million barrels every year. Now if you don’t replace those reserves, your reserves will come down every year by that number,” said Okon.

He further stated: “If you have 35 billion barrels in reserves, every year, it reduces by that amount and if you are not discovering or developing new reserves, it will deplete and so the GMD was basically referring to the lack of new discoveries which would now replace the reserves that you have produced.

“This is consistent with the fact that if you want to continue to produce at the rate you are producing, then you really need to replace the reserves that you have produced and I just used that illustration of 2mbpd which you will then need to replace those reserves you have produced.”

Okon noted that: “In order to replace that, you have to make new discoveries and what he is saying is that in the current tax constrained environment, the money you have, you will tend to want to use them to produce and not to go and find new discoveries you cannot develop because you don’t have the money to develop.”

Reforms critically needed When asked what options Nigeria has to

overcome this, the experts said reforming the oil sector to allow for healthier business practices will be the best alternative for Nigeria. They explained the reforms proposed in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would be good, adding that the government had to take a passive stance in the business end of the industry.

“Underpinning this rationale I just described

If you are producing 2 million barrels per day (mbpd) of oil, multiply that by the number of days you produce in a year, may be 330 days and that gives about 700 million barrels every year. Now if you don’t replace those reserves, your reserves will come down every year by that number…If you have 35 billion barrels in reserves, every year, it reduces by that amount and if you are not discovering or developing new reserves, it will deplete

to you is the need to have reforms and much of this is the government’s ability to fund when oil price has collapsed and because of competing needs. There is not enough money to actually fund those activities,” said Okon.

He added: “The private sector can raise that finance, there are issues around raising capital by the state and that represents a significant challenge that need to be resolved, if not, we will not be able to replace those reserves.”

Okon stated that, “There is also the concept of the Reserves Production Ratio which right now is about 42 years, but it could go down if we don’t replace the reserves. When production is continuing but reserves are not being replaced, it will deplete and the RP ratio will come down and our production capacity will come down.”

He noted that Nigeria had not made any significant new discoveries lately, pointing out that, “It simply means we have depleted the reserves by the amount produced.”

“I think the urgent reform is really with the role the state plays as an investor in the industry because it needs to be able to find capital to fund its own share of production. One of the key aspects of the reform programme is really to allow for private sector or others to participate in the industry and the state can focus on the collection of royalties and taxes rather than be an investor when you cannot meet up your obligations to the industry.

“Alternatively, create institutions that can actually go out and borrow money and do business. So, reform the structure of the organistions you are setting up so that they can compete with the IOCs and raise capital and do business like them,” said Okon.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

INTERVIEW

‘PolCard Will Motivate Police Officers for Higher Productivity’

The Nigerian Forces Reward is the first private sector led reward and benefit platform for the Forces including the police and the military, both for those in active services, the retired and their dependants. In this interview, Sunday Okobi spoke with Mr. Adeolu Ade Adewunmi, Managing Director/CEO 4SM Multi-Consult Ltd, whose company is championing the forces reward scheme, about the features of the scheme

T

he Police Reward Card, what is it all About?

Interestingly, the Forces Reward cards are two and I need to elaborate on this, to stress how it works or the package in its entirety. Now Forces Reward is actually the umbrella scheme that encompasses the Police welfare Card that is the POLCARD and the Defense Welfare card that is the DEFCARD respectively, the DEFCARD covers the army, navy and air force. The police welfare card and the defense card is a priority card that is the first of its kind and I proudly say not only in Nigeria but in the sub-region that sits on a tripod, one is an identification card, two is a transaction card and three, it is a benefit card, so that is why it is a multifunction card that works seamlessly on this three planks. It is personalized to ensure that there is some security for the person and the merchants we are engaging on this project; two, it is for transaction because it can be used on all ATM and POS platforms and it is acceptable on all bank platforms and it is a benefit card because there are benefits that are already packaged inside that card because of the services of the security personnel to the nation. So it is not a card that is meant for everybody but exclusively for the security sector. And again I make bold to say that for the first time you have a card that because somebody is serving the nation, putting his life in the line for the nation, there is a trickle down. Because he is serving, his family members, three dependants that are connected to him can also benefit and enjoy the facilities that same card can provide.

So by virtue of your service to the nation you have a card you can secure for yourself, the same card you can secure for your wife, the same card you can secure for two of your dependents that are above 16 years old and they can enjoy some or more of the benefits like you do enjoy also.

What qualifies you to delve into such high profile specialist area?

I actually voluntarily retired from military intelligence exactly 10 years ago to pursue a career in international peace and security; it was a voluntary attempt, a risky one at that but it turned out to be worth the risk. The career has been awesome since then, that would help me delve into why the concept and idea of forces reward came into being. It was actually as a result of the experience out there, having served in Guinea, worked in ECOWAS, worked with the Carter Center in Atlanta, worked with the ECOWAS Commission across the sub-region and interfaced with security sectors, security personnel within and outside the sub region, and outside the continent. It was discovered that this people, they are appreciated, are recognized and rewarded uniquely by the society and we don’t seem to do that here, in this part of the world , we are not doing enough in that respect even if we are doing it. So that informed the idea and it took two years to develop this, it was in the pipeline for over two years because it needed serious thought processes and engagement across board before we came out to the public. It was just to have an instrument that can cut across the continent. Forces Reward is actually an African brand and products that can work seamlessly for the security sector to boost their morale, to encourage them, to support them and ensure that the private sector drives it, not necessarily the government.

What necessitated the reward card?

I started by saying I left the system like ten years ago and across board, there is usually a feeling or the shock when you are leaving especially a military structure or security sector structure and you are getting yourself integrated into the civil society, you are coming with a regimented life style,

Adewunmi

and you are coming into the society where you were not really appreciate even while you were in service, but then you need to be reintegrated into the society where you have been neglected. So what informed this is to compliment government’s effort to support the security sector but specifically private sector driven to generate the interest of the private sector to support the interest of the security sector for their service to the nation. We are aware, that once you are done with uniform, you are a potential target anywhere by criminal minded people, so it is not everybody that can wear the uniform. Because you did that you are imperatively expected to be accorded recognition, respect and reward for your service to the nation.

So by this instrument we want to begin to generate the interest of the private sector and the generality of the society, that look, this people are doing more and we need to support them. They may not go on strike as often as possible like others do, they may not come out in the open and make much noise that these are the challenges we are facing because of the nature and structure and their service, but people that are close to them know what they need and are going through.

As obtainable abroad, an individual, a security personal can pick up a card, he has a veterans card, a loyalty card, a reward card and goes into any merchants shop, that has already pledged some measure of discount for their services and present his card for transaction, by the time they see the individual with the card, they accord him special recognition and respect, ‘Wow! you are holding a veterans card, please you are welcomed sir, we need to attend to you specially, and the person is offered customized discount that has been pledged. So it is not for everybody in the society but specifically for this people, so that is part of what informed the project. It’s obtainable abroad. In developed countries, for instance, we have it in US, the Veteran’s advantage is active in the US, Reward for Forces is active in the UK, and the Discount card, also active in the UK, so it cuts across and we have to come into our system, our own sector and see how we can model something

that fits into our system. We are not talking about best practices but we are talking about best fit into the Nigerian system.

When are we expecting this card to become operational here, what are the seeming technicalities involved in using this card?

Fortunately and interestingly, the POLCARD has been unveiled and is already in operation.

We are already receiving overwhelming interest and been inundated daily by serving and retired (personnel). I am proud to say that this is also the first time we have a card that covers the active personal or retired, so whether you are serving or retired, you are entitled to this card, it is processed for just N1, 500.00. You have the card and enjoy the associated benefits for two years. The individual that is securing the card knows that even at the first transaction, when you do your transaction with the first interface with the first merchant that has already pledged discount on product, your N1,500 has already come to you and we are saying that you have a card you can use for two years and renewable every two years. So for the active personnel he has the leverage to enjoy this card and for the retired, because of their services to the nation in the past, we are also saying they also have the leverage to enjoy this card and three dependents in their family.

What are the benefits of using this card?

One of the critical benefits of this card is that and is personalized with their picture is that they enjoy customized discount between 5- 40 per cent to as much as 40 to 45% discount across the board,, across different merchants, across the country. We are talking about different merchants that have pledged their company’s interest to support the security sector, support the security forces that is the police and defense. We are talking about merchants which ranges from food and beverages, chemical and pharmaceuticals, we are talking about, restaurants, petroleum product retailers, transport companies, inter states and within states, we are talking about cinemas, it cuts across.

Customised discounts from all this companies pledged towards the security services for their services to the nation, which ranges from 40-45% depending on the merchant. No 2, this same card because it is unique and priority card offers them credit facility for financial emergency from our partners banks, today we are in talks with Heritage bank, we have seen quite a number of interest from other banks and we will be able to accommodate all the other banks before the end of this month so that people can begin to enjoy this credit facilities from several other banks also. But in the meantime, you have your salary account in the Heritage Bank; you can enjoy the credit facility immediately. No 3, the card comes with a hundred thousand naira that is already insured, it is embedded. This is significant because, I give you an example, we are aware it is on record that between 2014 and June 2016, 359 active personnel died in active services. The society is oblivious of this. If you break this down, we are talking about 14 personnel per month and this are and this are fathers, uncles, aunties and parents and bread winners that people are not aware, so critically, we have put this in place for them to have it as their immediate palliatives for their NOK, ( Next of Kings), so if anything happens to you in the line of duty, be guaranteed that there is a N100, 000.00 that comes to your NOK immediately, because even in the system there is usually a delay in processing benefits when anything happens to any personnel in the line of duty, so this one is instant. No 4; this card also guarantees, we want them to be able to access universities that they never thought they could send their dependants to. We are talking about private universities and even government universities.

We are talking about private universities, they are coming just to appreciate security personnel and their dependants. A serving personnel or the retired ones or their dependants may also want to further their education. For instance, Igbinedion University is offering any card holder 15% off tuition fee, if you are coming in trickles, one by one for registration, but at a particular time they have up to 10 at once, holders of POLCARD or DEFCARD or either of them, you are guaranteed a 30% discount off tuition fee from Igbinedion University, Lead City University is also offering.

So that is the kind of measure we have put in place around this card, so private universities and government universities are coming on board this scheme to support them. Finally and most importantly, because you are a holder of this card and you can secure one for your dependant, your dependant that is looking for a job or career opportunity or development today can be better placed in any of our merchant location or outlet to secure a job because it is a priority card, the kind of engagement we are having with our merchants is such that if there is an opening, any holder of this card must be given priority if they are eligible.

If they are eligible they are given priority career in career employment with any of our merchants that are on board this scheme.

Conversely, I need to stress this, we are not talking to everybody that is why it is unique, every merchant we are talking to today, to support the security forces for their services to the nation, we are also telling them, that because of what they are doing, because of the discount you are giving them, by your measure of support, you are also demanding more from the security forces, to be more responsive and more proactive, it is a symbiotic relationship. We are not just telling them to give just by given sake, it’s to give to support because you want them to do more, you want them to be more motivated and efficient, you want them to do more, to be more proactive, you want to be more efficient and do more. (see concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

23

INTERVIEW

Okpue: No Country Has Capacity to Retain Insurance Risk 100%

In this interview with Olaseni Durojaiye, Managing Director of Insurance Brokers of Nigeria (IBN), Olotu Prosper Okpue, shed more lights on the evolution of the insurance industry, how it has impacted the nation’s economy over the years and effect of the current recession on the industry, amongst others

H

ow did IBN entered into this market?

have is seamless and they don’t have multiple of insurance packages that actually deals with almost the same kind of risks. That has endeared us to a lot of our clients in the course of our doing business.

The third thing that stands us out is that we develop unique kinds of insurance solutions for specific industries that we have clients in. In designing solutions for our clients, we don’t have a book shelf solution; what we do is we work with them to understand the requirements of their business.

Insurance Brokers of Nigeria was established in 1955 as C T Bowring Incorporated Insurance Brokers. We came into the country working for the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), then known as Apapa Ports. The Port Administrator at the time who was a Briton, Turner, invited our company to arrange insurance for the quays of the Apapa Ports. For more than 10 years at the time we were the only insurance brokerage firm in the country.

Before that time, there were a few insurance companies like Royal Exchange Assurance and Century Insurance that were doing insurance business in the country. When we came in we introduced the designs of insurance portfolios on behalf of clients and this enabled them to buy insurance packages from the United Kingdom (UK)) to be able to protect the constructions and operations of the Apapa Ports in 1955 until the construction was completed.

Nigerian economy was actually based on infrastructure affordability and diversified agrarian economy, and all through that time our company arranged insurance for most of the facets of the economy.

What has been the company’s business survival strategy even in the face of increasing competition?

What was the business space like during the Civil War particularly your industry?

Even as the war was going on, commercial activities were coming up. During that period, the Oodua Group was formed with a lot of investments in real estate through the Wemabod Estates, commerce and the rest; and they formed a company called Glanville Entoven which was an insurance brokerage company in partnership with some Britons – to break the monopoly of Insurance Brokers of Nigeria (IBN).

While the war was going on, the government of Western Region were setting up industrial estates from Ikeja to Ibadan, there were also manufacturing base and small businesses and just as C T Bowring was formed for Federal Government business, Glanville Entoven was formed to harness businesses of the South-western government; and with all of the expansion that were coming up during the time Glanville Entoven was actually harnessing a lot of Western Nigerian government-owned investments.

What were the milestones in the narratives of the insurance industry in the country?

The process was actually kick-started in 1973, with the indegenisation laws that classified certain sectors of the economy into A, B, and C. The financial services sector including banks and insurance was classified as where Nigerians should own majority equity. The law required that a minimum of 60 per cent must be owned by Nigerians, while foreigners owned 40 per cent. This gave a lot of impetus to Nigerian entrepreneurs, some who studied insurance, some others were as fallouts of the enterprise movements decided to set up insurance brokerage firms.

Around the war time too, there was the bill of infrastructure specifically in Lagos during which all the long bridges were built and there was also the cement armada during which a lot of vessels carrying cement stayed for a long time, sometime for 60 days on the sea before they berthed at the Apapa Ports. The upturn of the period of 1973 to 1976 was that there were a lot of business opportunities but all the insurance businesses were coming from London, and were dominated by UK companies. Vessels were coming into Nigeria with goods, Nigeria had a lot of money and was building up bridges, roads and the rest – so some Nigerians saw the opportunity and they felt that why must all the goods coming into the country

Okpue

be insured abroad.

Then the Marine Committee proposed a law that all the goods coming into the country had to be insured locally, which gave birth to the Nigerian Insurance Act of 1976, even though it didn’t define what class of insurance, it still gave a lot of boost to the local insurance industry and the local insurance companies were underwriting.

All of these boosted the Nigerian economy, and during that time too, a lot of insurance companies came up.

Before then, there were less than 20 insurance companies in the country, most then UK-owned or affiliated, of course the Civil War created some uncertainties and most of the companies and their home countries had to withdraw their expatriate underwriters and Nigerians who were trained took over their positions. Some companies totally left.

The insurance companies around then including Lion of Africa and Century actually boomed in that period.

How has IBN evolved over the years?

Of course because of the indigenisation law we had to change our name from C T Bowring to Insurance Brokers of Nigeria (IBN). Then in 1980, when the Americans bought over our parent company the equities of the British was diluted and the Cross River State Investment Corporation (owned by the old Cross River State) now bought some of it, 10 per cent of the equity was also bought by the Staff Trust Fund so we changed our name to Insurance Brokers of Nigeria to give it a very local look. Mind you, due to the indigenisation laws, the number of insurance brokerage firms increased from less than 10 to more than 20.

But our company has evolved, pre- and postindependent, during the civil war and afterwards.

We have continuously followed the history and economy of this country.

It’s economy in the sense that we remained purely an indigenous firm. It’s history in the

sense that we’re completely indigenised. The last expatriate left around 1983. There used to be clerks as expatriates in this company but in the gradual process of knowledge transfer, people getting trained and qualified, the company became 100 per cent indigenous in manpower, of course still belonging to the global group called Marsh.

The nation’s economy has over the years faced some ups and downs, austerity measure, Structural Adjustment Programmes and now the recession. How has IBN coped with all of those times?

IBN has faced what I will call system archetype. We started and we were alone without any competition, and then we got to a peak where we have a lot of competition coming into the market. In all of that time we’ve been able to position our business strategically so that we were different from others and remained market leaders in the sector.

We have always strived to maintain basically three things: We are very commercial in our approach, partnering with each and every one of our customers in proffering solutions for their unique businesses and that is why we have legacy clients that have remained our clients from before 1960 till date not because we’re the oldest but because we’ve been very responsive to whatever their needs of their business evolution.

Our clients and their operations are dynamic, they grow, sometimes they grow excessively and the risks that they are exposed to require people to advise them on the kinds of business risks they face.

Second is innovation. We pioneered the consolidation of insurance brokerage in Nigeria. Example is that, where a company has a heterogeneous operations, locations and the rest and whilst our competition were selling classic kinds of insurance packages, we take a total look at the enterprise and design an insurance package that should be able to put all the risks together in one basket; that ensured that the insurance policies that they

The strategy that stands us out is that we look at the indigenous economy and try to understand what drives the economy. In the case of Nigeria, since 1973, what drives the economy of Nigeria is the oil sector and that sector is dominated by the seven sisters – Mobil, Total, Exxon, Shell, Agip, Texaco, Elf and the others – as the sector was growing the Nigerian insurance sector was unable to provide the kinds of solutions that they require to cover their operational risks because of capacity; the capacity to pay insurance claims, risks of re-insurance that they have and ability to meet the claims because in that sector the frequency of loss occurrence is not much but the impact is always enormous.

For example, if you are exploring a well, you could have a blowout, if it happened, the minimum exposure you are likely to have onshore is a minimum of $50 million to kill the well and there are still other associated pollution losses in case of emission of crude oil into the environment which creates pollution and potential damage to the environment including destruction of properties and loss of lives.

Then what you spend on associated damages might sometimes be three times the amount that you spent killing a well, so by their capitalisation and sometimes skills too, Nigerian insurance companies are limited; so you find that the foreign insurance companies were dominating that business space.

Does that include the Nigerian Insurance Corporation at the time?

The Federal Government established the National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria (NICON) which effectively, by law has a monopoly of insuring all government’s wholly owned businesses and also where the Federal government have interests in; remember that the Federal Government has interests ranging between 60 to 40 per cent in joint ventures with the seven sisters, and NICON, which has the monopoly of all federal government businesses had to go through the foreign insurance companies.

NICON was established with good intentions, professionally run, having re-insurance facilities with known insurance companies globally, of course centered in London and offered the insurance vehicle through which the interests of the federal government in the various joint ventures can be placed; so each fellow had his own insurances.

But in joint venture businesses, the foreign companies are the operators, while NNPC are equity partners; so the insurances were managed individually. So for us, an insurance brokerage firm, we saw a massive opportunity for the insurance industry in that area; fine we don’t have capacity, the traditional insurance companies were basically fire, theft and the likes; but the oil sector is so unique because most of the international oil companies operating in Nigeria are multinationals and have several cross-border operations in several countries so they are able to pull their insurances together.

See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

BUSINESS/ ENCOUNTER

Egube: Development Requirements Cannot be Met By Aid

Mr. Sam Egube, who is the chairman of Alt Assist Limited, a Lagos-based consulting firm, was part of the committee that drafted the local content policy. He recently published a book on wealth creation titled ‘Thoughts from a Wealthy Perspective’. Egube speaks with Sandra Ukele on the need for the federal government to re-strategise its stance on the fight against corruption saying it should not be a national strategy.

I

n your view, the defeat of corruption does not guarantee prosperity. What do you mean by that?

There are many factors that come together to produce prosperity; corruption is not one of them. The prosperity of a people or nation is tied to their productivity not necessarily their morals. Certainly there are many vices that tend to challenge the ability of people to be productive; things like tribalism over performance and competence, religious extremism, lack of trust and purpose of the nationals, weak leadership, largely unpredictable justice systems, weak education system and certainly corruption, yet some nationals have prospered despite these challenges. I understand Nestle for example runs their most efficient and profitable operation globally, here in Nigeria, despite the acclaimed corruption levels.

Certainly morally good people are not necessarily productive people nor do they always run great enterprises. Removing a negative vice will not automatically assure its replacement with a positive habit. I actually believe that prosperity is the biggest tool in fighting corruption and cannot therefore be dependent on its elimination. Except of course we define corruption broadly (beyond morals) as everything in the mind and thoughts of men, which do not positively encourage productivity. An example is the state government holding to a tradition of receiving a share of income from the federal government unconnected to the productivity of the people resident there, their level of innovation or their contribution to the federation. Another example is the idea of state of origin over state of residence that ties one permanently to a location that may hold no trace of his productivity; having to commit politically to a location where you may have no economic footprint or stake.

This is not a statement against the current war against corruption but an attempt to moderate national expectation from the effort and direct focused concurrent set of actions that actively support habits and orientations that favor production because even if we succeed in eliminating corruption, its defeat does not automatically result in productivity.

In your book, “Thoughts from a Wealthy Perspective” you said ‘Africa has stayed in poverty for so long it still uses the tools and language by which aid is attracted to capture investments.’ How true is that?

As a continent we have grown and developed under a culture of expectation for aid from external sources. We have been branded as the poor and dark continent, needing help and unable to help herself.

Unfortunately what is required for development is so huge and cannot be met by aid. Aid is akin to alms, when people give alms, they do so from their wallet but when they invest they do so from their bank balances. People seldom borrow to give aid, but they would, if necessary to make an investment.

The language with which aid is attracted, which we have mastered is different from the language with which investments are attracted. While you speak of your weakness to attract sympathy for aid, you speak of your strength and opportunity to attract faith for investments. “I beg” is not a language for investment as investors pursue their own self interests not yours, they need a

Every federating unit has been deskilled and made to embrace unproductive habits due to the lack of responsibility on their part. Every state can be very productive let’s challenge them.

The country has recorded an upsurge in religious crisis. The lynching of people by members of the other religious sect is on the rise. What do you think religious leaders can do to curb these vicious acts?

Peace is better than the sound of war.

We have seen what is happening in Syria. Nobody wins. Our unity in peace is more important to Nigeria than our religion. The truth is, we Nigerians are not religious enemies even though politicians and careless religious leaders seem to feel erroneously that fanning conflict is their way to accentuate and show leadership to their followers. Religious leader should lead the people of Nigeria to peace and unification rather than drive a divisive agenda.

They should fight against extremism of all kinds. Sometimes it comes with pain and inertia for trusting, given the history of religious tolerance and failed truces. This is the sacrifice I seek from our religious leaders. We are not a people of violence, there is something definitely wrong. The education of the Nigeria of our dream must continue in the various worship centres.

The youths seem to believe that to become wealthy depends on only one major hit, and they are poised to get only that one hit without acknowledging the importance of patience. In your own words how would you advise the youths to employ perseverance in whatever they do and not wait endlessly for that hit (if it ever comes)?

Egube

return and they have competing destination options. Accepting that our nation as fantastically corrupt may attract aid but will scare investors. Let the weak say I am strong seem a better proposition for attracting investment. We need to do what is necessary and present ourselves appropriately to attract investment not frustrating investors from the gates, or imagining a cumbersome civil service and processes is something of value to prospective investors.

Recently, the federal government affirmed the economy was technically in recession. As an expert, what strategies do you suggest the government employ to salvage the economy?

The government is attempting a lot already from the fiscal and monetary policy standpoint; unfortunately these steps are coming quite late in our national life, requiring therefore a lot of patience and endurance on the part of Nigerians. A lot still need to be done. We need to diversify the economy from a mono product economy.

We should explore more deliberately both agriculture and in-country value added food processing. We should then expand the Nigerian content act and policy into every productive sector of the economy. We have in my opinion been abysmal with solid minerals, we need to formalise it rather than keep it at an informal level to favor only a few informal and illegal miners. It is beginning to appear ironically deliberate.

I also think we should approach the petroleum sector as energy source rather

than an income source. As energy source we would focus on it as an input resource for value added production; this will then influence the way we invest in it. A reduced oil price should then mean reduced energy cost making our production even more efficient like in developed countries. We must also resolve the power crisis. We also require a civil service performance management system with consequence.

They should be providing service rather than frustrating every thing requiring their attention. We have an army of civil servant behaving likes civil lords with impunity.

Given the time these policies take to yield results, we need a communication strategy that engages the average citizen in terms they can understand. We should show in their language what they should expect to see happen in their region based on government action, messages that motivate and mobilize for action and outcomes that are identifiable and measurable. We must vigorously push messages that unify us rather than divide us as a united and motivated nation is required to rally people to be productive and retain national pride.

Finally we need to consider governance and economic structures restructure within a united Nigeria that pushes productive responsibility largely to federating unit from the center and reduce the cost of governance.

The federating units should contribute to the federation rather than just get a share from it largely unconnected to the productive performance of the states or its people.

It is a shame; we were not always like this as a people. This sudden hit syndrome is the result of a loss of confidence in the future and our justice infrastructure. Our politicians and business leaders buoyed by the poverty in the country have also been unhelpful. The truth is that process is part of development and growing is the best way to grow.

There are several stages where youths are historically trained to adopt great habits.

Some religious leaders have also not supported the acculturation of the youths to wait for their process and time, neither have parental guidance engaged effectively.

I have seen parents trying to help their children cheat. I encourage the youths that process and time only help to make their achievement sustainable.

How can the poor rise to become rich?

The poor can become rich, if they do the things and adopt the habits and work ethics of the rich. Rich people think differently. The rich were mostly not born that way, they have become wealthy by giving value but the poor think receiving value is their way out.

The poor need to take more responsibility for the outcomes of their lives than they are currently doing.

I also encourage Nigerians not to take the right from the poor to be productive. The idea of alms while helpful, sometimes make the poor remain in a perpetual dependent mode, which is not helpful. Instead of giving alms as the primary way of supporting the poor, we should build great businesses, which give the poor a platform to be productive.

This is more dignifying.

25

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

BUSINESS/MARITIME

Analysing Customs’ High Revenue Generation

With the highest revenue figure of N95.7 billion generated in August, the first in 10 years and at a period of economic recession characterised by forex crisis, the Nigeria Customs Service attributes the feat to hard work and robust policy thrust. But customs brokers and maritime lawyers think otherwise, writes Francis Ugwoke

N

igeria is currently going through recession that has affected every sector of the economy. The ipact is felt on business and to a large extent Nigerians. The nation’s maritime sector is not left out as many companies have closed down. There is no stakeholder in the industry that is not feeling the effect.

About three weeks ago, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, opened up on the effect of the recession on the maritime industry.

Peterside said the revenue of the agency had gone down by more than 51 per cent. Industry watchers hold the view that with 51 per cent fall in the revenue of NIMASA, the effect will equally trickle down to every other agency of government in the maritime sector. This is considering that NIMASA’s revenue is calculated on the number of vessels that call at the nation’s ports or territorial waters from which it collects three per cent levy.

Although, there is no scientific proof that low ship traffic can also lead to low cargo traffic, the argument is that this cannot be ruled out, more so with the foreign exchange crisis that has affected international trade by Nigerians.

However, how much revenue that other agencies of government earn each year would also depend largely on both ship and cargo traffic. But despite the sad story from Peterside, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), coasted home in the month of August with a revenue generation of N95.7 billion Containers waiting to be loaded and shipped in what has been described as the highest for the Service in the past 10 years. The figures were despite to the rise in revenue in August, exactly one year the forex crisis, which has impacted negatively on after the CG assumed office. import. For the Customs Service, this called for Mr. Chris Osunkwo and Uche Ejesieme of the celebration, and an opportunity to prove critics Tin Can Island port Command Public Relations wrong that there has not been any difference or said the measures put in place by the Controller, major success in the fight against corruption in Yusuf Bashar, in line with the directive of the CGC the ports involving officers and men since the was among the reasons for high revenue yield. appointment of Col. Hameed Ali (rtd).

Osunkwo said Bashar brought his years of The August revenue figures had come shortly after experience to bear on the job, adding that to the Customs declared in June that it recordedN385.7 demonstrate his detest for unprocedural practices, billion which was below its expectation so far, he punishes officers who err on the job. having set a target of N1trillion for this year. But He disclosed that the Comptroller, in order to the August revenue was a consolation, and if this increase officers’ efficiency, set up a state of the trend continues, the Service may get close to its art ICT in Tin Can to make the job easier. He target for the year. said appropriate DNs were issued to those who deserve them to ensure that government does ‘Why We Performed Well’ not suffer any revenue loss and in consonance Since the new revenue for August was released, with the CGC directive.

Customs officers have attributed the development Similarly, Ejesieme described Bashar as an officer to the efforts of the CG to reposition the Service to who is gifted with the art of putting square pegs achieve the desired result.The Public Relations Officer in square holes, adding that he knows how to of the Customs, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, in a statement synchronise situation to get best results. simply said the high revenue was as a result of “What the Comptroller did was to block all the “efficacy of the Comptroller-General’s policy areas of revenue leakages by putting officers on thrust”. Adeniyi said the high revenue showed that their toes, extracting their commitment to make sure the strong stance of the Comptroller General on that all areas of possible infractions are blocked. “issues of discipline, integrity and strict adherence He has provided effective leadership which has to Customs Codes and Clearance procedures” was resulted in effective followership in terms of deep yielding positive results. According to the statement, commitment of the officers”, Ejesieme said. the CG had been strict in the revenue collection and suppression of smuggling. Adeniyi recalled that Other Factors Ali had assumed office in August last year with Despite the claims of the Customs officers that a presidential mandate to “Reform, Restructure the high revenue generation by the Customs in and Raise revenue.”

August and possibly in subsequent time was as a The statement added: “To achieve these, he result of measures put in place by the Comptrollerdrew his policy thrust, which harped, on Honesty, General, many industry stakeholders hold a different Integrity and Transparency as bases for achieving view. While efforts of the Comptroller General the mandate. Starting from the Headquarters and in ensuring revenue rise could not be wished then to all Customs formations across the Country. away, it was gathered that the exchange rate, the “Knowing that reform and restructuring are depreciating value of the Naira to the Dollar with activities within the Nigeria Customs Service, while which import duties are calculated and coercion by raising the much-needed revenue requires coopera- customs officers in the ports and border stations tion and Compliance from the part of Stakeholders, accounted for the high revenue. Until recently, the CGC embarked on Stakeholders visitations the Customs had calculated duty on the rate of to secure their buy into the new way of doing N313 per dollar as against N197 under which business with the Service”. the importers opened their Form Ms. The Service Customs image makers in Lagos, who spoke later reduced the rate to N306, and only this week to this writer, did not mince words on what led the Central Bank further brought the rate to

N303 per dollar .

Former Chairman, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding, CRFFN, Iju Tony Nwabunike, accused the Customs management of simply creating crisis for importers by calculating import duties outside the rate contained in the Form Ms. Nwabunike said while the importers opened their Form Ms through the bank at the rate of N197, the Customs disregarded this to collect duties at the exchange rate of N313 per dollar.

Describing the money as illegal, he said, many importers succumbed to clearing their goods at that rate because of the fear of demurrage at the ports.“The customs is strangulating importers with such policy. If government does not want Form M, why not tell importers so that they will do Destination Inspection. How can you tell somebody to open Form M, and when this is done, you disregard it and calculate duty on different rate.

This is uncalled for. And this explains why there is so much suffering, because when the importer clears the goods, he must calculate all his expenses to make profit,” he said. He also added that the resultant effect had been that many importers find it difficult selling those goods because of high cost.

“Go to the warehouse and markets, nobody is buying”, he said.

A retired customs officer and maritime lawyer, Chinedu Ogbonna, who spoke to this writer also expressed dismay about the rate being used by the Customs to calculate duty instead of what is on Form M. He gave an indication that this was the major reason why the customs revenue rose. He painted a scenario:“Under the existing laws, the correct and applicable rule for calculation of customs duty transaction value which can be verified is the date the Form M was opened, date of contract of sales, the shipment and arrival dates of the goods in question. Unfortunately, it may not be a level playing field for all the importers with the collapse in the exchange rate regime.

The Nigeria Customs Service naturally configured their system to the recent exchange rate and this shut out all the transactions concluded before the collapse of the foreign exchange window.

Thus, where goods were bought and sold at a transactional value of $50,000 CIF at N197 which

will give you about N9,800,000, the same $50, 000 CIF will now be calculated at the exchange rate of N306”. Ogbonna said that by implication, the customs was robbing Nigerians, who now suffer because of the high cost of living, adding that when an importer spends so much to import, he must as well try to recover what he has lost to the Customs. Ogbonna, who described the tariff regime as a fiscal policy tool with a multiplier effect on the entire economy when properly engaged, said it will stimulate confidence on economic participation.

He faulted the present tariff regime, saying it did not pass through the National Assembly and was never part of the 2016 appropriation bill to have the force of legitimacy, even though, he said, there were copies that could be seen with the signature of the President.

Former President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Eugene Nweke, gave a clear view of the factors behind the rise in Customs revenue.

Nweke said it was a combination of factors, including “in-depth scrutinisation of imports, appreciable export activities and most importantly the CBN directive to the NCS in the month of July as part of its monetary policy instrument through a circular to bench its foreign exchange rate for all imports payable duty calibrations to the prevailing exchange rate and not at the exchange rate at which the shippers opened their form M”.

Nweke added that, “By implication, most of the Form M opened from January to June were at the exchange rate of N197/$1, with which transaction was concluded upon. All the imports arrived into the country to be greeted with a circular jettisoning their transactional exchange rate of N197/$1 to first N298/$1, to N303/$1 and N313/$1. This skyrocketed the CIF base of all imports, thereby boosting the revenue generation as witnessed.”

Noting that the Customs was doing its best as an enforcement arm of the government on revenue generation, Nweke however cautioned that“a sensitive government must draw distinction between exploitation and taxation”, adding that the impact of such insensitivity could only be imagined by the crises in the national economy.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

FBN HOLDINGS PLC – Decline in topline earnings and bottom-line earnings

F

BN Holdings Plc (FBNH) recently released its half year results for the financial period ended June 2016 showing a slight decrease of 1.24% in gross earnings to N267.91 billion from N271.27 billion in the corresponding period of 2016. The decline in revenue is as a result of the drop in interest income, net gains from financial instruments, dividend income and other operating Income. FBNH was unable to grow its revenue base despite a 16.20% rise in loans and advances to customers, and substantial growth of 87.89% in loans and advances to bank.

FBN Holdings Plc has kept up with its regular dividend payment, and has paid a total dividend payment of N5.38 billion (on the basis of 15 kobo per share) for every 50 kobo share, which is higher than 10 kobo per share paid in the previous year.

Earnings decline on the back of rising expenses The bank for the half year period ended, June 2016 recorded a decline of 1.24% in gross earnings to N267.91 billion from N271.27 billion in the corresponding period of 2016; attributable to the drops in interest income and net gains from financial instrument.

Interest income decreased by 17.78% to N169.20 billion in June 2016 from N205.80 billion recorded in the corresponding period while interest expense dipped by 40.97% year on year to N43.15 billion from N73.10 billion. Furthermore, net interest income decreased by 5.01% to N126.05 billion from N132.70 billion during the period under review.

Conversely, net interest income could not manage further interest expenses as it dropped to N56.14 billion by a substantial 49.02% from N110.11 billion in June 2015 due to significant 209.59% growth in impairment charges for credit losses to N69.91 billion from N22.58 billion over the same period. In addition, net interest margin declined to 7.2% in June 2016 from 7.8% recorded in the corresponding period of 2015 which is due to the reduction in investment securities yield as a result of the prevailing low rate environment.

On the other hand, non-interest income rose massively by 52.0% to N94.1 billion in June 2016 from N61.9 billion in June 2015; if foreign exchange were to be adjusted for devaluation, non-interest income would have increased by 22.7% to N75.9 billion.

DESPITE REGULATORY POLICIES IN THE BANKING SECTOR WHICH THREATEN THE BANK’S INCOME GENERATING CAPACITY, WE BELIEVE THE MANAGEMENT OF THE BANK WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ITS EFFORTS TOWARDS STRENGTHENING INCOME GENERATION FROM ITS CORE BUSINESSES AND BETTER MANAGE ITS EXPENSES

This was further highlighted by the increase in cost of risk to 6.5% from 2.1% driven largely by the recognition of impairment on some specific accounts in commercial real estate, finance and Insurance, construction, Oil& gas sectors.

Moreover, net fee and commission income increased moderately by 1.62% to N30.06 billion from N29.58 billion despite a significant increase of 29.49% in fee and commission expense Growing operating expenses impacts further on earnings The bank recorded an operating income of N220.1 billion for the year ended June 2016; representing an increase of 13.1% year on year from N194.6 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2015. On the other hand, total operating expenses decreased by 13.0% year on year to N104.3 billion in June 2016 from N119.9 billion in the corresponding period of 2015. Further analysis of the Company’s total operating expenses revealed that the decline was attributable to broad-based reduction in costs across all buckets

particularly adverts and corporate promotions, cash handling charges and passage & travels.

Furthermore, profit before tax declined by 11.90% to N45.87 billion in June 2016 from N52.09 billion in the corresponding period of 2015. Similarly, net income for the period also followed suit with 10.50% decline to N35.86 billion from N40.06 billion over the period. The decline in bottom-line earnings could not be cushioned by a decrease of 16.58% in income tax expense to N10.03 billion from N12.03 billion over the same period.

Improvement in balance assets position Total assets increased moderately by 15.31% to N4.80 trillion as at June 2016 from N4.17 trillion recorded as at December 2015.

The increase in total assets is attributable to a massive increase of 87.79%, 88.83% and 59.45% in Loans and advances to banks, loans and receivables and other assets respectively amongst others despite the tough operating environment encountered by most financial institutions during this period. Consequently, the Bank’s total liabilities rose by 16.86% to N4.19 trillion as at June 2016 from N3.59 trillion as at December 2015, largely driven by deposit from banks by 173.36% to N395.42 billion from N144.65 billion over the period.

However, the FBN Holdings Plc shareholders’ equity grew by 5.72% to N611.93 billion from N578.80 billion as at December 2015; this was essentially driven by retained earnings of 16.30% to N189.79 billion.

Return on average equity (ROAE) declined to 12.0% as at June 2016 from 14.8% as at the corresponding period of 2015, while return on average assets (ROAA) followed suit as it declined to 1.6% from 1.8%; while cost-to-income ratio stood at 47.4% in June 2016 from 61.5% in June 2015. At 55.9%, the Bank’s liquidity ratio remains above the minimum regulatory requirements of 30% while capital adequacy ratio remains strong at 16.8% well above the regulatory requirement of 15%.

We maintain our HOLD recommendation Despite regulatory policies in the banking sector which threaten the Bank’s income generating capacity, we believe the management of the Bank will continue to focus its efforts towards strengthening income generation from its core

Valuation Metrics 06-Oct-16 Recommendation

HOLD

Target Price (N)

2.51

Current Price (N)

3.07

Outstanding Shares (m)

35,859.29

Market Cap (N'm)

111,275.41

EPS (N)

0.30

PE Ratio

10.20x

Forward EPS

0.29

Forward PE Ratio

10.82x Source: BGL Research

Q2 June 2016 Unaudited Results Turnover (N'm)

267,914

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

45,886

Profit After Tax (N'm)

35,855

Pre-tax Margin (%)

13.38%

Source: Company Report 2016, BGL Research

Full year Dec 2016 Audited Results Turnover (N'm)

505,190

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

21,512

Profit After Tax (N'm)

15,148

Pre-tax Margin (%)

4.26%

Source: Company Report 2015, BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Retail

53.91%

Domestic Institutional

29.47%

Foreign Institutional

14.73%

Govt.-Related Holdings Outstanding Shares (m)

1.88% 35,895.29

Source: Company Report 2016, BGL Research

businesses and better manage its expenses. The strong liquidity position of the Bank and potential profitability from increased focus on lending would cushion the effect of the liquidity withdrawals on the performance.

Considering the above, we leave our projected gross earnings of N590.98 billion for the year ended December 2016; this translates to a forward EPS of N0.29. With a PE multiple of 10.20x combined with the net asset valuation (NAV) method, we arrived at a 6-month target price of N2.51 for FBN Holdings Plc. Since this represents a downside potential of 18.38% on the current share price, we place a HOLD recommendation on shares of FBN Holdings Plc.

27

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

NIGERIA’S TOP 50 STOCKS BASED ON MARKET FUNDAMENTALS

Unity Bank Plc: Operating expenses erodes profitability despite rise in gross earnings

U

nity Bank Plc (Unity Bank) commenced operations in January 2006 following the merger of nine financial institutions with competences in investment banking, corporate and retail banking came together in January 2006 to form the Unity Bank Plc. Unity Bank is one of the Nigeria’s leading retail banks with 240 business offices spread across the 36 states and Federal capital territory. Unity Bank is Nigeria’s 7th largest Bank by business locations. Unity Bank is one of the largest employers of labour in Nigeria and a major contributor to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) .

Unity Bank Plc released its results for the half year for the period ended June 2016 which shows a decline of 35.12% in gross earnings to N21.78 billion from N33.56 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2015. The significant drop in revenue decline is as a result of the decrease in key items that contributes to Gross Earnings.

Significant drop in gross earnings The banks interest and similar income decreased by 42.32% to N13.48 billion in June 2016 from N23.37 billion in June 2015 while interest and similar expense also followed suit with a massive decline of 32.73% to N5.92 billion from N8.80 billion over the period. However, due to the a higher decline in interest expense compared to interest income, net interest income during the period under review decreased substantially by 48.12% to N7.56 billion from N14.56 billion.

Further analysis into the company financials reveal that net fee and commission dropped by 82.75% to N804m in June 2016 from N4.66 billion in June 2015. However, Net trading income rose by 9.78% to N910m in June 2016 from N829m in the corresponding period of 2015; other operating income also followed suit with a massive rise to N6.53 billion from N3.47 billion; representing a change of 88.16%.

In addition, Foreign exchange income dipped massively by 95.45% to N56m from N1.24 billion.

Total operating Income soars

WE RECOGNISE THAT THE BANK HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FURTHER BOOST ITS EARNINGS ONCE IT CAN SUSTAIN ITS CURRENT POSITIVE TREND AND CURTAIL THE RECENT SPIKE IN OPERATING EXPENSES

For the half year period ended June 2015, total operating income stood at N15.85 billion from N24.78 billion; this represents a change of 35.97%. The decline in total operating income is attributable to the decrease of 48.12%and 82.75% in Net Interest Income and Net fee and commission Income respectively.

Decline in profitability The bank recorded a decrease of 70.20% to N2.61 billion from N8.77 billion over the period, largely driven by a 13.08% spike in total operating expenses to N13.11 billion from N15.08 billion. The spike in total expenses impacted bottom-line earnings as pre-tax profit declined by 70.20% to N2.61 billion in June 2016 from N8.78 billion in the corresponding period of 2015. Net income also followed suit with a similar decrease of 70.20% to N2.35 billion from N7.90 billion over the period.

Despite the decline in income tax expense, pre-tax profit and Net Income for the period declined substantially. This decline in net earnings could be as a result of the tight monetary policies embarked on the Central Bank of Nigeria

(CBN).

Furthermore, depreciation of property and equipment fell to N895m in June 2016 from N1.01 billion in June 2015; reflecting a change 11.54%, while amortization of intangible assets also declined by 25.74% to N101m from N136m over the period.

Strong assets quality The bank’s balance sheet witnessed a growth of 5.47% in total assets to N467.57 billion in June 2015 from N443.32 billion as at December 2015. The growth in total assets is attributable to the following: a significant growth of 21.34% in cash and balances with central bank to N33.47 billion in June 2015 from N27.59 billion in December 2015, a 5.04% rise in loans and advances to customers to N258.54 billion from N246.14 billion over the period, coupled with a 54.39% increase in other assets to N9.87 billion in June 2016 from N6.39 billion in December 2015. Further breakdown of the assets shows that the financial investments available for sale grew by 25.34% to N54.04 billion from N43.11 billion while financial investments held to maturity increased significantly by 16.37% N29.37 billion from N25.24 billion.

Total liabilities on the other hand also increased by 6.52% to N384.28 billion in June 2016 from N360.75 billion in December 2015.

This growth in total liabilities is attributable to a 20.83% increase in due to customers to N279.65 billion from N231.44 million and a 12.54% increase in debt issued and other borrowed fund to N79.11 billion from N70.29 billion over the period.

Therefore, due to the higher increase in total liabilities (6.52%) over total assets (5.47%), total equity grew slightly by 0.87% to N83.29 billion from N82.57 billion over the period.

Profitability Ratios Return on assets (ROA) declined moderately to 0.50% from 1.78% while Return on Equity (ROE) also followed suit with a moderate decrease to 2.83% from 9.56% over the period.

BUY recommendation maintained The macro-economic headwinds of 2016 saw inflation rise to 16.48%, MPR at 14% and the further increase of CRR on all public sector deposits to 22.50%

Valuation Metrics 06-Oct-16 Recommendation

BUY

Target Price (N)

1.54

Current Price (N)

0.74

Market Cap (N'm)

8,650.11

Outstanding Shares

11,689.34

Rolling EPS (N)

0.47

P/BV

0.33 Source: BGL Research

Q2 June 2016 Unaudited Results Gross Earnings (N'm)

21,775

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

2,614

Profit After Tax (N'm)

2,353

Pre-tax Margin (%)

12.01 Source: BGL Research

FYE December 2015 Audited Results Gross Earnings (N'm)

78,826

Profit Before Tax (N'm)

2,342

Profit After Tax (N'm)

4,689 Source: BGL Research

Shareholding Information Shareholders

% Holding

Public Float

100.00%

Outstanding Shares (m)

38,446.68

Source: Company Data, BGL Research

in June 2016 from 20% in February 2016, this CBN’s monetary tightening policies have resulted in limited income generation and high cost of fund. However, Unity Bank’s Performance was affected by the harsh business environment and unstable monetary policies. We recognise that the bank has the potential to further boost its earnings once it can sustain its current positive trend and curtail the recent spike in operating expenses.

We valued each unit of Unity Bank Plc’s stock using the Net Assets Valuation Method (NAV) and Price to Earnings (PE) method which resulted in a 6-month target price of N1.54 of each share of Unity Bank Plc, which represents an upside potential of up to 107.43%.

We therefore maintain our BUY recommendation on the stock Unity Bank Plc.

28

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

BUSINESS/PERSPECTIVE

NCC: A Look at Danbatta’s One Year in Office Yakubu Musa

M

r Tony Ojobo, the quintessential public relations guru in charge of public affairs of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), describes it as “remarkable shift” in the history of the leadership of the regulatory body.

It’s, undoubtedly, not the kind of testimony that you often hear from the mouths of consummate public servants like Ojobo. Yet, there’s so far been a notable consensus on Professor Umar Garba Danbatta’s one year at the helm of affairs of the NCC. It’s gratifyingly positive. And, it bodes well for the future of the industry.

From the Director-General of Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs Dupe Atoki, who once commended the NCC boss for “ensuring that impunity in telecom sector is beginning to be a thing of the past”, to the revered Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who gave him a pat on the back for “already changing the landscape of the nation’s telecom regulation for the better”, there has never been shortage of approval for Danbatta’s leadership at the commission.

Perhaps, that’s why the massive reception organized at the weekend by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), where both his performance and eulogy virtues were in display, felt like an icing on the cake. It also confirmed one thing: the Professor of Telecommunication Engineering is fast carving the industry niche for himself.

The stream of accolades, however, does not come to those who knew him before his current national assignment as any surprise. They would tell you that Danbatta came to the job well-prepared. He also combines that with high level of integrity befitting of the ideal President Muhammadu Buhari’s recruits.

In the last couple of months, NCC has carted home a basketful of prestigious, international awards. For instance, the commission had recently beaten 63 other countries to European Society for Quality Research (ESQR’s), European Award for Best Practices 2016 at a ceremony held in Brussels.

This was only few days after the NCC emerged as African Regulator of the Year at the African Information Technology and Telecoms Awards (AITTA) in Ghana. Danbatta himself has been decorated with similar silverwares. He is the 2016 Telecom Personality of the Year, a recognition given to him at the 12th Nigeria Telecom Awards.

Just recently, the NCC boss was also recognized

Danbatta as Regulator of the Year by African Leadership Magazine in New York.

Yet nothing, perhaps, provides a better, concrete proof of Danbatta’s eventful one year in office than the impressive statistics the industry keeps churning out, as revealed by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Needless to say, the figures the industry pulled off coincided with period of slow growth in the other sectors, amid daunting economic challenges the nation is faced with. But providence often throws this kind of gauntlets on the path of great leaders just to bring the best out of them. Former CBN Governor, Sanusi was so celebrated across the world for shielding our banks against the pitfalls of global meltdown.

It’s thus gratifying that the telecom sector is showing this resilience despite the recession. When the NBS posted the contribution of telecom industry to the GDP for first quarter of the year, Danbatta assured Nigerians, “We are poised to do more in the subsequent quarters”. He’s been proven right.

According to the NBS’s latest data, the telecommunications sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2016 was N1.580trillion, or 9.8 per cent, which represents an increase of 1.0 per cent points relative to the previous quarter. The industry contributed N1.4 trillion to the GDP in the first quarter.

Space won’t permit an elaborate recap here of all the major milestones garnered by Professor

Danbatta in the last one year, but suffice it to note that many are of the opinion that the unveiling of his 8-Point Agenda, which is in line with strategic vision of the commission, was the turning point. It was what actually laid bare the kind of leadership the industry would expect.

Nonetheless, the sheer tenacity he’s displayed in the improvement of contentious issues affecting Quality of Service and the nation’s quest to attain 30 per cent broadband penetration in the year 2018 has also earned him plaudits.

Indeed, Danbatta has raised the bar on stakeholder engagement at all levels. He has engaged the Governors’ Forum to push the National Economic Council’s resolution on multiple taxation and multiple regulations. The advocacy has been paying off.

When he arrived Ogun State few weeks ago, no fewer than 47 base stations belonging to HIS, were under lock and key. He was able to resolve the contentious issues, which led to sealing them at a one-on-one meeting with the state governor, Chief Ibikunle Amosun. The governor also reduced ground rent fee owed from N370 million to N120 million, courtesy of the visit.

Deepening of broadband penetration is the leading component of Dabatta’s 8-Point Agenda, but how has he fared in that respect?

The answer, interestingly, is provided by the former Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson - the initiator of the formation of the National Broadband Strategy. In July 2016 performance report, she averred that from July 2015 to June 2016 broadband penetration in Nigeria grew from 10% to 14 %.

Again, the ITU-UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development’s September 2016 report indicates that Nigeria’s penetration has reached 20.95%.

Significantly, the NCC has articulated a regulatory framework that will enable strategic and systematic licensing and deployment of broadband infrastructure across the country. It has also set up a Broadband Implementation Monitoring Committee within the Commission to give proper assessment and regular appraisals of the plans.

However, while the commission has fine-tuned the Infrastructure provision licenses awarded for Lagos and North Central Zones, five remaining zones under the Open Access Model would soon be awarded as already notice has been placed on the commission’s website.

The recent bidding process for 2.6MHz Spectrum saw MTN Nigeria Ltd emerge winner of six slots.

By the firm’s rollout plans, broadband services on this frequency spectrum will be available within the last quarter of 2016. Besides, a processes for

licensing of more broadband services on the 5.4 GHz Spectrum Band has been initiated.

In a bid to ensure quality of service to consumers, a high level task force has been set up by the commission to identify all the issues militating against quality of service in the networks. The reports of that committee, including those of the Telecom Industry Working Group, are being religiously implemented.

The commission has also encouraged the re-farming of various frequencies to improve their efficiency.

Spectrum monitoring has been improved to ensure sanity in the industry, resulting in the realization of more than N47 Billion within the period.

And in a bid to promote ICT innovations and investment opportunities, the commission has approved the acquisition of 100% shareholding of Visafone Communication Limited in favour of MTN (Nigeria) Communications Ltd; renewed efforts in type approval of equipment as well as intensified support and innovations among the academia and the youth.

On the facilitation of strategic collaboration and partnerships, the NCC has hosted stakeholder consultations including the National Roaming Consultation, Meet the Regulators Forum. Framework for regulation of Value Added Service (VAS) has been unveiled. There are also licensing of frequencies, Industry Working Group (IWG) on Short Codes, Collaboration with the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization (CTO), Telecoms Regulatory Board of Cameroon, MoUs with other government agencies like NESREA, the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Consumer Protection Council, CPC, NITDA, and other agencies of government.

In the same vein, the consumer has received a great attention under Danbatta’s leadership of the NCC. Apart from significant efforts to empowering consumers through educating them, the introduction of “Do-Not-Disturb-Code”, a dedicated short code: 2442, which enables the consumer to opt out of SMS platforms to which they did not subscribe was a novelty that’s been greeted with jubilation by all and sundry.

Of course, there’s a lot of hard work demanded especially at this teething stage of the directive, but the commission is not resting on its oars on account of the evident string of laurels.

No doubt, Danbatta came to an industry that is acclaimed for accomplishing so much; but due to its dynamic nature there still is so much catching up to do. He has so far matched high-sky expectations with stellar performance.

–Musa, Special Assistant (Media) to the EVC - NCC, wrote in from Abuja.

5 Years of GOtv in Nigeria: An Appraisal Linus Acholonou

I

badan, Oyo State. October 11, 2011. The importance of the location and date may have slipped from consciousness, but the occasion was one that announced a sea change in the Nigerian broadcast industry. It was the launch of GOtv, the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) service provider, in the country. Why Ibadan?

The Oyo State capital had, in 1959, given the country and indeed, the African continent, its first television station in the shape of the Western Nigeria Television (WNTV).

It was, thus, a case of television-in its most modern incarnation- coming home. GOtv’s promise at birth was simple: to provide “a low cost-digital television service, offering the greatest selection of local channels, made in Africa for Africans as well as the best international channel”. As simple as the message of the promise was, there were still doubts that quality television content could be made available at pocket-friendly prices.

Those doubts, however, started evaporating when GOtv’s delivery of its impressive buffet of local and world class channels begun on its two bouquets: GOtv Plus, which offered 33 channels at N1,500; and GOtv (now GOtv Value), offering 26 channels at N1,000-a fulfillment of the promise made.

The hardware (decoder and antenna only) sold for N9,900.

The content brimmed with undeniable quality, delivering among others, programming from AfricaMagic Plus, Discovery, Disney Junior, EAfrica, E! Entertainment, Nickelodeon, SuperSport Select Sport, Style, BBC World News and Al

Jazeera as well as local channels such as African International Television (AIT), Lagos Television (LTV), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Plus, NN24 (now defunct) and Silverbird Television (STV).

The programming selection was and remains such that has something for every televisionviewing taste. More content was added to bouquets periodically.

Equally important was that from the beginning, the content was delivered via the most up-to-date technology. GOtv, at launch, premiered the DVB-T2 decoders, the latest broadcast technology platform as a mark of its commitment to and leadership in Nigeria’s march towards digital migration and technological evolution of broadcast television in the country.

This was an open invitation to Nigerians to get on the digital migration train and reap the vast array of its benefits, which include considerably better audio-visual quality and top-tier entertainment-at an affordable price.

Convinced of its quality content, its amazing audio-visual attributes and affordability, prospective subscribers felt they were on to a winner if they signed up for the GOtv service.

From Ibadan, the cradle of television broadcasting in Africa, GOtv spread to other parts of the country. And quickly, too.

Within a few years, GOtv became the staple in many homes dream, entertaining families like never before.

Five years after the launch, GOtv signal is available in over 50 cities in 24 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with three bouquets: GOtv Plus, 50 channels at N1,800 monthly; GOtv

Value, over 25 channels at N1,200 monthly; and the recently introduced GOtv Lite at N400 monthly.

GOtv Lite was introduced in appreciation of the current tough economic situation in the country as the most affordable bouquet on the pay-TV landscape. It offers the subscriber a generous amount of flexibility at a subscription rate of N400 per month (approximately N13 per day); N1,050 quarterly and N3,100 yearly, making it the cheapest pay-TV bouquet in the country.

GOtv Lite comes with nine local channels, two local radio stations, two religion-based channels, children and music channels, one each; two news and commerce channels as well as entertainment and sports channels. GOtv’s introduction of radio stations made it the first DTT service provider to carry radio channels on its platform. It currently has Wazobia FM and Naija FM 102.7.

More value is offered to the subscriber through the reduction in the price of the GOtv decoder and antenna in addition to three months’ subscription.

As a way of ensuring that subscribers derive maximum value from its service, GOtv launched a door-to-door customer service scheme, GOtv Sabimen. The Sabimen are a crop of adequately trained technicians, who go door-to-door to resolve various issues related to GOtv services.

The scheme has provided employment for youths in various parts of the country. Another youth empowerment scheme launched by the provider is the GOtv Canvasser Scheme, which has imbued young people with skills to make GOtv products more accessible to subscribers.

Also in line with its desire for improved customer satisfaction, GOtv introduced the GOtv Customer Forum, a subscriber engagement initiative held

in various parts of the country. The platform provides subscribers the opportunity to inform GOtv representatives of impediments to their full enjoyment of the service and receive answers directly.

Away from providing entertainment via the television screen, GOtv has made a big splash in the sporting arena. A major intervention of the pay-TV service provider could be seen in boxing through the GOtv Boxing Night, which ninth edition held on 2 October. When it debuted in November 2014, it announced the pay-TV provider’s objective as rescuing boxing from the grave ill-health it had slipped into since 90s.

Asphyxiated by poor funding and organisation, Nigerian boxing was left for dead before GOtv Boxing Night. But since 2014, Nigerian boxing has got up from the canvass, regained its vigour and seized public attention as evidenced by capacity crowds seen at every edition of GOtv Boxing Night. Boxers are better remunerated, with a cream topping of N1million for the best boxer at the event.

Alongside GOtv Boxing Night runs the GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, a talent discovery and nurturing scheme that has provided an impressive number of future boxing champions since its launch in February, 2016. Domestic football has also received support from GOtv through the shirt sponsorship provided for Ikorodu United FC. The future looks bright, with GOtv’s commitment to remain irresistible by being bold, friendly, simple, innovative and pragmatic.

– Acholonu, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja.

29

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

TRAVEL

Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Spicing the City with Flavours of Lagos One Lagos and Tasteoff collaborated on a food festival that earned its place on the event calendar of a state increasingly embracing tourism, writes Demola Ojo

“I

t’s the kind of place you would want to come to with a cooler in the trunk of your car,” the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Folorunsho Folarin-Coker, advised during a chance meeting a day before the Flavours of Lagos food festival that took place last week at the Eko Atlantic Waterfront, Bar Beach, Lagos.

There was good reason for the heads-up. The culinary festival which took place over two days during Nigeria’s Independence celebrations revealed another side of Lagos; a city with cuisine as diverse as its inhabitants, with influences not just from across the country but from around the world.

Before getting to the entrance of the 13,000 sqm space set aside for the food fair, the tantalizing aroma of grilled meat filled the air. Apparently, there were about 70 food vendors encircling the tables and chairs where hundreds were seated, and thousands passed through.

Their offerings cut across everything from the nutritional and healthy to the indulgent; barbeque to smoothies, seafood to ice cream.

Exhibitors included Casper & Gambinis, Hans and Rene, Ginger Tapas & Grill and Our Majesty Chinese.

Interesting names like Afrolems, Ounje Express, Sugary Fingers, Wrap City and Uncle Femi’s Rustic Kitchen were present, among others. Beyond Nigeria, there was Indian, Chinese, Italian, American and Lebanese cuisine, all part of the gastronomical experience in Lagos.

The variety meant healthy teas from Askdamz, chapman and palm wine from Eventi Cocktails, Kilishi and Zobo from Arewa Pot. There was curry goat rice from Mango Room, asun from Pumping’s Grill, rice and peas with Rasta pasta from Jamski. The latter certainly has Jamaican influences.

Flavours of Lagos was not just a culinary experience. The Toddler Town/ Children Section meant families could stop by and spend Sunday feeling the evening sea breeze. There were DJs at opposite ends of the beach stretch.

One of them, Dj Caise, was on the stage where leading Nigerian artistes performed at concerts both nights.

Shawarma and Suya stands kept up till late.

And there was the VIP section, where cabanas hosted parties complete with club lights, cigars and champagne.

“Part of the problem with tourism is people don’t know what is available, where it’s available and when it’s available,” the commissioner for tourism remarked on the second day of the festival. “We looked at the diverse culinary arts we have in Lagos. Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba as a base, Lebanese, Chinese and Indian on top of it, and everything is being glued together.

And our people are redefining the culinary experience in different ways as you’ve seen.”

Guests at Flavours of Lagos...

Flavours of Lagos is a broad theme but starting off with food, he explained. There could be a fashion show around the same theme, he suggested. “We’ve already had the One Lagos Fiesta, which is the flavours of music that we have. Can you imagine if we had a Flavours of Lagos in terms of film? So it’s exploring other ways that we can look inwards and redefine the experience in Lagos and to consume more of what we already have here, rather than looking outward.

Secondly, the governor said at the beginning of his tenure that he was going to run an inclusive government where nobody will be left behind.

Again, Flavours of Lagos is about everybody’s food, everybody’s style, everybody coming together.”

How often will events like these be held? “I asked that same question of one of the vendors,” Mr Folarin-Coker replied, “And she said she wants it every day.”

Flavours of Lagos is a collaboration between the state government, the vendors and corporate sponsors. The corporate sponsors include Nigerian Breweries and Pepsi.

“We can come together and drive these sort of events. At the end of the day, they get something back in terms of exposure and the consumption of their products. The vendors make money from selling. This is a platform, an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

“What I’m doing is creating a base, a foundation, so that whatever you want to build in Lagos can be done on it. If it exists in Lagos, there’s a need for the consumption of it in Lagos.”

PHOTOS: Olalekan Oluwatosin

Children’s corner

Concert at night

30

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • october 9, 2016

MARKET NEWS

CDCSL Set to Launch Real Estate Private Equity Fund Goddy Egene Converged Dynamics Capital Services Limited (CDCSL), a financial services company licensed by the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), is getting set to launch a private equity fund for investments in the Nigerian real estate sector.

Managing Director of CDCSL, Mr. Abiodun Akinniranye, who disclosed on Friday, said the company has engaged both foreign and local service providers towards launching

a robust private equity-based fund for Nigerian real estate investment.

According to him, the fund is being structured and would serve the dual purpose of accelerating the growth of the Nigerian real estate sector and bridging the country’s housing deficit while simultaneously providing return-minded investors with a gilt-edge instrument to invest their funds.

He said with a huge housing deficit, which stands at roughly 17 million units, there is no way

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

the government or regular banks could provide the required funding to bridge the supply gap.

He said: “Specialised investment vehicles like structured funds are the viable option for large scale projects in the sector.

There are funds out there for the Nigeria market, forget the notion that the international investment community is averse to investing in Nigeria or that our current foreign exchange liquidity challenges are scaring them off. These challenges will

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 06-Oct-2016, unless otherwise stated.

reduce and then stabilize. These funds are long-term instruments with investors looking at exit horizons of seven years and above. They realise that Nigeria continues to be a compelling story and the long-term assessment is that we are a viable investment destination.”

Akinniranye noted that one of the main challenges for the attraction of investments to Nigeria is the lack of appropriately structured financial instruments as investors are interested in the structure of the

fund, quality of its investment committee, the service providers and the experience of the fund managers among other details.

He said CDCSL has the expertise, experience and network to structure appropriate Private equity funds for the real estate sector, assuring that the fund will be structured in line with the global best practices and regulatory framework of SEC. He added that CDCSL’s Structured Finance Department focuses on raising funds

for viable projects through specialized instruments tailored specifically to the dynamics of the project.

The CDCSL boss restated the commitment of CDCSL to creating various investment funds of different strategies for the Nigerian financial market with a view to enhancing the capital formation necessary for development of major national priorities such as housing, hospitality, health and power among other general sectorial challenges.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Afrinvest Equity Fund 124.02 Nigeria International Debt Fund 216.28 ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.67 AIICO CAPITAL LTD Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price AIICO Money Market Fund ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name ARM Aggressive Growth Fund ARM Discovery Fund ARM Ethical Fund ARM Money Market Fund AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name AXA Mansard Equity Market Fund AXA Mansard Money Market Fund CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Nigeria Global Investment Fund Paramount Equity Fund Women's Investment Fund FBN CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fbnquest.com; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name FBN Fixed Income Fund FBN Heritage Fund FBN Money Market Fund FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Equity Fund Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Growth Fund

100.00

aaml@afrinvest.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 124.62 10.99% 217.09 8.04% info@acapng.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.68 9.59% ammf@aiicocapital.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

100.00

14.33%

enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Bid Price 12.84 294.10 22.90

Offer Price 13.22 302.97 23.59

Yield / T-Rtn 5.33% 5.23% 3.84%

1.00

1.00

11.88%

investmentcare@axamansard.com Bid Price 100.82

Offer Price 101.46

Yield / T-Rtn 1.14%

1.00 1.00 11.36% investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Bid Price 2.10 9.39

Offer Price 2.15 9.63

Yield / T-Rtn 3.16% -4.71%

82.38

84.49

1.56%

invest@fbnquest.com Bid Price 1,062.79 114.71 100.00 $105.13 $105.05 112.31

Offer Price 1,063.77 115.22 100.00 $105.93 $105.86

Yield / T-Rtn -1.79% 5.48% 10.91% 5.53% 5.45%

113.83

13.07%

fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Bid Price 0.94 2.51

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.95 3.85% 2.51 7.75% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 2,232.70

Offer Price 2,260.73

Coral Income Fund 2,034.01 INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price

Yield / T-Rtn 2.67%

2,034.01 7.53% enquiries@investment-one.com Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund

1.00

1.00

11.10%

Vantage Balanced Fund

1.64

1.66

0.53%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 0.99 1.00 11.08% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 983.40 983.40 -1.66% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 9.88 9.97 1.01% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 13.44% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.02 1.04 -2.63% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 107.02 107.90 5.12% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.22 1.22 7.64% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 1,811.01 1,821.81 7.85% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 150.73 150.73 2.48% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.80 0.81 7.33% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 179.23 179.23 5.62% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 136.67 138.34 0.99% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 15.05% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,784.30 7,888.05 8.31% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.17 1.17 8.79% United Capital Bond Fund 1.26 1.25 16.11% United Capital Equity Fund 0.77 0.77 0.74% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.00% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 9.93 10.11 3.98% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.46 11.57 0.00% Zenith Income Fund 16.48 16.48 2.75%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.43 122.18

2.69% 5.46%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.05 79.58

9.15 81.08

-5.50% -4.38%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697

Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

2.70 7.38 12.70 18.13 -

2.74 7.46 12.84 18.33 -

16.74% 15.40% 1.35% -5.59% -

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

09.10.2016

LOVETTE OTEGBOLA

HOW FAME FOUND HER

32

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

IMAGES

O

n Wednesday September 21, 2016, dignitaries from all works of life converged on The Metropolitan Club, lkoyi, Lagos, for the unveiling of a book titled A Conscious Life, authored by Mrs. Funmi Oyetunji, a former banker.

The Chairman of the occasion was the Emir of Kano, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi ll, Guest of Honour was former Chairman of Punch Newspapers, Chief Ajibola Ogunsola while the book reviewer was Chairman, Editorial Board of THISDAY, Mr. Segun Adeniyi. Here are some of the faces present at the event.

Photographs by Ibrahim Adewale

L-R: Husband of the Author, Mr. Femi Oyetunji; Author, Mrs. Funmi Oyetunji; Sarkin Kano, Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, former Managing Director, Punch Newspapers, Mr. Chief Ajibola Ogunshola; Chairman, This Day Editorial Board/Book Reviewer, Mr. Segun Adeniyi; Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Ms. Sola David-Borha and Chief Olu Akinkugbe

L-R: Folu Ayeni; Tokunbo Omisore and Segun Oki

L-R: Mrs. Janeth Akinkugbe; Deaconess Ajibike Salami and Mrs. Laide Sasegbon

L-R: Former Lagos State Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu; Mrs. Suzanne Iroche and Mrs. Morin Desalu

L-R: Dr. Oladimeji Alo; Arc. Ayo Onajide and Dr. Ebun Sonaiya

L-R: Ms. Prisca Soares; Mrs. Ifeoma Idigbe and Mrs. Namda Ambah

L-R: Mr. Adegbemiga Adetayo and Mr. Ernest Ebi

L-R: Mrs. Asiya Lawal and Mrs. Aisha Oyebode

L-R: Pastor Wale Adefarasin and wife, Laolu

T H I S D AY SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

57

58

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • OctOber 9, 2016

COVER

LOVETTE OTEGBOLA

HOW FAME FOUND HER All she ever wanted to do was dance. And she deliberated the way she navigated her path to hug her dream. However, the spanner was thrown into the works of Lovette Otegbola at the moment when fame beckoned.

Spoilsports emerged, particularly in the media to mess up her celebration. Vanessa Obioha reports on Otegbola’s resilience and how she fought her way back on the spotlight

T

he day had begun with a golden glow. There was no hint of dark clouds in the clear blue sky. For Lovette Otegbola who was planning a party, it was a good sign. It was her son’s birthday. Invitations had been sent to friends and loved ones and her children couldn’t hide their ecstasy watching their mother set up the decor for the party. They hoped around her as she meandered from the kitchen to the make-shift birthday hall where cards, balloons, tables, chairs and other artworks were in a perfect state of flurry.

A bouncing castle was erected outside for the children.

Like a thief in the night, the dark clouds crept into the clear blue sky, chasing away the bright sun. Within minutes, the sky unleashed its fury with a deluge of rain. But she refused to let the weather dampen her mood. She went about the preparations as if the sun was still shining brightly.

This reporter arrived in the rain.

Offering words of understanding, she led her to the living room upstairs where her children were watching TV. She pleaded with them to excuse her for a minute.

Caught between phone calls, children and loved ones who came to assist her, it was difficult to have her full attention. One minute she was telling a parent on the phone: “I know it’s raining...yes...they can come...we are almost done...it’s just for two hours.”

The next minute, she was rushing out of the room to give instructions to the caterers.

Just when she thought she could have a respite, her former employer and close friend, Sarah Boulos of the Society for Performing Arts in Nigeria, SPAN, and her little daughter arrived. One could tell from the hugs and screams that they share a special friendship. Introductions were made and the celebrant waltzed in to greet his godmother. Boulos engaged the young lad in a little chat about his academics, friends and Jesus. Again, Otegbola left to attend to another need. During her long absence, her mother-in-law arrived.

We got talking and her admiration for Otegbola was very evident.

“When my son first introduced her to me, I was afraid because she was too skinny. But I have come to realise that that is her beauty. I wouldn’t have wanted another daughter-in-law. She is an amazing woman.”

Finally, Otegbola returned and demanding to be left alone, she took me to her children’s neatly-tidied room.

She apologised again as we sat on one of the beds. She admitted that scheduling the interview was a bit tasking due to her busy schedule. In fact,

she planned two hours for the party.

“It’s a whirlwind for me sometimes.

I’m a mother, entrepreneur, an educator.

My mornings are usually dedicated to my children. I drop them at school and make sure everything is going on well.

Then I go about my daily work which starts by 10 O’clock in the morning. I try hard not to exceed 3:00pm. If I have any other thing in-between or later, I make sure I come back to pick my children from school, spend some time with them, seeing to their homework and other chores. I may have two or three hours for any other businesses. I try to structure my life like that so I can have time for them.

“This period is really busy. I haven’t been so much around because of Project Fame. It’s harder because I’m taking the schedule from now till late in the evening. Sometimes I pull them along so that they can experience mummy’s whole day and as well, have my eyes on them. I always say to myself, I don’t want anything to take away the moment I have with my children. I don’t want to waste it because the truth is we never get it back.”

Her bustling lifestyle started few years ago when she decided to pursue her dream to own a dance company.

Being born to parents who are avid dancers, it was only a matter of time before the trait in her DNA began to manifest. As a child, she was the life of every party she attended. Till date, she is fondly remembered for her dance moves. She confessed that the late pop legend, Michael Jackson, was her idol and she had fantasies and dreams to dance like him and meet him before his untimely death in 2009. Sadly, the year of his death coincided with the birth of her son.

With her keen interest in dance, Otegbola needed no clairvoyant to tell her that dance was her true calling.

Right from her days in the University of Ibadan where she studied Archaeology and Anthropology, she made up her mind to pursue dance as a profession.

“While I was in school, 200 level, I just had the feeling that I’m going into dance after graduation. I was on my way to class one day when it just came to me that I’m going to be a dancer and also own a dance company.

When I came out of school, for a while I wondered what to do. I told my father about it. He told me to get an administrative experience so I got a job in an office. At that time, I didn’t think I needed the experience. I just wanted to be on stage and dance.”

Nevertheless, she worked in an office for a year after which she dumped her certificate and pursued her career with all doggedness. She became a member of the dance group Spirit of David and when an opportunity came to work

in SPAN in 2004, she grabbed it with both hands. Although, she felt she had little experience, her appointment as an assistant to Boulos gave her the most valuable knowledge she needed in her career.

“I started working there as a full-time assistant to Boulos. I was present in all her classes. I started learning ballet and how to teach.

The first thing I learnt was how to teach. I was with her daily. She ensured that I passed through the different departments. It was an awesome experience for me.”

Working in SPAN availed her the opportunity to have a vast knowledge of the art. From the different styles and their evolution to the technicalities involved.

“The technicalities of dance depends on the dance style. If you are doing an Afrobeat, the skills you require are speed, passion, strength and a lot of our African based dance is concentrated on the lower part of the body, particularly the waist. The upper part is not really doing anything. But when it comes to foreign dance: ballet, modern jazz, Latin dance, you have to know the basics, even if you have studied it.”

She added that dance requires a lot of time and dedication, that there are no shortcuts in dance. You have to go the whole mile. “If a particular dance style will take 150 hours of training, you have to complete it. Most people stop half-way and assume they know it all.

No, that won’t work. A good eye will always fish you out. The good thing is that Nigerians are getting enlightened.

I know parents who will bring their children to me because they know that my training is superb not because they watched a video. What you get in the classroom is really different from what you get in the video.”

For Otegbola, the importance of dance in the entertainment industry cannot be overlooked. Apart from it being a form of expression, it can generate revenue for the entertainment industry.

“Dance allows one to express

Otegbola

DA ATIL ARGU SUCH PR ‘OUR CULT WAYS ARE EASIL PASSING GENER IT’S NOT INTERE ACCESSIBLE AS A DAYS EVERYONE OF THEIR INTER NAIJA MUSIC. G OUR CULTURAL TAUGHT FOR PE TRADITIONAL D EMBRACED THA REVOLUTION

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • OctOber 9, 2016

OTHER INDIGENOUS DANCE STYLES LIKE THE LOGU AND BATA, SHE UED, ARE YET TO ENJOY PROMINENCE BECAUSE TURAL VALUES AND LY FADING WITH EACH RATION. NOT BECAUSE ESTING BUT IT’S NOT AS AFRO POP WHERE THESE E IS UPLOADING VIDEOS RPRETATION OF OUR COOL GO ONLINE,YOU DON’T SEE L DANCES UPLOADED AND EOPLE TO FOLLOW EASILY. DANCERS HAVE NOT AT PART OF THE WORLD

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Otegbola dancing with her colleagues

oneself. A sense of unity is found within the dance. Dance can generate revenue in the entertainment industry as well as in tourism. For example, we can organise dance shows and concerts, dance education workshops and dance festivals, cultural tours, etc.”

She buttressed the point with the growing global recognition of Afrobeat.

“Nigeria is so rich in dance. I have not catalogued Nigerian dance styles but at least, I know there are about 30 dance styles peculiar to us. Look at where Afrobeat is now. It picks from every style.

One thing I have seen for sure on the internet in most recent times is a lot of foreigners dancing to Afrobeat. They are learning how to dance Afrobeat. For me, this is good.

If I’m an Afrobeat dancer, I can make money from it. I can take my culture and export it. The only thing I wish is for us to have big dance festivals that can bring influx of dancers from outside the country to learn from us.

Or we export our people. The foreign exchange is good, it’s just that we only think that it’s just dance.”

Other indigenous dance styles like the Atilogu and Bata, she argued, are yet to enjoy such prominence because “our cultural values and ways are easily fading with each passing generation.

Not because it’s not interesting but it’s not as accessible as Afro pop where these days everyone is uploading videos of their interpretation of our cool Naija music. Go online, you don’t see our cultural dances uploaded and taught

for people to follow easily. Traditional dancers have not embraced that part of the world revolution.”

She further highlighted some of the benefits of dance which include physical/mental refreshment and relaxation, cultural values, laughter and fun as a form of entertainment, aesthetic for stage and music videos as well as a form of exercise.

Frowning on the myth about dance being gender based, she argued that dancers should not be disregarded.

This crusade is being led by the Dance Guild of Nigeria where she was recently appointed secretary for the Lagos state chapter.

“In Nigeria today, dance is not making it because a lot of people think dance is just a skill, God’s gift to you.

But for people who have full training, who put in sweat and blood to put themselves out there, they need to make that money. That’s why a lot of dancers are beginning to speak up: Respect my profession. If you are a doctor, I’m a dancer so respect my profession. Don’t offer me peanuts for my services.”

Speaking on the perception of some dance moves as immoral by the public, she argued that if it wasn’t selling, there would be no market for it.

“I’m not justifying it. I’m not the kind of person that will dress half-naked to dance. But there are people who pay for these things, they like it, and people perform it because there’s a market for it. Do you know to be a pole dancer is one of the hardest thing? It’s even worse than going to a ballet school. It’s painful.

People break their necks for things like that. There is a market for it that’s why it exists.”

After eight years of working at SPAN, it was time for her to move on.

By then she was married and shared her vision to own a dance company with

her husband. He constantly reminded her as she progressed in her career, so when she left SPAN, she decided to open a dance company. She initially named it BITS (Bringing it Totally Special) but her mother asked her to add Lovette to it. Today, Lovette BITS is three years old and has over nine teachers attending to the teeming population of children and adults.

As a professional, Otegbola has worked with big brands like Guinness and Maltina. However, her biggest platform so far came with her appointment as the new choreographer in the MTN Project Fame Academy.

On one Sunday evening, as she drove home from a performance for MSJ event, she got a BBM request from someone and out of politeness, accepted. Her phone pinged and it was a desperate message from the new contact requesting for her phone number to call her. She obliged her and got a call from the lady who introduced herself as Bukola from Ultima Studios. She told her she’s been trying to reach her all day and that they are shopping for a new choreographer for MTN Project Fame Season 8 and her boss would like to have a chat with her. Tired, she told her to call back few minutes later when she would be home.

“It didn’t click that instant. My husband was driving me and he inquired who the caller was so I casually told him that it was some people like that, looking for a new choreographer.

Immediately I got home, my phone rang again and the caller introduced herself as Uzo from Ultima Studios. She repeated what Bukola told me and asked me to come for an audition on Tuesday. I had less than two days to put something together. I asked for the address and exactly what they wanted me to do.

She told me to just come and do one or

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • OctOber 9, 2016

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Otegbola dancing with her mates

two dance moves and I will be asked questions as well, like in an interview. I agreed and hung up the phone. Then I told my husband and he was like ‘is that not what Kaffy does?’ I picked up my phone and immediately dialled Kaffy. I asked her what’s going on and she said she’s been trying to reach me all day to tell me to expect a call from Ultima.

She said they asked her to write a list of persons whom she thought could take over from her and she penned down my name.”

By the time she got to the venue on Tuesday, she was surprised to see that four other persons who were also asked to write a list had put down her name. Due to the short notice, Otegbola had little time for preparation. She dragged her choreography assistant Bobby Francis Emeka to perform a jive and contemporary piece which they had performed at the MSJ event, then topped it with a solo performance.

For the four days she waited to hear the verdict of her performance, Otegbola was antsy. On many occasions, she was tempted to dial the number but she managed to get rid of anxiety by concentrating on a school she was working with at the moment. This was in first week of last July.

The call finally came through while she was in a class. Her heart began to race wildly as she left the classroom and asked someone to stand in for her.

With shaky hands, she pressed the answer button on her phone and placed the phone on her ears.

“Hello” she said nervously.

The caller reintroduced herself but patience was not a strong virtue for her at that moment. She politely told the caller she knew who she was.

“We would like to know if you don’t mind joining the team for MTN Project Fame season 8.”

Silence. Then a loud scream that got most of the teachers rushing towards

her. She apologised and returned to her phone conversation. Every other thing went so fast. The next minute she was on the phone with Kaffy.

“I got the slot girlfriend!”

Another scream ensued, this time from Kaffy.

“I’m so happy for you. I knew you were going to get it. Although, I suggested other people, but I really prayed you would clinch the slot,” said Kaffy excitedly.

Interestingly, the new deal would be a mixed blessing for Otegbola as Nigerians didn’t embrace her with the same fervour she embraced the job.

“It was very ugly. I think that was one of the lowest point in my life.

Honestly, I didn’t know the media would swallow me. They didn’t like my style. I wish people will know that people are different. The way I raise my child is different from the way another raises her child. I have my own peculiar style of the way I teach and they were not used to that. There were times I got terrible messages on my Facebook and Instagram. Some were very nasty. They called me a fool, that I don’t know what I was doing, that they don’t like me. I braved the show but I was really depressed. But the contestants, Uncle Ben, Mummy J, Ms Ige, Mrs Uzo Sanwo, gave me an incredible support and courage. There were days I couldn’t go on, but they were there for me. They urged me to show up because it’s work. It was tough but I pulled through and then I think a few people began to believe in me. The greatest gift for me is that MTN Project Fame as a brand still put their trust in me to finish the season. If you thought someone was whack at their job, trust me you will fire them in a heartbeat. But they believed in me.”

Indeed they believed in her by renewing her contract. Who knows, she may return next year.

HER BUSTLING LIFESTYLE STARTED FEW YEARS AGO WHEN SHE DECIDED TO PURSUE HER DREAM TO OWN A DANCE COMPANY. BEING BORN TO PARENTS WHO ARE AVID DANCERS, IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE TRAIT IN HER DNA BEGAN TO MANIFEST. AS A CHILD, SHE WAS THE LIFE OF EVERY PARTY SHE ATTENDED. TILL DATE, SHE IS FONDLY REMEMBERED FOR HER DANCE MOVES… WITH HER KEEN INTEREST IN DANCE, OTEGBOLA NEEDED NO CLAIRVOYANT TO TELL HER THAT DANCE WAS HER TRUE CALLING. RIGHT FROM HER DAYS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN WHERE SHE STUDIED ARCHAEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY, SHE MADE UP HER MIND TO PURSUE DANCE AS A PROFESSION

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Onoshe

airtimeplus98@gmail.com

Nwabuikwu SOAPS AND SERIES

Women of Steel on Telemundo

A scene from a nollywood movie

The Battle Between Old and New Nollywood

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ou may have heard about the recent battle between the old Nollywood and the new Nollywood. It was more like a war of words actually but I’m sure you agree ‘battle’ sounds more dramatic.

Whether you call it war, battle or debate, it’s nothing out of the norm.

It must be in man’s nature for the old to contend with the new and vice versa. Although as in most things, trust the Nigerian factor to emerge as the protagonist of this age old struggle for supremacy/relevance.

What started this latest battle between the old and the new stemmed from film maker Charles Novia’s interview with Emma Ugolee on The Gist in which he reportedly dismissed some new Nollywood actors as Instagram stars, etc, etc. His companion on the day was fellow film maker Moses Inwang who had issues with the fact that some of these actors preferred to see themselves as ‘new’ Nollywood. I like many people only caught the ‘controversy’ that this interview generated rather than the original interview.

Mind you, this will not be the first time Charles Novia would be ruffling some feathers. Which is why I don’t need to watch The Gist to get the ‘gist’ of what Charles Novia supposedly said. Not too long ago during the MOPICON (Motion Picture Of Nigeria) draft bill debate, he referred to some Nollywood actors as upstarts or was it up tarts?

The beauty of upstarts is that it also contains up stars.

Expectedly, reactions have mostly fallen along age lines: Young, perennially (and imagined) young people tended to side with the new while the old, those who crave respect (like oxygen) and like to ascribe age and veteranship to themselves tended to fall in line behind the so called old Nollywood. Who is really old Nollywood anyhow? Is it the film

makers from 1992 (agreed birth year of Nollywood) or those from the 50s and 60s? Or even much earlier? But I digress.

It would be much easier to fall in one of the two lines drawn: old vs new. But I love the freedom that comes with being open minded too much to choose sides in this particular instance. Wait, maybe I am here to take sides. That would have to be the third side. I know I hadn’t told you there was a third side. Now you know. There’s a third side which includes those who aim to embrace the positives in the other sides. This position is not so new because it predates this new ‘battle’.

I’d rather we did not knock anyonesweep aside an entire generation away with one giant broom just because of age, tribe or their attitude. We’re now all witnesses to what the political broom of change has brought on Nigeria.

In any case, not that long ago, it was other ‘old’ people calling those who now consider themselves ‘old’ Nollywood neophytes and impostors. Those older film makers thought it insulting that the then ‘new’ film makers could consider themselves film makers. Their main grouse was with the fact that the newcomers who didn’t shoot their films on celluloid had the effrontery to call themselves film makers.

Video makers, maybe. Even that they found too generous. There must be many definitions as to what constitutes a film. I subscribe to the definition of a ‘film being about moving pictures, telling a story.’

Those older people had issues with more than the platform stories were being told. They turned up their noses at even the stories, treatment of stories, etc. I suspect some of them had issues with the very existence of these new film makers. And in Nigeria, you can expect that some people are going to complain about the fact that the new people were not showing enough

respect, were too full of themselves and so on.

I haven’t even mentioned those who found the very term Nollywood terribly offensive. An assault to their collective royal sensibilities.

Those people, those who think lumping them into Nollywood somehow lowers or cheapens their craft may still exist How dare anyone try to name their industry after Hollywood? What was with aping someone else? Even though some now consider plagiarism par for the course and even flattering to the one plagiarised, those senior citizen film makers didn’t care to seek validation from being identified with Hollywood. Naija wood? Some people love to hate the term ‘naija’.

Nigeriawood then? What’s with the fixation with woods? In any case, don’t some people have a problem with Nigeria because it was the brain wave of Lord Lugard’s girlfriend Florence Shaw? Why Nigeria? All this ‘history’ just goes to show that there’s no end to what people can disagree over.

Nonetheless, the one thing, we who find ourselves in this accidental nation called Nigeria can do is to help each other along. There are far too many things, too many real problems for us to expend so much energy on how disrespectful or untalented the new generation is. Or how outdated the old generation is for that matter.

I didn’t support those who said only shooting on celluloid qualified anyone to be called a film maker.

I don’t support knocking the newnow. In any case, before you know it, the new becomes the old and another ‘new’ comes along. And don’t be fooled, each needs the other, one way or another.

In case it wasn’t obvious, I do respect Charles Novia as a film maker. I also respect his right to his opinion even if I think there are much more pressing issues to fight for/against in Nollywood.

Sara Aguilar Acero (Blanca Soto) is the Woman of Steel (Senhora Acero). Her husband Vicente Acero (Damian Alcazar) is killed by the cartel on their wedding day along with her father. Vicente may have been a dirty cop and the cartel will stop at nothing until they recover the $3m Vicente stole from them. Vicente’s widow, Sara, is the obvious first choice in trying to get their money back. So naturally, the cartel is after Sara. There’s also her sister Josefina’s husband, Felipe Murillo, mayor of the city. He is also after the almighty $3m. Did I mention that Sara’s sister Bertha also has it out for Sara because she believes Sara stole Vicente from her?

Sisterly hatred oils many a Telemundo storyline.

But it doesn’t take long before Sara turns into a woman of steel reminiscent of Queen Of The South (La Reina del Sur). Teresa Mendoza starts out as a deliberately naive woman until fate pushes her into being a strong and tough woman who goes on to control a thriving cartel.

Sara is now on the run. But even in a new city, she is fast gathering enemies.

Friendship and sisterhood also show up. Love is also not far away in the form of police commander Eliodoro (Andres Palacio).

It’s early days yet. We’ve just been through a mere nineteen episodes in what promises to be a bumper series-almost 200 episodes.

Check out Woman Of Steel, Telemundo dstv channel 118, weekdays 7.30 pm.

COME AGAIN? “She could be in potential danger.”

-Adriana (MaryJane Ugbaja), Hush, African Magic Showcase, dstv channel 151, Monday September 26, 8 pm-ish.

I doubt we can hold the scriptwriter responsible for this tautology. It would appear as if some actors like to ‘edit’ their lines by either subtracting or adding to the script. Maybe the original lines had the word ‘potential’ occurring somewhere much later in the dialogue.

Or not. Someone could be in danger is the same thing as someone being in potential danger. Perhaps combining both sounds twice as dangerous and shows just how much danger the person could be in.

But “could be in potential danger” is wrong. It’s either you are in potential danger or you could be in danger.

“I am a survivor, I always stand on top of my game.”

-Funke Akin-Benson (Ayo Adesanya), Casino, African Magic Showcase, dstv channel 151, Monday September 26, 9 pm-ish.

Talk about standing grammar on its head. Or maybe she is just standing on top of grammar. In this case, even good ol’ logic may be standing on its hind legs perhaps in readiness to take off. Standing (staying) on top of your game could make you a survivor in the long run but you can also be a survivor by knowing when to lie low. Whereas ‘standing on top (of your game)’ and lying low are two different things, you can become a survivor in the long run staying on top of your game. Haven’t I already said that?

Well, you do get my drift, hopefully.

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entertainment

with nseObOng OkOn-ekOng 08114495324, nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com

Sparkling Prince of Juju Music Called Ludare Nseobong Okon-Ekong

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veryone is talking about the new star on the Juju music scene; and the discourse is for a good reason. It takes a lot of boldness and forward looking creative spirit to swim against the tide of popular culture. Not minding the fact (which he acknowledged) that both hip hop and Fuji music appear to get more patronage, Ludare has entered the artistic fray believing that he is in it not only for the money but certain altruistic and communal reasons which will stand the test of time. He premised his believe on apparent facts. “The south West has the second largest population in Nigeria.

Hip hop is a passing fad. It is a trend. It will go full cycle and then disappear. If you listened to hip hop on your 21st birthday and go as far as listening to hip hop on your 40th birthday, I bet you by the time you are in your 50th you will want to refer to Juju music or traditional music. The relevance is there but I think the challenge is for us to take it as seriously as possible and make it worthwhile.”

More than anything else, Ludare has stuck to Juju music because he believes that it is one of the avenues we can use to keep our culture, tradition and identity intact. “If you go back into history you will discover that African history is kept more in the oral nature and form through music which is one of the bedrock or the foundation for Juju music. In terms of identifying who I am as a person and my resolve not to lose that identity, I prefer to play Juju music. The driving force is not just the commercial side and making money from music but to keep it.”

A chip of the of the old block, his father the late Emperor Wale Olateju found fame in Juju music circles in the late 60s and the 70s, playing a peculiar strain of the music which he dubbed, Sabada Juju. Growing up, he was surrounded by so much sounds of music. However, his father wanted him to be a medical doctor. Veering entirely away from the desire of his father, he obtained a first degree in English; got a post graduate diploma in PR and Advertising and capped it with an MBA. He started work in the corporate world and this led to the acquisition of more professional training and membership of professional bodies like the Nigeria Institute of Marketing and APCON. Nine years ago, Ludare was in a casual conversation with an older and wealthy business associate and mentioned to him that SONS OF CALIPHATE ON EBONYLIFE Come October 13, EbonyLife TV will premiere ‘Sons of the Caliphate’ a drama series based on the lives of three rich, entitled, passionate and ambitious young men, Kalifah, Nuhu and Diko, all caught up in the hidden corners of power, the darkness of addiction, the heat of love and desire, the obligations of family loyalty, and the craving for revenge.

The 13-part drama series promises to take the audience on a journey into the rich, cultural and flamboyant aristocratic lifestyle of Northern Nigerian. We will get to see what happens when elections are fast approaching and how the tussle for the governorship seat heats up the polity in the Northern Caliphate State of Kowa.

Created, written and produced by Dimbo and Karachi Atiya, ‘Sons of the Caliphate’ is set to reposition the stereotypes about Northern Nigeria in a way people have not imagined before.”

Sons of The Caliphate stars some of the most prominent names in the film and TV industry, including but not limited to: Patrick Doyle, Mofe Duncan, Sani Muazu and Rahama Sadau, who plays the role of Binta Kutigi a confident, intelligent, witty and composed Northern “chick” who is stylish, elegant and yet traditional. Rahama was however recently banned from Kannywood.

We at EbonyLife TV stand with Rahama Sadau and remain proud of the work she has done thus far. We believe that nobody is above mistake and we all deserve second chances.

We certainly hope that the ban is revoked so that Rahama can continue her career and blossom to her full potential.

NIGHT ATTHE KAZBAH ON SOCIAL MEDIA It is getting close to Africa’s biggest star converge in Nigeria’s entertainment capital, Lagos for the second edition of Smooth FM’s A

KSA with Ludare (right)

he could play music and had a band. Pleasantly surprised, the man hired him then and there to perform at his sister’s wedding. With the money he was paid upfront, he bought musical equipments. He played two gigs. It was a big event with sitting governors and lots of high net-worth individuals. He has not looked back since. Weekdays, he is at his duty post, minding his corporate responsibilities.

At dusk on Friday, there is a complete transition. This is when his Ludare persona takes over. He is carefully planning his exit from paid employment where his days are numbered.

Convinced that his experience and influence in the corporate world would serve him well, he has floated plans for a studio and a record label.

If everything else fails, he is convinced that he can work profitably and conveniently within the

business side of the show. He explained, “Often times, performing artistes get carried away with the show and they forget the business. The name of the game is show business. There is the show and there is the business. Both should complement the other for the well being of the practitioner.”

This is where Ludare’s preferred genre is a paradox. His band is composed of 20 members.

Now, that is not good business sense, or is it?

“Based on the introduction of percussion we have a 20-man band. It is about niche. I can run this same concept with programmed beat. You should also look at the economic side. This is economic empowerment if look at it from that angle. This is creating jobs. This is also ensuring that we blend perfectly Western technology and advancement with our culture no matter

how much of technology I want to use, we can’t synchronise the talking drum so much because of the feel and the flavour. One of the things that has kept Juju music relevant is its authenticity. We play authentic Juju music.

This is not the abridged version of Juju music.”

With a fully loaded 8-track album and a three-minute video on YouTube titled ‘Ludare in Dudu’, he has put his hand on the plough and signed his signature boldly on the Juju music landscape. “The reason I have not pushed my work is because I am not really ready to reveal the face behind the name.”

For those who have had the privilege to see him perform, for instance, at one of the 70th birthday gigs for King Sunny Ade by his wife, Adejoke Adegeye, Ludare is a sparkling and fresh discovery.

Night At The Kazbah.

This year’s line-up boasts South African singer-songwriter and guitarist, Jonathan Butler, Soulful House Trio, Mi Casa and Nigeria’s very own, A’rese and will hold on the 22nd of October 2016 at The Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The stars have all confirmed their appearances with unique social media announcements which started with The Voice Nigeria winner, A’rese followed by the soulful house trio, Mi Casa who took time out of their busy Africa Tour to let their Lagos fans know they will be in town - sending social media space into frenzy.

Best known for their smash hit and radio favourite, Jika. The performers alongside The Voice Nigeria winner, A’rese and headliner, South African singer-songwriter and guitarist, Jonathan Butler will trill Lagosians with their electrifying truly authentic African sound.

The premier one night-only concert is promoted by Smooth 98.1FM the curators of contemporary African and Nigerian music. ‘A Night at the Kazbah’ is more than just music, it is a cultural exploration designed to bring good Nigerian, African and World music to the forefront of our consciousness and promote indigenous artistry.

the “King” of Nigerian music.

With the brief, the fast-growing creative firm is saddled with the task to put together what is believed to be “a seminal moment” on the Nigerian event and showbiz circuit.

The iconic, King Sunny Ade turned age 70 on September 22, 2016 and has been feted by different associations and organizations in a long line of ceremonies. The celebrations will climax with a ground-breaking concert production.

Temple Management Company has continued to gain the attention of key stakeholders in the creative industry in Nigeria and on the continental stage since it first set up shop in March 2016. Led by its industrious founder, Idris Olorunnimbe, the company has made its imprints felt in four key areas of operation including entertainment, arts, media and sports.

In addition to being credited to the success of the maiden edition of Mavin Access Concert, the talent firm manages a mélange of Nigeria’s biggest talents drawn from different spectrum including Nigeria’s biggest record label Mavin Records, renowned disc jockey DJ Jimmy Jatt, award-winning visual artist and writer Victor Ehikhamenor, R’n’B performer, Iyanya, artist/ jeweller Mode Aderinokun, award-winning Nigerian broadcast media, Funmi Iyanda and 11-year old tennis prodigy, Marylove Edwards.

While giving the highest assurance on a flawless project delivery, Mr. Olorunnimbe stated that it was an honour to be considered by the legendary music genius to host such a historic concert. He explained: “We do not take with levity the trust reposed in us at Temple Management Company by one of Nigeria’s biggest music colossus, King Sunny Ade. We take this assignment as a big endorsement on our competencies as an organization.”

Mr. Olorunnimbe added: “Our young and

TEMPLE MANAGEMENT COMPANY CELEBRATES KING SUNNY ADE Juju maestro, King Sunny Ade has contracted leading talent agency and event firm, Temple Management Company (TMC) to curate a world class high-octane concert as the climax of his 70th birthday celebrations. The show-stopping event is also set to mark the 50-year coronation of

MI Casa

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ENTERTAINMENT vibrant team of professionals have already started work on this project. We are working with both local and international partners to deliver something that fans of the legendary KSA will be very proud of.”

Mark Redguard, Head of Entertainment at TMC, also promised a show to remember.

“KSA at 70 will have the very best of local and international entertainers. He is a national treasure and he deserves an event that reflects his iconic status.”

Expressing satisfaction in TMC, the Juju music maestro scored the event company high and expressed confidence in their competence to deliver a world-class show. “I have been around the industry long enough to realize that the guys at Temple Management Company are very sharp and know what they are doing with their level of professionalism. I am very pleased to work with to put together a befitting 70th birthday concert for me,” he revealed.

“With this arrangement in place, I can concentrate on what I know how to do best.

You can call this concert one of the biggest of my music career and I am looking forward to giving my fans the best performance of my life,” the septuagenarian added.

‘SUPER ME’ SEASON 3 KICKS OFF Juliet Ibrahim, DJ Neptune, Reminisce and a few other celebrities are the celebrity coaches for the third season of the Fanz Championship Africa ‘Super Me’. A brainchild of Abelinis Limited, the series is a CSR initiative aimed to develop communities in Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos state.

The celebrity edition kicked off last weekend at Ikeja City Mall where viewers watched the match in a relaxed atmosphere. The qualified teams would tackle on wit, speed and knowledge of the football industry and the new introduction of the spinning wheel with striking features like; Free Kicks, Penalty, Over The Bar, Answer the Question and Golden Goal.

The much anticipated matches between the qualified 16 teams would be officiated by ace comedian and On Air Personality Ushbebe as the referee.

The winning team would get a community project.

The season 2 winner got a community project for Amuwo Odofin Primary School which was commissioned recently. The school will get a new borehole, renovation of abandoned toilet facilities and a new generator set to power the borehole.

Super Me series is proudly endorsed by Africans, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Supporters’ Club (NSC).

The Lagos Mainland edition of DJ Jimmy Jatt’s popular concert tagged Jimmy’s Jump Off held leaving a mammoth crowd of funseekers with a lot of unforgettable memories.

It attracted the biggest Disc Jockeys in the country as they took turns on the wheels of steel to give fun-seekers an exhilarating experience.

The open-air venue at the car park of Ikeja City Mall was transformed into a carnival ground while the insatiable crowd gyrated to loud music from top Nigerian artistes who came all out to support the veteran Disc Jockey.

A major highlight of the night was when DJ Jimmy Jatt joined Terry G on stage during his highly-riveting performance of his popular songs. It was the first time that the two entertainers would be performing together on stage after the veteran DJ publicly punished the singer for slapping a Disc Jockey.

Crossover Disc Jockey, DJ Xclusive set the tempo for the night with Adrenalin-pumping performance of his crowd favourite songs such as Pangolo, Shawarma and Ibebe.

Mavin Records’ official Disc Jockey, DJ Big N swayed the crowd with his chart-topping hit song, Erima featuring Wizkid. Other star DJs who sustained the tempo include DJ Spinall, DJ Stramborella, DJ Switch, DJ Mekzy, DJ Humility, DJ Nana, DJ Xclusive, DJ Lambo and DJ Enimoney.

The mainland crowd went gaga when Pasuma and Small mounted the stage churning out street-tested hit songs. Other top performing acts include Terry G, Rayce, Dr. Sid, Vector, Terry Apala, Small Doctor, Dice Ailes, Dot Man and Sound Sultan.

“To say I was overwhelmed by the show of love is an understatement. Lagos Mainland crowd showed us massive love. I want to thank all our sponsors and supporters,” quipped Jimmy Adewale Amu, popularly known as DJ Jimmy Jatt.

DAVIDSON, OMOH WIN AQUAFINA ELITE MODEL CONTEST The Aquafina Elite Model Look Nigeria 2016 contest held at the weekend in Lagos was a night of glamour and glitz as Lagos celebrities and fashionistas thronged the Grand Ball room of the upscale Oriental Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos to witness the event.

For the 20 finalists consisting of 10 males and 10 females, their eyes were set on winning the Aquafina Elite Model Look diadem and were

Is Tony Elumelu Buying Up the National Theatre? No! He Wants to ‘Epp’ the Entertainment Industry

One of the rave jargons in the Nigerian music scene right now is the phrase ‘who you epp’? It is a loose and corrupt attempt to tug at the conscience of the affluent. The apparent and passionate plea is ‘help your brother/sister’.

Obviously, this cry for help has reached the quarters of one of Nigeria’s men of means, Tony Elumelu who decided to do something about it.

In his characteristic in your face and structured approach, he has prompted his charity arm, Tony Elumelu Foundation to enter a working relationship with the federal government of Nigeria through its Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

When invitation to witness the formalities of this working relationship were sent out, the buzz in the creative and art community was that Tony Elumelu had succeeded in buying up the National Theatre. So many interest groups came armed to shoot down the sale. But as it turned out, they had no reason to fret. If and when Tony Elumelu purchases the National Theatre, he will not tip toe about it.

For now TEF and the ministry have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture appointed three representatives from the entertainment industry who will join the TEF team on the best way to engage stakeholders on the actualization of the partnership. They include notable entrepreneur and Founder/CEO of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Ms. Chioma Ude, foremost comedian and actor, Mr. Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere, aka Ali Baba and veteran actress Mrs. Joke Silva.

The partnership will provide a framework for bringing creative industry stakeholders together with investors, financiers and business leaders to transform the creativity of industry entrepreneurs into a profitable sector capable of attracting international collaboration and contributing consistently to the national

economy.

During the signing, the Hon. Minister said, “My Ministry recognises the urgent need to develop Nigeria’s creative industries and increase its contribution to the national economy. Nigeria currently has creative industries but no creative economy. This partnership will leverage the experience of the private sector to help the creative industries retain the commercial opportunity and the financial benefits.”

In April, the Minister approached TEF with a challenge: “How can we work together to help transform the currently underdeveloped and unstructured creative industry ecosystem into an organized and profitable pool of creative industries that provide meaningful employment to thousands of Nigerians?”

At the event, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and UBA Plc Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, CON said, “Without doubt, Nollywood is a global leader and our young musicians are emerging as international sensations with serious earning potential. Nigerians are good at starting creative businesses, but they lack the capacity to scale, proper business management and the investment necessary to become selfsustaining. This partnership will provide the framework for building business capacity and attracting sustainable investment.”

Also speaking at the event, the CEO of the Foundation, Parminder Vir, OBE, expressed her optimism at the future of the creative industry in Nigeria. A seasoned filmmaker herself, Ms. Vir stated, “Nigeria has an abundance of creative excellence, talent and cultural IP in film, television, music, fashion, ICT, performing arts and this partnership is designed to support the growth of this sector for leading businesses, facilities, entrepreneurs and institutions engaged in the fast growing sector.”

L-R Tony Elumelu, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Parminder Vir, D’Banj and Chioma Ude during the MoU ceremony between the Ministry and Tony Elumelu Foundation eager to go on the ruway. After the “Meet the contestants” which was the first appearance, the contestants had opportunity to showcase all they have been taught in the Booth Camp by modeling Kamsi Tcharles’ casual wear made up of a combination of Ankara and batik in the first passage.

They later appeared in other designs: swim suits, evening wears, corporate wears, designer glasses and more. The contestants were pruned down to five each after the fourth passage: Ayeni, Ceejay, Chidera, Collins, and Davidson (male); Amarachi, Oma, Ruth, Omoh and Titi (female).

From the first passage, Davidson showed lots of gait and comportment and was clearly heads and shoulders above the rest.

The ladies contest was not different as all the 10 contestants tried to outdo one another. At the end, the Head of Marketing Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, Mr. Norden Thurston

Winning Female Model

announced Davidson and Omoh winners in the male and female categories respectively based on the scoring of the Judges made up of Richard Mofe Damijo, Bola Balogun, Funke Babs Kuforiji and Norden Thurston. They received one million naira (N1m) each from Aquafina premium drinking water, from the makers of Pepsi. They will represent Nigeria at the Elite Model Look international contest taking place in Portugal later in the year.

Davidson Obennebo, a 400 level Economics student of Bells University, Ota, Ogun State said he was excited at winning the Aquafina Elite model contest. His mother Mrs. Ifeoma Obennebo who was part of the cheering audience with her husband said she was very happy that their only child has brought such a huge honour to the family.

Miss Omoh Momoh one of the youngest on the Aquafina Elite Model Look runway said she hopes to make a great career out of modeling as

that has always been her passion.

PMAN ELECTS PRETTY OKAFOR UNOPPOSED The Performing Musicians Employers’ Association Of Nigeria (PMAN) held their biennial general elections on Tuesday October 4 where the interim President Mr. Pretty Okafor who had initial indicated he wasn’t running for the position of the president of the hitherto embroiled union made a volte-face decision to throw his hat in the ring and contest. He was elected unopposed as substantive president of the union as other aspirants who had shown interest in the position in an admirable show of solidarity and support of the renaissance work he had done in the union during the last eighteen months stepped down. These included Sunny Neji, Ruggedman and ZaakyAzaay, Tolu ObeyFabiyi, Felix Duke and Asha Gangali.

The national conference drew delegates from 24 states of the country with the elections being the highlight of same. Other members that were elected into positions included Sunny Neji -1st vice president, ZaakyAzaay - 2nd vice president , Tolu Obey-Fabiyi –National Treasurer, The Ex-Official members included Felix Duke, Asha Gangali, Ruggedman ,Elvinaibru ,Koffiidowu, Arthur Pepple and Benny Paladin Edoja.

In his acceptance speech Mr. Okafor said he had to heed to the genuine call of all and sundry who had in the days leading to the elections impressed it upon him to contest to consolidate on the good work he and his exco had begun and to take the responsibility of leading the union to the next level. He was thankful and humbled by the support he had received from all quarters and didn’t realize that many had been following the moves of him and his interim executive members that closely. This he assured would make them work even harder to take the union to enviable heights. Okafor added that as the only union for the creative industry which includes music approved by the federal government, the onus was on him and the newly elected members to positively transform that constituency and set it on enviable paths to achieving the objectives for which it was enacted and promulgated in its constitution.

He took time to venerate the founding fathers of the union who also initiated the vision for the union and worked hard to birth it. These included Chief (Mrs.) Christy EssienIgbokwe (late), King Sunny Ade (KSA), Evang. Sunny Okosuns (late), Chief Ebenezer Obey, Lemmy Jackson, Tee-Mac Omatshola-Iseli, Emma Ogosi, Laolu Akins, Funmi Adams, ObyOnyioha, Maliki Showman, Harry Mosco, King Pago, Bobby Benson and many others who over the years have served the union in various capacities. Stating what he and his team had achieved in the past 18months, he summarized his plan moving forward and some of what he intended to achieve during his tenure. These include: The newly elected president further assured that he and his new exco were set to hit the ground running to continue with the good work which they were known for and asked for the continued support of the government both at Federal and state levels, public and private corporate organizations, media, stakeholders, well-wishers and the general public. He stated that he would not let those who bestowed such confidence by voting him in down.

LIBERTY TV BERTHS ON GOTV Two years after its debut as a foremost news and current affairs channel, Liberty Television is now on GOtv Channel 110.

Broadcasting from Kaduna, the station officially started airing on the cable TV platform on Monday, October 3.

In a statement, the Executive Chairman of ATAR Communications Nigeria Limited, owners of Liberty TV, Dr.Ahmed Ramalan said that the expansion is an indication of the station’s rising profile as a leading television platform with an ever increasing audience base across Nigeria and West Africa who are captivated by the TV’s unique mix of English and Hausa contents.

Since its inception in 2014, Liberty TV has become one of the most watched TV channel in the northern part of the country, available on Startimes Channel 180 and Strong HD Decoders.

With the flag-off of digitization in May this year by the Federal Government of Nigeria, in Jos, Plateau State, Liberty TV was also included among the 15 pioneer TV content providers available on the nation’s first FreeTV, on Channel 775.

A 24-hour station, Liberty TV appeals to a broad spectrum of viewers due to its rich content in news, politics, culture, entertainment, business, sport etc. It is also a virile platform for views, rendered in Hausa and English, with active reporting from key Nigerian capitals and correspondents from Ghana, Sudan, Niger, Cameroun, and Chad.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Despite Brexit, London Wants to Build the Largest Film Studio Facility Vanessa Obioha The city mayor Sadiq Khan made known his intention to build British capital’s largest film studio facility in Dagenham, a suburb of East London recently.

Despite the seemingly impact of Brexit on production space, Khan teamed up with Film London, the London Local Enterprise Panel and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham to commission a feasibility study into creating the capital’s first new TV and film production studios in 25 years at Dagenham East. The process will be led by Film London in consultation with the film and television industries.

Pinewood Group and Warner Bros.

Studios Leavesden are among the studio facilities in and around London that have remained busy since Brexit.

“From James Bond and Star Wars to Harry Potter and Bridget Jones’s Baby, London has a vibrant production history and some of the best studios in the world.

To sustain and grow this success story, it is critical that the capital gets significantly more studio and production capacity to maximize the opportunities for filmmak-

ing. London is open to the best creative and cultural minds and I am looking forward to exploring whether a new film studio in Dagenham could help the capital’s film industry thrive for years to come.” said Khan during a visit to Barking and Dagenham.

Considered the third busiest city for film production behind Los Angeles and New York, Film London argued that approximately three-quarters of the U.K.’s film industry is based in and around London, and last year the city generated £1 billion ($1.27 billion) in investment from international film production. .”New studio space will help meet increasing demand and ensure many more multi-million-pound productions come to London, showing the world that, following the EU referendum, the capital remains open to business, talent and creativity,” Film London said.

The site under consideration is 17 acres large and located next to an industrial park. The area is well connected with the District Line subway and Crossrail services, allowing quick access to central London.

Warner Bros studio in the UK

IN A DESPERATE MOVE, BILL COSBY’S LAWYERS REBRAND ARGUMENT Since the scheduled June 5 trial for Bill Cosby who was accused of drugging and sexually molesting women, his lawyers have been on their toes looking for new argument to get the case dismissed. The recent move by the lawyers was made on Thursday where they filed a motion citing delay as a hindrance to a fair trial for their client.

According to them, the time frame which is over a decade now gives room for insufficient evidence as well as unverified claims by women who wants to dent the reputation of Cosby. Thus, denying Cosby of a fair trial.

They also repeated a former argument of the unjust reopening of the civil case which was formerly closed in 2005. The court had agreed that Cosby will no longer be prosecuted but in February, Judge Steven T. O’Neill ruled that prosecutors were not bound by the former district attorney’s decision, and reopened the case, calling for excerpts from Cosby’s testimony where he pleaded guilty to the sexual allegations..

Cosby’s lawyers questioned the credibility of Ms. Constand’s accusation since she waited for a year before she reported the case. “She had had over 20 communications and meetings with Mr. Cosby after the alleged incident and that this undermined the credibility of her claims.”

Runner’ is currently under production.

Titled ‘Blade Runner 2049’,the sequel will feature old and new characters like Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford.

The film is set several decades after the original film. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, ‘Blade Runner 2049’ is written by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green while Ridley Scott who directed the original film is producing it. Other supporting cast of the sequel includes Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis, Jared Leto, Ana de Armas, Dave Bautista and Barkhad Abdi.

Blade 2049 is slated for October 6, 2017.

the ‘Just the Way You Are’ crooner.

He announced the new LP on his Instagram page with the release of the disco funk title track and music video.

Mars last album ‘Unorthodox Jukebox’ was released in 2012. Since then, he has worked with the likes of Adele and featured in the award-winning 2015 Mark Ronson’s smash hit ‘Uptown Funk’.

In the video, Mars bragged about his wealth while surrounded by scantily clad women. He is seen arriving in a private jet with friends in Las Vegas.

The album will be released on November 18 by Atlantic records.

ROLLING STONES NEW ALBUM GETS A RELEASE DATE After a decade hiatus, The British band recently announced the arrival of their new album. Titled ‘Blue & Lonesome’ the 12-song record is a tribute to the blues artists who inspired the bandmates to pursue their dream. Some of the featured classics includ Little Walter, Magic Sam, Little Johnny Taylor, Willie Dixon and others.

Produced by the Stones’ longtime studio collaborator Don Was along with the Mick Jagger and Richards, the album was recorded in three days at British Grove Studios in West London, not too far from where the band got its start over 50 years ago. The album which is due on December 2 also features Eric Clapton.

BLADE RUNNER SEQUEL TO OPEN OCTOBER 2017 The sequel to Warner Bros.’Blade

BRUNO MARS RELEASES ALBUM FOUR YEARS LATER 24K Magic is the new album from

JENNIFER LOPEZ UNITES WITH MARC ANTHONY For her upcoming spanish album.

Jennoifer lpopez is deplkoying the services of her ex-husband Marc Anthony.

Marc’s company ‘Magnus Media and Sony Music Latin’ will produce the album as well as provide consulting and marketing services to break into the Hispanic market.

J.Lo released her first Spanish album Como Ama una Mujer’, which was co-produced by Marc, back in 2007. The album debuted at No. 10 on Billboard 200 and became the only fifth Spanishlanguage album to debut in the top 10 of the chart that year.

Both artistes expressed delight in working together. They collaborated two months ago at Marc’s concert at Radio City Music Hall.

The album is due in November.

Bill Cosby

Mick Jagger and a bandmate

Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez (R) on stage

AFTER PARIS ROBBERY, KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIANS PRODUCTION IS SUSPENDED E! suspended the production reality show of the Kardashians following the Kim Kardashian West’ robbery in Paris recently. The show which is in its 12th season is slated to return on Oct. 23 the network cited Kim’s wellbeing as their top priority now.

Kim was robbed in the early hours of Monday in Paris when robbers dressed like police men broke into her hotel room and stole nearly $11 million worth of jewelry. The actress was badly shaken and since then has stayed off social media. Her trip to Dubai was rescheduled while Kanye, playing the role of a dutiful husband rescheduled several dates on his Saint Pablo tour to be with his wife.

AMY ADAMS RETURNS FOR DISNEY’S ‘ENCHANTED’ SEQUEL Amy Adams will be returning to the follow-up of Disney 2007 musical fantasy film enchanted. She and her costar James Marsden are likely to reprise their roles.

The sequel called ‘Enchanted 2’ is set a decade after and finds Giselle questioning her happily ever after, accidentally triggering events that make everyone’s lives turn upside down in both the real world and in the animated kingdom of Andalasia.

Adam Shankman, who directed 2007’s musical comedy ‘Hairspray’, is in talks to helm the sequel.

Amy Adams in Enchanted

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

65

Strictly Exclusive Soiree

wiTh LANRE ALFRED

08076885752

African Fashion Now! Cuppy and Temi Otedola’s Creative Spirit in Metropolitan London Aliko Dangote flies across the world to be part of the Otedolas’ success story How Dangote and Standard Chartered Bank sponsored the event

L-R: Chairman of Forte Oil, Mr. Dangote and Temi ‘JTO’ OtedolaFemi Otedola, DJ ‘ Cuppy’ Otedola, Alhaji Aliko

Tokunbo Akerele and Aliko Dangote

Paddy Adenuga and Femi Otedola

Not for a long while will the Victorian city of London snap out of its thrall.Yet last Tuesday, October 4th, in the scenic and Victorian fashion capital, an excited Temi Otedola showcased her genius and art to an array of fashion enthusiasts who crowded through closely-guarded doorways into the hallways of great London’s couturier circuits.

In the wake of the breathtaking event, London barely manages to breathe, writes Lanre Alfred Genius is electrifying. It exudes such creative spirit, passion and acclaim that the odds can never tame. It is the reason Cuppy and Temi Otedola manifest on the world like picturesque spokes of the rainbow after a downpour. The heiresses of Forte Oil boss, Femi Otedola’s fortune, hack their paths to affluence and acclaim in conscious, premeditated strides, reminiscent of their forebears ascent the ladder of industry.

Cuppy, 23 and Temi, 19 thus manifest as alluring bastions of filial bliss even as their exploits become objects of the world affection.

Temi Otedola

Temi is a blogger, stylist and contributor who started her fashion blog, jtofashion.com, in December 2015. So far, Temi’s blog has gained an international audience and has been featured in British Vogue, CNN and the Times Magazine. JTO fashion is a platform where Temi can offer inspiration and insight into her fast paced life in Fashion, but also express her passion for African culture and design.

‘African Fashion Now’ is a presentation of some of the best African Fashion and design. As a strong advocate of African creative, Temi extensively searched to bring together some of her favorite brands for this unique presentation. The models are dressed in Lisa Folawiyo (Nigeria), Sophia Zinga (Senegal), and MAXHOSA by LADUMA (South Africa). These trailblazing designers are innovating the way that fashion from Africa is perceived across the globe. Other collaborators in this presentation include Adele Dejak, who creates her jewelry in a Nairobi based studio, and internationally renowned shoe designer, Richard Braoo. Temi’s presentation is only a taster of leading African fashion today. In collaboration with a showcase of exquisite African art and music, the presentation demonstrates the collective power of African originality.

Otedola heiresses

Everywhere the Otedola heiresses navigate, they radiate a spirit of independence and sense of self that even the world’s finest and most daring industrialists live in awe of. Little wonder, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest billionaire and chairman of Dangote Group, nurtures no inhibitions taking a break from his very hectic schedule to be part of the Otedola girls’ success story. Some days ago, Dangote travelled across the world to honour the girls with his presence

at their entrepreneurial showcase in London, United Kingdom.

More importantly, he sponsored the event through his Dangote Foundation. His generosity according to our findings, was inspired by the girls’ daring exploits and uncompromising display of competitive edge despite the stupendous wealth they were born into.

Otedola’s daughters hosted a showcase of African art, music and fashion in London, United Kingdom (UK), in furtherance of their quest to carve their niche in the competitive world of business and high society. The event, which held last Tuesday, at Bonhams on old Bond Street, London attracted the crème of Nigeria and international high society. At the event, Temi presented her smashing fashion designs and DJ Cuppy treated guests, fans and dignitaries to soulful tunes from her creative, daring music mixes.

For most of the year, London adheres to the urban ritual of a working lunch. But during this show, the bow-tied and sensibly heeled easily forgo risotto on an expense account for exotic dessert in a crowded hall. Dazzled by the chic, they perch themselves near the elegantly propped boardwalk where the best and most innovative African designers unveil their seasonal collections. The classy event which was sponsored by the Aliko Dangote Foundation and Standard Chartered Bank, lived up to its billing and initial hype as it drew the best of the global elite crowd and high society to celebrate the career achievements of Forte Oil boss’ ravishing daughters.

The daughters of the Forte Oil boss and billionaire magnate, evoke such wondrous tribute of ceaseless cheers and support by their ambitious strides in their father’s footsteps. While many billionaire heiresses spend their time squandering the frills and thrills of their fathers’ estates, DJ Cuppy and Temi devise ingenious means to make a name for themselves and establish their own dynasty.

London heaved to the bulk and merriment of the Otedolas’ high octane event. Memories of tipsy and appreciative folks with tired eyes, hoarse tenors and weary legs evoke random echoes of DJ Cuppy’s adroit renditions on the wheels of steel or disc machine if you like. As DJ Cuppy thrilled the audience to delightful music, their hair stood on end and they tipped over in merriment - their joy spilling from their souls into the air and sky high into the blue firmament.

The stage exploded inwards and outwards in colorful bursts, the bass and treble guitars black strumming and buzzing to mesh

with the cymbals and drums in a thunder clap. Enthralled, the guests moved in gaiety, tap dancing and swaying to the beat as if they meant to enact a madhouse jamboree.

The melody reverberated through the halls and passageways of the London venue and climbed straight up into the atmosphere, drawing excited and muted sighs of pleasure from the invited dignitaries. The sound of the bass reverberated in their chests as they cheered and celebrated the ladies fondly referred to as the Forte Oil boss’ pride.

Few people will forget in a hurry the day Nigeria’s Forte Oil boss showed to the world, what makes his beautiful daughters, worthy heiresses of his £650million fortune or thereabouts. On that day, friends, family, and business associates trooped to London to glower in awe at the genius of the Otedola clan. Dignitaries at the event forgot their worries and ditched the family challenges of the mundane to rejoice with the Otedolas.

The elaborate event, which paraded society big wigs and captains of industry, saw Bola Adesola, the MD of Standard Chartered Bank, Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group and sponsor of the event, step out in the company of other world renowned dignitaries in honour of Otedola and his daughters.

Indeed, Cuppy and Temi Otedola are no hostages to fortune.

Despite their father, Femi Otedola’s amazing wealth, the beautiful daughters and heiresses to a huge fortune, seek to prosper by their own merit. Cuppy and Temi would rather command the applause of listening senates and succeed by their own merit. Wearing their beauty like a satin bow, the sisters engage in feverish pursuit of their dreams, with the determination of huntsmen seeking to catch tiger cubs by trashing the tiger’s lair.

The heiresses to the Forte Oil conglomerate among others, understand perfectly that in the pursuit of their dreams, even if their strength should fail them, their boldness will deserve praise.

Cuppy and Temi are aware that in great endeavors even to have had the will is enough.

Thus even though they currently lead what the Daily Mail of London describes as a “jet-set lifestyle enjoying all the trappings of wealth,” the Otedola sisters are poised to seek their fortune and sustain it, far from the trappings of their father’s affluence.

To this end, Cuppy and Temi have taken decisive steps to establish themselves in their preferred careers.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • SEPTEMBER 11, 2016

66

ENCOUNTER

Ooni of Ife on Why He Chose a Wife from Benin Bayo Adeoye

F

ace-to-face with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II at his ornate palace in Ife, Osun State, memories of the recent struggles leading to his ascension flooded this reporter’s mind.

With impressive philosophical approach, the first class monarch, who is regarded as one of the best-dressed traditional rulers in Nigeria today, attributed his present status to God, saying “He saw me through the tough process and hurdles. One with God is a majority. Fear came, but God suppressed the fear.”

While affirming that there was a prophecy that he would become a king, he said, matterof-factly, that he never allowed it to occupy his mind; rather, he toed the path of humility.

“A lot of people didn’t even know that I was a prince.”

In the past months, he has succeeded in proving to all that he was well prepared for the throne; and has continually shown evidence of a leader who knows what to do with the power invested in him. Indeed, to say that he has a clear vision is to put it mildly.

Oba Ogunwusi, who is the 51st Ooni of Ife, is undoubtedly passionate about the Yoruba race.

Everywhere he goes, he preaches the need for unity in Yorubaland.

In his capacity as the Arole Oodua, many expect that he should have renounced his faith as a Christian. But he unashamedly professes his love for and faith in Jesus Christ whom he once reportedly described as his father.

It will be recalled that when he uttered that statement, out of personal conviction, not a few critics threw barbs at him. In the heat of the media war, he tried as humanly as possible to clear the air. Apparently, he is not tired of explaining himself. “They are ignorant of a lot of things. I go to church. I go to the mosque.

Anywhere they call the name of God, I am there.

Oba Ogunwusi and Olori Wuraola

“Oduduwa came as a spirit and a human being. His name is Adura, which means prayer.

If you go to Yorubaland, what they call prayer

is adura. Even in the northern part of Nigeria, it is called adura. It is called Oduduwa, but we Yoruba call it Oodua. But the new name is adura. Who doesn’t pray? A lot of people don’t understand the meaning of Oduduwa. He came to this world as a spirit the first time and came back as a human the second time.”

Oba Ogunwusi’s disgust for controversies may not be an indication of timidity. This was his unspoken response when he was prodded to react to a recent claim by the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan who said the Ugbos were the original owners of Ife. He had initially tried to parry the question, but when he was reminded that silence might mean approval, he shifted in his seat, looked the reporter in the eye and then bellowed: “He is entitled to a story. But there are so many things he doesn’t understand. I would not say anything negative because I represent Oodua.

He has the right to his own opinion, but what I would say is that if he is the owner of Ife, why

assistant editor nseobong okon-ekong senior correspondent funke olaode correspondent vanessa obioha designer ibirogba ibidapo CONTRIBUTORS onoshe nwabuikwu, temilolu okeowo, kelechi nduka THISDAY ON SUNDAY editor adetokunbo adedoja deputy editor vincent obia STUDIO art director ochi ogbuaku jnr THISDAY NEWSPAPERS editor-in-chief & chairman nduka obaigbena managing director eniola bello deputy managing director kayode komolafe

Olori Wuraola

did he not stay in Ife to rule till date?

“If you are the owner of something, you can come and claim it anytime. The first crown in the world was worn by Oodua; it is called the Aree crown. So, a lot of people don’t understand the meaning of Oodua. Many would say that he came and met some people.

Yes, he came the second time as a human being to meet some people. We are just mere mortals; we are controlled from the spiritual realm.

Then, he came as a human being and spirit. He fought supernatural powers and conquered them. But that’s the story for another day. I need to let the world know the meaning of Oodua.”

He first showed inclination for peace among the Yorubas when he visited the Alaafin of Oyo upon his enthronement. He said he recognised the pivotal role of Oyo in the history of Yoruba land. The founder of Oyo, he disclosed, was an offspring of Oduduwa whom he described as an invincible king and spiritual head. He said: “You can’t write any Yoruba history and leave out the Alaafin of Oyo. If you do, you are deceiving yourself. So, the truth is that we all have to come together.

Having said this, I want to add that God is the head. Let’s bring everybody together.”

Humorous and witty, Oba Ogunwusi, before he excused himself to attend to other urgent matters he addressed the raging concern over his choice of wife. Raising his voice, he said: “Which kingdom did I marry from? Benin! They are children of Oduduwa.

We are one happy family. We have everything in common; we all belong to God almighty. It is a personal issue. I am fine; my wife is from Benin. Benin and Ife are both happy. As the Arole of Oduaa, she is Yeyeluwa of Ife and she is happy with me. She is here to play a pivotal role with me, and she is definitely good at it.”

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

ART, THE RETRO AFRICA WAY… PAGE 71

09.10.2016

ART X’S MELTING POT Tokini Peterside

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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ARTS & REVIEW\\ENCOUNTER

ART X’S MELTING Art X is not x-rated but it signifies a looming meeting of all artists and their various artistic expressions in visual and media arts with a touch of music in Lagos. Yinka Olatunbosun reports on a recent encounter with the founder of this rare art fair, Tokini Peterside

S Peterside

ince her childhood years, Tokini Peterside has been a huge fan of the art. This affinity, fanned by her mother’s close relationship with artists as well as her collection of works, caused her to aspire for a degree course in history. But her father wanted her to study law which she did excellently. Over the years, she cultivated friendship with the art community; totally inspired by their artistry and enthralled by the profound intelligence embedded in every good piece. When she can, she collects some but more

importantly, she toyed with the idea of a big art fair where art works from Nigeria can be appreciated by a larger audience.

That’s the genesis of her idea of a threeday contemporary art fair scheduled to kick off on November 4 at the Civic Centre, Lagos. This all-weekend affair is targeted at people of all age bracket to experience the African narratives told through a wide range of eclectic pieces. Peterside sounded excited about this event which brings 14 galleries on board.

“Lagos is a city with a tremendous history in art and in the global art world,” said Peterside over a large fruit jar atop the table between her and her reporter-guest. “The ‘X’

also signifies the unknown factor because we are a different, unknown art exhibition. We are a lot more inclusive.

We have a kind of art project that you have never seen at an art exhibition in Lagos.”

Art fairs had been a frequent sight in major cities of the world such as Paris, London and New York. But for Africa’s most populous city, this is a first. And it’s not to be seen as a replication of the existing model for art fairs worldwide because a lot of independent artists are also allowed to showcase their works alongside established artists from big galleries. Curated by Bisi

Silva, the fair offers interactive sessions, live photography studio where people can enter, pose and take all kinds of pictures.

Peterside argued that the fair would really be different from the regular.

“You are not likely to see walls that had been designed for you to walk in and paint freely and interact with the artists in other art fairs,” she explained. “At Art X Lagos, you may see one or two artists doing live painting; individuals from the creative sector and we’re bringing music and art together to create a visual and audio piece.

We have taken some of the core components of the regular art fairs to use. Lagos is a very vibrant city and it has a massive

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G POT

young population that needs to be engaged. So, we are creating something that works. Each year, we will be adding to that fair, we will take away things that won’t work and replace with new ones until we are able to create our own model.”

Although this commercial art fair doesn’t have a select theme, the guiding principle has been the commitment of the artists to professionalism. Most of the select galleries have participated in art fairs outside the Nigerian shores and are very experienced in selecting high-quality works for the show.

“Five of the galleries are international while nine are drawn from Nigeria.

We have galleries coming from Ghana, South Africa and Mali. We also have Art Space coming from Abuja as well. The artists are from all the different parts of the country,’’ she said.

The choice venue for this fair is in itself a melting pot for Lagosians living on the Island as well as the mainland. The first floor of the building is for the talk and speaker series while the ground floor is for some special exhibitions. The drinks and food, which by the way come at a cost, will be put at the water front.

For Peterside, the recent opening of the Museum for African American Art is an eye-opener to the void in our national culture of preserving our artistic heritage. She believes that the government needs to play a much bigger role in rehabilitating national museums for the efforts of the public and private sector to come to fruition.

Regarding the talk sessions at the art fair, Peterside disclosed that two formidable artists will be spot-lit.

“We are going to be looking at the careers of two of our most formidable artists based here,” she said. “We are privileged to have Bruce Onabrakpeya to have conversations with Sandra Obiago. Even more exciting is that we will have El Anatsui to come and give a talk at our event. Just last year, he won the lifetime achievement award at the Venice Bienniale. You don’t often hear him speak at events and we have a session on women artists. This is something Bisi Silva is very passionate about. We have a session on the rise of cultural enterpreneurialship. We will be looking at different entrepreneurs in the culture sector that are getting it right. We also have a session on art collection that is on how to collect art; how to develop a collection if you are a beginner and if you are an experienced art collector, how to evolve your collection that it becomes an institution of sorts.”

For those who worry about the current economic recession, there’s no better time to invest in art works but now. Works by Nigerian artists are gaining popularity in the global space and the virtual environment has made it easier to access foreign collectors. Besides, Peterside shares the sentiment of the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed that the creative industry is the next crude.

“The thing about the creative sector is the potential that it has in Nigeria’s economy going into the future. In the UK, arts and culture alone contributes to 12billion pounds of GDP annually.

In the US, I think in the last three years, the art and culture forms 32 per cent of GDP growth. We talk about diversifying away from oil and the creative sector is a sector to diversify into because in terms of resources, all we need is talented people and we have them.”

For those who find this idea of ART X Lagos intriguing, access to the venue is free of charge but you have to be registered to be admitted, be it on the fair’s website before the show or at the venue.

ARTS & REVIEW\\EnCOunTER The Inverted Pyramid; Adapted from a novel by Emeka Dike

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ARTS & REVIEW\\LITERARY CAFÉ

TOWARDTHE LIBERATION OF NIGERIA Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

Reversing the Rot in Nigeria by Olusegun O. Oyegbami; Delsego Books, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos; 2016; pp225

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ome books command attention at first sight and engagement. When I saw the title “Reversing the Rot in Nigeria” and the subtitle “A Critical Expose on the Nation’s Economic, Religious and Political Cul-de-sac”, one had to take immediate notice. For me, it is not just enough to criticize or condemn; there is always the crying need to proffer requisite solutions. Olusegun O. Oyegbami is not anyone’s idea of an armchair commentator; he is out there in the field as a hands-on operator astutely involved to “know where the rain started beating us and where and how it is still beating us.” He does not beat about the bush but goes straight to the point by providing answers to the troubling questions on the “actions and inactions that have brought us to the nadir of human existence.”

Oyegbami has been a major presence in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, starting out in 1977 as a marketing representative before becoming the Area Manager in Mobil Oil Plc, and he is now running a petrol station in Lagos. The book Reversing the Rot in Nigeria is a well-rounded and almost seamless collation of the various writings of Oyegbami dating back to 2008.

What Oyegbami brings to bear on the parlous state of the union is a principled understanding of the politics and economics of Nigeria’s misdirection. He then adds the bewildering dimension of religious chicanery to paint a pathetic picture of a people on the brink of disaster.

Oil, many commentators have averred, is at the very root of the distortion of Nigeria. Oyegbami’s take is principally poised “on the observed manipulations in the marketing of petroleum products in Nigeria, especially kerosene.” His lamentation goes to the heart of the matter thusly: “Rather unfortunately, over the years in Nigeria, political considerations have predominated over sensible economic policies.”

In Reversing the Rot in Nigeria, Oyegbami pulls no punches and spares nobody. He damns the entire gamut of military adventurists in power, their civilian foot-soldiers and the ubiquitous “men of God” who dare to clothe impunity with the cloak of divinity. The fire-eating author thunders: “The needless but palpable poverty foisted on this country by military misrule has deeply affected our psyche and we have become traumatized body and soul, rendering us more pliable and susceptible to the manipulations of all manners of predators, especially the so-called men of God. This breed of men have multiplied so rapidly and filled up the airspace so much so that Nigeria has been virtually turned into a huge religious-peddling but thoroughly Godless society.”

The leadership question is amply tackled by Oyegbami in Reversing the Rot in Nigeria. “In Nigeria,” Oyegbami writes, “we have been led by many groups of selfish and visionless leaders who have little or no en-nobling (sic) humanity in them and so could not develop any blueprint to move Nigeria forward in any material sense.”

He argues that there is the need to go beyond generalizations such as “bad leadership”, “excessive corruption” and “tribalism” to probe further in the bid to expose the particular swings and policy decisions that have almost ruined the country. He stresses that the “fastest and easiest way to stupendous wealth is to have served in government in Nigeria.”

It is indeed anomalous and utterly disgraceful as the author points out that Nigeria boasts of the highest percentage of private universities in the world owned by former heads of state, high-ranking public servants and the General Overseers of the money-spinning churches.

He audaciously names juggernauts, wondering how the intellectuals could exercise the full scope of their calling against the background of the domineering owners and employers.

In the second chapter of Reversing the Rot in Nigeria entitled “The Buhari Hysteria and the Unfolding Disappointment”, Oyegbami avers that in the 2015 elections Nigerian voters saw General Muhammadu Buhari “as an embodiment of integrity, frugality, modesty and aversion to corrupt enrichment” in contrast to the existing order of the corruption-suffused set-up of then President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The downer for the author is that the All Progressives Congress (APC) happens to be a motley gang-up of disparate politicians mouthing the “change” slogan.

Oyegbami’s offers a chastening verdict on Buhari, aka PMB, and the other Nigerian leaders using history as a prism thus: “History teaches us about the past, to enable us understand the present, and be able to make intelligent predictions about the future. If proper lessons are learnt from our historical antecedents, we could

influence the direction of societal growth in a positive way.

We should therefore highlight the history of PMB’s earlier handling of Nigeria so that he will realise the effects of his previous policies, and create opportunities to correct his mistakes, and reshape the future. If this honest critical, albeit benign analysis is not made, the chance for a policy review and reversal will be slim indeed and PMB might destroy the country further. In truth, he started us on the path to economic decline and ruin; the governments of Ibrahim Babangida, General Sani Abacha and OBJ as civilian president deepened it, while the last government of GEJ frankly accelerated it.” As a major player in the oil sector, Oyegbami takes no prisoners in deposing that Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) is a programmed fraud. According to Oyegbami, “The reality is that, during abundance of supply, the northern marketers duly collect and push much of these products into petrol stations in Lagos and environs at some discount and go and collect their transportation claims. During scarcity, they bribe with much money to obtain products, which are then sold at high profit to Lagos and environs while still proceeding to collect the PEF transport subsidy. So on all fronts, the southern marketers are holding the short end of the stick.” Oyegbami poses the troubling question once posed by a poet he does not name: “Have we come together as a society, just to cheat ourselves?” There is yet another question: “What has

Nigeria gained from regulated system of petroleum distribution since 1975?” In the end, the almost perennial scarcity of a primary commodity like kerosene ensures the fraudulent subsiding of funds into the pockets of a few privileged individuals to the detriment of the majority. The scrapping of federal agencies like PPRA and PEF will inform a proper deregulation and subsidy removal such that every part of the country can operate on a level-playing field.

In the worldview of Oyegbami corruption and religion are Siamese twins. He rounds up the book with an open letter to Pastor E. A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of RCCG. It is actually a reply to “Covenant Partnership” authored by Adeboye in which the esteemed pastor created ten groups in his church who would pay from $1 to $20,000 monthly as his “Covenant Partners”. The top group is indeed mindboggling. Oyegbami’s words ring true: “Show me twenty Nigerians who can pay this amount into God’s coffers and I will show you twenty outright thieves or people who are doing something illegal, immoral, illicit, fraudulent, or any combination of these.”

––Uzoatu writes from Lagos

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ARTS & REVIEW\EXHIBITION

ART, THE RETRO AFRICA WAY Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

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o doubt, Abuja lacks a thriving art scene. So enter Retro Africa, a contemporary art platform, to create a community of art enthusiasts, curators and collectors for emerging and established artists to showcase their talents.

The platform, in collaboration with Enigma Art Collective, recently organised an exhibition in Abuja with the theme, “Africa Modernism”. The exhibition’s offerings seek to transcend its title through questioning the inspiration and drive behind the contemporary African artist today. From the abstract to the realist, the platform hopes to either delineate or shatter the boundary between the traditional and the contemporary.

To achieve this, a range of creative outlets such as pop-up exhibitions, art fairs, intercultural dialogues and an online medium have been put in place. Retro African aim is to spread awareness and encourage a cycle of growth and learning within the African art scene.

Arts lovers, who graced the occasion, were not disappointed. This is because the offerings collectively captured the central theme of the exhibition.

Eighteen artists were in attendance when the show opened on September 16. The exhibition hall offered an outlet for selfexpression, but more importantly provided an opportunity to support young artists.

Participating artists included: Alimi Adewale, Joe Essien, Joseph Eze, Anthea Epelle, Anthonia Nneji, Bob-Nosa Uwagboe, Khenye Gager, Chika Idu, Chukz Oknokwo, Terna Iwar, Tolu Aliki, Tyna Adebowale, Emeka Ilechukwu, Frank Enebeli, Duke Asidere, Uchay Joel Chima, and Karen Gager.

Ironically, the co-founder of Retro Africa, Ms Dolapo Kola-Balogun, a graduate of Kings College, London, but studied politics, religion and society who never studied art.

Buoyed by her passion to showcase African art, she co-founded the platform.

“I’m not an artist myself but I have passion and love for particularly for African art,” she said. “That was basically the inspiration behind my joining the platform and co-founding it with my colleague. Abdul and I started this platform basically because we wanted it to be network of galleries, art lovers, curators, basically a community for those who have interest in arts, but also those who are willing to showcase their talents.

“We realised that there was a necessity to have a thriving art scene in Abuja that we thought was lacking. And so, we talk to artists all over the country. Also we have a Sierra Leonean artist, basically to show that our reach goes beyond just Nigeria, it extends towards Africa. We are open to all art of stylistic forms of arts. Here, we display photography, mixed media, abstract, realism. We even have a live piece. We are basically trying to be the thread that pulls all of these different media together into one.”

She said, though the art scene in Nigeria is thriving, the need for more platforms unveiling talents in Nigeria is imperative, and Retro Africa is poised to fill that vacuum.

“The art scene in Nigeria is thriving. It is already established. If you go to Lagos, if you go to Jos you see there are a lot of artist that are already being displayed abroad and at home. So, I feel like the art scene is not lacking in any way, I just feel like there is need to [have] more platforms that are looking to basically unveil the talents that we already have. My assessment is that, in Abuja, there are a lot of talents, but not enough platforms to showcase [them].

There are a lot of struggling artists, they don’t have the platform, they don’t have the resources, they don’t have the capability to showcase what really they can do. So, that’s what Retro Africa is about, we did

Visitors at the exhibition

that assessment and we saw that there was basically a vacuum and we are willing to fill that vacuum.”

She believes that Lagos-based artists thrive because of the emphasis on collaboration, as nothing can be achieved in the art industry in isolation. Retro Africa aims to be an international network. The platform will be collaborating with a South African artist next year, and also will be looking to do a show-case in South Korea this year or next year. “We want to also have an exhibition

in Lagos. Our aim is that anytime anybody calls us we are willing to respond.”

One of the works at the exhibition is a photograph, titled “The Albino Concept”.

It is by Karen Gager. It engages the concept of prejudice against people who may look different on account of their skin colour.

The second piece is about the Herero and Namaqua genocide of the early 20th century Namibia. “I brought a life model. It is like I plucked them from their place and brought them here, so you can go and meet the

person and say where you are from, what is this about, what your history is. The way you meet somebody in a show is the way I want you to meet my art. You know when you see a painting, it can’t speak. But when you have a live model it can speak to you as well and you will have a different kind of interaction with the work. It is not just [about] looking, it is holistic experience. You are seeing, you can touch the fabric, you can read about it, everything at the same time, not just looking.”

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CICERO

Editor Vincent Obia Email vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08054681757

IN THE ARENA

Yet Another Reform Committee Nigeria already has a surfeit of unimplemented recommendations on the reorganisation and improvement of the polity. Only a sincere determination by the Buhari government to implement the report of latest committee will make a difference to the country, writes Vincent Obia

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ast week, the federal government inaugurated a committee on constitutional and electoral reform headed by former Senate President Ken Nnamani.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said in a statement, “The committee is expected to review the electoral environment, laws and experiences from recent elections conducted in Nigeria and make recommendations to strengthen and achieve the conduct of free and fair elections in Nigeria.”

Many have suggested that such committee at this time is unnecessary given the plethora of unimplemented reports on electoral, constitutional, and structural reform of the country. Those misgivings are, certainly, valid. But it is also true that there cannot be an end to discussion, debate, consultation, and negotiation in a democracy. As society evolves, new experiences and situations emerge that constantly require discussion and agreement.

This is the essence of democratic development.

However, discussion becomes boring and, indeed, frustrating when what is discussed and agreed upon is always abandoned by the very people that commissioned the dialogue. Which is the situation that Nigeria finds itself. The country has faced embarrassments and a surfeit of confusion over the inability to implement the products of its many discussions.

From the Niger Delta crisis to the Middle Belt situation, the religious crisis in some parts of the country to election violence, Nigeria is full of fine reports, products of intelligent, sincere, and conscientious discussions that, if honestly implemented, would have saved the country many of the crises it continues to contend with.

In August 2007, the then President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua set up a 22-member Electoral Reform Committee to “examine the electoral process with a view to ensuring that we raise the quality and standard of our general elections and thereby deepen our democracy.” The committee headed by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammadu Uwais, submitted its report to the federal government in December 2008. It recommended wide-ranging constitutional, statutory, institutional, and administrative changes aimed at improving the quality of elections in the country.

The Uwais committee recommended, among others, a more transparent approach in the appointment of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which would remove the subsisting exclusive powers of the president to make such appointment, subject only to the confirmation of the Senate. It also recommended the establishment of special courts to handle electoral offences to ensure prompter trial of such cases.

“The committee is firmly convinced that the acceptance and implementation of the recommendations contained in this report will significantly restore credibility in the electoral process and usher in an era of free, fair and credible elections in the country,” the Uwais committee stated in its report.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

ezeibe.aguwa@thisdaylive.com 08093842953

As yet the core recommendations of that committee have not been implemented, even though elections in the country continue to be hindered by the anomalies that those recommendations are supposed to tackle.

In 2005, the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo organised the National Political Reforms Conference. The conference, chaired by former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Niki Tobi, came out with outstanding recommendations on how to redefine and redesign the country for the good of the government and the governed. But the conference’s report has remained unimplemented.

The 2014 National Conference organised by the former President Goodluck Jonathan government, which was chaired by former CJN, Justice Idris Kutigi, also came out with lofty suggestions for the development of the country that have yet to be applied.

Before the Fourth Republic, there was the Political Bureau of 1986 established by the regime of then military president Ibrahim Babangida, which has been widely acknowledged as one of the broadest political consultation exercises in Nigerian history. Headed by Dr. Samuel Cookey, the bureau was charged with the responsibility of investigating the causes of the failure of the country’s political and democratic institutions, and recommend remedies to address glitches in the political and economic process. But besides the two-party system that the Babangida regime experimented, which turned out to be, at best, tenuous, most of the key recommendations of the bureau were rejected by the junta and ignored by subsequent administrations.

On the Niger Delta crisis, several reports have recommended solutions that have been largely ignored by the federal government, thus, allowing the problems in the region to fester, with devastating consequences for the whole country. The reports include the Willinks Report of 1958, Bel-

gore Report of 1992, Don Etiebet Report of 1994, Vision 2010 Report of 1996, Ogomudia Report of 2001, Niger Delta Regional Development Masterplan (2004), Report of the Presidential Council on the Social And Economic Development of the Coastal States (2006), and Report of the Popoola Presidential Committee on the Development Options for the Niger Delta (1998). Others are Report on First International Conference on Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta (2003), the Niger Delta Human Development Report (2006) by the United Nations Development Programme, Report of the Technical Committee on the Niger Delta (2008), and Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Situation in Nigeria (1997).

The Plateau crisis has also been investigated by a number of panels, which recommended farreaching solutions to the perennial conflicts in the state and other parts of the Middle Belt. They include the Justice Aribiton Fiberisima Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate the April 12, 1994 crisis in Jos metropolis; Justice Niki Tobi Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the Civil Disturbances of Jos and its environs in September 2001; Prince Bola Ajibola Commission of Inquiry on the November 2008 crisis; Abisoye Panel of Inquiry of 2009; and the Solomon Lar Presidential Administrative Panel in 2010. The reports of these inquests have remained unimplemented.

Nigerians are living witnesses to the many reports of government-commissioned inquiries that are either rejected completely or half-heartedly implemented, often at the partisan whim of the leader. This is always to the detriment of the country.

The current doubts about the Nnamani committee are, definitely, not about the integrity of the panel, but what might happen to its report.

What would make the difference to the country is Buhari’s commitment to a fair implementation of the committee’s report.

WAEC and the Shamelessly Defaulting States

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“Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.”

he public relations officer of the West African Examinations Council, Mr. Demianus Ojijeogu, said last week that the council had withheld the 2016 West African Senior School Certificate Examination results of candidates in 13 states due to a backlog of exam fees owed by the affected state governments totalling over N2 billion. Ojijeogu said one particular state owed N500 million in such unpaid fees. This should make such states feel ashamed.

The decision to pay the WASSCE fees of the candidates

was voluntarily taken by the respective state governments.

But it was also an agreement between the governments and WAEC, which had little or no input from the candidates. It is, therefore, very unfair to make the innocent candidates suffer for the indiscretion of the state governments.

WAEC should find other means of settlement with the affected state governments that would not subject innocent candidates to the unpleasant experience of sitting examinations whose results they may not get at the appropriate time.

– Vincent Obia

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CICERO/INTERVIEW

Musa Saidu: Northern Leaders Are the Region’s Greatest Problem Alhaji Musa Saidu is chairman, South-south/South-east chapter of Arewa Consultative Forum; coordinator, Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Coexistence, South-south and South-east, and president of New Nigeria Initiative. In this interview with Femi Durojaiye, Saidu, who also holds the title of Dan Buran of Port Harcourt, speaks on political problems confronting the North, including disagreements within the ACF and the ethno-religious killings in the country. Excerpts:

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in the South-south and South-east. We were received by the Hon. Speaker and he appreciated the good works that we were doing in the Southsouth region. Two weeks after, Musa Shehu took his own team to visit Namadi Sambo, the vice president. The problem I am having with ACF leadership is that whenever they meet with the northern politicians to discuss how to unite the people of the North and solve problems confronting the people they go to them for their own personal gains, which negates the purpose which the association was founded.

hat is the main purpose of the Arewa Consultative Forum?

And do you think ACF is serving this purpose?

No, ACF has not been able to meet up with the purpose for which it was set up. I am a pioneer member of ACF, when it was established by our leaders in 1999. There was a forum before called the Ghamji Forum in Kaduna. Some leaders in the South-south were invited to that forum, which also coincided with the lunch of a book written by late Sunday Awoniyi about the Sultan of Sokoto and the fifth annual lecture of Sir Ahmadu Bello. After the programme, I was the one that approached our northern leaders, which were headed by Alhaji Sule Gambari and Justice Nasir, that now the South-south people are here, why can’t we sit down and form an alliance with them, though, the alliance existed even before independence, there is need to further cement the alliance.

How did you emerge South-south/Southeast leader of ACF? At the forum I was told by leaders from the North and the South-south to explain how Hausas were treated by the people of the South-south, which I did. Then the leader of the northern delegation asked me which organisation we had at that time and I told him the South-south Northern Forum. Justice Nasir then said, as from today, you are a member of ACF and I want you to be the coordinator both in the South-south and South-east. Initially, I was reluctant because I felt the task was enormous and there was no way I could fund it. But I gave him an assurance that I will think over it.

Then we agreed there that South-south people’s congress and ACF should renew their alliance and work together. Then ACF was formed by statutory groups. These groups were scrapped because they couldn’t work together to unite the northerners and we needed a body to unite the North regardless of their religious affiliation and political interest. I was handed

These things that our leaders are doing is what is actually making the North to be backward, we cannot grow if this continues. Somebody will just come, because he has some powerful people behind him, and start looking down on others because they are not up to their standard.

That is the kind of problem we northerners face from our leaders

Saidu

two copies of the constitution to go and study to know the workings of ACF. When we got back to Port Harcourt, one of the South-south delegates called me and asked how I could run this organisation and where I will get the money.

What is your take on the current disagreements within ACF? MD Yusuf started sabotaging the ACF by forming a political party because he was a leader in the ACF and I told him that he was going against the constitution of ACF. Musa Shehu’s tenure as the national chairman of ACF was the beginning of the downfall of the association.

The first thing he did was that he wrote me a letter saying he wanted to see the governor of Rivers State. Before he left Rivers State, he had already created confusion and that was what polarised the North till today. He later wrote me a letter that I was no longer recognised as South-south/South-east chairman of ACF. When this happened people that encouraged me to lead the ACF in the South-south had to back out, too, and stop going for meetings called

by Musa Shehu. Alhaji Maitama Sule came to meet in Port Harcourt, begging that since I stopped taking active part in the activities of ACF things had not been moving on fine with the association.

During the governorship election in 2011 we in the ACF played a prominent role for justice to be done to Amaechi, to the point that I was made an official in the campaign committee because I was the leader of the northerners in the region. I helped him mobilise my people for his re-election that year. He promised that the 37 northerners that were killed by stray bullet in the region will be compensated, but that was not done. The only burial ground we have in the area since colonial time was not big enough and the local government chairman then said we should start paying N30, 000 before we could bury our dead and we protested against that.

In 2012 I took the matter to ACF but they did not do anything about it. Instead, Shehu Musa came to Rivers State to meet Amaechi without even coming to see how we were faring. When we asked him why he did that, he said we

were a failure. These things that our leaders are doing is what is actually making the North to be backward, we cannot grow if this continues.

So it will not be wrong to say northern leaders are the problem of the region?

You are very correct, they are the problem.

We have written a letter to Mr. President that ACF should be investigated. The last time we had an annual general meeting a man stood up saying he is the chairman of ACF in Rivers State. I had to challenge him that I did not know him, people were shocked. This is the kind of problem that we face; somebody will just come, because he has some powerful people behind him, and start looking down on others because they are not up to their standard. That is the kind of problem we northerners face from our leaders.

What do you see as the problem with ACF? ACF has never been democratic since inception. Before now they were PDP, now they are APC. The reason why ACF was established is to unite the North, but you can see now that they are more politically oriented, deviating from the purpose for which it was established. ACF has never solved any problem since they came in. Today all the founding fathers have stopped coming for meetings. ACF was formed due to the scrapping of some associations. But those associations are coming back now due to the inactiveness of ACF, like the Northern Elders Forum is back.

The Musa Shehu-led ACF has messed up the association; he is just using the office to amass wealth for himself and his gang. My prayer now is that ACF should be investigated. When ACF celebrated their second anniversary, so much money was collected from governors and some rich men but I can tell you that with those monies collected, they don’t have an office; they are politically active now, which is not the purpose the association was established.

When Aminu Tambuwa became the speaker of the House of Representative, I led a delegation to Abuja as the chairman of the northerners

What can you say about the ethnoreligious killings that have been going on in the country in recent times?

The ethno-religious killings happening in Nigeria, to me, could be ascribed to economic problems. We don’t have religious crisis in this country and I have said this time without number. Politicians are the problems we are having in Nigeria. Religion has become part of government, which is not supposed to be.

We should separate government from religious affairs, let the Muslim go and call Allah in their mosques and do their works there and let politicians face the reason why they are voted into office. Some of those political office holders are criminals and what do you expect that kind of person to do with the power given to him? They are the ones instigating our children by brainwashing them to carry out all these dastardly acts. Again we have lost our parental values. If not, how can a child move away from under his parents and start killing fellow human beings under the guise of one religion. To me, our politicians and parents need to be reoriented so that moral and the true religious values can be inculcated into our children.

What would you say about the resurgent militancy in the Niger Delta?

Before President Buhari came to power, did you hear anything about the Niger Delta Avengers? The whole thing about Avengers is a scam. It is some disgruntled politicians that are using those boys to destroy those pipelines while they are in Abuja lobbying and negotiating with the presidency to give them money and amnesty.

These politicians are doing this because of the monetary gain that is involved.

Some people are calling for the restructuring of Nigeria, do you support this move?

There is nothing wrong with the way Nigeria is structured now; the problem is the people and the political actors. Those who are calling for restructuring are those that want to dismember this country, they want this country to divide.

But if they say that we should sit down and discuss how the federal government is taking the bigger share of the money while the states are poor, then that is good because most states now cannot even pay the salaries of their workers.

President Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade has been criticised as targeted against the opposition. Do you agree with this view?

Yes, it is true because those that left PDP to APC are also corrupt. But I can tell you that the pendulum will soon swing to their side. The war against corruption now is selective but I know that a time is coming for those that defected to APC. Many of those governors and politicians in APC today were PDP members. If Buhari wants to be even with the anti-corruption crusade he should beam his searchlight on those that surround him in APC. It is not only Jonathan administration that should be investigated. The present APC governors and senators should also be investigated. But we support the president and we praise him for what he is doing.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

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Edo Governorship Election and Its Aftermath Adibe Emenyonu, in Benin City, writes on the political situation in Edo State since the announcement of the results of the governorship election in the state

T

he candidate of All Progressives Congress, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, was on Thursday, September 29 declared winner of governorship election in Edo State. The election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission on September 28 was keenly contested.

Before the declaration of the final result, there was tension and anxiety among the political gladiators and their supporters, especially after some ward and unit results were posted online by a national daily.

It was later discovered to be false and immediately removed. But the widely suspected motive, which was to create panic, was achieved, though it was short lived.

Declaring the final result, after local government declarations by the local government returning officers, the chief returning officer, Prof. Kayode Soremekun, who is Vice-chancellor, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, said Obaseki scored a total of 319,483 votes, representing 51.3 per cent of the votes cast, while his closest rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party got 253,483 votes, representing 40 per cent of the votes.

Objection

The PDP rejected the result before it was announced following information from its agents. While INEC announced the full result about 3.30pm, the PDP pronounced their rejection about 11am.

Rejecting the result at a media briefing, Edo State PDP chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, and Ize-Iyamu expressed surprise at the turnout, saying the results did not reflect the figures collated at the polling centres and wards.

They said at the joint press conference, “We are in total amazement at the details of the results released by INEC because all of them are fake and not the figures announced at the various units, collated at various wards across the state. The fake results announced by INEC are entirely a fabrication, which did not reflect the true picture of what transpired during the election.”

The rejection of result, however, did not stop the electoral umpire from releasing the entire result, which showed that the APC candidate won in 13 local government areas, leaving the PDP candidate with majority votes in five local government areas of the state.

None of the other 17 political parties in the election was able to muster majority vote in any of the local government areas.

Oshiomhole and Obaseki leading jubilant APC supporters in a victory march after the declaration of Obaseki as winner and governor-elect

Delight

Expectedly, APC applauded the outcome of the election. Governor Adams Oshiomhole said this would permanently retire some PDP chieftains he referred to as “godfathers”.

Speaking at a road show in the state capital shortly after INEC announced Obaseki as the governor-elect, Oshiomhole said, “The victory of the All Progressives Congress in the governorship election has humbled Chief Tom Ikimi, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, and Chief Raymond Dokpesi.” He added that Chief Tony Anenih narrowly escaped defeat.

Oshiomhole said the APC was committed to dismantling the rigging machine of those he termed political godfathers in the state. He noted that Edo was the only state where elections were held in recent times without any person losing his life. The governor said the victory had concluded his chapter in the struggle to end godfatherism.

Flanked by leaders of the APC, Oshiomhoel stressed that the election was the final outing for political godfathers who had held the people hostage since 1999.

According to him, “Over the last eight years we have tried to orientate our people, not just the voters but politicians, that the season of election rigging where one or two godfathers write the results is over and we were committed to dismantling the rigging machine.

“We had a rerun in 2012 with all the godfathers on one side and new forces of change on my side. I won in all the 18 local government areas. Our people have spoken loud and clear that they believe in democracy, they just don’t want to be beneficiaries, they want to be the drivers of the process. This was showed by the way they conducted themselves on election day.

“It is outstanding and remarkable that tensed as the election was with all the predictions the APC, out of 18 local governments, we won in 15 decisively. Those who were loudest in making noise have been revealed where they stand in relation with Edo people.

“We have humbled Chief Tom Ikimi even in the local government he claimed to have created. We defeated Chief Raymond Dokpesi in his polling unit, his ward and his local government. That reassures that the

Ize-Iyamu, Orbih, and Ikimi after the declaration of the result ruthless deployment of media machinery is not enough to distort the will of Edo people to determine their choice.”

Oshiomhole explained, “In Okada, the political family that has boasted that they will continue to govern this state and even compelled the state to adopt them as the ‘queen of England’ whose birthday must be celebrated, the APC was the preferred party by the people than that family in Okada.

“There is something unique in the way things have turned out. In Esan land, the senatorial zone of the PDP godfather, we won two out of the five local governments. We gave him a fight that he managed to escape.

He used the factor of his age to play on the emotion of the people. It is a victory for the people of the state. Edo people are now proud they can now determine who rules them and no one godfathers can choose a leader for them. When you look at the propaganda, you will think we have fallen for the lion.”

Intrigue

The governorship poll was characterised by much intrigues and drama, beginning from the night of the election, especially, when the declaration of results was halted about 1.30am on September 29. Immediately this happened, the PDP screamed blue murder, alleging that the suspension of the results declaration by INEC

was part of a plot by the ruling APC in the state to manipulate the outcome of the election.

The PDP state publicity secretary, Chris Nehikhare, alleged that based on the results from the polling units, the party’s candidate was maintaining a comfortable lead across the state, warning that any effort to upturn the results would be met with stiff opposition.

The warning snowballed into series of protests by PDP supporters, who took to the streets of Benin City to condemn the result of the election which they said did not reflect the wishes of Edo voters According to THISDAY investigation, the protest started at the Ize-Iyamu campaign office on Akpakpava Road and moved to several parts of the Benin metropolis, such as First East Circular Road, Second East Circular Road, Dawson Road and New Benin, before returning to the campaign office, where the protesters regrouped.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “INEC is biased, not independent”, “Return our stolen mandate”, “Police conspired with INEC to rig the election”, and “Return our stolen mandate to Ize-Iyamu”.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Rev Olu Martins, a member of the Conference of Civil Society Organisations in the state, said it was ironical that nine to 10 years ago, he was among the protesters who

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CICERO/ONTHEWATCH • Edo GovErnorship ElEction and its aftErmath • Continued from Pg. 74

Voters queuing for accreditation and voting occupied the streets of Benin to protest the injustice done to Oshiomhole in the 2007 Edo State governorship election. Martins said he was back in the streets this time to protest an “electoral heist perpetrated by Oshiomhole.”

Division

But a splinter group within the PDP in the state, under the aegis of PDP Restoration Group, has declared that the governorship election was free and fair. The group said INEC had one of its finest outings in the Edo election as it was not declared inconclusive like those of Kogi, Rivers and Bayelsa.

Addressing journalists in Benin City, spokesman of the PDP Restoration Group, Uyi Igbinegie, noted that the September 28 election was free of the usual violence, which gave it the general acceptance that it was free and fair. He said PDP could not have won the election because during the build up to the party primaries, and after the party lost the presidential election last year, there were many revelations about how so much money was stolen by members of the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s team.

“So the APC government had enough to scandalise members of the PDP with the magnitude of corruption stories that pervaded the media everyday,” Igbinegie stated.

He added, “The Dasuki slush was something that was more of a scar than a mere scandal. And to add salt to injury, the Pastor Ize-Iyamu that was contesting was among those who took part of the slush for the presidential election.

“His visit to EFCC on the matter left a sore pain in campaigns. So how do you explain that your incoming governor was visiting the EFCC on corruption case that was more moral that legal?”

Igbinegie said another reason why the party failed was the attitude of the party’s State Working Committee led by Chief Dan Orbih. Igbinegie accused Orbih of conniving with his cronies to skew the party primary in favour of Ize-Iyamu, “who we all know of carrying the baggage of the PDP failed government of eight years that made Edo people to hate our party.”

Igbinigie called for the immediate resignation of Orbih as PDP state chairman, saying his campaign strategy did not help matters. “Rather that talking on issues, he spends all the time criticising and raining abuses and unfounded allegations on the person of Godwin Obaseki ,” Igbinigie stated.

The PDP Restoration Group is not alone in its dissenting view. A former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Roland Owie, also declared that the party lost the election in Edo State due to the impunity and insensitivity of Chief Tony Anenih. Owie, in a press statement issued in Benin City, said it was wrong for Anenih to impose the deputy governor slot on Esan people especially someone from his home town, Uromi, after what he did with the governorship slot given to the district during the Osunbor era.

The former Chief Whip of the Senate said the high percentage of votes scored by the PDP were votes against hunger and hardship experienced by Nigerians under the APC-led federal government just to show the people’s disdain for the party, and not really votes for the PDP. Owie, who congratulated Obaseki, said, “Any leader who takes political decisions on selfish interests gets destroyed at the end. Such leader is like a spider; whatever a spider eats turns to poison.

“Why on earth will Chief Anenih impose a deputy governorship candidate on Esan people after what he did with the governorship slot? He has been playing

Chieftains of APC, too, are not relaxing their focus on the election matter. They have put measures in place to counter whatever arguments their opponents would tender before the election petitions tribunal. Recently, renowned lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Niyi Akintola, was seen at the campaign office of the governor-elect, Godwin Obaseki.

Akintola was in company with the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Henry Idahagbon. A staff of the campaign office, who refused to give his name, said the presence of Akintola was an indication that APC did not want to be caught napping in the event of a judicial battle

god and now God has told him that all powers belong to Him. I hope Chief Anenih will enter his house now and allow people of goodwill to reorganise the PDP.”

Poll Litigation

Notwithstanding the claims and counter claims, the PDP said it had resolved to challenge the outcome of the Edo State governorship election at the election petitions tribunal, describing it as a fraud. The party accused INEC of complicity. The resolution to go to the electoral court followed earlier comments credited to Ize-Iyamu that there were three options left to him on the outcome of the election, namely, to embark on protest, leave everything to God and Edo people or go to court.

Having exhausted the first option, the party may have decided to try the second option, which is litigation.

Orbih explained that the party would leave nothing to chance in proving that the governorship election result was manipulated. He said PDP would expose the corruption and incompetence of the electoral commission.

Orbih, who also called for the dissolution of the present leadership of INEC, said, “Of course, we are going to file our petition at the election petitions tribunal. We will give it our all. If nothing else, to expose to Nigerians how corrupt and incompetent the INEC is under its present leadership.

“Our lawyers are busy; they are working. Until they formally file a petition, all I can say is that we are going to challenge the result of this election at the tribunal.

We will pursue this matter to the logical conclusion and I believe that the judiciary has a role to play to save democracy and give Nigerians hope that, in a country where people do things with impunity, people can still approach the judiciary for justice.”

On whether the party was convinced that the outcome of the tribunal case would not end in favour of the candidate returned elected by INEC, as was the case in Bayelsa and Kogi, Orbih noted that the PDP would give the tribunal the benefit of doubt.

According to him, “What happened in Kogi is not what has happened in Edo. What happened in Bayelsa is not what has happened in Edo. We must give that benefit of doubt, rather than resort to self-help or taking laws into our hands. We want to test this obvious fraudulent manipulation of INEC in collaboration with the state government, in the election result in the judiciary.”

Chieftains of APC, too, are not relaxing their focus on the election matter. They have put measures in place to counter whatever arguments their opponents would tender before the election petitions tribunal.

Recently, renowned lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Niyi Akintola, was seen at the campaign office of the governor-elect, Godwin Obaseki. Akintola was in company with the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Henry Idahagbon. A staff of the campaign office, who refused to give his name, said the presence of Akintola was an indication that APC did not want to be caught napping in the event of a judicial battle.

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CICERO/INTERVIEW

Lanlehin: Nigeria Needs Major Restructuring Very Quickly Unknown to many, the immediate past Senator for Oyo South Senatorial District, Olufemi Lanlehin, is still funding many of the projects he facilitated in his constituency 15months after he left the senate to the tune of N100million sourced from his private legal practice. He told Ademola Babalola how execution of constituency projects can be more effective and the need for restructuring for better delivery of democracy dividends to the people. Excerpts.

N

igeria is in recession, what do you now think as the way out?

I think the way out now is for the president to hands off the economy. He is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The bulk stops at his table. At the same time, I believe the economy needs to be handled by the economists; people that understand the method, process, the undercurrent and nuances of the economy, as well as people that have the experience and ability to manage what we are into now. To that extent, I believe we need the cooperation of all the arms of government - the executive, legislature and judiciary. In interpreting the laws of the land, it must be interpreted in a way that is reasonable, realistic and in the interest of the nation. Laws are meant to guide the affairs of men towards peace, prosperity and progress.

Particularly, there is a need for cooperation between the executive and the legislature. The executive runs government on a day-to-day basis, guided by the laws of the land, and oversighted by the legislature. The way it is now, apart from the intra-party squabbles, there is a lot of muscle flexing. So, I believe they should sit down to do the work they are meant to do. Then, there is also a problem between the executive and legislature as a body.

So, they must put all the squabbles, the muscle flexing aside, and work together. The executive must take the legislature into confidence on what they are doing. And the legislature must also give their support to the executive in order to move ahead. At the end of the day, it is the common people of Nigeria that are suffering. Gradually, the thing is coming up. We should not think Nigerians cannot do anything. Now, things are getting to head and I want the powers that be to do something very fast.

Many of your supporters felt you defected from the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to Accord Party to pick the gubernatorial ticket. But it was not so. So, do you have any regret?

No. I am a party man. When I take decision, I take it in the interest of the community that I live in, interest of my political constituency and the party. I have no regret leaving the ACN at all. Sometime, you find yourself somewhere you just cannot flow.

You are static. It is either you speak out or you keep your mouth shut. I felt the best thing to do at that time was to decamp.

It was said that you had a running battle with Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, during your four-year stay in the senate. How would you respond to this?

I did not have running battle with him. We had a governor who thinks he knows everything, and who seems to think he got there by virtue of his strength, power, strategies and imaginations. Political party is about people, and common strategies for operation of leaders. Unfortunately, the man who’s the governor thought he’s a superman. Unfortunately too, the governor’s power is too mighty.

In 2014, you left the then ACN, Senator Ayoade Adeseun, who represented Oyo Central, also defected from ACN to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and many members of the House of Representatives at that time also deserted the governor. There was an argument that the governor would not have won the second term, but for the ego you people displayed. What is your take on this?

That is a story for another day. There’re so many things that happened. We need to have an electoral system that really reflects the wishes of our people. People think they win election because they have money, the violence that goes with it, the undercurrent and the manipulation of the INEC that they need to do. They just add the window dressing. To that extent, when they get there, they would say they got there by virtue of their knowledge and power. The people are the least on their contention. So, they don’t really think they owe the people anything.

In other climes, even in war-torn areas, they still conduct elections. Democracy is about the wishes of the people. They might be ruptured these days, but let them make their choices.

But here, there are so much manipulations such that at the end of the day, the wishes of the people are not brought to the fore. The presidential system that we are operating puts so much power in the hands of the president and the governor. Obviously, anybody that wants to confront them would just knock his or her head on a very hard piece of rock.

In that wise, are you suggesting a change of the presidential system that we run to parliamentary system?

I have watched both systems in action and I know that in

you can find the dominance of the children of the powers that were, except probably a few like the Obafemi Awolowos? When you are being spoon-fed, there is tendency that you will take so many things for granted. Unfortunately, we don’t have institutions that can back such attitude. So, I believe we must restructure in a way that we will go back to the basics. We want to look at the conventional wisdom; what was it that worked for us? What did we have when things were working for us? We had a situation where you must prove your mettle before the goodies come to you.

When Nigeria operated the parliamentary system, an elected official would represent his people in government and in parliament. But has that not been taken care of in the presidential system with the constituency projects to the National Assembly members, which has been incorporated into the budget?

That’s a drop in the ocean. The constituency project constitutes a small percentage of the budget. The money that was voted for constituency projects in the last budget was less than N3billion in budget of N6trillon. Each of the six zones in the country got less than N500million; and each senator got less than N180million. It’s very inconsequential, and some of us found it very useful. When you are campaigning, you are telling people the kind of things you can do. You make so many promises in which some are achievable and some are unachievable. Even till date, my constituency projects monitoring teams are still in place overseeing that the projects that were not completed while our sojourn lasted in the senate are completed while the ongoing ones and the commissioned ones are still being serviced to ensure optimal performance for the good of my people. As at last count, we have expended over a N100million sourced from my private legal service for all these and we intend to do more, God help us.

Lanlehin the parliamentary system, not only are you representing your people in government, you are also representing your people in the parliament. To that extent, you cannot be a minister or hold any office of major substance without being elected. To that extent, you’ll know what your people need, when they need it, how they need it and how what they need will get to them. In asking for their mandate during campaign, you have gone round every nook and cranny, gone up and down the streets, knocked on their doors, talked to them and made promises, appealed to them and they asked you questions. I used to think I know Ibadan until I went round for campaign. I saw the inner city. I was marveled. I saw crumbling houses and people are still living there. They did not have water. It is painful. But in a situation (presidential) where you have people that run the government that don’t have any connection with the common people, how will they deliver? The minister is just somebody who just gets there because he knows one godfather; probably he’s living abroad or he just live in the town and does not know the name of the next street to his residence. So, how does he deliver what they want, if such person is appointed? In a parliamentary system, before you are made a minister, you must first of all seek the consent of your people.

How do we go about this? Is it by the way of restructuring or through the National Assembly?

What we have is far above what the National Assembly can do. The National Assembly has been trying to amend the constitution of Nigeria since 2003. They tried in 2007 when ‘Baba’ wanted to inject what I don’t know in the constitution. It was also tried in 2011. Now, there is another constitution review committee in the House of Representatives. So, they have always been doing that. But what Nigeria is facing now is so major that it has gone above tinkering with the constitution. We need a major restructuring, or at the end of the day, we would have no Nigeria. So, we must restructure very quickly because things are just falling apart.

Even if Nigeria is restructured in the way of regional autonomy, is there any guarantee that the problems besetting the country would no longer be there?

It depends on how you restructure. Basically Nigeria is where it is today because we have become very lethargic. We have become lethargic because we are being spoon - fed. What we are being spoon-fed with, we got it without effort. Look at the political and economic landscape of Nigeria and tell me where

So you can beat your chest on how you spent the funds you received for constituency project in Oyo South senatorial district?

I can beat my chest and why I can do that is because I spent every kobo of the funds for the constituency project I received on my constituency, and I went out of it by spending more from my personal money. When I was elected on April 11, 2011, immediately we were sworn in, I commissioned 17 solar-powered boreholes. They were completed before I got my first salary in the Senate. I went around, and saw that water was so much the people’s priority. In doing it, I discovered that we must do something that’s practical, workable, and again sustainable. I made them solar-powered because if I had made them electrical, they would have to be connected to somebody’s house. The person might commercialise the project. Again, therein lies the need for you that there must be a connection between you and the people. So, we must go back to the system where the leadership must stay connected and at all time; they must be accountable and answerable to our people. I believe that the parliamentary system is about the best. Then, we must reform our electoral system. It is so important. A situation whereby the president chooses all the national commissioners and resident electoral commissioners should be reviewed.

Constituency projects are generally known to die after the executor leaves office, what is the state of your own project?

The constituency project in the context of the present presidential system is a very good thing. It is the only way the lawmakers can re-assess, evaluate and listen to the need of the people in significant terms. No matter the amount of grammar you speak on the floor of the House, no matter the importance of the legislation you introduce, it is not the primary concern of your people; their primary concern is bread and butter. They are concerned with their day-to-day survival, housing, water, food and health, which the executive is supposed to provide at the national, state and local government level. So, it is a very good opportunity for parliamentarians to be relevant.

I found it very useful in the sense that I touched lives in all the nine local governments and 99 wards that constitute the district I represented. I listened to everybody. I was able to build boreholes, schools, health centres, solar-powered street light. We did 54 streetlight and another 50 from our pocket. Everywhere we went; people would ask us for solar-powered streetlight. I ensured that what we were given was used. The money for constituency projects was not given to the legislators directly.

They passed through the appropriate Ministries, Department and Agency (MDA). If you don’t follow through, they would just do something not worth it for you. By the time I left office, there were some projects that had not been completed. I went back to complete them from my pocket.

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CICERO/FORTHERECORD/RIGHT OF REPLY

Blame the Constitution and Not Past Regimes for Lack of Savings

I

Bolaji Akinyemi

am not in the business of rising to the defence of previous presidents or regimes, especially as most of them are still alive and capable of defending themselves. Besides, those of them who refuse to retire into graceful silence deserve the return brickbats they get.

My intervention is motivated by the desire to focus attention on the solution. It is thoroughly misleading to isolate and demonise past regimes for the situation where Nigeria has no savings. The fault is in the 1999 Constitution (Section 162) which makes it mandatory for all monies collected by the federal government, with a few exceptions, to be deposited into a central account and to be distributed among the federal, state and local governments.

The exact language is as follows: Section 162, “(1) The Federation shall maintain a special account to be called ‘the Federation Account’ into which shall be paid all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation, except the proceeds from the personal income tax of the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry or department of government charged with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. “(2) The President, upon the receipt of advice from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, shall table before the National Assembly proposals for revenue allocation from the Federation Account, and in determining the formula, the National Assembly shall take into account, the allocation principles especially those of population, equality of States, internal revenue generation, land mass, terrain as well as population density; “(3) Any amount standing to the credit of the

Akinyemi Federation Account shall be distributed among the Federal and State Governments and the Local Government Councils in each State on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly.”

No provision was made for savings. This, with considerable charity, can only be called an unforgivable oversight.

If we have to lay blame, it should be at the door of those responsible for the 1999 constitution. This does not mean General Abubakar Abdulsalaam alone, or the military regime alone, but includes elements of the judiciary and civilians who were all instrumental in midwifing that constitution.

Serious attempts were made by both the Obasanjo and Jonathan administrations to put in place savings through the backdoor, such as Excess Crude Accounts and Commonwealth Savings Funds. Both were frustrated by the states and the judiciary. The irony in Nigerian history is that some of the state governors who spearheaded the opposition to the attempts to save are now prominent in the cabinet and the Senate.

What previous administrations failed to do and which the present Buhari administration should do is to single-mindedly drive a constitutional amendment that would follow the Norwegian model . The Norwegian experience involves setting up a Government Pension Fund Global into which 100% of the government’s revenue from royalties and dividends are paid. In any one year, no more than 4% is allowed to be drawn from the account. The Nigerian model, given our peculiar federalism, can include a provision that any withdrawal from the fund must be with a unanimous decision of the members of the National Economic Council.

This is the way forward and goes beyond name calling and the blame game.

––Akinyemi, a former Minister of External Affairs and deputy chairman of the 2014 National Conference, issued this statement on October 1 in response to the trading of blames between President Muhammadu Buhari and his predecessors over the current recession in the country.

President Buhari and Ex Millionaire Emeka Offor

Bonny Okonkwo

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ust before Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as President on May 29, 2015, Financial Derivates chief executive Bismarck Rewane told a radio interviewer in Lagos that many Nigerian businessmen and women would become ex millionaires almost immediately because Buhari was going to inaugurate a new social order that would force government contractors to start doing things right. The statement was prescient and has increased people’s respect for Rewane as an economist with a profound knowledge of the Nigerian business environment. Emeka Offor, one of the most controversial Nigerian government contractors since the 1990s, has not paid workers’ salaries since the very day Buhari took over. All his offices have long been shut down. His father, a retired policeman who died since February, has not been buried because his son has been looking for money to bury him in “a blaze of glory” so as to sustain the impression that he is still wealthy. Offor’s very close friend who is a former Senate President is reportedly now soliciting for donations to enable Offor to bury his father in November with showmanship.

Against this background, the people of Oraifite, Offor’s hometown in Anambra State, were surprised to read an article entitled “Emeka Offor: Celebrating an Unsung Hero” which appeared in Thisday, The Sunday Newspaper, of September 3, 2016. It was written by one Ms Chinwe Ugwu from Enugu State portraying Offor as an exemplary national businessman of international repute who has also been generous to all and sundry. It would seem that the article was meant to influence President Buhari so that the squandering of Nigeria’s riches which characterized the 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would resume.

Frankly, so many Nigerian millionaires are not true businessmen and women but Aso Rock contractors. Otherwise, why would a supposedly superrich person like Offor become an ex millionaire from the very month there was a change in the national leadership?

Offor made national headlines for the first time in the 1990s when the Secretary to the

General Sani Abacha’s Federal Military Government, Alhaji Gidado Idris, engineered the award of the Turn-Around Maintenance (TAM) contract of the 125,000 barrels per day Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in Delta State. It was the first time an African was awarded a TAM contract. Unfortunately, it was the beginning of the death of Nigeria’s four refineries. Offor’s Anchoff Strongholds company, which won the contract, was purportedly in technical partnership with a Bulgarian company to execute the contract.

In fairness to the late Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engineer Dalhatu Bayero, he was strongly opposed to the award because of the background of the intended beneficiary, but was overruled.

A panel set up to investigate the Warri Refinery scandal and headed by the legendary Aret Adams, himself a former NNPC GMD, recommended that neither Anchoff Strongholds nor any of its directors should ever be given an NNPC contract under any guise. It was accepted. Yet, Offor’s Chrome Oil Services Ltd was awarded NNPC contracts, including TAM for the 150,000 barrels per day New Port Harcourt Refinery and Petrochemical Complex. As the 2015 general elections were approaching, the Goodluck Jonathan government secretly awarded a TAM contract to Offor’s Chrome for both the new and old Port Harcourt refineries for an undisclosed amount. No job was done until Buhari won the presidential vote in March, last year. A panicked Offor invited energy correspondents to his country home in Oraifite on August 9, 2015, where he caused them to report for the next two days with enthusiasm that the refineries would start working fully the same week! It is now 13 months, yet the refineries are practically dead.

The journalists who filed the reports must have felt duped and used to give the nation a false hope. The nation still imports the large volume of petroleum products used daily by its 170m people. The huge import of petroleum imports is the principal cause of the high demand for foreign exchange in the country, which results in unprecedented depreciation of the naira against international currencies. There are many other contracts given to Offor and his firms. It will be nice if Offor or Ms Ugwu could tell Nigerians

and the Buhari government which of them was immediate past Central Bank governor, Sanusi ever executed satisfactorily despite complete Lamido Sanusi who is now the Emir of Kano, payment even where the contract sum was by the Federal High Court in Lagos on April 3, significantly revised upwards.

2014, for the harassment suffered at the hands It is a great irony that the people of Oraifite of the secret police which lasted a few hours on are far from sympathizing with their son over February 20, 2014, I was nevertheless consoled his present business crisis. The reason is simple that an important point has been established enough: Offor has been a thorn in the flesh of by the judicial pronouncement and decision. our people. Here are excerpts of a letter I have “Most Nigerians still find it difficult to just written to President Buhari about how Offor believe, but it is true that the only offence I used the police leadership during the time of was accused of by the police was that I had Mohammed D. Abubakar as Inspector General the effrontery to write an article in an online of Police to terrorise our people: newspaper published by my townsfolk in “On July 13, 2013, while attending an early which I suggested that the one million dollars religious service in Lagos, I received a telephone pledged by Emeka Offor, the controversial call from my son who was being held captive in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and my house by the Anti - Robbery Squad from the government contractor from my hometown, then Inspector General of Police. He told me that to give to Rotary International to fight polio in the Federal SARS needed me immediately. My India, Afghanistan and Pakistan should have apartment was also thoroughly searched before I been utilized to rehabilitate people dying of got home. hunger in our place, or pay off depositors who “On my return, I was promptly arrested, put all their lifesavings at Offor’s owned Afex beaten up, my two BlackBerry phones taken from Bank which collapsed in 2006 principally due me by the police who handcuffed me before to unconscionable insider dealings totaling whisking me away in the boot of their Toyota N15billion.

Prado vehicle. I was taken to the Lagos State “I was accused of character defamation.

Police Command headquarters in Ikeja, where This charge is intriguing, to put it very mildly.

I was forced to write a statement over so-called We live in a country where citizens daily and defamation of a private citizen, Emeka Offor. freely criticize top government officials, includAfter I wrote the statement, they took me to the ing our President and Commander in Chief, Adeniji Adele Special Anti - Robbery squad cell without police harassment. It was so even meant for armed robbers, hired assassins and under military rule. Why a mere suggestion kidnappers and detained for 7 days. On the eight concerning a private individual should attract day they transferred me to the Agboju Police this kind of brutal response against me from Station cell where I spent one night before they the police personally assembled by the IGP bundle me into the boot of the same Toyota remains a mystery. It shows how low Nigeria Prado and drove me all the way to Abuja in sank in the Goodluck Jonathan days. Jonathan chains on July 12, 2013. I was to be detained at may not personally have been involved in the Gariki Police Station till July 30, 2013. scandalous acts, but he allowed his officials, “Mr President, it is now almost two years and friends and contractors to run riot. There was a half since Mr Justice Peter Afere of the Federal no discipline, no order. Jonathan provided the Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 25 sitting kind of leaders known as laissez faire leaderin Apo, Abuja, on Monday, April 7, 2014, gave ship. Everyone behaved as he or she liked. No judgment in a suit I brought against the then control.

Inspector General of Police, M. D. Abubakar, for - Okonkwo who lives in Durban, South gross abuse of my human rights. The learned Africa, wrote in reply to Chinwe Ugwu’s judge agreed that I was subjected to acute human “Emeka Offor: Celebrating an Unsung Hero” in THISDAY, The Sunday Newspaper of indignity and I was accordingly awarded five million naira in damages. Though the compensa- September 3, 2016 tion pales compared with the N50m awarded the (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

PERSPECTIVE Abia Governorship Tussle: Looking Beyond the Façade Obasi Ubah

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hat Abia has never been lucky with leadership from its creation is a fact. But what is even more factual is that later day leaders of the state have succeeded in making the earlier leaders look saintly, even though they never really performed optimally. This is the reason why people like Orji Kalu now look more like heroes, with their projects towering in the face of onlookers, just because of the abysmal performance of those after him.

This is the reason Abia does not need any sentiment in choosing a leader any longer. Rather, it needs one with proven capacity to deliver, not just the “our man” syndrome. Around the country, governance has been reduced to a thing of where-does-he-comefrom. The pertinent questions, which should be: who is he and what are his antecedents, never just get asked again. These two no longer count in Nigeria so long as the man seeking power is from your area. This is the situation Abia has found itself today.

What is even more worrisome is that Abians who wear the shoes and know where it pinches are stuck and have resorted to be where they are, without making much efforts to shake off what is not right about them. They want no one else but the man who is buttering the bread they are eating now. They forget to look beyond the bread and butter they have at hand; they forget that from a position as high as that of a governor, they should get even more; they forget that the bread and butter they eat today can deny them the real goodies that should accrue to them tomorrow.

Very recently, since after the high court judgement which nullified the election of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, lots of falsehood have been peddled against the person of Uche Ogah, most painting a picture of what they conceive in their minds of him. Even though they know it is falsehood, they try to make it stick. It would not be wrong to describe most of the writers as “paid writers”, especially as former INEC chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu had once spoken about the powers available to an incumbent, and how almost impossible it is to win power from an incumbent through whatever means.

That, perhaps, is the position Abia has found itself, and emergency analysts who are thinking from their pockets have moved in to skew facts.

On the Ikpeazu/Ogah matter, which is still before a competent court and equally competent judges, one may refrain from speaking on it, hoping that victory will go to the worthy party when it is due. But what Abia people should do, rather than listening to paid writers who are hell bent on painting Ogah black, to sustain the milk that is presently flowing into their cups is to put Ogah and Ikpeazu on a scale and weigh them, to see which of the options outweighs the other.

Abia people should consider these two sons of theirs and see which of them has the capacity to manage their common resources to better the state’s lot. For Ogah, a man who has risen to reckoning, who has shown his capacity by growing a company from scratch to a high level, who has also proven himself as a philanthropist who cannot hold back when he has, Abians should consider themselves happy to have him. Without wanting to see Ikpeazu in bad light, the people of the state can look back to how the state was on the exit of the former governor, Senator Theodore Orji, and ask themselves if anything has changed after over one year of the administration of Ikpeazu. One may want to ask what outstanding project stands Ikpeazu tall as a governor? The taste of the pudding, it is always said, is in the eating. So it is time for Abia and its people to begin to ask questions. They should begin to evaluate the performance of the Ikpeazu government in the last one year and pass the verdict themselves if he has performed well enough for the state to continue

Ogah to trust him with their resources for another three years. If they adjudge him to have performed poorly, then it is still young in the day for them to seek a change and go for the right man. Only when they have satisfactorily answered this question of the performance of Ikpeazu in the past one year, would they truly know if there is a need for a more competent hand to take up the state and reposition it again for greatness or not.

For me, one year of Ikpeazu’s government in Abia has been a waste. If elections were again to be held in Abia, what would the governor tell the people he has achieved that qualifies him to continue to be the governor of that state? For Abia, it has been a full year of signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), all of which have been paper work and have seen no physical manifestation. What happened to the promise of construction of roads in Aba, the commercial city of the state, which is considered the goose that lays the golden egg for Abia? A visit to Aba will leave one with a sour taste in his mouth for a long time, with the street littered with mountainous heaps of refuse, which emit a poisonous stench.

Is it the state of roads in the commercial city which has caused most of its residents to abandon their vehicles, or is it the near impassable state of 75 per cent of the roads in that city, even by foot. No one is talking of the devastating effect of flooding, which residents of Aba suffer. Which of these has the governor paid attention to, that should qualify him to continue to be the governor?

Even at that, it is well understood, because coming from the background of civil service, Ikpeazu has long been insulated from the people, even before the election, but was foisted on the state by his godfather. What Abia needs, as a state mostly populated by traders, artisans and emerging inventors, is a leadership that understands what it means to encourage upcoming businesses.

Abia needs the touch of a man like Uche Ogah who knows what it means to encourage small businesses. The state needs a governor who has been a player in the private sector and knows what it means to encourage economic growth with flourishing business.

Apart from the dearth of infrastructure in the state, workers are today owed several months of salary arrears. For pensioners, it’s a sad story, as both their pensions and gratuities have been completely forgotten, leaving these senior citizens who served the state meritoriously to their fate. Indeed, a state which should be number one in the comity of states not just alphabetically but in practical terms has

so much been relegated to the background, to the extent that if the people are not immediately liberated from the present stranglehold of selfish godfathers, the state would continue to degenerate to a decrepit level.

Ikpeazu, as a core civil servant that he has always been, is only approaching leadership with civil service mentality, and that is why paper works devoid of practicals may remain the order of the day in Abia if he continues for another three years. And it is the same reason that Abia needs to wake up now, smell the coffee and start a fresh demand for the right candidate.

Abians must not even forget the basis of the whole litigation, which is that Ikpeazu was not actually eligible to participate in the 2014 PDP primaries on the basis that he failed to pay his taxes as and when due as required by the 1999 Constitution, PDP’s Guidelines, and the Electoral Act of 2010. This may remind one of the epic battles Mr Peter Obi fought in Anambra State to regain his victory in the 2003 election of the state, which was then given to Dr Chris Ngige of PDP. Despite all efforts to reach out to Obi to withdraw his suit by elders of the state on the basis that Ngige, who had already been sworn in as governor, was performing well, Obi insisted, saying that if a man stole and used the proceeds to engage in philanthropy, that does not exonerate him from the penalty of stealing.

So in the case where Abians adjudge Ikpeazu as doing well in their estimation, they must also not forget that the process, which is the means that brought about this end, is flawed, and Ogah has a right to contest that flawed means. That is why it is high time the elders of Abia State exonerated themselves from the hate campaign targeted at Ogah for duly pursuing a case in court. Only a civilised person would want to go to court to seek redress for wrong doing against him.

If all the hate campaign can be targeted at Ogah for a civilised act like going to court, one would wonder what would have happened if he took laws into his own hands.

The people of the state must be spared the constant threats by a section of the people that Abia will go up in flames should the matter favour Ogah. Both men are sons of the state, and whether head or tail, Abians still has nothing to lose; better still if they have the best. The judges presiding over the matter must at all times be given maximum security to enable them carry out the task of determining who should be the rightful governor of the state without fear.

And those shouting war at all times must also be made to act with decorum. Abians should feel free to express support for whoever they deem best for them, as the cry of war from certain quarters is only a strategy to deceive the undiscerning. The same right to redress is what Sir Friday Nwosu, who is also in court seeking to benefit from Ikpeazu’s ouster, is expressing. Let the dictum: the more the merrier, be imbibed by all concerned. But for Nwosu, who is seeking to take Ikpeazu’s position instead of Ogah on the basis that Ogah discredited the primary election and ought not to be a beneficiary of the process he earlier discredited, one can only ask when it became a crime to state one’s observation.

Ogah reserves the right to state what he observed in the course of the primary election, even if he had been declared winner. If Ogah had been declared winner by the party to fly its flag, for instance, nothing stops him from stating his observation and even going further to contest that he would have won by a greater margin if the process was fairer.

––Uba, a public affairs analyst, writes from Ohafia, Abia State (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

X-raying Nigeria’s Economic Challenges, Foreign Policy, Prospects and Solutions Chimaobi Anyaso

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begin with a quote from a famed 19th Century author and social reformer, Frederick Douglass. He said, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

It should be noted that under President Muhammadu Buhari’s watch, Nigeria’s foreign policy has regained its traditional vibrancy, vigour and commitment. Not only have we reclaimed our pride of place and leadership on the continent and beyond, we have also successfully secured foreign policy actions to the achievement of domestic priority drivers.

President Muhammadu Buhari has the arduous task of ensuring that in managing Nigeria’s affairs, he strikes the right balance between the domestic scene that is characterised by countless challenges and what some forecasters may call internal paradoxes, and an external environment that is competitive, dynamic, fluid and volatile at the same time.

With the Nigerian economy in recession, support for small and medium businesses could be one of the key ingredients to carrying the country through these tough times. Yet Nigerian businesses and entrepreneurs are creative and

resilient – and could 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.

Supporting them should become a priority for the government.

It is important that government and other stakeholders listen to entrepreneurs’ concerns as we seek to grow and contribute to the economy.

We, on the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum, have embraced the responsibility of helping to amplify the voice of small and medium businesses, because we understand the challenges entrepreneurs of these businesses face in such times as we also are in the quagmire together.

With the recession hitting hard, small and medium businesses face the reality that consumers won’t have as much money to spend; while investors and business partners will reduce investment.

Given that Nigeria has an estimated 37 million micro, small, and medium-size enterprises making a significant contribution to the Gross Domestic Product and employment, this sector should be treated as an economic priority.

It is our belief that the present economic climate precipitates on the government to come up with a

realistic economic plan of diversification, reforms in the civil service, local and state levels, budgets streamlining by the National Assembly and the central government being judicious and transparent in its dealing with the states. I also implore the citizens, especially the youth, not to lose hope; but rather, be very flexible, focused and resolute.

Bearing this in mind, however, if the dramatis personae do not play their parts in this unfolding drama, no one can do so, not even God will come down and play the human parts or roles for us.

These industries are very pivotal if Nigeria is to relate effectively with the world, and government needs to rapidly apply solid solutions to liberate the nation from its current recession through the following suggestive ideas: - Recovery of Nigeria’s over $100 billion which the country has abroad and with bailed-out local banks; and do not borrow cut security vote both at the federal level and at state levels; - Lower interest rates and promote small businesses because they are employers of 80 per cent of the labour force. As small businesses are being killed, there will continue to be mass unemployment, less purchasing power and economic recession.

- Promote and standardise “Made in Nigeria”.

This must be more than just a slogan.

- Don’t think strength of the Naira - think strength of the people. When the people are strong, the Naira will get strong.

- Strengthen and decentralise the Police Force.

The fastest and best solution to the continuous breakdown of law and order is a stronger and local police.

- Find a vision for Nigeria, so Nigerians are made cognisant of this vision for the future of the nation.

I end this discourse with yet another quote from one of the finest leaders the world has produced, President Barack Obama. He said: “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for; we are the change that we seek!” This quote becomes necessary when we consider the present economic situation coupled with the change mantra, which citizens hold on to, that brought the APC-led government to power.

Let’s change our thoughts and together, we can build a New Nigeria! Thank you and God bless Nigeria.

––Anyaso, MD/CEO of CEECON Energy Oil and Gas Limited delivered this address at Gateway Art Center, New York.

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OCTOBER 9, 2016 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

PERSPECTIVE

Made in Nigeria Policy: Cleaning the Augean Stable Tunji Olaopa

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here is no doubt that the Buhari administration has a lot on its table; in fact, a lot more than it bargains for. And this is where sincerity kicks into the act of governance: Once we become aware of what is at stake, what then do we do? How ought we to proceed in the careful untangling of the predicament, the creative outlining of the issues, and the disciplined but relentless implementation of rigorously fashioned policies with firm directional compass which requires higher strategic intelligence to craft?

Beginning in early ’60s with the implementation of the First National Development Plan of 1962 – 1968 up until his later life during the Babangida days, Professor Aboyade worked assiduously with other gifted economists and planners of his time to chart a defined development path for the country so as to be able to produce for local consumption and exports. In addition to his promotion of self-reliance and self-sustainment in his national development policy assignments and engagements, Professor Aboyade also promoted this economic development philosophy in his works. In his words: “On the basis of those reforms, the mechanism of economic growth in post-war Nigeria can then be identified as lying in the simultaneous pursuit of three basic measures as the core of a development planning model. The first prong of the operational strategy is the achievement of increased productivity per man-acre and per man-hour in agriculture and especially in the sector of food and raw material production for domestic consumption, without prejudice to continued benefits from agricultural export.

This result needs to be brought about by a higher marginal physical productivity per unit of land-labour input without a fall in the revenue product. Its purpose will be not only to raise agriculture, and hence national income for higher and diversified consumption within the period, but also particularly to create a large social surplus for much needed capital formation. The second element of the growth determinant is to be found in a greater structural shift of resource use towards more manufacturing industries, guided by more disciplined considerations of social profitability. The third, but not the least important, is the powerful stimulus for growth which could come from the maximum possible expansion of petroleum production to generate some of the enormous foreign exchange and government revenue required to sustain the difficult process of reconstruction and development

in an under-developed economy that has been overstretched by a long, wasting war” (Aboyade 1971: 35-36).

The concern over local content and the reform of locally generated production and consumption has therefore always been at the fore of Nigeria’s development strategies. There has been a recent hype about “Made in Nigeria”. Some christen it “Buy Nigeria to grow the Naira”. Whatever name it is given, the whole idea focuses on changing our consumption and production structure to ensure we as a people and country become more productive and less consuming economy. The general goal of which is to promote overall inclusive economic growth and development of Nigeria.

This is in sync with the economic development philosophy of Professor Aboyade.

It is imperative to point out that this current campaign about changing our consumption and production pattern to ensure increased local production and consumption merely reinvents old abandoned paths. Some of the previous campaigns with similar objectives and focus are: Operation Feed the Nation; Green Revolution; National Orientation Movement; Reconstruction, Reconciliation and Rehabilitation programmes of Nigeria’s post-civil war; and Mass Agency for the Mobilization of Social and Economic Reform.

Unfortunately, all these campaign initiatives had no sustained dynamics. They all died off before they were able to become transformative. And so our productive dynamism, still lame and epileptic, still has to compete with a strong behavioural dynamics that have been strengthened not only by an energetic global consumerist campaign backstopped by many years of manufacturing and productive excellence elsewhere, and Nigeria’s gross policy failure that is not sufficiently formidable to counter the addictive appeal of global goods and services.

Consumerism is a global ideological pattern that thrives on the weak economic base of most developing nations. So, while the citizens are always consuming, rather than saving, they are consuming foreign products and services that put a huge strain on the hard-earned foreign exchange of the country.

Immediately after political independence, the Nigerian government had a very high ambition for increasing manufacturing and industrial activities in the country. This was evident by the establishment of major manufacturing firms that include the Oku Iboku and Iwopin pulp and paper mills, Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri petrochemical plants, Ikot Abasi aluminum smelter company, Ajaokuta and Aladja steel mills.

Added to these were the several textiles, cement, tobacco, beverages, and other similar manufacturing firms across the country that were acquired

from foreign investors through the indigenization policy. More recently, the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan was developed as part of a bigger economic diversification strategy with the aim of resuscitating manufacturing, thus changing the structure of production and consumption for the overall good of the economy.

There are several challenges militating against effective evolution of a strong manufacturing sector capable of producing the country’s manufactures needs.

Infrastructure tops the chart. Several manufacturers lament the extent to which electricity infrastructure has hindered production and productivity and more so has increased cost of doing business. According to World Bank Enterprise Survey data, over 90% of manufacturers see electricity as the greatest constraint to production in the country. Many also submit that electricity accounts for over 60% of their production costs because of the use of alternative electricity supply through power generators.

The challenges retarding domestic production are also legion. First, there is constraint on access to land resulting from the country’s outdated land tenure system. Second is poor public and general perception that locally produced food crops such as rice are of inferior quality. Third, limited access to credit as a result of poor funding through the financial system that prefers to fund traders rather than farmers. Fourth, poor yield as a result of absence of improved seed varieties. Fifth, weak support by the government through R&D and extension services. Sixth, government inconsistent policy signals over the years. Seventh, higher cost of locally produced food commodities as a result of high reliance on subsistent production and high funding costs.

Eight, inefficient fertilizer procurement and distribution system, leading to low application.

There is the factor of low level of technology which is also a major challenge. World over, technological innovations drive productivity, especially in the manufacturing sector. Such innovative technology reduces cost of production and promotes efficiency and economies of scale.

Level of technological innovation is yet low in Nigeria. Hence, manufacturers are sometimes forced to adopt obsolete technology that is very difficult to apply, hard to manage and expensive to maintain.

Then the factor of lending rates in Nigeria which is one of the highest in the world. Lending rates by some deposit money banks are as high as 28 – 30%. Lending at these rates is highly inimical to business development. This explains the reason for the high rate of non-performing loans in the country.

The challenge of dumping of substandard

imported goods is another issue in focus. This challenge emanates from both push and pull factors. The push factor is mainly the very cheap cost of production in emerging industrial Asian countries. Through state support, low cost of capital, excellent infrastructure and low labour costs, these countries are able to produce at very relatively cheap price. Their search for market to sell their manufactures makes Nigeria attractive based on its large market.

The pull factor is driven largely by the attitudinal and psychological issues where there is high penchant for anything foreign. The high appetite for foreign-made manufactures have dramatically increased manufactures imports at the expense of domestic production that are perceived to be of low quality and meant for people of lower social status. Thus, many middle income Nigerians will prefer imported commodities not minding the quality when compared to locally produced alternatives.

Furthermore, because of the challenges they face in producing locally, many erstwhile local producers and prospective ones have rather resorted to trading in those commodities that they were previously producing locally. They simply travel to places like Dubai and China to import the goods, sell and make their profit while avoiding the hassles associated with manufacturing business.

Generally, sustained economic growth means increase in national output and national income emanating from rising aggregate demand and aggregate supply or productive capacity. This can only occur with lower interest rates that reduce the cost of borrowing and as such encourage spending and investment, increased disposable income that promotes household consumption, increased government spending, diversified and increased net exports. Others are good quality institutions, human capital development, favourable macroeconomic policy environment, and diversification of the economic base. National and sub-national governments should focus critically examining this general framework in the specific context of the realities on ground with a view to identifying the main sources and ingredients of growth that is capable of ensuring the country produce and consume what it produces in a sustainable way.

Adeosun outcomes are what we are experiencing so painfully today. Our GDP growth was not accompanied by development, our indices showed widening inequalities and fundamental weaknesses particularly exemplified by low capital investment, high unemployment and increased import dependency.

The warnings about vulnerability to oil price shock were largely ignored.

Capital can either be accumulated in the form of infrastructure and projects or retained in cash reserves; sadly, Nigeria has neither. After the first line charge of corrupt diversion, based on available records, in 2015, 90 percent of Nigeria’s expenditure was on recurrent items, with only 10 percent allotted

to capital; this translates to an individual spending 90 percent of his salary on entertainment and lifestyle items, leaving only 10 percent for building or saving for the future. This underinvestment in our infrastructure has impeded our economic growth and driven us into a vicious cycle of inefficient public expenditure dominated by salaries and closely followed by debt servicing which left little or no head room for capital investment. The N165 billion monthly wage bill which translates to N1.9 trillion per annum dwarfs by a ratio of 100 to 1, the N19bn spent on roads for the entire Federation.

Now I am not among those who are seeking to blame the 1.2million public servants paid by the Federal Government, they are victims themselves.

Many have been recruited into agencies that government is simply unable to fund in a manner that allows them to operate optimally. A recent audit of a particular unit found 20 drivers allocated to a department that did not have a single vehicle. The lack of fulfilment of such staff is unimaginable. Our huge wage bill would be justifiable if staff were operating in much needed areas such as teaching, healthcare, midwifery, agricultural extension; at least our health and other developmental indices would be improving. However, our propensity is to create administrative staff who are not specialists in any particular area. This explosive growth of the public sector and its wage bill is a function of our failure to develop the private sector and this failure brings us squarely back to infrastructure.

It would have been so easy and convenient and politically comfortable for this administration to continue in that direction. To continue to simply

borrow to meet the wage bill rather than as it appears that they are doing, to question its authenticity. To pay lip service to our infrastructural decay with a few token payments and the flagging off of unfunded projects with great fanfare.

Today, the data of food price inflation, cost of living challenges and loss of confidence are reaching a crescendo, it is sorely tempting to revert to what Nigeria has always done.

This administration has a different philosophy; they are intent to attack the factors that have put us in this regrettable position. The first was the pervasive corruption, the second was wastage and inefficiency and the third was failure to invest in our much needed capital, particularly infrastructure. Targeted investment in infrastructure has the potential to ensure that our agricultural and solid minerals sectors can compete, that manufacturing can be revived and that the cost of living concerns can be addressed. None of these strategies will produce quick wins and we understand the frustration and the people, but we really have no choice. There is no credible alternative that will reposition Nigeria and ensure that this never recurs. There is no strategy that will allow us to tackle our problems rather than postponing them for future generations to face. We need a strategy that will refocus and revive our economy and will restore us to growth.

Where Has the Money Gone?

Wole Olaosebikan

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n every nation, taxi drivers are always fountains of knowledge, not only do they eavesdrop on the conversations of their passengers, they also have insight of the beer parlour and food vendor discourse. Arecent encounter gave me a remarkable insight into the current national debate across all strata of society. Where has the money gone?

Under previous administrations, there was money, people were spending and now under this current administration it has seemingly and suddenly dried up. This is a simplistic but accurate summary of the present economic challenges but it is one that must be frontally addressed.

It is impossible to explain our current predicament without an understanding of our recent economic history. Since 2005, when the historic debt forgiveness was agreed, Nigeria enjoyed a period of historically high oil prices and relatively stable output at the same time it embarked on new borrowing. Indeed, with oil as high as US$112 per barrel, supplemented by borrowed funds, the only challenge was in the famous words of General Gowon, decisions as to what to spend money on.

Nigeria spent, but did not spend optimally and the GDP growth that occurred was driven not by improvements in infrastructure or productivity, but was largely accounted for by the circulation of bumper oil receipts through government spending.

That circulation of oil receipts in an economy is not in itself a bad choice but the quality of such expenditure is critical in determining future outcomes. Those

––Being a paper delivered by Dr. Tunji Olaopa, the Executive Vice Chairman, Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP), as lead speaker at Prof.

Ojetunji Aboyade 2016 Memorial Lecture organised by the Development Policy Centre (DPC) Ibadan recently

––Olaosebikan is Warri-based public affairs commentator (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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PERSPECTIVE

A Functional Agency for Rivers Roads Simeon Nwakaudu

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here was little to show that a government existed in Rivers State between 2011 and 2015 as far as roads are concerned. The immediate past APC administration in the state left many of the roads to degenerate to the level of village footpaths. It was a sad commentary on the state of the government.

Governor Nyesom Wike inherited this disturbing situation, when he was sworn in last year. The roads in many urban centres of the state were so bad that they were used to mock the Rivers people.

This was despite the fact that the Chibuike Amaechi administration had the rare privilege of accessing over N3 trillion in eight years.

From May 29 last year, when Wike came in, he outlined a double-barrelled approach to fix the roads in the state and rebuild the state’s economy for the benefit of the people. The governor’s road construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes are built around the Ministry of Works and the Rivers State Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency.

The Ministry of Works has delivered over 150 kilometres of roads in the last 15 months of the administration of Wike. These over 100 roads are spread across six local government areas of the state. Many of the roads were commissioned during and after the governor’s first year in office. Others are on-going. New roads in the other 17 local government areas are being processed for contract award and execution.

The governor said he started with the urban centres because of the need to address the traffic problems of the larger communities, where majority of Rivers people reside and do business.

The Rivers State Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency, which was transformed by Wike, has made more roads motorable in the urban centres of the state than at any other time in the history of the state. The agency has delivered more than 130 roads in the last 15 months of the Wike administration. Dilapidated roads in Port Harcourt City, Oyigbo, Eleme, Obio/Akpor, and Ikwerre local

Rehabilitation and Maintenance Agency has rehabilitated the worst roads and created access to neglected communities. The agency has also intervened on failed portions of the Aba Road, a major federal road that is critical to traffic in Oyigbo, Obio /Akpor and Port Harcourt City local government areas. This road is also critical to traffic from the South-east and northern parts of the country into the Treasure Base of the Nation.

Today, motorists are happy that the Oyigbo junction on Aba Road and Rumuola Flyover have been completely rehabilitated by the agency.

Road rehabilitation has been democratised under the leadership of Wike. Residents report the road situation in their communities to the Rivers State Road Rehabilitation and Maintenance Agency via the social media and short message service from mobile phones. The agency then sends its technical officials to conduct feasibility studies on the reported roads. Upon completion of the feasibility studies, the roads are rehabilitated. This practical approach to project implementation has been quite successful.

Executive chairman of the agency, Chief Okey Okah, has since his appointment by Wike made outstanding contributions to the governor’s vision on road repairs and rehabilitation.

Since May 29 last year, Rivers State has ranked among the best in the country in terms of road construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation. This achievement is not a function of the availability of funds, as it is public knowledge that the federal allocations to the states have dropped tremendously.

Wike If it had to do with access to finance, the immediate past government areas have been rehabilitated, to the delight APC administration in the state would have fixed these roads since it received nearly N20 billion monthly from of the people. the federal allocations. This is excluding loans that the Most of the roads that have either been rehabilitated administration accessed. or are being maintained by the agency were completely The outstanding success in the rehabilitation of existing neglected for over two decades. They degenerated beyond roads in Rivers State flows from the careful planning of imagination. Upon assumption of office as governor of Rivers State, Wike repositioned the agency, equipped it and Wike, diligent application of scarce resources, and high level supervision of projects. All projects are wired to succeed, as ensured that it was appropriately funded to serve as an failure is not an option. interventionist institution to address the challenges faced –– Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State by the state regarding road infrastructure.

Governor on Electronic Media, writes from Port For the most populated suburbs in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas, the Rivers State Road Harcourt.

IbadanSchoolofGovernment:AnExampleinPublicPolicyMainstreaming Adams Abonu

“G

overnment could be improved greatly if more emphasis is accorded the formulation and implementation of effective public policies that have direct bearing on the people. Any system of government that intends to impact on the lives of the people should set mechanisms that bring about better governance through policies directed at the welfare and wellbeing of the people,” Professor Mike Kwanash, a public policy analyst, told THISDAY in an enquiry for this article. “In Nigeria, the citizens’ aspirations towards better government impact could be better realised if we return to our public policy mechanism. Formulation of these policies should not be the exclusive reserve of government, but governments could involve the private sector, as obtainable in other advanced climes.”

In an era marked by poor national productivity as a fallout from the dearth of articulated public policies, the need to have institutions clearly dedicated to making government work for the benefit of the governed becomes more imperative. Public policies are at the crux of articulating government’s intentions and rightly deserve all the emphasis.

It was Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft and the world’s richest man who said, “Governments will always play a huge part in solving big problems. They set public policy and are uniquely able to provide the resources to make sure solutions reach everyone who needs them. They also fund basic research, which is a crucial component of the innovation that improves life for everyone.”

Though government is uniquely positioned to formulate the policies that bear on the lives of the people, various findings have revealed that the entire public policy framework could be more efficient if researches and innova-

tions are sought from policy makers, scholars and researchers in the private sector. In contemporary times, governance has come to occupy a strategic place in the lives of people and this has rightly drawn attention to the capacity of the policy making architecture.

In Nigeria, various concerted attempts at harnessing public policy have been made by successive administrations – military or democratically elected – beginning with the nation’s independence in 1960. The independence movement, which coalesced to a government, then empanelled scholars and men of learning to formulate policies for the future of the young nation. With military incursions into governance, the place of public policy waned considerably, as subsequent dictators administered the country according to their whims. The return to conscious public policy in government in Nigeria was heralded by the military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo, whose policyinclined disposition gave room for policy articulation and the conceptualisation of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Plateau State, in 1979.

National consciousness towards policy articulation was again reawakened after another lull by the military administration of Ibrahim Babangida with the establishment of the Armed Forces Consultative Assembly; a sort of national think tank. Then, there is the private-sector initiative in national policy development by the National Economic Summits Group. While NIPSS, NESG and other efforts are premised on streamlining governments’ policies, the need arises for further efforts in transforming such to assume the face of public policy. This is where the need for prompt private sector initiatives designed to add value to policy development beyond the “militarily-styled” NIPSS comes to view.

In the United States of America, and, indeed, other developed climes, where the practice of democracy for decades has engendered an articulated public policy, institutions like the Brookings Institution; the Singapore-based Lee Kwan Yew School of

Public Policy; and the John F. Kennedy School of Politics and Government at the Harvard University have become incubating centres for sound public policy development that serves as blueprint for government’s interventions. Though it is agreeable that Nigeria’s democratic experience is still nascent, the time to embrace a consolidated public policy approach towards improving government and other corporate interventions has come.

It is against the background of the foregoing that the birthing of an institution dedicated to research and development into ways of improving government and corporate enterprises through efficient public policy in the ancient and academic city of Ibadan comes into view.

The Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP) which was established in 2015, is clearly in the league of the aforementioned institutions of research. It is “an independent and professional policy training centre devoted to teaching and researching into issues of government, governance, public administration, public policy, and development concerns in unique ways that impact on the activities of government and the public interest,” according to the mission statement of the school.

Agreeably, the crises facing Nigeria, nay the African continent today, in terms of comparative development, from corruption to government ineptitude, are consequences of leadership failures. This makes the timeliness of the initiatives behind ISGPP more commendable. The beckoning task of filing the capacity vacuum in leadership refinement and public administration in Nigeria, which ISGPP aspires to engender among other noble objectives, is capable of nurturing first-rate leaders and public servants with necessary wherewithal, like intellectual capacity and political innovation, to articulate quality public policies that enhance the realisation of needed development goals. The ideas behind ISGPP have the capacity to make leadership and public service work better for the good of Nigerians if properly harnessed.

Writing on the purpose of the ISGPP initiative in some national dailies recently, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, Executive Vice Chairman of

the policy think tank and an accomplished public servant with a robust intellectual background, stated, “The IGPSS hopes to leverage the twin instrument of research and executive education, by converging on existing community of scholars and practitioners, to intervene in Nigeria’s policy environment with the goal of facilitating creative responses to the development predicament in Nigeria.” That was quite a concise intervention in a country in dire need of development.

Suffice to mention that the IGPSS initiative comes from the most appropriate quarters: “Dr. Olaopa’s experience in both the academia and public service, where he rose to the pinnacle as Federal Permanent Secretary, served in various ministries and was crowned with the prestigious National Order of Productivity Award, qualifies him to address the development need at this time in Nigeria,” a source within the top echelons of the federal civil service said.

Many of the respondents on the needfulness of the ISGPP initiative are of the consensus that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government should “whole-heartedly” embrace the solutions the institution could provide in addressing the challenges to government and effective public policy as the administration attempts to redirect the development trajectory of Nigeria. Innovations like the Public Policy Group (PPG), a multidisciplinary team to “rigorously explore and investigate the policy-research interface,” portends good for the government’s aspiration to effect positive changes on the lives of Nigerians.

Since public policy is, agreeably, at the roots of national development, embracing the alternatives that ISGPP intends to provide should be rightly considered in the interest of national development.

Nigeria’s governance framework requires the entire intellectual arsenal that a nation can muster if it must move forward, Olaopa acknowledged. This is why the ISGPP example would be an enduring intervention.

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SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by Demola Ojo Email demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Russia 2018: Eagles Dare Zambia in Searing Heat without Supporters Duro Ikhazuagbe in Ndola, Zambia and Demola Ojo

•Kick-off: 1:30pm

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igeria’s Super Eagle kick-off their quest to qualifier for a third successive World Cup – and sixth overall – as they take on their Zambian counterparts today in Ndola. The Eagles are in what is arguably the ‘Group of Death’.

All four teams in the group – Algeria and Cameroun being the other two – have been African champions at some point in the past.

The projected temperature of the match taking place at 2:30pm local time (1:30pm Nigerian time) is about 35 degrees Celsius which could be to the Eagles disadvantage, with majority of them plying their trade in Europe.

The Nigerian delegation arrived at the Simon Kapwepwe Airport in Ndola, Zambia midday yesterday after close to four and half hour flight from Abuja.

The delegation of about 145 was made up of 23 players, technical crew, president and board members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), League Management Company, Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung and top sports ministry officials and representatives of the National Assembly.

They were received by Nigeria’s High Commissioner in Zambia and a handful of singing and dancing banner-waving Nigerians resident in the southern African nation. Officials of the host country were equally on ground to receive the Nigerian contingent.

Zambia’s football loving President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is expected to be present when the Eagles take on the Copper Bullets at the Levy Nwanawasa Stadium in sleepy Ndola.

The Eagles got a feel of the pitch at the stadium in Ndola yesterday evening despite the searing heat. Coach Gernot Rohr herded his players to the stadium three hours after arrival in Ndola and they sweated it out for two hours after which they went back to their Protea Hotel Lodge, confident that the harsh weather will not stop them from notching a win against the home side who boast 14 home-based players.

Meanwhile, for the first time, the Super Eagles are in Zambia without their world-famous supporters known for their melodious tunes during Nigeria’s matches.

The Nigeria Football Supporters Club is enmeshed in a power struggle and were dropped from the party to Zambia by the NFF leadership when both factional groups led by Rafiu Ladipo and Albert Okumagba respectively, could not reach common

Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi is in line to start for the Super Eagles today

ground on the authentic list of members to be accommodated on the chartered Arik Airline aircraft at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja on Friday night.

THISDAY learnt that the two warring groups prepared separate lists of their members to be included in the Nigerian delegation to the match but to avoid being accused of taking sides with any of the parties in the dispute, NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, was reported to have ordered that the two groups be dropped from the trip.

President General of the supporters club, Ladipo, however remained adamant that Okumagba had been impeached from his

post as national chairman of the cheer group and so has no justification to forward any list of members to the NFF concerning the trip to Zambia.

Despite the lack of adequate support base for the Eagles, they are still confident of getting a good result. Assistant captain of the team, Ahmed Musa, remains hopeful of Nigeria leaving Ndola with maximum points.

“We are ready and hoping for the best in Sunday’s (today) match here against Zambia. We pray everything works according to our game plan,” the Leicester City forward said.

Meanwhile feelers from the camp suggest Gent of Belgium forward Moses Simon is set for his first Super Eagles start under Rohr, and he has already promised his wife victory in Zambia. Simon has recovered in time from injury and he is expected to earn a place in the starting line-up. He was a second half substitute in last month’s AFCON qualifier against Tanzania in Uyo. “If I start the match, I have to justify my inclusion, and it would be my first start under the new coach,” he said in Ndola.

“Irrespective of the harsh weather, we have made up our mind to win the match. And I have told my wife I am coming back with the three points.”

Rohr is also optimistic about getting a result. ‘’We are prepared for whatever gimmick they come up with. We are here for business and hopefully, we shall do our talking on the field,” said Rohr, who recalled bringing Niger to Zambia.

“My boys are mentally and physically ready for the game. We are ready, no injury, and highly motivated for the game.’’

Rohr believes the Zambians will be fired up for today’s clash following their failure to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon. “They want to win.

They missed Afcon. The same motivation with our motivation but our motivation can be bigger because I feel that the team wants absolutely to win the game.

“We must be careful. When you want to win the game away, sometimes you forget to defend well. We must be careful and don’t make this mistake,” he explained.

Rohr will have several stars playing their first competitive game under him for the first time. One of those expected to see action and probably start is Arsenal forward, Alex Iwobi, who has already been capped six times.

Rohr says as many as three new players could be handed starts while revealing that his tactics from the win against Tanzania in Uyo in September will be repeated in Ndola.

“We have six new players and three will perhaps start the game. You know that a player like Iwobi was injured last time but we all know that he is a good player and I hope his integration in the team will produce a good result.

“The training has been good and we try to help and bring him into the team; he knows how we played in Uyo and we cannot change tactically because the time is short. We have other strategies but similar with what we did in Uyo, and I count on Iwobi to help us win the game in Ndola.

“We must avoid the mistake in Uyo where we had 27 shots on goal but converted only one and this means that we must have a good attack and players who can score,” he said.

Ivory Coast Rally to Vanquish Mali DRC Pummel Libya 4-0

T

he Ivory Coast scored three goals in eight minutes to seal a 3-1 come from behind win over Mali in their opening 2018 FIFA World Cup Group C qualifier at the Stade Bouaké yesterday. As a result, the Elephants move top of their group with Gabon and Morocco having played to a goalless stalemate.

Mali were the better side in the opening exchanges and opened the scoring on 18 minutes. A breakdown in communication between Eric Bailly and Sylvain Gabohouo opened the door for Sambou Yatabare who found the back of net.

The goal sparked the hosts into life, with Aston Villa forward Jonathan Kodjia

leveling matters with a crisp shot from range in the 26th minute.

The Elephants hit the front seven minutes later; Salif Coulibaly unlucky to see his attempted clearance from a Serge Aurier cross fly into the back of his own net.

Gervinho doubled the hosts lead in the 34th minute. The last remaining player of the so called ‘golden generation’ showing his class with a left-footed finish from a tight angle.

The second-half failed to conjure any notable chances at goal as the Ivory Coast got their campaign off to a winning start.

The West Africans are aiming to qualify for a fourth straight World Cup.

D

emocratic Republic of Congo (DRC) brushed aside Libya 4-0 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier which was played yesterday evening in Kinshasa. It took only six minutes for Dieumerci Mbokani to fire DRC into the lead with a left-footed finish with Yannick Bolasie grabbing an assist.

Jonathan Bolingi doubled DRC’s lead when he scored with a left-footed effort deep inside the Libyan box and the home side were leading 2-0 at half-time.

The Leopards of DRC continued their dominance in the second-half they went on to score twice against the Mediterranean Knights.

In the 56th minute, tricky midfielder Mpeko Issama set-up centre forward Mbokani who

made it 3-0 to the Leopards with a decent finish. While Ndombe Mubele sealed DRC’s 4-0 victory when fired past a hapless Khaled Warfali in the Libya goal in the 69th minute.

RUSSIA 2018 QUALIFIERS DR Congo Gabon Ivory Coast Burkina Faso Senegal Germany Poland England Scotland Slovenia

4–0 0–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 3–0 3–2 2–0 1–1 1–0

Libya Morocco Mali South Africa Cape Verde Czech Republic Denmark Malta Lithuania Slovakia

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

IMAGES

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n Saturday September 24, 2016, a Burial Thanksgiving mass was held for His Majesty Late Oba (Dr) Michael Folorunsho Olobayo, Obaro –Ero II, The Obaro of Kabba. Here are photographs of personalities at the occasion. Photos: Julius Atoi.

R-L: Gov Kogi State, Yahaya Bello; Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly, Umar Imam and Chief of Staff, Edward Onaja

L-R: Prince John Olobayo; Prince Bolaji Olobayo and wife Jane

L-R: Prince Muyiwa Olobayo and his wife, Hannah

A Cross Section of other Children of Oba Olobayo

L-R: Princess Yetunde Olobayo; Olori Maria Olobayo and Olori Omolade Olobayo

Prince Segun Olobayo and wife Ene

L-R: Senator Smart Adeyemi and Hon Fehinti Dada.

L-R: Funsho Olorunpomi; Kola Modeyin; Wilson Tolufashe; Akin Adeyinka; and Kola Ologbondiyan.

Bayo Ojo (SAN) and his wife, Justice Folashade.

L-R: Arc Yomi Awoniyi; Barrister Dupe Atoki and Senator Patricia Akwasiki.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

IMAGES

L-R: Chief Kola Jamodu; Engr Lanre Saqaya and Engr Abubakar Aduragba

L-R: Senator Dino Melaye; Prince Ishola Akanmode and Alh Ibrahim Idris.

L-R: Hon T J Yusuf, Gen. David Jemibewon and his wife, Dupe

L-R: DIG Adedayo Adeoye and his wife, Chioma

Ambassador Jaiyeola Lewu and his wife, Princess Fumilayo

L-R: Barrister Ajayi J Samuel , wife Princess Helen and Prince Paul Olobayo

L-R: Pastor Femi Obalemo; Maria Arokoyo; Hon Duro Mesoko;Tony Komolafe wife Clara and Raph Oshamola.

L-R: Prince John Olobayo, Prince Bolaji Olobayo and his wife, Hannah

L-R: Princess Lola Olobayo, Chief Mrs. Jumoke Harb and Chief Mrs. Oriyemi Adekanola

L-R: Hon. Sunday Karimi, Hon Musa Jimoh Omiata and Prince (Hon) Mathew Kolawole

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High Life

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 9, 2016

wiTh LANRE ALFRED 08076885752

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

Party across the Seas...As Wife Clocks 40, FCMB Boss, Ladi Balogun, Hosts Classy Shindig in London

• Bank chief fetes high society in honour of wife

L

ondon will not forget in a hurry the day Ladi Balogun feted friends and family in his wife’s honour. England’s metropolitan capital became the masque of high festivity and the pleasant place for rare merriment as Ladi celebrated his wife, Banke’s 40th anniversary in a classy shindig.

Despite the hard times, Ladi endeavoured to give his wife a treat befitting royalty as he hosted the crème of Nigeria and global high society to his wife’s 40th birthday party. The First City Monument Bank’s managing director held a dinner at the Dorchester Hotel in London to celebrate the occasion and his closest family and

friends thronged the venue like a flock of sheep responding to the shepherd’s summons. Grapevine has it that Banke plans to throw a bigger party in Lagos to celebrate her new age. Perhaps unsatisfied with the relative exclusivity of the London event, she plans to hold the celebration in the full glare of the approving Lagos social scene.

It will be recalled that the beautiful lady, whose husband is one of the sons of banking guru and Olori Omooba of Ijebuland, Otunba Subomi Balogun, had her wedding over a decade ago amidst fanfare and glitterati.

The upcoming celebration is set to match or surpass that August event.

Chris Uba

THE HUMBLING OF CHRIS UBA

•PDP OVERLORD RETREATS INTO SHELL IN THE WAKE OF SHAMEFUL DEFEAT

When failure snuck up on Chris Uba, it crept under his skin, onto his back and wrapped its slimy hands around his rib cage. In its vice grip, Chris Uba cannot breathe. The ex-People’s Democratic Party (PDP) godfather is

in serious need of a CPR. Ever since the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) gave him and his party the bloody eye, Uba has been inconsolable.

His party’s failure at last year ’s general elections presents a very hard emotional hurdle for him to overcome. It means the end of his party and

Banke Balogun

his political adventure.

It means a creased brow, fidgety soul and knotted stomach. It means humiliation and admission of defeat. This has led to the humbling of Chris Uba. And this is quite unlike him.

The controversial political godfather, since his party’s ouster, has not given the media any reason to get busy. It would be recalled that the Anambra-born politician was once the pivot on which the axle of the PDP rotated. Endowed with the confidence of 10 kings and the panegyric that accompanies their appearances, the PDP caught cold each time he sneezed.

Since the dramatic defeat of the PDP by the APC in last year ’s general election, however, the controversial politician has recoiled into his shell.

Some people say he is still licking the wounds the elections left on his ego, while others say he has only taken a retreat to strategise for a comeback.

Or have you heard about him lately?

STELLA ODUAH’S ESTRANGED HUBBY, ETOROMI, STIRS UP A HORNET’S NEST Anger curdles with regret and leaps out of his distressed soul, like lance from the palms of a troubled knight. Indeed, tragedy afflicts the soul of Lt. Col. Satchie Emmanuel Etoromi (Rtd.) A rushing

Stella Oduah

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R • OCTOBER 29 2016

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HIGHLIFE

Beware Aisha! Before Buhari’s Wife Gets Fooled

by Praise-Singers on Many Projects

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redictably, as it is often the norm with people in high places, career sycophants and political parasites have begun to heap earned and unearned accolades on the wife of President Buhari.

Many have written poetry in her praise and published it as paid advertorial in foremost Nigerian newspapers. As Mr. President’s wife basks in the flurry of her adoration by political parasites, let her not forget the words of Boris Pasternak.

The Russian poet and novelist avers that: “Who should remain alive and praised; who should stay dead without renown depends upon criteria that powerful sycophants lay down.”

Pasternak’s summation could never be more apt; among other truths, it emphasizes the desperation and astounding vanity of sycophants singing the praises of Aisha Buhari in order to put their claws in her. It would be recalled that

such career sycophants misled former first lady and wife of exPresident Goodluck Jonathan, Patience.

Patience’s praisesingers morphed into a group called Friends of the First Lady of Nigeria (FFLN) and the group comprised of self-acclaimed society women who paraded themselves as Dame Patience’s closest circle of friends and associates. The objective of the group was simple: to reap bountifully from the defunct dispensation.

And in bid to be part of the group, not a few women in Lagos, particularly from the city’s upper crust, engaged in a tiresome hustle to be part of the group. It is interesting to know that this same group of women formed an impenetrable ring around Hajia Turai Yar’Adua, wife to the late President, Umar Musa Yar’Adua.

Today, the fortune hunters have shifted their allegiance from Hajia Turai and Dame Patience and transferred it to Aisha Buhari.

stream of nerves corrupts his senses, stalling his joy and arousing his fury in a fistful of misery. That Etoromi, ex-husband of Senator Stella Oduah, was ravaged by fury when he told the ex-aviation minister to return his late son to him in Warri, Delta State for burial some weeks ago, is a stale gist.

In a recent letter to his traditional ruler, Etoromi urged the royal father to intervene for the sake of peace. In the letter titled: “Appeal To Intercede To Ensure Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah Brings My Son, Maxwell Chinedu Obiechina Wereyesigha Toritseju Etoromi To Me In Warri For Burial,” Etoromi urged the traditional ruler to order his estranged wife to return his son’s corpse to his native Delta for appropriate burial rites. Despite his recent measure, Stella refused to budge. Etoromi wailed and wept but Stella wasn’t moved a bit. In cahoots with his mother, Tuoyo Etoromi Oduah, the second son of Etoromi’s marriage with Stella blasted his father.“Buwa and I were the product of a short and abusive marriage that ended almost 30 years ago to a man with many other wives and children. Stella Oduah is the only father, mother, carer and provider

that my brother has ever known...Mr Satchi Etoromi, I beg you with God to please leave us alone forever and let Buwa rest in peace. May God have mercy on your soul for what you have just done.

I wanted to forgive and reconcile but your recent actions and character have revealed that it is better to be a bastard than be your son.” Today, the news making rounds is that the father has eaten a humble pie while the controversyprone senator is gradually coming into her own.

Aisha Buhari

nouveau riche, have begun to tame their predilection to squander their earnings on guilty pleasures. Within their luxurious circuits, there is no more vulgar display of wealth; no more extravagant expenses.

Consequently, many of their concubines and glorified urchins have begun to lament; the oil moguls are no longer throwing money around like drunken sailors.

Things have gotten so bad that people now look back wistfully into the era when Goodluck Jonathan was President. As you read, many of the country’s superrich have asked their children and mistresses to pick up odd jobs to survive abroad. Many of the rich oil Turks that turned Dubai and Miami, USA into their homes have been humbled. They have beaten a sensible retreat

HARD TIMES! HARRODS, SELFRIDGES LOSE NIGERIA’S OIL MOGULS AND SUPERRICH •WHY THEY NO LONGER PATRONISE THEIR EXPENSIVE HALLS

As oil price crashes worldwide, the fund wells are drying up and eminent deep-pockets bemoan their plight as plenitude and splendor evade them and their erstwhile lavish world; this makes them less charming to their bevy of concubines and beneficiaries. The times are hard right now and even the country’s superrich, the billionaire oil moguls to be precise, are feeling the pinch.

As the economy slips further into decline, the young oil Turks and maverick magnates comprising Nigeria’s

Harrods

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HIGHLIFE

From Energy to Real Estate...Folorunsho Alakija Spreads Wings to Property Sector

F

olorunsho Alakija has expanded the frontiers of success by constantly challenging herself and beating her own records. Proceeding on the principle that only those who defy the odds can achieve the impossible, Alakija has pushed herself to the point of becoming one of Africa’s richest women.

What many do not know about Alakija is that she is a big player in the property and real estate sector in Nigeria. Having hit it big in the oil sector, she has invested a lot of her wealth in real estate in Nigeria and London. She also has investments in the Middle East. Right now, this pretty billionaire has built her dream home in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The street was formerly called Ikoyi Crescent.

The dream house is being built by Julius Berger. So huge is the project that Julius Berger had to first build a mini-construction site before commencing work. The project is being handled by her property company, Dayspring Property Development, a construction company co-owned by her husband, Modupe Alakija.

The construction is a threefloor residential building with a 16-floor tower beside it. into their shells - these days, they spend their time hiding out in colourful mansions they built when the going was good. Major shopping points including Harrods and Selfridges in London, Emirates and Dubai malls in Dubai, Saks Fifth Avenue in New York are really feeling the heat too as Nigeria’s extravagant oil magnates no longer patronise their expensive halls.

The private jet hanger is like a ghost island and the erstwhile busy boutique hotels spread across the country are currently empty and deserted by their profligate clients.

These are certainly the worst of times for Nigeria’s oil magnates and the filthy rich.

Folorunsho Alakija

peaceful with their union.

Beneath the glamour of their fairy tale wedding, chaos abounded in their romance. Findings revealed that TeeBillz, the estranged husband and former manager of music diva, Tiwa, did not tell her that he had a lovechild

with plastic surgeon, Dr. Vivian Oputa, until the musician was head over heels in love with him.

The disclosure about the love child, a daughter named Onah, only came when Tiwa was neck deep in their relationship as both prepared for their

ILL-BLISS FOR TEEBILLZ...

WILL HE SETTLE WITH TIWA OR RECONNECT WITH DR. VIVIAN? •Tiwa Savage ShunS eSTranged huSband on hiS birThday

The greatest love stories show a strain of madness and chaos. The pain, the mechanical beating of the heart; even the vast emptiness that besiege the parties’ souls are part of the process. Had anyone bothered to inquire from her, the world would know that when Tunji Balogun a.k.a TeeBillz, married Tiwa Savage, all was far from

Tiwa Savage

Teebillz

nuptials which eventually held in Lagos in November 2013 and Dubai in April 2014. But rather than back out of the union, Tiwa, 35, chose to keep faith in their love - sources close to her revealed that she was also wary of causing a public scandal by pulling out of the marriage at the 11th hour. Thus even though she was completely weighed down by extreme anxiety and sadness, she married her 37-year old lover, TeeBillz hoping things would miraculously change in their best interests. But things only worsened between the duo as they have gone their separate ways following a very scandalous spat that played out on the social media.

TeeBillz who is now the father of four children ( two – Olabisi and Gaetano – from his dalliance with his United Kingdom based lover, Onah with Dr. Vivian Oputa and Jamil with Tiwa) faces the burden of either reconciling with his wife, Tiwa, or reconnecting with the mother of his lovechild, Dr. Vivian.

Some days ago, the blogosphere was on fire as Tunji added another year to his age and Tiwa didn’t dignify him with birthday wishes.

T H I S D AY SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016

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Sunday October 9, 2016

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Price: N400

MISSILE

Imo Govt to Owerri Residents

“Government deliberately abandoned the refuse along Douglas Road, Owerri, to get back at Owerri people who have been battling the state government, over the relocation of the market” – Governor Rochas Okorocha’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Samuel Onwuemeodo, reacting to criticisms trailing the mountains of refuse in some parts of Owerri

SIMONKOLAWOLE SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

Unleash $200bn to Grow the Naira And Four

W

ith due respect, I would say Nigerian lawmakers are “fantastically” failing to earn their stripes. They love to be called “honourable” and “distinguished” — and I don’t have any problems with that, basically. We’ve had a Cardinal Rex Lawson who was not a cardinal and a General Levy who was a reggae rapper rather than a military officer. So I don’t really care what appellations and salutations lawmakers ascribe to themselves. What I care about is what they are doing to change the world, to make Nigeria habitable, to wipe away the tears of the people who elected them into office. They can call themselves “excellency” and “venerable” if they like.

Recently, the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency International (NEITI), in its Policy Brief, highlighted projections that Nigeria might have lost over $200bn since 2008 because of the failure to pass the petroleum industry bill (PIB).

The bill was presented to the national assembly in September of that year by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. The projections cover estimates of losses in investment, return on investment and losses owing to unclear fiscal terms and non-resolution of host community issues. Lost employment opportunities, both direct and indirect, run into hundreds of thousands in the upstream and downstream sectors.

At a time Nigeria is trapped in recession and thinking of all possible means to get out of the miry clay, including selling oil and gas assets, you should think that the PIB would be a matter of urgent national importance to the Nigerian lawmakers. As noted by NEITI, neighbouring Ghana started and completed its own oil industry law in less than two years.

Hoping against hope, I was expecting one Nigerian “honourable” or “distinguished” to raise the PIB issue on the floor of the house after the NEITI report. I expected our lawmakers to push for the quick resolution of all pending issues so that we can finally begin to unlock the billions chained down in the sector.

What did I get for my expectation? There were more urgent matters, obviously. First, the house of reps suspended Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, former chairman of appropriation committee, for letting out the dirty budget-padding secrets of the legislative confraternity. You don’t do that and get away with it, even if you didn’t partake in the communion. (Jibrin actually partook; can you imagine eating and talking at the same time?) In Nigeria, you will be crushed if you think you can play the hero in our tragicomedy.

Jibrin’s office was immediately sealed off with zeal. Case closed. I dare any other lawmaker to attempt to spill the beans again. It will be death by firing squad, I promise.

While I was still full of expectation that the PIB would take the centre stage at some point, another drama was staged in the theatre of the house of reps. This time, it was something like “Sack Emefiele to Grow the Naira”. Hon. Ali Isa (Balanga/Billiri constituency, Gombe state), sponsored a motion calling for investigation of central bank’s forex policies. In his contribution to the debate, Hon. Mojeed Alabi, representing Ede north/Ede south/Egbedore/Ejigbo (Osun state), and Hon. Wale Raji, representing Epe (Lagos), said Mr. Godwin Emefiele should be sacked

Buhari as CBN governor because of the falling naira.

That debate has national significance, at least.

I can understand the anger of members of the house of representatives. The forex situation is killing. Many of their children school abroad.

The school fee of $10,000 that used to be N1.97 million is now N4.5 million! Given that many have also moved their families abroad to escape the stress of our Nigeria, you can imagine the maintenance cost. It is choking. Even BA tickets are quoted in dollars these days. The rich also cry.

The ordinary people have been crying forever.

Prices of goods and services are daily spinning out of control. There is too much import content in what we eat, drink, wear and use in Nigeria.

No Nigerian can escape the dollar devastation.

However, I don’t know how Hon. Isa’s motion will increase crude oil price, stop Niger Delta avengers, improve oil production/export, boost reserves and lead to the recovery of the naira, in the long or short run — given that the monthly demand for forex is over $3bn while inflow is less than $1bn. How are we going to make up for the monthly shortfall? Print dollars? Borrow from IMF? Sell assets? Or sack Emefiele? Dissolve the CBN? If so, then let’s mobilise the army counter-terror unit to the CBN head office in Abuja, instruct the soldiers to shoot everybody from the ground floor to the executive floor and see how it will grow the naira. It would be a very exciting experiment.

By the time the lawmakers are done with their drama, however, I plead with them to look into the PIB again. The Nigerian economy is not only suffering, we have become a laughingstock across the civilised world. How can a law that was conceived by former President Olusegun Obasanjo 16 years ago still be undergoing legislative processing? In fact, it would appear that after all the expert inputs, stakeholder engagement, drafting and re-drafting, we are about to start the process all over again. Does that mean we have to go through another 16 years of processing? What new things are we going to write into the bill that will require starting all over again?

The journey to a single-dose bill to modernise, liberalise, streamline and consolidate our laws to

unshackle the oil industry was kick-started on April 24, 2000 by Obasanjo, who inaugurated the Oil and Gas Reform Committee (OGRC) made of local and international experts. After four years of work, they produced the National Oil and Gas Policy (NOGP). In June 2005, Obasanjo constituted the Oil and Gas Implementation Committee (OGIC) to develop strategies for the implementation of the policies. Their recommendations included restructuring NNPC, deregulating the oil industry and providing incentives to private entrepreneurs to invest in new refineries.

With Obasanjo gone, Yar’Adua’s government approved the NOGP on September 5, 2007. He set up another OGIC to produce the policies based, and finally presented the bill to the national assembly in September 2008. That was when the politicking started, and every attempt to pass the bill since then has stalled. Arguments broke out over the fiscal terms which the international oil companies are uncomfortable with, as well as the deadly Nigerian political competition over which section would benefit more. In April 2016, the senate said the bill was too big and sought to break things down bill-by-bill by introducing the petroleum industry governance bill (PIGB) first. It is dead now.

Our failure to pass the law means the oil industry remains perpetually underdeveloped and undiversified. According to NEITI, industry experts estimate that we have lost over $120bn — that is, $15bn yearly — in investments withheld or diverted by investors to other countries because of the uncertainty. They are afraid that the old rules would no longer apply, and they don’t have any idea of what the new rules would be. Throw in another $100bn potential earnings in five years, from 2007-2012, and you have a total “loss” in excess of $200bn. In a world of fierce competition for investment, it beats the imagination that there is never a sense of urgency in Nigeria.

The forex crunch currently destroying the economy is often attributed to our failure to develop local industry — and this again applies to the petroleum sector. Our refineries have never worked and no one has been willing to invest in new ones since the rules are not clear on product pricing. So we import virtually every litre of fuel we consume. Between 2009-2014 alone, we imported $26.4bn worth of refined products. Multiply that by two from then till now. Our gas reserves, meanwhile, remain largely untapped. Investors want to know what they are getting into. I truly wish the legislators would spend more time on solving real problems and earning their stripes.

Above all, I agree with NEITI that President Muhammadu Buhari should lead the drive to get the PIB passed. One, it is, after all, an executive bill. Two, there are a lot of contentious issues that require the leadership bringing the stakeholders together to strike a compromise. Three, Buhari says he wants to reform the petroleum sector. Now that he is mending fences with the legislature, he should prioritise the PIB. We don’t have to re-invent the wheel. There are so many things we can do to grow the naira, and the billions of dollars lying inchoate in the oil industry is a very sure fertiliser. We “lost” $200bn in eight years. The “loss” could rise to $400bn in another eight years.

Other Things...

OBI’S LAW I’ve known Mr. Peter Obi, former Anambra governor, for nearly 15 years — so I was not surprised his presentation on “frugal management” at Platform (organised by the Covenant Christian Centre, Lagos) went viral. You see, Obi was not called “aka gum” (“Mr. Stingy”) by Anambrarians for nothing: he has always insisted that every kobo of public money must be spent judiciously, and waste must be reduced to an insignificant minimum. He not only preached modesty, he practised it for eight years as governor. That was his life before office and remains so till today. If President Buhari and the governors really want to cut cost, they should borrow from Obi’s manual. Practical.

SELLING JETS Still on cutting cost of running government, many Nigerians have been demanding since 2015 that Buhari should fulfil his election promise of disposing our bevy of presidential jets. It is thought that the 11 jets in the fleet cost us N5.3 billion in maintenance yearly. That alone can build an ultramodern hospital, trust me. The federal government has now put up two of the jets for sale. If I know Nigerians very well, they will say it is not enough to sell two. That is a good argument, no doubt, but selling at all is a good starting point. Rather than grumble, as we normally do, we should agitate for more cost centres to be shut down. Progress.

COMMITTEE COUNTRY We have done it again! Buhari has set up a committee to repeat the work of another committee that repeated the work of a previous committee, and so on and so forth. The 24-man panel, led by former Senate President Ken Nnamani, is expected to “review electoral environment, laws and experiences from recent elections conducted in Nigeria and make recommendations to strengthen and achieve the conduct of free and fair elections in Nigeria”. All former presidents did it — either in the form of conference or panel — so why not Buhari? That is what makes us Nigerians. It’s our culture. One committee after the other. Change.

UP RANGERS! Congratulations to Rangers International of Enugu for finally winning the Nigeria Professional Football League. What a co-incidence: the last time they won the league, Buhari was the head of state. That was back in 1984! Over all, I believe they deserved the title: it is just an extra spice that it came after 32 years. I found this season’s NPFL very interesting from the beginning, although I was surprised MFM FC started on a promising note and ended up escaping relegation by an inch (on goal difference, actually). I tip IfeanyiUbah FC for greater things next season. Some words of commendation to the League Management Company for a successful season. Hurray!

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